Not Jim Reeves

Adding a new bird to the garden list has never been easy, so far this year i have managed to include Rough legged Buzzard, Tree Pipit and Pallid Harrier, the latter perhaps not the most expected of species. Nothing could have prepared me recently for the sight as i pulled into the garden, a cracking male Reeve's Pheasant strutting beside the hedgerow. Though strickly not a "British" bird, having originally been introduced to large estates from northern China, still a gem to brighten any ones day ! 

Although the temperatures have now dropped significantly, the recent mild spell produced some impressive fungi, this first one was attached to the side of a dead Elm. It resembles the Honey Fungus (Armillaria mellea), although the jurys still out on that one ! Honey Fungus is well known for its destructive capabilities, destroying large numbers of trees every year, covering the stumps with an obvious white mould.

The lawn did not escape the attention of fungi, the curious candy floss like Pink Patch (Limonomyces roseipellis) appeared and covered a large area. This belongs to a group of fungi often referred to as Snow Mould, because of their appearance after snow has melted.