Now I have to admit that this photo isn't recent - I actually took it last November. I found this funny stuff in grass in a recently mown field (well - it was another wet summer, and since it's where we're trying to revert to more wildflowers rather than take a hay crop, the later in the season it's cut the better...).

I dont know what this is. My Dad, a natural historian of considerable experience didn't have the answer. I showed the photo to Lynne Kenderdine of the Devon Wildlife Trust and she didn't know either...

Then a year later I'm lurking in a great blog I've just discovered, Locks Park Farm, and it looks like Paula found something similar. I'm not sure - she didn't mention any eggs - but I just had to post this image and ask her if she thinks it might be the same thing - or something totally different. What do you think, Paula? Anyone else care to hazard a guess?