Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
-
The University of Exeter
The University of Exeter combines world class research with excellent student satisfaction at our campuses in Exeter and Cornwall. We are a member of the Russell group of Universities in the UK (24 in total), committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching experience and unrivalled links with business and the public sector.…
-
Marmalade Fly
The Marmalade Fly, our most common hoverfly, can be seen most of the year, as overwintering adults will emerge on sunny winter days. Photo: © Natural England/Allan Drewitt
-
Foraging for wild food at Predannack
A walk exploring seasonal wild food to forage in the beautiful setting of Predannack, on the Lizard’s west coast with Justin Whitehouse, National Trust, the Lizard Overview We all know about picking tasty brambles and sloe berries, but there are many other wild plants it is safe to collect and eat. This short walk around…
-
Jelly Ear
Jelly Ear fungus can be spotted in the autumn and right through winter. It is usually found on dead or dying Elder wood. Photo: Josh Milburn at Mushroom Observer, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
-
Evening-primrose
Evening-primrose can be spotted into the autumn in milder weather. Photo: Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Dunnock
The Dunnock is an unassuming small brown bird, easily confused with but unrelated to the Sparrow. Watch out for it sidling about in the undergrowth. Photo: © Natural England/Allan Drewitt
-
Buzzard
The Buzzard is the most common bird of prey in the UK.Photo: © Richard Birchett
-
Red Berries Abound
It seems as if there is a peripheral red haze at the edge of my vision at the moment – and though some may say that I have anger management issues, I know the truth is actually a wonderful crop of lustrous red berries this autumn. Last autumn was a premium one for blackberries and…
-
Black-headed Gull
Black-headed Gulls form large flocks in the autumn and winter months. Photo: Amanda Scott
-
Black Medick
The small flowers of Black Medick are delicately pretty. In the autumn, look out for the distinctive black seedpods that give Black Medick, a cousin to the clovers, its name. Photo: Chase G. Mayers, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Bristly Oxtongue
It may not be the prettiest of plants, but Bristly Oxtongue, which flowers from June into the autumn, has some impressive spikes on its leaves. Photo: Stemonitis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
-
Red-backed Shrike
Now pretty much extinct as a breeding species in the UK, you might spot a Red-backed Shrike on The Lizard during its autumn migration back to Africa. Photo: Ron Knight
-
Robin
While some birds depart The Lizard for warmer climates in the autumn, others stay with us, including the Robin, cheering us up with its song all through the autumn and winter. Photo: Amanda Scott
-
Spangle gall
Spangle Galls, which are created by a parasitic wasp, are one of the many kinds of galls found on oak trees. These were spotted at Croft Noweth on Goonhilly. Photo: Steve Townsend
-
Snipe
It may be a relatively common wader, but the shy Snipe can be hard to spot. Watch out for it round well-vegetated pool edges on The Lizard, but you need to be patient. Photo: © Natural England/Allan Drewitt
-
Small is beautiful – return of the elusive Pygmy rush
Once lost it can take a long time for species to come back to a site. It also takes a lot of many people’s efforts and their time to ensure the habitat conditions are right, that the necessary work is done in the right place and at the right time of year. So, it is…
Got any book recommendations?