Promoting & Enhancing The Natural Beauty of the Sid Valley
Insects are cold blooded or, more accurately, are poikilothermic, a term which means having a body temperature that is in line with the temperature of their surroundings. If the air temperature is 20 degrees, then their body temperature is 20 degrees and they areRead More
Leave a comment Aphids or greenfly are insects with an ordinary anatomy, but have an extraordinary life cycle. The males and females die in the autumn once their eggs have been laid on various trees and shrubs. The eggs will survive in hibernation until they hatch inRead More
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The Whirligig Beetle Family Gyrinidae The Lower Knapp pond has a good variety of life beneath the surface, but one the jewels can be seen on the surface. Formula one dodgem cars can be spotted on a sunny Spring day, like diamonds moving erraticallyRead More
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Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner Our conker trees are being devoured from the inside, their leaves are being mined, but they don’t mind. This year’s hot dry summer has caused some of our trees to turn brown as if there is an early autumn, butRead More
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This Moor Meadows video, with Professor Dave Goulson, has a wonderful series of opening scenes before it goes into a zoom session that addresses many of the questions you might have about insects and meadow creation. If you want to skip the opening scenesRead More
Leave a comment It’s always fascinating to see how moths and other flying insects bounce off the streetlights at night, get caught in a spiral dance around a room light or are attracted to a flame. It’s called positive photo praxis and it’s the ultraviolet part ofRead More
Leave a comment As we approach late spring there is an abundance of wild flowers at their peak in the hedgerows and meadows. At this time we can also enjoy their brilliance in our gardens and on our lawns. An inspired initiative led by the charity Plantlife,Read More
Leave a comment Our herbaceous wildflower survey is finding many species flowering outside of their usual season. Click on the Buttercup to find out more.
Leave a comment Some people tell me my garden is untidy, other love the informality and wild flower meadow that buzzes with bees. How many pollinators can you count on this wild carrot in just 30 seconds
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