Sorry for the lack of blog action of late; we have been hampered by an IT issue that I can't pretend to understand at all. I hope the following cheery news will make amends...
Last Friday, when stealing my way through dense reedy scrub to access some alders earmarked for the chop, (scrub is cyclically removed from our reedbeds – no need to go into that now) I made a very interesting and historic discovery.
Sallow root plate with (at least partially) excavated burrows amongst the roots.
Amongst the reed and sedge was small and otherwise unprepossessing multi-stemmed sallow with a slightly raised root plate – nothing to get the heart racing there you may think. Sedge and reeds encircling the trunk were flattened as they were along a number of well worn paths towards the river. Another path stretched through the vegetation in the opposite direction towards a pool 50 or so yards away.
An otter path.
The area screamed otter from the outset a fact only confirmed by the presence of large spraints of varying vintages dotting the root system and lending the air a heady fragrence of jasmine - the telltale scent of a good otter spraint.
A typical spraint marking the 'property'. Close examination reveals fish scales and bones - and they really do smell sweetly of Jasmine.
Whether the root plate conceals an underground holt, or just makes a communal ‘couch’ I couldn’t say – I just rattled off these pictures then hastily exited, not wishing to be intrusive.
Interestingly the main trunk of the tree was riddled with holes from the burrowing larvae of lunar hornet clearwing moths, and several of which had been opened up by something intent on consuming the tasty nutritious grubs. All the otterologists I have thus far consulted have not been aware of such activity from otters but I wouldn’t put it past the inquisitive chaps given their keen sense of smell and powerful jaws.
The above clearly showing lunar hornet burrows several of which have been gnawed... but by whom?!
For pictures and more information on clearwing moths click here:
http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=371
It is all in hand Frank. More news as we get it.
Incidentally the sentence that commencing in 'Microsoftinternetexplorer4' is result of aforementioned IT issue. Perhaps Microsoft have taken exception to me changing internet provider! It is again in the hands of the clever people who know about such stuff and will be banished soon.