A woodland floor, hedgerow or patch of grass can look quiet until you start noticing the signs of life around you. A hole beneath a tree root, a nest tucked into a hedge or a web stretched between two branches can tell you that an…
Water can look calm from the bank and still be moving with surprising force beneath the surface. A smooth patch might indicate deeper water, a line of bubbles may reveal the direction of a current, and a patch of swirling water can show where the…
Falling into water unexpectedly can be frightening, even if you’re a strong swimmer. You might slip from a riverbank, fall off a paddleboard, get caught by a wave or enter the water while walking beside a reservoir. Your first instinct may be to thrash about…
A handful of fresh greens can turn a basic pot of soup into something worth making again. Nettles have a mild, earthy flavour once cooked, wild garlic brings a gentle savoury sharpness, and sorrel adds a fresh, lemony taste. Each works well in a simple…
You don’t need leaves to recognise a tree. Its bark, buds, twigs, shape and even the seeds scattered beneath it can provide clues to its identity. Learning to identify a tree without leaves is especially useful in autumn and winter, when many familiar trees have…
You don’t always need to see an animal to know it’s been nearby. A nibbled leaf, a chewed hazelnut or a strip of missing bark can tell you that something has stopped for a little meal. Learning to spot these clues makes an ordinary walk…
Have you ever looked up at a tall tree and wondered just how high it reaches? You don’t need a measuring pole, specialist equipment or a head for complicated maths to make a reasonable estimate. With a simple technique and a little practice, you can…
Some wild plants look harmless, and a few even resemble familiar foods you might find in a supermarket or garden. The problem is that appearance alone cannot tell you whether a plant is safe to eat. Some poisonous species look similar to edible plants, and…
How many trees can you recognise when you’re out walking? You might know an oak by its distinctive leaves or recognise a horse chestnut from the familiar conkers that fall in autumn, but identifying trees becomes much easier when you start looking at the small…
