The past few days me and Fred have walked in Thornden Woods which will be part of the Wilder Blean project but acting as a neutral zone with no introductions. West Blean will have the animals introduced but these woods will remain as they are. The two different zones will be surveyed to compare the developments.
In terms of autumn colours things are accelerating quickly and these woods are spectacular. Beech trees, sweet chestnut, birch all turning yellow and in the early morning sun it is amazing. Bracken has largely gone brown now with dead ruddy brown leaves on the floor which creates a palate range of amazing depth with everything starting with yellow. I noticed quite a number of Wild Service Trees which has now become one of my favorites this time of year.
Fly Agaric, I see so many of these mushrooms it is everywhere, I counted ten together in one grouping of them. They are an iconic motif which probably needs no introduction or description and have a place in my imagination that evokes sinister large deep uncharted forests in Eastern Europe or perhaps Scandinavia. Places with remote log cabins where children get put in ovens, or eaten by wolves disguised as old ladies. This is misguided as I think it is a world wide species. After reading a little more about these mushrooms it is revealed they are ‘symbiont’. In the same way as clown fish and poisonous sea anemone’s live together sharing a protection/nutrient in cycle of mutual convenience. Turns out Pine, Birch and Fly Agaric have a similar thing going on! I know there are large areas of close planted pine in these woodlands, a policy after the World War ll. These are being felled or thinned now, as it turns out pine was quick growing but not ecologically such a good idea with habitats at ground level really suffering. Birch trees are quick to grow and establish in these clear felled areas. Lots of Fly Agaric in these woodlands.
