I'm lucky enough to live very close to a colony of ivy bees - these are currently a southern specialty, having only recently colonised (as of 2001) the UK, although they're spreading north. They're fairly unique in emerging from their underground burrows in September - the males emerge first, having pupated underground, forming great swarms ready to pounce on females that emerge later. At the moment, the slope down to the River Avon path is abuzz with them in great numbers. The females do sting but as most of the insects are males (non-stinging) and they're all far to busy trying to find a mate, you can easily wander through or sit among them for a great close-up view of this interesting insect. They're called ivy bees as they feed on the nectar of the ivy flowers, which are a late bloomer and hence out now. Another reason ivy is a good thing!
This week I managed a quick walk around Martin Down - some flowers do still cling on, including harebells, and devil's bit scabious. But apart from that, it definitely had the feel of winding down for the year.
And then on Sunday we ventured into the New Forest, this time starting at the popular spot of Fritham. The Oak pub is excellent, but with the sun shining, we had packed our lunch instead, hoping to escape the crowds at this busy spot.
Navigation in the Forest is always tricky - made even harder by my out-of-date OS map. You might think not much happens to make a map inaccurate, but as the Forestry Commission- working with partners such as Natural England and the National Park - clear blocks of conifers, restore streams, and open up enclosures, suddenly landmarks have changed dramatically! All this meant that, although we had a lovely walk, taking in ancient woodland and open heathland, we did get slightly lost. Thankfully, our phone GPS got us back on track - just as well there was reception!
All of our meanderings led us to stumble (sometimes quite literally) upon several spectacular fungal displays. it's still a bit early - and a bit dry- so we were pleased with our finds! A large parasol mushroom (good to eat but even better to take photos and leave behind), some form of bolete (same family as porcini and possibly also good to eat, depending on the species!), as well as some amazing bracket fungi (possibly artist's palette). All of this made possible by centuries of lack of active management by humans, wood being left to rot where it is, and the livestock being free to wander and create unique microhabitats.
And all this at the start of autumn - more fungi please!
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