This Autumn has been the third mildest Autumn on record. The effect of warmer benign weather is most noticeable on trees and foliage. Having had no real frost or Autumn gales has allowed leaves to develop colour, and for them to stay attached to the trees. Hazel, Silver Birch, Beech and Maple in particular have been extremely colourful, showing strong yellows and russet brown, with the occasional red. When the leaves have fallen they have created amazing mosaics on the woodland floor.

As leaves fall, it allows light to penetrate into woodland, and on bright sunny days the bark of trees comes into focus. Silver Birch (Betulaceae) stands out, and has the brightest of barks. Birch was one of the earliest of trees to recolonise in Britain after the ice age. It is probably the most numerous of trees that has colonised the forest.

Although the most outstanding colour of Autumn is the different hues of brown, the occasional flash of the red of berries stands out. Bryony (Tamus Communis) and Holly (Aquifoliacea) berries provide the most bright red in Autumn. A particular fungi is also bright red, and is unmistakeable,  Fly Agaric (Amanita Muscaria) is the most easily recognised of fungi.

Another advantage of a mild Autumn has provided the perfect conditions for many types of fungi to grow. Whilst other forms of flora, ( particularly deciduous plants ) are preparing to go into rest mode, fungi are at their most active. Some fungi are still emerging as we go into Winter. Fungi are extremely difficult to identify, as their colour range is limited. Shades of white, brown or beige are the most common colour ranges. Also if you do not observe the fungi when it first emerges, it is even more difficult to identify, as the fungus will deteriorate and discolour.

Lumpy Bracket - Trametes Gibbosa

Truffel Hunting

Common Earthball - Scleroperma Citrinum - Puff Ball

Fly Agaric - Amanita Muscaria - Red Fungi

Bryony - Tamus Communis

A wet November morning

Following three days of rain, many of the tracks and pathways in the forest are extremely muddy, and the gullies and ditches are filling with water. Many leaves have fallen from the trees as a result of the wind and rain, allowing more light to penetrate through the trees. The bark of Silver Birches shone in the sunlight.


Very few birds were observed this morning, apart from a large flock of Wood Pigeons flying through the Beech wood. A few Great Tits and Blue Tits were twittering amongst the birches, and a Green Woodpecker made it's alarm call deep in the woods.

No shrubs or flowers were in bloom, but a few late fungi had survived the attention of collectors. Lumpy Bracket ( Trametes Gibbosa) was prolific on the stumps of beech trees. These are often found on dead wood in broad leaf woodland.                                                                                              Glutinous Waxcap
(Hygrocybe Glutinipes) which can be found amongst moss and grass, was possibly identified;  neither of these fungi are edible!

November 2014

Jack is of course a Jack Russell whose main domain is Hempsted Forest; he expects at least two walks each day in the forest. This gives us an opportunity to observe the wildlife and flora and fauna of the forest throughout the seasons. The purpose of this blog is to share these observations with you.