Hatfield Forest

I met up with my old mate JP on Saturday and went for a wander around Hatfield Forest.

It was warm and sunny day to start off with which turned to cloud and a drop of rain later.

We started at the Shell House cafe by the lake and went south, exploring the little coppices on the way.

The idea is to carry out a number of recce’s, the significance of which will be revealed in time.

Even in the very first coppice, we found a whole load of significant finds. Firstly, a cramp ball fungus growing on a sweet chestnut (it normally grows on ash – although John Scrivy has found it growing on birch as well.

Also, and a first for me, JP spotted some candlestick fungus Xylaria hypoxylon which gives off little puffs of spore, looking like smoke, when touched.

If that wasn’t enough, we saw this fantastic burl.

The forest is also a woodland pasture and there was no shortage of inhabitants roaming free. Because of the constant grazing, large grass paths have been formed between the coppices. This in turn gives raise to millions of buttercups in the spring.

Of course it’s the ancient trees that make the forest so attractive to many visitors. Some are over 800 years old and even off the beaten track there can be some wonderful sights…

…as well as the traditional magnificent oaks…

..and a huge exotic cedar of lebanon.

Uncommon mistletoe adds to the mystery of the forest, reminding us that it was held in high esteem by the our ancestors, who undoubtedly foraged in the area long before it became to be designated as a forest not long after the Norman invasion.

Everywhere you looked, there was something to catch your eye…

A quick mental calculation revealed this narrow trail had been very recently used by 4 fallow, a badger or two (there and back) a fox and a muntjac. A tracker’s delight!

You may get a glimpse of the elusive Hatfield Horror!!

Happy Hallowe’en!!