Winds and warmth

 Having come with P. at the week-end to take the hedge trimmings etc to the tip, today the plan was to put coffee grounds around the new planting in the big bed, assess the fruit bed and investigate blackcurrant cuttings. Also the usual windfalls and general look-around. 

Something has been trying (and in one case succeeding) in rootling round the new plants and disturbing the straw mulch. Settled it back, sprinkled the coffee grinds then placed bamboo canes across the bed to (a) hold the straw (winds are forecast) and (b) discourage more rootling. It might be pigeons, hedgehogs, pheasants - who knows. A camera might be useful....

There is more fungi around the willow tree stumps/seats. 

I think I identified this as common inkcap last time, but that's not definite!

Also some more Glistening Inkcap.

When I was over by the proto-pond this fungi caught my eye, not been able to find it in the references, nearest seems to be hedgehog fungus.

Took some blackcurrant cuttings and put them in a pot on the fruit bed. Tidied around J's bed. Lots of strawberry plants there and they have been sending out runners which have rooted everywhere. There's even a few unripe fruit growing!

Wasps still active, a few bees buzzing loudly and one or two hoverflies still around. Blackbirds (f+m) in and out of the hedge, maybe a dunnock and of course the faithful robin. Overhead a hunter riding the thermals - not the more common buzzard. Light coloured body, short compact tail. The finches swept off in a chittering cloud.

Flowers - yellow daisy-type in the wild flower bed, also mallow still with a few blooms and the red clover. Mint holding some sprays but most are crisping, as is the chicory. Calendular-like plant in the asparagus bed is still flowering. Yellow rose has a flower and a bud, the other rose has several buds.

Some raspberries still flowering, picked a handful of fruit before it goes mouldy. The rain and mild weather will finish them soon, I think. Also came home with more apples and a surprise gift of quince! Must take some syrup next week as a thank you.

Job part done

 It was dry yesterday and although there is a light dew, it is dry enough to try trimming the hedge. I've not done this before so came with 3 batteries, protective glasses and focus. 

Although the trimmer isn't particularly heavy, it is awkward so there were plenty of breaks. I couldn't reach the top and I only went as far as the window because of the wasp nest and I had no intention of disturbing them! I did disturb several (possibly) white plume moths. The line is a bit wibbly-wobbly but overall, not bad. 

I must say it took longer to tidy up than actually trimming but the sun was shining and the coffee stayed hot.

While I was sitting I could hear the bees and hoverflies in the wild flower patch, enjoying the red clover and the yellow flowers. Also the mallow (not marsh, the other one),

At least 3 robins and 2 blackbirds followed me along the hedge, looking for treats. Magpies and bluetits flying low overhead. Clouds of white fly fuzzed the air. Sitting in my favourite spot I could hear the now faded leaves of the big trees, shimmering like rain in the autumn sun.

Then a brown butterfly whizzed across the plot, too fast to recognise.

Bliss.

   

Nice surprise

 There were signs of other visitors since my last walk around the plot. For the past few weeks the sweetcorn has been nibbled - but by what? Number one suspect is always pigeons but they would not drag a half-eaten cob across to the clear grass under the old apple tree. Then I spotted the scat (or poo). 

Not pigeon, then! 

A few other droppings around so had to consult the identification sheet when I got home but these remain a mystery.

A. arrived whilst I was having a coffee break (nice surprise) and she correctly identified hedgehog droppings - not purple, as I had been lead to expect, so the colour might depend on what the hog had eaten (obvious, I suppose). 

The large fungi growths from last week have disappeared, only to be replaced by a couple of delicate parasols in the straw grass.

We had a chat about the plot then I packed up and left A. to its peacefulness.

 

Short on time

It's all about the weather now we have passed the autumnal equinox, so the forecast today gave a couple of hours clear before biblical rain for the rest of the day. No-one else around, of course.

Quick walk round revealed fungi around the sitting stumps over by the pink fence.

I think it might be Glistening Inkcap (Coprinellus micaceus) but there is more on the opposite side that looks like something different.

I'll have to check the books - it's probably poisonous!

Okay, looks like Common Inkcap (Coprinopsis atramentaria) and yes, is definitely poisonous.

Picked up the apples, not many from the old apple tree but lots fallen from the low eater. Had to leave some as I wont have time to process them all and A. might have her new press ready to use!

Tried to sort a bit round the back by the 'pond' area, pulled up some Himalayan balsam and brambles.

A branch has broken off a blackcurrant by the plum so cut it off and put it in the fruit bed, No idea if it will grow or die. Another branch was almost at ground level so tried layering. Must remember to check it next week.

The yellow roses are still blooming.

The mints are flopping over, the flowers browning as side shoots appear so removed some of the tops and perhaps there will be useable leaves into winter.

The sky was darkening so started to gather things together. The robin flew into the shed, then out again (thank goodness) and sat on the fence looking at me quizzically. Perhaps I'd not done enough to help him find a meal!

Just as I was leaving (and still with the camera at hand) I spotted this. Out with the reference book.....

So, could be Brown Mottlegill (Panaeolina foeniseci) and yes, is poisonous!