Index
| Title (Click for details) | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Arums - Araceae | Title: Arum Family (Araceae): Exploring the Enigmatic World of Arums and AroidsIn the lush undergrowth of tropical rainforests and the moist soils of temperate woodlands, a diverse family of plants thrives, captivating botanists and enthusiasts alike with their striking foliage and… |
Family |
| Ash | Title: The Majesty and Importance of the Ash Tree: Guardian of the ForestsStanding tall and commanding in forests, parks, and landscapes around the world, the ash tree holds a special place in both natural ecosystems and human culture. With its graceful form, versatile wood, and… |
Species |
Title: Nature Notes - Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)The ash is a fine, tall, upstanding member of the tree community. The main trunk reaches a point where it divides into many branches that go upwards rather than stretching outwards.They are usually found in clusters too, rather than as… |
Species | |
| Autumn (Sep-Nov) | Title: The Enchanting Beauty of Nature During AutumnSeptember through until the end of November is autumn in Sidmouth. It is a season of dramatic transformation, where nature paints the landscape in rich hues of gold, orange, red, and brown. As the days shorten and… |
Season |
| Autumn Hawkbit | Title: Celebrating Autumn Hawkbit: The Charming Wildflower of the Fall MeadowsAs summer fades into memory and the landscape transitions into a tapestry of warm hues, one wildflower stands out amidst the autumnal splendor: the Autumn Hawkbit. With its delicate blooms and cheerful… |
Species |
Title: Nature Notes - Autumnal Hawkbit (Leontodon autumnalis)There are lots of flowers we call dandelions and many, of course, are not! They may have yellow dandelion flower heads and turn into dandelion clocks but they are not dandelions. The challenge is telling them apart.I am not a… |
Species | |
| Azure Damselfly | Title: Discovering the Enchanting Azure Damselfly: A Jewel of Summer WetlandsAs the warm hues of summer paint the landscape, nature unveils its own miniature marvels, among which the Azure Damselfly shines like a radiant gem. With its delicate wings shimmering in the sunlight and its… |
Species |
Title: Nature Notes - Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)This is a common blue damselfly but is not THE common blue damselfly! There is a tiny difference between the common blue and the azure damselfly and closer inspection of the first segment of the abdomen will reveal that this… |
Species | |
| B0: Grassland | Title: Grassland HabitatEngland's green and pleasant land; a land of grass covered hillsides and lush lowland meadows where cattle graze peacefully. What could be more natural? In fact our grasslands are not at all natural, they are man-made environments and those that exist… |
Habitat |
| B1: Acid Grassland | Title: Phase 1 habitats - B1: Acid GrasslandIn the UK Phase 1 Habitat Classification system, acid grassland is classified as B1. This category includes areas of open, uncultivated land that are dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants. Acid grasslands are typically found on… |
Sub-habitat |
| B2: Neutral Grassland | Title: Phase 1 habitats - B2: Neutral GrasslandIn the UK Phase 1 Habitat Classification system, neutral grassland is classified as B2. This category includes areas of open, uncultivated land that are dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants. Neutral grasslands are typically… |
Sub-habitat |
| B3: Calcareous Grassland | Title: Phase 1 habitats - B3: Calcareous GrasslandIn the UK Phase 1 Habitat Classification system, calcareous grassland is classified as B3. This category includes areas of open, uncultivated land that are dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants and are found on thin, lime-rich… |
Sub-habitat |
| B4: Improved grassland | Title: Phase 1 habitats - B4: Improved grasslandIn the UK Phase 1 Habitat Classification system, improved grassland is classified as B4. This category includes areas of grassland that have been modified by humans to increase their productivity for agriculture. Improved grasslands… |
Sub-habitat |
| B5: Wet Grassland | Title: Phase 1 habitats - B5: Wet GrasslandIn the UK Phase 1 Habitat Classification system, wet grassland is classified as B5. This category includes areas of grassland that are regularly or permanently wet. Wet grasslands are typically found in areas of low-lying land, such as… |
Sub-habitat |
| Badger | Title: The Enigmatic Badger: Unraveling the Mysteries of Nature's Burrowing EngineerIn the heart of woodlands and fields, beneath the cover of night, roams a creature that embodies resilience, strength, and mystery—the badger. With its distinctive black and white markings,… |
Species |
Title: Nature Notes - Badger (Meles meles)When we moved to Dorset in 2006 we were surprised at how many dead badgers we saw alongside the roads, especially in spring and summer. After so many years in Hampshire where badgers seemed to be scarce these corpses were a clear sign that… |
Species | |
| Bank Hair-cap Moss | Title: Exploring Nature's Tapestry: The Enigmatic Polytrichum Formosum MossIn the verdant tapestry of Earth's ecosystems, mosses play a vital role as humble yet intricate components. Among them, Polytrichum formosum stands out with its distinctive appearance and ecological significance… |
Species |
Title: Nature Notes - Bank Hair-cap Moss (Polytrichum formosum)If there is not much to see when you look upwards on a woodland walk try looking downwards at the woodland floor. There you will find a wide variety of plants, even in autumn and winter.Be prepared for an identification… |
Species | |
| Barren Brome | Title: Barren Brome Grass: Understanding a Resilient Yet Misunderstood PlantIn the world of grasses, the barren brome (Bromus sterilis) stands out for its resilience and adaptability. Often overlooked due to its inconspicuous appearance, this grass species plays a significant role in… |
Species |
Title: Nature Notes - Barren Brome (Anisantha sterilis)The classic and rather lovely falling tassels of oat-like flowers makes barren brome one of the more distinctive grasses of our hedgerows and roadsides. It is quite common and readily occurs in suitable habitat flowering… |
Species | |
| Barren Strawberry | Title: Unveiling the Delicate Beauty of Barren Strawberry: Nature's Subtle Ground CoverNestled amidst the forest floor or tucked into rocky crevices, the barren strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides) quietly graces the landscape with its understated elegance. Despite its name, this… |
Species |
Title: Nature Notes - Barren Strawberry (Potentilla sterilis)There are two common strawberry plants that can be seen in the wild, the wild strawberry which actually produces ripe fruit and the barren strawberry in which the fruit does not ripen; indeed the fruit does not appear!… |
Species | |
| Basic Geology | Thread | |
| Batman Hoverfly | Title: The Batman Hoverfly: Myathropa floreaThe Batman hoverfly, scientifically known as Myathropa florea, is a fascinating and visually striking species of hoverfly. Named for the distinctive batman-like marking on its thorax, this hoverfly is not only interesting to look at but also… |
Species |
Title: Nature Notes - Batman Hoverfly: Myathropa floreaIf you can, try and take a close look at the pattern on the thorax of this hoverfly, Myathropa florea; my book describes it as being like the Batman logo and when I looked again after reading that I could clearly… |
Species | |
| Beaked Hawksbeard | Title: Exploring the Graceful Beauty of Beaked Hawksbeard: A Wildflower of Enduring ResilienceIn the tapestry of meadows and grasslands, a delicate wildflower blooms, captivating the eye with its vibrant hues and elegant form—the beaked hawksbeard. Despite its unassuming name, this… |
Species |
| Beautiful Demoiselle | Title: Exploring the Enchanting Beauty of the Beautiful Demoiselle DamselflyIn the serene waters and lush vegetation of freshwater habitats, a delicate jewel of the insect world glimmers in the sunlight—the beautiful demoiselle damselfly. With its shimmering wings, iridescent body, and… |
Species |
Title: Nature Notes - Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo)The Beautiful Demoiselle and the Banded Agrion rate as two of my favourite insects. Stunningly beautiful in the sun with their metallic finish making them look almost unreal, the colours just being possible to make!The Banded… |
Species | |
| Beautiful Plume | Title: The Enigmatic Elegance of Amblyptilia Acanthadactyla: Unveiling the Beauty of the Plume MothIn the enchanting realm of the natural world, where every creature holds a story of its own, few capture the imagination quite like the Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, commonly known as the… |
Species |
| Bedstraws - Rubiaceae | Title: Bedstraw Family (Rubiaceae): Exploring the Diverse Family of Coffee, Gardenias, and QuinineIn the vast tapestry of botanical diversity, few families rival the Rubiaceae in terms of ecological importance, economic significance, and sheer beauty. Welcome to the captivating world of… |
Family |