Birdwise , the gardens around the house were quiet , with just 9 species being recorded here , the only species exceeding a single was the Starling , with a flock of about 25+ flying off as I approached them . I had hoped that the fruit trees in the orchard where I photographed a small flock of Ring Necked Parakeets on my last visit , might hold either Fieldfares or Redwings , but it wasn't to be . Close to that tree though , I did find Clavulina rugosa-Wrinkled Cub , growing
amongst the short grass . The large meadow only contained , Carrion Crow , Magpie , Green Woodpecker , RRParakeet and Woodpigeon , once again , lacking the Winter Thrushes that often are found on the Holly trees around the perimeter . Eventually , I did find a small flock of Redwing in the small woodland between the three meadows , and whilst watching them feed on Holly berries , I noticed a movement lower down at ground level . When I finally managed to get the binoculars on the scene , all I got was the white back end of a minimum of 5 Deer , one a positive stag . They disappeared into the woodland , and I came across a stand of Clitocybe 
nebularis-Clouded Agaric , darker than usual in the conditions in which they were growing . I recorded Blue , Long Tailed and Great Tit in the woodland , before crossing into the cricket field .
As I did so , I disturbed three of the Deer herd , who had taken sanctuary in the field . Two immediately bolted away from me to the far corner , and I could see , now they were out in the open , that they were Roe Deer , all three female . The third went in the other direction , and tried to get back into the woodland , but couldn't initially find the gap in the stockfencing . She 
did eventually find the gap , without getting too fretful , and disappeared from view . The Cricket field , unusually , was almost devoid of Wax Caps , just a few Meadow , Snowy and an odd Parrot species , broke up the green grass . A small flock of 13 Jackdaws lifted from their perches around the hedgeline , but nothing else was recorded . By the time I got back to the gardens , a dismal 17 species was all that had been recorded , but the lawn behind the house , was sporting a colourful array of Wax Caps , but , not the rare pink species , Hygrocybe calyptraeformis , which I had 
hoped to find . Unlike the Cricket field , the lawn had good numbers of Hygrocybe coccinea-Scarlet Hood , a real blood red specimen . One specific specimen looked absolutely perfect , and I
had to photograph it on it's own . Also amongst the short grass , I found Clavulinopsis 
corniculata , looking similar to the Golden Spindles that I posted previously .
Leaving Downe , I had to almost pass Keston Ponds , so stopped for a look as the light once again
deteriorated . Almost straight away , I found the female Grey Wagtail , and she seemed to be accepting me now , as she came really close , before being frightened off by a passing car . Checking the Mandarin , I counted 7 at the usual roost on the bottom pond and 3 on the middle pond . one out in the middle , and a pair , unusually , out on the bank , but they entered the 
water and swam to the middle as soon as I got this shot , and I was still a good distance from them . The Mallard type numbers have increased again , and the only other things of interest were , what looked like a family group of 4/5 Bullfinches alongside the middle pond , 
and a Grey Heron , fishing on the far side of the bottom pond .
Tomorrow it's back to hedgelaying back up on the Greensand Ridge . You never know what might turn up , or not !
found on a fallen limb of Scots Pine . 
A very common species , found particularly on dead Beech is 
Cap-H.
Fewer specimens of the normally more abundant Meadow Wax Cap-H.
By the side of a tee , close to the car park , I found a really large specimen of Field 
The same 
( male on the left ) , Common Gull , Goldfinch , 
Chaffinch , 
Wax Caps , and this year the show of this fungi was even better . They start off green , like this specimen , but as they age , they become yellow , with a greenish tinge . Also found in the same area were Snowy Wax Caps and just a few Meadow Wax Caps . Another find was this freshly 
emerged specimen of Shaggy Ink Cap / Lawyer's Wig-
sunshine , that turned out to be a troop of 32 specimens of 
turned up for his .
semi torpid male in one of the boxes . He was awake , but not charging around , so making a photograph quite easy . We popped him back into his box once he had been sexed and weighed . About half a dozen boxes further on , the photo opportunity was even easier , with a fully torpid 
male being found . Interestingly , the two animals were different in colour , this one an almost grey/brown , whereas the previous one was much more of a gingery/brown . The torpid animal started to react to the warmth of my hand , so we quickly returned him to his box as well . Coming towards the end of the 50 boxes , I slid the lid of this particular one , to find an eye 
looking up at me , it was a Yellow-necked Mouse . It seemed to be of the opinion , that if he kept his head under the leaves , I would not see him . Unfortunately for him , he was evicted from the
box and scampered off across the fallen leaves , only to stop some distance away , to check on what exactly was happening , before heading off to look for new accomodation . No other animals were found in the remaining boxes , nor at the other site where there are 20 boxes , but several nests were found , but they were all cold , showing that they were not in use now . Whilst 
walking through the vegetation , I was surprised to disturb a moth , which flew off a short distance , then settled again on the underside of a leaf . I managed a shot , now all I need is for someone to identify it , please . Driving between the two sites , I spotted a flower on the roadside verge , and stopped . It turned out to be what I always think is the first flower of the new year , even though we haven't finished this one yet . It is 
Winter Heliotrope-Petasites fragrans , a member of the Daisy family . The flower is very similar to Butterbur-P.hybridus , but this will not be in flower until March , by which time the Winter Heliotrope will be finishing .
False Death Cap .
The third , also amongst the grass , one of the Wax Caps , Hygrocybe nivea-Snowy Wax Cap .
And finally , the Boletus that I found last weekend , has now been identified as Boletus queletii .
pair , but still a striking bird . The female , even more striking , with it's white head and even 
more colourful plumage . As I have said before , the introduced 
numbering 15/20 , especially when scraps were thrown out . The New Zealand 
one , high in the Gum Trees , or , secreted amongst the thick vegetation , down by the stream . A few insects found around the garden , included this 
This one , a female , identified by the 
enough to find an adult , although our daughter said she saw the adults quite often . One of the many Spiders found around the house , not surprising as the house is 
built on sloping land to the back , giving ideal habitat for the Spiders underneath . And finally , one of the 
attracted to each morning for it's breakfast .
above water level , and a single male , looking rather dishevelled , on his own in the open water . It wasn't long before all was explained , as I had arrived whilst he was in the middle of his 
morning ablutions . Taking no notice of me , he continued , watched by the other two 'Ms' on the pond , Moorhens and Mallard types . I'm sure that sometimes they moved close to him to get 
their morning shower . He finished off with a 'walking on water moment' , as he seemed to stand on the surface , and with a good flap and a shake , got rid of all the surplus water . I did get a shot of it , but he was so active , it came out very blurred .The middle pond was devoid of any birds , not even the Grey Wagtail , and the top pond held just 2 Moorhen . In fact , very little bird call was heard at all , except for Nuthatch , Great Spotted Woodpecker , a few Corvids and a few Tits . So I headed off looking for fungi , and soon came across what would have been a really good sized Amanita muscaria-Fly Agaric , but someone/thing , had smashed it into three pieces . 
Almost alongside , was another , just having emerged , but already having been a snack for something . The white sack , that all members of this family emerge from , can be seen clearly in the ground . My next find was a member of the Boletus family , but as yet , I'm not sure which
one . As can be seen by the photographs , the stem was as wide as the cap , and on site , I thought it might be Satan's Boletus-Boletus satanas , but on checking up from the reference
book at home , it is too late in the year for that particular specimen , I shall keep looking . In all , I found four specimens of the fungi , all had been kicked/pulled from the ground .
of the same family , L. laccata-Deceiver . It gets it's name , as it is very variable in appearance , and therefore difficult to recognise at first sight . On the open grassland area , above the ponds , 
I found Clavulinopsis fusiformis-Golden Spindles , I like it when they look like their common 
name , and close by , under Beech , Russula atropurpurea-Blackish-purple Russula .
some , like this one , man made , and others formed by tree roots and the like . On the
bank sides , in the shaded areas , I found Liverworts , one of the lowest classes of vegetation .
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-
end of November . It is Herb Robert-Geranium 
good sized Red-cracked 
Many-zoned 
Common Yellow 
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 .
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 
and three females were hauled up on their favourite overhanging branches , along with some of the dozen or so Moorhen , that seem to have taken a liking to this the quietest pond of the three . The Mandarins are still very wary , not coming out into open water , must remember a loaf next time , just might entice them out for a photo shoot . Two Canada Geese , the first seen this Autumn here , were the only residents on the middle pond . As I wandered up to the top pond , I came across an old man with a stick , searching amongst the leaf litter . As I got closer I could see a good sized string bag , stuffed full with fungi . I spoke as I passed and he answered with a French accent . I asked if they were 
individual , the black duck of the family , albeit it's head a bottle green sheen in the sun . I headed off over 
common species by far , was 
droplets of milk like substance . This one is L.quietus-Oak Milk-cap , surprisingly found under 
Oak trees . I did find the odd 
site was 
the probably did , as there was still good warmth in the sun . Not a bad November record .
orange seeds within the pink seedpods , but too late , the seeds have already fallen . The only 
other colour found along the paths , was Nipplewort/Lapsana communis , but even that was coming to the end of it's flowering . I checked the Violet Helleborine as I passed , and they have dropped their seeds and are dying off now , so fingers crossed for more plants next year . Very 
close by , I found two specimens of the same fungi , at different stages of their development . They are both Panaeolus companulatus-Bell-shaped Mottlegill . As I walked along the broad ride towards Burnt Gorse , the scene is so different now , to when Silver Washed Fritillaries , White 
and Red Admirals , Commas and Peacocks were readily found . Now , a carpet of leaves produce a very Autumnal scene . Very close to where the SWFs were seen egg laying , I searched amongst the leaf litter for one of my favourite fungi , Coprinus picaceus-Magpie Fungus . I could 
only find two specimens , one had been well chewed , and the other , pictured , was just emerging from the leaf litter , not yet showing it's black/white , Magpie colouring . Hopefully I will find a specimen in good condition on a later visit and post another shot . Also amongst the leaf litter , 
and as Dean said the other day , very hard to spot , were a couple of specimens of Geastrum triplex-Earth Star , with their spore sacks raised up to ensure good dispersal . A bit further down 
the slope , another of my favourites , Rhodotus palmatus , once a rarity , with the advent of 
Dutch Elm disease , much more common due to the abundance of dead Elms . Alongside the Golf Course , I met up with the noisy RRPs and Crows again , arguing over the possession of one of the 
tree tops , as the sunshine started to become watery and the wind started to spring up . Another 
pair of fungi were on either end of a fallen branch . The first Chlorosplenium aeruginascens - 
Green Wood-cup and at the other end Bisporella citrina , nestled amongst the moss . Heading back towards the car with the wind freshening all the time , I came across a Grey Squirrel that 
seemed to be day dreaming , as I got quite close before it scampered away . Chaffinch , Nuthatch ,Redwing , Gt.Sp.Woodpecker ,Wren and Blue ,Great and Long Tailed Tits were 
recorded before getting to the car , and the increasing wind had the BHGulls practicing their flying skills . Within sight of the car , I took my last shot , Stropharia aeruginosa-
Verdigris Agaric.
breakfast , our Nuthatch made several visits to the feeder , and allowed a couple of shots . Carol tells me that whilst she was ironing yesterday afternoon , he spent 4/5 minutes bobbing about on the patio , amongst the container plants , at times , no further than a metre away from her through the 
eggs , which looks good for next year , but also found the top one of these two that had been predated , most probably by a member of one of the Tit species . The bottom egg is still intact , laid directly onto the buds that will provide fresh food for the caterpillar when , and if , they survive the Winter , and hatch out next Summer .
found . The first , does what is says , Brown Roll-rim / 
white pyramidal warts on the cap , probably washed of by the recent heavy rains . The only 
other interest found today , was when I visited the Hornets nest . The ground in front of the entrance hole was littered with grubs , in various stages of growth . The entrance hole itself had 
been opened up , and another hole opened above it . I can only guess at what had predated the nest , but from the fact that the nest had not been dug up , I discount a mammal , and would point the finger at either a 
nest was found about a third of the way round , and this contained 3 Dormice , a female and 2 males . Spirits were lifted , even if the rain showers had started again . Then another surprise ,
when a Wood Mouse was found , using an old Dormouse nest as it's home . I'm pretty sure , this is the first recorded this year , although they were found on a regular basis in previous years . Enough surprises for one day we thought , but no , after a fleeting glimpse of a female Roe 
Deer , another box produced the first Yellow-necked Mouse of the year , before another single male Dormouse , towards the end of the boxes . The Reptile survey , being done alongside the Dormouse one , was not anywhere near as exciting , as nothing was found under any of the refugia on the site , not surprising given the weather conditions .
just , but this male weighed in at a massive 32 grammes , enough weight for two good sized adults , and he only had a short tail , but it obviously didn't stop him getting plenty of food . The question we then posed , was , how did he get that bulk through the small hole . Anyway , he certainly shouldn't have any trouble hibernating over the Winter with that amount of body fat . The Reptile survey still remained at '0' , until we turned a tin on the bank of a pond , and 
recorded an adult Grass Snake , and that turned out to be the only Reptile recorded today . Back with the Dormice , two more single males were recorded , and then on the last but one box 
opened , another three , once again two males and one female . These three were the most active of all that we found today , and they made a shot of all three of them very difficult . As we sexed and weighed them , we could see that two of them were 'White tips' , the ends of their tails 
looking as if they had been dipped in a tin of white paint . About 20% of the population are supposed to be 'White tips' , but once again , these were the first that we have recorded this year . Over the 70 boxes surveyed , 12 nests were found , 11 Dormice , plus the other two mouse species . A really satisfying day .
Bonnets ,
lots of Xylaria hypoxylon-Candle-snuff or Stag's Horn Fungus ,
and amongst the roadstone in our yard , Peziza badia .
were six in number , five close together and one on it's own . I took this shot from a distance , then closed in slowly . They are probably well used to people , as visitor numbers have been 
very high over the Summer , and I was able to get to within 10 metres and get a close up of one of them , before a shrill call set them noisily off again . Whilst watching them , a Green 
Woodpecker swooped past and landed on a nearby tree , unfortunately in the shade , thus my quick attempt at a shot left much to be desired , as the camera seems to have focused on the nearer leaf rather than the bird . Funnily enough , as I was leaving the site , I disturbed a Green Woodpecker feeding on the apples that the Parakeets had been on . As I was leaving the orchard and entering the walled vegetable garden , seven Redwings , my first Winter visitors of the year , flew over calling , and disappeared into a large well laden Holly tree . Apart from a Sparrowhawk and a Carrion Crow having a go at each other over the large meadow , the rest of the survey was average , with 21 species being recorded , the best of the rest being Mistle Thrush and Nuthatch .
good numbers of Clitocybe nebularis-Clouded Agaric . This species can often be found in rings or troops in woodland , and the cap can reach 20 cms. across . Also found in good numbers was a member of the Mycena family , M.pura , one of my favourites , with it's soft pink colouration .
however find one small group of Wax Caps , Hygrocybe ceracea , looking very dapper in the morning sunshine . As I went round , I also kept a eye out for any late butterflies , but didn't find any until I made my usual re-visit to the walled garden before leaving . The temperature had 
got up since my first visit , and I was rewarded with a very slow moving Painted Lady , trying to warm up , the still low sun , casting a giant shadow on the path . I watched her make several efforts to fly off , and she finally made it over the high wall , probably to nectar on the last of the flowers in the formal garden . Several other insects were using the brick walls and Ivy bushes to 
warm up and feed on , including Wasps , Honey Bees and flies , and this Hoverfly , which I think is Eristalis interruptus . As I walked back to the car , I was bombarded with acorns , not from 
the usual Oaks , but from the evergreen Holm Oak , the acorns being much more pointed than the Sessile or Pendunculate Oak . 
of the top pond , I recorded 15/20 Common Darters , some just soaking up the sun on the 
adjacent fenceline , but several pairs were still egg laying in tandem . Looking back through my records , I have recorded the species here in previous Novembers , but not in such numbers , and never egg laying . The recent mild weather should ensure good numbers of the species next year . My last sighting was an old friend , the Grey Wagtail , and for once , I managed to get 
reasonably close , but his constant movement and the fact that he was in the shadiest part of the pond , did not help the photography .
small stream . Amongst the regular daily sightings from the garden were , a pair of Kingfishers , who perched on the fence , and swooped for worms from the lawn most evenings , up to 4 Australasian Harriers , including one juvenile , which I think were nesting in the tall Gum trees , forming part of the orchard shelterbelt , within a stones throw of the garden , and a super little songster called a Silvereye , and my personal favourite , the native Tui . Some species were easily recognised from back home , as introduced species like Song Thrush , Starling , Chaffinch and Yellowhammer were all recorded together with more exotic species like Mynahs and
Eastern Rosellas . A few interesting insects were also recorded , including this female Paper Wasp , building her nest just below the decking . My daughter said that they were nothing to worry about , but , given my track record , one landed in the crook of my arm , and stung me . Butterflies were few , but I did manage some shots of a Monarch , a beautiful specimen , and will post them later . Being that Spring is just starting there , many of the roadside ditches were ablaze with vibrant Gladdioli type flowers , 
Oxeye Daisies and many more . It was a shame to cut the lawns , as amongst the grass , were lots of this little beauty , the name of which I don't know .