Sweet chestnuts

Sweet chestnuts are just starting to burst open in Sussex woods now.
The few that I have sampled are disappointing.  They are too shrivelled to be worth collecting and cooking.  Let's hope that later ones will be better.

Chicken of the Woods

A bright yellow beacon spot-lit in sunshine shines out through the woods.
It is a chicken...

... a Chicken of the Woods,  Laetiporus sulphurious, the Sulphur Polypore.

Wine tasting butterflies

This Red admiral was enjoying a tipple of concentrated grape juice today...

...and so was this Comma.

Grapes are loved by wasps and birds - and also butterflies, it seems.
The red colour of these leaves is not an effect of the Autumn. 
According to viticulture expert, Dr. Georg K. Hill, it is due to magnesium deficiency in the soil.

Sussex County Orchid Society talk, Weds 12th September 2012 by Peter Lovett

The Sussex County Orchid society

"The natural year in Focus"

The Sussex County Orchid society meeting

Wednesday 12th September

19.30hr at Lancing Manor Leisure Centre,

 BN15 0PH

is open to all.

Peter Lovett, a wildlife photographer will present,

"The natural year in Focus",

a pictorial presentation of the wildlife of Sussex and beyond showcasing the birds, plants and insects which have been captured by his camera lenses throughout the year.

Non-members are welcomed at a cost of £3.

Autumn Lady’s-tresses orchids on the Downs above Brighton, August 2012

Photo ©Peter Lovett,

www.peterlovetttalks.co.uk

Autumn-flowering Wood Anemone...???

Moles were very active in this part of this West Sussex wood. 
Where they had thrown up mole hills, two wood anemones were in full flower... in September!
How very strange!