This hen has been in my backyard rather a lot currently. I used to be in a position to get this picture of him/her. – Niall Mac Neill, Co Dublin
And a really superb image it’s too of a male sparrowhawk. These birds are probably the most generally seen hen of prey in city gardens. They feed solely on smaller birds.
I noticed this uncommon mushroom rising from a pine root within the native woods. Is it Dyers Mazegill, which was used to make pink dye prior to now, and is it widespread? – Yanny Petters, Co Wicklow
The mycologist Kieran Connolly confirms that it’s certainly a younger stage of Phaeolus schweinitzii, the Dyers Mazegill fungus. It appears fairly completely different when mature so take one other image of it to additional our training. And, sure, it was used for dyes within the previous days.
I discovered this large mushroom. It’s 9 inches throughout and appears just like the common discipline mushroom however I didn’t need to probability consuming it resulting from its uncommon dimension. Was I sensible? –Anne Ryan, Co Wexford
Very sensible – I’m glad you’re taking this column’s recommendation and by no means consuming a fungus you aren’t completely positive is secure. It might properly be Agaricus macrosporus, however microscopic examination of the spores could be essential to be completely positive.
Is that this canine sick slime mould? It has appeared in patches on successive nights in my again backyard currently. I initially blamed our unlucky cat till I inspected it nearer. Why has it abruptly appeared and is it harmful to animals? – Noirin Kelleher, Co Dublin
Tis the season. Sure that is canine’s vomit slime mould, a Mycomycete, that grows on lifeless leaves and different decaying plant materials. It abruptly seems round now after a spell of heavy rain and it feeds on micro organism and fungi. It might transfer round a bit, slithering in an amoeba-like trend, however it’s not dangerous to pets or wildlife.
I’ve been instructed that ivy doesn’t develop on beech timber. I took this image of an ivy-clad beech tree in Moore’s Wooden close to Monasterevin. – Terry Moseley
Which simply goes to point out that there are at all times exceptions.
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