Hello,
Thanks for stopping by Common By Nature!
From botany and birds and a healthy dose of bugs too, this blog brings together my observations (and random musings) on nature in the North East.
I hope you might find something to interest you.
Latest from the Blog
The North East Ladybird ‘Year List’ begins
With the Natural History Society of Northumbria’s fantastic North East Ladybird Spot launching this week, most of this weekend has been spent searching for these colourful insects at various sitesContinue reading “The North East Ladybird ‘Year List’ begins”
Recording North East nature in 2021 – ten highlights
2021 has been a funny old year but despite the big c and the various restrictions it brought, it has also been a memorable one.
Wildflower of the week: Oxford Ragwort (Senecio squalidus)
Clad in the vibrant yellow flowers typical of ragworts, Oxford Ragwort flowers all year round and never fails to brighten up a walk along our street
Let’s talk trees: Mougeot’s Whitebeam (Sorbus mougeotii)
Mougeot’s Whitebeam, Irish Brickfield Park2021 Mougeot’s Whitebeam, Newburn2021 It might seem odd to start a new series with a tree few have heard of (I certainly hadn’t until a fewContinue reading “Let’s talk trees: Mougeot’s Whitebeam (Sorbus mougeotii)”
The flora of Walker Riverside
Walker Riverside Park is a funny old place. Created in the 1980s, it sits atop former industrial land and boasts an intriguing mix of habitats, from grassland and woodland areas to salt-sprayed riverbanks.
A journey through the unusual trees (and shrubs) of Newcastle
I’m rubbish at tree identification, and shrubs too for that matter. There, I said it. While I can separate the more familiar British species, your oaks, birches and common maples,Continue reading “A journey through the unusual trees (and shrubs) of Newcastle”
Nature diary
Even marooned in the city, nature is all around.
Here you’ll find trip reports and sightings from wild walks near and far across the North East.
Water Ladybird, Anistosticta novemdecimpunctata
Local plant lists
In 2021, I set myself the challenge of looking closer at the plant life of my favourite haunts.
Here, you’ll find species lists for sites I visit often across the North East. More to come shortly!
Purple Milk-vetch, Astragalus danicus
Botany
Of all the branches of natural history, it is botany that interests me most.
While I am certainly not an expert, here you’ll find observations, articles and musings on plant life in the North East.
Eyed Ladybird, Anatis ocellata 
Spring Gentian, Gentiana verna 
Currant Clearwing, Synanthedon tipuliformis 
Pyramidal Orchid, Anacamptis pyramidalis 
Bilberry Bumblebee, Bombus monticola 
Mountain Pansy, Viola lutea 
Rhinoceros beetle, Sinodendron cylindricum 
Northern Marsh Orchid, Dactylorhiza purpurella 
Fly Agaric, Amanita muscaria 
Marsh Mallow, Althaea officinalis 
Small Copper, Lycaena phlaeas 
Dingy Skipper, Erynnis tages 
Bird’s-eye Primrose, Primula farinosa 
Marsh Helleborine, Epipactis palustris 
Lindisfarne Helleborine, Epipactis sancta
James Common 