Poo? Fungis? Fur? Holes?

[Stomperone]

Signs of life but what?
Today the weather was not brilliant but I decided to go out to take some photos. On my travels I found these signs of wild life and would like to know what left them ..

The first two photos are of what I think could be an eating spot for some form of BOP. The Branch was around 6ft off the ground and about 5" thick and was covered in what could be squirrel fur.. Beneath the branch was a collection of poo which made me think the creature that that left it uses it very often .. see pictures below .. There were 4 sites like this within a 20ft area along the edge of a fence/hedgerow.. Could anyone please enlighten me as to what it was/is..



The second subject I found was in the same area, it was several holes start from about 12" above the ground up to about 6ft in height.. My first guess would be a woodpecker.. The holes were about 1/4" across and roughly 6" apart going up the branch.. Ideas Please?


And now something I am pretty positive is fungus .. But... It would be good to have a name for it if possible ..



Ok I think I have worked you hard enough for now.. I look forward to reading any help and suggestions you have for me ..

Thank you in advance
Peter

[goosey]

Hi Peter - you are right about number 4. being fungi - they are Cramp Balls - Daldinia concentrica .

[PMG]

Originally Posted by Stomperone

Signs of life but what?
Today the weather was not brilliant but I decided to go out to take some photos. On my travels I found these signs of wild life and would like to know what left them ..

The first two photos are of what I think could be an eating spot for some form of BOP. The Branch was around 6ft off the ground and about 5" thick and was covered in what could be squirrel fur.. Beneath the branch was a collection of poo which made me think the creature that that left it uses it very often .. see pictures below .. There were 4 sites like this within a 20ft area along the edge of a fence/hedgerow.. Could anyone please enlighten me as to what it was/is..



The second subject I found was in the same area, it was several holes start from about 12" above the ground up to about 6ft in height.. My first guess would be a woodpecker.. The holes were about 1/4" across and roughly 6" apart going up the branch.. Ideas Please?


And now something I am pretty positive is fungus .. But... It would be good to have a name for it if possible ..



Ok I think I have worked you hard enough for now.. I look forward to reading any help and suggestions you have for me ..

Thank you in advance
Peter

Had it been bird feathers on the branch I would have no trouble thinking it was a sparrowhawk plucking post. . . but fur? And squirrel? Tis interesting and I keep thinking Goshawk as being the only bird of prey in this country that might want to or be able to tackle a squirrel. And the same if its rabbit fur as buzzards generally eat their meal on the flour once they've subdued it - they don't normally go looking for a tree to eat a rabbit in ..........

Perhaps you will revisit and catch sight of the culprit at some point??

Pauline

[AndyC]

That blue fur looks very like rabbit under coat to me.
Buzzards do sometimes take rabbits up trees, I saw one do so only yesterday.


Andy

[Stomperone]

I was only guessing at squirrel fur as it looked to dark for rabbit .. but yes it could be under fur but there was no other fur around except this colour that's why i thought it was squirrel fur.

I may go and watch the area in the near future from a distance .. but until then it remains a mystery unless anyone knows better..

Still looking for answers

Peter

[cybershot]

Originally Posted by goosey

Hi Peter - you are right about number 4. being fungi - they are Cramp Balls - Daldinia concentrica .

Also known commonly as King Alfred's Cakes, and the following picture illustrates the derivation of the Latin name:



David

P.S. OK, yes I have spotted my error and requested an amendment LOL

[Mr Mag00]

i have watched many a buzzard take rabbits up trees to eat especially when they have young.

[PMG]

Right I stand corrected - buzzards take rabbits to trees - so think thats your answer

Pauline