Summer Leys

16th January 2026

A sunny day in January meant a stroll around Summer Leys Nature Reserve. We didn't manage to visit all of the reserve as parts were flooded from the rather wet weather we have had. We did spot a few fungi and I have decided to try to identify some of them although some seem almost impossible to name

A cluster of large orangey brown glossy mushroom shaped fungi are growing on a tree trunk.
A single orangey brown rather droopy mushroom shaped fungi is growing on a tree trunk and the paler coloured gills on the underside are visible.
A cluster of very dark brown almost black fungi shaped a little like human ears are located on a lichen covered tree trunk.
A dark yellow almost orange fungus that looks a little jelly like and has a rather amorphous shape.
A large almost translucent yellow amorphous cluster of fungi looking rather damp and growing on the underside of a tree branch.
A small Blue Tit is inspecting a small mound of wild bird food placed on top of a fence post.
A handsome grey and brown Dunnock is choosing a morsel from a pile of wild bird seed.
A colourful Robin is looking rather content next to a plentiful supply of food.
A low winter sun is giving a flooded lake a yellow sheen whilst the far bank is almost silhouetted.


Growing on a tree and matching other images on more serious websites we think this fungi is Velvet Shank

A cluster of large orangey brown glossy mushroom shaped fungi are growing on a tree trunk.



Felmersham Gravel Pits

1st January 2026

We celebrated the start of 2026 with a stroll around Felmersham Gravel Pits, we tend to visit less frequently in the winter as the wooded sections can get muddy. However, we were coming towards the end of a cold snap so took a gamble on a firmer surface. It was an enjoyable walk although we didn't get quite as many sunny spells as we hoped giving our photographs an almost monochrome look. The occasionally fungi added a splash of colour!

A small partially frozen lake surrounded by bare trees is almost monochrome under a near sunless sky.
A small brown but almost orange mushroom shaped fungi is brightening up the dull brown leaf litter of winter.
A pale brown mushroom shaped fungi with a stem in the same colour is starting to look a little wrinkly around the edges of the cap.
A top down view of what was presumably a bright pink almost red flat topped fungi but now a victim to the passage of time and looking a little chewed and damaged.
A decomposing log is home to a glorious clump of white textured Candlesnuff Fungi some with forked tips on their long capless stems.
An otherwise bare branch is brightened up by a small cluster of purple catkins which have yet to open fully.
A cream to yellow mushroom shaped fungi with a darker slightly curved stem is growing behind a slender fallen branch.
A colourful mushroom shaped fungi with yellow stem and patches of yellow around the edge of the bright orange to red cap is nestled amongst wet moss and leaf litter.
Amongst short grass are a few mushrooms with brown stems and shallow alomost conical caps which have a speckled appearance almost as though they have been dusted with a thick layer of icing sugar.
A low winter sun partially concealed by clouds lights up a partially frozen lake which is surrounded by trees and reeds.


Ice was starting to melt on the smaller lakes.

A small partially frozen lake surrounded by bare trees is almost monochrome under a near sunless sky.



Summer Leys

25th December 2025

Christmas Day 2025 was a beautiful sunny although slightly chilly day and with the day to ourselves we decided to have a walk around Summer Leys Nature Reserve. It was surprisingly busy, mostly older families and a few couples. We enjoyed the walk although didn't take all that many photographs

A view across a small expanse of still water which is reflecting the bright blue sky and the far bank which is lined with brown reeds and bare wintery trees.
A grey and brown Dunnock is perched on top of a fencepost next to a small mound of wild bird seed.
A red breasting plump looking robin is singing whilst perched on a fence.
Nestled towards the trunk of a small tree is a clump of small brown fungi with tall ovalish caps and cream stems.
Part of the gravel pit forms a natural looking pond and the sheltered water is reflecting the bare trees and cloudless blue sky.


The Marigold Pond has had an odd year, it spent quite a few months flooded with the pond dipping platform submerged and the rest of the year almost empty with a fair drop from the platform to the shallow water

A view across a small expanse of still water which is reflecting the bright blue sky and the far bank which is lined with brown reeds and bare wintery trees.