Nature Ramble at Ardnave - 3rd September 2012

There were only three of us for this afternoon's ramble and it thankfully stayed dry throughout, albeit quite windy, which put paid to any insect life. Still, there was plenty of flora to see and we were rewarded for our patience by a flock of about 50 Chough playing and calling in the dunes at the end of the walk.
Becky

BIRDS
Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Curlew, Redshank, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Starling, Mute Swan (with four cygnets on Loch), Stonechat, Oystercatcher, Wigeon, Raven, Chough

FLORA
Marsh Marigold (leaves), Redshank, Sheep's-bit Scabious, Devil's-bit Scabious, Red Bartsia, Common Storksbill, Daisy, Harebell, Tormentil, Hawkbit, Watercress, Grass of Parnassus, Heather, Bell Heather, Milkwort, Eyebright, Wild Thyme, Meadowsweet, Marsh Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Spear Thistle, Red Clover, Common Nettle, Bracken, Water Mint, Marsh Lousewort, Marsh Willowherb, Water Forget-me-not, Lady's Bedstraw, Silverweed (leaves), Lesser Trefoil, Mouse-ear sp., Thrift, Sneezewort, Yarrow, Butterwort (leaves)

OTHER

Yellow Waxcap, Red Waxcap, Puffballs and lots of other fungi

One of the fungi we saw on today's ramble

Fungus - Psathyrella ammophila

Once more thanks to Steve and Yvonne for this photo of fungus growing at Ardnave. Now I'm really going to impress you:
This is Psathyrella ammophila
Even more impressive - this species is saprotrophic on the roots of marram grass. Basically this means as matter decomposes within the marram grass, the fungus breaks the matter down into proteins, lipids and starch. Apparently it's a bit like an iceberg - a lot of the stem is buried beneath the sand, presumably obtaining nutrients from the marram grass.
I'd like to take credit for this information so you can remain impressed, but in reality the experts at Wild About Britain identified the fungus for me and Wikipedia provided more information. Interesting though, don't you think?
Becky