Technicolour Nature!

The autumn colours at Foxglove are stunning. At this time of year the reserve is lifting with birds too, many arriving from their breeding grounds to spend the winter months in the UK.  This beautiful male redpoll was ringed earlier in the week. These small birds are found in flocks and are a common sight in the Field centre back garden at this time of year. 

The high pitched sound of Goldcrests can be heard up in the conifer tops. This juvenile male had a flash of bright orange on its crown neatly tucked in behind vivid yellow feathers.

Siskins too are growing in numbers with each day and this male has striking plumage.

A pleasant surprise recently has been an increase in the number of Greenfinches to the back garden feeders, their numbers have declined noticeably in previous years but they seem to be making a come back.

Up on the woodland walk this bright Pink Slime Mould - Lycogola epidendrum was discovered on some rotting wood. Also known as Wolf’s Milk or groening's slime, this curious mould changes colour; first it darkens to a chocolate brown and then becomes black.

There are lots of other colourful fungi around too especially Fly Agaric (Amanita Muscaria). It's known to contain ibotenic acid, which both attracts and kills flies – which gave it its name. Look out for this bright red toadstool with white spots next time you visit.