Beyond a passing glance, what can be heard and seen?

A tale, a song is beckoning, whispering from the green

Sights and scents and wonders are living all around

Step closer now, look deeper still; come softly, gently in.

‘Tales in your Pocket’ is a resource that will be available soon to enhance your time in the outdoors – playing, exploring and discovering more of what is around you.

Below are links to helpful sites relevant to the creatures and vegetation covered.

Links and further information:

Animals                                                                                                                                                          

Fox                                                                                                                                                       

Detective: discoverwildlife.com/…/how-identify-kills

Rabbit                                                                                                                                                       

Rabbit info: https://animalcorner.co.uk/animals/wild-rabbits/

Footprints: http://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/fun-facts-and-articles/features/footprints.aspx

Red squirrel                                                                                                                                               

Red squirrel info: https://scottishsquirrels.org.uk/

Roe deer                                                                                                                                                         

Deer info: https://www.bds.org.uk/index.php/advice-education/species

Birds                                                                                                                                                                               

Crow

Crow family: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/browse-bird-families/crows.aspx

 Owl

Owl info: http://www.owlpages.com/owls/

Robin

Feeding birds: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/387868-top-10-bird-feeding-tips-this-winter

Wren

Wren info: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/w/wren/

Creepy crawlies                                                                                                                                  

Bumble bee

Bumble bee info: http://bumblebeeconservation.org/

Caterpillar

Caterpillar info: http://www.wildlifeinsight.com/guide-to-british-caterpillars/

Ladybird

Ladybird info: http://www.ladybird-survey.org/ladybirds.aspx

 Spider

Spider info: http://www.spidersworlds.com/

 Flowers                                                                                                                                             

Dandelion

Cooking: Cooking with dandelions: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/apr/07/dandelions-foraging-salads-spring-seasonal-food-recipe

http://www.wildfoodschool.co.uk/urban/wfsURBANGUIDE.pdf

More info on growing and using plants: https://www.permaculture.co.uk/readers-solutions/feed-yourself-free-12-survival-plants-part-1

Foxglove

Watch out: http://www.realgardeners.co.uk/poisonousplants.htm

 Nettle

Nettle info: http://www.nettles.org.uk/

Butterfly habitat: http://butterfly-conservation.org/files/habitat-gardening-for-butterflies-and-moths.pdf

Nettle soup: http://www.nettles.org.uk/nettles/activities/nettlesoup.asp

 White flowers of the wood

Flower identification: http://www.plantlife.org.uk/

Trees                                                                                                                                                              

Ash

For info: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ash/                                                                                                                                                                 

Birch

For info: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/silver-birch/

http://treesforlife.org.uk

For uses: http://www.sacredearth.com/ethnobotany/plantprofiles/birch.php

Scots pine

For animal poo: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/

For birdsong: http://www.rspb.org.uk/

For blueberry ice cream: http://www.food.com/recipe/blueberry-ice-cream-91781

Sycamore

Black spot investigators: https://www.opalexplorenature.org/blog/top-time-detect-tar-spot

https://www.opalexplorenature.org/kidszone

Tree identification: http://www.wildlifewatch.org.uk/images/Downloads/spotters/spring%20tree%20id%20low%20res.pdf