I turned 70 back in November and my old eyes are not like they used to be. It appears that with the unseasonably warm weather here in the latter part of January, (upper70s!) some of my bird feeders have developed a large fungal growth.
I wasn't certain what this was, my eyes were not focusing just right, so I asked for help from Otis....we all know that Otis knows everything and is never wrong.

He identified it as a fast growing fungus, but refused to identify the particular type of fungus, for reasons unknown? When I go out to clean the feeder, it seems to disappear, and if I refill the feeder, in no time it appears again...very baffling? Any of you guys have any ideas of what type of fungus this may be? It is devouring my bird seed like crazy and I can't afford to keep stocking these feeders...as I'm saving for some new glasses.
Regards!

[jac]

Sciurus niger otisicus. Known to be invasive and a health risk to humans who resist sharing Arachis hypogaea. No known method of complete control but placing strategic rings of hypogaea around tree trucks can mitigate the problem.

[r0ckstarr]

Every Spring, I trap a lot this fungus and take it a few miles away and release it to wooded areas.

[joip]

This fungus torments my dogs. Sometimes they kill this fungus!

[sherrvonne]

At my neighbors feeder this fungus is the bane of all her birdseed. Since it has become a colony I believe the proper word for it now is Fungi.

[Rupert]

I appreciate the comments....I didn't realize this was such a troublesome and stubborn fungi. No wonder Otis refused to identify it to me, he was probably trying to keep my fears from escalating?
He did mention that he had researched and found that the best remedy is to replenish bird seed in record amounts, as this can cause the fungi to overindulge and end it's ability to habitate bird feeders. He gave me an example, and said I should strive to reach this goal....

As usual, it looks like Otis maybe right. I don't have any feeders that can accommodate a fungus of this size.....


Best Regards!

[r0ckstarr]

^ That fungus doesn't know when to say when.

I don't have any feeders that can accommodate a fungus of this size.....

Want one of my fungus traps?

[Sailor]

Rupert - I don't think that's a rare fungus. I think it just may be the illusive tail that wags the dog.

Jer