Nature Notes - November 2020
Sickleholme Nature Notes
For most of us, the last opportunity for golf in November came on the 4th and, as with the previous occasion, this precursor to lockdown gave us a glorious sunny day. The course was alive with birds which included a Kestrel, a noisy family party of Jays, small flocks of Siskin, Long-tailed Tits (Hilary Tann’s cracking photo is shown) and the Pied Wagtails which had bred on site. Robins and Wrens were noticeably vocal and the whole was against a backcloth of wonderful autumn colours. All would be still there on the following day, but we weren’t to be!
There was a splendid new initiative on 14th, however, when Simon arranged a Children’s Nature Walk. This was very successful, with 24 youngsters from 20 families participating. All were given a map, instructions, and a recording sheet, whilst wildlife clues were arranged around the circuit covering what might be seen. Some of the children proved very astute in their observations and there was a commendable mix of creatures within their sightings. Well played, Simon.
In last month’s notes, I referred to the possibility of someone from Sorby Natural History Society starting an inventory of the fungi around the course. It looked as if this would have to wait until next autumn, but as it turned out Rob Foster from Bamford was able to have an initial scout around, working from the footpath on the north side of the course. His list, whilst only a sample of what we must have, gave both Latin and vernacular names for those that he found. Within the latter were such splendid labels as Oily Waxcap, Buttercap, Trooping Funnel, Yellow Knight and Saffron Milkcap. I was intrigued by the word deliciosus in the Latin for the Milkcap but sure enough, my Phillips guide showed it as “Edible and much esteemed in Europe”. I am not sure, however, that I yet feel brave enough for foraging. Some of Rob’s photos showed well distributed “fairy rings”, so I can see plenty of further opportunity for study in this area when we are able to do so.
And I was worried as to how I would ever have enough material for this month’s notes!
Bryan Barnacle
