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 ๐Ÿงš๐Ÿปโ€โ™‚๏ธ

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 ๐Ÿ˜…

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 ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™‚๏ธ

Being a tough species of tree, their wood doesnโ€™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 โœŒ๐Ÿป

National Diversity Awards 2021

For my Social Media presence (especially my Instagram and Twitter), being an openly gay Broadcaster and a Nature Conservation advocate, I have been nominated for a Diversity Award as a Positive LGBTQ+ Role Model.

To vote for me / nominate me, please Click Here

Many thanks! x

Day 20 + 21 – 30 Days Wild

Yesterday I had a wee trip to my local town & I documented how green the journey there is ๐Ÿž๏ธ

#30DaysWIld

Today I celebrated Father’s Day with some of my family & we had a BBQ, which my Brother-in-law & I tended to ๐Ÿ™‚

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! ๐Ÿ’š

You can see my score in the comments ๐Ÿ˜†

Thanks for visiting! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป

Day 15 – 30 Days Wild

Today I visited an Urban Organic Micro Farm, called Rea Spring Gardens – which is a short walk away. It is own and ran by a lovely, enthusiastic couple, Charlie and Ashley, who farm with wildlife and the environment in mind ๐ŸŒ

In the video below, you get to see what they grow and the animals they keep! ๐Ÿ‘จ๐Ÿปโ€๐ŸŒพ

Thanks for visiting ๐Ÿ’š

Day 13 – 30 Days Wild

I’m going to let the video (below) speak for itself ๐Ÿ™‚

Thanks for visiting! ๐Ÿ’š

Day 11 – 30 Days Wild

Today I have decided to share a wild moment from my past ๐Ÿฆ ๐Ÿ˜Š

Thanks for visiting! ๐Ÿ’š

Day 4 – 30 Days Wild

On Monday, whilst walking passed some Foxgloves with my Mom up the Waseley Hills Country Park, I remembered that we had some seeds at the back of one of the kitchen cupboards ๐Ÿ˜‰

Digitalis purpurea – Waseley Hills Country Park
Today that’s exactly what I did! ๐Ÿ’ฎ

Thanks for visiting ๐Ÿ™‚

Day 3 – 30 Days Wild

Today I awoke to the sound of rain, so of course there was only one thing for me to do…

I also got an ID for the Spider from yesterday ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿป

It is an Araniella sp. Also known as a Cucumber Spider ๐Ÿฅ’ (Thank you Emma Woolley)

From Googling, I suspect it’s an Araniella opisthographa ๐Ÿ•ท๏ธ But you can only determine that by having it under a microscope (cheers Rory Dimond & Luke Anderson) ๐Ÿ™‚

Thanks for visiting ๐Ÿ˜Š

Wildlife in December

Out of the videos I have made, these three videos are definitely some of my ‘favourites’, as I love Water Rails, Whooper Swans and enjoy feeding the birds, and playingaround in the kitchen.  ๐Ÿ˜€

We were pretty much Frozen Britain recently, certainly in the West Midlands…

Packed full of fun facts (2011):

Thanks for your visit! ๐Ÿ˜‰
x

About Me

Just a (very) short one, to say: ย Finally! ย I have an ‘About Me‘ page! ๐Ÿ˜€ ย I’ve decided I will be gradually turning my WordPress into my website, so it becomes more than just a blog!

In the past I used Webs, I believe my website there was looking ‘dated’ and I no longer do anything branded Nature On Screenย – so I stopped using that site. ย Eventually Canned Wildlife will look great!

Thanks for visiting. ๐Ÿ™‚