Pink Waxcap (‘The Ballerina’), Ribchester
IN A DEPARTURE FROM MY NORMAL ROUTINE, I had a look at some fungi with Phil Larkin today. I wonder if there is a synonym for twitching among fungi enthusiasts? The most notable was Pink Waxcap Porpolomopsis calyptriformis, sometimes known as ‘The Ballerina’, on account of how it ‘lifts its skirt’ as it grows. What a cool name for a living thing? It is red-listed across Europe and the UK is probably the easiest place to see it but it is still uncommon here and is found mostly in the west on short turf, uncultivated grassland sites. Here it is growing on the lawn of 18th century almshouses. There were a number of other species here and in the adjacent churchyard. I am far from getting to grips with fungi but I’m inspired to learn some more. Thanks Phil!
A walk along the river today added my first BTO BirdTracks for October, the highlight being a Green Sandpiper, which took my Ribchester patch list to 95 for the year. 100 is looking possible now with almost three months to get them and fairly easy ones like Whooper Swan and Woodcock still missing. Little Owl is somewhere in the east of the patch and I can find another two new ones by the end of the year. The river was up a couple of metres following over 24 hours of steady rain, my observation spot of the ‘Tush’ was underwater, as was the footpath by the Roman Baths. In fact there was not much flying over after dawn, just as the rain stopped, for obvious reasons I guess. A trickle of swallows, House Martins and Meadow Pipits continued over the village all morning and the number of Greenfinches and Blackbirds has increased. A group of 3 ravens flew over the Boat House and there were still four chiffchaffs in the hedgerows today.
Common Reed Buntings behind Lower Alston Farm were showy again today
The flooded path along the brook by the Roman Baths in Ribchester (Mike Watson)