Robin at bird feeder in the snow

Top 5 Foods to Feed Birds this Winter

Winter is the season when birds need out help the most in the UK – especially in the regions where the temperature often drops to below freezing and there is snow. If you’ve plenty of experience with feeding the birds, then you’ve probably already got a good idea as to what the birds in your area prefer to eat. You may have learned through the process of trial and error, or you may have done your research beforehand.

However if …

How to tell the Difference between a Frog and a Toad

Now that spring has rolled around, you might have noticed that frogs and toads have begun to stir – they certainly have around Wilderness Wood! If you’re lucky you will see them hopping out of hibernation and heading to breeding pools to mate. But how do you tell the difference between a frog and a toad? While both frogs and toads might look very similar at first glance, there are a number of key differences between the two species.

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Four Interesting things to do with Acorns

Acorns are well-known as being a favourite meal for many woodland creatures. Mice, squirrels and birds all forage for these nutty treats throughout Autumn as they can be stored easily for eating during the cold winter months when food is scarce. But it’s not just wild animals that can eat acorns, we humans can eat them too. Below we will share some great acorn recipes, as well as a few more interesting facts about acorns.

 

Are Acorns Edible?

Raw …

Owning your own Woodland

Recently, more and more people have been buying up woodlands in order to get themselves back i touch with nature. When compared to land with planning permission, woodland is quite cheap, and offers the owner many benefits. Here are just a few of the things you can expect to be doing if you ever take the plunge and decide to own your own peace of nature.

There’s nothing very like a genuine fire. How frequently do we hear that expression …

Autumn Woodland Foraging

Autumn is upon us, and the leaves on the trees are beginning to change colour and fall. But that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing to forage. In fact autumn is a great time of year for foraging, as it’s when the nuts and berries on hedgerows and in woods begin to ripen. Just remember to always forage responsibly by following the responsible foraging guidelines.

Beech nutsFrom the end of September and well into October, keep an eye out for Beech nuts. …

Why do Nettles Sting?

When it comes to a summer walk, stinging nettles can be a bit of a hazard. Almost all of us have vivid memories of being stung by stinging nettles as a child. And many of us will recall a parent of grandparent reaching for a dock leaf and rubbing it on the stinging area, helping us to feel better and get back on our way. But have you ever wondered why it is that nettle sting in the first place? …

Winter Foraging

Winter is here. That time of year between when the abundance of berries and fruits has passed, and when the new shoots begin to grow in the spring. Even so, there are a few winter fruits and nuts to keep an eye out for. Follow this guide and head outdoors.

 

Not many people are aware of this but you can actually eat ripe acorns. They cannot be eaten raw though, you have to prepare them first.

Beech nuts make …

Springtime foraging

Spring is the start of a new year, and new growth for all kinds of plants. This means that it’s a goldmine for foraging, and will get you will into the mood for it before the bountiful summer comes along. Here are some of the top things that you can forage in spring.

 

Sea beetSea beet

Sea beet is the parent of beetroot and swiss chard, and is more commonly found on pebble beaches just above the tide line. You …