Abbey Meadows

Abbey Meadows

Saturday 27 September 2014

Golden Scalycap





Golden Scalycap (Pholiota aurivella)

My reference books describe this species as occasional and more frequent in the South. I find these annually around the woods in Morpeth. The most spectacular ones grow at the bottom of someones garden beside Morpeth Common at the foot of a Beech stump. A bit of sunshine would do this lovely species justice. Other things around Morpeth have been Speckled Wood butterflies in large numbers on almost every bit of woodland edge and Kingfisher(s) at Oliver's Mill and Oldgate bridge...my first sighting on the river in Morpeth for nearly 2 years.

Wednesday 24 September 2014

Autumn ground colour




Golden Waxcap (Hygrocybe chlorophana)...Monks Ridge, Morpeth



Autumnal Crocus (Crocus nudiflorus)...Whorral bank


Brick Tuft (Hypholoma lateritium),,,Abbey Gate


Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)...Bluebell woods, Bees go in striped and come out of the flower white


Slime mould (probably Fuligo septica), orange form/stage...Carlisle Park

Plenty of colour this time of year with bright berries and changing leaves but sometimes to get the best out of our local wildlife you have to get on your hands and knees to appreciate the colour and texture of our least popular or observed species.

Thursday 18 September 2014

Pale Brittlestem




Pale Brittlestem (Psathyrella candollenna)...garden lawn



Elder Whitewash (Hyphodontia sambuci)...Postern woods


Trooping Funnel (Clitocybe geotropa)...Postern woods


Common Earthball (Scleroderma citrinum)...Wanney line


Monday 15 September 2014

Late summer colour


Late summer colour at Pegswood Moor


Hoary Plantain (Plantago coronopus) Pegswood Moor



Blackening Waxcap (Hygrocybe conica) garden lawn


Lemon Disco (Bisporella citrina) Carlisle Park

Thursday 11 September 2014

Blackstonia


Blackstonia perfoliata (Yellow Wort)


Frosted Orache (Atriplex laciniata)

Blackstonia perfoliata, Yellow wort is at its Northern limit in Northumberland and is hard to come by except at Hauxley nature reserve where it grows in their hundreds. A late flowerer there were still a lot of flowering plants last week. On the beach was a clump of Atriplex laciniata, Frosted Orache growing in a precarious position on the shore at Hauxley. I first came across this plant growing at the Chibburn mouth in 1974 and then again 10 years later at Chevington burn mouth in Druridge bay but not seen it since. I believe the plant shows itself some years as it grows on the foreshore and is vulnerable to shifting sands.