The updated species list

Posted by Wildwood on Mar 5, 2025 in 2025, February, Winter | 2 comments

I’ve finally updated the ‘Species in the Wood’ page on the site, up to and including 2024.

Photo is looking south across the pond from the high bank, which is only accessible in winter.

Picture taken February 19.

#nature #pond

Hazel #tree

Posted by Wildwood on Feb 24, 2025 in An English Wood Blog, February, Hazel, Plants, Trees, Winter | 0 comments

Corylus avellana.

Picture taken February 19.

#trees #plants #plant #nature #naturephotography #woods #hazel

“Quite violent purgative” #plant

Posted by Wildwood on Feb 21, 2025 in 2025, An English Wood Blog, February, Flowers, Plants, Spurge Laurel, Winter | 0 comments

Neither a spurge nor a laurel, Spurge Laurel, Daphne laureola, was once used medicinally, according to Stevens in “Discovering Wild Plant Names.”

Picture taken February 9.

#wildflowers #plants #nature #naturephotography #woods #wildflower #spurge

Bark beetles #insect

Posted by Wildwood on Feb 17, 2025 in 2025, An English Wood Blog, Bark Beetles, February, Insects, Winter | 2 comments

Thanks to neighbours Ken and Linda for explaining what’s happened to this Ash. “Bark beetles lay their eggs under the bark of dead trees. When the eggs hatch the larvae feed … under the bark and leave characteristic galleries as they move forward … Once they are full size they pupate and emerge as adult beetles to start it all off again. Woodpeckers find this secret food supply by pecking away the dead bark, then feed on the larvae, pupae and adult beetles.

This is probably the work of Hylesinus crenatu, the Large Ash Bark Beetle.

Picture taken February 9.

#nature #naturephotography #woods #insects #insectphotography #bird #birds #woodpecker #tree #trees #Ash

Stinking Hellebore #plant

Posted by Wildwood on Feb 14, 2025 in 2025, An English Wood Blog, February, Flowers, Plants, Stinking Hellebore, Winter | 0 comments

Helleborus foetidus, a Christmas rose about to flower. First time I’ve noticed this on the way into the wood.

Picture taken on February 9.

#wildflowers #plants #nature #naturephotography #woods #hellebore #wildflower

Turkeytail #fungus

Posted by Wildwood on Feb 10, 2025 in 2025, An English Wood Blog, February, Fungi, Turkeytail, Winter | 0 comments

Trametes versicolor.

Picture taken February 9.

#fungus #nature #naturephotography #woods #mushroom #turkeytail #mushrooms

Willow #tree

Posted by Wildwood on Mar 9, 2024 in 2024, An English Wood Blog, February, Goat Willow/Pussy Willow, Plants, Provisional identification, Trees, Winter | 0 comments

I’m pretty sure these are Willow tree buds, possibly Goat Willow, Salix caprea.

Picture taken February 16.

#trees #plants #plant #nature #naturephotography #woods #willow

‘Life is checkered shade and sunshine’ #tree

Posted by Wildwood on Mar 5, 2024 in 2024, An English Wood Blog, February, Hornbeam, Plants, Trees, Winter | 0 comments

Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus, and a line from Longfellow.

Picture taken February 16.

#trees #plants #plant #nature #naturephotography #woods #Hornbeam

The very poisonous Dog’s Mercury #plant

Posted by Wildwood on Mar 2, 2024 in 2024, An English Wood Blog, Dog's Mercury, February, Flowers, Plants, Winter | 0 comments

A sure sign of Spring, flowering Mercurialis perennis.

Picture taken February 16.

#plants #nature #naturephotography #woods #dog’smercury

Lesser celandine #wildflower

Posted by Wildwood on Feb 26, 2024 in 2024, An English Wood Blog, February, Flowers, Lesser Celandine, Plants, Winter | 0 comments

Ranunculus ficaria, first of the first of the buttercups.

Picture taken on February 16.

#wildflowers #plants #nature #naturephotography #woods #plant #celandine

Ivy #plant

Posted by Wildwood on Feb 24, 2024 in 2024, An English Wood Blog, February, Flowers, Ivy, Plants, Winter | 0 comments

Hedera helix, an essential food source for insects and birds.

Picture taken on February 16.

#plants #nature #naturephotography #woods #plant #ivy

Primroses #wildflower

Posted by Wildwood on Feb 19, 2024 in 2024, An English Wood Blog, February, Flowers, Plants, Primrose, Winter | 0 comments

Lovely to see Primula vulgaris back and plentiful on the rides.

Picture taken February 16.

#wildflowers #plants #nature #naturephotography #woods #plant #primrose