New Year Walk

Volunteers and visitors enjoyed a guided walk this morning to welcome in the New Year.  The route went along Risedale Beck before visiting the lake and parts of the red trail.

Along the way many different types of fungi, lichen and invertebrates were found giving everyone ample opportunity to hone their photography skills.  Jenny took this lovely photo of a 7-Spot Ladybird as it crawled across the Turkey Tail Fungus.  Larch Ladybirds were also seen on several of the bridges alongside the beck.

As the majority of bright red Hawthorn berries have now been eaten by winter thrushes there is not a lot of colour to be seen around the reserve, unless you look carefully.  This Scarlet Elf Cup was found by Brian just off the wood chip path, these fungi are commonly found on damp woodland floors in amongst leaf litter or in the soil.

Yellow Brain provided us with another burst of colour as we passed a dead tree.  This beautifully bright fungus can grow to about 10cm across, comprising of many soft lobes and folds.  As it ages and dries the colour fades to dark orange.  This fungus only occurs as a parasite on species of Peniophora which may not always be seen as Yellow Brain may occur on the mycelium before fruiting.

Happy New Year to you all!