Fly Agaric Bonanza

There is little doubt that September is the best month of the year for fungi. On Hopwood this week there have been the best examples of Fly Agaric that I have ever seen. Also present this week there has been a continual passage of Swallows and House Martins with more Siskins arriving all the time. After an apparent absence during the Summer a Green Woodpecker was present on the 22nd. It was also pleasing to note a Roe Deer fawn which is the first proof of breeding of Roe Deer on Hopwood.

In the garden we have put some fat balls out this week which attracted thirteen House Sparrows one day plus a male Great Spotted Woodpecker. Unfortunately the male Sparrowhawk struck on 25th and was seen to fly off with prey so he continues to hunt through the garden.

A seven mile walk around the mature woods of Dunham Massey produced a Green Woodpecker and charm of up to forty Goldfinches. Nuthatches were everywhere and there was much evidence of overnight Badger activity.