Sanderlings at Ferring.

A Sanderling, above, was darting around energetically last weekend.  They breed in the Arctic and most overwinter in South Africa, Australia or South America; a long way for a little bird.



 

 

A robin in Nymans Garden today

Photographing wild birds is easy where there are lots of people and the birds are almost tame, like a public garden.

Yellow Waxcap fungi today in an ancient meadow in Cuckfield, West Sussex

Roasting chestnuts with a Poffertjes pan

 

A Poffertjes pan, above, is ideal for roasting chestnuts.  Just heat the cast iron pan on a gas ring and blacken but not burn the chestnuts for them to peal easily when a bit cooler!

It does take quite some time.

 The results are worth it.

A meander into Pagham harbour at low tide; Curlews & Redshanks.

Yesterday I meandered into the harbour area in front of Siddlesham at low tide.

One would not wish to slip into one of the myriad of  muddy creeks.  It might be seriously tricky to get out again. 

It was good fun though and I didn't stay very long.  One just had to remember a way back to terra firma before the whole area was under the sea again.

Goldfinches flocking at Pagham harbour yesterday

A flock, in excess of thirty birds, were swirling around Pagham harbour yesterday.  Some may be heading off to France shortly.

Little Egret at Pagham harbour yesterday.

This egret steadily paced along the creek, stabbing for food along the way.

It was quite a way off as the photo below shows.  The photo's above were taken with a zoom lens.

Wonderful cloud formations yesterday in the High Weald after the storm.

There were some wonderful cloud formations yesterday in the High Weald the day after the great storm of 2013; above looking northwards from Biggs Farm near Staplefield. 

Storm damage yesterday in a West Sussex wood.

This is an ash tree blown down in the hurricane force winds yesterday.

This is blocking a path and will need to be cleared.

The birch tree above, which has been snapped off has opened up more light to the delightful little glade above.

Fast forward to the 4th November 2013 and below are some pictures of the clear up work.

Fairies dancing in Waxcap fairy rings in Cuckfield, West Sussex today.

Several "fairy rings" of what might be waxcap fungi appeared today in Cuckfield.

The fairy rings may be difficult to see in the above picture but there were definite circles of fungi in this meadow adjacent to New England wood.  The fairies had departed before I arrived so I was unable to capture an image.



Lilac Bonnet fungus in West Sussex

What a pretty little fungus from 24th October 2013 in New England Wood, West Sussex.

It might be Mycena pura.

It is tiny. 

There it is -- in the center of the picture above.

Sweet Chestnut time & it is a good crop in West Sussex

Deep joy when the chestnuts are open of their own accord, saving my fingers having to prise them open.

There are plenty and I have spent an hour or more cooking, shelling and freezing those below for a Christmas stuffing.

Some Orchids from Singapore Botanic Garden

Anyone interested in orchids may wish to view the Southern Counties Orchid Society programme of meetings in Lancing at  http://www.southerncountiesorchidsociety.com/ 

Heavy rain in Singapore

Then it stops after some minutes and the sun comes out.