Spot Bird's Nest Fungi

Fungi/Lichens
Written By Kim Manunui

What little bird sits on this nest? It might look like a bird’s nest with a little clutch of eggs, but actually it is a fungus. These small fungi grow on the forest floor on fallen leaves and branches. It helps them to decompose. The fungi start out with a cap on the top which erupts to reveal the clutch of 5 to 8 eggs. The “eggs” contain the spores of the fungi which are attached to the nest with a sticky cord called a funicular cord. When it rains, the raindrops fling the egg sacks out into the air. When they land they wrap the cord around a twig and wait for the right conditions to release their spores. Watch the video below to see the spores getting ejected from the cupped nest in slow motion.

Bird’s Nest Fungi found in Tauranga Taupō

Check out the the spore cases catapulting through the air by raindrops.

Notice how tiny Bird’s Nest Fungus is on this rotten log!

So where should you be looking for these cool little fungi? They are so small they could be easily missed. Look closely at decomposing leaf litter and branches and you might find a group of them helping the break down process and restoring nutrients back into the soil. They also are found in the damp and shady parts of parks and gardens where mulch has been used. They are most abundant in the autumn. Go on a virtual hunt on the video below with Look Closer to see them in places you walk by everyday.

Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
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