Galls are abnormal growths that occur on leaves, twigs, roots or flowers of many plants. Most Galls are made by irritation of plant cells when insects such as aphids, midges, wasps or mites lay their eggs on its host and cause the plant to swell up into characteristically odd shapes. My photo today is of a beautiful Robins Pin Cushion a hairy growth found on Wild Rose. It is caused by the larvae of a Gall Wasp that feeds on the gall tissues throughout the winter and emerge a spring as adults.
The North Easterly breeze was making the tops of the Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus trees rustle and sway about in the wind this morning. Between the canopy of large Sycamore leaves a delicate Ash Fraxinus excelsior tree swayed gently. Over the aviary glade the young Hazel Corylus avellana trees round soft leaves stood out as the morning sun bounced off them.
On a I followed the Woodland trail way marker on which a Garden Spider had made a lovely web between the wood struts. The sheltered woodchip path that runs parallel to the coast path was tranquil and quiet, apart the rustle of two acrobatic Grey Squirrels amongst the Bay, Ash, Sycamore and Holm Oaks.
Investigating a decaying log I found 4 Common Earwigs, their chestnut-brown, shiny body and pincer-like cerci at their tail end making them recognisable. These funny little creatures scurried away to hide, they are most active at night when they emerge to feed on dead organic matter around them.
Feeling a patch of Catherine’s Moss its soft texture in contrast with the hard trunk of the Sycamore tree it clings to. Splitting open a Stinking Iris leaf to smell the unmistakably rich ‘Roast Beef’ smell, I’m still not sure if I like it or not!
In the Upper Gully a flurry of activity as Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Long-tailed Tit all made their way across from tree to tree. Also heard was Blackbird, Stonechat and Raven. As I walked back towards the centre an almost unrecognisable Blackthorn tree was smothered in Moss, Lichens, Bryony, Clematis, Ivy and Cleavers.