Friday 12th January 2024: preparing for our nest box survey

In the recent storms. a large number of trees in Adel Woods seem to have fallen over, or lost a branch. This one had fallen across the entrance to the path near Old Leo’s which leads up into Alwoodley Plantation – the path where we usually begin our annual nest box survey, due to start tomorrow. So a quick trip out to clear the fallen timber.

While there, I came across this spectacular fungus – which was very wobbly when the branch was moved. An email to Steve Joul revealed that it is Yellow Brain, latin name tremella mesenterica. Tremella is latin for wobbly jelly, and mesenteric means middle intestine. It feeds on another fungus, peniophora, that causes the branch to be rotten.

Further up the path there were further obstacles – a fallen branch and holly growing across the path. There were also cleared to allow Steve to carry his ladder up the path!

All ready for tomorrow!