NATURE Common Puffball Fungi
Wildlife watch
A lot of people think spotting wildlife can be difficult, and, depending on what you’re looking for, it can be.
However, by taking a closer look at some of the more common but still exceptionally interesting wildlife, you can see all sorts everywhere you look. Wildlife photographer, Niall Bell, set himself a six-hour challenge to prove this, capturing six of the UK’s most common and accessible species in his garden and a local nature reserve.
Common Puffball Fungi Puffball fungi have a remarkable method of spore dispersal; if you tap the top of the mushroom it will spurt out millions of tiny spores that then catch the wind and spread. In nature, small mammals, birds and even raindrops do the ‘tapping’.
Female Chaffinch Chaffinches are superb little birds that are synonymous with UK woodland. They are the UK’s second most common breeding bird and are a common sight in hedgerows and on bird feeders.
Great Tit
The great tit is the largest of the paridae family. As with many birds, when the sun shines on the back of their wings, they illuminate in a shimmer of colour.
Grey Heron
One of the UK’s largest birds with a wingspan of up to two metres, they fly with an angelic elegance. Here a grey Heron is seen landing in a reed-bed.
European Robin This photo was taken whilst I was sat eating my breakfast at the table through the patio doors. Each continent has their ‘own’ robin, though they are not closely related they do look similar.
European Robin Grey Heron
Goldfinch Taken just a few minutes after the robin, this brave goldfinch popped down to make the most of the bird seed on the table. Goldfinch are one of the most colourful birds in the UK and are best found on niger seed bird feeders.
Goldfinch Female Chaffinch Great Tit
with Wildlife Photographer, Niall Bell
www.niallbell.co.uk / Instagram @
niallbell.co.uk
Nature connectedness and social connections UPCOMING CLASSES
If you are interested in nature or wildlife and are looking for ways to immerse yourself more into the natural world, why not join in with one of Wild at Heart’s popular support groups.
Run by the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, Wild at Heart is a nature-based group for adults to build a connection with nature while also improving well-being and resilience. They run weekly hobby-based classes where people can try lots of interesting new things from wild cooking to nature crafts. Each class starts with a short walk followed by the weekly activity, which is always aimed around the five ways to well-being and five pathways to nature connection. Following the success of their
£3.50 per session, bookings preferred (essential for minibus trips)
The Centre, Brinsworth S60 5BU Every Tuesday 10am-12pm
Thursday group at Clifton Park, the trust has recently launched a new group on a Tuesday at The Centre in Brinsworth to encourage more people across Rotherham to gain the confidence to join in. Thanks to support from the National Lottery Community Fund, Rotherham Social Prescribing Service, and the volunteers who help support the group, it costs only £3.50 per two-hour class, with support available to subsidise this further.
For more information about either of the two groups, contact Jenny King on 0114 263 4335.
www.wildsheffield.com
March
17th - Japanese nature connection with Brusho paint 24th - Nature books and spring walk
31st - Land art with James Brunt April
No classes during Easter break 7th - Spring inspired wild cooking
28th – Bluebells in Woolley Wood, Sheffield (minibus trip)
May 5th - Keeping active outdoors 12th - Making natural inks 19th - Exploring natural dyes 26th - Pop-up Wild at Heart Café with botanical drinks and wild snacks
The Garden Rooms at Clifton Park S65 2AA Every Thursday 10am-12pm
March
12th - Early spring inspired wild cooking
19th - Japanese nature connection with Brusho paint 26th - Mowbray Gardens library visit
April
No classes during Easter break 2nd - Nature art with James Brunt
9th - Late spring inspired wild cooking
30th - Bluebells in Woolley Wood, Sheffield (minibus trip)
May 7th - Tai Chi taster
14th – Loxley Common visit (minibus trip)
21st - Exploring natural dyes 28th - Pop-up Wild at Heart café with botanical drinks and wild snack
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