Wildlife Watch Issue 98 Summer 2021

FREE! GIVE A SUPER Issue 98 Summer 2021 HOBBY HOOT SEAGRASS POSTER Get to know Discover underwater tawny owls meadows ANNABEEW AMSAPKLIANSGH Meet the squid-scoffing wildlife that pretends to be a bee! Risso’s dolphin S The weird

WILD THINGS News from our Wildlife Watchers Ecodrintoerr’s SALT DOUGH SAFARI TOM HIBBERT It was great to see lots of Watch readers MINIBEAST sharing photos of their salt dough creatures, MANSION Editor, Wildlife Watch using the ‘Make your own…’ guide in the winter issue of Wildlife Watch. Here are a few Summer is here! The of the wonderful creations! Edward (aged 6) days are long and warm from Wiltshire made this amazing hedgehog and full of wildlife, with (right), and Charles and Veronica (aged 6) from plenty of exciting animals and Oxfordshire created the whole safari worth of amazing plants to discover. creatures you can see above! In this issue, we explore two NATURE RANGER incredible wild places you can find in the UK. On page six, you Adam (aged 12) from Yorkshire learnt all can dive beneath the waves to about hedgehogs as part of his Wildlife discover seagrass meadows, Watch Nature Ranger award. As well as the wonderful watery places discovering lots of fascinating facts, Adam came where seahorses live. On page up with activities like baking hedgehog cakes. 12, you can find out all about Here he is making a ‘track trap’ to see if any our very own rainforests! hedgehogs visit his garden. We’ve got plenty of animals to discover too, including tawny owls (page 20) and Risso’s dolphins (page 22). Our ‘Weird Nature’ section (page 16) is all about animals that share their name with food, from strawberry anemones to marmalade hoverflies. We love to hear about the wildlife you see on your adventures, so don’t forget to send us your photos and stories! GET IN TOUCH Four-year-old Tom from Shropshire built this magnificent four-story bug hotel at the Email us at: end of his garden. He [email protected] used old pallets and garden waste, and even turned Ring us on: an old chimney pot into a 01636 677711 hedgehog den. Amazing! Write to us at: Wildlife Watch The Kiln Mather Road Newark Notts NG24 1WT wildlifetrusts @wildlifetrusts thewildlifetrusts WildlifeWatchUK

Temperate rainforest © Peter Cairns / 2020VISION IN Cover pic Risso’s dolphin © Chase Dekker Minden / naturepl THIS 14 Tawny owl © Margaret Holland 12 ISSUE 16 Regulars 02 Wild Things 04 The Science Section Fact-packed discoveries 0 5 Your Stories 10 Nature on Your Doorstep Summer sensations 11 Water Vole Poster 14 Gallery 1 6 Weird Nature Animals with foody names 17 How to… Make a beetle bucket 22 Feature Creature Risso’s dolphin 23 Do Plants Flower at Different Times? 24 Competitions Red admiral butterfly by Watch reader. Ava 20 Features 06 Seagrass Secrets 08 Wild Walks 12 Our Very Own Rainforest! 18 Wannabees Looks can be deceiving! 20 Tawny Owls Sandwich tern © Tom Hibbert WILDLIFE WATCH 98 Editor: Tom Hibbert Editorial Team: Abi Paine, Joanna Richards, Leanne Smart, Mike Watson, Charlotte Varela Check out wildlifetrusts. org/privacy-policy to find out how we keep your information safe. What’s Wildlife Watch? packed full of amazing pictures, Wildlife Watch is the junior posters and competitions. branch of The Wildlife Trusts. We also have a really wild Join Wildlife Watch and start your website and e-newsletter nature adventure. Prices range full of wild ideas and from £10-£24 per year for child- nature-spotting tips. Plus only membership and £30-£60 you get access to local WAKTECEHPING! for family membership. events and groups. Go You’ll receive a starter pack to wildlifewatch.org.uk and four issues of Wildlife to find out more. Watch magazine a year. This is

The Science Se ction In every issue this year we’ll be bringing you a fact-packed science section, sharing recent discoveries about weird and wonderful wildlife and explaining the meaning of some scientific words. WILD WORDSImpressDNA dee-en-ay) E(TpWLhtahrteYhotinemAheawdnTeennesoilpRnihybneturtgoiregonlAynaetldcfteelrcatycolcw,eeosetnteslvihdytn.eshtaegrreeoyrasemtflhpicn-ase.eoo’tWcpbmywfaleehyueilneli-epentgtondlrgeasua,i.ntt.)’sd CETACEAN your friends with new (pronounced (pronounced se-tay-shun) words from A member of the group of the world DdmtmthcNoeoaoaofaAgnltDxnerwiycuNlsoeruaowiAsabllreh,,rokanotisnfnenorluclltoduliilkcftnunoslefegdudrfiaincrntionhncgamteiilconiwvibdnasihnot..rasgdSIutatycctimsshitheipoiapnonenltwgceissietss aquatic mammals commonly of wildlife called whales, dolphins and science! porpoises. These animals are all grouped into the order Cetacea (se-tay-shuh). the sample came from. RECENT DISCOVERIES MOTH MUNCHERS © Vaughn Matthews A recent study has used Barbastelle bats love to eat moths like this dun-bar the poo of barbastelle bats to figure out what these rare bats have been eating. The scientists identified the DNA of 120 ooaduulimfttfetwohrseehtnabattelpltshroteefwytbhaiateeytmmstolsiwkpieenrortetothemeecatbottath,htwessm.’epB.coyaofni,nafdigninudgre CLEVER GULLS Lesser black-backed gull © Andy Overall ave you ever seen gulls H hanging out around your school? Scientists in Bristol htahhfoainanavvdvdveiisenmsidtglceiosrslaacrucnhrponniosnvctoehgttolrheobgaedrrrteaoettatuhha!kniatsAi,dtnswisgsgphudtshaelunlsernratianbcporkgefuesstplh.tmuiTeltnsiohimcrareheserttgeiulmtiuokdleelysl,y put tiny backpacks with the scientists on 12 lesser black-backed GPS trackers 04 gulls, to record their movements.

SYTOOURRIES Hansel the hedgehog wgs e–aiElundrv5dmoe!0eunWmn0gtu.eehgaWr.rtleHroleyeleelghseaoaweasswsabeoreseadmhacwhihemckeeihmiaiinnegevsdthayionettticnthothgesuer whsOiduneahnasdweter.ghnkIHeentwshaiwhggeonhaaagsrtprs,eedewlMlHeehagnaaanea,nsgndlIeslnoedsMwupalseoialwn,ougwgdornaeaktunoirdlniseetwd.gtxylatefrodrs and spitting h cCHahiwamsfflerawraaTHoltieaoGlwsnhanmshvweosaWacnmpeqtinesteatdusnsanedieeeeeuanstgmssrgrrrPwcsahle-gccra’eeeaaffiiasilihaieepoaadoftlmrenllri,wssek!iezdsleesmenigglonyeo.dycsdtedaihentidnit,gTPnfntonpsheoiorooeeJnhaecoladistnwrefasthogoewdout.hotyawHhoehee,hnmr,efWhshgiditHsaneebbcgooei,eegmenaiwahueaanbxudgdwusn,rtronyerhcaglndiehowasonfotdaargeHaelhooensod.ehutvuhtnfeaulkeaeeriWniahooynwnsosnnfowegnpeseiseu.hrntsre.eiassaregi,iehwnltycnpnreaeauinwgyndse. by Sophie (aged 8) on his spines, which has W e fostered something to do a hedgehog with smelling. We from a rescue sometimes saw centre. Hansel the hedgehog was found him in our garden as a hoglet with his sister after his release – they were both very and on the night cold. Unfortunately, his sister died on the first day at the rescue centre. After a little bit, Hansel came to stay “I saw a little with us. dark shape galloping Our first time towards us…” weighing Hansel was very funny. After escaping from the pot where we were weighing him, he ran past me so close that his fury face and caught him. We started toTSYHoOApUhNieK! Do you want to write for spikes brushed against my weighing him in a higher- the magazine? Send leg. Hedgehog faces are walled box, but then Hansel your stories and ideas to so soft, but they look wiry. weed in it so that box had [email protected]! Then he passed beneath to be replaced by another the sofa but eventually daddy high-walled pot. 05Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 2021

SEAGRASS SECRETS Seagrasses are the only flowering plants in the UK that can live in the sea and pollinate underwater. Because they need lots of sunlight, they’re found in clear, shallow water around the coast. Just like grass on land, seagrasses can grow in big meadows that are home to lots of wildlife. They also help fight climate change by taking in carbon from the water. Let’s meet some of the creatures that hide in the seagrass! Snakelocks anemone These anemones stick to the seagrass and catch passing prey with their stinging tentacles. Nudibranch Also known as sea slugs, these colourful creatures munch on algae and other things that live on the seagrass. Cuttlefish Colour-changing cuttlefish lay their eggs in seagrass meadows. Females attach clumps of black eggs (known as sea grapes) to the leaves. 06

Illustration by RACHEL HUDSON ILLUSTRATION Brent goose Some birds like to graze on seagrass at low tide. Brent geese come to the UK for winter and gather in large flocks around seagrass meadows. Corkwing wrasse Some wonderfully colourful fish live in our seas, like this corkwing wrasse! Stalked jellyfish Long-snouted seahorse These weird relatives of Did you know we have two jellyfish stick to blades of species of seahorse in the UK? seagrass and use their arms There’s the long-snouted (or spiny) to catch food that floats by. seahorse and the short-snouted seahorse. They use their tail to cling to seagrass blades. Plaice Seagrass meadows are a safe space for young fish to grow up, including flatfish like this plaice. 07

gWpothuoeAldlesLedaKxmteIoNergcGiersotehuISeaternsWadfofhOerewNolpvDisedrtEeoaRamsFyUteaoakLhre!enNulopsowtfme,oeabnlkelgyeinoiygsooidrtue.arsMtwgriarcaentlekaydstowetfovaueoysnumtmroalosoypcreaohtlaoawvf eraieldnbale.iafeSedno,v,iewtw’nsateaulk’lrvsieneo.g W WILD PHOTO RAINBOW TRAIL TREASURE HUNT or this activity, you’ll need a or this activity, you’ll Rewemcaoete-mfrr-bibeeanrsdteloydu, se F device that can take a photo. paints Ask a parent or carer to write F need an empty a list of things to spot and photograph. eggbox and some They will need to be things you know coloured paints. Paint each can be found in your local area. Head hole of the egg box a different out on your walk with your list and a colour that you can find in pen, to tick them off as you go. If there are a few people nature and allow the paint to on the walk, you could even make dry. Head out on your walk and try it a competition to see who can to fill the treasure box with wild finds, complete the list first! matching each one to a colour in the My photo trail: box. Remember not to pick up insects • An insect ••••A•SASTofowbmomlooeoeotstdpnshirefoiinnfmhgteurweogngrrtiintfgttloeraenweteurlreseeainvgessticks and animals! Instead, look out for things 08 that have already fallen on the ground. If you pick something like a dandelion for your treasure hunt, just take one, leaving plenty for pollinators. © Abi Paine wildlifewatch.org.uk

WALKSby Abi Paine AND TEST YOUR THEN… SENSES OANCTEIMUEP…ON Willow warbler © Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION his activity turns S ometimes we can AND miss the wonders T the things you of nature if we’re spot on your group out on a quick walk. Try this walk into a story that everybody THEN… dedicated sensory walk and gets to tell! One person in see what else you notice. For your group starts the story by this activity, you don’t need saying ‘Once upon a time’ and making any equipment, but it helps if up a sentence that ends with the words you have a ‘leader’ who keeps ‘and then’. The next person in the the time and leads the way, group adds the next sentence, so you don’t have to think too ending with ‘and then...’ much about the route! Hear birdsong until everyone in the During your walk, take three group has added a Fwiinsdpidledoamltistfieonawrgenadsathccwehtiie.vlodtistrliigefae.stu,k minutes to focus on each of the senses, sentence. Keep going round until you get to one at a time. Start off with sound – a natural ending and finish with ‘the end’. walking for three minutes listening out for every sound. Once the three minutes are up, the leader will give you the next So, for example, sense to focus on. Go through touch, you could start off © Amy Lewis sight and smell, each Smell wildflowers time doing it without with ‘Once upon a time, talking to each a family was walking along a other. At the end Honeysuckle © Niall Benvie / 2020VISION woodland trail, with the wind rustling of your walk, the trees and then…’. Use nature sit together and and your imagination to make it reflect on how it as wild as you like! made your walk different to normal, and what you noticed each time. Feel the textures of bark 09 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 2021

You dotna’kt ianlwg aaylosohkaavtestoomtreaovfelthfaerntaotsuerealatmreaazsinugrewsitlhdalitfec.aEnVbEeRfYouISnSdUclEoTseHtIoShYoEmAeR. we’re NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP SUMMER SENSATIONS Our summers are alive with wildlife, from bees and butterflies dancing around flowers, to birds finding food for their growing chicks. With so much going on, there’s lots of wildlife to be seen. HERE ARE SOME WILD WONDERS TO LOOK OUT FOR… White clover Swift © Philip Precey © Stefan Johansson bYowTohunhuitesittemewprfricilgetylhothtlvytafoeayluriiltsnsrtloghe(oasefrplvgoeeogwvttsehebnorreenfieseivstohelevf)eitasleelvientaeianvsfvgo,eeubsts!hnu.eCdt aifitln’nos wpycaooernurk,ssfoiidnraedanredacdoglumlaucrcmkdkyeoyncntlsoob.vMfleuinreo?dst Slctuoahwannrenoidgfyutehswnmruadirninorgtetgoroiasnfswthsctenieaulescfprrsvtoaesian,mndngddadrAbcinbfiiarntkiiictceokaalsiwtkn.htedLoaeisrfretedthhevaseeon.tnhlTUeoehssKureleteiyntdefo’orpbebnruwoetmihlosdhetam.iiinlsrsSetgtsewrscfarl,irsyfnestiosgnaofgsmlia,tk.hriweEneeagittoscohckfhtnaytehyelnlaeessna!itsrder en Common pipistrelle Elephant hawk-moth © Tom Marshall © Tom Marshall 10 Pfsytgjooeuiopauesuiirntds,d’ltdaetlrehesnnnaelteilslitemfecyassodotntmaashadrrtemetbapsstoanathpontyreekwdgpcsmehie,ieptteooesisrdrscetttatoor.oecrvTreoklelhe.nmtroejacomrtaeyneondlawlnarttalehhbsteeactawmhtsnsioondaipngspprpatatohehnrnecetod!imeUsBps.KuispLytwoaoisyoonutorkod’eurpeflclodeaalrio,knbtnbehob’ultevyetmenteoed utwcahToashtoheneindisscaeushfatylos.akstmbTshuahhreecienygkitridlhmpbectieyaenalositskgnetudhfrawipmntnoaidtldatolyahytghrtaeossrerteet(mstrteeuaehnbcearthetemtmset-lhotsomoihenotthamgkhfepsfl.oleieikiensddesiwfnfuaolgiocnnt.hhwesIsneauliearmtmspsh.hmeaoWatnedhnadrattt’nycswrathigitimprlthluoh,etnwwes,k,hyhf)vloeoilicosurwhibvtieesn,rgs

Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 112021 hvVuoenlrgeysry © Terry Whittaker / 2020VISION Water voles spend a lot of time eating. They eat about 80% of their body weight every day. They love to munch on grasses and waterside plants and are known to eat at least 227 different plant species!

© Peter Cairns / 2020VISION © Gill / Nature Scot / 2020VISIONOUR VERY OWN RAmagical world of tiny plants 12 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 2021 wildlifewatch.org.uk

JsaraaUnivdnLefIfosuErtnehwgsrteios.arSakthessenfpeohadrerPltwploasilfndpatfrllioogfewtre,oecaurtpsct,ehcpmaalralplietneydtrstahthtaeet WRAILINDFLOIFREEST Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest. Our temperate rainforests are home to lots of amazing wildlife, including… WRAEINHFAOVREEAST?! © Dave Genney When people think of rainforest, they usually think of tropical rainforests © Peter Cairns / 2020VISION in far off places like the Amazon or Borneo. But did you know that we have our very own rainforest right here in the UK? It’s a different kind of rainforest (called temperate rainforest), White script lichen but it’s just as full of interesting and rare animals and plants. The surface of white script lichen RAINFOREST!FINDING A FOREST is etched with patterns that look The kind of temperate rainforest you find in like writing. It is found nowhere else in the world except for Scotland’s rainforest! RUANIDNEFROTRHESRTESAT by © Tamasine Stretton STOJNUELMIEAN the UK is very rare, as only 1% of the planet Unfortunately, our rainforests are facing has the right climate for these rainforests to many threats, including pollution and plant faonrdmc.lTeahneyainreteodthhrigivher. aOinthfaelrl,hmotilsdpowtisnaterorsund diseases. One big problem is a bush called the world include the Pacific Northwest rhododendron that has escaped from gardens of America, the Chilean coast, and New and fills the rainforests, stopping other plants Pearl-bordered Zealand’s South Island. that climate change, fritillary In Europe, it’s also found in Iceland, from growing. Add to mild and wet conditions France, Spain, and the fjordlands which could alter the Once common in our ancient of southwest Norway – but the needed for rainforest to thrive, and you can rainforests, this is now one of very best examples of European see we have a big job on our hands to save our most threatened butterflies, this magical and precious place! suffering a 95% decline in just 40 years. rainforest are right here, along the SO WHAT NOW? west coast of Britain! The best © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION places to look are along Scotland’s Fortunately, an increasing number west coast, in Cumbria, north Wales of people are recognising how and southwest England. important our rainforest is. Charities like The Wildlife Trusts PRECIOUS PLANTS and Plantlife are working to protect our rainforest and introduce more people to its magic. There are lots of big plans The rainforest is a magical place to restore these wild places and make them to visit. But it isn’t actually the trees that make our rainforest so even bigger! If we all work together, we can special, it’s the tiny plants you find within save our precious rainforest. them – like mosses, liverworts and lichens. Huge numbers of these tiny plants, © Peter Cairns / 2020VISION Pied flycatcher in all kinds of shapes and colours, grow on every surface you can see. This beautiful songbird There can be hundreds of different migrates every spring species, including some that are rare from Africa to breed in or even found nowhere else in the our rainforests, where world! That’s why our rainforests are there are lots of insects internationally important, and we to eat and plenty of tree holes to nest in. need to look after them. 13 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 2021

GalleryScaTehshnaetdnhcpeineesyrttofoaeurfceretapnstthturaoyrertytoeoisnru, ts’phlleoewtegfimnoarsyll,aoeaurnyrry.twvIbfeoyurorydkuodarwinnandgrtwdlwerotaitlredwkrlsiiinfsefgoparikcryiktto!iesudt.r 2 4 1 3 6 5 14 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 2021

7 8 1) Tawny owl by Eryn, aged 7 9 Eryn has done a wonderful job of bringing 10 this gorgeous tawny owl to life. We can 11 almost hear it hooting! NNToTehWthww‘teGwesirElaiKHdamNitWterllihlOiklGaefniteltori2dW,hlyWM4ewluiefseTsaa1anWuaOttttTrcchbtry:ThhuejE’[email protected] 2) Red admiral by Ava, aged 8 12 This bright and bold butterfly perfectly captures the spirit of the red admiral. Have you seen one this year? 3) Nuthatch face paint by Brier-Rain, aged 12 This is something you don’t see often. Brier- Rain has painted a doll’s face to look just like a nuthatch. Brilliant! 4) Red squirrel by Dawn, aged 9 We love the textures in this drawing of a red squirrel, from the bushy tail to the spiky branches! 5) Hoopoe by Gwen, aged 8 Just look at that crest! Hoopoes don’t live in the UK, but sometimes take a wrong turn on migration and pass through in spring and autumn. 6) Hare by Lorna, aged 10 We love the beautiful colours used on Lorna’s hare, and those eyes are amazing! 7) Mute swan by Mia, aged 12 This photo is incredible! The contrast of black and white is striking. Swans are a tricky bird to photograph, but Mia has done it perfectly. 8) Fox by Niala, aged 14 Niala has really captured this furry fox. Just look at that rich, orange coat – gorgeous! 9) Red squirrel by Poppy, aged 11 What a lovely mosaic pattern on this squirrel and its acorn. Great job, Poppy! T1h0i)sLloonngg-t-atilaeidletidt rteiatllby ystaRnodssieou, at fgroemd 7 the page. We love the little pink blush on the belly. So cute! 11) Bee by Ted, aged 9 Ted’s bee is very impressive, just look at the detail in those wings! 12) Shark by William, aged 7 It’s great to see a drawing of a shark after we featured them in the spring issue. Nice choice, William! astdhnnhwIofeadaenwmmrse’wteo.eficWiotflaeiloraeaingnnltdemcmuotlryuiuetegoodrdhuyeiwitnorayaceua.ollbrgususaoedrir,tefetsiwrosot rk 15Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 2021

WE IRD Tacsnhnhraeedamasrewteeuwotrwheneesiditirhaerdrllful W EIRD- O-ME T E NATURE afood! ERFUL WACKYR WEIRD WOND THIS ISSUE: ANIMALS WITH FOODY NAMES by Isla Geis King CCLUERARRAWNITNG STRAWBERRY ANEMONE SEA POTATO LEMON SLUG © Tom Hibbert © Julie Hatcher / Dorset WT © Paul Naylor © Brian Eversham With its see-through wings This large anemone has a bright tiCauatufuTnronncbrhovodcdeameehl-enlbsrseiriehneiemcttdcaatshwasapippeunlfhe,ooossdnifttaecouaaofhnditretttdoorgeualy.-teiisyBv-svt–ilesnoueaawsgopgitttebkpeyisitttuiiep’annrssardebagtarr!limooacenswtfnp!yuecieanedle,lys, you might not guess that this red body covered in small Wistl’usitgehagsietyststboirtissgenheatwmyheele!lorTewhtehcsoeelloseulmirm,oyn neat little insect is actually green spots, making it look like MINT BEETLE flhievildeloiinwngsaiannrcteiheqneutditweeaordoaldreelaa. vTnehds,eooynftethne a kind of moth! It gets its garbosuonludt.eMfauvsohurroiotemfsooadre–tyhueimr ! name from the black and red a strawberry (but with added currant bushes that its larvae tentacles)! These colourful sea SANDWICH TERN (babies) like to feed on. catnorreeorxauottncutkdirmsets–hecmeyaoUnauyKbbg’eseofsyorhoouocunrk’eldplsslo,ipavotoiltnitangocghn?eed MHOAVREMRAFLLYADE MCHINOICNOGLABTEEE © Brian Eversham © Nick Upton / 2020VISION © Amy Lewis © Tom Hibbert wcwcTihcMonahohhamnamyvieecroyeeanhmmsulsostlrefoaohofretlgnoeoeadnay,kmndarssserwdohottaehamoyhanlonvoeoreveooutitreraurtlmrooirinlkfnoor!lideaiuTcgmenamhsnhslguitdedaapepiar-rfraeaclelmrronorikerrwalaf,eao.amblaedausulrydterlsyt,e. Tbbeheeeis.iTsfuhazeczrhye,oadcraoerlakmtbeormroewitnhninang hfiUhatol(iaToissnaoKtvohssngadekiflmacosae–reomnesisdamrl)alhozl.eyayliTuiiltnfnnybrrhryftgeeofrceleclrlmohyeienemtmaasnitrivfnihlttonieedsdlgubytsbieef.f!rnbaessfIeIevdecettwareeotgmtielnthunheenlteuter…ttsinshttee This handsome seabird is a aswapthoehwicovi!ueeIs,snmaosnfitndemiandidnigfoifbnefegrleeivbsnientnegessi–tn Sandwich tern. It feeds on fish, 16 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 2021 in holes in the ground not sandwiches – its name or in crumbly walls. comes from Sandwich Bay, the place it was first discovered! Look out for the Sandwich tern on the coast, where you might spot it diving for fish. wildlifewatch.org.uk

17 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 2021

TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE? Some types of wildlife spend the summer pretending to be stinging insects. The question is...WHY? by Pete Dommett bseatesial-cotftklioTyonikhnn’gsieggenfruasgocce–usae!itprtiio’ysskfn-e’at BWANNABEES!wweeiat-slhipeosvueatnibtdeoiorntgnhoentro,ittnihcseeesdcetoseritgfhoharttosstttrhiinepgryrtseopapesrcooinetses.caTtrhtehenseoemtpsbheeolevnsees–yftfrhroeamyu’rdpesrtebedereastmfoarikmse, itciotst!soTnemhaeakykiienmittiot! anteesbtsees, DARK-EDGED BEE-FLY BEE BEETLE © Maria Justamond © Vaughn Matthews acSftsleiiotce/knbieneaggetgw-i-nfltyru. Wbisohaldesnctioinslgoa-ubbreseaceroinnnogfut bsaeebepe..re.es?doWaththoeerysnlienita’tsovaethbiitnebkeein-.tglBeu!thtAiashhbaaeirreymtlbeleoisndsyababeneedtelesuit? Ihetshogietvgaeusrnbstodeoweevr?aegrrIrsdothsiutetnahndefelybns?uetsIrstr’sotoefwarnebtaraeanlendb-ceffleeye.a!sALs(oftltikoeoekrnihnmthagietncliihbkneiegneagblefaoueurrvsrta,y).tehbT.herUoebwnne-nsebh-befeleey-esmlui,eadavdagfeebgmnloelatysblfelecicrebak-eswheahl-viefnliyrotour! That’s just cute! WASP BEETLE BUMBLEBEE HOVERFLY © Frank Porch © Vaughn Matthews Ttioanhutiilosteldthihvaeoeirribnyauhtwmhoehvbeinltereefb-lsyteta,ceifol’eesmedndeebisnsutgimnuobntwnnleootbhteviecaeebr.dieIeteatuisens’sdel,esldfattiohysvgiisteusrcisesle.ignvYggeusrmi.tcsT!aehmlef aolasurfevlaaitgheeetrhtoaatcrhreeadet-cph WaIt’nsadnspoyetthlaloapwt?ermTfheaicsrtklliiitnktlegensbewessea,trlnbeubptiorcdsloesssaeanesdnaootuwhgeahrspatontomimkaaekleseptaointssyetaelfynsewamfeeli.leTashwtehaibnylkafrctowkmiceit. – giving the beetle time to, er, buzz off!

LUNAR HORNET MOTH VESTAL CUCKOO BUMBLEBEE © Iain H Leach © Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION Nbsthirozeigethdhdintal‘ykgy-i.’nscItgogmloooauifnsrygetildnotogomk’m!ofIiettehesrsvcceeewn,ritbtabhuiuntszloiyzt’msedsqoeuletihkistieenagagnethihmnoatrlptenrleoeretoswaskislvhlyeli.ilkeiemita’psrhfelyosirnsnigoenta!boAofnutdhtedthsuiusripnegr- TcSdhuoificfstekhbroaeeotneibtt-bumcaeminmeblpilaceaybarieectsentutehsagal–lgyssijesuivnsaottlblhvikeeisedeo,thttboheuelobtroiibtrkdpeareteh’sltaoenttneildtik’sssetnattoahnmebdebeleduaafafdv-eftitfaefieitrlse.reIdysnobttuhtunyampgt ecbtu!oleTcbbhkeoeeoerva.eoWissrtehcadlyle?bveyr? HORNET-MIMIC HOVERFLY BEE ORCHID © Brian Eversham aonrooyelrfyoahhwulhaobviHatvneeevoeegletlrw?swafo.TlBncyboiaee!epfneer:pso-faflmliiyers © Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography Hscrutoerbiprpebye’cisssahatto.snWolpateuhyltelt,ohrafehftioprlerrenaegedsgttastlthooienorsskwiywd-aelhiskipwelesya’!isth’TspohbmneueUessyKtgs’fesewtelsahdareignrfeergesttfehrhoecomlgevarefulrnofb!lwys eweraest.abTrshitesasohefoncrrenasefttty’s Aomerxpcachlteaeipdnwttlottihhtoheakttshlpipekreeefcltofieeewnmsdeoarssflet,botbehbeeeeeythsapantootlitlnthirnsiecaekotcerrt?octhhmBeiedamenim-tiwincithatmhitzeeazs!lpeTdrshoo.eceWesflshnose’wt.nlIeitv’tsrhesaeioncmfutthhaneilnseUifnbaKgeb.epuDsllooathruny!s, to 19Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 2021

© Bertie Gregory / 2020VISION TOETWRARWLISNFIYCbyTomHibbert thhemaetuarvneyIeftteahirynswaohgavuenetc’ayvanrheoldilegwfaharlort!,dmyaou wildlifewatch.org.uk 20 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 2021

© Bertie Gregory / 2020VISION Tawny owlet © Tom Hibbert WWOOONDDLEARNSD SHILUENNTTERSTawny owls live in Owls have special thNBetorhiyrteTitasahmhwreeroonnnwsy’ttIlro,cfeowotlhuamlosnnmuddag.roienhnTawny owlet © Tom Hibbert feathers on their woodlands, parks and wings that let them OEXWPLLEOTRERS sometimes even large fly almost silently, so gardens with lots of their prey can’t hear Tawny owls like to nest trees. Although they’re the owl coming and run in large holes inside quite common, they’re away. The feathers are trees, or in specially very hard to see because extra soft to help absorb made nest boxes. they hunt at night and sound, but the shape of the They usually lay two spend the day hidden high up feathers helps too. The front or three roundish icbnlloetsrneededsi,n.thWweiiittrhhsttthhreeeairbkbayirgbkrbaolrwaocnuknfeedyatethhseemrs and make oe‘Awfdthlgitthoetleoeshesbdebphlagropienceisnagksotak’sewobsudflolsipkgtcuoheeotnrehbsuadierloedvawafvesfetiilrrnhyynitgeartpminigffnaeedhoysaatrssctteothheooveessmpeorrossrbuitv,y.hnemaoTadruhsav.teohekAwsfeintleitotafwghtrwsioinanunggtye. white eggs, which you hearing it! hatch into fluffy white A BALANCEDthem look like part of the tree. chicks (called owlets) DIETTawny owls are skilled predators. after around 30 days. Tthohoewomuhl gowehonattsotoofofdnbaeceneaathn! Tawny owlets often leave They mostly eat small mammals the nest before they can fly, like voles and mice, but can also scrambling along branches hunt a wide range of animals. Tsashqoneumdyir’eervetveimelsbn,eebbseiarnhdtusskn!,ntOforfownogrndsea,taomlarctrphagwnteciohginrhmstesscttthhseayt ahTahsolwemthyaeeym.ysTaekhkxniespolbwaoerlewohtahthoveeiforienruowrtoisiosefoiknsdndoloatwtnhhdenamtatshwe‘bhirreapnnaictr’ehsnintgs ’. are wiggling through short grass. time to get fed! They like to perch on tree branches, waiting for prey to NNOEIIGSYHBOURS pass beneath them. Their big Tawvnerythyosreowtmaaulysosgayfahmktetweotnahatyhhehyeebenfaearcirgorl!hamhiManstsrttamdoihcleeotwooivrtwaaisterewlensrse,nrori,wtyiuvobhaonruyilwdct.ohtTlthswhhseahleosytoyu’tryooneotdus black eyes help them spot like “hooo… huh… huhuhuhooo”. suitable targets in low light. Females join in with a squeaky© Margaret Holland They also have incredibly “kee-wik” call, which males good hearing to help find sometimes use as well. Tawny food when it gets really dark. owls hoot regularly from autumn When they spot a meal, they through to spring, and in summer swoop down and grab it you might hear the owlets begging for food with loud, raspy squeaks. with their claws. 21 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 2021

by Nia Hâf Jones RDIOSLSOPH’SIN © Eleanor Stone DWDIOIFTLFHPEHRAIENNSCE Scientific name Although in some places in the UK they© Eleanor Stone Grampus griseus can be seen all year round, they’re seen Risso’s dolphins are large stocky more in the late summer when the sea dolphins that look very different to Average lifespan is at its warmest and there is more food all other dolphins. Their heads are Up to 40 years around. They can be seen all along the blunt and rounded and they have a tall west coast of the UK, but there are some dorsal fin. They’re born a brownish colour Amazing fact hotspots where you have a better chance and as they get older they get whiter. This is They don’t have teeth of seeing them. These are the Outer because of scratches caused by other Risso’s on their upper jaw and Hebrides, North West Wales, Isle of Man dolphins and sometimes by the tentacles swallow prey whole. and South West England. Be sure to keep of the creatures that they eat. They can look your binoculars handy if you’re by the like they’ve been attacked by a paint brush! coast in one of these places! These scratches are unique just like your fingerprints, and so we can identify WLFOOHORA?KT OTOUT dolphins by the pattern on their dorsal fin. They are really sociable WWEHESREEE DTHOEM? and sometimes even hang around with other Risso’s dolphins live almost types of dolphin. They’re often everywhere around the world, but seen leaping out of the water they love to hang out in places where the sea suddenly gets deeper. These – this is known as breaching. areas are known as continental shelves, They can be seen slapping and this is where there are plenty of squid. their tails or their heads on Squid, octopus and cuttlefish are a Risso’s the water and big splashes dolphin’s favourite food. offshore are often a tell-tale 22 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 2021 sign that there are Risso’s dolphins around. wildlifewatch.org.uk

FDWLTPIOHFLIMAFWYENEEDRSTRO?ESbyNAUta HTaTmzaoui Cocksfoot grass © Ross Hoddinott / 2020VISION P lants have flowers to produce fruits and seeds that will grow into new plants. But why do different plants flower at different times of the year? WPLHAANTTSCATUOSFELSOWER?Tipswfntadclhlhureoonheoeternwudhvavdrrgeeielneeuvdstlrgachoanuwaeilipr’nnnrtotesoe.osgrmfwhPilhfndmnteiiluanhn,aewwankeetnawekedeitlirierlsnraspseswwstlasedtpaheiohurntsenecehoersctrteo,nessaiawefttbaaffeshetslolnhorm.eeapordwoIykeupntmueocenfefslroitoondrashraarsewslentftmfucsoeudrpoUrturrirsirglgeniKaapathnogstn,otateifstilntttgtlfsphoehirdnyeleetaaoedfnotzaitreosy,n, SUMMER FEAST BLOWN BY TETXOHCETEHWPETINIRODUNLSESIbafwsndtlfenohhoiiftsedwaarfhuettpeelnmrefetrevlehsosemnacew.ranttryeaTenedtrhryir,d.nsipaestsTbetrhoehtesuserfcioastraatotemc!erliftlesraefcfpllrtwsooiehoeowhlilosnlleiemounglnrtoraassomtnookayorfinnssbdgtepfeolsar,nwpftclosiianelDlffsentroe,enorfralmsobdawe-hnneeibdseretwiatnrlernaHaemsakraeigitnivniloredsngeenoyac!tottTusshh,eeoitnvywoeslynrtamesenasyoeaeaeosdneddkeusteanchttowholesosaneauyuupylrgakndrderoannsoatdrothynsehoutrs’shafotcpuetufpenolmrogoaelllwhftloiemllneoteldaeasenwrat?rtmoeeorsdifrdTts.eaaphisaYnbtyoeootd!gyrlyumloaewwwcnecihtnaednn.Red dead-nettle © Amy Lewis right time of the year. Some plants like to be © Andy Bartlett WSPOEOCDTLAACNLED SPRINGOwaaisbTinlnneuluhhelaernseefauovmplnwstniergreeodoticshnhoenapttggedrehrltgrapltsehosarnoeaoawnatttmutmsrsdneanrsdreoaeendafksaadbctebrifcledmleubuohteeltwlheesobvob.especeseesTkrltmolsbthchlostpeteeohlraifeykesetocwhemtirfurueloeoolwepliaofirwtrgordhgetlheoehlieenanrtdae.enatevsrrdleaegpmsryefrll.ioyonsogtr different. Ivy flowers in autumn. On warm autumn days it can be covered in bees, hoverflies and wasps that are attracted by its strong smell. Snowdrops flower in late winter and can even push through frozen ground! There are fewer pollinating insects around in winter, but also fewer flowers to compete with for their attention. 23 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Summer 2021

COMPETITIONS WIN 100 ENDANGERED SPECIES T his book takes you on a journey of FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN: discovery to meet 100 endangered species from around the world. wWJuehsaht taakvniensdwineotrfhretahUiinsKfoq?rueessttdioon! You’ll find out where each species a) Tropical rainforest lwbdiverheeaaswu,t’satitfhmbuelealyisnzuiilgnlpugdesortfransaceetteastdogarbbsayaosvRuseatatcthnhheiemeimrlaHli.lvsuTehdosesn, oabpnnoa,dogwkehis6o! RRPcb:))£NT1eo2m.r9ap9ienrfaotreesrtainforest We’ve got THREE copies to give away. Buy online at: wtru.st/100-species RRP: £12.99 WIN Dive into the weird and wonderful world of sleep, from the science behind MSTALOHEGFEEICP dreams to a peek into animal sleeping habits in this incredible book for children Buy online at: aged 7 to 9. The Magic of Sleep answers all wtru.st/magic-sleep your questions about what goes on in your head when you snooze, and reveals the RRP: £9.99 sleeping habits of other animals, from bears hibernating to how bats sleep upside down. We’ve got THREE copies to give away. FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN: Tell us the name for a baby tawny owl! Clue: the answer is in the magazine WIN FUNNY BUMS, FREAKY BEAKS D iscover the most unusual and We’ve got FIVE copies to give away. unexpected features in the Buy online at: wtru.st/funny-bums animal kingdom, from puzzling RR: £12.99 toes to weird ears, and all the other body parts in between! This FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN: book is packed full of over 100 animal oddities and celebrates that everybody Draw a weird creature. and everything is strange and It can be a real animal, wonderful in its own way. or one you made up! Send your competition entries to us: By ienmcluadilewyCaootucmrhpnceoatimmtioepn,s@eangtweriieladsnlmidfeaCatyruObwseaMtusy.soPoerdfEgcoTBonInTyotIuapOrcowNtsientbgRWsiyUtioeldLualEinfwSeditsWhoacyitoacluhmr,eeTdnhitaerycK!hiDalnnE,nAeMDlsa.LtIhNeEr :R3o1adA, uNgeuwsatrk2,0N2o1ttinghamshire NG24 1WT Don’t forget to