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David

Birch boletes

Birch bolete

One of several species of mushrooms which depends on a symbiotic relationship with a birch tree, so is only found immediately near birches.

Birch bolete

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David

Holly berries – with bonus cricket

Holly berries with small cricket

The rich reds of the berries and greens of the leaves: it can only be holly. The upper picture also has a small inconspicuous cricket – it’s on the upper edge of the leaf below the berries.

Holly berries

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David

Earth stars

Earth star

When they are fully out, earth stars look like some kind of alien flower.

Earth star

At an earlier stage, their relationshop to puffballs is more obvious.

Earth star

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David

Well chewed brown roll-rim

Well chewed brown roll-rim

This mushroom had obviously already provided a good meal for something.

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David

Milk cap

Milk cap

Milk caps are a group of mushroom species which exude a fluid when damaged. In some of these species the fluid resembles milk in colour and consistency. In other species the colour is different, or changes gradually on exposure to air.

Milk cap

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David

Small flock of gulls

Black headed gulls

This small flock of gulls frequent the playing fields of Compton Park when there is little human disturbance. Most are black headed gulls, but the juvenile, with what looks like mainly grey feathers, is a different species, probably lesser black backed.