On Wednesday 16th November, Mick and Jacky Cross led a walk which started and ended at the Fox and Hounds at Sunnyside, Theale. The walk started out around Hosehill Lake, where Wigeon were particularly numerous and a Water Rail was heard making its ‘squealing pig’ call from deep in the waterside vegetation. Other birds included Gadwall, Great Crested Grebe, a few Tufted Ducks and Greylag Geese. The route then led westwards along Bottom Lane towards Sulhampstead. A few Shovelers were spotted on the next gravel pit and a clump of big Parasol Mushrooms were seen in the copse at the side of the road. A footpath led across the fields to the Kennet and Avon Canal. Fieldfares were numerous and a flock of Siskins was moving through the Alders. Blue-green Verdigris Agaric fungi were found in the grass. A few Water Avens plants were in flower beside the canal – an extraordinary record for November.
Pictures by David Cliffe and Jan Haseler