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| Short Title (Click to read the article) | Introduction | |
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| Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Nettle (Urtica dioica)common nettle is usually called the stinging nettle and I am sure we all discovered this plant at an early age the painful way! It has a fluid containing a histamine that 'irritates' should the hairs of the plant touch your skin.… |
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| Common Orache | Title: Celebrating Common Orache: Nature's Hardy and Nutritious Wild GreenIn the often-overlooked realms of untamed fields, roadside verges, and coastal dunes, a hardy and versatile plant thrives, quietly offering its nutritious bounty to those who know where to look. Common Orache (… |
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| Common orache (Atriplex patula) | Title: Nature Notes - Common orache (Atriplex patula)Common orache is the most common of the six orache species so it is aptly named. It is certainly the most common away from the sea shore where the others are more likely to be seen as common orache is a weed of bare, disturbed ground… |
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| Common Orange Lichen | Title: Unveiling the Vibrant World of Caloplaca flavescens: Exploring the Charms of the Common Orange LichenIn the intricate tapestry of Earth's ecosystems, lichens emerge as remarkable organisms, embodying the delicate dance between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. Among these… |
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| Common Pippistrelle | Title: Unveiling the Pipistrelle Bat: Nature's Aerial AcrobatIn the twilight hours of dusk, a silent and agile creature takes to the skies, its fluttering wings and echolocation calls echoing through the night. The pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), with its diminutive size… |
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| Common Polypody | Title: Exploring the Enigmatic Common Polypody: Nature's Fern of Resilience and BeautyIn the shaded recesses of woodlands, nestled among rocks and trees, a verdant treasure adorns the landscape with its graceful fronds and delicate beauty. The common polypody (Polypodium vulgare), a… |
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| Common Pond Skater | Title: Glide of Grace: Embracing the Common Pond Skater's Aquatic BalletIn the serene world of still waters, where ponds and lakes mirror the sky above, a delicate dancer skims the surface with effortless grace, leaving ripples in its wake. The common pond skater (Gerris lacustris),… |
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| Common Pond Skater (Gerris lacustris) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Pond Skater (Gerris lacustris)I regret to say I take some species of wildlife for granted. Everyday from April through to October, possibly even November, the little pond skaters relentlessly make their way around the surface of our garden pond and I take… |
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| Common Poppy | Title: Unveiling the Splendor of the Common Poppy: Nature's Iconic BloomIn fields of gold and scarlet, along roadsides and meadow edges, a symbol of remembrance and natural beauty graces the landscape with its vibrant presence. The common poppy (Papaver rhoeas), with its striking… |
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| Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)I remember, many years ago when I was a child, corn fields that turned red in mid-summer with hundreds and hundreds of blood-red common poppy flowers. It was an awesome sight. The poppy thrives in disturbed ground and so farm… |
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| Common Powderhorn | Common Powderhorn Lichen (Cladonia coniocraea)The common powderhorn lichen (Cladonia coniocraea) is a widespread and distinctive species of lichen found across temperate regions. It is named for its… |
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| Common Puffball | Title: Unveiling the Common Puffball: Nature's Curious FungiIn the hidden corners of forests, meadows, and even urban landscapes, a peculiar organism emerges, captivating the attention of curious observers and nature enthusiasts. The common puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum), with its… |
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| Common Ragwort | Title: Unveiling the Common Ragwort: A Controversial Wildflower of the CountrysideIn the midst of sun-kissed meadows and grassy verges, a vibrant splash of yellow punctuates the greenery, heralding the arrival of a much-debated wildflower: common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea). With its… |
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| Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)Another species from the natural world we love to hate. Ragwort pulling is an autumn preoccupation around farms and nature reserves.Common ragwort presents us with two problems. Firstly it is poisonous to cattle and horses and so… |
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| Common Red Soldier Beetle | Title: The Common Red Soldier Beetle: A Scarlet Sentinel of SummerIn the warm embrace of summer meadows and garden blooms, a vibrant flash of crimson catches the eye, heralding the arrival of a charming and beneficial insect: the common red soldier beetle (Rhagonycha fulva). With its… |
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| Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)This soldier beetle must be the most common beetle in the British isles, it certainly is in the Sidmouth area. They are around as adults from May through to August and they adore umbellifer flowers, especially… |
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| Common Reedmace | Common Reedmace (Typha latifolia): The Icon of Marsh and PondWith its towering stems and unmistakable brown seed heads, Common Reedmace is a familiar sight along the margins of ponds, lakes, canals, and ditches across Britain. Often mistakenly called “bulrush,” this striking plant is… |
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| Common Restharrow | Title: Exploring the Resilient Common Restharrow: Nature's Ground-Hugging WonderIn the rugged landscapes of grasslands, meadows, and coastal dunes, a hardy and tenacious plant asserts its presence with intricate beauty and ecological significance. The common restharrow (Ononis repens),… |
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| Common Restharrow (Ononis repens) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Restharrow (Ononis repens)is a creeping plant found in clusters close to the ground. It looks like a low growing vetch and is, indeed, a member of the same family, leguminosae, otherwise known as the pea family.Restharrow particularly likes calcareous… |
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| Common Rockrose | Title: Celebrating the Common Rockrose: Nature's Sun-Loving JewelIn the rugged terrain of rocky slopes, dry hillsides, and coastal cliffs, a resilient and dazzling flower graces the landscape with its radiant blooms and enduring beauty. The common rockrose (Cistus spp.), with its… |
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| Common Sandpiper | Title: The Graceful Wanderer: Exploring the Common SandpiperAlong the shores of freshwater streams, muddy estuaries, and coastal wetlands, a dainty yet tenacious bird gracefully forages, leaving its mark as a symbol of adaptability and resilience in the avian world. The common sandpiper… |
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| Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)In August we can start to expect the autumn migration to begin and one of the signs of this are the occasional sightings of Common Sandpiper that will now occur during this month and next.The common sandpiper is quite common… |
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| Common Script Lichen | Title: Deciphering Nature's Ephemeral Manuscript: The Common Script LichenIn the quiet corners of forests and on the weathered surfaces of rocks, a cryptic and enchanting organism etches its delicate script, weaving a tale of resilience and symbiosis. The common script lichen (Graphis… |
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| Common Script Lichen (Graphis scripta) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Script Lichen (Graphis scripta)Until I happened to be looking for a lichen I had seen in my reference book and stumbled across something called Graphis scripta I had always assumed that the black marks you often see on silver birch bark were just blemishes… |
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| Common Snout-Hoverfly | Title: The Common Snout-Hoverfly: An Important Pollinator in DisguiseThe common snout-hoverfly (Rhingia campestris) is a fascinating and beneficial insect that often goes unnoticed due to its small size and modest appearance. It belongs to the family Syrphidae, commonly known as… |
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| Common Snout-hoverfly (Rhingia campestris) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Snout-hoverfly (Rhingia campestris)Continuing my interest in hoverflies I bring you Rhingia campestris. It is a common hoverfly and quite easy to identify because of its plump body which is orange and having a black stripe down it. It also has a longish '… |
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| Common Sorrel | Title: Embracing Nature's Zesty Herb: The Common SorrelIn the verdant expanses of meadows, along forest edges, and even within urban gardens, a zesty and versatile herbaceous plant thrives, offering both culinary delight and medicinal benefits. The common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) with its… |
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| Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)One of the more common plants on grassland where the ground is undisturbed is common sorrel. When one looks at the flower heads which are loose spikes of individual reddish brown flowers it is immediately obvious that this is a… |
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| Common Spotted Orchid | Title: The Enigmatic Beauty of the Common Spotted Orchid: Nature's Floral TreasureNestled in the verdant meadows and damp woodlands of Europe and beyond, the common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) emerges as a delicate yet resilient symbol of botanical splendor. With its intricate… |
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| Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii)This flower is an orchid, the leaves are spotted and it is widespread so I suppose common spotted orchid is an appropriate name for it. I cannot help thinking, though, that calling something as lovely as this '… |
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| Common Storks-bill (Erodium cicutarium) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium)Common stork's-bill is a member of the popular family of garden flowers, the geraniums. This group of flowers has one obvious thing in common, when the petals are over and fall the central pistil stands pointed like the… |
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| Common Storksbill | Title: Discovering the Common Stork's-Bill: A Botanical MarvelIn the tapestry of meadows, roadside verges, and urban green spaces, a resilient and dainty flower asserts its presence with subtle elegance and understated charm. The common stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium), with its… |
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| Common Striated Feather-moss | Title: Common Striated Feather-Moss: A Pillar of the Forest FloorThe Common Striated Feather-Moss (Eurhynchium striatum) is a widespread and fascinating moss species that thrives in temperate woodlands across much of Europe and North America. Known for its lush, feather-like… |
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| Common Toadflax | Title: Embracing the Delicate Beauty of Common Toadflax: Nature's Floral JewelIn the nooks and crannies of rocky outcrops, along roadsides, and in sunny meadows, a dainty yet resilient flower adds a splash of color to the landscape, captivating the hearts of botanists and nature… |
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| Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)I expect most of us are familiar with snapdragons as we called them when I was a child. If you press the sides of the flower near the base the mouth opens! This is the natural version of the flower we used to grow in the garden,… |
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| Common Tree-moss | Common Tree-Moss (Climacium dendroides): A Miniature Forest on the Forest FloorThe Common Tree-Moss (Climacium dendroides) is a distinctive and beautiful moss species that resembles tiny, tree-like structures growing on the ground. Its unique appearance and ecological significance… |
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| Common Valerian | Title: Common Valerian: Valeriana officinalis - Nature's TranquilizerCommon Valerian, scientifically known as Valeriana officinalis, is a perennial flowering plant cherished for its medicinal properties, particularly its calming effects. Often referred to simply as valerian, this plant… |
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| Common Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)There is something slightly odd about this rather lovely plant, the common valerian. According to my field guide it can be found on dry grassland and in damp woods. Maybe I am reading that wrongly but it seems the two habitats… |
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| Common Vetch | Title: Celebrating the Vibrant Elegance of Common Vetch: Nature's Floral TapestryIn the lush meadows, along hedgerows, and across open fields, a colorful and versatile legume spreads its delicate tendrils, adding a splash of purple to the landscape and nourishing the soil with its… |
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| Common Vetch (Vicia sativa) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Vetch (Vicia sativa)As I have said before in my notes on wildlife there are many flowers you just pass by and without a second look because they are so familiar. If you stop and look, and take a close up photo, you find these flowers are amazingly beautiful.… |
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| Common Wasp | Title: Unveiling the Common Wasp: Nature's Intriguing Architect of the SkyIn the warm summer months, as picnics are spread and fruits ripen in the sun, an unmistakable buzzing fills the air, announcing the presence of one of nature's most misunderstood creatures: the common wasp (… |
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| Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris) | Title: Nature Notes - Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)If the rain doesn't spoil your late summer picnic or barbecue then there is a pretty good chance that everyone's pet hate, the common wasp, probably will!Sadly, although extremely 'intelligent' insects they can be a bit dumb when it… |
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| Common Water-starwort | Title: Common Water Starwort: Callitriche stagnalis - A Hidden Gem of Aquatic EcosystemsCommon Water Starwort, scientifically known as Callitriche stagnalis, is an inconspicuous yet vital aquatic plant found in freshwater environments across the world. Belonging to the Plantaginaceae… |
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| Community Orchard Deacription | Community OrchardWhat is the Community Orchard and how was it established? |
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| Community Orchard Deacription | Community OrchardWhat is the Community Orchard and how was it established? |
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| Compact Rush | Title: Exploring the Quiet Majesty of the Compact Rush: Nature's Unsung HeroAmidst the tranquil landscapes of wetlands, marshes, and riverbanks, a humble yet essential plant quietly thrives, its slender form swaying gently in the breeze. The compact rush (Juncus conglomeratus), with its… |
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| Compact Rush (Juncus conglomeratus) | Title: Nature Notes - Compact Rush (Juncus conglomeratus)I found out about soft rush several years ago and for a long time I thought these rushes with a more compact flower heads were soft rush just coming in to flower. How wrong I was as I eventually discovered they are a… |
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| Conifer Plantation | Conifer PlantationsWhy were large-scale conifer plantations established in Britain, particularly after the World Wars? |
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| Conifers | Conifers: Guardians of the ForestsWhat are conifers and what makes them unique? |
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| Conifers | Conifers: Guardians of the ForestsWhat are conifers and what makes them unique? |