The Nature Blog

photo credit: Leo-setä

Don’t ask me why but I have a real soft spot for Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella). I first heard about Wood Sorrel as a teenager when watching Ray Mears back on the Tracks show (anyone remember that one?!). As a woodsman, Mears sung the praises of this simple little plant that he used as a herb when wild cooking, which apparently tastes like apple peel with a pleasant bite to it – perfect for stuffing fish before baking.

One of my favourite habitats of all is deciduous woodland – where Wood Sorrel typically grows – and it always makes me smile to see it. Fortunately whilst certainly not a showy plant, it is very easy to identify.

In essence, Wood Sorrel looks rather like a large clover, though the leaves rather than being a dark green, often with some white mottling, are actually more the colour of a Golden Delicious apple. Yes, they taste of apple and they even look apple-coloured!

Favoring shaded, woody areas they are a common-enough plant and I was lucky enough earlier this year to find some Wood Sorrel just coming into leaf. I hope the photograph below illustrates how attractive and “sculptural” the leaves look as they are opening up.

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photo credit: ahisgett

In spring and summer a visit to a sunny opening near a ancient hedgerow or in a forest will often reveal large numbers of this elegant butterfly who can be so active as to make identification quite a challenge.

Appearance

The general appearance of the Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) butterfly is one of a brown butterfly of average size, covered in a number of spots which may range in colour from pale cream through to a yellow-orange. Closer inspection reveals a far more delicate-looking butterfly with attractive markings and gentle “scalloping” of the posterior wings.

Habitat

This butterfly is most often found, as the name suggests, around the margins and openings of woods and hedgerows where it is often a very active flyer, only settling to rest occasionally.

Food

The caterpillars feed on a variety of grasses most notably couch grass.

Interesting Facts

Whilst this butterfly is often seen reasonably early in the season from April onwards, it does not overwinter as an adult butterfly typically but is far more likely to see out the colder months either as a large caterpillar or as a pupae, ready to hatch in the spring as the weather warms up.

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Wood Pigeon In The Rain

Whilst huddled under a tree in the rain recently I spotted a wood pigeon having a fantastic time. It was lifting up it’s wings, shaking away and ensuring it got a really good covering to keep it’s plumage in tiptop condition.

Made me think that as annoying as rain can be for us humans it is not only very important to wildlife but some of them actually seem to enjoy it!

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photo credit: foxypar4

Wood pigeons are one of the most common bird sitings in the UK. Populations of these birds are so high, leading to crop damage that they are actually classed as vermin which gives you some idea of just how many there are around.

Appearance:

The general appearance of wood pigeons is a large, plump bird of around 30cm in length. They have a base colour of grey with a white ring around their necks and a metallic purple patch on their breast.

The wood pigeons have two trade-mark calls; a gentle but repetitive cooing and a much louder call typically used when in flight.

Habitat:

Wood pigeons most typically frequent woodlands and their loud, clapping flight is a common experience when walking in these areas. However these pigeons seem to be comfortable in virtually any habitat and may be found either on the ground or roosting in trees and on other tall structures.

Farmland is another popular habitat for them where they may try to feed on the fresh green shoots of farmers crops.

Food:

Wood pigeons eat a wide variety of foods which is one reason for their success. Young green shoots of plants are typically popular though they may also eat seed, fruit and so on. They will often visit bird tables to feed on bread, biscuit crumbs and the like.

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