Earthworm

Earthworm - Aporrectodea longa

Earthworms are in the sub class Oligochaeta. Oli- (as with oligopoly) is from the Greek 'oligoi' meaning 'few' and chaeta- like 'saeta' is from the Latin for 'bristle'.
Oligochaetes are from the Annelid phyla and comprise of segmented worm like organisms that are covered in small sparse bristles. They use these bristles to create increased friction and traction against the substrate in which they live to aid in locomotion.

There are 27 native species to the UK with a few exotic species having even introduced by mistake. I think the one pictured above is called the black-headed worm Aporrectodea longa, because of its distinct dark colouration and relatively large size.

You may know of earthworms as being a 'good' sight in gardens and allotments. This is because they aerate the soil through the tunnels they create, allowing plant root systems to penetrate and anchor the into the soil well. The spaces can also fill with water aiding in the mineralisation process making important nutrients available to plants. Added to this, earthworms partially digest living and dead plant matter and mix it in with the soil creating a nutrient rich substance known as humus. This humus is so nutritionally valuable to plants that it has led to its cultivation by humans in the form of vermiculture or vermicompost.


At home we would farm the worms by filling a large container filled with decaying matter; the worms would thrive, digesting the material and reproducing. Once all organic matter had been digested to a rich compost we would pour water over the top surface and tap out the nutrient rich liquid from the bottom. This liquid, known as 'tea' was then used as fertilizer by being poured over crops.

Frog Squeak

Common frog - Rana temporaria

The common frog, Rana temporaria, is found all across the UK. I had seen a few shortly after arriving in Norwich in September 2014, but none since; the winter months are too cold for them and they tend to hibernate. Now, with the onset of Spring, the frogs are beginning to emerge again, ready to begin the reproductive phase of their life cycle. 

They can differ in appearance quite drastically and so can be easily confused with other species. I'm not so hot with my amphibian identification and had studied a few different descriptions and raked my memory of my frog encounter before coming across this useful tip. I knew this was a frog straight away because of its bulging eyes, slimy streamlined body and large back legs. For those who might confuse toads and frogs remember those distinguishing features, and that toads tend to look dry and bumpy and tend to walk instead of hop.

I always get excited when I come across animals I  didn't expect to see and inevitably try to pick them up (terrible habit, I agree). When I tried to grab this frog, mid-leap, I got quite the surprise!

Excuse my chuckle. I had never come across a frog that squeaks! Common frogs occasionally squeak to startle predators. Though I did not intend to harm the frog it definitely startled me.

Currently, chytridiomycosis (a disease caused by a species of fungus) is causing a global decline in amphibian numbers. The pathogen uses flagella to move through aquatic environments and infect new hosts through the skin. Because amphibians have such delicate and porous skin and live semi-aquatic lives, they are prime targets and are the worst affected. 

It is great to see these frogs still on the UEA campus. I hope they are not too badly affected.

Stinging Nettles

Despite my somewhat wild childhood I had always avoided the wrath of the stinging nettle. It took all of 2 days in Norwich, UK for this to change.

Stinging Nettle - Urtica dioica

As I was walking my Uncles dog along the lake on the UEA campus, arms swinging lazily by my side, I suddenly shrieked in surprise! My right hand had found its way into the thicket of plants along the paths edge, which I very quickly came to realise was indeed a thicket of nettles.


The stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, is a herbaceous plant which can grow quite tall. All nettles are covered in tiny hair like structures called trichomes. In some subspecies these trichomes can pierce your skin and inject various chemicals causing the stinging sensation.

Nettles are used in a multitude of different ways, from herbal teas, to fabrics. In Kenya we use it in a dish called 'irio'. This is a stew of potatoes, maize and peas usually mashed together. The nettles are pureed and added to the mix turning it an interesting light green. It is then eaten with 'nyama choma' roasted meat, or a meat stew.

After subsequent knuckle grazes and even ankle stings I now walk very well covered and with my hands stuffed into my pockets. You probably should too!

Giant Polypore

Giant polypore - Meripilus giganteus 

The Giant Polypore is a common bracket fungus that can grow rather large. I stumbled across one in the UEA forest which was easily 2ft across!

It is not known to be particularly tasty and is often confused with the more palatable Hen of the Woods bracket, which looks rather similar. However, I would be curious to harvest a little and try a few different recipes.. There is a lot of it after all!

They often grow at the foot of large trees, commonly the beech tree, and can digest the cellulose and lignin causing potential weaknesses in the structure and stability of the tree.

Hawk's Beard PotentialCrepis spp.

Crepis spp.

This is Hawk’s Beard, a species of Crepis.

In Chinese folklore and medicine a plant of the same Tribe (Cichorieae) as the Crepis called theYoungia japonica was used to cure illnesses such as diarrhoea and colds. Recently, the antiviral compounds of Y. japonica have been proven (Ooi et al. 2006).

I feel with every advancement in technology we take a step further away from the nature around us, isolating ourselves from what we depend on. Hopefully discoveries like this will lead to the realisation of the importance and potential uses of what is around us.

Crepis, now that I know what it looks like, litters the ground of the UEA campus. It too could possibly hold antiviral compounds that can be utilised through as simple methods as home brews of tea. Next time you are feeling under the weather, do a simple internet search about what is in your garden. It could save you a hefty prescription fee!

Also, notice how diverse the species are in this picture; hawk’s beard, fungus, moss even a beetle of sorts!

King Alfred's Cakes

Sadly, this is not a post about cakes.

King Alfred's cake - Daldinia concentrica 

Whilst walking through the trees lining the lake on the UEA Campus I spotted a black clump clinging to a dead tree trunk. Fungus! But what kind I had no clue..

So began the legend of King Alfred. Apparently, King Alfred was asked to look after some cakes in the oven and make sure they wouldn’t burn. He failed. The resultant black lumps of goodness resembled the fungus clinging to trees and were so nicknamed.
Carried around in men’s pockets, it was also believed to cure cramps and so were called cramp balls.

Any outdoorsy people will be glad to know it was additionally called coal balls for it’s fire starting magic. Because of it’s dense nature, once dried, the inner flesh will catch sparks from flint and burn slowly.

Camping time?

One last thing… Though they are so aptly named, don’t eat these burnt buns!

Owl You Need is Love!

In late July 2012 I went for a short road trip through central Kenya. I started in Samburu National Reserve and went through Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the Aberdare National Park and Lake Naivasha before returning home. The wildlife was unbelievable! From African wild dogs to Verreaux eagle-owls, African elephants to chimpanzee – I was spoilt for choice! 

In Naivasha I was lucky enough to get up close to a young African wood owl. Barely bigger than a bag of flour, it perched motionless, beautiful big brown eyes endlessly staring. 

African wood owl - Strix woodfordii 

The colour of their iris is a tell-tale sign to when they prefer to hunt; black/brown are nocturnal, orange are crepuscular and yellow are diurnal but, like in most areas of life, there are a few exceptions to this rule.

I learnt this cool fact on Wednesday evening as I embarked on a bat walk around the lake at the University of East Anglia. I also learnt that there are three species of owl that frequent the University campus; the Tawny owl, the Little owl, and the more elusive Barn owl. I hope I am lucky enough to get as close to these three species in the years I spend here.


A whole new world of animals and plants to discover – how exciting!