I remember as a child, and perhaps you remember too, holding a buttercup under another child’s chin and asking “do you like butter?”  If a yellow glow appeared there, they did like butter.  I recall that on sunny days everyone liked butter!  Buttercup’s yellow petals have a waxy, reflective surface, designed not for children’s games, but to attract […]

It is usually considered that there are three species of deer native to Britain: Red, Fallow and Roe. It is true that prehistoric fossil remains of all three of these deer species have been found in Britain. However, all three species became largely or wholly extinct in these isles, at various times. Their numbers have been […]

During the winter, creatures have been sleeping in your garden, unseen. They will soon awaken. Don’t worry, they are friends! They are Ladybirds. Ladybirds are a family (Coccinellidae) of beetles. During the colder months, ladybirds are dormant. They hide away in places like leaf-litter, the hollow stems of plants, crevices in tree bark, the soil, […]

This article is about symmetry in nature. In the second section of the article, we are going to explore the scientific theory of why and how symmetry comes to be a predominate form in nature. This will take us into the realms of evolution biology and algorithmic mathematics.  If we are going to keep this account […]

The Wren is the most common and widespread bird in Britain, but it wouldn’t be too unusual to meet people who have never seen one. The Wren is a bird of hidden-away places: nooks, crannies, under dense hedges, in woodpiles. Its scientific name is Troglodytes troglodytes, meaning ‘cave dweller’. The bird’s hide-away habits, plus its […]

Communications about nature vary in their intent – an ecological warning, a report of scientific interest, or a sharing of delight – and they vary in the way the communication is worded – scientific jargon, everyday parlance, or in a style that is poetic. In this article we are going to explore poetic writing and […]

INTRODUCTION In this extended feature article we’ll be reflecting on the connections between the natural world, on the one hand, and Christian festivals, on the other. We’ll be weaving social history into natural history; tracing cultural traditions and exploring key aspects of the flora and fauna that are used in religious festivities. Before we embark, […]

“What sort of insects do you rejoice in, where you come from?” the Gnat inquired.  “I don’t rejoice in insects at all,” Alice explained, “because I’m rather afraid of them …” Lewis Carroll’s words from Alice through the Looking-Glass neatly frame the theme of this article about insects.  As we will see, the well-being and […]

In this feature article we’re going to look at two migrant birds that have come to rely on us for nest sites. Both are well-known and delight to have in the summer skies over Bredfield: the Swift and the House Martin. These birds have evolved to make use of the man-made environment for their homes. […]