A little while since my last update and a lot of the botanical and butterfly interest is now on the wane. Indeed, much of the vegetation on the south facing slopes and in the rides has had its annual cut ready for next year. There is still plenty to be found on the ‘plateau’ though – including a patch of Slender St John’s-wort.
Slender St. John’s-wort
There are plenty of other things to be found on the reserve at this time of year as was demonstrated this week by Justin Smith (Local Ecologist and Mycologist) who led a training day on early fungi. Large numbers of both grassland and woodland fungi were found and ‘keyed out’. In particular, Justin pointed out a large number of fungi that associate with Rock-rose – a plant much in evidence on the reserve. As well as grassland species, a good number of woodland fungi were identified including death cap mushrooms and slime moulds!
Death Cap
Mycena Pura
Walton Common SSSI - An Avon Wildlife Trust Reserve 