Noticing Nature Blog

A huge oak limb that fell in a storm a couple of years ago was covered in this common fungus Stereum hirsutum. Commonly known as False Turkey-tail or Hairy Curtain Crust but I think I'll stick to Stereum hirsutum to be honest. Hairy Curtain Crust fungus

A lovely group of Mycena fungi on a rotting stump in Twitham woods. Mycena sp

The aptly named Yellow Brain Fungus (Tremella mesenterica) decorating an otherwise drab branch in Twitham Woods today. Yellow Brain Fungus

A rather attractive twig in Lea Wood. There are three species of lichen here: Oak Moss Lichen Evernia prunastri (left), Tufted Bush Lichen Ramalina fastigiata (right) and Net-marked Parmelia Parmelia sulcata (middle). Lichens on a twig

And so it begins! Winter Aconite in flower today was a welcome sight. A harbinger for what's to come in the near future. Winter Aconite is not a native species but was introduced as a garden plant in the 16th century. Since then it has become naturalised and can be found in woodlands and hedgerow margins. These were along the footpath opposite the entrance to Rowan Close. Winter Aconite

Mink trap at Great Pedding This floating contraption was in the stream at Great Pedding this morning. It's a mink trap. Mink are a non-native, invasive species that can do tremendous damage to our wildlife. Eggs and chicks of water birds and our declining water voles are targets. The trap has a plaque on top identifying it as from the Waterlife Recovery Trust. This charity is committed to restoring water vole populations in particular and eradicating mink is a necessity in ac