What is this appearing under my bird feeder?

[bob.phillips]

Tried this question on the bird forus and it was suggested that I post it on the Fungi Forum.

This started to grow under my bird feeders. I moved the feeders and it started to grow again under the feeders. I washed all the feeders and moved them again. The same result- more growth under the feeders.

The feeders contain only sunflower hearts, with a separate feeder of fat balls. I assume it must be something coming from the bird food and I am concerned that it may be be harmful to the birds.

It's also playing havoc with my lawn.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Sorry about the poor quality of the picture.

Regards,

Bob P.

[Chris Yeates]

hi Bob

if you would like to take a sample of the affected grass, gently dry it (an old paper envelope by a radiator would do) and send it to me (PM me for the address) I'll have a look at it for you

can't guarantee that it's a fungus - but I'll at least be able to tell you if it is one or not

cheers

Chris

[bob.phillips]

Chris,

Thanks for response. I can't send sample as requested as I have now mown the lawn and moved the feeders. If it grows again, I'll do what you suggest.

By the way, if it's not a fungus, what could it be?? ( don't be too technical on me please )

Thanks again.

Bob P.

[Chris Yeates]

I honestly don't know

Chris

[SheffieldLass]

It is difficult to tell what it is from your photo, but I expect it is what I sometimes used to get on the wasted sunflower seeds in very wet weather under my bird feeders. A pin head mould. And it is probably not good for the birds as mouldy seed isn't good for them.

[fairplay]

It is difficult to know what it is you are referring to, I added the photo to my library and tried to sharpen it up a bit, and I think Melanie has got it right with a type of Pin Mould.

There also seem to be 'whitish bits' present and I have no idea what these could be.

Overall, the general colour seems to be dull green and fungi are very different to plants in that they do not produce chlorophyl.

If you want to take this further, you would really need to send a nice clear close up photo.

Ground feeders like Chaffinches, Dunocks, would probably eat what falls to the ground and what they miss the mice or even rats would soon find.

If you have water on the table, you could move this to a different area to keep the grass dryer, but you seem to be doing everything right hygiene wise, so you shouldn't worry too much.

Neil.

[SheffieldLass]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

It is difficult to tell what it is from your photo, but I expect it is what I sometimes used to get on the wasted sunflower seeds in very wet weather under my bird feeders. A pin head mould. And it is probably not good for the birds as mouldy seed isn't good for them.

This is what I had under mine.


Melanie

[seb ellis]

could it be the grass reacting to a wood preservative or something on the table ?
we had something like that and it turned out to be an oily substance on the bottom of the stand.

[seb ellis]

another suggestion would be that with all the rain and bag weather the drips contain fat from the fat balls and this is killing the grass.
or it could be a mold growing on the bird droppings or even tomcat wee .

[DaiTheDragon]

I don't know anything about fungi but I used to get exactly the same growth under my nijer feeders.

Dai