Sheelagh Hill led a circular walk, starting from the Rising Sun at Witheridge Hill, on Wednesday 16tht October. The rain fell continuously and sometimes heavily throughout the walk, but that failed to deter the 8 hardy souls who set out. The hedgerows were full of fruit – including sloes, rowan berries, holly berries, elderberries and crab apples. The leaves on the trees were still predominantly green. The route followed footpaths across fields to the Nettlebed Road, then continued on a track along the edge of Highmoor Common Wood. There were some big clumps of Honey Fungus and a fallen branch had a jelly-like cup fungus. Continuing into Holly Grove, a large wood pile was at an interesting stage where the forest floor species were taking over from the rotten wood fungi. Wood Sorrel, bramble, the first tree seedlings and various ferns and mosses were growing on it. Common Tamarisk-moss had delicate fern-like fronds. Further on through the woods, big red berries and pale-backed leaves on the ground indicated the presence of several Whitebeam trees. The footpath continued through beech woods, where there was a rich selection of fungi, including Amethyst Deceiver, False Deathcap, Common Yellow Russula, Blusher, Buttercap and much more. Fly Agarics were found under a birch tree. A deep groove in the bark of a large beech tree was funnelling a veritable stream downwards and there was a big ball of foam where this reached the ground. Next to the path were several small specimens of Western Hemlock Tsuga heterophylla, a conifer with white undersides to its leaves. It is an import from western North America and will take over and block out other trees unless controlled. A large clearing had been felled relatively recently and there was heather growing in patches. Returning to Witheridge Hill, a Parasol Mushroom was dripping water off its cap in the grassy field next to the pub. Back at the Rising Sun, everyone enjoyed lunch in the warm, dry and welcoming pub.
Pictures by Sue White and Jan Haseler