The Sun on my ears!

JELLY EAR FUNGUS

Saturday the 9th saw my good friend Glyn and I making our annual trip to meet up with Maureen and Michael from the Worcester area. I first met Maureen and Michael as part of the walking festival where I was leading several bird walks, and we have remained firm friends ever since. So, once a year we meet up at Tal-y-Bont on Usk where a coffee awaits us in the village shop which doubles as a post office. After a welcome coffee and a catch up we made our way into the countryside, where a walk of about three miles at a very steady pace awaited us.

The weather had been miserable since dawn, but by 9.30am the worse of the rain had passed over and we were blessed with warm sunshine. The local Rookery was as active as ever and a grey Heron passed overhead towards the 'heronry' about a mile away. Other birds were soon added to the list including Blue Tits, House Sparrows, Blackbirds, Chaffinches, Siskins, Mallards, Crows and Robins.

We entered the feilds and followed the river bank along where some Leucobreum Glaucum moss was in fruit - tiny pin head sized fruiting bodies that protruded from the moss which was growing on a dead branch. The river was quite fast flowing due to the recent rains so it was no surprise that we wouldn't see any Dippers today.  A female Mallard however was perched on the edge of the water, enjoying a mornings kip, at least until we arrived. Like all roosting and resting ducks, the head was tucked backwards into the body, but with a beady eye open it was no surprise she had seen us before we spotted her. After a quick photo we left her in peace.

Woodpigeons, Wrens, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Nuthatches and a pair of Jays were added to the list - the latter showed off the beautiful flashes of blue in their wings, the feathers so loved when found by fly fishermen. A pair of Mistle Thrushes were chasing each other around the tree tops, and as they flew past over the open fields, they showed off the characteristic white under wing patches which is a good identification feature. It always makes me laugh as to me it looks like they have gone a bit mad with some deodorant. A distant Red Kite passed overhead which is always a welcome sight.

Buzzard were circling and calling overhead and a female Sparrowhawk flew very quickly past and over the distant woodland copse. A Dunnock was calling from deep within the undergrowth and as we continued the sunlight was breaking through the canopy where I noticed a small group of Jelly Ear Fungus growing on an Elder branch. The Sun was shining right through the 'ears' giving an opportunity for a photograph.  The walk ended back at the village where our customary sandwich and a pint awaited us in the local pub. This few hours get together for a small local walk always proves worthwhile, as does the long lunch and chat afterwards.