Spent an enjoyable morning with some pals from Dorset Bat Group in some woodland near Corfe Castle. We found 17 bats (common and soprano pipistrelles) in total, from just 16 artificial bat boxes, with further evidence (droppings) of recent occupation in most of the boxes. This is very encouraging, as these boxes were only erected in April this year. Some of the droppings are believed to be from other species, so who knows what we may find next year…
If you would like to find out more about these amazing little mammals, either get in touch with Dale via the ‘contact us’ page, or go to the Dorset Bat Group’s website – http://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/dorset-bat-group.html
As ever, there is always plenty to see on any visit to the woods; here are some of the fungi we spotted…
This is the same ‘wet rot’ that you might find in damp cellars – Coniophora puteana
Let me know if you recognise this!
UFO (Unidenfified Fungal Object) – side view
Birch polypore – Piptoporous betulinus. This fungus attacks living birch trees, eventually causing widespread fractures of trunk and branches via a brown cubical rot. When the tree is dead, it continues to flourish, often producing whole ‘columns’ of fruiting bodies…
… like this!
Batchelor’s buttons or Black bulgar – Bulgaria inquinans
Typical mass of fruiting bodies – Bulgaria inquinans