Small quantities of Star Jelly have been found on one of the Wildlife Site hay meadows after overnight rain. Over past centuries numerous diverse explanations have been offered for the appearance of mysterious jelly in various locations around the world. One of the earliest explanations, that gave rise to its name, was that it originated from a heavenly source associated with meteor storms.
There appear to be various forms of Star Jelly. A complex but more plausible explanation for the particular form of Star Jelly seen on the Wildlife Site is that it is remnants of contents of frog uterus, swollen by water, after the frog has been eaten and the remnants regurgitated by a predatory bird.
This, at first sight unlikely, explanation is supported by some published scientific evidence. It is consistent with the egg like appearance of clumps of small black spheres often seen with the jelly (see for example the photographs below) and the facts that, in our case, the jelly was found on pasture that was wet after rainfall and near to a fence post known to be used as a perch by kestrel and by buzzard.
Photographs of Star Jelly
Click on the photograph for larger images and captions.
Further Information
For further information on the Star Jelly, please click here.
