Wildlife Watch Issue 92 - Winter 2019

© Danny Green / 2020VISIONFDORRMEOEUS!ESLDEEEEPPER PLASTIC-FREE FEED THE Issue 92 Winter 2019 ‘satsphoshoLeelnieimbnkewfeedeopratrm’nnieymieasnatattehnesrflsryolooyi‘nmssuotlmhgewreserhaiefnopoletltriorena-maqrgnM.tu!’iTmtaafhhryroaeet.emlyIsbnr,csoOhfutoatacrofcltzomttue,hbplteoehdirfneyoehyarnmaelclerdaiscgnteses, CHALLENGE BIRDS POSTER Can you go without Make your own single-use plastics? apple bird feeder WINTER POO PATROL BABIES The weird, waste-loving wildlife Meet the animals born in our coldest months

WILD THINGS News from our Wildlife Watchers ECDOIRTNOERR’S WATER VOLE BEAUTIFUL WARRIOR BUTTERFLY TOM HIBBERT 8-year-old Beth learnt all about Libby, aged 9, Editor, Wildlife Watch water voles at a Durham Wildlife shared this photo Trust event, where she made of her fantastic I love winter! There’s a fun vole mask! Beth was so encounter with something magical about a inspired that she went home a holly blue butterfly that frosty morning, with frozen and wrote a letter to the Prime landed on her finger. What grass glittering in the sunlight. Minister, asking him to help a magical moment! You can spend a wonderful day save our water voles. exploring outside, then head We want to say a When the owl sits on the tree, home and warm up with a nice big thank you to he’s as quiet as can be. Beth for being a But when he hears a mouse, hot chocolate. water vole warrior! he pounces as silent as a grouse. It’s a great time of year for And when he goes back to his tree, SEARCHING he is as happy as can be. wildlife watching, too. Even FOR SLOW though some of our smallest WORMS animals sleep through the winter, others are busy raising Arthur, aged 3, enjoyed their young! Head to pages 8-9 the compost creatures to meet the winter babies. article in the autumn issue so much he As it gets chillier, new birds decided to paint a slow worm. arrive from colder countries, Arthur even went on his own including lots of ducks, geese compost quest, looking for slow and swans. You can read all worms in his compost bin! about our visiting swans on pages 18-19. You might also see THE more tits and finches visiting OWL your garden, especially if you have bird feeders. Put out a little Jane, aged extra food by making them an 11, sent apple bird feeder (page 17). us this lovely The worst thing about winter painting and poem is that lots of people get colds. about an owl: But have you ever wondered if animals can catch colds too? Check out page 23 to find out! I hope you enjoy this issue of Wildlife Watch. Have a wonderfully wild winter!

HOME, © Jon Hawkins / Surrey Hills Photography 20 TWEET HOME IN THIS ISSUE… After reading about garden 06 02 Wild Things birds in the summer issue, 12 04 Plastic Clear for a Year! 6-year-old Kaila realised 05 Your Stories! she had everything the Cover: © Wild Wonders of Europe / Geslin / naturepl birds needed except a nest box. She © Chris Lawrence Read stories from Wildlife Watchers got straight to work, putting one together and painting it with her big 06 Hiking for Nature sister. The result is this beautiful bird 08 Winter Babies box, ready to welcome its first guests! 10 Homes Under the Sea Check out Reefs wildlifetrusts.org/ privacy-policy to find 11 Owl Poster out how we keep your 12 Poo Patrol information safe. 14 Gallery 16 Weird Nature WILDLIFE WATCH 92 Editor: Sea cucumbers Tom Hibbert Editorial Team: 17 How to… Abbie Hargreaves Anna Maggs Make an apple feeder Joanna Richards Mary Porter 18 Swanning Around Mike Watson Charlotte Varela Mute, Bewick’s and whooper swans 20 Wild in the City Urban wildlife 22 Feature Creature Stickleback 23 Do Animals Catch Colds? 24 Competitions WHAT’S WILDLIFE WATCH? GET IN TOUCH The Wildlife Wildlife Watch is the junior branch of The Wildlife Trusts. Join Wildlife Watch Trusts and start your nature adventure - prices range from £10-24 per year for Email us at: [email protected] Registered child-only membership and £30-60 for family membership. or ring: 01636 677711 or write to us at: Charity No Wildlife Watch, The Kiln, Mather Road 207238 You’ll receive a starter pack and four issues of Wildlife Watch magazine Newark, Notts, NG24 1WT a year. This is packed full of amazing pictures, posters and competitions. KEEP WATCHING! We also have a really wild website and e-newsletter full of wild ideas and wildlifetrusts @wildlifetrusts nature-spotting tips. Plus you get access to local events and groups. Go to thewildlifetrusts wildlifewatch.org.uk to find out more.

TAKE THE CPHLAALSLTEICNGE! BEX LYNAM spent the last year Wleessresiynogulei-nusspeirepdlabstyicBteoxh’seplplatshteic-pclalenaerty?eTahre?nDtoakyeouyowuar notwton tprylaastnicdcuhsaellenge! using as little plastic as possible. Read about her challenge at wildlifetrusts.org/plastic-clear Aapufallemwsydieinleytaoge,rglkoeiesro-tuerahsveeeleovrnenpsngolmamjstauitmeksicetetaai,pitsssdaopatocoywos?ghmsSeiybetpnltyeeooyt.itoutYisuoostrnuatsa!rectrTlotofweuadihltd.hegGlodapoaomyol iottdooutnoluuotghscuee,ktt,ah!awesreli’atvtsele AT SCHOOL Wrwarpaypo, uinrslutenacdh oinf a reusable wax cling-film. AT HOME Take treats in a reusable container – it’s better to use an old plastic container than it is to throw it away! Bake your own snacks and treats, instead of buying plastic-wrapped ones. It’s more fprIfoeymnocumilnceeateasdel i,nalosntoeekawfdolrouofnpnchelabmsotiaxc.doer fun and you might get to lick the spoon! Rjbaeorusx,seebsiasmcsuamikteutinchhsaanandsdyyoccouanrcdtaabnino–earrjsda.m Turn some old unwanted plastic into an art project. It saves you from buying new materials and you can spread the message about plastic pollution. Use a bar of soap instead of liquid soap in plastic SOPCECCAISAILONS bottles – just make sure it doesn’t come wrapped in plastic. You can get bars of shower gel, shampoo Wrap presents in patterned cotton fabric and bubble bath, too! or brown paper, tied with reusable Try a bamboo toothbrush instead of a plastic one. ribbons or twine instead of plastic tape. OUT AND ABOUTtyoCoyausr,rbcyuloyyoth–uernsooawtnjundsbot aftohgoefdrosrbtauufntf,ybtoosohoko.sp,ping Imnsatekaedsoomf beuoyuintgopf lleaastviecsc.onfetti, aTarekeloatsroeuf psalabcleesbyoottulecwanithfilyl oituw–iththweraeter. Look for Easter eggs and other dIfryinokuwgiothtoouat arepsltaasutricansttr,aawskinfoirt.a chocolates that are wrapped in recyclable foil, instead of plastic. Buy loose fruit and vegetables from supermarkets and grocery stores, Mfwoairl-kaweprppaelpadpstieincd-sfcrcehraeopcpsoaloartftyefabsbaargnicsd., fihlolemdew-bithakpeedntcrielsa,ts instead of ones wrapped in plastic. wcehhmiladoalwlLlieifeleinntytgogurueuswsrgktaspno.tlooecawrshsgt@bi!cy Make your own cards – it’s more fun and they don’t come in a plastic wrapper! 04 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Winter 2019 www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

SYTOOURRIES My garden RbyoDajamngoin(aggedth11e) river by Amelia (aged 10) I n the town of Aylesbury cabbage, broccoli, Brussels Ilove to explore the invasive American crayfish, in Buckinghamshire sprouts and garlic. There is river at the back of but luckily our river has there is my garden. also a greenhouse which has my house - whatever native crayfish. It is wildlife friendly five different types of tomato, the season! There’s I love finding bullheads. as well as being a runner beans, carrots, so much to find when great family garden. cucumbers and two types of yborouwlonotkroculot sfreyly—. Ththearet’sartehe They’re fish that look like The garden is great for fuchsias (flowers). My dad nmaimniaetuforrebleaebcyhfiessh,,wahnidchalcsloing something out of the wildlife as it has two bird has made a path that runs tSoommeetbimutesdoInfi’nt drefarellsyhhwuartt.er prehistoric age! Sometimes, boxes, of which one has had through the whole garden, crayfish. There has been Ifbefiernncdasufaosnesdsailcslr,ounmsgtoatcsimtelyaencsao.graoTlh,si,tshies residents. Also, we have a a fire pit and seating area. a problem in Cumbria with river was part of a big sea. butterfly box which caterpillars There is also a summer house We’re lucky enough to can set their cocoons in. with a spacious balcony. We have a resident heron. I love We have a shed and it has have a patio with many tables watching it flying away with a wild green roof which has and chairs and a pathway been planted with a great leading to the front garden. something in his mouth. It’s many wildflowers like alliums We also have two grass areas nthoootmejauetstttohtohwueigldhhe!graTohrnleict,hbwaatnhkgicsehtaswree and poppies. which are great to play on. I love my garden and I We also have a vegetable love wildlife just as much. plot. There are raspberries, blueberries, carrots, parsnips, forIatg’seatlowmayaskfeunpetsotoe!xplore onions, grapes, the river, so long as you respect the water and keep in mind that the wildlife was here first! TtoHAADmNjaeKlniagYoOa!nUd Dmidoaeygaoasuztwionawen?atStcteohnw@drwyitoeiludfrolisrfteothtrreiuesstas.nodrg! 05Wildlife Watch Magazine // Winter 2019

NHAFIKOTIRUNGREOVER £7TW3,000O00WMFOEILEREKSWS ILDLIFE! W ildlife heroes Hannah Stitfall and Sophie Pavelle set out on an epic quest to raise money for wildlife, supporting The Wildlife Trusts’ Wilder Future campaign. In just two weeks, they walked 300 miles around the coast of Cornwall and Devon. We caught up with them to ask about their adventure! HSEALLYO!tLshOoHewVlaiwuilEnndcHoncUlkirrifayKleedgh@dt,uwfiohiabbylamihnlsulndea!dtsnlviIasaf’aIemephbmls,lesstoiwcaootfivkaleeumelesltra!earlneyy WTOHYHIDKIEDFYOORUNDAETCUIDREE? WHAHRADTESWTAPSATRHTE? Hello! Hannah Hannah aisaneInhdLvdidOeeIi’IrxVnmytpEgromlyoSngourmoeenicnptylhtogmhinbviaewygeesdhsawoItaonuditotdlotodsrn!lsimiadfteeteaupakrees– From foxes to frogs, badgers to butterflies, all It was all pretty hard! Walking for sometimes @sophiepavs the animals here in the UK need our help. I 10 hours a day carrying a lot of weight was personally think that protecting the wildlife on tough, especially as it was so hilly in places. our doorstep is SO important and by raising My feet were incredibly sore and covered in money for the fantastic Wildlife Trusts we were blisters, but I knew I had to keep going and able to help them work towards protecting finish the challenge, and I’m so pleased I did! our wildlife! All the blisters were totally worth it! Sophie Sophie Our wildlife is having a pretty bad time at The first day was definitely the hardest! the moment. Some of our favourite plants North Devon is often called ‘Little Switzerland’ and animals might not be around for much because the hills are so big – they’re like longer which is really sad! So we thought it mountains! We was important to do something that showed were carrying really heavy rucksacks everyone how too – around the beautiful the same weight as nature is at a three-year-old child! Towards the home, so that end my feet and we can work knees got really together to painful, nice and swollen and protect it for purple! the future! 06

Start Minehead Barnstaple TOP TIPS for young wildlife champions DEVON Never give up, because even a tiny change can make a world of difference! Oakhampton Exeter Tell people. Your friends, family and Dartmoor Torquay teachers – you can be the voice for the National planet and be proud of it! The more Park people you share the message of nature conservation with the better. Plymouth Newquay CORNWALL Be confident – saving the planet is the coolest thing you can do at the moment! Looe St Ives Truro wy–Goaeyuont uatin’tnlvoldolhelmveaelerpdnewwtalbiioltdohtsluilfootefcthaaoeslthwwweieirllddlpll.lieiffeoeppalreroojtuehncatdts Why not appoint yourself ‘Chief Falmouth Environmental Officer’ at home and make some easy changes? Swap liquid Lizard Point soap for solid bars, plastic toothbrushes Finish for bamboo ones, make sure mum and dad use a reusable coffee cup! DCOIDOLYOWUILSDELEIFAEN?Y RFHUEOSNWPDORDNAIDDISPTIENOOGYPOLEUR APPEAL? Be unique, quirky, wonderful YOU. Hannah Hannah We had some incredible wildlife encounters! I live in Cornwall and know how amazing The support we gained was so our wildlife is, but even I was surprised by inspiring and motivating. People from how much we saw! From seals to bank voles all over the UK (and abroad!) got on to lizards, every day was different. We even board with the hike. It was also so lovely spotted a polecat in a hedgerow! Just goes to to work with the Wildlife Trusts as they show what you can find when you get outside were so wonderful throughout and totally and explore. believed in us. It really was a team effort on all parts, which was probably the best Sophie thing about it! We were SO lucky with the wildlife! On our Sophie fourth day a buzzard swooped really low over our heads and dropped a huge rat right next We couldn’t BELIEVE how much support we got – we never expected to go over our goal to us! We also saw lots of choughs of £5,000! It was so motivating to see people in Cornwall – they’re a rare bird in increase their donations at different points England, but thanks to hard work from conservationists and scientists in the hike – especially after a they’re doing really well in Cornwall, few really tough days when we which is amazing. were exhausted and sore. © Margaret Holland 07Wildlife Watch Magazine // Winter 2019

Wanindtefor ocdasniosbmheaearhdtaeorrudtgyohafitnnimidm.eaBflusotrawwrehilibdleulifsmey.arInta’syiscisnopgledct,hiteehsieraydroeauyhnsibgae.rrensahtionrgt,, WBIANMEEBT TTHEI…EERS © Tom Marshall 08 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Winter 2019 www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

GREY SEALS © Tom Marshall TcGaowwrtlqsoefohaSeeuynigetaaciisca–eehtlekhtslitlnaheyphfoa,elrauNs.nttl,hptpBon’sabhessuhrombnefefiTtaatormvhoahdmtosrlahekereceoswnweathmttothfbhileeegambslayoegsmekrredmrreedohectanawsysrtaeeftwneeloowpvsfeaedtaarieeennittwsttlhtoarthnsoheiporeeal!enesacaSrbrrtgoalklemaycsatcdrylhpulyebooycuatisetynaeoinecfehnvagmmtesseseototses!nrwpbe(owfaecTmuemaiflaosltni!oprnurlitlIelhgm,atetfonkehfebeynditrecgtlthiuhdpnwhebpiatcveeaJuhhtoeicthnarUbperilitedsbneierys2Knaeui)ow0pr,fbstamauv1huatire6rrg.ps,yetre.!g5r r0ios%w © Tom Hibbert PIGEONS BADGERS Baby pigeons are funny-looking creatures.© Elliott Neep They have thin yellow feathers that look like Bwhen food issaebutphhdtunuteasgtdtyrteneohdfrrineecsgtaeoylrdosodafiottusnonnondod’nstd.fphcnTfieoianhubnstete.tdsyhyrT,enfhaaosiairelrslstoesetohhtedeiemgtnstlsapwoat.htsrnhEienetadehtwtecreibmhrbmi,eneawertdresuihedrut,eusirnnvmtgiovtnhetoe patches of hair, a big, baggy throat and a their giant beak. But the strangest thing about make baby pigeons (called squabs, or chicks) is fFTfieatpehhvmrlbMeeeaorayuywwouilnanesaeodgrtsrereybl1gkdo,0absituvhadowtetosobgrnieuboedoegirvberpkethblheisonat.snfhodbotelthidmhaeeg,ensetriedhro(ccneeuhaatyynreln’alerdelpensb.d!lceeYreBceosauayustsobdtamhseytne)haitdageortirhlimycrestatsaaeebnesvrotttethtDraennienekxeisccpnMeeuluoembaprsyitbnh.taoegerrme. that they can be found in any month of the year! csflTacohrnciaskfipiinsnsgdeasipsnplweetoncewitalylnlaloyssf tafrnounaoedtdufcortiaotrileffefesor.eoaBddleptclhiiakgeeueirsobcenehsrtihrc,iekethsyse,efefoveeenrdanelsoinpnyiogtohueueosrnese © Chris Lawrence middle of January. Collared doves, woodpigeons and stock doves can all have chicks in winter, too. EARLY BIRDS There’s evidence that many birds are starting to nest sooner than they used to as a result of climate change. Great tits now lay their eggs an average of 11 days earlier than they did 50 years ago! 09Wildlife Watch Magazine // Winter 2019

Reefs!by Donal Gri n © Linda Pitkin / 2020VISION ThwhaaeaonnGrbdilmdirteea,aavbtle?tsunBTtcahcdareoilrdlriledetyhr-aoweRrusaeeeetkerfrnoreiocncewkofAysrtuahhresloeterrmeUafseeKl,if,arsiwes!ieThasfhelstshotomheuehsalraaodlnrmiegvdeiefsnrsotgootmfcasmooosrmayapsrleatienrrwetreseoopfafnliindant,dentirhntmfsueiault snroesdreeolfsn it. SUNSTAR COMMON OYSTER BLUE MUSSEL TOMPOT BLENNY COMMON © Linda Pitkin / 2020VISION © Bertie Gregory / 2020VISION © Lara Howe © Paul Naylor / marinephoto.co.uk T3btlbbfioeaohdlc0yonulnnrferiectvoggettetshnmeatkdevehenenrc.iorecslillcsTaieopenephofspsinsoas’sfteelpogriadobirayanruarineooasnslerirhvfacfncdtofuhokeobolcdoclaneovhrrkisfieaanoeilyrsesesnrrwaihrhdcreelclenunye.dcheedbTaaeetaofoadsxndsm.p.niglrTrypieeprhooidsdestwsiyestionahuscntoarpipofi,fiknvepemtensoedeehomroDd?wfosmidITnftsteatooihhhmnanyufcseaetuodna!asu7ttudleTfonnle0estahrloshh.racaesrntoeesrmyntagtreragaatreosecrarctfiesyhthrkstmeyauchiotsrsrrhfiaeulbocetsneahaooumhaadrflarstdrleynhtatsosgywlhoersua,uaoreurtionmontirnpchnksmcswskiattostnt1liaaainukom1kiikrttr-irgne!ufi,n1scmls.r3otgfaaethoLfsoonrid,rekoniesmfly Common oysters have a thick Blue mussels are common on shell with a wavy edge. They live the seashore, where they clump in colonies, forming large reefs together and cling to the rock. that provide a home for other They have a really strong grip animals. Other marine life may thanks to their secret weapon even be living on their shells, such – byssus threads. These are as barnacles. Common oysters like skinny ropes that anchor start their lives as males, but may the mussels to the rock, so they change their sex to female as can withstand even the biggest they grow older depending on waves. Blue mussels are a the temperature of the water. popular food for ducks, seabirds and people! 10

BRIEGYHETS Stflmyhhyeeiaolnlrordgstw-aheoyeave.serIyn,ereldoswoopoginkewivitnneelsgrgtothrfhoafeteresmysnvlocaahalneunfidsne.btraTcednheusdesreiirctneaobngrareisg!thatl © Danny Green / 2020VISION Wildlife Watch Magazine // Winter 2019 11

IT’S A DIRTY JOB, BUT SOMEBODY’S GOT TO DO IT… © Chris Lawrence by PETE DOMMETT © Andy Sands / naturepl ave you ever wondered © Chris Speller PSOEROVPIACTERSOLriet(t,gocmbgopaTDqkrrooorhWeeeuruvdPoeeyeeFiinannecidnipgnmggskegsihginttheivsteoodpgesrtcphuriio)sornsetaeisefhnopnrgoraecoceaotfiblyrtrfmctgss.eohymcaliaaitalylmbneiples.n–tdusoe–usagerssortetbrhex–eo(gartatlsowieertecktieoarnehttilmnhtisnkgvuamgeieisnrnnpinotesgig.oaanirotnnethttuiiiegrnltap,o,p–dgnhnbloa!,reeuuedont)lthrdi.prdstyiehuieeinnacnaggitntsseg- what happens to all the poo that animals produce? If it wasn’t csmadbtlooeeeupoaaccclnuoralksecmbl.ldwkeYieynuaistccwwhtoahkmiat!elhdpyLpe,lPruiolftoedcehbotkueelteienlPlywymaga, mcot.tbrhorIoetlevdt’lsfhe!roewartrei’stmeoduietilnd 12 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2019

low dung fly MSQEUEATDTHE Yel © Vaughn Matthews © Ian A Kirk Do-It-All Dung Beetles WWaosrmtes-collecting MINOTAUR BEETLE © Chris Lawrence Dung beetles do all their business in dung! Earthworms are also partial to a nice bit of This shiny, black dung beetle looks like © Chris Lawrence There are two kinds in the UK – dwellers poo. They pull dung down into the soil where a mini triceratops! Male minotaurs use and tunnellers. it turns into a rich compost called humus. their three ‘horns’ to fight others off their (CAUTION: that’s not the stuff you dip carrot nesting burrows. Dwellers live in, breed in and dine on sticks in!) nutritious animal manure. While their grubs DOR BEETLE gobble up solid stuff, adult dwellers slurp Dung-loving Fungi up runny dung (anyone for a ‘poothie’?). You might hear the rustle of this big dung Some fungi like to live on piles of poo, which beetle’s wings as it flies around on warm Tunnellers dig deep burrows in the soil also helps it to decompose. Many of these evenings searching for the perfect poo! underneath piles of dung and drag bits of mushrooms are microscopic, but you might it down into nesting chambers. They lay spot little brown toadstools on dung heaps. YELLOW DUNG FLY eggs in the buried poop, which provides Mottlegills and inkcaps prefer cow or horse food for larvae. manure, but the dung roundhead fungus is Spot these furry, golden flies in summer not so fussy – this species will even grow when they gather on cowpats to breed. There’s a third type of dung beetle – rollers on seabird droppings! They’re common across the UK. (often seen on TV nature programmes, rolling balls of dung around) – but these aren’t CCOPS & ROBBERFLIES found in the UK. i2asmtcih5dnntaohemodstueicewrmthtchbhpnitenspirlgodingsatTgncuhhorshtoegnteahnusems,gyese,csttimrikcheenbflnsaeygtejdflhewineniyreacenaiitgtantlfimherrtBetgdeehsbritnrldieyphott–eta-hmhrodraeiaeeoenridiedinnrbw!r.lpsadeeblTioettt-dehhoasgorrreronhflysvsypby!aieeoahsbAnrosnpttueotar!thnor–mobfletlvlyererrs, Faeces-feasting Flies © Chris Lawrence © Roger Hatcliffe There are more than 50 different kinds of dung fly in the UK – from tiny black types to big yellow ones. Most species lay their eggs in cowpats, horse dung, sheep plop or deer droppings. The maggots that hatch out feed on the tasty waste, making it disappear more quickly. © Jon Hawkins / Surrey Hills Photography 13

1 GALLERY Send in your photos, poems, artwork and letters for your chance of featuring in the gallery. If your artwork is Twphiicnekeypodeurarfesvcethtreystosatwratn-ruedpnratsrwyetyinofogur’kllit! any budding artist. 3 4 2 5 6 HEwomOWTirTtaWhhwihliedletrhwliTWtiKefeOaeiisltltnodWcuE,hlbuNiaMf@jseetTcawcaEThttrtRi:hulliGdneslaetrisfleR‘lGetorraauyldlsetrsy.oerngtry’ ostdayhaIhnfoonerawtnusdmwro’reetWo.cfiffyioWrreaiokslrdalegtuwmltnierumfeeatdreeitmrdwgToaryihueiawilontl,s.uiicatann,rllugcgssldeoosuede 14 NNeowttas rNkG24 1WT

1) Marsh frog by Lottie, aged 10 (Gwent Wildlife Trust) Looking at this painting, we feel like we’re in the marsh with the frog. It’s a wonderful landscape, with great detail on the frog and frogspawn. Congratulations, Lottie! 2) Spider by Joel, aged 6 (The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs & Northants) Joel has done a great job of drawing this lifelike spider. Some people find spiders frightening, but they’re amazing creatures. 7 3) Kingfisher by Kiki, aged 11 9 (Avon Wildlife Trust) After seeing kingfishers at a local reserve, Kiki was 11 inspired to create her own from dyed fabric and stuffing. It’s incredible! 8 4) Wasp by Eleni, aged 7 (Surrey Wildlife Trust) Eleni has created a fantastic 3-D effect for her picture of a wasp. It’s like we’re peering at it through the leaves as it looks for a flower. 5) Montagu’s blenny by Saffron, aged 13 This gorgeous pencil sketch lets us peek into a rockpool to see a couple of brilliant blennies. Did you know they can breathe in air as well as water? 6) Poem by Eleanor, aged 9 10 (Herefordshire Wildlife Trust) We love this poem. Eleanor has made the paper as beautiful as the poem itself! The cut-out animals are a lovely touch. 7) Brown bear by Amber, aged 10 (Essex Wildlife Trust) Brown bears used to be common in Britain, but they went extinct here over 1,000 years ago. Amber’s fantastic drawing has really brought this bear to life. 8) Robins by Archie, aged 6 Just like a real robin, these colourful drawings really made us smile. They all look so cheerful and excited! 9) Fox by Bella, aged 10 Bella has done a great job on this fox. It’s a fantastic countryside scene, with some lovely detail on the fox’s fur. 10) Orca by Ruben, aged 10 (Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust) Water colour is the perfect choice for this outstanding orca! Ruben has given the magnificent 12 mammal a whole ocean to swim through. 11) Grey heron by Rhalou, aged 6 (Essex Wildlife Trust) This heron looks magnificent as it stands by a pond, waiting to spot a fish. Rhalou even added the plume feathers growing from the heron’s head! 12) Orange-tip, bee and ladybird by Mairead, aged 6 Mairead has brought a splash of spring to the winter magazine with this lovely flower scene, including a ladybird, buzzing bee and a beautiful butterfly. 15

WNAETIURRDE EIRD-O-ME All photos ©Paul Naylor / marinephoto.co.uk L • • • • WACKY •TE •R• • WEIRD W WONDERFU THIS ISSUE: SEA CUCUMBERS by Ellen Kinsley twThhietehiryc’hrueocmsuaemussboaengrsese-esanhdaflsop!oeTrdhseaasnleldosvhtreaarvntegheneoawbnoirrmaldian, li,snbcaulrutetdhrieanltga’strewigdhhteotrhesettarherefiisnshimthaienladUriKmty. ake FEATHERED FEEDERS SAND SCAVENGERS cwtSeooanlmltteeacerc.tlseTthehseaesyfctoiucbokcrdiiunnmfggrobotmheuerts,tirhcbetaeumtncrrtha–oicnwlilgkeiesntitnwionyhtsobeaitntnhsdeyooiwrfumfiotlhioocdkujutydshotrouitfhtnrienefiignrbgfbyeeyaortsinnh.eeYthrauyemnd! Otpaphitrreehooceusveraindssndeeod,safthtndoceueufistacrneiduedmmnpftoalbsaorenfidonrtss.reToramahtnhemudeynbraccloelnhecieaamernbasaonulleuspw,at atovihlendnedlbirfsoeepewholaiikosnbedoe-cfdttoahlibtrsetayltieyrlse!o)f.aeawAetninntsd,gtpshsidofeetoeiaynt,grgmwirtuatohhssvircseo(hl.iuttgleh GUT LAUNCHERS BUM BREATHERS ctcyhiudfaloAoeciynunsiuorsirnemmeusi,neaeabswrtle.oflecsaTriumrn,nhnccbateetouaulytmosnoatcptrbsrahcgeeqenreacgauryinmercemohskseawaaiztcnkovkeaeieteanhststhsihsdosoratecoreimcgiau!trkaaregAbyesnhnoctmstydldhaeiemienveissfmesemsaara!sofwap(lqeDflrffauwloeobgiyrdsnswyahca’tprtsyetoawoqeoobrauokrrsgsivrrwhr.oetayiaPnitendsr-hgdddttebgohoo–weeoeutchh!tso)eaemrnadinyg Hbitaonyuontphtmwdheees!rodsSeuooenvtxaeyitybhongcbrueouhlenucbaugarvfremehtoatmlbthtihhteeteletrehissrweefisbsahwuohecctatnkluoitvecimyinunro,.mgwutSh’ibavoeneetmnserigrd’essotpehfiitnisrttnhsohiotieudoamgneurhose,t!sstahhewgae?iarimUrminbsml.eeuSismnyosgom,butianeur kt e 16

Wildlife Watch Magazine // Winter 2019 17

LAUREN is a birdwatcher and trainee bird ringer. Her favourite bird is the long-tailed tit! SWARAONUNNINDGbyLaurenBooth © Gillian Day With their bright white www.wildlifewatch.org.uk fseizaeth, emrus taensdwhaungseare owtoatahjmnfopoafnarnaeoluusidtaadtgewmrtovcinurBrntfoeaaoemebtsoitnwhydwiifinuorrejidtnitiornnichcahrsdi,thmkenne.enw’yesBdrioetcnxhhumtsssowtwetwefttrloiadarnimrdonaeoekgiAtfn?dcdeoeoborsatWrociyidh.grsrctoddeueinhoccu.sarriomaisTwsnstkoalhrplegntaeipbenoeodvhetltcehewereielerrses 18 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Winter 2019

MUTE SWANS WHOOPER SWANS BEWICK’S SWANS dTifhMfaegeurryreeuteanmnn’nttstaswndmkotaehouinsitlsseeosnss!teo,ssrfo.rtsof m © Neil Aldridge © Nick Upton / 2020VISION © Gillian Day Mute swans are one of Whooper swans are named after their loud Barely bigger than a goose, Bewick’s swans Britain’s biggest and honking calls. They make lots of ‘whoop – heaviest birds. You whoop’ sounds to communicate with their are our smallest and rarest swan. In spring can often see them families as they fly. Whooper swans live in swimming on lakes and Iceland all spring and summer where they they nest in Siberia, but when the cold winters draw in and food becomes scarce they make a long and dangerous journey to reach the rivers near you all year raise their cygnets, but in autumn they fly non- UK, seeking out a warmer place with more round. They especially stop all the way to the UK to avoid the freezing food to spend the winter. like places with slow cold winter in Iceland. These small swans like to eat water plants moving water where Whooper swans spend most of their days at the edges of lakes and shallow water, but lots of aquatic plants together grazing in farm fields like cows they’ll also venture out onto low, flooded fields like pondweed grow for and sheep. They eat leftover grain and even to eat leftover crops and grains. them to munch on. potatoes. At night they return to lakes to roost Bewick’s swans look very similar to Mute swans are all white where they are safe from predators. whooper swans, being all white atuslBswnoeadwbnreiascckscwa’aslnalends. with a black and yellow beak, with thick black legs, giant Even though whooper swans are large and but they are much smaller. webbed feet and orange beaks. Sometimes white, just like mute they put their feet on their backs to rest or swans, they have to warm them up in the sun, a bit like you tsogwgraeotnu‘Whhspeehlsrrio,kdiocnespa’.tfeolalremsdtailyy black and yellow © Danny Green / 2020VISION crossing your arms to keep warm! They beaks and hold their have long ‘S’ shaped necks that help them necks straight up, stretch down to reach their favourite food a bit like a plants up to a metre under water. They’re periscope not picky though and will happily eat fish, on a worms and snails, too. Yum! submarine. © Danny Green / 2020VISION © Guy Edwardes / 2020VISION © Fergus Gill / 2020VISION © Gillian Day © Ian Rose A PEEK AT BEAKS! MUTE SWANS have bright WHOOPER SWANS have BEWICK’S SWANS have BLACK SWANS orange beaks with a black a black beak with a big mostly black beaks with a Black swans are native to Australia. base and a fleshy black blob sunny yellow triangle on small patch of bright yellow They are almost all black, but have just above their nostrils. both sides. The yellow meets near the base. The shape of snowy white wing tips that can be at the top of their beak. this patch is slightly different seen when they fly. Their bills are for every bird so, just like bright red with a white band around your fingerprints, every beak the tip. They were brought to the UK is unique! to decorate gardens and parks, but over time some escaped into the wild. Some of these escaped birds have even nested in the UK! 19Wildlife Watch Magazine // Winter 2019

mwaildnlaifgee, sesapwecoioadlllyafnodxensaatunrdehreesrerirnvge for London Wildlife Trust. gulls. RACHEL DOWSE She loves urban IWNCIITLTHDYE © Bertie Gregory / 2020VISION by Rachel Dowse TonuorwtomwhocTniohrnseuiknanakyntnroadydugscmiahditiaeionevr!steeoWwstsopeipt’ehhvoceetwieaeaisdxlldwcaltiioratfeienyt,hsgleaesawnhrdianldrineligdfe? to live alongside us. HFtIheVirsEewtaoirnestpeor.t 1 PEREGRINE 2 FOX © Jon Hawkins / Surrey Hills Photography Watch the skies for the peregrine falcon, fastest bird on Earth! Most people think foxes in cities live Peregrines catch their prey by off junk food out of bins – but did dropping out of the sky at over 240 miles you know urban foxes eat beetles? per hour before catching it in mid-air! These They have a really varied diet, and will eat birds usually live on cliffs, but are starting worms, apples and even bird seed! They to move into our cities. Spot also bury their food to store it for later, a bit them high up on office blocks like squirrels. Look for them out and about in and church spires and look suburbs and quiet streets late in the evening © Bertie Gregory / 2020VISION out for piles of white or early in the morning – and listen out for feathers on buildings their strange cries, which can sound like tahPneeaimrtwemmaogliroi.lnledrTeseh’sspethfayeaarrscenthaeo2nsu4tflr0y! or electricity pylons. someone screaming – spooky! That’s a plucking post, where a peregrine has been plucking its dinner. Each bird will usually go back to its favourite spot to eat – so it’s a great way to find them! 20 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Winter 2019 www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

fToBhuelbeuivInnensnindneltuSiygoliweg,nJfipaafanh.ttnhniMewttdeuehmwhaaesAwabyritRnrabylheceityevrabetiewec2lrehedr.0fhaesoIT1itosnrha8wwlesia,rdtaeehasamaseewsuyenonssTismnuh!a!aammhlmilsieynedgs © Bertie Gregory / 2020VISION 3 PIGEON 4 GREY SQUIRREL 5 STARLING What’s that flock of birds hopping Some people complain about it now, but Look up in the branches of trees in your © Terry Whittaker / 2020VISION around the supermarket car park? pigeon poo used to be worth so much local park and sooner or later you’ll If they’re shiny brown/black with money that people would pay armed probably see a grey squirrel. These white spots like stars, then they’re starlings! guards to stop it from being stolen! Their acrobatic creatures were brought over from These birds like to hang out in big groups poo is a brilliant fertiliser. It was used to help America by the Victorians, who thought they during the winter. They’re brilliant mimics, caPrilogsopesoangnsriomwweprfooerrtuatshneot duinstgoarnecdadsrieroynftmyfoeerasgsrsau.gnItepwsoawdsudreinr.g were beautiful and liked having them in their and will copy the songs of other birds, WWII, and 34 pigeons received medals for gardens. They were even given away as telephones, and even car alarms! Starlings bravery during the war! The feral pigeons ptwhrieenstUeeKrn.btsLy!obNoukorwoyuintthgfeoiytr’irtnehetfhomeunsgtdroorauincnrgdo,usosprmfsootoasdsthfooinfrg are best known for forming huge flocks we see in city squares today are descended it in a hollow tree. Clever! in the evenings just before they from escaped pets and working birds, which roost, flying around and creating esmvpeaeinmaraebkipScseats–uartctrjrahulohiuenst!ggtyglohsickotaetdno is why they come in so many colours. beautiful shapes in the sky. This is called a murmuration. © Lizzie Wilberforce © Dawn Monrose 21

FEATURE KSAtfihkhttchsdhnaHoahNeeuivugn,ylestghtI’sehrIaahteNa.eumGrTstymsshoetmuIHdaoemaaodNauylsenlpTlryol,’oatprGngtelhhlelsIraayaoeistnNAcwyevwagh’esrenleRue1said1gpcfilcrohMaeaomtnolritaeshcg.ri7seenUOo.ctrh!punmInfiAUenrlisseikldrlthtodeheRb.1naoaogogtudtodh,–gryteshharleiabkyneoduat CREATURE PYtfipyhssosootprOuihecuninkemtdNchle-easiadsgbpntDihsapiyntttcpieocebkiluDknldebi’ygrnoeseIa.gtucbAiPmcao’lvskeuuoePliesttstofbeftsoIrlaaoguiiNktcymenehkstdla,GyuiitnasasptosttbtShhchtcrhlerroaoTeeeisrwteeycenA’h-nsrastehowbpmRataiahhnrecpeee,knd. HYoinucOboftcrheaeMaeiHsnsnthogsawfiawwElanhmwwaetdevfthiaewnrCeneteothrtpehrtesOm,rhlrlehearasse.enewkoM.cTye-eMmhaiastms’ensptfoe,eoFyidistgsnrriwtmctrmeriOtnaosheidletlmtaeaitRecthsifimarnkoetetkiolTwlrcseybesktbthaahpshSlaeaotnecreabiclkhmdneyskaogheseliclitnoifaovktdlehimeska.imonneeyuatghtkohee, TSHTRICEKEL-SEPBIANCEKD by Anna Maggs their nests. © Jack Perks HLetstdoishmkgtuiieecf4gAfratke0esobnllr.ee0ReieatrAbrdsndeyfatDstefog,eac,nmbegmkntWeshusdansa!rtsletefOeilosemeOesmfmctt-sopschsRteaorpioucceluishonkeKnserolsdsseesreoeedbiIctoshsr,aaNwuseeuhnctsminaifkcsrhGdltoki.ceankalmaereve.dTnbDes.MhbadtTll,eiaooAarcaedyktmlnmsaessuDcscaoatlpihahnlfbkeeygueild ESSENTIAL © Pete Richman is very FACTS protective of the eggs and GastSecroiesntetiufisc ancaumleeatus aggressively Typ3ic-5alyleifaersspan othwemnym.ahaImltegoearcgneutoaccgtavaghhnsri!rrn,dseowOwgstswiilnhttalfhhncoitrcaeeorhuhkmutiptehshcn.eaeefiudHmnnnpeetsohgttfaueoetogokgvmrsaeehkahneyuutaweeopnfatapetcltiinrlohvetsthfe,khoaetteorbhhyanteeehifrteohmreeir to develop into adults. yttheuTelrolnomiswmAariepmlnedr’aest,hszosesirinlavsagepnfrgrfeyianemcbgotae!rllely www.wildlifewatch.org.uk 22 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Winter 2019

DO © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION ACCNAOITMLCDAHSL?Sby Barnaby Coupe © Mike Snelle IDCHAGAONOETAIWTCMNHSIADMICLOCAOSKLL?SDS? WTODNHOOAGTTEATNCDAYOBTEAACTNNHTIIMEMCRAOA?LLLSDSSD?OAsavTam(dcipgelnhktntAsnoimd’rovrhIawisniiisdaJnemnssntamiotemorouiimiasbismusnminopmaiudawssmtndimlstn’deiseegutlueteogncsavoeseahatsaflsrlsealwoirtu“)ndtssadkl,tootrcastcadu.,esiboyuhhamfrlgtnsoyiefiluIuwpeukgefiifegfmusssknreweateimhet,abtsyrteeflrllwamledbthfio,slesayovunaygfyoieyseiutisciroraceneenybtrheocgdrirwaunfkrlhntsdgehraalmoosutdsoa,flzontcuts,tilhrcecpeahnsouurwcual.omouofmottpscgehgeyuhshaToalditlaeadhsder.ssrhoeenihrflldtnrrasnl”e!!hseieTdumtl“orrvtrseaoehsitceithectfisosdchiurnhialnsetvsumd,yowoecoetekpsicehhlmngfeyaipmflfhro’etzerahwvuleoiiretprnnectis”aheinsooesg.enineenssrptl,sydsr.tghrtsestha,tfoadohhrasytfofabainetcdoInevamndkideunscssteLateaoaseyyamnceomrmoshtdie!saeaoeunIep,scnsyrdfaatalsuicinrekofshsnaooecefcggastaultasimiedhtv,srroteaevre-aioiiirds,lelrreeahunrbsroarsg.suoiflwraeetgutasntienhciaeamdesssadtafvihlnsriymirfnaiuweoeegscheunstshespann?ndapaeectsprwheee,eespnpy.zesaioesnisnpstnelegeteredhtt.aoroxeecyTbthczthiewganiaiweattnioweglpndtsghemrdp,afteeeoomsyeannrotenatttfaeohttrre.ltveelwsenIaymyafDlTyttapatarnhdorNhoekyhsfcaoaoyoryluWdeeuivnuyeookofnenirgntest,nete,yhhbukmfdonrsogrshugoai!eeeeyseoa’oinlnlo.trletvnainavflzrtteareohgbeEhiwesiydengdnefiefhAwaretvedrarygielsagneucmayer.bytnigbgnatnhaitfe(y’avtbeegarshcrdsonneuneeurwpsflalaticiiuiyibmviagnllotlmmeaalilobtans.enbpslntapmalarcd(haeraalttlttpctldoasehcdsrhinenslataeydlace,tepordchawear“tuueirseeotahaeavZlflrnppshcsbdcaaicuksacvoyagemltoeoeeystitisbuaet(swethote,rosicflhapeheeeannpa)cipwapisavnatdaeotseisalgsehrhatshihtnairauecvlrnlrcsellteoyorerduapgcgyanthirsaa,aotlelohaaciaorrosreedpdornnstitdimonostaaklethltos,iwsisdlodstewsbtttrant.sc)oiao,ithuieewsol,hlfiac,rhawtIiloaecmepcelgboa,fghcennaeteppnfmoiwoeyesncyewtldalabatreprgirohvateohreamro!ehcovhyraniaeylnsssutsgsaabedhsataRiittt.orase!gecniptg’serhsaeiivcvieonslgveIfhoasgsinc,seabelkfewrtyadyergd,rtooegrlt”wgttiieiyscfflsmenlmntsthaoaredtfhhahuovgerint!eaoesue,m)dnnpnyirbttds.uatll 23Wildlife Watch Magazine // Winter 2019

COMPETITIONS WOFONNADTEURRSE Discover 100 wonders of nature, from incredible rocks and sparkling minerals to amazing animals and predatory plants. This beautifully illustrated book, by Ben Hoare, is packed full of unbelievable facts about nature. We’ve got THREE copies to give away. FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN: Draw an animal or plant that you find amazing in the blank space. Once you’re happy with your drawing, take a picture of it and email it to us, or put the page in the post. Buy online at dk.com RRP: £20 TTKHHINREGOADUNOGIMMHAL WIN This book takes you WWGOIALOTDCDLHIIEFSE on a journey to every corner of our planet, We’ve got a from freezing mountain selection of peaks to deep, dark oceans, Wildlife Watch discovering the secret lives of the t-shirts and animals that live there. Through hyoDaoonnouoednrd’otssiefufiozstphertgpeoweosgetrhtitevolfoeonvtreayewlowllyuuiladdseyle.iynfseSotiehguwronr!iwsath!ge the Animal Kingdom is perfect FAaO•••nr eRsHWWwinoYhehwitOircch htfheUah wsremR wdsineaiaCdtgent hSraH horbzeAapianeshbNe iaqyeC inu fias eyoE nbsordtoauiT ornHngOnga esienn.t Wn bAasaetl IulshaNetc khhtk?t:ei?!kea nfosrw neartsure? for adventurous animal lovers Buy online at thewildlifetrusts.teemill.co.uk anywhere. We’ve got FOUR copies to give away. FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN: Tell us about your favourite habitat and the wildlife that lives there. Is it a forest, a meadow, the sea or somewhere completely different? Buy online at dk.com RRP: £9.99 COMPETITION RULES Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 1WT [email protected] By post Wildlife Watch, The Kiln, Mather 28 February 2020 Send your competition entries to us: By email your name, age and a way of contacting you with your entry! DEADLINE: Don’t forget to include