When I first started walking Ollie ten years ago, I spotted this tree across the river, on Hoe Rough. I could see many nests in the branches, of varying sizes.
(You can enlarge the photos on Flickr. Click on them to be taken there.)
In all this time, I have never seen a bird on any of the nests, and despite some storms and gales, few if any have fallen off the tree.
**Update** Thanks to Henry, (see his comment below) I have discovered that these are not nests at all, but a fungal plant parasite that causes what is known as ‘Witches Broom’. I found a photo of this online.
Similar to my own close-up photo today.
It felt suitably Spring-like today. Blossom was out.
Daffodils standing proud on the riverbank.
I may have to change my plans this week. The weather forcast for Wednesday has changed to the chance of heavy rain. So tomorrow afternoon might be the best day to go to the Bird Park and Nature Reserve at Pensthorpe.
beetleypete 
How fascinating witches broom is. Lovely that things are beginning to bloom your way.
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I had never realised that it wasn’t bird’s nests, and had never heard of Witches Broom. Always learning! đ
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, always learning! Best to you, Pete.
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I looked up your intended destination and see that they had a poo trail. I wonder why they won’t let Ollie in!
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I think that is a ‘nature discovery’ area for children. They don’t let dogs in because they might chase the birds. Pensthorpe was actually closed on Tuesday, so we will try again on Thurs/Fri.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Lol – Looks like a multigeneration appartment house. Ollie has to learn climbing. xx Michael
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I was amazed to discover they are not nests at all, Michael.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Wow! Sounds mysterious. Maybe a food storage? Thanks for the information, Pete! xx Michael
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It is a parasite, like a fungus. I had never seen it before.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Oh, so big. Lets hope it is not from outerspace. đ If you would have crows, blackbirds or magpies, they would test it out. xx
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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love the views!
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Thanks, Beth. I can see my house from where I photographed the daffodils, so it’s a great area to have so close to home.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hope you get to Pensthorpe, Pete
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We are definitely planning to go this afternoon, all being well. I will take photos if we do. Unfortunately, some birds are currently ‘unavailable’, due to an outbreak of Avian Flu in Norfolk. Just my luck. đ
Best wishes, Pete.
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Ah, well
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Keep that white blooming shrub in mind Pete, that could be a good crop of Sloe berries later in the year đ
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Ah, heâs got to find out if itâs Blackthorn, Eddy!
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It has thorns, Sue. You could be right. đ
There are Blackberry bushes either side, but unsure about Sloes.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You will recognise the berries later in the year, then you just have to get in there before the birds )
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If it has thorns, you are probably in with a chance! Sloe gin to come
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Wow, the nests that aren’t.
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They are so much like nests, it’s creepy! đ
Best wishes, Pete.
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Daffodils to cheer the heart. It is nice to see Spring in Beetley.
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And it didn’t rain! đ
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Hey, sonny boy, we have dodder in some parts of the Mojave!
http://plantsandrocks.blogspot.com/2018/05/doddera-dangerous-desperate-lover.html
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Just read all that. It’s a ‘serious’ parasite indeed!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Wonderful spring pictures! And great balls of fungus! đ
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Or should I say, Goodness, greatness, great balls of fungus!
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‘gracious’ not ‘greatness’ – should have quit while I was ahead! đ đ
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I feel silly thinking they were nests for 10 years! (City boy!)
Best wishes, Pete.
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They sure looked like nests! We’ll all look a little closer now! đ
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I see ‘nests’ like yours a lot, so will be looking at them much more closely now! Who knew??
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I certainly had no idea they were not nests, but a parasite. I like to learn new things about living in the countryside.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yep me too, every days a school day!
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Interesting, Warmest regards, Theo
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Seeing Henry’s comment surprised me. I had never heard of that.
Best wishes, Pete.
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They almost look like the air plants that attach themselves to trees here.
I do have a nest in the bush outside my kitchen window. The parents are in and out all day long, singing, but no eggs yet.
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It does seem that the nests I have featured are not nests, but parasitic growths, GP. See the comment lower down, from Henry.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, I read that.
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I like the sound of a bird park. My kind of place. Our daffodils won’t be out for some time, I think!
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Not with all that snow.
This is where we are planning to go. (Can’t take Ollie though.)
https://www.pensthorpe.com/
Best wishes, Pete.
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I would love it, especially this time of year.
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It is not a birds nest but according to – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org âş wiki âş Taphrina_betulina
Taphrina betulina is a fungal plant pathogen that causes the gall, witches broom, which is a chemical infection of birch buds or the developing shoots.
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Thanks, Henry. That’s fascinating! Definitely news to me too!
I have now updated my post accordingly.
Best wishes, Pete. đ
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Funnily enough Sam and I were talking about the rooks’ nests in our road. We said through rain and storms the nests never blow away. It’s amazing. Sam also wonders how the birds make the first twig stick when they start to build a nest.
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I used to think the largest ones might be Heron’s nests. But I have never seen any birds on them, or flying back and forth from them. Not even on the much smaller nests close to the ends of the branches.
Best wishes, Pete.
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The spring daffodils are always such a treat. They never get old.
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There were lots more, but I liked those on the little island, as they reflected on the water.
Best wishes, Pete.
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That is a nice reflection shot.
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