is an alder native to most of Europe, including all of the British Isles and Fennoscandia and locally in southwest Asia. Alnus glutinosa is a tree that thrives in moist soils, and grows under favourable circumstances to a height of 20–30 m, exceptionally up to 37 m. It is important as coppice-wood on marshy ground. The wood is soft, white when first cut and turning to pale red; the knots are beautifully mottled.

Under water the wood is very durable, and it is therefore used for piles. The supports of the Rialto at Venice, and many buildings at Amsterdam, are of Alder wood. It is also the traditional wood burnt to produce smoked fish and other smoked foods, though in some areas other woods are more often used now. Furniture is sometimes made from the wood, as were clogs, and it supplies excellent charcoal for gunpowder. The bark is astringent; it is used for tanning and dyeing.The alder is extensively used as a mouthwash and gargle for throat, gum and tooth problems owing to its astringent properties. A decoction prepared with the bark of the alder has a drying action and is useful for tightening the mucous membranes as well as alleviate inflammation. In addition, this decoction may also be used to stop internal as well as external bleeding and also to cure injuries.

Alnus glutinosa is most noted for the symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Frankia alni, which forms nodules on the tree\'s roots. This nitrogen-fixing bacterium absorbs nitrogen from the environment and fixes it into a form available to the tree. In return, the bacterium receives carbon which is produced by the tree through photosynthesis. This relationship, which improves the fertility of the soil environment, has established A. glutinosa as an important pioneer species in ecological succession.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alnus_glutinosa

When all goes quiet out there or the sparrows sit hidden in the hedge grumbling, it is probably due to the kestrel lurking for its prey from above. Quite regularly we can watch this small bird of prey here at our house. He often swoops down from his observation post in the birch towards the bird feeder - last week he even landed in it! Always full of hope to snatch one of the sparrows, finches or chickadees. In order to prevent the magpies from harassing the other birds during last year´s harsh winter, I had placed some uncooked offcuts from a beef roast out in the snow. Instead of the magpies then came the kestrel, which I had often observed during his acrobatic flights in summer. He took his time devouring this \"prey\" so we were able to take plenty of pictures!

The Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel, or Old World Kestrel. In Britain, where no other brown falcon occurs, it is generally just called the kestrel.

Common Kestrels measure 32–39 cm (13–15 in) from head to tail, with a wingspan of 65–82 cm (26–32 in). Females are noticeably larger, with the adult male weighing 136-252 g (c,5-9 oz), around 155 g (around 5.5 oz) on average; the adult female weighs 154-314 g (about 5.5-11 oz), around 184 g (around 6.5 oz) on average. They are thus small compared with other birds of prey, but larger than most songbirds. Like the other Falco species, they have long wings as well as a distinctive long tail.

Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having less black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes.

All Common Kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives. The cere feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Kestrel

Each evening at least two hedgehogs come to visit and check for the reamins of birdseed and fat balls. The dogs get pretty frustrated that these visitors continue to smack so comfortably and do not seem to be overly bothered - thanks to a protective electric wire in between them! I love hedgehogs and we have supported many a young animal with cat food, so there was still a chance of enough fat on the ribs to sustain them during hibernation! It is the season to be extra careful when driving in the evening, because the animals tend to freeze or even curl up in the middle of the road when a car approaches. Unfortunately, there are many \\\"victims\\\" along the roadside already. So ... Please do not drive so fast - think of the Hedgehog!

The European Hedgehog(Erinaceus europaeus) Common hedgehog or just Hedgehog in the Anglophone parts of Europe, is a hedgehog species found in northern and western Europe. It is about 20 to 30 cm in length. Adult mass typically ranges from 600 (after hibernation) to up to 1,200 g (prior to hibernation); occasionally, it may reach as much as 1,600 g. Males tend to be slightly longer and heavier than females.

The European Hedgehog lives in woodland, farmland and suburban areas. It is nocturnal, and if alarmed will roll itself into a ball, protecting itself against potential predators with its spines.

Unlike the smaller, warmer climate species, the European Hedgehog may hibernate in the winter. It is omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of invertebrates, but preferring slugs, earthworms, beetles and other insects. The preferred arthropods are the millipedes Glomeris marginata and Tachypodoiulus niger as well as the ground beetle Carabus nemoralis. It is also known to eat frogs, small rodents, young birds and birds\' eggs.

On 28 August 2007, the new Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) [launched in 1997] included the European Hedgehog on the list of species and habitats in the UK that need conservation and greater protection.

In Denmark, hedgehogs are protected by law. It is illegal to capture or hurt them, but it is accepted to house underweight hedgehogs found out during winter. Garden owners are encouraged to attract hedgehogs with a bit of dry cat food, to utilize their pest control abilities.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Hedgehog

The Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)

is one of the most characteristic birds of the North Sea coast. He belongs to the order of waders, gulls and Auks (Charadriiformes) and the genus of oyster fishermen. His largest audience in Europe, he has in the Wadden Sea and the coastal hinterland of the North Sea, where it also bears the name jokingly Hallig stork.

Adult oystercatchers reach a body length of 40 to 45 centimeters and are thus almost as large as crows. One month after fledging are still alive 16 percent of the hatched young. The average age of the oystercatcher is 14 to 15 years. In captivity, the oyster fishermen over 30 years old can be. However, so far holds the record for an animal that was found dead in 1993. Its ringing from the year 1949 in the Netherlands shows a ripe old age of 44 years.

Oystercatchers are very ruffreudige birds. The loud and shrill quiéwiehp is typical for them Kontaktruf.
The oystercatcher is a foodborne strong ties to the coast is under tidal influence. He therefore preferred a flat sea coasts and islands, estuaries of streams and rivers. In the Netherlands, northwest Germany and partly in the UK, it is also during the breeding season in fields and meadows Kurzras encountered. Here it breeds preferentially on lakes or wide rivers with gravel shores. Even lakes in gravel pits to fit into its habitat scheme.
On the coast, the activity of the oyster fishing is extremely dependent on tide - the animals are diurnal and nocturnal so. Without the influence of the tides, they are inland diurnal.

On the coast, feeding the oystercatcher is primarily of shells, bristle worms, crabs and insects. One of the mussel species that make up a large part of his diet, particularly among cardiac, mussels and Baltic clams. They also eat well dish, beach and whelks. Further inland is the earthworm, the main food of the oyster fisherman dar.

Oystercatcher swim quite well and often. Troops of several animals have been observed already in the distance from the mainland. Probably the birds resting at high tide on dark nights on the water.

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austernfischer

The curlew  (Numenius arquata)

is a species of the family of woodcock birds (Scolopacidae). There are two subspecies. The nominate in Central Europe is an increasingly rare nesting birds and summer. He is a regular passage migrants during the migration periods and migratory birds, the wintering area as well.

Appearance of adult birds
The curlew is about 50 to 60 cm long and weighs 600-1000 g. The wingspan is 80 to 100 cm. The birds are the largest wading birds, and they are in Europe, the most common curlews. A characteristic feature of the curlew is the long and strongly curved downward beak. The female is slightly larger than the male and has a much more curved and longer beak. Otherwise, see the sexes look alike.
Curlew birds are colored rather unimpressive. The head, neck, chest, the upper body are pale beige with dark brown stripes and spots. The cheeks are dotted dark and bright contrasting this with the chin and throat patch. The breast is streaked a little stronger and lighter towards the belly. In flight the white rump is visible, which together with the white back of a white wedge.