Ash Die-Back and Woodland Birds

Hardwick Wood is one of East Anglia's Ancient woodlands and its Ash trees are suffering badly with Ash Dieback - the tell-tale white twigs can be seen in the woodland panorama with close ups to follow. The fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus causes the lethal disease and represents a substantial threat. It was detected in the UK for the first time in 2012 and is now very widespread. The fungus blocks water and nutrients moving in the tree's vascular system, causing a restriction in water movement that leads to a significant leaf loss, bark lesions and then the dieback in the crown of the tree itself (hence the name). The loss of the Ash trees will affect the wood - there will be fewer trees for the nesting Buzzards and Kites though hole-nesters such as the Tits, Woodpeckers, Nuthatches and Tree Creepers may gain temporarily 

Lichens and Fungi in Toft Wood

 I am just coming to completion of a book I have been working on for some months to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the planting of our local Toft Wood. As well as receiving lots of interesting contributions for people in the village and further afield, I have tried to document its more obvious wildlife. I hadn't enough suitable lichen images so, in one of the bright intervals, I wandered down to the wood and captured the amazing world of the lichens there. Afraid I don't know the species   I was pleased to also find four impressive fungi not previously recorded, Wood Blewits, White Saddle, Laccaria laccata and Crepidotus spp.  

Miscellany from Lackford Lakes

We called at Lackford Lakes on our way back from Norfolk and enjoyed watching a Little Grebe catch and eat several fish. Lots of Lapwing and Snipe but the only close birds were a Robin and Cormorant. Interesting fungi - Stalkball and birds Nest Fungus. 

Focus Stacking Green-Staining Wood Fungus

I found a small twig on the ground where the wood was stained jade green and found on inspection small green, saucer-shaped fruit bodies. This is Chlorociboria aeruginascens, commonly known as the green elfcup or the green wood cup. I photographed it at home using the Focus Bracketing facility on the Fuji (30 shots at interval 5). Here the final and first and last frames. It is only 2 mm in size so was surprised at the accuracy of the final stack (Zerene stacker).