The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

                              The mute swan

Mute Swans are the UK's most common species of swan and are one of the world's heaviest flying birds; with powerful wings that can measure approximately 4 feet in length. They are incredibly loyal birds and often remain with the same partner for life, which can be up to 30 years in the wild. The swan is predominately a gentle being, but they do have a feisty edge that they will display if they feel threatened. Just like elephants they never forget, their memories are outstanding so bear that in mind when visiting the same area often! National Geographic states they can reach top speeds of 22 mph. 

Males are known as Cobs, and females are known as Pens. It is quite difficult to tell them apart due to such minor differences, but males tend to be larger. Both genders of mute swan display black knobs on their bill, and the males basal knob swells during mating season so identifying could be slightly easier around April-May. 

Swans have long been seen as a valuable asset, with the UK's monarchy having rights to most Mute Swans in England and Wales. They are a protected species as instructed by the monarch, and the only people historically that have been able to eat unmarked swan, or 'Le Cygne Saint Jean', are Royal family members, or fellows of St Johns College, Cambridge. Royal Swans are no longer marked so all swans are protected and are, of course, no longer eaten.

Image of a menu from the May Ball (1921), kindly sent to me from St Johns College, Cambridge.

Swans are one of the most iconic waterbirds, known to be a symbol of love, beauty, grace and purity.  The image of two swans kissing to form a heart with their necks is one of the most famous symbols of love. In Norse mythology, it is said that two swans drank water from a sacred well at the home of the gods, and the water was so pure that everything it touched turned white; giving all swans thereon after their white colour. The Celtic legend states that two swans steered a sun-boat around heaven, there are many beautiful legends and stories associated with swans.

Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca)

 The Egyptian goose

The Egyptian goose is actually considered a duck, despite its name; with its closest relatives being the shelduck. This waterbird is named after its place of origin, the Nile Valley and the South Sahara. 

They are said to be one of the oldest domesticated species and were first kept by Ancient Egyptians around 3100 BC. The Egyptian goose appears in many pieces of Ancient Egyptian artwork and was considered sacred (they were up there with cats!). 

They were originally introduced to the UK in the 17th century and were widespread by the 18th-19th century. These birds can now be found in much of Europe, America, New Zealand, and of course Africa. 

These birds range in weight from approximately 2.2-6 lbs, and have an impressive 25-29 inch wingspan; they are so heavy that they tend to only fly when absolutely necessary. Both genders share an extremely similar appearance, but males are slightly larger on average and the females tend to have darker brown markings on their bills. Their diet consists of aquatic vegetation, worms, insects, and sometimes small frogs. Breeding takes place once a year and will start defending breeding sites from January onwards, as they are early breeders.

🤎

Breeding pairs can nest on the ground amongst vegetation, on buildings or even on cliff ledges. When nests are up high, the young must brave the plummet from high altitudes; but with their lightweight and down feathers for extra protection, deaths are uncommon.

Wild garlic/Ramsons (Allium ursinum)

                                 Wild garlic

                                                                       (Matthews, 2023)

Wild garlic is a common sight in UK woodlands, found during late winter to the end of spring; and is also found in Asia and North America. Wild garlic is a bulbous perennial with long, but broad, oval-shaped, smooth-edged leaves. When in flower, the petals are white with 6 petals to a thin stalk. Ramsons has a pungent garlic/onion smell making it fairly easy to identify (imposters are mentioned further down in this blog). The flower, stalk, stem, and even the bulbs are edible... just bear in mind that when the bulb is removed the plant will not grow back. Harvesting wild garlic with a sharp knife, or scissors, and cutting it close to the ground is best.                                                      

The removal of wild bulbs is illegal due to the Wildlife and Country Act (1981). 

Ramsons leaf, the plant sadly wasn't in flower when spotted recently.

There are a few other plants that look extremely similar to the ramsons;  one being Lilly of the Valley, this however is toxic so if you don't get the garlic/onion smell, that is the telling sign. Another plant that I have even mistaken for ramsons is 'few-flowered leek' (Allium paradoxum). The few flowed leek is also in the Allium genus but is an invasive species from Asia. The plant is said to have a sweeter onion flavour and is also entirely edible. An image of the few flowered leek will be shown below, as you will see the flower appears similar to a snowdrop; but again the onion/garlic smell will be the telling sign.

Few flowered leek.

Allium ursinum has been used in herbal medicine since ancient times for a number of things; lowering blood pressure, cleaning blood vessels, gastrointestinal diseases, cardiovascular health, antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory, and common colds/flu. The list of benefits has only increased so it has a lot to live up to for sure. In some research papers observed, there are mentions of the plant having possible aid in cancer treatments.

A much-loved recipe featuring this plant appears to be wild garlic pesto, some links to some recipes are linked below:

https://www.linsfood.com/wild-garlic-pesto-recipe/

https://www.lazycatkitchen.com/vegan-wild-garlic-pesto/

https://hedgecombers.com/wild-garlic-pesto-recipe/

References:

C, Matthews. (2023). Wild garlic guide: where to find, how to cook it and recipe ideas. [online] Available at: https://www.countryfile.com/how-to/food-recipes/wild-garlic-guide-where-to-find-how-to-cook-it-and-recipe-ideas. [Accessed: 14 April 2023]

The mandarin duck (Aix galericulata)

The mandarin duck

The beautiful mandarin duck, native to East Asia, was introduced to Europe around the end of the 18th century and was an addition to London Zoo in 1830; they are a true eye-catcher and named one of the most beautiful birds in the world. 

Mr mandarin showing off his beautiful plumage.

The mandarin duck is a medium-sized, dimorphic bird; meaning the males and females look very different (Shown in the image below). It is usual for male species to be magnificently bold and beautiful, for the aid in attracting a mate, and this is what we see here. This is due to the female being able to produce the young, so the males almost have to make the extra effort in their attire! Another reason for the females' lack of colour is that the brown aids in camouflage when incubating her eggs. The males show feathers of purple, blue, orange, green, white, and black; with a distinct red bill. After mating season, the males will moult their technicolour dreamcoat feathers and almost resemble the female for a short while, the moulting phase is known as their 'eclipse plumage'.  Although their lack in colour, the females are just as beautiful, they have a very sweet appearance; greige in colour with white pattern detail, and a peek-a-boo effect of teal feathers at their rear.

Mr and Mrs mandarin giving a preview of their differences in appearance.

Mandarin ducks breed between April-May in wooded areas near water. Females lay around 9-12 eggs and incubate them for approximately 30 days. These ducks were originally believed to be totally monogamous, which isn't entirely true. It has been found that it is common for this species to move on to a new mate in and around Autumn time, but still they remain a huge symbol of love, fidelity and fertility in Asian culture. Mandarin ducks have a recorded longevity of 10.4 years, but some argue the possibility of them living twice as long.

This species feeds on a lot of aquatic vegetation, but they are not vegetarians. They eat many other things such as snails, insects, small fish, and even some small snakes where available. My favourite thing to bring with me when feeding the ducks is the 'Wild Things' duck food. You can find it online or in some popular pet stores. Bread is not a very safe option to feed any water birds, as it fills their stomachs with very little nutrition and stops them from foraging for much-needed nutritional foods. So duck foods such as the one mentioned are a much more sustainable snack to bring with you.

Highly recommend this duck food!

Eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

                               Grey squirrels

                                              Bob, arguably the most spoilt squirrel in the UK.

There are more than 200 species of squirrels around the world, and greys are probably the most demonised. 

The main reason for the bad reputation was the rumour that grey squirrels were big evil monsters that came and wiped out red squirrels. Red squirrels were in decline due to a virus called 'squirrel poxvirus'; said to have only appeared after grey squirrels were introduced. It is true grey squirrels carry this disease and it does not have much consequence for their own health, reds on the other hand cannot fight off this disease and numbers were in serious decline due to the advance in the spread. But how did this event begin?  

During the victorian era, it was popular to import species as a stand out addition to stately homes and such. According to some research, red squirrels were already in decline (prior to the grey squirrel arrival) due to other reasons; maybe they just are just simply not as street savvy and hardy as the grey. Greys are also said to have better memories, especially in regards to where they store food collected to last through winter months; which reds do not, they simply do not prepare for survival as well as the grey squirrels. Red squirrel fur was also all the rage when they were in abundance in the UK... I'm sure that wasn't very good on their numbers either.

Grey squirrels ultimately thrive in our environment. They help forests thrive by depositing seeds and nuts around and actually eating the bad ones first. They of course do not eat all of their buried nuts, so they are essentially planting trees. Damage to trees caused by squirrels was actually one of the factors that drove red squirrel culling centuries ago, something grey squirrels now take the blame for. Anyway, after hundreds of years of research on forest management it has been concluded that the culling of squirrels is ineffective and uneconomical (Taylor et al., 1968; Harris et al., 2006; Forestry Commission 2006).

Hopefully, more people will start to embrace their company. They bring a whole load of entertainment to gardens and forests around the country and are a welcome guest in our garden, that's for sure.

References mentioned:

• Forestry Commission (2006) Annex: Towards a Forestry Commission England Grey Squirrel Policy

• Taylor, J.C., Lloyd, H.G. & Shillito, J.F. (1968) Experiments with warfarin for grey squirrel control. Annals of Applied Biology, 61: 312-321

• Harris, S., Morris, P., Wray, S. & Yalden, D. (1995) A review of British mammals: population estimates and conservation status of British mammals other than cetaceans. School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Rd, Bristol

Purple Toothwort (Lathraea clandestina)

  

 Purple Toothwort

The purple toothwort (native to Belgium, France, Spain, and Italy) is a perennial, parasitic plant, found at the base of trees; particularly species of Willow, Alder, and Poplar. This plant is parasitic in nature, due to the absence of chlorophyll, explaining the lack of any greenery on the plant. To attain nutrients a haustorium is developed (a projection from the root), and connects to the xylem of the host tree. 

It has been said that toothwort feeds on insects underground, due to cavities that appear similar to those of carnivorous plants, but the cavities are intended for the evaporation of excess water; the plant lives entirely on nutrients from its host tree.

The toothwort grows up to 30cm in height, with stems being completely subterranean. Flowers are said to only form after 10 years of presence and last for around two months; giving enough time for the plant to be pollinated and reproduce. Thus, it is rare to see any sign of the plant with the majority being subterranean. Having a high ammonia content and very alkaline nectar, the toothwort doesn't have many pollinators; bumblebees are one of the few pollinators that tolerate this nectar. The plant will flower again no sooner than 10 months, and sometimes even years after its first bloom. 

Map showing the reported distribution of purple toothwort (Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, N.D).

Reference:

plantatlas2020.org. (n.d.). PlantAtlas. [online] Available at: https://plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9h.c6c [Accessed 26 Mar. 2023].

The Willow tree

                         Wonderful willows

Willow trees are one of the most iconic trees, and there are around 300 (if not more) species worldwide. White willow (Salix alba), Basket willow (Salix viminalis), Goat willow (Salix caprea), and Grey willow (Salic cinerea), are all native to the UK.                                                                         Identifying a willow tree is a fairly simple task, they are well known for their spear-shaped leaves in many of their species range. 

The weeping willow (willows in the Salix genus) is arguably the most famous of the willows. The name 'weeping willow' came due to how the rain falls down their hanging leaves. Another characteristic of the willow tree is small diamond shapes on the newer branches, which are there to aid in gas exchange. New branches will be very flexible too and you will be able to bend without snapping the branch. The diamond shapes will enlarge and create criss-cross ridges on the bark as the tree ages.

There are many folklore stories related to the willow tree. In ancient Celtic folklore, the grey willow (Salic Cinerea) is known as the 'Tree of Enchantment'. The tree is said to be bestowed with the power to grant wishes. For your wish to be granted, the lore suggests you ask the tree permission of your desire and then tie a loose knot in a young shoot. When your wish is fulfilled you then return and untie the shoot. If you are going through a breakup, the willow tree is also said to heal heartbreak or ease bereavement by meditating underneath the tree.

There are however some less pleasant stories related to the willow tree; one myth states that when a willow tree grows big enough to cast a grave-sized shadow, someone shall pass... a little morbid. Thankfully the tree has the ability to ease the pain afterwards according to the last suggestion...

Willow tree bark in medicine stretches back at least 3500 years ago. Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic, is derived and created from a substance (salicin) that is found in the bark of the willow tree and the leaves. The bark and leaves also contain salicylic acid, something that has been used for pain relief since around 1954 BC. Aspirin is now one of, if not the most, commonly used drugs in the world; it also plays a role in preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. 

Moss

                             Marvellous moss

Moss is an extremely underrated plant, belonging to the phylum Bryophyta; a small group of non-vascular plants. Bryophytes were the first group of plants to successfully make it to land around 480 MYA. This was one of the most important events that have taken place in the history of the Earth, as this was the means for an oxygenated planet. 

There are around 12,000 species of moss worldwide (over 1,000 in the UK) and they are extremely overlooked. Moss is usually found in moist, damp areas, and this is down to a few reasons; the first being to aid in reproduction. Moss has both male and female reproductive organs, which are represented as different stalks of the moss; the archegonia produce the egg, and the antheridia produce the sperm. The plant lacking in any flowers or pollen, therefore needs to be wet enough to allow the sperm to reach the egg. Moss also lacks the vascular system of other plants, so they take water in through osmosis; being close to the ground and in clusters is very beneficial for this as it is easier for the moss to retain the water collected. With all this in mind, it is quite extraordinary to think that there are species of moss that have adapted to living in extreme conditions such as deserts. 

  

Moss has an impressive purpose and history, from being micro-homes to an array of small organisms to assisting in World War 1. Peat moss was used to stuff the wounds of soldiers as cotton for bandages was quickly being exhausted. The moss proved to be a great success and was found to be much more absorbent than bandages, provided antiseptic properties, and was a renewable source that was easy to attain. Moss also removes an extensive amount of CO2 from our atmosphere making it a great ally in climate change.

The bank vole (Myodes glareolus)

 ... and how to humanely trap, and release, small mammals for fieldwork

The bank vole is a small chestnut-brown coloured rodent, with a tail around half the length of its body and a cream-grey underbelly. They have small eyes, a rounded snout, and a full body, with prominent ears that are less visible due to fur coverage. Tail length will be a good indicator of if you have a vole or a mouse, as mice tails are longer; usually the length of the mouse body. 

The bank vole is the smallest species of vole in Britain and is found in woodlands, hedgerows, or grassland areas. Their diet consists of vegetation, fruits, nuts, fungi, roots, and occasionally small insects. The bank vole is native to Great Britain, but can also be found in other parts of Europe, Iberia, Italy, and Western Siberia. Bank voles have a stable population, but with an increase in fragmentation of woodland areas, destruction to hedgerows and such, they will surely be affected. Maintenance of natural areas is important to our abundance and stability of biodiversity. Voles are also important prey for small avian predators, predatory mammalians, and snakes.

                                    

                                                                        (Yrammy, 2020).

 

Trapping small mammals, in the best way possible, for ecological surveying!

The favourite ecological surveying small mammal trap has been the 'Longworth Small Mammal Trap' for many years. The design allows for as little discomfort as possible, with a warm and safe place to be until their release.

The trap consists of two parts, the first part is an entry tunnel that harbours a door-tripping mechanism in order to close the tunnel door. This then leads to a spacious house/nesting box, and they both connect with a metal clasp. The box is spacious and allows plenty of room for nesting materials and food. The door-tripping leaver is adjustable in terms of sensitivity, and the trap will have to be set in order for the function to work.

To begin, have bedding material (such as hay) to fill a section of the nesting box for warmth; hay is a good option for voles too as they are mainly herbivores and will eat some of the hay. For food some good recommendations are:

• Carrots - food, and will also provide hydration.
• Seeds - ideal for granivores such as mice .
• Casters - fly pupae which will accommodate for insectivores such as shrews.
• Apple - food, and will also provide hydration.
• Peanut butter - an attractant for all species.

Example of how the nest box should look (like a 5 star hotel!)

The minimum number of samples when looking at population data is 30, and during this independent study we used 60 traps. This was repeated twice, once during day time and once over night.

Depending on where the traps are placed, you will be more likely to be in the territory of a certain rodent; for example woodland area will be likely for wood mice, and hedgerow/open area will be ideal for voles. In the conservation area at UEA, there is a good mix of area types so traps were set out in different areas and numbered wooden steaks were used to track where they were placed on collection. Making a note of the numbered steaks according to the area placed will allow for releasing in the same area. Setting the traps overnight gives a much higher chance of collecting the small mammals, as they are most active during the evening/early morning.

When collection begins, a clear idea of which trap has been successful will be evident by a closed door. Traps can be collected and placed in order alongside their numbered steaks; having a system such as closed door traps facing one direction, and open door traps facing another might be useful. 

When opening the traps, opening them into a clear sample bag gives the opportunity to inspect the small mammal and identify successfully. The latch will need to be unhinged and then the tube can be removed in order for emptying the contents carefully into the bag for inspection. Checking the tube for any detritus will also give you a good idea of what to expect in terms of inhabitants. 

Ensure to carefully release the small mammals where they were found, according to the numbered steaks used.

Identifying the rodents

When there is a small mammal in the bag successfully, carefully moving the mammal into the corner of the clear bag and removing any material from the nesting box will aid in identification. Gently turning the rodent on their back and having a quick look at genitalia will give a clear idea on sex; looking for mammary glands for females and testes for males. 

Size of mammal is a good indicator of age, juvenile rodents feet will generally look large for their bodies. 

References:

Yrammy. (2020). Bank Vole. [online] Available at: https://www.ispotnature.org/communities/uk-and-ireland/view/observation/796430/bank-vole [Accessed 29 Mar. 2023].

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

                               The red fox

Red foxes are categorised in the family Canidae just like dogs, wolves, jackals and coyotes... they are the UK's only wild member of the dog family. There are many species of fox, but the most abundant is the Vulpes vulpes (the red fox). Unlike many other canines, they are not 'pack' animals. They do often stay in close proximity to family members but hunt alone. Red foxes are the largest of the true foxes in size and are the most international of all the wild canines; they can be found in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and Oceania. 

My regular visitor, called Gel. ❤️

These canines are omnivores and will eat pretty much anything, but feed mostly on small rodents. Their diet is made up of around 95% meat and the rest will usually consist of things such as insects or berries. Sadly, due to habitat degradation, the red fox has become very urbanised in many areas, and will often be forced to use the art of scavenging (AKA rummaging through our leftovers). These guys have developed extremely strong stomachs and immune systems so they are rarely affected by rotting thrown-out food. I like to leave the occasional egg outside for them.

Contrary to their name (red), they can come in various colourations ranging from white, yellow, orange, grey, and black. The characteristic that sticks with all is the white tip of the tail, white chin, and white underside.

Foxes will dig out their dens, which are called 'earths', and can have multiple around one area. The extra earths/dens can be used for quick hideaways, or for raising their young (kits) if their main earth becomes disturbed. The mating season will arrive every January-February and will not go unnoticed due to their well-known 'screams' to attract their mates. 

The females will make these sounds to attract a mate:

https://youtu.be/FTx8RxK3hqQ  -  sound clip by 'STEM Learning By Doing'.

Vixens will birth around 5 kits during spring, and they will be milk-fed for around 12 weeks; to which they then will be weaned and introduced to the big wide world. Wild red foxes live around 9 years, but due to traffic accidents and such, the average lifespan for these beautiful animals is 1-3 years. The population therefore will remain fairly dormant as kits end up replacing lost adults.

Fox hunting, or causing unnecessary harm, is thankfully banned in the UK. Massive appreciation for groups such as the 'Severn Vale Hunt Saboteurs' for making it their mission to prevent such barbaric events from taking place illegally.

References:

STEM Learning By Doing. (2018). Vixen Screech - What Fox Screams (Mating Calls) Sound Like, [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTx8RxK3hqQ [Accessed: 16 April 2023].

Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria)

                  The most famous mushroom?

Fly agaric is one of the most beautiful and photogenic mushrooms, an iconic addition to the Super Mario Brothers games, with its iconic red cap and white spots. The cap of the Amanita muscaria starts hemispherical and then opens flat, growing up to 30 cm in height. Another key characteristic to look at is the gills of the fly agaric, which are white to cream and not joined to the stem. When hemispherical, the cap can appear more orangey-red in colour, but when flat it will be a classic bright red. The fly agaric is native to the UK and visible, between August-November, in woodlands, parks, or heaths. This fungus will often be growing next to birch, pine, or spruce trees.

Fly agaric was used as an insecticide in medieval times. It was a common trick to have a bowl of milk sitting out with fly agaric chunks floating within; flies would land in the milk and ingest the toxins... leading to intoxication and death. 

The mushroom is a toxic mushroom but reports of death from consumption are rare (but of course there is still a chance!). It is highly recommended to appreciate these fungi from a distance, but when consumed the reported side effects often include a state of confusion, dizziness, tiredness, visual and auditory delusions, space distortion and time confusion. They have a solid place in history and have been used in various cultures for thousands of years. Shamans in Siberia are said to have consumed the fly agaric to enter a trance state, where they would be transported to the world of their gods and fight battles against demons in order to attain visions.

In Victorian and Edwardian times the fly agaric was featured on many Christmas cards. They were said to be a symbol of good luck and could have even inspired Santa's suit!

Vintage Christmas card (U.S. Forest Service, n.d).

Reference:

United States Department of Agriculture. (N.D). Fly agaric. [online] Available at:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/ethnobotany/Mind_and_Spirit/flyagaric.shtml.

Wood/Jelly ear (Auricularia auricula-judae)

The Ear of the Woods

This ear shapes fungi is known by a few names; Jelly ear, Wood ear, or Judas's ear. This is an edible fungus, and seen all year round with no poisonous lookalikes! But the most likely time to spot the wood ear is spring and winter. This fungus is found on decaying hardwoods, often decaying Elder trees; if you find them on an elder, you can be certain that you have wood/jelly ear fungi. They are widespread, being found in much of Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia.

                     

The wood ear is described as having a mild earthy flavour, and an interesting dense texture (not sure how I feel about trying these personally). They can be eaten fresh or dried, and raw or cooked. They do not need long to cook as they have a high water content; it is recommended to sauté for a few minutes. The woody flavour is said to be a great addition to stir-fries and soups.    

                             

Auricularia auricula-judae has been used in medicine for centuries. Some recent studies show they could have properties that lower cholesterol levels and could have anti-coagulant properties. The fungi are especially rich in antioxidants, and research suggests they could aid in the prevention of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Dementia. In China, these mushrooms are known as "Hei mu-er" and are used in dishes for sore-throat relief, cold and flu treatment, and to improve circulation and overall well-being.

The western jackdaw (Coloeus monedula)

                                  Jackdaws

The jackdaw is the smallest of crows, collectively known as corvids, but they make up for the smaller size with the fact they are highly sociable and stay in groups. It is easy to tell them apart from crows by their bright white iris', silver sheen to their nape, and black cap. There is an estimate of around 3.2 million of them across the UK. Once listed as vermin with crows and rooks by Henry VIII in a Tudor vermin act of 1532, they are now an admired species for many reasons.

The best things sometimes really do come in smaller packages; as these birds are potentially one of the most intelligent animals on the planet. They have many talents that involve problem-solving, recognising people, mimicking human voices and sounds, and using objects as tools to aid in their meal prep. These birds have an extremely varied diet including nuts, berries, invertebrates, and other birds' eggs and chicks. This means you can find them in most locations.                                   As mentioned before, their intelligence is off the charts; they are said to recognise faces and can read expressions from people's faces. They have even been trained by individuals to retrieve cash and bring it back to them...some individuals that include Italian thieves. The thieves trained the jackdaw to steal money from cash machines as people were using them! Their intelligence also gives other species such as deer an upper hand; jackdaws are fond of an invertebrate dinner, so they have formed a symbiotic relationship with the deer as they eat ticks from their bodies. 

These birds are said to have empathy towards us humans, this might explain why they often stay in areas with people around. They are certainly less timid than lots of other bird species. This empathy is shown within their own kind too; once they find a mate, they pair for life. They also roost together as a group, they really do show that they are all about closeness. Once mated they tend to lay eggs from April-June, they will be blue and speckled as shown below. 

                                                              Jackdaw eggs (Males, ND).

References: 

Discover Wildlife. (n.d.). 7 amazing jackdaw facts. [online] Available at: https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/birds/facts-about-jackdaws/

Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)

                                Snowdrops

A small bulbed flowering plant that ranges in height from around 3-6 inches, and is a sign that winter is coming to a close. They are easily identified, with their unique white bell-shaped tepals that dangle over from the stem. There are 3 pure white tepals on the outer flower, and three smaller tepals with green markings on the inside. A tepal is slightly different to a petal, as it consists of the petal and sepal being fused as one component.

(Supriya, 2022)

                                              

These beautiful winter bloomers have an edge when it comes to reproduction; they can go about it two ways, sexually or asexually. Due to the flowers being out during winter, there are fewer pollinators flying around. Asexual reproduction is possible for the plant due to the bulb via bulb division,  this is where the bulb splits to create another replica plant.

This is another plant with a brilliant history in ancient traditional medicine. Both the bulb and leaves of the snowdrop contain galantamine, an alkaloid substance that is approved in many countries for the treatment of Alzheimer's and dementia. The substance works by restoring neurotransmitters, and improving memory, focus and even cognitive abilities. In many countries including Britain, it is illegal to uproot any plant without landowners' permission, therefore it is recommended to buy bulbs from authorised persons.

Folklore

Due to the flowers being one of the first signs of winter coming to a close, they have a symbolic meaning as a sign of new beginnings, hope and rebirth. On the other hand, it has long been said that if one snowdrop is spotted alone that it is a sign of impending death and doom; and it is also said to be unlucky to pick one and bring it into your home. The snowdrop also has a place within Christianity, mentioned as one of the flowers in the Garden of Eden.

References:

Supriya, N. (2022). 'Difference Between Sepals and Petals (with Comparison Chart)',  Biology Reader. Available at: https://biologyreader.com/difference-between-sepals-and-petals.html.

Scarlet Elfcups (Sarcoscypha coccinea)

Scarlet, or the almost identical Ruby Elfcup

Scarlet elf cups and ruby elfcups are almost identical, and any differences would only be seen in microscopy. Plus, both are non-toxic and edible!                                                                                 Elf cups are found amongst decaying twigs and sticks on the forest floor from December-April. They display shades of bright red (sometimes slightly orange) on the inside of the fungi, and a lighter colour surrounding the outside of the mushroom cup; they also have a short stem that aids in their attachment to the leaf/twig littler. Their distribution includes much of Britain and Ireland and some other areas of mainland Europe, and North America.

They are said to have a mild-earthy flavour, and some say that there are similarities in taste to beetroot. The texture has been described as very different to your usual mushrooms but is great in stir-fries or stews.
Scarlet elfcups produce white spores, and if you have access to some you can actually see this for yourself. If you blow on the elfcup, it will actually produce a puff of spores into the air that you can both see and hear (this is reported to be most successful around March-April). This will actually encourage more to grow with the dispersal of spores producing more fungi! This fungus is a great source of food for rodents and slugs, and a great decomposer of wood that enables the release of recycled nutrients.

This species gets its wonderful name from European folklore, it is said that fairies and elves use them as goblets and drink morning dew from the cups.  

Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

 Beautiful bluebells 

Bluebells are small bulbous perennial plants. They consist of bell-shaped, violet-blue flowers, consisting of 6 petals and upturned tips. The leaves of the bluebell are long, narrow, and hairless, and the bulb is entirely renewed annually.

The UK has the highest abundance of our native bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta (Liliacrae), they are however under threat due to two alien Hyacinthoides taxa in the UK (one being the Spanish bluebell, shown below). It is simple to tell the two apart; UK's native bluebell has flowers drooping from one side of the stem only, whereas the Spanish bluebell has flowers surrounding the stem. Bluebells thrive in woodland areas and are an indicator of ancient woodland. There can be thousands of bulbs in one woodland area.

                                 Here we have a Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica).

The Spanish and UK native bluebell can hybridise, creating a plant with characteristics from both. Hyacinthoides hispanica is a stronger and more robust plant, and it is out-competing with our native bluebell for resources. This is why it is highly discouraged to grow Spanish bluebells. 

Laughing Jim (Gymnipilus junonius)

Laughing Jim/Spectacular Rustgil (Gymnopilus junonius)

This colourful mushroom is a common tree-rotting fungus, usually found at the base of trees, logs, or tree stumps in troops. The mushroom is abundant during winter to early spring according to location and starts off yellow, and as the mushroom grows it will range in tones of orange. You will find Gymnopilus junonius in much of mainland Europe, Britain, Ireland, Asia, North America and North Africa. The mushroom has an extremely bitter taste and will therefore tell you it is inedible. The mushroom has an annulus, or ring, on the stem; this was tissue protecting the gills as the mushroom developed, it then breaks away as the mushroom grows, leaving the ring on the stem. 

These fungi were first discovered in 1821, and back then most gilled mushrooms fell into the Agaricus category, so their first given name was Agaricus junonius. It wasn't until 1879 that Petter Adolf Karsten proposed the new fungi genus 'Gymnopilus'; which essentially means 'naked cap'. Following this, the bald or naked, cap became a key feature of this new genus of fungi.

There is much speculation about this mushroom across the internet and opinions regarding their uses. Although some members of this species may contain some psychoactive properties (many are reported to lack any psychoactive components entirely), this species has evolved to become poisonous, particularly to humans. It seems likely, based on my findings and readings of research, that the species in the regions of East Asia are more commonly understood to contain the psychoactive alkaloid psilocybin. In Japan, the name for this mushroom is  'Oh- waraitake', which translates to 'The big laughter mushroom'.

The Common Toad (Bufo bufo)

Terrific toads!

The Common Toad (Bufo bufo) is a widespread species encompassing much of Europe and Asia. This species can range in tones of brown, green, red, and grey. They are dry and warty in appearance, with horizontal pupils and copper-coloured eyes. 

The Common Toads' habitat preference is that of woodland, rough undisturbed grassland, and scrubland. Toads have thicker, more waterproof skin in comparison to frogs, so they are able to spend their time in dry areas. Water bodies should be close by for returning during mating season.

Late October to early March is generally a time of hibernation, it is also unlikely to see these toads during the daytime as they are predominantly nocturnal; other factors do alter their activity occasionally such as illness, weather changes, and mating. At the end of hibernation, the toads will begin their journey back to their ancestral mating ponds, and sadly due to the urbanisation of most areas, this amounts to many road mortalities.

As you can see in the image above, the male will latch on to the females (that are larger in size than the males) while fighting off other waiting males. This can be quite brutal for the female toads, sometimes having a dozen males attempting to mount her; this can sometimes end with female toads drowning.

Amphibians are in decline and at risk of extinction, mainly due to habitat loss, Chytridiomycosis (an infectious disease, that is sadly spread by humans with footwear and other interactions), air and water pollution and climate change. This is a global issue and they are in desperate need of help, the links listed below will give some information on things everyone can do to help these beautiful creatures and more on why they are such a valued species. 

https://www.endangeredspeciesinternational.org/amphibians7.html 

https://www.arc-trust.org/benefits-of-our-work

https://www.arguk.org/info-advice/educational-resources/more-about-our-native-amphibians-and-reptiles/common-toad-bufo-bufo/513-toad-conservation-toad-patrols-in-the-uk-pdf/file

The Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)

The Cormorant

The Cormorant is a large, mostly black, social waterbird you might have spotted with its wings spread out near the coast or a body of water. The wingspread of the cormorant is arguably one of the most recognisable characteristics of this bird. Cormorants were once known as birds of the sea, but factors such as overfishing in oceans were a means for utilising areas abundant in fish such as quarries.

The wing spread of this bird was a question for many years. Was this to aid in thermoregulation, balance, digestion, or maybe wing-drying? The bird has been observed by many and the prioritized reason is for drying their feathers after a deep dive to catch fish. The Cormorant feathers are not fully waterproof like some other waterbirds, so having a trick for a quick manual dry will defiantly be beneficial; especially when ensuring the ease of flight in times of danger. These birds can dive for as long as 70 seconds and to depths of 147 feet. Thermoregulation does also come into play as drying off quickly will further ensure the bird's temperature can increase faster. 

There are around 30 species of the Cormorant with only 2 here in the UK, The Great Cormorant, and the closely related Common Shag (similar, but noticeably smaller and completely black). The cormorant has a stunning blue sheen to its feathers and a long hooked black and yellow beak.

                           

(British Trust for Ornithology, 2015)

Cormorants are smart birds and are well-utilised in countries such as Japan. For decades, fishermen have used these fish-catching professionals to retrieve fish for a reward; said to be fish and even massages!      In a specific case in Japan, the birds were trained to count to 7 catches and then would receive a meal in return. The birds would refuse to do any more work until they got their prize. Their intelligence proves to be top-class.

Reference:

British Trust for Ornithology. (2015). Cormorant. [online] Available at: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdsfacts/cormorant. [Accessed: 23 April 2023].

Cyanobacteria

Or as you might know it, 'blue-green alga'...

           

'Blue-green alga' is an outdated term for Cyanobacteria; if you have come across a waterbody that looks like the image above, you have found a huge algal bloom.

Cyanobacteria are arguably one of the most, if not the most, important organisms on the planet. They are bacteria despite their most commonly used name. We all know that plants are extremely important and use photosynthesis, which gives us oxygen to breathe, but what gave rise to plants?... Cyanobacteria!

These organisms were the first to use photosynthesis, and due to a endosymbiotic event with a eukaryotic host (a multicellular organism basically took onboard the cyanobacteria and used it for its photosynthetic properties), became what we now know as the chloroplast; which was the reason for the evolution of plants!

But with all that said they can pose a serious threat to other organisms, both land-dwelling and aquatic.

When conditions are just right, these blooms can be huge. When they grow to completely cover huge lakes and other waterbodies, they deplete other aquatic organisms' access to oxygen and sunlight; which can do huge amounts of damage to ecosystems.

Cyanobacteria are finding an abundance of their favourite nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, due to things like pesticides and fertilisers being in such abundance; thus aiding in the size of their algal blooms. Another huge problem created by the arrival of these giant blooms is something called Cyanotoxins. These deadly toxins can seriously affect the liver, kidney, and nervous systems of land-dwellers such as humans and pets. Problems arise with any form of exposure, but particularly with ingestion of cyanobacteria. Water drinking systems have been completely shut down in some areas due to the contamination by these huge algal blooms. It is extremely important to keep pets away from any waterbody that is covered in Cyanobacteria.

                                                  

       

                                                                         (McNamara, 2023)

Reference:

McNamara, T. (2023). What are cyanobacteria? [online] FreeUP. Available at: https://freeup.world/2023/01/23/what-are-cyanobacteria/ [Accessed 27 Mar. 2023].