February 8, 2012
As plain as the nose on a fox’s face
The latest snowfall, mainly over eastern England, differed from snow events of recent winters. Did you notice, for instance, that the snowflakes were thin needles rather than the hexagonal star-like plates? Snowflakes come in a variety of shapes, depending on the temperature at their genesis and where they were formed. Stellar dendrites (starry and plantlike) – the most popular form of snowflake – are grown in temperatures from about freezing to – 4°C. Needles, on the other hand, crystallise in temperatures around -5°C and descend from mid-level clouds (e.g. Altocumulus). At -5.5°C, hollow columns are formed and at -12°C flakes start forming again. The best part is, no-one knows exactly why.
Snow needles - some circled for easy reference
The snow was deep (around 18cm) in my neck of the woods and took an imprint well. Unfortunately, because it descended throughout the night, by dawn it had obscured the activity of most of the nocturnal animals that bothered to venture out.
A pheasant, however, had been roosting in the big tree above the gateway in the photograph and it’s descent in the morning was beautifully captured by the snow. The fan and sweep of the cock bird’s tail is perfectly preserved, as is the random meander away. The only thing missing is the racket he makes, but I’ve heard that often enough, thanks.
Cock pheasant trail as it descends from roost
Diurnal creatures – birds, squirrels and the odd fox left their mark on the first day but after a night of lying snow the ground the following morning was criss-crossed with trails. The fox trots in deeper snow with his body at an angle in a peculiar form of dressage, so that his tracks form a single line. If you look carefully you can see where the sweep of a foot joins up alternate tracks on the left and the right.
Fox trail - day 1
The back foot of each side lands in the spot where the front foot of the same side fell. At my place of work, a visitor wondered ‘what one-legged animal’ had made such trail.
The fox steps daintily, as always, while the low-slung badger goes through seven inches of snow like a snow-plough. Look closely and you can see the longer heel of the badger’s hindfoot as it too lands where the front paw was a moment before.
Badger trail - close-up
Badger hind heel imprints just behind front pads
There is so much study in just one night’s activity, I have spent entire days from first light to dusk following the trails of animals and birds. This hunting fox is a typical example of recapturing the previous night’s play.
Hunting Fox trail - day 2 (a crust has formed)
Why hunting? Because of the slow gait, frequent pauses and points where it turns around sniffing for food under the snow.
Fox stands still
Fox pauses and leaves nose-print - (bottom right hand corner)
How can I tell what it is doing? Look carefully at the snow and notice the soft imprint of a nose.
close-up of nose-print
December 11, 2011
If a tree falls in the woods and there is nobody there to hear it..?
Recent nights have brought forth two stunning lunar haloes.
22° Lunar halo of December 10th. Note the colours on the inside rim of the circle.
The one on the10th December was one of the most intense I have ever seen and it surrounded the full moon. Naturally, the one two days previously could not match it as the moon was two days less full.
Lunar halo of December 8th
In both cases a weather front was involved. On the 8th a front that brought severe gales and torrential rain had recently passed through and the Cirrostratus was trailing behind. On the 10th the Cirrostratus was a precursor of rain the following morning, even though the night had started intensely frosty.
Such 22 degree radius haloes are formed by moonlight, in this case, but more often sunlight, passing through hexagonal ice crystals in cold high Cirrus or Cirrostratus cloud. The tiny ice crystals are tumbling randomly in the cloud but there are enough of them with their axes roughly perpendicular to the direction of the light so that when light rays enter these prisms through a side face and leave through another tilted 60 degrees to the first they are refracted 22° or more. The little glints, all connected up, form a ring and that is why the halo starts at that distance from the sun or moon and is diffuse but bright beyond that radius with a darker hole within – albeit one with a bright light source! No sparkles from the refracted light are turned into the middle – there are just direct rays from the light source itself.
Aircraft contrail passing in front of the moon. Note the shadow cast down onto the Cirrostratus layer below.
Photo taken one minute later. Upper wind speeds are indicated by how far to the left the contrail has moved in that time. Can you recognise the constellation half in and half out of the halo?
Two people see the glints from different but suitably orientated crystals to each other, so your halo was not the same as mine. What’s more, a halo only exists if something is there to see it. It is the result of a collection of light rays travelling in particular directions that can only be captured by a receiving lens into which the rays converge. That lens may be in an eye or in a camera – but if a lens is not present, neither is the halo…
October 31, 2011
Fungi, Field-signs and Fluellen
Sunday October 30th
The prospects for finding fungi had improved over the previous week with the arrival of the damp but mild weather. Two of us had recently had successful outings; Mafro harvested Field Mushrooms – Agaricus campestris and the previous night I had dined on Shaggy Ink-caps – Coprinus comatus. Both of these are open grassland species and, as it turned out, down in Dering Woods there was still insufficient ground moisture to kick-start a serious fungal recovery.
This was partly evidenced by the lack of ectomycorrhizal fungi, the ones in beneficial association with trees. The mycelia join up with the tree root systems and as such are found further down beneath the soil. Mushrooms such as Boletes, Russulas (Brittlegills) and Amanitas are of this kind. When you pick the fruit-bodies (remember this is what a mushroom or toadstool is – the fruit-body of an underground organism)you have to dig your fingers into the soil to gently free the base, as many are relatively deep rooting.
We found three representatives of this kind; Fly Agaric – Amanita muscaria, Common Yellow (or Ochre) Russula (or Brittlegill) – Russula ochroleuca and a solitary Brown Roll-rim – Paxillus involutus. The latter is curious because despite having gills it is closely related to the spongy-pored Boletes. Close examination of our specimen revealed the gills becoming tube-like where they ran down the stem.
The bolete-like Brown Roll-rim - Paxillus involutus
It is also noteworthy because it was historically widely eaten until it was discovered to contain a cumulative toxin – an antigen, in fact – that, once tip-over point is reached, causes a person’s immune system to turn against them and fatally destroys their red blood cells. This can even happen a year after eating the mushroom with no ill-effects, upon eating a second meal. In parts of Eastern Europe, apparently, some people still gamble their lives with this one.
The rest were mainly saprobic types, either deriving their nourishment from decaying wood or leaf-litter, apart from the destructive Honey Fungus – Armillaria mellea, which attacks living trees. Many, but not all, were LBJs – Little Brown Jobs, originally a birding term, meaning obscure and hard to identify, in this case small fungi with many similar species that require microscopic examination to separate. However, after lunch, our basket provided a challenge for the different levels of experience within our group – to sort them into Genera based on their shared or differing macro-characteristics. I was impressed by how well everyone did.
Early steps in the right direction are the ability to recognise a fungus in all stages in its development from immature to over-mature and to differentiate a mushroom that has turned funnel shaped with age like an umbrella blown inside-out by the wind, from a species that is naturally a funnel shape with decurrent gills (those that run down the stem).
Whilst out and about we encountered several interesting animal field-signs. The burrow of a Brown Rat, Rattus norvegicus, is more often in a slight rise or bank than the one pictured, with a characteristic fan of earth outside the entrance. This one was a bit more sprawling and less neat than usual with a very distinct digging channel.
Brown Rat hole
Carol led us to a Hornet’s nest that she had found earlier in the year. It was no longer occupied and something – probably a squirrel, or possibly a woodpecker – had opened up the lower levels and emptied the queen cells of any remaining larvae. Nature’s interactions are absolutely fascinating.
Hornets' nest
Back on the farm, and in the middle of a field, something similar had happened with this wasp nest, only the culprit was most definitely a Badger – Meles meles. With their good sense of smell they can sniff out and with their powerful claws, dig out a wasp nest quite easily. Certainly they attack at night and the wasps will be disorientated in the dark, nonetheless, you’d expect a badger to take quite a few stings, especially around the head and mouth where the fur is thinner. Also, when they devour the plump, nutritious grubs they are bound to ingest adults and indeed, may do so deliberately, in which case they must get stung inside the mouth. Perhaps they are immune, or simply don’t care? I’d love to watch the actual scenario play out, having seen the evidence many times.
Wasp nest dug out by a Badger
Despite the afternoon wearing on and the light beginning to fade, a last wander produced more surprises and delights. The adjacent arable field turned out to be overflowing with wild Field Mushrooms – Agaricus campestris, so that everyone who wanted some took home a basketful – or a hatful.
Hatful of Field Mushrooms
Even more thrilling for me was the fact that the dominant weed of the field was an obscure plant called Sharp-leaved Fluellen – Kickxia elatine, a plant that I had not seen for over 20 years! As if that were not enough, to my absolute delight, a companion plant in the same field turned out to be Round-leaved Fluellen – Kickxia spuria, a species new to me. These plants seem to have the ability to lie dormant as seeds for some time. They can disappear and reappear years later if conditions become right and the seed bank is disturbed. Both are members of the Toadflax family (note the little snapdragon-like flowers) and are by no means common, occurring, as on this occasion, in little local pockets, on cultivated land, though widely distributed across southern England. They are archaeophytes, meaning they were anciently introduced to this country. During the Middle Ages the bitter juice was used as an astringent and K. elatine as a medicine for skin disorders. Like many other important plants they suffered from the over-use of pesticides, but perhaps the maize crop that had previously been harvested was organically produced.
Sharp-leaved Fluellen - Kickxia elatine
Round-leaved Fluellen - Kickxia spuria
Bad light stopped play. This was too brief a visit for re-acquaintance or a first encounter. The shared feeling was come back as soon as we can.
Fungi After the Drought
Saturday October 22nd, 2011
Despite the arid conditions that have prevailed throughout October in this corner of England our seasonal Bushcraft Magazine fungus foray turned up around 30 species, by my reckoning. Mind you, we had to walk over 5 miles through King’s Wood, Challock in Kent to find them. This is the worst year I can remember for a poor October show, although some of the late 1990s were close. Below are two spreads of the collection that came back (with a few fungi repeated in both).
King's Wood Fungus Foray 1
Amanita muscaria – Fly Agaric was the first specimen of the day, under birch in the car park, though it had been smashed to pieces by a mower or strimmer. Several very fine specimens turned up subsequently. In my opinion the best fungus of the foray was a beautiful Tawny Grisette – Amanita fulva growing in moss at the base of a tree . I didn’t photograph it despite its photogenic qualities and I didn’t collect because it would have spoiled its perfection. The brown volva was clear for all to see and the shiny, conical brown cap still retained a fragment on top. We had a small Grisette – Amanita vaginata for comparison (see above).
King's Wood Fungus Foray 2
In addition to those illustrated above we found Deceiver – Laccaria laccata, Honey Fungus – Armillaria mellea ,and what I believe to be a young fruitbody of Stereum sanguinolentum - Bleeding Conifer Crust. The spectacular amber and bloodlike drops are a characteristic feature of two other members of this family that are found on dead broadleaf tree-stumps, while this was on coniferous wood.
Stereum sanguinolentum - Bleeding Conifer Crust
The weather was benign, and the warm Autumn sunshine led to us surprising a basking Adder – Vipera berus that had not yet entered hibernation. We also encountered numerous Dor Beetles – Geotrupes stercorarius. These are dung eaters but they also feed on decaying fungi. I have seen them doing this in the New Forest.
As for edibles – not many really. The Deceivers were not in good enough condition. The birch boletes would not have gone far. I elected to try to find a way of making the ‘Witch’s Egg’ of a Stinkhorn – Phallus impudicus palatable on everyone else’s behalf. I took home and baked three of them sliced with onion on top of marinated pork belly topped with pickled peppers and beans. What can I say? Everything around them tasted good. That was my third attempt. I give up now.
May 21, 2011
Flower Power
With May in full bloom, now is the ideal time to take advantage of an unusual source of nourishment – flowers. That familiar classic, Elder – Sambucus nigra, is of course bursting into blossom and after venturing into the woods, hedges and fields many of us have enjoyed fritters, cordial and ‘champagne’ from that particular plant. However, there may be several interesting and slightly exotic species close to home that also require our attention.
False Acacia, Mock Acacia or Black Locust Tree (Robinia pseudoacacia) in bloom
Close-up of the flowers
Currently, the False Acacia – Robinia pseudoacacia in my garden is laden with pendulous racemes of white Wisteria-like flowers, more than I can remember, and probably at least two weeks early. A flower bud plucked from one of these bunches tastes deliciously like mange tout, while the freshly opened blossom has the added sweetness of nectar and a divine perfumed fragrance. The flavour and the pouty-lipped petal shape tell you that this is very much a member of the Pea Family – Leguminosae. Perversely, legumes are largely toxic to some degree or another, though often with the exception of their blooms. Broom and Gorse are two more examples where the flowers may be eaten.
Robinia flowers are good eating raw once removed from their central spike, with many additional options when cooked. Also known as Black Locust, this tree originated in the Appalachians of North America but is widely planted or naturalised and common in parts of Europe, particularly France and Italy where much culinary use is made of it. If you find one, take care when plucking as young branches, especially, bear large triangular spines.
Each individual bloom must be patiently removed from the central flower spikes before use
When cooking, try to ‘branch out’. Subtle, fragrant flavours often go well with fish; try adding elderflower or Robinia blossom in cakes also. Here is an Italian-style acacia fritter recipe.
Robinia Flower Fritters
Ingredients;
1 cup Robinia pseudoacacia flowers
1 cup plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ cup Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape) berries or 1 small sour apple
1 cup of condensed milk or 200ml double cream + tablespoon of Demerara sugar
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or flavouring
pinch salt
a little vegetable oil
Method;
Pick approximately 10-12 racemes, shake off any insects and finished flowers and use only the opened fresh flowers and a few buds.
Combine the cream, egg yolk, vanilla and salt. Then stir in the flour and baking powder. It should be thick but not too dry. Add a little milk if necessary. Add the blossom and berries (or chopped sour apple) and mix thoroughly.
Heat some oil in a frying pan. Scoop up some of the mixture and pat down onto the pan. Cook for a couple of minutes until a skin forms on the underside. Flip and pat down until that side seals. Turn once more on both sides until golden brown and cooked through.
Got Red-hot Pokers (Knipophia )in your garden? Then you’ve got a ready-made energy refuelling station, used by some smart birds, and canny folk in the know. Brush against one by accident and you will find out.
Copious drops of sweet high-octane nectar will splash out. Just lick it off your fist and taste those natural sugars or go round the flower bed and fill a small jug to top your fritters with. Our Blue Tits often pause on a flower spike to refuel on the way back from feeding their young, unwittingly taking on the role of Sunbirds in The plant’s native South Africa. Lovely stuff.
And finally, for now, there is the Day-lily (Hemerocallis fulva).
Flower buds ready for eating
Big, lily-like blooms open up for a day then wither but in the big fat bud stage are delicious picked and eaten straight. A glutinous, slightly pea-like flavour with a spicy aftertaste. They are extensively used in the Far East, from whence they originate. Plenty of potential for cooking, and I suspect, pickling – something I intend to try when they are a bit further on.