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Title: Phase 1 habitats - D2: Wet dwarf shrub heath

As with dry dwarf shrub heath, wet dwarf shrub heath typically has more than 25% cover of ericoides (heathers) and ulex (gorse) species but the main difference is that Molinia caerulea (purple moor grass) is often abundant and there are…

Title: Daffodil Family (Amaryllidaceae): Exploring the Enchanting World of Amaryllidaceae: Botanical Beauty and Cultural Significance

In the vast tapestry of the plant kingdom, few families evoke the same sense of enchantment and elegance as Amaryllidaceae. This botanical family,…

Title: Daisy Family (Compositae): Unveiling the Fascinating World of Compositae: Botanical Marvels and Ecological Gems

In the botanical realm, few families command as much attention and admiration as Compositae, also known as Asteraceae. This diverse and prolific family, comprising over…

Title: The Timeless Charm of Bellis Perennis: Exploring the Enigmatic Daisy

In the world of flowers, few evoke the sense of innocence, purity, and simplicity quite like the Bellis Perennis, better known as the daisy. This unassuming yet captivating bloom has captured hearts for centuries…

Title: Dame’s Violet: Hesperis matronalis - An Elegant Addition to Gardens and Wild Spaces

Dame’s violet (Hesperis matronalis), also known as sweet rocket or mother-of-the-evening, is a charming biennial or short-lived perennial plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. With its…

Title: Nature Notes - Dame's Violet (Hesperis matronalis)

Dame's violet is not a violet, it is a member of the cabbage or cruciferae family; in fact it is one of a sub-group of the family we know as stocks and it is often cultivated in gardens. In Britain wild specimens are likely to be…

Title: Graceful Guardians: Exploring the Fascinating World of Damselflies

In the shimmering world of wetlands, ponds, and streams, a group of delicate yet resilient insects glides effortlessly through the air, captivating observers with their iridescent wings and agile maneuvers. These…

Title: Dance Fly: Empis tessellata - The Intriguing Aerial Acrobat

The dance fly, scientifically known as Empis tessellata, is a fascinating member of the Empididae family, notable for its unique mating rituals and predatory behavior. Commonly found across Europe and parts of Asia, this…

Title: Embracing the Resilient Dandelion: Nature's Humble Wonder

In the realm of wildflowers, the dandelion stands as a resilient emblem of nature's endurance and adaptability. Often dismissed as a pesky weed, this unassuming plant, scientifically known as Taraxacum officinale, holds a…

Title: Nature Notes -  Dandelion (Taraxacum agg.)

You can probably find a dandelion in flower at just about any time of year but it is March when they seem to burst upon us in great numbers and to many, along with daisies, are an absolute pest making a mess of our lawns, verges,…

Title: Nature Notes -  Danish scurvy-grass (Cochlearia danica)

Scurvy-grass will be well known by name, if not by sight, as we all learn about Nelson, the history of the Navy, tots of rum and the dreaded scurvy when we are at junior school, it is part of our heritage! Scurvy was…

Title: Danish Scurvygrass: A Coastal Guardian with Healing Properties

Along the windswept coastlines of northern Europe, a resilient and unassuming plant thrives amidst salt spray and rocky shores: the Danish scurvygrass (Cochlearia danica). While its name may conjure images of maritime…

Title: Nature Notes - Dark Bush Cricket (Pholidoptera griseoaptera)

This insect is easy to identify as it is our only all brown bush-cricket. The other brown bush-crickets we have in this country have some white and green on them, are much smaller, are far less common and tend to be…

Title: The Dark Bush-Cricket: A Stealthy Player of the Nocturnal Symphony

In the realm of night-dwelling insects, a silent performer lurks amidst the shadows, adding depth to the nocturnal symphony: the Dark Bush-Cricket (Pholidoptera griseoaptera). While often unseen due to its…

Title: Dark Crottle Hypogymnia physodes: A Lichen of Mystique and Medicinal Mystery

In the rugged landscapes of temperate forests and coastal cliffs, a peculiar organism thrives, often overlooked amidst the grandeur of its surroundings: Hypogymnia physodes, commonly known as Dark Crottle…

Title: The Dark Green Fritillary: Speyeria aglaja

The dark green fritillary (Speyeria aglaja) is a striking butterfly belonging to the Nymphalidae family. Known for its vibrant coloration and dynamic flight, this butterfly can be found across various parts of Europe and Asia. The dark…

Title: Nature Notes - Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja)

The dark green fritillary is not green, it is orange and brown like many of the other fritillary butterflies. The name is not a total falsehood though as if you look closely at one whilst nectaring with its wings closed you…

Title: The Dark-Edged Bee-Fly: Nature's Marvelous Mimic

In the delicate dance of springtime pollination, a mysterious visitor flits among the blossoms, its dark-edged wings a blur against the sky: the Dark-Edged Bee-Fly (Bombylius major). Despite its bee-like appearance, this fascinating…

Title: Nature Notes - Dark-edged Bee-fly (Bombylius major)

The dark-edged bee-fly is a curious little insect which is quite common in early spring. The adults do not fly for long so there is a limited opportunity to see them, just during the month of April each year. It is furry like a…

Title: Leucozona laternaria: The Spectacular Hoverfly of Summer

Leucozona laternaria, commonly known as the summer hoverfly, is a striking member of the Syrphidae family. With its distinctive markings and beneficial ecological roles, this hoverfly is a fascinating insect to study and…

Title: Nature Notes - Dark-saddled Leucozona Hoverfly (Leucozona laternaria) 

This rather smart little hoverfly, Leucozona laternaria, is like its cousins in the Leucozona family and is a species of woodlands. It frequents woodland rides in mid-summer feasting on pollen from…

Title: A Gut Feeling

I have lived close to Wareham Common for fourteen years and so visit quite regularly and I have become increasingly concerned at the dearth of invertebrate species in recent years. There has, as is well known, been a general decline in insect populations…

Title: A Hot Topic

The images of the horrendous wildfire just up the road in Wareham Forest this week got me thinking! Fire is something of a paradox on heathlands. Before I go on let me emphasise that I know that the fire was a natural ‘disaster’ in many ways so hear me out…

Title: The Balance of Nature

This letter appeared in the Bournemouth Echo on the 27th May 2020 and I have to say it really saddened me that views such as this still persist. I have encountered the argument many times over the years, usually the poor magpie is the victim of the…

Title: Timber!!!

Not for the first time since moving to Purbeck in Dorset fifteen years ago I have seen a Facebook post bemoaning the destruction of Wareham Forest by the felling of trees that are so vital for our wildlife and where there will be a knock on effect on the bog containing…

Title: What is the Point of Flies?

I was sat in a waiting room the other day with a couple of other people and there was a fly buzzing around annoying everyone (other than me). One person said "B****Y flies, what is the point of them?. I tried to explain but I am not sure I won the…

Title: You Hypocrite!

The weather over recent weeks has not been good;  it has generally been overcast, windy and quite cold for the time of year and every now and again we have had rain.  Today, however, the sun was shining and as I looked out of my window across the…

Title: Careless talk kills flies

A little while ago someone posted a photo on our local Facebook group of a kite-tailed robber fly, Machimus atricapillus. It was inside their house, they did not know what it was, did not know if it was dangerous and wanted to know what they should do…

Title: The Deceiver Fungus: Nature's Master of Disguise

In the hidden world beneath our feet, an enigmatic organism thrives amidst the forest litter, its appearance as deceptive as its name: the Deceiver Fungus (Laccaria laccata). With its chameleon-like ability to blend into its…

Title: The Deer Shield Fungus: A Guardian of the Forest Floor 

In the dappled light of woodland glades, a silent sentinel stands guard amidst the fallen leaves and decaying debris: the Deer Shield Fungus (Pluteus cervinus). With its distinctive appearance and integral role in forest…

Title: Understanding Fungal Deformities in Plants: Causes, Effects, and Solutions

Fungi are ubiquitous organisms found in almost every ecosystem on Earth. While some fungi are beneficial, aiding in nutrient cycling and decomposition, others can wreak havoc on plant life, causing…

Title: Unveiling the Beauty of Riccardia multifida: The Delicate Germanderwort

In the hidden realms of moss-covered rocks and shaded stream banks, a botanical treasure quietly thrives, enchanting those who are fortunate enough to encounter it. Riccardia multifida, commonly known as the…

Devonian Period

What is the Devonian period, and why is it often referred to as the "Age of Fishes"?

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Title: Exploring the Enigmatic Dilated Scalewort: Unveiling Nature's Tiny Marvel

Hidden within the damp and dim recesses of forests, nestled amidst moss-covered stones and shadowy nooks, lies a botanical wonder often overlooked by the casual observer—the Dilated Scalewort (Frullania…

Title: The Dipper: Nature's Aquatic Acrobat

In the crisp, clear waters of mountain streams and fast-flowing rivers, a unique and charismatic bird makes its home, delighting observers with its remarkable agility and underwater antics: the Dipper (Cinclus cinclus). With its distinctive…

Diptera: Unveiling the Secrets of True Flies

What are Diptera and what is their distinguishing feature?
…

Diptera: Unveiling the Secrets of True Flies

What are Diptera and what is their distinguishing feature?
…

Title: The Dock Shieldbug: A Tiny Defender of Meadowlands

In the vibrant tapestry of meadows and grasslands, a diminutive but formidable guardian scuttles among the foliage, its distinctive shield-like body a beacon of protection: the Dock Shieldbug (Coreus marginatus). While often…

Title: Nature Notes - Dock Shieldbug (Coreus marginatus)

One might think at first sight that this is a beetle but it is in fact a squash bug, so called because the family as a whole are a significant pest of squashes in north America.This UK member of the family is quite common in the…

Title: Dock Family (Polygonaceae): Discovering the Diversity of Polygonaceae: A Botanical Journey

In the vast realm of the plant kingdom, Polygonaceae emerges as a family both diverse and intriguing. Comprising around 56 genera and over 1200 species, Polygonaceae stands as a testament to…

Title: The Dog-Rose: A Timeless Emblem of Beauty and Resilience

In the tapestry of nature's bounty, few flowers rival the simple elegance and enduring charm of the Dog-Rose (Rosa canina). With its delicate petals, vibrant colors, and storied history, this wild rose species has captured…

Title: Nature Notes - Dog Rose (Rosa canina)

The hedgerows in June and July are showing the lovely flowers of the dog rose. Once pollinated they will turn in to the rose hips we all know, those wonderful, shiny red/orange seed fruits of the autumn.Actually, the dog rose can often be…

Title: Fissipedia - Dog-like Carnivores

The term "Fissipedia" is not a widely recognized or used taxonomic category within modern classification systems. Instead, the suborder Fissipedia has been historically associated with mammals belonging to the order Carnivora. It's important to…

Title: Dog's Mercury: The Enigmatic Woodland Dweller

In the shaded understory of woodlands across Europe, a subtle yet intriguing plant quietly carpets the forest floor: dog's mercury (Mercurialis perennis). Despite its unassuming appearance, this native perennial herb holds a place of…

Title: Nature Notes - Dogs mercury (Mercurialis perennis) 

Dog's mercury is not a lot to look at, indeed it is an insignificant plant that can look as though it has no flower at all. Close up, however, it has spikes of cream/green flowers in March and April. It is also a plant that…

Title: Dogwood: Nature's Timeless Beauty

In the enchanting world of flowering trees, few species capture the imagination quite like the Dogwood (Cornus). With its elegant blossoms, vibrant foliage, and rich cultural symbolism, the Dogwood holds a special place in the hearts of nature…

Title: Dogwood Family (Cornaceae): Unveiling the Magnificence of Cornaceae: Botanical Grandeur and Horticultural Marvels

In the vast spectrum of botanical wonders, the Cornaceae family stands out as a testament to nature's grandeur and diversity. Comprising a diverse array of species,…

Title: Dotted Loosestrife: A Comprehensive Guide

Dotted loosestrife, scientifically known as Lysimachia punctata, is a perennial herbaceous plant cherished for its vibrant yellow flowers and ability to enhance garden aesthetics. Native to Europe and Western Asia, this plant has found its…

Dotted Thyme-Moss (Rhizomnium punctatum)

Introduction 

Dotted thyme-moss (Rhizomnium punctatum) is a small but distinctive moss species known for its glossy…

Title: Douglas Fir in UK Plantations: A Transatlantic Journey of Resilience and Adaptation

In the verdant landscapes of the United Kingdom, where woodlands and forests have shaped the countryside for millennia, an unlikely immigrant has found a home: the Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga…