Signs of Autumn at the Gardens

I haven't had much to blog about recently as a bad cold meant I didn't feel much like going out. Bird-wise the garden here at home has been fairly quiet although goldfinch numbers are increasing up to a maximum of twelve and a pair of greenfinches have made a welcome return to the feeders. Sparrowhawk sorties are becoming more regular although I have yet to see her catch anything and we have an acrobatic magpie who is determined to hang onto the coconut to get beakfuls of fat.

I did pop along to Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens towards the end of last week and first of all here are a few pictures from around the Gardens

Green House



North-west Pier



North Orchard



Lower Wilderness



South Kitchen Garden and Summer House



There were still plenty of leaves showing autumn colours











And plenty of berries - not sure what the first ones are



but these are Spindle Tree berries



and plenty of holly as a reminder that Christmas is not far away.





There were several species of interesting looking toadstools - I am a complete novice at toadstool id so any help would be greatly appreciated!

I found these beautiful yellow toadstools (after a tip off from a friend) in the Secret Garden. Lots of record shots - are these by any chance yellow or golden waxcaps?









These tiny toadstools were growing on a grassy mound near the South-west Pier



The Stumpery and area near the South Pond had several different types. I think this is a bracket fungus but no idea what species.



There were loads of these grey toadstools - at a guess clouded agaric?????





The black spots on this sycamore leaf are tar spot fungus



I did see a couple of great spotted woodpeckers flying over - a new species for the Gardens Bird List.

St Mary and St Margaret's Church



I stopped off at the new Hotel to take a couple of photos



Not sure if I like all the hotel type signs - would have preferred them to be a bit more discreet! but its great to see this beautiful Hall lived in and used again