These two fungi sightings made me smile because they reminded me that, given half a chance, Nature is very very good at fighting back against destruction by humans by colonising human-made products. The first fungi – little colonies of Jelly ear growing along the top and centre of the wood-panelled sides of a PortaCabin – were a surprise. I usually see Jelly ear on dead or dying Elder trees, and it can grow on other hardwood trees, but painted wood panels? Amazing, really.

My second sighting, on the same day as the first, was not such a surprise, as the wooden structure of the boardwalk at Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve is now quite old and rotting in places. Fungi are very good at taking advantage of these situations.