Please refer to the Introduction Page to understand the context behind the monthly photographs.
Animals
Birds
Fungi
Blue/Green staining on bark stripped decaying deciduous timber is evidence of infection by the fungus Chlorociboria aeruginascensa and the almost identical rarer Chlorociboria aeruginosa The green cup fruitbodies are seen infrequently. Note the black apothecia belong to a crustose lichen. The infected wood known as 'green oak' was highly prized by fine woodworkers in the 18th and 19th centuries, who used this for intricate inlays for decorative wooden boxes.
Galls
Not an normal insect exit hole and wrong time of the year for that so a bird has been having a snack.
Moths
A very variable species, with males varying from almost black-and-white to a drab greyish and rather plain appearance. The adults emerge in February and March. The females are wingless. Various habitats, particularly Oak.
Slime moulds
Comatrichia nigra now in it spore release phase. This Slime Mould starts off with smooth white heads turning red/brown then glossy black then lilac as the spores form. This all occurs in approximately a week. The two Close up photographs use the mm scale bar for the Lichen Close ups.
VC37 - Worcestershire
Leaf Miners
Ones that escaped the camera lens this month
a) Roe Deer & Muntjac Deer.
b) Red Kite pair.