Newts, often called efts among many other things were one such group of animals that were poory understood in the past.They were thought to be the spawn of witches in the middle ages and to touch one would turn you to stone or you would lose your lover ! such silly superstitions thankfully rarely occur these days. This dead common newt(Lissotriton vulgaris) was snatched by a bird and tossed around its pond, yet was not eaten.
The Witch hazel has a lovely scent and has been in flower for about a month.
The relatively mild winter has allowed lots of fungus to fruit out of their usual time of year. The common helvella or white saddle(Helvella crispa ) is an odd shaped fungi and may not be shaped like a typical mushroom and may be overlooked much of the time.
whilst the common ink cap (Coprinus atramentaria) is common and to be found on wood especially if buried in the ground.
The fungi has surrounded a bumble bee nest box in the garden of the Bournemouth natural Science society.
One of my favourite passerine birds is the tiny long tailed tit. When I was a kid, I called them “Lolly pops,” as they are just a little ball on a stick.
This one was killed by a car in the New forest.