Pilewort or Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna)

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)

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 πŸ§šπŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

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 πŸ˜…

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 πŸ€·πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ

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

. . .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. . .

House Sparrows Trail CAM

Last night I popped my Trail CAM in one of the trees at the bottom of the garden. Below is what it managed to capture this morning 😊

Thanks for visiting! πŸ’š

Day 27 – 30 Days Wild

Was chilling out in the garden, when I heard a Blackbird singing close & loud, it then got closer – so I filmed it πŸ˜†

Thanks for visiting! πŸ’š

Day 25 + 26 – 30 Days Wild

My new toy arrived, a 4K video-recording 20MP photo-taking Trail CAM! πŸ’–

Late in the afternoon I set it up in our new Wildlife Corner of the garden.

This morning I reviewed the footage that was recorded from yesterday afternoon, the evening & from this morning. I am over the moon with what the Trail CAM managed to capture! πŸ’š

Thanks for visiting! ☺️

Day 24 – 30 Days Wild

My kitchen was overran with Flying Ants & the non-flying ones 🐜 🐜 🐜 It was like a plague! I am not kidding.

#30DaysWild

So of course I had to document it. It was somewhat nightmarish! πŸ‘‡πŸ»

Thanks for visiting! πŸ’š

Day 23 – 30 Days Wild

I am delighted & amazed at what I am discovering in the garden lately. Today I was pottering about & I could hear a munching / crunching sound coming from the gate.

#30DaysWild

At first I thought it may have been a Wasp, but I couldn’t see it. Then after looking the gate up & down I noticed a wee Bee in a crevice! 🐝

A Fork-tailed Flower Bee (Anthophora furcata).

Thanks for visiting! πŸ’š

Day 22 – 30 Days Wild

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

#30DaysWild

I was happy to find some obliging Butterflies πŸ¦‹

Thanks for visiting πŸ’š

Day 20 + 21 – 30 Days Wild

Yesterday I had a wee trip to my local town & I documented how green the journey there is 🏞️

#30DaysWIld

Today I celebrated Father’s Day with some of my family & we had a BBQ, which my Brother-in-law & I tended to πŸ™‚

When the evening arrived, it was time to prepare for the Big Wild Quiz, hosted by Sophie Pavelle and David Oakes. Which kicked off just after 7pm, it was great fun & a laugh! πŸ’š

You can see my score in the comments πŸ˜†

Thanks for visiting! πŸ‘πŸ»