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Snapping sound coming from gorse bushes. What is it?

grizzly_beer · 2018-07-14 12:33:09

On a walk today I noticed a fairly loud snapping sound coming from the bushes / hedges, which looked primarily like gorse bushes. I'm wondering what it was, some insect, or a plant? Is it a result of the drought?

14-07-2018 01:33PM

#1

grizzly_beer

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On a walk today I noticed a fairly loud snapping sound coming from the bushes / hedges, which looked primarily like gorse bushes.

I'm wondering what it was, some insect, or a plant? Is it a result of the drought?

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#2 14-07-2018 01:37PM

grizzly_beer

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ps. Also there were a lot of thistles in bloom.

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#3 14-07-2018 02:12PM

tricky D

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Seed dispersal is by ejection from the pod in warm weather when a distinctive "cracking" sound will be heard. The seed is quite heavy so it is not wind-dispersed, usually landing a short distance (2m / 6ft) from the parent plant.

https://www.brickfieldspark.org/data/gorse.htm

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#4 31-08-2020 11:56AM

Graces7

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That brings back happy memories of long ago summers on Caldey Island in Wales which is famous for its gorse perfume. The exploding of gorse pods on a summer day....

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