Noticing Nature Blog

Several of the local fields are sprouting beans. They are rather reminiscent of garden broad beans, but are a different variety and would almost certainly be a disappointing meal. They are field beans and are often used as a break crop between cereal crops. Beans are leguminous plants like peas, clover, gorse and a host of other species. All leguminous plants are able to 'fix' nitrogen gas in the atmosphere and turn it into a soluble nitrogen fertilizer. This benefits plant g

Coral Spot fungus (Nectria cinnabarina) Here the fungus is growing on a dying stump of Hornbeam in a local hedge. In close up, the fruiting bodies are shades of pink and orange.

Wrinkled Crust (Phlebia radiata), a fungus on standing dead-wood along the footpath between Lower Road and Mill Road.

Friday December 5th: A good morning planting hedgerow trees at Staple recreation ground and the Oast in Durlock Road. Trees, canes, rabbit guards and expertise all kindly supplied by Nicky (2nd in from right), the Sandwich Voluntary Tree Warden and Sandwich Community Tree Nursery.

A cluster of Common Oyster Fungus (Pleurotus ostreatus) on standing deadwood.

Barn Owl A sad sight indeed on the path between Summerfield and Buckland Lane. A beautiful Barn Owl unfortunately deceased. Winter mortality in the Barn Owl population is often due to weather conditions. In cold, wet weather, mammal prey like voles and shrews will stay under cover. In addition, a Barn Owls feathers aren't terribly waterproof and hunting on wet nights is avoided. There have been several wet nights recently so sadly this individual may well have starved. Other