thing I found was something I have mentioned a couple of times this Autumn , but failed to post a picture . It is the orange seeds inside the pink seedpods of the Spindle-Euonymus europaeus . These were in a small hedge line which also contained Sloes , the fruits of the Blackthorn . Also found was another flower , taking advantage of the lack of frosts , and flowering into the back 
end of November . It is Herb Robert-Geranium robertianum , a really long flowering plant , having started last April .Very little birdsong was heard , mainly Jay , Magpie and Carrion Crow , but there was one Song Thrush that could be heard all over the Common , in full song as if it was Spring already .
A few fungi caught my eye , although they are very hard to find amongst the leaf litter . A pair of
good sized Red-cracked Boletus-Boletus chrysenteron , the usual 35mm. film canister gives a size comparison . Easier to spot was this stump , with a good growth of Coriolus versicolor-
Many-zoned Polypore , and a few specimens of Xylaria hypoxylon-Candle-snuff or Stag's Horn Fungus , thrown in for good measure . Skulking amongst the leaf litter was Russula ochroleuca-
Common Yellow Russula .The light was fading by the minute , and just as I was getting back to the car , the cloud started
to clear , just in time to see the sun disappearing over the horizon . Let's hope tomorrow is somewhat better , but I'm not holding my breath .Oh , and sorry for making you spill your tea Warren , with the picture of the Masked Lapwing .
and the remainder , of which there was quite a lot , was burnt off in an adjacent field . The fire , once started , was fed by a tractor , using the silage grab fitted to the front .
on an Oak leaf on the ground , I found Common Spangle Gall , produced by a tiny 
specimen , found on s dead Gorse stump . The others were found together under an Oak . Three specimens of 
specimen of 
looking for worms . It is known in NZ as a Masked Lapwing , but also known elsewhere as a 
Spur-winged Plover . A strange looking bird with that yellow wattle on it's face . I did see several others whilst out and about .
colours , with Tufted Ducks ( sorry Warren ) , Canada Geese and Coots ( sorry again Warren ) backing up some 75/100 Black-headed Gulls , sitting it out on the water , with the sun directly 
behind them . Around the lake , a large number of Carrion Crows were either sitting it out too , or generally making a noisy nuisance of themselves . Moving on to the open areas , things were 
very quiet , and it fell to fungi once again for some interest . This is another of the 
small birds feeding and moving on . Sure enough , it was a mixed Tit flock , with Long Tailed , Blue and Great Tits , all mixed together . Amongst them , I spotted a couple of small greenish birds . At first glance , I thought they might be 
island from where I had started , a very confiding Moorhen was checking the platform for any bits that had been dropped . It took no notice of me , and allowed several shots , before returning
to the water to continue feeding . Also from this side of the lake , I spotted a single Common Gull , in amongst the 
another platform to my left with a large supply of bread , and the Common Gull took off to make sure it got it's share , closely followed by the majority of the other Gulls , many of which were 
first Winter birds , like I think this one is . Also wanting to be photographed , was this female
Coot . Apart from the Autumn colours on the trees and the ripening berries on the Rowans , and Hawthorns , the only other bit of colour found was on this 
remember posting these plants in flower in the Summer with Harlequin Ladybirds on them . Before heading back to the car , I had a last look at the lake , from the first platform that I used when I arrived . I was glad I did , as in the intervening time , a group of 15/20 
mostly males , had arrived and were feeding in the margins , but not coming to look for bread , like many of the others . In the water behind them , were a pair of Mallard , bringing the recorded total to 26 on my visit , very satisfying , especially after that morning weather .
small Penny Bun/
was a nice stand of 
the ground , and several small branches that had been displaced , had nice specimens of Lichen attached to them , looking striking in the morning sunshine . I walked down to 
book that would shake the world , 'On The Origin of Species' . The Bog had become very overgrown by trees and shrubs , and LB 
along the middle pond , I met up again with the female Grey Wagtail . When I first saw her , she was 
for her to reappear along the bank , she flew up onto a log about 3 
they moved away to their roosting site . Given that it is so late in the year , the males still seem to be in breeding plumage , showing off those beautiful orange sails over their wings . The , by 
comparison , drab females stayed very close to the males , and followed them back to the roost . Once there , a lot of 'whistling' and 'snorting' went on , as if a few grudges were being sorted out .
the vegetation down by the little stream at the bottom of the garden .
worth to the road surface . I managed to get it onto my finger and moved it to a safer position . It looked very much like our Brown Hawker .
obviously a breeding specimen , as we also turned up several juveniles amongst the rotten wood . This one was about 4/5 
than I have ever seen in one place before . In places under the 
white/cream . Here , the two are on adjacent fence posts .
road . It just allowed two shots , before it flew off noisily . I also recorded a pair quite regularly in the garden , but they always kept in cover .
bigger than the Common , but if it isn't , I know I will be put right .
their finery . Just a short distance away was a single female , which was what all the showing off was probably about .
and seemed quite oblivious to my presence . A 
here' shot . This hole , I was assured by the Ranger at a small reserve we visited , was made by a Kiwi searching for worms . There were many more holes along the track in the area , and I believe him !
beach with the grandchildren to fly a kite . This male treated the tree and flowers as 'his' property , and chased off any other arrivals . The white on its neck is a very unusual sack type growth that I think only the male has .
surrounded by noisy Red Billed Gulls . I would say they are NZ 
Fantail . One day there were three males 
Californian Quail . This one is a male with a large projection from the top of the head , the females seemed to have a smaller projection .
White Faced Heron . We also saw Grey Heron , but this species is less numerous . Like the Kingfishers and many other species , worms from the lawn was what it was after .
Australasian Harrier , which were seen most days in numbers varying from 1-4 , including a juvenile , but never getting really close enough to get the shot I wanted . The 
sometimes the food attracted some of the native birds , like these 
the small stream , where not much gardening took place , wild Arum 
recorded , including this family of Paradise Duck . Mother at the top with the white head , father bottom left and two very young ducklings . As soon as the female saw me , she became very vocal and sent the youngsters one way into 
on the fence . The 'something' turned out to be a beautiful Monarch butterfly , with a wingspan of about 10 
