TURN OF THE SEASONS The clocks have fallen back and we are in winter mode.  Dark nights are here to stay for the next few months, and so our lifestyle alters, spending more time indoors - in front of the fire, the tv or the computer – and don’t forget - if you are on your computer visit our excellent website – www.warcs.org.uk . Looking back over the year we have had some excellent talks, and field trips, from red kites, to metal detecting, to Romans in the area.  In the summer, Tony Clarke gave us a wonderful class about the pebbles found on Kilnsea beach. Then in October we had a fungus foray at Burton Bushes, Beverley Westwood, and again Tony led the walk, and came up with all the names of the fungus found.  The most interesting fungus we found, I thought, was the witch’s egg, which is the young egg-shaped fungus before it shoots up to form the foul smelling stinkhorn. The WARCS Nature Reserve is a picture, carpeted in golden leaves, and here there are a number of fungi also, such as the artists bracket, tyromyses brackets, candle snuff fungus, tiny mycena, jew’s ear and dead man’s fingers, just to name a few.  What an array of unusual names! There is an abundance of berries for our resident birds, and all the migrant thrushes that are arriving from Scandinavia, a veritable larder for them all to relish and survive the winter with.  But let us just hope that it isn’t as severe as last year. As we head towards Christmas, amid all the temptations in the shops, my resolution is not to overspend or overbuy, and to cut down on all the waste too:  to use re-useable bags, and after Christmas recycle all those cards and wrapping paper, and, of course, all those empty bottles of Christmas cheer. Seasons Greetings, and I wish you all a Successful, Healthy and Happy 2012. Rosemary Roach 05.11.11 SUPERSTITIONS Fungi For centuries the sudden eruption of fungi led people to believe that evil dark forces were at work.  Fairy rings were thought to be where fairies came to dance, and were thought to bring good luck.  However, woe betide anyone who should enter a fairy ring, because bad luck would befall them.  Even Santa Claus has been linked to fungi:  his red and white outfit was said to be the symbol of the Fly Agaric fungi.                                                     Copyright © Wolds and Riverbank Countryside Society 2004.                                                                         Last updated: December 2011