Search
| Short Title (Click to read the article) | Introduction | |
|---|---|---|
| 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,… |
|
| Badger (Meles meles) | 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… |
|
| 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… |
|
| Bank Hair-cap Moss (Polytrichum formosum) | 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… |
|
| 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… |
|
| Barren Brome (Anisantha sterilis) | 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… |
|
| 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… |
|
| Barren Strawberry (Potentilla sterilis) | 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!… |
|
| 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… |
|
| Batman Hoverfly: Myathropa florea | 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… |
|
| Bats | Title: Bats: Nature's Nighttime Aerial AcrobatsBats, often associated with darkness and mystery, are among the most fascinating and ecologically important creatures on Earth. With their unique ability to fly, echolocate, and occupy diverse habitats, bats play crucial roles in ecosystems… |
|
| 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… |
|
| 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… |
|
| Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) | 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… |
|
| 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… |
|
| 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… |
|
| Bee Orchid | Title: The Allure of the Bee Orchid: Nature's Master of MimicryIn the realm of botanical wonders, few flowers captivate the imagination quite like the bee orchid (Ophrys apifera). Renowned for its uncanny resemblance to a bee in flight, this captivating plant stands as a testament to… |
|
| Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) | Title: Nature Notes - Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)As summer arrives so do the bulk of the orchids and chalky downlands start to reveal their best kept secrets of the winter months. Although an exotic looking species the bee orchid is fairly common on our chalk grassland, both by… |
|
| Beech | Title: Beech Tree: Guardian of the Forests, Symbol of Strength and VitalityIn the verdant tapestry of forests worldwide, one tree stands tall as a symbol of resilience, longevity, and natural grandeur—the beech tree (Fagus spp.). Revered for its majestic stature, distinctive foliage,… |
|
| Beech (Fagus sylvatica) | Title: Nature Notes - Beech (Fagus sylvatica)What a wonderfully elegant tree a fully grown beech is. Tall and dominating and lacking the gnarled twists and turns of the oak. Apparently in the Cotswolds it is known as the 'Lady of the Woods'. Some beech trees have been pollarded and not… |
|
| Beech barkspot | Title: Unveiling the Enigmatic Beech Bark-Spot Fungus: Diatrype disciformisIn the intricate world of fungi, where diversity reigns supreme, one species stands out for its fascinating biology and ecological significance—the beech bark-spot fungus, Diatrype disciformis. Although often… |
|
| Bees | Title: Buzzing Benevolence: The Vital Role of Bees in Our WorldBees, often regarded as the epitome of industriousness, are among the most important creatures on our planet. With their tireless work ethic and remarkable ecological contributions, bees play a crucial role in sustaining… |
|
| Beetles | Title: Beetles: Nature's Tiny TitansBeetles, with their diverse forms, fascinating behaviors, and ecological significance, are among the most captivating creatures on our planet. These small but mighty insects belong to the order Coleoptera, which boasts an astonishing array of species… |
|
| Bell Heather | Title: Bell Heather: The Delicate Charm of Moorland's JewelIn the windswept expanses of heathland and moorland, where nature paints the landscape with hues of purple and green, one plant stands out as a symbol of resilience and beauty—the bell heather (Erica cinerea). With its delicate… |
|
| Bell Heather (Erica cinerea) | Title: Nature Notes - Bell Heather (Erica cinerea)Heathers occur where the soil is very sandy; that is to say, made up of large granules rather than the finer grains found in clay or loam soils. In these sandy conditions many plants find it difficult to get a 'root hold'. Any nutrients… |
|
| Bellflowers - Campanulaceae | Title: Bellflower Family (Campanulaceae): Exploring the Bellflower Family's Floral SymphonyIn the grand orchestra of botanical diversity, few families exhibit the delicate grace and captivating charm of Campanulaceae, commonly known as the bellflower family. With over 2400 species… |
|
| Betony | Title: Betony: Unveiling the Mysteries of Nature's Medicinal MarvelIn the quiet corners of woodlands and meadows, nestled amidst a tapestry of wildflowers, one plant stands out for its rich history, medicinal properties, and botanical beauty—the betony (Stachys officinalis). Revered for… |
|
| Betony (Stachys officinalis) | Title: Nature Notes - Betony (Stachys officinalis)Betony is a classic example of the labiate (or nettle) family; multiple tubular flowers on a square stem and with pointed leaves coming out in opposite pairs up the stem.Although Betony flowers from June through until September it seems… |
|
| Bilberry | Title: Bilberry: Nature's Tiny Superfood with Big Health BenefitsNestled in the shaded glades of northern forests and mountainous regions, the bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) stands as a shining example of nature's bounty, offering a myriad of health benefits and culinary delights… |
|
| Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) | Title: Nature Notes - bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)Bilberry is a member of the heather family and here in our part of Devon it prefers higher areas of heathland around Muttermoor and Greystone Hill. Elsewhere in Britain it is a common plant of the upper moorlands in the north country.… |