Welcome to Minchinhampton Walking and Wildlife Group
The group was formed to share knowledge about the unique wildlife habitats in the parish of Minchinhampton and to enjoy the local environment in the company of like-minded people. We also monitor and investigate local habitats in conjunction with conservation organisations. Knowledge that we gain is shared on this website and by creating documented walks around the parish.
First Green Winged Orchid of the Season
On Minchinhampton Common this morning. Not the liveliest specimen we have ever seen.
- Details
- Written by Michael McEllin
- Category: Flora
Mistletoe
Misletoe time! Join us for a Christmas Eve walk looking for Mistletoe on our Common. 10:30am meet at the Reservoir car park (Minch. side).
- Details
- Written by Michael McEllin
- Category: Local Walks
Autumn Lady's Tresses (Spiranthes spiralis)
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These now appear to be as abundant as they get on the Common with flowers fully developed. Although we have not done a systematic count (just counting the easily spotted specimens as we walk through the usual patches) they look about the same as last year. This week we also spotted a patch previously unknown to us near the Fort on Rodborough, again on an unsystematic count-as-we-walk it has about 20 easily spotted examples. |
- Details
- Written by Michael McEllin
- Category: Flora
Bolete on Minchinhampton Common.
We recently found this example of a bolete on the Common - unusual, since they usually occur in woodland, and this example was a good distance away from the nearest trees.
I have not definitively identified it because that would require looking a the spores and cutting the flesh to observe the discolouration in air. I wonder whether it is Boletus luridus, which is associated with calcareous ground (though usually beach woodland) and also has a red reticulation on the stem against the lighter background.
- Details
- Written by Michael McEllin
- Category: Fungi
Lots of Puffballs around
Photographed this morning on Minchinhampton Common. I think that this is Lycoperdon utriforme. (Each about 6-8cm across.) There seem to be lots of these around at present (along with other fungi) after the recent damp weather.
- Details
- Written by Michael McEllin
- Category: Fungi
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