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Wild flowers of Knoydart
In late April we took a trip to Knoydart in north-west Scotland. Our main aim was to visit friends, but Colin was also looking for inspiration for paintings, and I was helping to research a new book...
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Heath spotted-orchid
The Heath spotted-orchid, Dactylorhiza maculata, usually appears in June, its beautiful spikes of pink flowers rising above the long grass of meadows and river pasture. It prefers the damp, acid soils...
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Common butterwort
From May to July the delicate purple flowers of Common butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris) rise above rosettes of yellowish-green leaves, in boggy areas and damp heathland. It’s common in much of...
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Heath milkwort
Widespread throughout Britain, Heath milkwort (Polygala serpyllifolia) is a low-growing perennial which is usually found on grasslands and heath, but not on chalky soil or sand dunes where its close...
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What do you think this is?
I have another mini-quiz for you today. Take a look at this object and tell me what it is. You can use the Comments form below to submit your suggestions. I’ll tell you the answer on 19th January!
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The wisdom of the oak
A new series, taking a close look at the natural history and folklore of Britain’s trees Mature oak tree near Loch Lomond © Colin Woolf Two species of oak are native to Britain: the pedunculate oak...
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The reed bunting
Male reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) at Mersehead, Solway, March 2011 © Colin Woolf On our walks through the woods and up the hill at the back of our house, we sometimes see reed buntings flitting...
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Wildlife quiz: the answer!
Thank you to everyone who had a guess as to what on earth this alien-looking object was. It is, in fact, the mouth parts of a sea urchin. Well done to those of you who were very close, and in...
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The magic of the birch
The second in my new series on woodland trees: the graceful birch is associated with love, fertility, new beginnings… and broomsticks Silver birches with flowering currant There are three species of...
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Snowdrops: welcome signs of spring
With the blessing of fine weather over the last few days, I’ve been looking for snowdrops in our garden – but sadly, most have succumbed to the boggy conditions caused by the endlessly wet winter. I...
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Wood sorrel: modesty in miniature
Now that the snow is melting away, exposing the snowdrops which should have flowered and died back in February, we can start looking for the first wild flowers of spring. Among them is wood sorrel...
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Cockshut – lost in the shadows of twilight
I’d like to share a fascinating little snippet about woodcock that I came across while researching our book, ‘Woodcock and Pin-feather Painting’. An old English name for evening twilight is ‘cockshut...
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Thrift: coastal jewels
Thrift (Armeria maritima), otherwise known as Sea Pink, is perhaps not the rarest of our coastal wild flowers, but it is certainly one of the prettiest. Forming compact cushions of dark green,...
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The majesty of the beech
Imagine the glory of the English countryside in summer: gently rolling fields, herds of cattle grazing, patches of broadleaved woodland and woodpigeons cooing lazily in the afternoon sun. This rural...
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Windflowers – tears of Aphrodite
According to a Greek legend, wood anemones - or windflowers - sprang up where the tears of Aphrodite fell. A lovely story, although she must have wept quite a lot, poor girl!
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Lady’s smock
In the spring sunshine, look out for this delicate wayside plant which is 'painting the meadows with delight'!
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The bridge of the fairy foxgloves
This old bridge is the home of a very special little flower...
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The marsh fritillary
Once common throughout Britain and Ireland, the marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) is now one of our rarest butterflies. In England it is restricted to the south-west and Cumbria, and there are a...
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