One of our questions for the team was what should we do with balsam in ten acres if we see it. Well, first of all we are holding a couple of balsam bashing volunteer sessions throughout the summer so pop along to one of those if you really want to […]

We forgot to take pictures last week but we were on site working hard still, so here are this weeks photographs of the area we were working on – “the Den”. This area is where we hold our wellbeing in the woods sessions and where someone recently has erected a […]

Spotted by Volunteer Camilla. First logged 30/06/20 Lathyrus Pratensis, common name – Meadow vetch. Family Legume Status Commonly Widespread Details Lathyrus pratensis is also a host plant for ovipositioning of the wood white butterfly. A scrambling plant, Meadow vetchling has yellow flowers. It is a member of the pea family […]

Spotted by Volunteer Camilla. First logged 30/06/20 Heracleum Mantegazzianum, common name Giant Hogweed. Family Apiaceae Status Non-Native Invasive Pest Details The sap of giant hogweed is phototoxic and causes phytophotodermatitis in humans, resulting in blisters and scars. These serious reactions are due to the furanocoumarin derivatives in the leaves, roots, […]

Spotted by Volunteer Stephanie. First logged 23/03/20 Petasites Hybridus, common name – Butterbur Family Asteraceae Status Fairly frequent in suitable habitats throughout Britain, except in the far north of Scotland. Details Short to tall, hairy, patch forming plant that grows each year from a creeping rhizome. The leaves are large, […]

Spotted by Volunteer Camilla. First logged 19/07/20. Polyommatus icarus, common name – Common Blue Status It remains widespread but there have been local declines within its range. Size and Family Family: Blues Size: Small Wing Span Range (male to female): 35mm Conservation Status                […]

Spotted by Volunteer Annabel. First logged 18/07/20. Lycaena phlaeas, common name Small Copper Status Though it remains a common and widespread species, the Small Copper declined throughout its range during the twentieth century. Size and Family Family: Coppers Size: Small Wing Span Range (male to female): 32-35mm Conservation Status    […]

Spotted by Volunteer Stephanie. First logged 18/06/20 Polyporus squamosus, common names Dryad’s Saddle, Scaly Polypore, Pheasants Back Status Common, found on deciduous trees and stumps. Season Start May Season End Aug Details This is the largest capped mushroom in the UK and can until become so heavy it can no […]

Spotted by Volunteer Stephanie. First logged 02/07/20.Earliest Submitted record by Volunteer Annabel (Before 2020 project began) Aglais urticae, common name Small Tortoiseshell Status Widespread throughout Britain and Ireland, commonly found in gardens. Size and Family Family: Nymphalids Size: Medium/Large Wing Span Range (male to female): 50-56mm Conservation Status      […]