Nature Notes

Nature Notes
Sensational Swans

Sensational Swans

If you are out and about and see large, white birds on the water, chances are you will know their name. The Mute Swan is one bird which is familiar to all of us, writes Elizabeth McArdle. These stately, serene creatures were originally wild but now frequent human...

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Nature Notes
The Carefree Cuckoo

The Carefree Cuckoo

After months of dark, gloomy weather, the cuckoo arrives to deliver the good news that summer is almost here. The famous ‘cuck-coo’ call of the male gives the bird its name and ‘onomatopoeia’ is the big word used to describe this. The cuckoo is one of the few birds...

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Nature Notes
The High-spirited Hare

The High-spirited Hare

Hares are among our most cherished of mammals and are often confused with rabbits. Whilst they are relatives of the rabbit and share many of their traits, they also have many differences. Let’s take a little time to look closer at this largely unknown and most...

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Nature Notes
The Holly Leaf Miner

The Holly Leaf Miner

Prepare yourself for an adventure to an unimaginable place. This is not a Harry Potter adventure. Neither is it far away but it does have a tiny secret chamber. To go there you have to imagine you are becoming smaller and smaller and now you are ready to visit the...

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Nature Notes
Remarkable Reindeer

Remarkable Reindeer

By Elizabeth McArdle Christmas will soon be upon us with its magical images of Santa, his flying reindeer including Rudolf with his famous red nose. How exciting it is. This is a good time to look at some of the wonders of the remarkable reindeer who feature so...

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Nature Notes
Sassy Starlings

Sassy Starlings

By Elizabeth McArdle As the howling January gales sweep the countryside, it is hard to believe how any bird would want to be out and about at this time of year. Starlings are an exception and they love to be out and about, sporting their glossy winter plumage of...

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Nature Notes
Beautiful Blue Tits

Beautiful Blue Tits

By Elizabeth McArdle Spring is on its way and all of life is eager and waiting to get busy. For the winter months, the blue tits have been visiting our bird tables and the green and yellow flash of their feathers always brings a welcome burst of colour to any...

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Nature Notes
The Dumbledore Beetle

The Dumbledore Beetle

By Elizabeth McArdle When you hear the word Dumbledore, I guarantee that the wise old wizard from Harry Potter will immediately come to mind. However, the real Dumbledore is not a wizard at all but an awesome black beetle. The word Dumbledore comes from an old word...

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Nature Notes
The Daddy Longlegs

The Daddy Longlegs

By Elizabeth McArdle When you are out and about, you may notice an insect flying in a very wobbly and erratic manner. Chances are that it will be a Crane Fly which is familiar to most of us in its adult form as the gangly insect that flits around our homes in...

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