Click pictures for larger photos
What is it? 12
What is it? 13
Another slime mould - Lycogala epidendrum, often found on rotting wood.
There are nearly 500 species of slime mould,they form a group of organisms distinct
from other forms of life.
The caterpillar of a cinnabar moth (bright colours prevent eating by birds) a reminder
of an unpleasant taste.This one was on ragwort (where it is usually found).It is however more
often seen near the coast ? rather than inland.
The moth itself is black and bright red,see the picture on history2 page of this web-site.
What is it. 14
What is it. 15
In late spring, in the garden, I saw a blue butterfly for a few seconds and thought.
“It couldn’t be a Common Blue here,so early in the season. Could it be a Holly Blue?”
During a BNFC outing at Brookend, a Holly Blue was spotted on ivy and we some got
photographs.
In August, again working in the garden, I saw a blue butterfly appear and rest
on a Sedum. This time with a good look, I knew it was a female Holly Blue.
The first record in this area, maybe not surprising, there are holly trees and lots of ivy wrapped trees
on the steep slope down to the Ballinderry river behind our garden.
I contacted Ian Rippey, probably more knowledgeable than anyone else on butterflies in N.I. Ian gave
me an excellent rundown on all the records for Holly Blue in Mid-Ulster.
©RonnieIrvine2012
What is it. 16
Wilson’s Filmy Fern is rare in N.Ireland but can be found near the top of Dart Mountain in the Sperrins
growing in deep damp cracks in the schistose rocks, on the north side.
What is it. 17
Almost everyone has come across brown jellylike masses on gravel paths etc.
A quick look and a thought ‘What can that be’ and they are forgotten.
These are ‘Jelly’ lichens,crisp and brittle when dry, but they swell and become
jelly-like when wet.
Collema lichens are difficult to separate and identify
What is it. 18
Another jellylike mass,this time hanging from a birch or alder tree in December.
The fungus Excidia recisa is transparent, amber in colour,and not
common in N.Ireland.This was found at ‘An Creagan’ between Cookstown & Omagh.
Excidia species are almost identical and distinguished by host tree used and shape of the
fruit body.Jelly fungi dry out and become virtually invisible but rehydrate with rain or high
humidity.
What is it. 19
The most striking fungus to be seen in December is Flammulina velutipes
or Velvet Shank,usually in clumps on dead or severely weakened
wood.The orange caps and stems with velvety brown bases are good diagnostic
features.
What is it. 20
Did you know 2?
Cookstown Wildlife Trust
Founded: November 1960
Varroa destructor and Varroa jacobsoni are parasitic mites that feed on the
bodily fluids of adult, pupal and larval bees. Varroa mites can be seen with the naked
eye as small red or brown spots on the bee's thorax. Varroa mites are carriers for a
virus particularly damaging to bees. Bees infected with this virus during
their development often have visibly deformed wings.
Varroa mites have led to the elimination of feral bee colonies in many areas,
and are a major problem for kept bees in apiaries. Some feral populations are now
recovering—it appears they have been naturally selected for Varroa resistance.
Sent by Michael Mullen and photographed by a colleague Ciaran Mulholland.
What is it. 21
Cirrus clouds are composed largely of ice crystals.These ones are classified as
Cirrus floccus.Tufts of high cloud with trails of ice crystals falling below them.
They occur usually above 25,000 ft in jet stream winds sometimes reaching
150mph. As ice crystals of cirrus clouds fall,they lag behind-due to lower wind
speeds
What is it. 22
Well-it is Mistletoe, Isn’t it? growing in Co.Tyrone. Planted in a garden by someone who
knew what they were doing-as both male and female plants are needed for natural spread.
Ian McNeill, acting on information from Edmund Slaine took me to see the site.The mistletoe has established
itself sparingly in surrounding hedgerows-on a sycamore and a crab apple.
Seeds are transported by birds such as thrushes. The birds find it difficult to
remove the slimy mucus around the seeds from their beaks and so seeds are transported.
Thanks to Edmund and Ian for the chance to see the specimens.
Alas, no pretty girls around when we found our mistletoe.!
What is it. 23
Inonotus radiatus (Alder Bracket) near Ardtrea, growing ,naturally enough,on alder-but in March. The
colour is a striking rusty red and the pores are visible underneath.In perfect condition, perhaps not to be
expected in early March.
What is it. 24
A beautiful colour variation of common primrose, growing in a hedgebank among normal pale yellow
primroses and violets and some distance from habitation.
It is probably a natural coloured variant-probably worth propagating!
What is it. 25
In Springhill we came upon this weeping bracket near the base of an oak tree-Inonotus dryadeus(Oak
Bracket) is only occasionally seen and is interesting because of its copious weeping.
What is it. 26
What is it. 27
A slime mould-will add more info later
A slime mould-will add more info later
What is it. 28
Yes, you’ve guessed-another slime mould. This one, Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa
sometimes coats complete rotten tree stumps.It is one of the most common slime
molds and has a worldwide distribution.
What is it. 29
The Pacific Loon or Pacific Diver (Gavia pacifica) a medium-sized diver very like the Arctic Loon,breeds
on lakes in Alaska, Northern Canada and Eastern Russia.The bird migrates in flocks,wintering at sea on the
Pacific coast, or on large lakes over a wide area, it occasionally occurs as a vagrant in Britain.
The bird has a grey head, black throat, white under-parts and chequered black-and-white mantle. When
non-breeding (like the Lough Fea bird ) Gavia pacifica is drab with a dagger shaped grey bill. It feeds on
fish, catching them underwater, and flies with its neck outstretched.The call is a high-pitched wail, as well as
harsh growls and barks.
So how did this one come to Lough Fea?
Strong fast moving depressions were a feature of our weather in early winter 2013 and our friend was
caught up and carried across the Atlantic. Lough Fea probably looked like a lake back home!
The bird fished contentedly in Lough Fea, diving and staying under for 30 seconds or more. I watched him
fly strongly around the lake, neck outstretched.How long will he stay before he heads back home?
What is it. 30
Lovage grows on the North Coast, but I had not seen it until 2014 when walking the coastal path
between Portrush & Portstewart.
Also known as sea parsley, the leaves and stem of lovage add a celery-like
flavour to soups, stews and stocks or pork and poultry dishes. It can also be used to enhance the flavour of
potato dishes.Although a native of the Mediterranean,in mountains of southern France, N.Greece and the
Balkans.,it is occasionally found growing wild here.
Green Elf Cup-a fungus with small bright green cups on dead branches.The wood is stained green
and was much used in the production of veneers.
