The Secret Valley

Having tired the kids and wife out the last three days i got a chance to do what i love the most and go exploring new locations,this valley i went to today has always caught my eye but it was the first time i had,had the chance to explore it fully.
The first thing i found was this amazing Bracket Fungi over 2 feet in length.

Bracket Fungi
Moving on deeper in to the valley i came across a large Badger Sett with leaves and used bedding covering the front,it was one entrance of three i found and the clay banks were covered in deep claw marks where the Badgers had dug in to pull themselves up to the entrance, for obvious reasons this location has got to be kept secret.

Badger sett Entrance
And would you believe within thirty minutes i had another Sett found.

Used bedding piled up outside the Sett entrance.
Deer tracks where all over the paths and it was easy to see where they had taken off and landed jumping small ditches.

Take off point.

Happy landings.
Now the bad stuff ,i found three places where poachers had drilled out holes in trees to set snares for the deer there is usually 3 holes and they are Deer head height, not a very nice thing to see.

First example of holes.

Second example.
The floor of the woodland was full of Slugs a staple part of a Badgers diet they get rid of the slime by rolling the Slug on the floor before eating them here are some examples of the Slugs seen today.I will do a more in depth post about Slugs and species in weeks to come.

Slug.

Slug.

And then a unusual sight a pair of Slugs mating.

A new plant seen today was a Stichwort, small delicate White petals.

Stitchwort.

Another unusual fungi seen was this one oozing out from a branch.

Witches Butter Fungi.
And so ended a fantastic walk with 12 Roe Deer seen as well as 3 Hares the birds seen today included Pheasant,Carrion Crow,Sparrow Hawk,Buzzard,Chaffinch,Goldfinch,and Blackbirds.
Off to the secret lake next have a great weekend Nature man Andy.




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