We arrived at the Lodge around 10am and were met by our guide, Neil Renwick for our morning tour. Neil had given a talk about The Lodge and the ambitious plans for the newly enlarged site at our evening meeting at the beginning of October.
By the bird feeders we saw Greenfinches, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and Sparrows feeding. After an introduction by our guide we set off on the tour which is not available to the public at this time.
We stopped en-route frequently for Neil to give us details of what was going on around us and what the RSPB are planning for the future.The different species of fungi that were around were very interesting, the Beefsteak Fungus which can be found around Oak and Sweet Chestnut trees, also the Orange Peel Fungus a non edible fungus and the Fly Argaric fungus. Whilst looking at the fungi and flora we also saw a Green Woodpecker and startled a Woodcock.
There were a number of wild flowers still showing including the Meadow Cranesbill and the Dove's-foot Cranesbill.
It was overcast but we still had a pleasant morning learning more about what the RSPB is doing at their headquarters reserve. As we came to the
end of the tour the rain started to fall but we all felt very satisfied with the
morning's tour. There was excitement that day because a new bird had been seen on the
reserve but there was some secrecy surrounding its identity; we found out later that it was a Dartford Warbler and that it
was the first to be seen there.
David Jennings.