YWT Strensall Common - 24 February 2013

A quick afternoon walk at Strensall Common in a cold northeasterly wind. A flock of c50 Fieldfares flew north reminding us that we are still in the grip of winter. A pair of Tree Sparrows were chirrupping in the bushes by the level crossing where we parked. We headed across the track and turned left through a kissing gate after the cottages. Heading right, we looped round back on to the track. The heath was wet with not much signs of life, though the vibrant cushions of green moss were attractive. On the way back to the car we spotted some splendid Birch Polypore fungi, growing like brackets perpendicular to the trunks of a dead Silver Birch. A little closer to the level crossing some larger brackets were the well-named Horse's Hoof Fungus. A scan over the large MOD heath on the other side of the road failed to reveal any Stonechats or the Hen Harrier seen here last month, though I wasn't too expectant!

Birch Polypore above and Horse's Hoof Fungus below.