Our 15 strong group headed out from the Red Lion on the outskirts of Basildon for a circular 5 mile trek around the local paths and back roads. The wooded pathways provided a bounty of fungi and bird calls for those patient enough to listen. Only the hamlet of Quicks Green provided a glimpse of civilisation along the way until completing the ascent to the impressive Upper Basildon playing fields and village hall. Blandys Lane led us back to the pub for lunch and a much needed beer. Aside from the fungi the natural history highlights of the day were the sight of a fox on our path holding some prey in its mouth – either squirrel or rabbit; the sounds of Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers; Nuthatches; Red Kites; Buzzards; Goldcrests; Blue Great and Coal Tits; a Yellow Wagtail passing overhead and Swallows gathering prior to their migration. Butterflies were few and far between, but towards the end of the walk there were plenty of fresh Speckled Woods to be seen at close quarters.
Report by Tony Rayner
Pictures by Graham Mulrooney and Graeme Kelly
Fungi list kindly provided by Gordon Crutchfield:-
Gymnopilus junonius Spectacular Rustgill
Clitocybe odora Aniseed Toadstool
Collybia maculata Spotted Tough-shank
Agaricus comatus
Agaricus capmestris Field Mushroom
Agaricus avensis Horse Mushroom
Agaricus placomyces
Langermannia gigantea Giant Puff-ball
Bovista plumbea
Oudemansiella radicata Rooting Shank
Boletus chrysenteron Red-cracked Boletus
Boletus albidus
Boletus porosporus
Russula cyanoxantha The Charcoal Burner
Russula lepida
Russula parazurea
Stereum hirsutum Hairy Stereum
Stereum gausapatum
Daedaleopsis confragosa Blushing Bracket
Piptoporus betulinus Birch Polypore
Psathyrella sp x 2
Laccaria laccata The Deceiver
Laetiporus sulphureus Chicken Of The Woods
BUTTERFLIES
Speckled Wood
Large White
Green-veined White
Meadow Brown
BIRDS
Carrion Crow
Rook
Magpie
Jay
Green Woodpecker
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Nuthatch
Wren
Goldcrest
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Robin
Yellow Wagtail
Chaffinch
Buzzard
Red Kite
Sparrowhawk
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Swallow
Chiffchaff
MAMMALS
Fox
Grey Squirrel