INORCHARDS

  An extract from ‘The Wild Food Garden’ by J A J Richardson It is difficult to avoid the invasive nature of both the wild and semi-domesticated Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) in the UK. Most areas of waste-land contain a few canes; making these plants easy to cultivate at home in the Wild Food Garden. There are over 1000 micro-species of Blackberry in the UK alone; from the tiny and delicate wild Dew Berry to the larger cultivated (often thornless) varieties like Loch Tay. Although localised it is not uncommon to find as many as twenty individual varieties of Blackberry within a one mile radius – each with its own unique flowers, size, shape, scent, fruit and taste. From a wildlife perspective, a thicket of Bramble perhaps provides more nesting opportunities for Bird-life than any other native species of plant in the UK. Dunnock (Prunella modularis), Blackbird (Turdus merula), Thrush (Turdus philomelos), Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus), Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and Wren (Troglo

 An Introduction to Wild Food Walks on the Aylestone Meadows Nature Reserve:   Wild Food is FREE Foraging for Wild Food reconnects us with Nature ...and our shared Aboriginal Ancestors Wild Foodstuffs contain more nutrition than cultivated crops ..and are a direct source of Food, Fibre, & Medicine     IDENTIFICATION Latin names often tell us more about a species than Common names The Linnaeus system lists plants as Genus, species, and 'cultivar' A pocketbook Field Guide can be helpful to identify new plants Discovering new trees and plants should be exciting and fun Knowing a few plants helps us identify the plants we are yet to meet Today we will focus on x12 everyday plants and trees     ETHNOBOTANY Ethnobotany explores the relationship between people and plants Wood Lore is ancient Knowledge Bush Craft is ancient Practise Find balance and the plants will slowly start to reveal their secrets Never think “How can I 'use'

All in a Group : abstracted from 'A Book of Countryside Poems' By J A J Richardson  There was a Nye of Pheasants in the field this morning Just as a giant Flock of Pigeons cooed from their evening roost There was a Litter of Fox Cubs prowling like a Pride of Lions That gave way to a Murmation of Starlings There was a Covey of Partridge in among the currants As a Gaggle of Geese flew northwards into winter Besides a Charm of Chaffinches playing catch-up in the hedgerow High above the Herd of Cattle down below There was a Husk of Hares heading homeward for the solstice Alongside an Exaltation of Larks Each fighting and fussing like a Fall of Woodcock Leaping like leopards bitten by the frost There was a Host of Sparrows, as the farmer sought to flail them Like a Troop of Baboons in machinery all golden As a Dryft of Swine, no sownder befit them While a Cete of Badgers slept quietly below. There was a Murder of Crow waiting to display,  With a kaleidoscope of butterflies in the me

Abstract from A Few Meters Upstream : '  It was a crisp morning. At 6am, the sky was clear blue with just the occasional fluffy cloud drifting way-off in the distance. The meadow was rich with the yellowness of buttercups and a plethora of songbirds made their own melodies in the hedges. As the sun rose the ground was full of morning dew, and still sodden underfoot from the previous day’s thunder storm. The River Soar was coloured in its deeper water, yet clear enough for aquatic vegetation to be visible about its edges. In other words just about perfect for river fishing.  '  [J A J Richardson 2013] Please find the  full journal here >>>  https://aylestonemeadows.org.uk/a-few-metres-upstream/

The Oadby Poacher by J A J Richardson  Preface :  Due to the legal status of Poaching several of the names in this book have been altered, abstracted from the text, or simply changed. Likewise the exact location of certain fauna and flora within Oadby shall not be mentioned here. The purpose of this book is NOT to promote armed trespass and/or the pursuit of game. Rather the aim of this book is to capture a time and a place ; and the life-style of a Poacher in Oadby during the end of the 20th Century.  Oadby holds a long history of Poachers over its soil. There has been a local Poacher in Oadby since Victorian times, if not before. The most famous of which was James Hawker. The exploits of which are chronicled in his own journal; later edited by Garth Christian, illustrated by Lynton Lamb and published by Oxford University Press in 1961. Printed with the most elegant yet simple title : 'A Victorian Poacher : James Hawker's Journal'   In continuum, this work aims to provide

Muntjac Update 2021: Aylestone Meadows     People will have noticed an increase in the number of photos of Muntjac Deer on the AMAS Facebook forum over the past 2-3 years - since my initial report in 2018. During "lockdown" and particularly the past few months we have seen photographs of various individuals onsite; suggesting that a plethora of adult Muntjac now inhabit or frequent the local area. The majority of which photographed have been resident or nomadic Males, with the less frequent sightings of Females and few fawn.   Such individuals can be distinguished or seperated by their overall body size, as well as characteristic traits including: slight colouration, antler growth and distinctive tissue damage to both their backs and ears - as a result of fighting between and inflicted upon male Muntjac specifically in order to establish territory and dominance. Recent photos by AMAS Members and online followers have been of excellent quality across various locations on the