was. And he left behind a large trail ofpellets, so clearly he was terrified out of his wits!
So I left the mouse family to their nest. And you will be asking what kind of mouse it
was, but 1 don't know. 1 have an old book of mammals, but in the pictures they all look
remarkably alike. But ours were grey-brown on the back and white underneath, so I fear
they were probably House Mice. A couple of days later we had two grandchildren with
us, and I tried to show them the mice. No sign, all gone, nothing at all. I wonder where
they went? So long as they did not come indoors......PS in late November we found
evidence of mice in our hallway and the garage. Time for some eradication action!
Maybe these are the same mice?
Early in November my husband brought back two specimens of Redlead Roundhead
Stropharia aurantiaca from our local rec. The next day we both went to look at them.
Some of the big shrubs had been removed by the Council and the area was covered with
wood chips. On these were several dozen of this attractive fungus (see Plate 6). But
with it, or nearby, were also large numbers of Psathyrella spadiceogrisea, which is a
rather boring brown chap, and, more exciting, hundreds of little Fluted Bird's Nest
Cyathus striatus (see Plate 1). Now all these are well-known on wood or bark chips, but
the numbers amazed me.
Near the end of November we went for a walk along the Ingrebourne on a beautiful
sunny afternoon into Hornchurch Country Park. The shallow wetlands were all flooded
after the recent rain and we noticed a group of Lapwings on a tiny muddy islet gleaming
in the sunlight. Near us was a birder with a telescope, but he was not watching the
Lapwings. He showed us a Snipe, in a sunny spot among some golden reeds, a greyish
brown speckled body with a long beak, crouching near the ground. We had not seen a
Snipe before, but I will know what it is next time I see one. Further on, we came across
a 'fairy ring' of fungi in a patch of grass. The caps were pale beige-grey with a slightly
greasy feel. Some had been kicked over, showing pale gills, but I was looking for a
stalk, hoping not to have to pick a whole mushroom. Then I saw one, detached from the
cap, and it had beautiful blue/violet fibrous speckles on it, showing it to be the Field
Blewit Lepista saeva which is a treat indeed. We picked about a dozen and they were
delicious later having been fried in butter and served on toast.
A few days later, on 22 November, we had this year's Exhibition and Social meeting.
We had nearly 120 people there, more than ever before. We made more money by
donations and book sales than ever before too. And we enrolled some new members.
The whole afternoon was very enjoyable for all concerned, with 23 displays of all shapes,
sizes and subjects. In 2009 it will be on Sat 5 December, so do put the date in your new
2009 diary now and make a resolve to come. Don't miss out this year!
The following day it snowed. Only about 5mm, but it was real snow, better than on 28
October when most of the south-east of England had snow but in Upminster it was only
a bit of sleet. Two snowfalls, and a frost on the night of 3 and 4 October, make it feel as
though winter has come early. We shall see what 2009 brings. Have a good New Year!
Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 58, January 2009
7