Zebra finches squawk at each other if someone is shirking its duty
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Video: Birds observed arguing over parental duties for first time | Science/AAAS | News
Zebra finches squawk at each other if someone is shirking its duty
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Video: Birds observed arguing over parental duties for first time | Science/AAAS | News
The use of neonicotinoid pesticides may be contributing to the decline of butterflies in the UK, a study has revealed.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Butterfly Conservation – Neonicotinoid pesticides linked to butterfly declines
The RSPB North Bucks Local Group will be visiting Summer Leys Reserve on 5Dec15. Click here for more details.
Drowning is the mysterious cause of death amongst groups of young common starlings according to a team of scientists led by ZSL.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Drowned starlings puzzle scientists | Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
Discover 6 fascinating facts about the Buglife November Invertebrate of the Month: Two-spot ladybird
Source: 6 two-spot ladybird facts you need to know | Discover Wildlife
BIRDS
Redwings – St.Giles Church meadow and Tattenhoe Park
Fieldfares – Tattenhoe Park
Lesser Redpolls – Tattenhoe Park
Siskins – St.Giles Church meadow, Tattenhoe
Red Kite – Tattenhoe
Common Buzzard – Water Spinney, Tattenhoe
Tawny Owl calling – Howe Park Wood (Sunday 22nd)
Sightings Harry Appleyard
MAMMALS
Daubenton’s bats still roosting under M1 bridge at Pineham – probably now safe to say they are hibernating here
Roe Deer buck at Elfield Park (20th)
Otter seen from Far Hide at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve. Also a Weasel crossing road into reserve (24th)
Sightings Martin Kincaid
Something to help you remember summer, a video of a Hummingbird Hawkmoth
Conservation Officer Caroline Kelly reveals a breakthrough for one of the UK’s rarest butterflies.
The highly threatened Heath Fritillary has recovered this year after struggling following a series of cold springs to record a fantastic 2015, Butterfly Conservation (BC) are delighted to reveal.The butterfly has responded well to targeted management at a number of its UK strongholds with high numbers reported.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article Butterfly Conservation – Good news for the Heath Fritillary
Wild About Gardens have produced a guide on how to help hedgehogs. Click here to read the guide.
Hundreds of wildflower species are still going strong in the unusually mild conditions…
Click on the link to read the rest of the article Blooming late | Blog | About us
Ouch – nettle sting. Let’s look for a dock leaf. But will it actually work?
Source: Do dock leaves really soothe nettle stings? | Discover Wildlife
Transition MK invite you to join us at our MK Climate Change Gathering
Saturday 28th November, 1 – 2pm, meeting at MK Rose in Campbell ParkClick on this link for more information.
Scientists can now monitor the health of coral reefs, even in the most remote regions scattered around the globe where it is otherwise difficult to see changes, thanks Earth-observing satellite data.
Click in the link to continue reading the article Wildlife Extra News – Satellites allow scientists to monitor health of coral reefs
Click this link to download The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme Annual Report for 2014 (PDF document) .
A special design of miniature ‘beetle cottage’ is helping to promote the survival of one of the UK’s rarest beetles.
Click here to read the rest of the story.
Butterfly Conservation’s report on Moths “Mothy Mutterings” for October 2015 can be downloaded by clicking here.
A BBC Earth article on the plight of hedgehogs and how we can help them. Click the link to read the article.
Wed 18th November.
BTO presentation.
Doors open 19:15hrs for 19:30 start.
Kenny Cramer, BTO Bird Ringer.
A presentation on bird ringing.
Free to Friends of LLNR,
Contributions to BTO welcome.
Refreshments and home-made cakes available.
The RSPB North Bucks Local Group will be hosting a General Knowledge Fun Quiz Night on 20Nov15. Click here for more details.
Ian has produced another of his excellent site descriptions, this time covering Linford Lakes Nature Reserve.
The new page can be found on the Wildlife Sites section of the website, or by clicking this link. Enjoy!
BIRDS
5 Common Snipe outside bird hide at Willen Lake (7th – MK)
Barn Owls hunting over Stanton Low Fields (9th – MK)
Merlin reported from Leckhampstead (8th)
Black Redstart at Broughton (8th)
SNOW BUNTING reported over CMK this morning! (10th)
Mistle Thrush – St.Giles Church meadow, Tattenhoe
Redwings and Fieldfares – Tattenhoe
Siskins – St.Giles Church meadow, Tattenhoe
Lesser Redpolls – Tattenhoe
Yellowhammers – Tattenhoe Park
Red Kites – West Bletchley, Westcroft and Tattenhoe
Sightings Martin Kincaid & Harry Appleyard
INSECTS
HYMENOPTERA
Buff-tailed Bumblebee queen Bombus terrestris – Stanton Low fields (9th )
ORTHOPTERA
Oak Bush-cricket – 2 females at Campbell Park Pavilion (6th)
FUNGI
Beefsteak Fungus Fistulina hepatica on mature ash in Linford Wood (6th)
Insectile and Fungal sightings – Martin Kincaid
10:00- 16:00hrs.
Introduction to Birdwatching Event
With Keith Gander
Walk starts at 11:00am.
(Meet at centre at 10:30am)
Families welcome.
Also
Crafts, quizzes, second hand books,
Home- made Cakes.
Come and explore our reserve.
Your families and friends are welcome.
Source: Seven things worth knowing about mosquitoes
The RSPB North Bucks Local Group will be visiting Paxton Pits Nature Reserve on 15Nov15. Click here for more details.
The revelation that the UK’s oldest tree is showing signs of switching sex has sparked much excitement in the world of horticultural science. The Fortingall yew (main image) in Perthshire, Scotland, having apparently spent 5,000 years as a male tree, has suddenly produced female berries. So what is going on?
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Can trees really change sex?
Click on this link to download David Domoney’s Complete Guide to Making Your Own Insect Hotel in PDF format.
Click here if you are interested in other guides by David Domoney.
The RSPB North Bucks Local Group will be hosting a talk about wolves on 12Nov15. Click here for more details.
BIRDS
(all Harry Appleyard)
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
ODONATA
Common Darters – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
ORTHOPTERA
Sightings Martin Kincaid and Harry Appleyard
PLANTS – ANGIOSPERMS
Harebells still in flower at Stonepit, Great Linford
New research from RSPB Centre for Conservation Science has found that UK Dotterel numbers have fallen by 57%
Wild About Gardens www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk have produced a booklet on how to help hedgehogs. Click this link to download the booklet in PDF format.
Source: How to make your own frog hibernaculum | Discover Wildlife
The RSPB North Bucks Local Group will be visiting Caldecotte Lakes on 4Nov15. Click here for more details.
10:00- 13:00 hrs.
Refreshments provided.
Jobs in hand; cleaning bird boxes.
General cutting and trimming of vegetation,
other ‘household jobs’ as required.
Throughout September and October, award-winning arts charity Create brought together disabled and non-disabled students from White Spire School and Milton Keynes Academy to create artwork to enhance Milton Keynes’ redway network. Although access to the natural environment is widely understood to be beneficial, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs found that those with learning disabilities and young people are much less likely to access it despite health and social benefits being particularly advantageous to these groups. The wildlife living within the redway network has provided fruitful inspiration for these young artists including lapwings, woodpeckers, bats and buzzards.
Guided by Create’s professional visual artist Daniel Lehan, the young people have produced some clay birds, built a ‘bird hotel’ and producing models of other wildlife which they have painted and collaged. These designs will be used as inspiration by a professional artist, being commissioned by intu Milton Keynes, for a new artwork to be included in the redways. The young people’s original artwork will be displayed at intu Milton Keynes during January 2016 after being included in a two month exhibition at KPMG in Canary Wharf London.
The project has been designed by Create in consultation with intu Milton Keynes to enable local young people with and without disabilities to collaborate creatively and, in the process, feel welcomed into these green spaces by involving them in the decision-making around their improvement.
Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Create, Nicky Goulder, commented, “It’s fantastic to see this project bringing together young people from different backgrounds and fostering relationships between those with and without disabilities. Not only that but we’re seeing how the creative arts can be used to get young people engaging with their local natural environment and experiencing the benefits.
Shelley Peppard, general manager at intu Milton Keynes, added: “We are delighted to be involved in this project; it’s lovely to see these young people working together to create something so positive for the local community. This artwork will vastly improve areas of Milton Keynes’ redways; we want these green areas to be somewhere that we can all be proud of and that will attract more people to enjoy being outdoors, and the benefits that come with that.”
Join Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s Living Seas Officer Emily Cunningham for a virtual tour of our local seas – snorkel not required
Source: The weird and wonderful creatures of the Irish Sea – Wildlife – Cheshire
A map has been produced of Starling Murmurations.
This map will be updated with sightings of Starling Murmurations throughout the UK. These are just the actual roost sights and not groups of Starlings flying overhead. If you see any murmurations at roost sites, then please let us know, thank you
Source: Starling Murmurations In The UK
You may also like to read Paul Manchester’s excellent description and video of murmurations in Wolverton in 2014
Bonfires lit at 5pm, fireworks at around 6.00pm.
Celebrating fire, the magic of autumn and all things Pagan, arrangements will be similar to last year with a shuttle bus running from Prospect Place, Newport Rd, Emberton, MK46 5JQ from 4.45pm to 5.45pm. Return shuttle 7.30pm-8.30pm.
Only limited car parking is available so spaces (£10 per car) MUST be pre-booked via info@hollingtonwood.com or Philip on 07762 441275.
In order to cover our costs, donations will be expected. We suggest adults £10, children £5, families £25.
Refreshments including home-made soup, home-grown sausages and mulled wine & cider will be available.
Not for the faint-hearted, but for the reckless and brave fireworks lighting up the trees is an unforgettable experience!
Discover Wildlife has produced a handy guide to identify 12 wild fruits this autumn.
Chris Ward of the RSPB North Bucks Local Group will be presenting a talk about waders. Click here for more details.
Royal Fern found close to lake, Stockgrove Country Park (MK – 18th)
Field Poppy still in flower along grid roads.
Fleabane still in flower, North Bucks Way (MK – 19th)
Common Darter dragonflies flying at Tattenhoe (Harry Appleyard) and Willen Lake (MK)
Feathered Thorn moth in trap – Gordon Redford’s garden, Newport Pagnell (GR – 18th)
Roesel’s Bush-crickets still stridulating at Linford Lakes (MK – 20th)
Raven seen at Little Horwood (HA – 17th)
2 Stonechats reported from Manor Farm pits (19th)
4 Green Sandpipers and 3 Black Swans at North Willen Lake (MK – 20th)
Redwing numbers building up across MK
2 Brown Hares at Oakhill Wood (MK – 20th)
2 Common Pipistrelles found in bat box, Linford Lakes N.R. (MK – 16th)
Common Pipistrelles and Noctule bats at Manor Farm, Old Wolverton (MK – 20th)
Sightings Martin Kincaid (MK) and Harry Appleyard (HA)
If you mix with circles interested in astronomy, you may be hearing some excited talk about the Orionid shower. What is it, and why should you care? Here’s everything you need to know.What is the Orionid shower?
Source: Orionid shower: Keep an eye to the sky on Wednesday | Alphr
The RSPB North Bucks Local Group will be visiting Farmoor Reservoir on 25Oct15. Click here for more details.
Stuart Skeates from the British Mycological Society introduces six species that can be spied out on a country ramble this month.
It may not have been a bumper summer for butterflies, but the UK public defied the cold, wet weather to make big butterfly count 2015 the biggest ever.
Impressive new records for big butterfly count participation were set. Over 52,000 people took part in the 2015 event, smashing the previous high of 46,400 in 2013. For the first time over 50,000 counts were submitted (map of 2015 counts) via the website and free smartphone apps, from St James’s Park in central London to Sutherland. We also had the highest ever big butterfly count effort on a single day during this year’s event – over 5,300 counts were completed on Saturday 8 August. A huge thank you to everyone who took part this year!
In the six annual big butterfly count events that have taken place so far, over 208,000 counts have been undertaken, each a 15 minute survey for 20 target species of butterflies and moths.
As usual, Sir David Attenborough led the publicity for this year’s big butterfly count with interviews on television and radio, as well as widespread coverage in the newspapers and online. As a result, almost 108,000 people visited the big butterfly count website between April and August.
Clich here to read the full article: big butterfly count
A picture of a red fox standing over the bloodied body of an Arctic fox wins the prestigious 2015 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Source: Warring foxes take top wildlife photo prize – BBC News
BIRDS
1 Peregrine, 1 Kestrel, 1 Red Kite and 2 Buzzards at Little Linford Wood (11th)
2 Green Sandpipers and 1 Dunlin at Manor Farm quarry (12th)
Redwings – Tattenhoe
Siskins – Tattenhoe
Lesser Redpolls – Tattenhoe and Oakhill Wood
Skylarks – Tattenhoe
Grey Wagtails – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
MAMMALS
2 Dormice, 1 Pygmy Shrew and numerous Woodmice found in boxes – Little Linford Wood (11th)
Roe Deer seen on edge of Little Linford Wood (Dormouse Group members).
Water Shrew at Linford Lakes N.R. (12th)
American Mink at North Willen Lake (Phil Marsh – 11th)
LEPIDOSAURIA
3 Slow Worms – Elfield Park (9th)
2 Grass Snakes – Walton Lake (11th)
AMPHIBIA
Common Toads – Tattenhoe Park
Common Newt – Tattenhoe Park
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
Comma butterflies – Tattenhoe
HYMENOPTERA
Hornets – Howe Park Wood
ODONATA
Southern Hawker – Howe Park Wood
Migrant Hawkers – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
TREES
Fantastic autumn colours along grid roads now. H5 between Willen Lake and City Centre is particularly good.
Scarlet Oaks in Campbell Park.
Sightings Martin Kincaid and Harry Appleyard
One of the rarest and most endangered British butterflies lives on Dunstable’s doorstep. It is called the Duke of Burgundy and every spring people come from other parts of England to see it at Totternhoe Quarry and on Dunstable and Whipsnade Downs. Come and hear Sarah Meredith from Butterfly Conservation tell us all about this fascinating little butterfly and what is being done to keep it alive and well in our area.
The attached PDF file shows the poster for the event.
To help the creatures that live in and around your pond survive the cold weather it is important to have a range of wildlife-friendly areas in your garden that will provide them with shelter in the water and on land. Areas of longer grass, overgrown corners, deep leaf litter or piles of wood or stones can provide a vital refuge for many creatures. Allow submerged plants to grow throughout a large area of the pond to provide cover, release oxygen into the water, and keep the pond healthy.
Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre) will be hosting an open day on Sunday 18th October 2015 from 10:00 – 16:00hrs.
Special Event
Fungi Walk & Talk.
By
Justin Long, Local Expert.Walk starts at 10:30am.
Also activities for children including
A visit and activities from the RSPB.
Crafts, quizzes, Home- made Cakes.
Come and explore our reserve.
Your families and friends are welcome.
The tunnels, bridges, aqueducts and surrounding countryside of our canals are packed with balletic bats just waiting to be seen as the sun sets. The summertime is full of opportunities to catch a glimpse of these glorious creatures as they swoop and soar while they catch their food on the wing. We’ve accumulated a list of the eight species we think you may be able to spot from your boat this season.
Source: 8 bat species to look out for on British waterways – Canal Boats – Canal Boat
The bristly millipede is quite an uncommon beast, so, when sorting through we were pleased to find a single specimen among our samples. They are a small and rarely observed species, usually found under bark or building render. They can also be found on beaches and are even known from the Sahara desert! Our specimen was found in leaf litter in the unlikely location of a wooded traffic roundabout in Milton Keynes. This is the first time this species has been recorded in Milton Keynes (and possibly the first time in the world on a roundabout!) There are no other records for this species in the Beds/Bucks region in the last 20 years. This information has been passed on to the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology via the national millipede recording scheme. www.bmig.org.uk
George McGavin investigates the dramatic life of the oak tree over the four seasons.
Continuing our recent theme of trees, this link will take you to a 90 minute programme about the Oak tree. Note this link will be unavailable after 29th October 2015.
Source: BBC iPlayer – Oak Tree: Nature’s Greatest Survivor
6th October 2015 is National Badger Day. This podcast (56:23) is part 1 of a podcast about badgers.
Press the red play button to listen to the podcast
https://soundcloud.com/talkingnaturally/tn011-badgers-part-1
BIRDS
Lesser Redpoll ringed at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (3rd)
2 Ravens, Marsh Tits at Stowe Gardens (4th – M Kincaid)
Tawny Owl calling at Hazeley Wood (7am on 4th Oct)
Goldcrests – 2 in Paul Lund’s Garden in Bancroft (2nd )
Long-tailed Tit – 5 in Paul Lund’s Garden in Bancroft (6th)
Remaining sightings Harry Appleyard:
Spotted Flycatcher – St.Giles Church meadow (30th Sept)
Stonechat – Tattenhoe Park (2nd October)
Swallows – Tattenhoe Park (3rd October)
Redwings – St.Giles Church meadow, Tattenhoe
Siskins – Tattenhoe Linear Park
Lesser Redpolls – Tattenhoe Linear Park
Ravens (x3) – Tattenhoe Park (1st October)
Tawny Owls calling – Howe Park Wood
MAMMALS
Daubenton’s bats still roosting in pipes under M1 at Pineham (5th Oct)
Hazeley Wood Mammal Survey – Sat 3rd/Sun 4th Oct:
Pipistrelle bats
Badger, Fox and Muntjac deer captured on trail cameras (Paul Lund/Tony Wood/M Kincaid)
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
Red Admiral, Comma, Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Small White still on the wing. (Sightings Martin Kincaid)
COLEOPTERA
7-spot, 22-spot, 24-spot, Orange and Harlequin ladybirds recorded at Hazeley Wood (Martin Kincaid/Helen Wilson).
ODONATA (Sightings by Harry Appleyard)
Emerald Damselflies – Tattenhoe Park
Southern Hawkers – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
FUNGI
Giant Puffballs Calvatia gigantea at Manor Farm, Old Wolverton (30th Sep) (Martin Kincaid)
The Wildlife Sites section on the website has been rewritten.
The old menus have been replaced with buttons which will take you to the page describing each location in detail.
There is another new feature, an interactive map to help you explore local reserves. Click on any of the map pins to show a brief summary of the reserve. Click on the More details link to go to the site description.
And that’s not all. Ian Saunders has written descriptions for Linford Wood and Stony Stratford Nature reserve and he will be producing descriptions on other wildlife sites in the area.
We hope you enjoy the new features, so get clicking and then go and explore your local wildlife sites.
Only 1% of families recognise the UK’s most common trees, according to new research by Unilever. How many can you identify?
Following on from this week’s excellent presentation on trees by Dr Alan Birkett you can now test your knowledge using the link below:
Source: Can you identify the UK’s most common trees? | Environment | The Guardian
Every year BMERC (Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre) organises a workshop for recorders and volunteers, which addresses some of the interests and issues related to recoding in the county.
For this autumn we have organized an exciting learning day on plant galls with Lawrence Bee.
Details for the event, with programme and map are included in the attached document (if you who would like a paper version we can send you a copy).
The workshop will take place on the October 11th 2015 from 10.00am to 4.30pm at Howe Park Wood, Milton Keynes (see the map and directions how to get there in attachment).
We still have few places left and we are happy for you to circulate the invitation if you think that might be of interest.
Please, for more details do not hesitate to contact me (cbernardini@buckscc.gov.uk) or BMERC (erc@buckscc.gov.uk). For those who are interested there are no booking forms, an email to the above addresses or a call at 01296 382431 will be enough.
Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre) will be hosting an open day on Saturday 10th October 2015 from 10:00 – 16:00hrs. Click here for more details.
‘A Bird Walk with Steph’
10.30am & 2.00pm £1.00 per person
(Suitable clothing and footwear advised, and bring lunch if you’d like to stay all day…)
More info from michelewelborn@homecall.co.uk
+
Centre open to visitors.
There is a viewing gallery, toilet facilities,
Second-hand books and bird food on sale.
Refreshments and home-made cakes available.
Friends and family made welcome,
come and enjoy our special reserve.
Please note:-
No Dogs Allowed on the Reserve.
The RSPB North Bucks Local Group will be hosting a talk about Goshawks. Click here for more details.
BIRDS
Redwing – St.Giles Church orchard, Tattenhoe (29th Sept)
Lesser Redpolls – Tattenhoe
Siskins – Tattenhoe
Meadow Pipits – Tattenhoe Park
Red Kites – Tattenhoe
Tawny Owls calling – Howe Park Wood and St.Giles Church orchard
MAMMALS
Brown Hare – Tattenhoe Park
INSECTS
ODONATA
Emerald Damselfly – Tattenhoe Park
Southern Hawkers – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
Brown Hawkers – Tattenhoe Park
Red-eyed Damselfly – Tattenhoe Park
Blue-tailed Damselflies – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
Common Blue Damselflies – Tattenhoe Park
Emerald Damselflies – Tattenhoe Park
LEPIDOPTERA
Brimstone – Tattenhoe
Peacock butterfly – Tattenhoe
Commas (Commae?) – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
(All above sightings by Harry Appleyard)
Hummingbird Hawkmoth in Paul Lund’s garden in Bancroft, 28th Sept. Paul took these photos of it:
Sunday 4th October from 10:00-13:00 is a work Sunday at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre).
“Many hands are needed to help.
Refreshments available.”
Study reveals that owls’ flight feathers absorb aerodynamic sound and suppress vibrations, allowing them to swoop on their quarry in perfect silence
Read on: Owls use ‘stealth technology’ to help capture prey | Science | The Guardian
The RSPB North Bucks Local Group will be visiting Stony Stratford Nature Reserve on 07Oct15. Click here for more details.
The BTO has reported that Wet summer delays garden dragonflies Click on the link to read the rest of the article
Discover 7 fascinating facts about the swallowtail.
Source: 7 things you didn’t know about the swallowtail | Discover Wildlife
Every year BMERC (Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre) organises a workshop for recorders and volunteers, which addresses some of the interests and issues related to recoding in the county.
For this autumn we have organized an exciting learning day on plant galls with Lawrence Bee.
Details for the event, with programme and map are included in the attached document (if you who would like a paper version we can send you a copy).
The workshop will take place on the October 11th 2015 from 10.00am to 4.30pm at Howe Park Wood, Milton Keynes (see the map and directions how to get there in attachment).
We still have few places left and we are happy for you to circulate the invitation if you think that might be of interest.
Please, for more details do not hesitate to contact me (cbernardini@buckscc.gov.uk) or BMERC (erc@buckscc.gov.uk). For those who are interested there are no booking forms, an email to the above addresses or a call at 01296 382431 will be enough.
To get you started, here is a a link on how to identify plant galls.
Nearly one in five bird species in Europe is at risk of extinction, say the BirdLife International.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Wildlife Extra News – Once common European birds at risk of extinction
Scientists find the first ever four-legged snake, which lived at the time of the dinosaurs and probably dug burrows.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Four-legged snake ancestor ‘dug burrows’ – BBC News
BBOWT have asked us to publicise their Wildlife Watch Club on Friday 25th September 6pm to 8pm at Moore Crescent Pavilion Houghton Hall Park, Houghton Regis.
The evening will start with pizza followed by den building and bat detecting!
( parents welcome to join in too) only 50p per child.
Click on the photo on the right to see more details.
To book please contact Tracey McMahon on Tel: 07948532662
Email: WildlifeWatch.HoughtonRegis@gmail.com
Cocker, Mark (2014) Claxton: Field Notes from a Small Planet Jonathan Cape
The book consists of 140 columns over a 12 year period from The Guardian, The Guardian Weekly and other publications. It’s written like a journal and most of pieces are based on his experiences and observations in and around the village of Claxton, Norfolk although writings about other places to which he has travelled, are included. Mark Cocker says ‘Claxton is above everything a book about place, but is also a celebration of the way in which a particular location can give shape and meaning to one’s whole outlook.’
Contribution by Mervyn Dobbin
Trilobite! : Eyewitness to Evolution by Richard Fortey, HarperCollins Flamingo 2001, ISBN 0 00 655138 6.
Contribution by Steve Brady
The Dragonfly diaries – The story of Europe’s first Dragonfly Sanctuary
by Ruary Mackenzie Dodds
Gods of the Morning: A Birds Eye View of a Highland Year
By John Lister Kaye
Contribution by Julie Lane
H is for Hawk – Helen Macdonald
Published 2014, Vintage
ISBN 978-0-099-57545-0
Look forward to seeing you at Hazeley Wood, 10.30 on Tuesday.
Contribution by Jean Cooke
Six books recommended by Mike LeRoy (see below – apologies for the layout but there was some annoying formatting that I couldn’t get rid of!)
Man-eaters of Kumaon
by Jim Corbett
Contribution by Linda Murphy
The Old Ways – a journey on foot
By Robert Macfarlane
Contribution by Viola Reed
2 books by Roger Deakin
‘Waterlog: A swimmer’s Journey Through Brittain’
‘Wildwood: A journey through Trees’
Contribution by Michèle Welborn
I have not included the full details of all these books but they are easy enough to find online.
Julie Lane
Wildlife Extra have reported:
Chris Denehy, the owner of Clear Water Paddling, was alerted to a dolphin’s distress just off the Isle of Barra in the Scottish Western Isles, reports The Scotsman. The local postman had spotted it on his round in the secluded Northbay.
Denehy, with help from two companions, is seen via his helmet-mounted camera using his hands and paddle to free the panicked dolphin. When it finally makes it into open water the young dolphin is seen breaching, as if in leaping around in delight.
Denehy, who has been running kayak trips on the island for 14 years, said to The Scotsman: “The postman stopped me and said, ‘Can you go see if you can get the dolphin out?’ We were one of the kayak trips that we run.
“There were three juvenile dolphins. One of them was really trapped in the weeds. He was literally drowning because the weed was pulling him under.
“They are very small, we think they might be juveniles that were split from the pod. There is a resident pod in the sound of Barra.”
BIRDS
Swifts – Oakhill Wood
Common Snipe – Tattenhoe Park
Red Kites – Tattenhoe Park
Tawny Owls calling – Howe Park Wood
(Sightings from Harry Appleyard)
MAMMALS
Brown Rat – Tattenhoe Linear Park (this national rarity reported by Harry Appleyard!)
INSECTS
ODONATA
Emerald Damselfly – Tattenhoe Park
Blue-Tailed Damselfly – Tattenhoe Park
Common Blue Damselflies – Tattenhoe Park
ORTHOPTERA
Speckled Bush Cricket ovipositing by Giffard Park Footbridge
(Orthoptera Steve Brady, identified by Paul Lund, Odonata Harry Appleyard)
An image of gannets on a Shetland Island clifftop leads this year’s stunning selection of winning photographs that capture the diversity of British wildlife
Click on the link to see more stunning pictures.
Source: The British Wildlife Photography Awards 2015 winners – in pictures | Environment | The Guardian
Source: In defence of bats: beautifully designed mammals that should be left in peace
Many thanks to Corinna for providing a link to this article.
The last work party for the year at Pilch field will be on Sunday 20th September. 1-4pm.
Tools will be provided – I now have 2 mattocks, as well as the gloves, spades, forks and loppers.
Hopefully the weather will be kind to us this time.
The main task will be to dig up invasive hawthorn bushes. Everyone works to their own pace and abilities. It’s a sociable work party and refreshments will be provided.
We would welcome anybody to join us. Stout footwear is essential. Tools and gloves will be provided but it might be useful if people bring gloves if they prefer to use their own.
Pilch field is situated on the bend of Pilch Lane, which can be accessed from the A421 or Great Horwood. The postcode of the chicken farm next door is MK17 0NX and the map reference is SP 748 321. Parking is on the verge only. Click here for a map.
Everyone is welcome. If you would like more information, please contact Ann Biggins annieqq@hotmail.co.uk or telephone 01296 714052 (mob 07961960802) for more information.
Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre) will be hosting an open day on Sunday 20th September 2015 from 10:00 – 16:00hrs.
“Hides and centre open to all.
Friends and family welcome.
Migration is now under way,
Come and see what is passing through.”
“An increase in drought conditions caused by climate change could result in the extinction of six UK butterfly species by 2050.” Click here to read more.
This article in The Independent looks at the alarming decline in the number of Spotted Flycatchers were are now seeing.
BIRDS
Flock of 12 Siskins and Tawny Owl at Hazeley Wood (5th – MK/Carol Watts) and Siskins at Tattenhoe (Harry Appleyard)
Meadow Pipit – Oakhill Wood (HA)
Tawny Owl – Howe Park Wood (HA)
Greenshank at Manor Farm, Old Wolverton (6th – Ashley Boleons)
Red Crested Pochard female at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (5th )
Late Swifts still being reported!
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
Small Heaths – Kingsmead Wood and Tattenhoe Park
Red Admiral – St Giles Church orchard
Painted Lady – Tattenhoe Park
Hummingbird Hawkmoth in Paul Lund’s garden in Bancroft
ODONATA
Southern Hawkers – Howe Park Wood
Brown Hawkers – Howe Park Wood and Tattenhoe Park
Emperor Dragonflies – Tattenhoe Park
Common Blue Damselfies – Tattenhoe Park
Blue-tailed Damselfly – Tattenhoe Park
(All insect sightings Harry Appleyard except for Hummingbird Hawkmoth)
MAMMALS
Weasel at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (3rd, Martin Kincaid)
1 Short tailed vole and 1 Fox recorded on Hazeley Wood Mammal Survey (6th, Martin Kincaid/Carol Watts/Di Parsons)
LEPIDOSAURIA
50+ Common Lizards (adults and juveniles) at Stockgrove Country Park (MartinKincaid/Helen Wilson)
Grass Snakes at Stony Stratford Nature Reserve and Tattenhoe Park (Harry Appleyard).
FUNGI
Fly Agaric, Dung Roundhead and Common Earth-ball among the fungi at Rammamere Heath (5th)
The RSPB North Bucks Local Group will be visiting Manor Farm on 13Sep15. Click here for more details.
Corinna has kindly supplied a link to a fascinating article about how magpies are perceived:
Magpies, wherever they live, haunt folklore. Sometimes they appear as a sinister omen, but equally often as a friend. In the UK, a lone magpie is considered especially ominous and it is commonplace to voice a respectful enquiry as to the health of its wife and children. Conversely in China and Korea magpies are seen as bringing good luck.
Click on the link to read the article in full: In defence of magpies
Wikipedia has the following entry about the nursery rhyme referred to in the article
One for Sorrow is a traditional children’s nursery rhyme about magpies. According to an old superstition, the number of magpies one sees determines if one will have bad luck or not.
There is considerable variation in the lyrics used. A common modern version follows:One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret,
Never to be told
Perhaps someone would like to write an article explaining how the Magpie was chosen as the symbol for the Society?
The ancestor of snakes today was a nocturnal, stealth-hunting predator that had tiny hindlimbs with ankles and toes, say scientists.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Wildlife Extra News – Snake ancestors found to have ankles and toes
Mike LeRoy has kindly provided me with a copy of the briefing notes that he handed out on the walk that he and Gordon Redford led on 25th August 2015 around the Tattenhoe Park area.
Click here to read this very informative and interesting document.
BIRDS
Spotted Flycatchers – St Giles Church orchard (Tattenhoe) and Tattenhoe Park
Pair of redstarts – St Giles Church meadow (27th August)
Coal Tit – Howe Park Wood
MAMMALS
Badger – Howe Park Wood
INSECTS
LEPIDOPTERA
Brown Argus – Kingsmead Wood
Small Heaths – Tattenhoe Park
Red Admiral Tattenhoe Park
ODONATA
Southern Hawkers – Howe Park Wood ponds
Brown Hawkers – Howe Park Wood ponds
Emerald Damselfly – Howe Park Wood ponds
All information provided by Harry Appleyard
The RSPB North Bucks Local Group will be hosting a talk about a tour of Northern India. Click here for more details.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare have produced a report on the impact of foxes in Britain. Click here to download the report.
The genomes of modern birds reveal how they emerged and evolved after the mass extinction that wiped out dinosaurs 66 million years ago, reports Smithsonian Science.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Wildlife Extra News – The evolution of modern bird species revised by major new study
Sunday 6th September from 10:00-13:00 is a work Sunday at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre).
Planned activities include Cutting & raking in meadows.
Refreshments available.
Click here for more details.
The brighter the ladybird the more toxic it is to predators, new research from the Universities of Exeter and Cambridge show.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Wildlife Extra News – A ladybird’s colour reveal its level of toxicity
Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (formerly known as Hanson Environmental Study Centre) will be hosting an open day on Saturday 5th September 2015 from 10:00 – 16:00hrs. Click here for more details.
Home made cakes and refreshments available.
Centre and hides open, second hand books on sale.
They will be exploring for Grass-hoppers and Crickets with some expert help on hand for advice.
There are two sessions at 10:45 & 13:30
£1.50 per adult £3.00 a family.
The Times of Malta has reported the first convictions of hunters shooting birds illegally in this year’s spring hunting season on the islands, which began on 14 April.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Wildlife Extra News – First convictions in Malta for illegal shooting of a Cuckoo and a Lapwing
The RSPB North Bucks Local Group will be visiting Rutland Water on 02Sep15. Click here for more details.
A study in Spain has uncovered an interesting relationship between Carrion Crows and Great Spotted Cuckoos, reports Springer’s journal Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Wildlife Extra News – Carrion Crows in Spain thrive when they have a cuckoo in the nest
There has been a substantial increase in common dolphin numbers off western Scotland in recent years, and this is to be studied by Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust in a new season of marine research expeditions beginning in May.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Wildlife Extra News – Double the sightings of common dolphins in the Hebrides
MAMMALS
Badger reported in daylight at Stonepit Copse, Great Linford – 21st Aug. Another seen by Harry Appleyard in Howe Park Wood
Noctule bats in bat boxes at Kingsmead Spinney – 21st Aug.
Roe Deer – Elfield Park, 22nd Aug.
BIRDS
Green Sandpipers at Manor Farm Quarry, Stony Stratford N.R., Linford Lakes and Willen Lake.
Common Sandpipers at Linford Lakes and Willen Lake.
Greenshank at Manor Farm Quarry (20th Aug)
Pair of Ravens at Tattenhoe Park – Harry Appleyard, 23rd Aug.
possible Goshawk seen at Gayhurst Wood – Chris Coppock, 23rd Aug.
Red Kites x 2 Bletchley (Harry Appleyard)
Tawny Owl – Howe Park Wood (Harry Appleyard)
INSECTS
ORTHOPTERA
Migrant Hawker, Brown Hawker, Common and Ruddy Darters on wing at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve (22nd Aug)
LEPIDOPTERA
Silver Washed Fritillary still flying at Oakhill Wood (19th Aug)
(all data Martin Kincaid, Biodiversity Officer, Parks Trust unless otherwise stated)
Bridges built to carry wildlife over roads and railways are preventing species from becoming isolated and reducing the number of accidents, according to a study published today (27 July) by Natural England. ” Click here to read more.
The first-ever assessment of all European wild bee species shows that 9.2% are threatened with extinction, while 5.2% are considered likely to be threatened in the near future.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Wildlife Extra News – One in 10 bee species faces extinction
Black-headed Gulls in urban environments are better at responding to human foods than their rural counterparts, shows new research in Bird Study, the Journal of the British Trust for Ornithology.
Click on the link to read the rest of the article: Wildlife Extra News – Urban gulls found to favour fast food