Fruit and nuts are falling from branches, carpeting grass verges and woodland edges giving that familiar ‘crunch’ underfoot. Knobbly Horse Chestnut cases reveal the shining nut inside. Most Sweet Chestnuts have been taken by scavenging mammals leaving their spikey cases behind. Although some hedgerows are awash with colour, the change in leaves is a slow process this year and we hope worth the wait resulting in a colourful November.
Kestrels and Peregrines have been as active as ever in and around the village. We have been lucky enough to be able to watch them hunting at Durdle Door and Bindon Hill.
Fox Moth Caterpillars have been regularly spotted on grassy slopes. These are black and orange and very furry, so many in places it is hard not to step on them. These will overwinter in the ground in a cocoon of silk and emerge as a grey-brown moth in May/June. Red Admirals are still being spotted in all their glory; they are known as late flyers and continue throughout November some years.
In addition to the fungi mentioned in last months report, we have seen Puffballs on Bindon Hill; a white ball which produces a cloud of green-brown spores when disturbed.
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