Seakale and Oyster plant are two of the flowering plants that have evolved to live on the shoreline, with special life strategy for salty soils and drought. This week, Nature File explores the science of succulence and some traditional foraging customs too.

Midges are not a much loved insect, their bites can be known to drive people to the edge of sanity. This week on nature file, Anja explores their reason for being, their life strategy, and whether it is ever possible to appreciate these most bothersome of insects.

Commonly called Irish moss or carrageen moss, In Irish carraigín, "little rock" is a species of red algae which grows abundantly along the rocky parts of the Atlantic coast of Europe and North America.

Easter is when we celebrate spring, a time when colourful blossoms are emerging in hedges, woodlands, parks and gardens.  Explore the technicalities of colour in flowers this Easter with Naturefile.  

Blue Tits have been preparing for nesting season for some time now, though it is the female who brings moss into the nesting cavity and shapes it into a cup, before lining it with soft feathers, fur or wool for added insulation. Over the coming weeks, she will lay as many as 16 eggs!