October - December '07

These pictures of a Water Vole were taken at New Hythe as it was feeding on grass.

Taken at Wierton Hill Farm this was found on a compost heap of hay and rotted sheeps dung. It has no English name.

Taken at Wierton Hill Farm this is Lycoperdon echinatum. The lower picture is at a later stage when the fungi is decaying.

Taken at Wierton Hill Farm this is Stropharia semiglobata.

Taken at Wierton Hill Farm these are probably Cortinarius hinnuleus.

This fungi was photographed on Shoreham Down. Coprinus picaceus, is found in late summer to autumn. Said to be poisonous but eaten by some with no ill effect.

These were found at New Hythe and they are the first blue fungi I have seen. Following a suggestion from Steve Nunn, these may be Stropharia aeruginosa, which is seen from July-November and is poisonous.

Found at New Hythe but I have not identified them yet.

Found at New Hythe and not identified yet.

This fungi was taken in Knole Park and is poisonous. It grows in Pine and Birch woods from August-November.

Found at New Hythe and not identified yet.

These were found at New Hythe where it is fairly common between May-November. The cap is egg shaped and closed at first, later bell shaped. The gills dissolve into a black inky fluid. The young closed specimens are excellent to eat.

Although not in Kent, these fine shots of Hornet were taken in Sussex at Batemans, Rudyard Kipling's house, which I thought were worthy of inclusion.

An e-mail from Andrew Henderson suggests that this is a Dark Bush-Cricket. Taken at New Hythe this insect was basking in the sun on a gate. It is a female, told by the dagger-shaped ovipositer.

Another parasitic fly, Rhyssa persuasoria, which was photographed in Knole Park. One of the largest Ichneumons, it uses its long ovipositer to drill deep into pine trunks to reach its host, the Horntail larae.

Taken at New Hythe, this Icheumon suspiciosus is an endoparasite of Swift Moth larvae and various noctuid caterpillars. It is common on umbels in summer and hibernates as an adult.