Learning to love peas

PIGEON SHOOTING

We had peas drilled for the first time last year with much excitement, but the local pigeon population showed no interest. Is this unusual?

It’s not unusual for a crop that isn’t commonly grown in some areas to be drilled and completely ignored by the local pigeon population — even if the crop is known to be a popular food source for them. Last year, for example, I had a perfect-sized field drilled with peas, but from drilling to harvest the pigeon were not interested. It’s almost as if they were not expecting it so they didn’t “switch on” to that crop.

Over time, when the same crop is grown from year to year, you will find that the local pigeon population will discover it as a new food source and they will switch on to its presence.

They will then begin behaving as you would expect. TP

How to spot it and where to find it: This bright yellow mushroom is found on oak, cherry, sweet chestnut, willow and occasionally yew. The young fruiting bodies are pale yellow and rather globular, but they darken with age as they form tiers of fan-shaped brackets climbing up the host tree’s trunk. Interesting facts: It is considered to be one of the best mushrooms to eat, with a texture and flavour said to be like chicken — hence the popular name. It must be cooked before consumption and if you find it, take the smaller bodies, cut them into slices, brush with oil then fry them in breadcrumbs and serve with lemon juice. It also freezes well, uncooked, as it holds its flavour and texture when defrosted. It’s great in stews, casseroles, stir-fries or marinated in a satay sauce and skewered — its soft texture has been described as similar to tofu. Studies have found that it contains key components such as carbohydrates, proteins including essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and fibre, all of which may promote good health.

You do sometimes find chickenof-the-woods on yew, which is poisonous. Though mycologists don’t believe the fruiting bodies absorb the toxic alkaloids and suggest cleaning the fungus very thoroughly to play it safe — always advice worth heeding when dealing with edible mushrooms. NJS

The pigeon population will eventually swoop on a field drilled with peas