Nature webwatch

Whilst we search the web for stories we come across many websites that very worth of a mention in our webwatch feature as they deserve a wider audience.

Many searches done on the web are done using Google.  Whilst this is a mighty fine search engine it does seem to favour certain larger websites.

Leave the motorway

Anyone with an interest in nature knows that to find real gems you should venture off the main paths and motorways and get into the quieter areas only frequented by those in the know.

This is the same for the web where you can find some fantastic websites hidden away by using other search engines such as Dogpile, Bing, DMOZ and Delicious to name but a few.

If you would like to suggest a website for inclusion in our next webwatch feature then please get in touch via the form at the bottom of thee page.

Webwatch March 2010

15 Acres in Kent – A photographic record of a large plot of land in Kent. Featuring over 400 images of animals, birds, insects, mammals and other critters found in this small bio-diverse space.

The British Lichen Society – The Society was formed in 1958.  The first society in the world entirely devoted to the study of lichens, it has many overseas as well as British members.

My Tiny Garden – A lovely Flash based photo site. Once past the warning screen warning people with phobias to take care you enter into the unseen world of macro photography.  Split into easily understood sections fly, walk, crawl etc you are taken on a journey around the garden by a very helpful ladybird.

The British Bryological Society – This Society exists to promote the study of mosses and liverworts.  As you  would expect with a title like this this website is very specific.  If this were a computer based website it would be have a high geek rating.  It even has a link to a Moss Grower’s Handbook.

The Naked Scientists –  The Naked Scientists are a media-savvy group of physicians and researchers from Cambridge University who use radio, live lectures, and the Internet to strip science down to its bare essentials, and promote it to the general public.  If you are stuck for something to do with children on a soggy school holiday then the kitchen science section is well worth a visit.

The Postcode plants Database – Brought to the web by the Natural History Museum it is a very simple idea with great results. Just enter the first three characters of a UK postcode in in a few moments you get a list of plants in your area.  The database behind the website is derived from the Atlas of the British Flora, 3rd Edition (published by the Botanical Society of the British Isles, 1982). The dataset currently contains 1,353 species (about 90 percent of Britain’s native flora).

Animal Doc – A great introduction to what a vet does from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia. Simple graphics and photographs explain topics possibly asked by children to do with their pets.  Although not graphic this site should be used with parental overview.

The Geffrye Museum – Kids Zone –  Build a virtual garden or colour in a seasonal flower are only some of the many activities that can be done in the activity part of the Geffrye Museum.