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RSPBNBLG Talk Confessions of a Bird Guide 11 January 2017

RSPB logoThe RSPB North Bucks Local Group are hosting a talk:

“Confessions of a Bird Guide” – Rick Simpson

Location: The Cruck Barn, City Discovery Centre, Bradwell Abbey, Milton Keynes

Postcode: MK13 9AP (Google map)

Many of us will have hired a bird guide … and no doubt formed an opinion of their effectiveness!
But did you ever wonder what the guide thought of you? Rick, from locally based charity Wader Quest, will give us an entertaining insight into his experience as a bird guide – a talk illustrated mostly by Elis’ colourful photographs of spectacular Brazilian bird life.

Time: Doors open 7.15pm for a prompt 7.45pm start, ends at 10pm

Price: Group members £3, Non-group members £4, Children £1

 

See the RSPB North Bucks Local Group website for more information

MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.

Blowflies

Angioneura acerba © Steven Falk, Napton, Warwickshire 5 August 2017

Angioneura acerba © Steven Falk, Napton, Warwickshire 5 August 2017

Steven Falk hast added his 2017 blowfly (Calliphoridae) photos to Flickr. Includes the rare Angioneura acerba (new to Warwickshire) which looks nothing like a blowfly.

The blowfly family contains the familiar bluebottles (Calliphora), greenbottles (Lucilia) and cluster flies (Pollenia) together with various other genera, some of which are very different looking such as the rhinophorid-like Eggisops pecchiolii and Melanomyia nana, and the fleshfly-like Eurychaeta palpalis.

Where do butterflies and moths go in the winter?

Unlike mammals and birds, butterflies and moths rely mainly on external sources of heat to warm their bodies so that they can be active. Although many are adept at increasing their body temperature way above ambient air temperature by basking in sunshine or shivering (vibrating their flight muscles), when their surroundings are really cold, most butterflies and moths are forced to remain inactive.

Click here to read the rest of the article: Butterfly Conservation – Heating and Hibernation

Robin by Peter Hassett, College Lake 29 December 2016

Merry Christmas Sightings

Please remember to submit your local sightings to sightings@mknhs.org.uk and to look at the Recent Sightings in the News section. There are some fabulous pictures of otters in a member’s garden.

Many thanks to our Co-chair Julie Lane for these seasonal sightings:

On the day before Christmas Eve whilst cycling around Emberton Park I met

One raven cawing
Five goosanders fishing
A kingfisher piping and green woodpecker laughing
Three snowy egrets roosting
And a great spotted woodpecker in a poplar tree

Happy Christmas to you all.

New housing development unsuitable for house sparrows

House Sparrow by Harry Appleyard, Furzton Lake 28 December 2016

House Sparrow by Harry Appleyard, Furzton Lake 28 December 2016

As a species closely associated with people and urban areas, the house sparrow (Passer domesticus) was expected to prosper with increased urbanization. Over the past few decades, however, house sparrow populations have decreased in many towns and cities around the world. The most commonly mentioned reasons for these decreases are lack of food, especially invertebrates, and fewer nesting sites and shelters. Given the need to evaluate the role of newly built homes and their effect on sparrow habitat, our overall goal was to evaluate if new housing areas are inhabited with a lower density of house sparrows than old housing areas and, if so, to identify factors responsible for the differences.

Click here to read the rest of the article: What makes new housing development unsuitable for house sparrows (Passer domesticus)? – ScienceDirect

Pollinators use multiple cues to identify flowers

Red-Tailed Bumblebee by Harry Appleyard, Tattenhoe 11 April 2016

Red-Tailed Bumblebee by Harry Appleyard, Tattenhoe 11 April 2016

Although at least 75 percent of our crop species depend on animal pollinators, little is known about their flower preferences. As global insect populations decline, it is of utmost importance for us to understand what factors attract wild pollinators to flowers, and how these preferences differ in the face of environmental change. Now, an international team of scientists have discovered that a group of generalist pollinators use a multiple cues to identify flowers on different continents.

Source: Laws of attraction: Pollinators use multiple cues to identify flowers across continents — ScienceDaily

RSPBNBLG Walk – Willen Lake on 1 January 2018

RSPB logoThe RSPB North Bucks Local Group are leading a field trip to Willen Lake on 1 January 2018:

Location: Meet car park (still free!) off V11 Tongwell Street, just north of Pineham (V11/H5) roundabout: SP 883 404.

Shake off the post-Xmas blues (and start your 2018 year-list) with a gentle stroll round this local gem.

Leader: Chris Ward

All welcome

Time: 10 am to 12.30 pm

Price: Freeblockquote>
See the RSPB North Bucks Local Group website for more information

MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.

Peppered moth larvae change colour to match their twig

Camouflage, and in particular background-matching, is one of the most common anti-predator strategies observed in nature. Animals can improve their match to the colour/pattern of their surroundings through background selection, and/or by plastic colour change.

Source: Colour change of twig-mimicking peppered moth larvae is a continuous reaction norm that increases camouflage against avian predators [PeerJ]

Open Sunday at Linford Lakes NR 17 December 2017

Linford Lakes Nature Reserve showing observation deck by Peter Hassett

Linford Lakes Nature Reserve showing observation deck by Peter Hassett

Open Sunday 17 December 2017

10am -3pm

In view of the cancelled Open Sunday last week-end due to the adverse weather conditions it has been decided to hold a modified Open Sunday this coming Sunday (17th Dec).

Andy Harding will be conducting his monthly duck count in the morning of 17th. Andy is willing to take interested visitors with him to the hide and assist with bird identification. Please join Andy at the Centre for 10:30am.

This can be a great time of year for spotting some of our winter visitors, who can turn up in good numbers to rest up and feed.

The Open Sunday will conclude at 3pm on this day, due to the short daylight hours at this time of year.

The Centre will be open for hot drinks and homemade cakes. Xmas crafts and Calendars on sale for those last minute gifts. Get your bargain holiday read from our second-hand books on sale.

Family and friends welcome.

Please note there will be NO CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING TODAY.

Public Inquiry.

The Public Inquiry relating to the development at Linford Lakes is on-going. The Investigator has adjourned the Inquiry which will meet again on 26th Jan and if required again on 2nd Feb. Decision 4-5 weeks after that.

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English elm is a 2,000-year-old Roman clone

The outbreak of Dutch elm disease in the 1970s ravaged European elm populations, killing more than 25 million trees in Britain alone; the greatest impact was on Ulmus procera, otherwise known as the English elm. Here we use molecular and historical information to show that this elm derives from a single clone that the Romans transported from Italy to the Iberian peninsula, and from there to Britain, for the purpose of supporting and training vines. Its highly efficient vegetative reproduction and its inability to set seeds have preserved this clone unaltered for 2,000 years as the core of the English elm population–and the preponderance of this susceptible variety may have favoured a rapid spread of the disease.

 

Click here to read the rest of the article: Phylogeography: English elm is a 2,000-year-old Roman clone (PDF Download Available)

UK’s birds  affected by climate change

Migratory birds are arriving in the UK earlier each spring and leaving later each autumn, a study shows.

A number of articles have been written following the publication of The State of the UK’s Birds 2017 report, examining the statuses of the UK’s breeding and non-breeding bird species.

The report analyses long-term data, allowing scientists to track the effects of climate change.

Click on the links below for more information:
BBC News
Discover Wildlife

Saving the Willow Tit

The Willow Tit – the small bird that thinks it’s a woodpecker. This endearing mimic is the only English tit species to excavate a new nest hole each breeding season, rather than using existing cavities. They don’t quite equal woodpeckers in terms of pecking power, so they prefer to hollow out old rotting stumps, which provide a nice soft alternative.

Click here to read the rest of the article: Why the Willow Tit? – Back From The Brink

Cold Comfort for Butterflies

The Met Office is forecasting a cold month ahead and the conventional wisdom among butterfly enthusiasts is that cold winters are generally better for butterflies than warm ones. There was little hard evidence to back up this perception, until this year when a team of scientists from the University of East Anglia, Butterfly Conservation and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology published new research into the effects of weather on the abundance of UK butterflies.

Click on the link for more information: Butterfly Conservation – Cold Comfort

New Nature magazine December 2017 published

New Nature magazine December 2017

New Nature magazine December 2017

New Nature is the only natural history magazine written, edited and produced entirely by young people: by young ecologists, conservationists, communicators, nature writers and wildlife photographers each boasting an undying passion for the natural world. It is intended, foremost, as a celebration of nature, but also of the young people giving their time, freely, to protect it.

Click here to download the magazine

BTO Preliminary report on 2017 breeding season

The primary aim of BTO surveys is to monitor changes in the health of Britain’s birds, tracking declines and increases via the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey and exploring the factors driving them through bird ringing and nest recording. The long-term trends in abundance, survival and breeding success generated by these schemes are presented on the BirdTrends webpages.

This report provides a preliminary assessment of the 2017 breeding season in terms of population sizes and breeding success, comparing this year’s results to the averages recorded over the previous five seasons.

lick here to read the rest of the article: Preliminary report on the 2017 breeding season | BTO – British Trust for Ornithology

Winner. Hoverflies by Mark Strutton. 3 July 2016

Annual Photographic Competition 23 January 2018

Following the success of last year’s competition with a large turnout and many high quality prints submitted I hope we can do as well this year. To remind you of the rules:-

Prints only can be entered.

Maximum size of prints A4 (210x297mm)

Each member may enter a maximum of 2 prints per category. (That’s 8 prints in total). Prints must be unmounted.

The four categories are:-

  1. Birds
  2. All other animals, including mammals, fish, insects etc.
  3. Plants and fungi.
  4. Habitats, geological, astronomical.

Domestic animals and cultivated plants are not eligible.

People must not be a major subject of any photograph.

Pictures must be handed to Julie Lane, Linda Murphy or Jean Cooke by the end of the 16 January 2018 meeting.
You can see the winners of previous competitions in the gallery section of the website. You can see the winner of last years competition –
Hoverflies by Mark Strutton at the top of the page.

May the best photograph win! It could be yours!

Paul Lund

 

 

Using mobile phones to identify mosquitos

The direct monitoring of mosquito populations in field settings is a crucial input for shaping appropriate and timely control measures for mosquito-borne diseases. Here, we demonstrate that commercially available mobile phones are a powerful tool for acoustically mapping mosquito species distributions worldwide. We show that even low-cost mobile phones with very basic functionality are capable of sensitively acquiring acoustic data on species-specific mosquito wingbeat sounds, while simultaneously recording the time and location of the human-mosquito encounter. We survey a wide range of medically important mosquito species, to quantitatively demonstrate how acoustic recordings supported by spatio-temporal metadata enable rapid, non-invasive species identification. As proof-of-concept, we carry out field demonstrations where minimally-trained users map local mosquitoes using their personal phones. Thus, we establish a new paradigm for mosquito surveillance that takes advantage of the existing global mobile network infrastructure, to enable continuous and large-scale data acquisition in resource-constrained areas.

Source: Using mobile phones as acoustic sensors for high-throughput mosquito surveillance | eLife

RSPBNBLG Talk – Hedgehogs on 14 December 2017

RSPB logoThe RSPB North Bucks Local Group are hosting a talk:

“Hedgehogs” – Dr Pat Morris, President of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society
Location: The Cruck Barn, City Discovery Centre, Bradwell Abbey, Milton Keynes

Postcode: MK13 9AP (Google map)

Many of us would describe the hedgehog as Britain’s favourite mammal.
Pat is Britain’s foremost authority on hedgehogs and has studied these wonderful animals for over 40 years. years. His talk will cover garden hedgehogs, how far do they roam, effects of putting out food for them, diet and impact on birds (including the controversy about predation on bird colonies in the Hebrides), hedgehog survival and current population status and the impact of caring for sick and injured hedgehogs and their subsequent release into the wild.

Time: Doors open 7.15pm for a prompt 7.45pm start, ends at 10pm

Price: Group members £3, Non-group members £4, Children £1

See the RSPB North Bucks Local Group website for more information

MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.

Open Sunday at Linford Lakes NR 10 December 2017

Linford Lakes Nature Reserve visitors enjoying an Open Sunday

Linford Lakes Nature Reserve visitors enjoying an Open Sunday

Open Sunday.

10 December 2017. (note not third Sunday

10:00- 16:00hrs

With Xmas Craft Making Event.

Suitable for people of all ages, each session includes full tuition

and all materials to enable you to make and take home traditional

Christmas Decorations, using natural materials.

 The Christmas Craft sessions will run from

11am to 12.30pm and from 1.30pm to 3pm

 The Christmas Craft Sessions cost £10.00 each, £15 for family.

No booking required.

 Please note Children under 16 are welcome,

must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

There is also the usual Open Sunday opportunities.

Andy Harding may be recording his duck count this morning.

He is willing to take a group along. Please meet at 10:00 in the centre.

You can enjoy a walk and spend time in the hides watching our winter wild fowl and other seasonal visitors.

If you fancy some warmer wildlife watching, then why not use  the viewing gallery in the Centre, where you will also find:

Crafts, Gifts, Second-hand book stall, bird seed for sale and warming refreshments including mince pies and home-made cakes.

 Family and friends welcome.

Dinosaurs & Ichthyosaurs of Britain – lecture 13 December 2017

Dinosaurs lecture 13Dec17-2

With Jurassic World 2 currently set to be released next year palaeontologist and fossil detective Dean Lomax takes us on a journey back to the amazing British finds that sparked the original dinomania in the 1800s. From the ‘invention’ of dinosaurs to the great granddad of T. rex, he reveals British dinosaur and ichthyosaur discoveries, including recent identification of new species and some incredibly rare finds.

Dean Lomax is an internationally recognised multi-award-winning palaeontologist, science communicator and author. He has travelled the globe and worked on many fascinating projects from excavating dinosaurs in the American West, to describing new species of extinct marine reptiles and winning a gold medal for excellence in science. A visiting scientist at The University of Manchester, Dean is passionate about communicating palaeontology with the public and regularly appears on television, including as series advisor and recurring on-screen expert presenter for ITV’s Dinosaur Britain. He has written two books, numerous scientific papers, and many popular articles. Dean is also the patron of the UK Association of Fossil Hunters (UKAFH).

Click here for more information: Abingdon School

India closes the loophole threatening vultures

This week, the Indian Government took an important step towards preventing the extinction of Asia’s Critically Endangered vultures by upholding the ban on large vials of diclofenac, a painkiller that is fatal to vultures. The judge was on the vultures’ side throughout, preferring to call them “sanitary workers” rather than “scavenging birds”.

Click here to read the rest of the article: India closes the loophole threatening the recovery of Asia’s vultures | BirdLife

MKNHS Society walk by Ann Strutton, Willen Lake 26 November 2017

Trip report – Willen Lake 26 November 2017

Sunday 26th November 2017 saw the first of our Society winter walks. 15 hardy souls braved the icy winds at North Willen Lake and were well rewarded.

We met at the Willen Pavilion car park on the west shore of the lake and began by looking at the veteran ash tree near the lake edge. Martin Kincaid explained how The Parks Trust has managed the decline of this tree and the recent discovery of bats roosting in it.

We then walked clockwise around the lake, stopping at times to look at the many species of duck among the huge group of coots (cootarium!) on the water. A single female Scaup, among a group of Tufted Ducks, was probably the pick, with good numbers of Teal, Mallard, Wigeon and Gadwall also spotted. We also found some nice specimens of the fungus Clitocybe geotropa on the grassy banks. When we reached the Flood Control structure, Mark Strutton shared his experiences of seeing otters here on several occasions in 2016. The animals are still active here and we were able to pick out a track from the lake edge, across the redway and down to the River Ouzel where we also found several piles of otter spraint and a slide down into the river!

At the bridge between the north and south lakes, we added 4 Little Grebes to the list and a Kingfisher was spotted shooting low across the water. We also admired a very tame Little Egret roosting in willow at this point. Ann Strutton managed to spot a group of 6 Goldeneye bobbing about on the South Lake at this point, and we did our best to see them between their frequent dives.

On the approach to the bird hide we spotted a Chiffchaff (there seem to be more than ever around this autumn) and hazel catkins. Form the hide itself we added Pochard and Shoveler to the wildfowl list bringing our duck total to nine species. However, waders were thin on the ground with just a single Lapwing observed. A single Greylag was the only goose we saw – obviously there were easier pickings on the South Lake.

The main target for today’s walk was the starling murmuration and we quickly marched around towards the Peace Pagoda to take position and wait. The first group of about 50 starlings appeared right on queue at 3.50pm and within five minutes they were swarming over the lake. Although there were probably no more than 2,000 birds (a pretty modest number) they put on a fine display as the sun set and for those who had not witnessed a starling murmuration before it was a memorable experience. A singing Cetti’s Warbler was a bonus at this point. The starlings finally settled in the reed beds at around 4.15pm at which point we said our goodbyes and retired for the evening, happy but in need of thawing out!

Starling Murmuration by Ann Strutton, Willen Lake 26 November 2017

Starling Murmuration by Ann Strutton, Willen Lake 26 November 2017


Report by Martin Kincaid

Wildlife crimes going unpunished without proper reporting

Crimes against wildlife are going unpunished, as crime figures aren’t properly recorded and assessed, warns a wildlife coalition as it launches a new report [1] today: ‘The Recording of Wildlife Crime in England and Wales’. The report is being launched at the National Wildlife Crime Enforcers Annual Conference

Click here to read the rest of the article: Wildlife crimes going unpunished without proper reporting

Open Sunday at Linford Lakes NR 10 December 2017

Linford Lakes Nature Reserve visitors enjoying an Open Sunday

Linford Lakes Nature Reserve visitors enjoying an Open Sunday

Open Sunday at Linford Lakes NR 10 December 2017 (note 2nd Sunday)

With Xmas Craft Making Event.

Suitable for people of all ages, each session includes full tuition

and all materials to enable you to make and take home traditional

Christmas Decorations, using natural materials.

 The Christmas Craft sessions will run from

11am to 12.30pm and from 1.30pm to 3pm

 Please note Children under 16 are welcome,

to be accompanied by a responsible adult.

.

BuBC trip – London Wetland Centre 10 December 2017

Oystercatcher ©Peter Hassett, Floodplain Forest NR 19 June 2017

Oystercatcher ©Peter Hassett, Floodplain Forest NR 19 June 2017

Buckinghamshire Bird Club will be hosting a field trip on 10 Dec 2017 – 00: to 00:00 at London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes (Lat/Long 51.4756 and -0.236873).

Click here for more information:

MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.

Current status of Red Deer and Roe Deer in Scotland

 

Responding to a request for information on the status of deer in Scotland, BTO researchers Dario Massimino and John Calladine analysed data on Red Deer and Roe Deer distribution and abundance, collected through the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey.

Click on the link for more information: Modelled abundance and change in abundance of Red Deer and Roe Deer in Scotland from Breeding Bird Survey data | BTO – British Trust for Ornithology

Number 1 hide, Floodplain Forest NR

Water Quality Survey, September 2017

This project was part of the ‘Clean Water for wildlife survey’ run by the Freshwater Habitats trust’s “people Ponds and Water Project”.

Phil and I had 5 testing kits and we set off to find 5 different water bodies, to test for Nitrates (ppm) and Phosphates (ppm). Our test sites were:

  1. Pond in Little Linford Wood (SP 8285 4550) 21/09/17
  2. River Great Ouse, Stony Stratford (SP7875 3965) 22/09/17
  3. Calverton Brook (SP 78095 3861) 22/09/17
  4. Pond, High Street, Stony Stratford (SP 7840 4080) 24/09/17
  5. Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve (SP8112 4220) 24/09/17

The test results showed that the water quality around MK is generally pretty good, with low levels of both Nitrates and Phosphates. Phil researched the net to try and establish an ‘acceptable’ level for nitrates for ‘environmental Water’ and the International Consensus is less than 5ppm.

So how did our 5 sites compare?

Site Nitrates Phosphates
Little Linford Wood less than 0.2 ppm less than 0.02ppm
River Great Ouse 0.5 – 1ppm less than 0.02 ppm
Calverton Brook 1-2ppm* less than 0.02ppm
Pond, High Street: less than 0.2ppm Less than 0.02ppm
Floodplain Forest NR less than 0.2ppm 0.02 – 0.05ppm

* indicates the higher level of Nitrates. This brook runs through farmland, which might account for it.

These figures need to be taken with a pinch of salt as the colour of the water in the test kit was assessed against the colour on the recording chart.

I wonder if there were there any other results to compare locally? Please send your results to info@mknhs.org.uk

Mary Sarre, November 22nd, 2017

RSPBNBLG Walk – The Lodge 6 December 2017

RSPB logoThe RSPB North Bucks Local Group are leading a field trip to The Lodge on 6 December 2017:

Location: Meet in the car park (free to members) behind the shop on the south side of the B1042 Sandy to Potton road

WC near the shop. Please note there will be some steep paths with steps and tree roots.

Leader : George Conchie
Postcode: SG19 2DL (Google map)

After a wander through landscaped gardens, hilly pinewoods, old quarries and restored heathland – where better to buy Christmas presents than the RSPB shop? We hope to look inside this elegant house too.

Time: 10 am to 1 pm

Price: Free to members (Parking charge for non-members)

See the RSPB North Bucks Local Group website for more information

MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.

Why is the Red List so important?

Red: a colour of alarm, urgency, passion and energy. For most conservationists, “The Red List” evokes all four of these feelings, perhaps all at once. The Red List tells us which species are most in danger and which to conserve first. It is also a powerful tool for persuading governments to protect threatened species, and for most of the plant and animal species worldwide, it is vital. The Red List is nicknamed the “barometer of life”, for it is a rich compendium of information on the threats to species, their ecological requirements, where they live, and information on conservation actions that can be taken to reduce their risk of extinction.

In full, it’s called The IUCN [International Union for the Conservation of Nature] Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM, and BirdLife International is the authority for birds, coordinating the process of evaluating all of the world’s bird species against the Red List categories and criteria in order to assess their extinction risk.

Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Why is the Red List so important? | BirdLife

Interactive Guide to Harvestmen

Harvestman, Leibunum rotundum ©Peter Hassett, Floodplain Forest NR , 21 August 2017

Harvestman, Leibunum rotundum ©Peter Hassett, Floodplain Forest NR , 21 August 2017

There are some 30 different species of harvestmen (Opiliones) in the UK. This interactive guide is a resource for anyone who wants to identify a harvestman and/or learn about the features that can be used to separate the different taxa in the field.

Click on the link for more information: Harvestmen of Britain and Ireland

Why pollinator biodiversity is important

In a new review paper that’s just been published in the Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics I have looked at the question of just how diverse the pollinators are, and why pollinator biodiversity is ecologically important and therefore worthy of conservation.  I’ve taken a deep time and wide space approach to this, starting with what the fossil record tells us about when animal pollination evolved and the types of organisms that acted as pollinators in the past (the answer may surprise you if you’re unfamiliar with the recent paleontological literature on this topic).  Some of the most prominent biogeographical patterns have been highlighted, and I have tried to estimate the global diversity of currently known pollinators.  A conclusion is that as many as 1 in 10 described animal species may act as pollen vectors.

Click here to read the rest of the article: Pollinator biodiversity and why it’s important: a new review just published – download it for free | Jeff Ollerton’s Biodiversity Blog

National Hedgehog Survey

Long-term studies by ourselves, People’s Trust for Endangered Species, and the British Trust for Ornithology have found that hedgehogs have undergone a drastic decline within Britain over the last two decades (see State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2011). Our humble hedgehog is now listed as a species of principal importance to protect.

Click on the link for more information: National Hedgehog Survey – Peoples Trust for Endangered Species

Identifying Redshanks from Spotted Redshanks

Redshanks are a common wader found, year-round, on the marshes of the north Norfolk coast. At any time of year, on a visit to RSPB Titchwell, Snettisham or the NWT Holme Dunes you often see redshanks probing their bills into the mud for insects, worms, and crustaceans. This year has even seen them returning to breed on nearby Roydon Common, the first time in 40 years. Winter sees the numbers grow as more birds arrive from Iceland, spending their winters in the UK.

The Autumn and winter months can also bring a small number of the much rarer Spotted Redshanks. Most of these birds are passing through the UK but with a few overwintering on the marshes in this part of the UK. At this time its not uncommon to hear about local sightings of Greenshanks on their migration to their African wintering grounds. In recent years, a number of these have overwintered on the estuaries of SW England.

Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Help with Identifying Redshanks from Spotted Redshanks

Impact of weather on  butterfly populations

Silver-washed-Fritillary by Julian Lambley Bernwood Butterfly trail 24June 2017

Silver-washed-Fritillary by Julian Lambley Bernwood Butterfly trail 24June 2017

The aim was to assess the sensitivity of butterfly population dynamics to variation in weather conditions across their geographical ranges, relative to sensitivity to density dependence, and determine whether sensitivity is greater towards latitudinal range margins.

Click here to read the rest of the article: European butterfly populations vary in sensitivity to weather across their geographical ranges – Mills – 2017 – Global Ecology and Biogeography – Wiley Online Library

The limits of phenology

Henry David Thoreau monitored flowering times in Concord from 1852 to 1858; his data is a key component in our study. Photo by Richard Primack and Abe Miller-Rushing.

Henry David Thoreau monitored flowering times in Concord from 1852 to 1858; his data is a key component in our study. Photo by Richard Primack and Abe Miller-Rushing.

Species must either adapt in-place to survive climate change or migrate elsewhere to track their prefered environmental conditions. Increasingly, the phenologies of species – the timing of their life history events – are changing in spring, with flowers opening earlier, or birds migrating sooner. Measuring the degree of this phenological change is challenging because it’s difficult to get good data before climate changed (when did plants start flowering in the past?), and it’s hard to be certain when an event actually took place (On a Saturday in spring you noticed the first violet flower; did they first flower that day, or during the past week when you were busier?). In our paper, we apply a new method to estimate the onset of events, allowing us to more precisely combine historic herbarium and museum data with contemporary observations to detect evidence of climate change.

Click here to read the rest of the article: The limits of phenology | Nature Ecology & Evolution Community

UK will back total ban on bee-harming pesticides

The UK will back a total ban on insect-harming pesticides in fields across Europe, the environment secretary, Michael Gove, has revealed.

The decision reverses the government’s previous position and is justified by recent new evidence showing neonicotinoids have contaminated the whole landscape and cause damage to colonies of bees. It also follows the revelation that 75% of all flying insects have disappeared in Germany and probably much further afield, a discovery Gove said had shocked him.

Click here to read the rest of the article: UK will back total ban on bee-harming pesticides, Michael Gove reveals | Environment | The Guardian

Back From The Brink

Grey Heron by Harry Appleyard, Howe Park Wood 19 April 2016

Grey Heron by Harry Appleyard, Howe Park Wood 19 April 2016

Back from the Brink is one of the most ambitious conservation projects ever undertaken.
Its aim – to save 20 species from extinction and benefit over 200 more through 19 projects that span England; from the tip of Cornwall to Northumberland.

It’s the first time ever that so many conservation organisations have come together with one focus in mind – to bring back from the brink of extinction some of England’s most threatened species of animal, plant and fungi. Explore the diverse projects below to find out more about the special species we’ll be saving, the places we’re be working and how you can get involved and make a difference.

Click on the link for more information: The projects – Back From The Brink

British Wildlife Photography awards 2017

Daniel Trim’s airport-roosting pied wagtail has won the 2017 competition, which celebrates the work of amateur and professional photographers and the beauty and diversity of British wildlife. Winning images are chosen from thousands of entries, including film and junior categories.

More than 100 images are on show at the Mall Galleries in London, before touring nationally

Click on the link for more information: The British Wildlife Photography awards 2017 – in pictures | Environment | The Guardian

FSC Course – Mosses &Liverwort Identification 18 November 2017

An introduction the field identification of mosses and liverworts, using characters that can be seen using a hand lens. During the day the field characters of mosses and liverworts will be examined and we will identify a number of common species that can be found in London. Based in Bushy Park.

Click on the link for more information: Mosses and Liverwort Field Identification – 66168 – FSC

RSPBNBLG Quiz – Wicken Sports Club 24 November 2017

RSPB logoThe RSPB North Bucks Local Group are hosting a talk:

Location: Wicken Sports Club, Wicken, Milton Keynes – just 15 minutes from Central Milton Keynes.
Postcode: MK19 6BU Google map

Our Annual Fun Quiz Night.
Bring your own team (of up to 6 people) or come along and join others on the night.
£4 per person – a prize for each member of the winning team.
An extra “spot round” during the interval – with an individual prize for the winner.
Wicken Sports Club will provide refreshments – tea, coffee and a licensed bar.

Please book in advance by Friday 17 November – to AnnRSPBNBucks@hotmail.co.uk

Time: Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm start

Price: £4 per person

Booking essential

Telephone: 07803905958

E-mail: AnnRSPBNBucks@hotmail.co.uk

See the RSPB North Bucks Local Group website for more information

MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.

Relocated squirrels moving to new areas

Red squirrels relocated to woodlands in the north west Highlands are “flourishing and breeding”, according to a conservation charity.

More than 80 squirrels were trapped in other parts of the Highlands in phases of the project led by Findhorn-based Trees for Life.

The animals were released in areas that had no squirrels, including Shieldaig.

Click here to read the rest of the article: Relocated squirrels moving to new areas, says charity – BBC News

New Nature magazine published

New Nature Magazine Issue 11

New Nature Magazine Issue 11

New Nature is the only natural history magazine written, edited and produced entirely by young people: by young ecologists, conservationists, communicators, nature writers and wildlife photographers each boasting an undying passion for the natural world. It is intended, foremost, as a celebration of nature, but also of the young people giving their time, freely, to protect it.

Click here to download the magazine

House sparrow decline linked to air pollution and poor diet

House Sparrow by Harry Appleyard, Furzton Lake 28 December 2016

House Sparrow by Harry Appleyard, Furzton Lake 28 December 2016

House sparrows are well-adapted to living in urban areas, so it is surprising their numbers have fallen significantly over the past decades. An investigation into this worrying trend finds that sparrows living in urban areas are adversely affected by pollution and poor nutrition. The study also finds the birds suffer more during the breeding season, when resources are needed to produce healthy eggs.

Click on the link to read the rest of the article: House sparrow decline linked to air pollution and poor diet: City sparrows suffer from more stress than their country cousins, find Spanish researchers, especially during breeding season — ScienceDaily

New draft Silphidae guide

Draft interactive ID guide for Silphidae

Draft interactive ID guide for Silphidae Carrion Beetle

A new draft interactive ID guide for Silphidae (Silphidae is a family of beetles that are known commonly as large carrion beetles, carrion beetles or burying beetles) is available for download: goo.gl/FMVZ3i

Open Sunday at Linford Lakes NR 19 November 2017

Linford Lakes Nature Reserve visitors enjoying an Open Sunday

Linford Lakes Nature Reserve visitors enjoying an Open Sunday

Open Sunday at Linford Lakes NR 19 November 2017 10:00-16:00hrs.

 The centre and the reserve are available for you, your family and friends to enjoy,

 as well as the usual Open Sunday treats.

You are invited to join Keith on a guided walk on the Periphery Path. 

This event will take place at 10:30 from the centre.

On sale are crafts, gifts and bird seed.

Also on sale, the FoLLNR calendar 2018,

Glorious shots, to grace your wall all year.

They make wonderful gifts.

Only £5.00.

Profits from sales go to fund future projects at the reserve.

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Starling by Harry Appleyard, 20 April 2016

Starlings – love them or hate them?

Worldwide range of the common starling with natural populations in blue and introduced populations in red

Worldwide range of the common starling with natural populations in blue and introduced populations in red

I read a warning on an Australian website asking for all sightings of starlings to be reported, not because they were concerned about the welfare of the birds, but because”

The common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is one of the most invasive bird pests worldwide, having established populations in many countries outside its natural range.

You can read more of the Australian Government’s warning here.

In England, Starlings are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it illegal to intentionally kill, injure or take a starling, or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents.

The Starling is on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern.

I will let you draw your own conclusions.

RSPBNBLG Walk – Marston Vale Country Park 19 November 2017

RSPB logoThe RSPB North Bucks Local Group are leading a field trip to Marston Vale Country Park 19 November 2017:

Location: Meet: Marston Vale Forest Centre car park (free) MK43 0PS. Turn off Marston Moretaine to Lidlington road at SP 999 411.
Postcode: MK43 0PS Google map

We’ve twice done the free area. This time we’ll visit the permit-only reserve, with wide reedbeds and the splendid new tower hide. Look for bearded tit, barn or short-eared owls, or our nearest breeding marsh harriers! The visitor centre has shops, toilets & a cafe.

Leader: Chris Coppock

Time: 10 am to 1 pm

Price: £2.50 for entrance to permit only area (£1.75 concessions)

See the RSPB North Bucks Local Group website for more information

MKNHS is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites. You should check details of any events listed on external sites with the organisers.