Delamere

A walk around Delamere Forest, mostly sheltering from the blazing sun.

Delamere elevation

Delamere route

The day started off very misty, which quickly burned off to leave bright sunshine.

Misty trees

Misty trees

Halo around sun behind the broadcast towers

Halo around the sun behind the broadcast towers

A pair of Blackcap were feeding their young (hidden in the undergrowth somewhere).

Male Blackcap

Male Blackcap

Later on we found some Willow Warblers doing the same thing.

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler

Bulkeley Hill

Back to the walk around Bulkeley Hill, mostly to sniff out Damsons. Found many in the usual places, but they're still weeks off being ripe; the cool summer must have set back the season a lot, we were picking them around now last year.

Bulkeley Hill elevation

Bulkeley Hill route

View from the Sandstone Trail in Tower Wood

Heading down to Mickerra farm

Tree

The usual area of wildflowers and Balsam by Outlanes Farm was buzzing with insects but also difficult to get near because of nettles and thistles.

Flesh Fly (or some member of the Sarcophagidae)

Flesh Fly on thistle

Seed heads

Wildflower

Bee on wildflower

Bulkeley Hill

A walk up Bulkeley Hill and the surrounding countryside. Very muddy after rain during the week, particularly across some of the fields. Very different from when we came last year during the summer; hedgerows previously full of flowers and insects were barren with only dry stems left. The day was rounded off by some well preserved plate fungi.

Lonely Tree

Remains of the harvest

Fungus on a tree stump

Plate fungus

Plate Fungi

Plate Fungus (or UFO)