Questions tagged [uk]
Questions specific to the United Kingdom, including England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
103
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help using key to identify grasses
I am reasonably confident at identifying wild flowers and have recently started looking at grasses. I'm trying to use "Collins guide to the grasses, sedges, rushes and ferns of Britain and ...
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2
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Do any of the routes up Scafell Pike start easy to a good "halfway point" where people can stop and return?
My family & I are planning a holiday in the UK Lake District this year and I'm hoping to fulfil a longtime desire to climb Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain. I'm moderately fit and enjoy ...
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1
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What species of bird of prey is this? Kestrel?
Saw this bird on a post by a field in south east London, UK. We think it may be a kestrel from the colouring, but most kestrel photos online look more delicate than this one. Does anyone know what ...
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3
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How can I get rid of these spiders residing in my hallway?
There are two right outside my front door and they've been there since the birth of my daughter who is now 7 months. Now it's getting hotter they're outside all the time at night. I open my front door ...
3
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1
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What type of (young?) bird in the woods is this? (UK Lake District)
I spotted this bird at the edge of Stock Ghyll Woods, near Ambleside in the UK's Lake District. The photo is from the start of June (just mentioning as the top feathers seem to be a bit more downy so ...
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2
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How to avoid slugs on the face in a bivvy bag
I slept out in my bivvy bag (UK army surplus goretex bag with a synthetic sleeping bag inside) in the woods recently, and woke twice to find a big fat slug on my face. It's never happened before. I ...
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7
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6
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Unknown map symbol
Does anyone know what this line of circles on a map represents? (the ones that start to the east of where it says Hangman's Hill) It is near Malvern. We passed some rocks but they were probably 300 ...
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7
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How likely are you to be injured by falling shot from a game shoot?
One of my regular trail running routes goes past a pheasant shoot. The route is on a public footpath and the shooting is usually from the woods nearby towards the direction of the path (ascertained by ...
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2
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1
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Could a lamprey attack a swimmer in coastal waters around the UK?
I have seen two articles about bloodsucking lampreys in UK rivers, which warn swimmers about the risks of lamprey attacks when swimming in rivers and lakes. Our river lamprey spend their adult lives ...
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Water sources: which are safe and which should be avoided? (UK)
I have been trying to find a list of water sources that should be avoided. I have checked online and looked at several water companies, e.g. Scottish Water. I haven't found any information on which ...
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Catch and eat the Fish UK
If I go fishing in the UK (West Yorkshire), am I allowed to eat the fish I catch?
I was told that you’re not allowed to eat/kill the fish and must return it to the water after the catch.
Any help ...
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UK Puffball Identification
My wife and I are new to foraging. We recently found a large number of what we believe to be puffballs in a field. They look like this:
From the information on the Wild Food UK site it sounds like ...
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1
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Birds singing and dancing on telephone wire
Location: UK East Midlands, suburban garden. Bird: possible marsh tits, something in that size range with a black cap. Time: late July.
Two similar-looking birds were observed making high-pitched, ...
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1
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How to tell the difference between Lesser and Great spotted Woodpeckers?
Around my work I walk in local parks for a couple of hours a day, and I've noticed we have Green Woodpeckers, and I've seen them quite a few times and can now recognise them rather easily.
Recently I ...
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11
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1
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Can you identify this lizard-like creature I observed in the UK?
I was lucky enough to spot an unusual animal in my back yard this evening, here's a photo...
... well I say unusual, but that is because this is the first one I've ever seen in my back garden. This ...
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2
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Free online UK maps
Can I view OS maps for the UK online for free?
I want to see both the Landranger and Explorer maps if possible.
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Is it illegal to walk on single or dual carriageways in the UK?
We're planning to walk / run the entire 275 miles (443 km) of the A5, from London to Holyhead. On Page 5 of the Official Highway Code, it states that:
Pedestrians MUST NOT be on motorways or slip ...
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How can a Common Kingfisher bird balance on a tiny swaying reed without moving its head?
This is a one minute video of a Common Kingfisher bird standing on a tiny reed swaying in the wind. It's from the BBC Network in England.
For much of the video, especially the beginning, the bird ...
3
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1
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What type of Amphibian / Lizard is this?
This morning when out on one of my usual walks I discovered an Amphibian / Lizard on the path - I did not take a picture as it had clearly been attacked at some point, it was not alive at this time, ...
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How to identify a good location to catch Signal Crayfish near River Don
Would anyone know how to identify a good location to catch Cray Fish at the River Don?
I live in Doncaster (UK) and so the River Don would be ideal to catch the American Signal Crayfish.
Looking at ...
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OS Map Symbols - Black Dots
Does anyone know what black dots mean on an OS Explorer map?
There are a lot of them on the map of Kinder Scout in the Peak District (UK).
I know the black dashed line is a footpath, I am asking ...
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4
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Why is it undesirable for the New Forest to convert to a mature forest?
The source, Commoners of the New Forest referenced by @Liam in his answer to the question How do you become a New Forester Commoner? implies that for the New Forest to become a mature forest would be ...
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How do you become a New Forest commoner?
Exactly that... I've done some searching and it looks like a catch-22 situation: To be able to move there you need to do commoning already. But to do commoning, you need live there already. (Hmm... do ...
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Hiking/Scrambling Etiquette? (UK Specific)
I'm an American who moved to the UK 2.5 years ago but didn't start doing a lot of outdoor activities until early this year (here, specifically, as the job that moved me over was very demanding at ...
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How late/early should you pitch up/leave when wild camping in the UK/Europe?
When wild camping, the general advice I've heard is to pitch up late and leave early. However, what times are considered "late" and "early"?
One thought is that sunrise and sunset would be sensible ...
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Where can I legally go hunting for rabbits with a slingshot in the UK?
Where can I hunt for rabbits with slingshots do I have to ask land owners or could I go into a forest away from people and hunt there?
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How can I photograph a kingfisher in the United Kingdom?
I want to take some photographs of Kingfishers in the United Kingdom. How do I find them, get close to them, etc?
Image Source
user2766
6
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1
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What UK carnivores might I find up mountains?
I found some scats that looked a lot like those of a pine marten or otter at 600-700m in the Lake District, UK.
The scat was full of white claw-shaped items, possibly bone, and was 10-15cm long and ...
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Is there a reason for seeing a lot of roadkill badgers in the spring?
I spent much of today cycling around quiet country lanes in South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire, and saw at least 6 dead badgers on the road. I saw a few others earlier in the week on ...
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How do I know if I've made a "first ascent"?
Last night I was walking the dog near area where I climb a lot. Above the quarry where most of the climbing happens there is a really nice natural short crag. Looking at this crag I thought there were ...
user2766
7
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2
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4k
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Why is the European robin associated with winter?
Reading some of the comments on this answer:
....they're seen in the UK as winter birds. Not, I think, that they're
not around in the summer; more that other birds aren't around in the
winter ...
user2766
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4
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Is it a pheasant? A grouse? What do I feed it?
I live in the United Kingdom.
This cheeky fellow recently wandered into the house, scaring the life out of the missus, much to the amusement of the child.
I put him out in the porch with a bit of ...
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What UK mushrooms will kill you?
I've recently gotten into foraging for mushrooms locally and have been happily eating field mushrooms and giant puffballs (these are absolutely delicious if you can find them BTW).
I was reading a ...
user2766
6
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2
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What are the consequences of the Lake Districts WHS status for attempts at rewilding/reforestation?
UNESCO, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has declared the Lake District National Park a cultural World Heritage Site (WHS), according to criteria (ii)(v)(vi), ...
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Why would one choose to use a Harvey map rather than an Ordnance Survey map?
My wife is due to under take her Lowland Leader course in then next couple of months and she has been advised to gain experience using Harvey Maps as well as the more familiar Ordnance Survey maps.
...
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How does water depth affect swimming safety? Why do signs, especially in the UK, say "DANGER: deep water"?
In many UK lakes, I see signs prohibiting swimming with the explanation DANGER: Deep water. This link contains an example. I don't understand those signs. Why is a 30 metre deep lake more dangerous ...
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Where can I take a dip?
It's rather warm outside (32.6°C or 91 F) and I'd like to go for a swim. Having lived in The Netherlands and Sweden, I'm used to living near lakes and the fact that any surface water is by default ...
- 27.1k
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What are the most likely causes of unfilterable water contamination in upland UK areas?
I have a new water filter, which removes bacteria and protozoa.
It's tempting to imagine that I can now go around drinking from whatever revolting-looking puddles I come across, but I'm mindful that ...
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1
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Is this fungus on a birch tree Chaga?
Once again found a fungi growing on birch and I'm not entirely sure what it is. It looks quite like the chaga fungi but I'm really not too sure! I have seen chaga in some videos before and it seemed ...
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2
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Swimming in a river in England or Wales with a right of navigation
Some of the rivers in England and Wales are designated as having a "Right of Navigation". I understand that this is typically interpreted as meaning that you can travel along it in a boat or vessel. I'...
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What are these fungi that I've found growing on a dead birch?
What are these fungi I found on a dead birch? Initially, I thought perhaps artist's bracket or southern bracket, but now I think they might be horses hoof fungus? I'm not very knowledgeable about this ...
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What is this plant in England with large veined leaves and multi-part buds?
I was wondering if anyone could help me identify what this plant is? We have found it growing in our garden in England a few times and are unsure what it could be.
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Who should I contact if I want to have a campfire? [duplicate]
I want to have a campfire on Southport beach in a few weeks as a small birthday celebration with some friends. I was wondering who I should contact to request permission to do so, as I know it's ...
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Getting into canoeing - UK
It's been a beautiful Sunday here in the UK today and I went by the river (Thames) with my girlfriend to get some sunlight and fresh air. (We rarely do that, so that might be why I'm writing a ...
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What are some bare essentials camping spots for first-timers in England?
I've always loved going camping, from the age of about 6. I've also always loved watching Bear Grylls' various TV shows from a similar age. Already you can probably see where this is going!
I ...
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Why does the 528 thickness lines only appear on weather maps in the future?
I've been learning about snow forecasting in the UK. I've learned an important feature is the atmosphere thickness, specifically the 528 line:
Pressure decreases with altitude, and thickness ...
user2766
16
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2
answers
5k
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Difference between a "path" and a "footpath"?
I was chacking a map to see access rights on a particular route I know. I was checking if a path was a bridleway or footpath as I know Mountain Bikes should only use bridleways. Studying the key ...
user2766
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1
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Tree tapping in the UK - Time and legalities
Is it legal to tap trees on public land in the UK? I'm thinking of tapping sycamore trees in a local wood on an overnight trip in the spring.
Also, am I correct in the assumption that the last week ...
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Can anyone help with identifying this tree?
The tree kind of resembles an ash but has green buds, there are pinnate leaflets with rounded tips
close up of leaflets
edit
This tree is located in Cambidgeshire in the United Kingdom
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Drinking water in Dartmoor
Is it safe to drink water from streams in Dartmoor using simple purification methods?
I'm planning a trip and am looking to filter using a Millbank bag and then boil for four minutes to kill off any ...
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