Countryside – Canned Wildlife

Pilewort or Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna)

Mar 5, 2023Mar 5, 2023Posted in Canal, Country Park, Countryside, Encounters, Exploration, Farm, Garden, Greenbelt, Lakes, Local, Natural History, Nature Reserve, Plants, River, Walk, WoodlandTagged Adam Frost, April, BBC Countryfile, BBC Earth, BBC Gardeners' World, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Springwatch, BBC Wildlife, Botany, Bromsgrove, Bugs, Bumblebees, Butterflies, Canal, Canal Walk, Conservation, country park, Countryside, CPRE, Days Out, Encounter, Exploration, Farm, February, Flora, Garden, Gay Farmers, Gay Naturalist, Get Your Boots On, Green Belt, Green Space, Greenbelt, Horticulture, Huawei, March, Meadow, Micro Farm, Midlands, National Trust, Natural England, Natural History, Naturalist, Nature, Nature Reserve, Outdoors, Pond, Rewildling, River, RSPB, Semirural, Sir David Attenborough, Spring, Springwatch, Suburban, Suburbia, The Campaign for Rural England, The Lakes, The Wildlife Trust, Walk, Waseley Hills Country Park, Wetlands, Wild Garden, Wildflower, Wildflowers, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Wildlife Garden, Wildlife Gardening, Woodland, Woodland Trust, Worcester & Birmingham Canal, Worcestershire, World Land TrustLeave a comment

Pilewort or Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), flowering between January and April; these lovers of damp woodland pathways, stream banks and ditches, can be found in gardens, meadows and shady hedgerows, and even Narnia, yes, Narnia! ✨

Ficaria verna growing on the bank of a field edge

An important nectar source for early emerging insects from hibernation, such as Queen Bumblebees 🐝

Lesser celandine were used to treat haemorrhoids, hence “Pilewort” and scurvy, due to being high in Vitamin C.

All in all, they are a pretty cool plant!

Thanks for reading! 😊

Alder (Alnus glutinosa)

Mar 2, 2023Mar 3, 2023Posted in Birds, Canal, Countryside, Exploration, Garden, Greenbelt, Insects, Lakes, Local, Natural History, Plants, Walk, WoodlandTagged A Bugs Life, Action For Insects, Alder, April, BBC Countryfile, BBC Springwatch, BBC Wildlife, Botany, Canal, Canal Walk, CPRE, Days Out, February, Flora, Gay Naturalist, March, Natural History, Nature, Park, Rewildling, River, RSPB, Springwatch, Suburban, The Wildlife Trust, Tree Hugging, Trees, Walk, Wetlands, Wildflowers, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Wildlife Gardening, Wildlife TV Presenter, Woodland, Woodland TrustLeave a comment

Dwelling in moist places; Alder grow near rivers, ponds, lakes and in wet, swampy woods, also known as Carrs.

Their flowers were used as green dye, to colour and camouflage the clothes of outlaws, like Robin Hood and to also colour the clothes of fairies 🧚🏻‍♂️

Flowering between February and April, Alder catkins provide an early source of nectar and pollen for Bees, and the seeds are eaten by Goldfinches, Siskins and Redpolls.

The pale wood turns a deep orange after being cut, giving the impression of bleeding. So, in the past, many people feared them and the Irish thought it was unlucky to pass one on a journey 😅

The roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules, conditioning the soil and improving soil fertility on former industrial wasteland and brownfield sites.

Alder leaf beetles (Agelastica alni) feed on the leaves of alder trees. They’ve become common in parts of England and Wales since 2004.

It was said that a few Alder leaves placed in the shoes before a long journey would cool the feet and prevent swelling 🤷🏻‍♂️

Being a tough species of tree, their wood doesn’t rot when waterlogged, instead it makes them harder and stronger. Plus, mature trees can reach a height of approximately 28 metres and live to around 60 years.

Thanks for reading ✌🏻

A Greener Childhood

Mar 10, 2021Mar 10, 2021Posted in BBC, Conservation, Countryside, Environmental, Greenbelt, Literature, Natural History, WoodlandTagged 30 Days Wild, A Focus On Nature, Adam O'Hare, AFON, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Birding, Birds, Birmingham, Conservation, Countryfile, Countryside, CPRE, Encounter, Environment, Environmental, Frankley, Garden, Green Birmingham, National Trust, Natural England, Natural History, Nature, Nature On Screen, New Frankley, Outdoors, RSPB, Semirural, Spring, Springwatch, Suburban, Suburbia, The Wildlife Trust, West Midlands, Wild Garden, Wildlife, Wildlife TrustsLeave a comment

. . .I remember more countryside, more greenspaces, more woodland, more birdsong, more sightings of wildlife, such as rabbits, foxes and badgers.

Sunny days. Less pollution, less superficial ideas and materialism.

Fun was exploring and adventures outdoors; the new park, or going to a country park – for the first time.

Everyone cared about nature, everyone wanted to see it, talk about it.

The environment is for all ages, all stages of life.

I remember a greener childhood. . .

Local Natural Heritage

Sep 2, 2020Sep 3, 2020Posted in BBC, Birds, Conservation, Country Park, Countryside, Environmental, Exploration, Farm, Film, Greenbelt, Local, Natural History, Nature Reserve, Plants, TV, Video, Vlog, Walk, WoodlandTagged #MyWildLife, #WildTime, A Focus On Nature, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, Autumnwatch, Autumnwatch 2020, BBC Countryfile, BBC Earth, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Springwatch, BBC Wildlife, Birmingham, Birmingham UK, Bromsgrove, Campaign, Conservation, Countryfile, Countryside, COVID-19, Documentary, Earth Capture, Environment, Environmental, Frankley, Frankley Beeches, Green Belt, Green Birmingham, Green Space, Greenbelt, Landmark, Landmark Trust, Midlands, My Wild Life, National Trust, Natural England, Natural History, Nature, Nature On Screen, New Frankley, Our Plastic Feedback, Outdoors, Semirural, Springwatch, Springwatch 2020, The Campaign for Rural England, Video, Vlog, War On Plastic, West Midlands, Wild Time, Wildlife, Wildlife Filmmakers, Wildlife Vlog, WorcestershireLeave a comment

A few years ago and around May last year; I visited the Frankley Beeches woodland. I noticed it was being ill-managed and not really being cared for.

I have grown up with this remarkable wood, as my local landmark for 30 years (my entire life), and despite it looking lovely on the outside, it unfortunately is not the same on the inside!

Research concluded that it is the National Trust that haven’t been doing (their job) anything with it for years, and Bromsgrove District Council cannot have cared much either…

When I visited it last, it was in much need of restoration & conservation, within the wood there are dead & damaged trees, plus rubbish & disturbed soil from its careless visitors. The anthropogenic effect on the woodland is very much the same to this day!

I recently did a Tweet, tagging in those who it concerns and may care about the Frankley Beeches, and yesterday (01.09.2020) I visited there and made this video:

It appears there has been some removal of the added non-wild flora, which is great and I didn’t really notice any non-native invasion flora.

Today (02.09.2020) the National Trust in the Midlands got back to me on Twitter:

“…thank you for raising your concerns with us. I’m pleased to hear that you have seen a difference to the site. Unfortunately, like many places, we only have a small team who can complete essential tasks right now but we will make sure to take on your feedback when we update the conservation management plan. We did not put in place the plastic tree guards, but I have let the team at Clent Hills know that they are now littered around…”

So it’s the Clent Team who (are to blame) haven’t been doing anything for years, until fairly recently 🤔 I am pleased they finally replied to me, as a few years ago, I emailed them and was ignored!

Sorry to hear of their small team, thus causing neglect and negative knock-on effects to much cherished places…

💚 Thanks for visiting x

Day 30 – 30 Days Wild

Jun 30, 2020Jun 30, 2020Posted in BBC, Birds, Challenge, Conservation, Countryside, Encounters, Environmental, Exploration, Film, Garden, Greenbelt, Insects, Local, Natural History, Nature Art, Nature Reserve, Plants, TV, Video, Vlog, Walk, WoodlandTagged #30DaysWild, #MyWildLife, #NowForNature, #TheTimeIsNow, #WilderFuture, #WildTime, 30 Days Wild, A Bugs Life, A Focus On Nature, A Fork-tailed Flower Bee (Anthophora furcata), Action For Insects, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, Antz, ARG UK, Artwork, Bat Conservation Trust, Batcam, Bats, BBC, BBC Countryfile, BBC Earth, BBC Gardeners' World, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Bees, Bill Oddie, Birder, Birds, Birds of Prey, Birdsong, Birmingham, Black Ants, Blackbird, Botany, BTO Garden BirdWatch, Bugs, Bumblebees, Butterflies, Challenge, Chickens, Chris Packham, Collaboration, Conservation, Conservationists, Countryfile, Countrylife, Countryside, CPRE, Cranesbill Geraniums, Creative Conservation, Dance in a downpour, Dancing in the Rain, David Oakes, Dawn Chorus, Days Out, DEFRA, Design, Devon Bat Project, Do Something Great, Documentary, Drawing, Dunnock, Earth Capture, Encounter, Entomology, Environment, Environmental, Exporation, Farm, Farmers, Film, Forget-me-not, Frankley, Garden, Gay Birders, Gay Farmers, Get Your Boots On, Greater Horseshoe Bat, Green Belt, Green Birmingham, Green Space, Greenbelt, Horticulture, House Sparrows, Random Acts of Wildness, Springwatch, Summer 2020, The Wildlife Trusts, Vlog, Wild June, Wildlife FilmmakerLeave a comment

There we have it, 30 Days Wild! Today is the last day of Random Acts of Wildness 🥳 So I am looking back over the past 29 days, and in this post I am sharing my highlights 💚

Thanks for visiting! 🤙🏻 x

Day 22 – 30 Days Wild

Jun 22, 2020Posted in Challenge, Conservation, Countryside, Encounters, Environmental, Film, Greenbelt, Insects, Local, Natural History, Nature Reserve, Video, Vlog, WalkTagged #30DaysWild, #MyWildLife, #NowForNature, #TheTimeIsNow, #WilderFuture, #WildTime, 30 Days Wild, A Focus On Nature, Action For Insects, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, BBC Countryfile, BBC Earth, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Birmingham, Bugs, Butterflies, Challenge, Conservation, Countryfile, Countryside, CPRE, Days Out, DEFRA, Earth Capture, Encounter, Entomology, Environment, Environmental, Film, Frankley, Get Your Boots On, Green Belt, Green Birmingham, Green Space, Greenbelt, Huawei, Invertebrates, June, Made in Birmingham, Meadow, My Wild Life, National Insect Week, Natural England, Natural History, Nature On Screen, Nature Reserve, New Frankley, Now for Nature, Outdoors, Park, Random Acts of Wildness, RSPB, Semirural, Springwatch, Suburban, Suburbia, Summer, The Campaign for Rural England, The Countryside Charity, The Wild Side, The Wildlife Trust, Video, Vlog, Walk, West Midlands, Wild June, Wild Time, Wilder Future, Wildlife, Wildlife Filmmakers, Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife VlogLeave a comment

It’s the beginning of National Insect Week, so there was only one thing for it! Get out & film (video below) some cool Insects!

I was happy to find some obliging Butterflies 🦋

Thanks for visiting 💚

Day 17 – 30 Days Wild

Jun 17, 2020Posted in Countryside, Environmental, Farm, Film, Greenbelt, Local, Natural History, Nature Reserve, TV, Video, Vlog, WalkTagged #30DaysWild, #MyWildLife, #WildTime, 30 Days Wild, A Focus On Nature, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, BBC Countryfile, BBC Earth, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Birdsong, Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Challenge, Countryfile, Countrylife, Countryside, CPRE, Days Out, Earth Capture, Environment, Environmental, Farm, Film, Frankley, Get Your Boots On, Green Belt, Green Birmingham, Green Space, Greenbelt, Huawei, June, Made in Birmingham, My Wild Life, Natural England, Natural History, Nature, Nature On Screen, Nature Reserve, New Frankley, Outdoors, Random Acts of Wildness, RSPB, Semirural, Spring, Springwatch, Suburban, Suburbia, The Campaign for Rural England, The Countryside Charity, The Wild Side, The Wildlife Trust, Thunderstorm, Trees, Video, Vlog, Walk, West Midlands, Wild June, Wild Time, Wildlife Filmmakers, Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife Vlog, WoodlandLeave a comment

Went for a walk around my local Wood and Green-belt today, when I was out a storm rolled in 🌧️

Rather than head home, I decided to stay out a bit, to listen to the rain & thunder whilst outside ⛈️

Thanks for visiting! 💚

Day 14 – 30 Days Wild

Jun 14, 2020Jun 14, 2020Posted in BBC, Canal, Challenge, Coast, Conservation, Country Park, Countryside, Environmental, Exploration, Greenbelt, Local, Natural History, Nature Reserve, Video, Vlog, WoodlandTagged #30DaysWild, #MyWildLife, #NowForNature, #TheTimeIsNow, #WilderFuture, #WildTime, 30 Days Wild, A Focus On Nature, Action For Insects, Adam Canning, Adam O'Hare, AFON, BBC Countryfile, BBC Earth, BBC Midlands Today, BBC Wildlife, Birmingham, Birmingham City Council, Challenge, Coast, Conservation, Conservationists, country park, Countryfile, Countrylife, Countryside, CPRE, Days Out, DEFRA, Do Something Great, Documentary, Earth Capture, Environment, Environmental, Exporation, Film, For The Love Of, Frankley, Frankley Beeches, Green Belt, Green Birmingham, Green Space, Greenbelt, HS2, Huawei, Journalism, June, Made in Birmingham, Meadow, My Wild Life, National Trust, Natural England, Natural History, Nature, Nature On Screen, Nature Reserve, New Frankley, Now for Nature, Outdoors, Park, Presenting, Random Acts of Wildness, Rewildling, River, River Rea, RSPB, Semirural, Spring, Springwatch, Springwatch 2020, Suburban, Summer, The Campaign for Rural England, The Conservation Volunteers, The Countryside Charity, The Wild Side, The Wildlife Trust, Trees, Video, Vlog, West Midlands, Wild June, Wild Time, Wilder FutureLeave a comment

This morning I unsure what to do, thankfully a friend reminded me that I’m passionate about Green-belt & suggested I make a video (below) regarding its benefits.