ABtrees
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Everything posted by ABtrees
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Found one of these guys yesterday - about the same size as a Violet Ground Beetle - this one is apparently Golden (Carabus auratus) and much quicker ! (as usual not a great pic !).
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Arborists reminded of OPM hazard
ABtrees replied to The Arboricultural Association's topic in General chat
I'm not sure I have this right but of those, is the Hairstreak the only one with Oak as a primary foodplant ? It's certainly an unenviable choice - get rid of the critters but take out some good guys in the process ! -
Arborists reminded of OPM hazard
ABtrees replied to The Arboricultural Association's topic in General chat
Hi David I'm guessing that would take out all caterpillars rather than selectively just the OPM ? No chance of seeing any Purple Hairstreak for the next few years then ? -
Thanks for that, the last bit is brilliant - simple, obvious solution - once someone explains it to you !!! I'd love to go for option 2 but realistically I'll stick with option 5 if option 1 doesn't work !
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I agree Steve - that's why I wrote 'some'. You are way, way more experienced at this stuff than me so how on earth does one compensate for an off centre C of G once it's roughed into a cylinder ? I genuinely haven't a clue - anything like that goes back into the log basket !
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Hi Mark Hope you're recovering well Try one of these. https://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-centre-finder-340146 I have one - it's cheap and tacky but really useful in removing some of those wobbly issues !!
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Ok Yourn (apart from the fact we've both been 'trumped' by Mick and his Hoopoe in 'Show us Ya birds') which of these is your nest building 'Blackcap' ........... and BTW is the other Marsh or Willow (not the tree!) - anyone ?!!!!
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Just got back from France. Haven't seen the 'first Swallow' yet and haven't found the first tick yet (apart from on the cat !) but the bugs and beasties are definitely waking up. We had 2 hot (22+ degrees) days and found the first Bloody Nose beetle and the first 'Oily' (pic below) of the season on Saturday - I guess it makes sense as the bees are waking up too ! As are the butterflies, 2018 so far includes : Brimstone, Orange Tip, Peacock, Small and Large Tortoiseshell so hopefully it's going to be a good year.
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Here's a couple more visitors to my feeders from last week
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I reckon so too Mick but (Eggs) what was it doing there - normally hiding from something (weather or predator) / recovering from trauma (hitting a window or being hit by a car) or distracting you (from young or a nest) - any of the above ?
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Hi Gaz These guys were in France - I've got a couple of other 'locals' I'll post later (equally crap quality - kitchen window filter AGAIN!) but I've never seen these ones so bold or close up (15-20m max) - the French name is Gros Bec or Fat beak !
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Hi Gary. Another excellent job. Whereabouts is it - don't suppose there's a right of way nearby ? I'll be in Malvern weekend after next - would love to have a look. Do you have a 'before' picture and were those stems anything like as uniform as they look or have you just removed all those that didn't fit ? And one other thing - Is it mainly buck/hawthorn or allsorts - wouldn't mind planting some to keep me out of mischief in my retirement !!!?
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Had these guys turn up at my feeders yesterday - that's a first for me. (sorry about picture quality - taken through the kitchen window - not the best of filters!)
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How bizarre - that has absolutely made my day. I have a holly tree in the process of being swallowed by an oak (about another 50 yrs !!!) but this is (completely different and) exactly what I meant.
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Have you got any pics Gary ? So to my simple brain, looking at that list certain types of seed (tree) are going to be more successful than others - small and lots of them - or just mainly those eaten by birds ?
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There you go - Will that's a great example but can someone explain how it works. Presumably it starts with a seed germination - and I can see how a clump of moss would make that happen but that is a proper tree (I'm guessing 1.5-2m). Where is it getting its nutrients from - it must be the host? So as it grows do it's roots effectively graft into the old (host) tree ? Like my pic, the branch its on doesn't look too healthy either. So for me the question is, is a successful self-set dependent on an unusual but not necessarily uncommon set of circumstances ?
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Unfortunately it is very real - it took me 2 or 3 days took work out what it was. That said, I am sure that like any allergic reaction it will affect different people to a greater or lesser extent. Rolling around in it wouldn't necessarily have the same effect - it releases these chemicals when cut (which is why I thought to post - chipping ?!!!!). I think the circumstances are also crucial (as I have posted before on this). I was working on a hot day and was in a confined space with the cut material. Both things (I found out later) you absolutely shouldn't do !!! It started with a tickly cough then my throat closed up and by day 2 it became genuinely too painful to swallow and (happily for some !) I lost my voice. It took about 10 days to go completely.
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Hi Glenn. Just a note of caution when cut it gives off chemicals that can cause serious irritation (skin and lungs) English Ivy poisoning. Info link below: https://healthyliving.azcentral.com/treatment-and-symptoms-of-english-ivy-rash-12316341.html Had a bad case of it last year - bad for a week or more - problems breathing, couldn't eat because I couldn't swallow - really unpleasant but hey on the upside lost nearly 1/2 a stone !!! Oh yeah there's NO treatment/cure - you just have to sit it out !
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So away the last couple of days and came across this self-set, healthy-looking fir growing IN a big storm damaged beech. It seemed to be properly rooted, not just perched on some leaf litter that had collected in the wound. Has anyone else found similar and can someone please explain to me how this works - is the self-set parasitic or saprophytic or neither ? Do its roots grow into the 'parent tree' or just tap into the sap? I really haven't a clue - but I'd be interested to find out and I guess there must be loads of other examples so lets see them ? (My pen is bottom / left of the fir for size reference)
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I thought it might appeal to you after your recent posts / airtime !
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OK I know its going back a few days but thought you guys might enjoy this clip (from the BBC !) - not sure this is the right thread but it seemed to include a bit of the Africa, Christianity, BBC and head for heights threads/debates all in one ! I enjoyed watching it anyway ! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-43079345/ethiopian-cliff-church-gives-priest-daily-test-of-faith
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Well that'll teach me - I just thought they looked like beansprouts. I keep telling you David, my level of ignorance knows no bounds !!! I'll repost on fa-la-la-la-la with some better (and some new ) picks tomorrow if I get the chance.
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I'm sure I found these in my Chinese takeaway last week !
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Hi Mark Just wondered how you're doing - recovering well I hope. You haven't updated this thread for 10 days - I'm sure quite a few people on here are thinking about you. A bit like Khriss, years ago I was laid up for a few weeks recovering from an accident so I'm feeling your frustration.
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Tis the season to see Fungi, fa la la la la....
ABtrees replied to David Humphries's topic in Fungi Pictures
Oh yeah - forgot Whilst clearly not a patch on Peasgood's, are these just some old Turkey tails stained by the moss - or something completely different ?
