Noticing Nature Blog

An excellent morning at Ash Wildlife Day. First off, an interesting review of the achievements of AWFV over the past year and their future plans. This was followed by a fascinating talk on swifts, a species whose future success is sadly threatened in the UK. After a short break, an excellent overview of the challenges faced in opposing the inappropriate planning application for the proposed Ash Levels Solar Array. The level of effort and commitment invested into this challeng

Wild Garlic Without a doubt, one of my favourite countryside aromas-crushed Wild Garlic. Now appearing in a woodland near you!

This is Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola) flowering on the lower edge of Bushy Rough woods near Crixhall Court. It is not a spurge or a laurel despite its common name, but it is a native plant. It's a good nectar source for early pollinators. Spurge Laurel

My first butterfly on the wing of 2026 today! A rather scruffy Peacock, fresh out of hibernation, making the most of the lovely, and currently, desperately rare sunshine. Nevertheless, a welcome sign of approaching spring. Peacock butterfly

There were several of these Scarlet Elf-cup fungi (Sarcoscypha austriaca) in the Twitham plantation today. They really show up in the leaf litter and are not difficult to see. A welcome splash of colour. Scarlet Elf Cup

Just about sums it up really!