Wildlife Watch Autumn Issue 91

hFaRwEk-mEo!th Compost Tree-mendous Issue 91 Autumn 2019 creatures poster Find out who Meet the wildlife that lives in an loves your compost! oak tree WEIRD oKfitnhge BEETLES river Have you seen these Dive into the extraordinary watery world of insects? the kingfisher

Wild Things News from our Wildlife Watchers Super sketcher Benji, aged 5, loves friends and family so much! to draw wildlife. He He always carries paper likes to look at the and pens in his backpack, details in nature, alongside his Wildlife Trust and has taught his mum, membership card. Goldfinch and barn owl Ecdoirtnoerr’s Making a splash Inspiring seas Tom Hibbert We’re delighted 8-year-old Megan followed that lots of the instructions and made her Isabella, aged 8, was Editor, Wildlife Watch readers were own mini wildlife pond (below)! inspired to write a inspired by Great work, Megan! That looks lovely poem about H ello! My name’s Tom the pond guide in our like the perfect place for birds the sea. Here’s and I’m really excited summer issue. Thank you and bugs to get a drink. the first verse of to be taking over from so much to everyone who Isabella’s poem: Leanne as editor of Wildlife sent us a photo of their Watch. Leanne has done a new wildlife pond! The sea is blue, green and grey fantastic job and I’ve got some Brothers Fraser and and never leads me to dismay, big shoes to fill! But I can’t wait Charlie were so excited they to share my love for wildlife with started work straight away. Watch the fish swim quickly you, and hear all about your They searched a garden through the ocean waves, centre to get the right plants adventures. and collected stones from As the manta rays swoop I love all wildlife, but birds around the garden to make gracefully by, are my favourite – especially this fantastic mini pond kingfishers! In this issue you can (above). Good job, guys! Seagulls dive and fight for fish, learn all about these beautiful I bet damselflies will love river birds (page 22). those tall leaves. And puffins gather on the cliffs, I used to live on a small island, surrounded by seabirds The sound of the sea is like a like puffins, kittiwakes and Arctic song that never ends terns. Now I spend a lot of my time in the forest, ringing birds Invisible depths teem with life, to help us learn more about them. I see a lot of oak trees, As every piece of time stands still, which are great for wildlife. You can discover some of the Please keep it clean once and creatures that depend on oak for all. trees on pages 20-21. I hope you enjoy my first issue of Wildlife Watch and I’d love to hear from you! You can find my contact details on page 3. Happy autumn!

Plastic © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION 08 isn’t fantastic 9-year-old Summer made this wonderful underwater artwork, highlighting the problem of plastic in the ocean. She took it into her class for show and tell and gave a talk about the importance of recycling and reducing our plastic use. Plastic isn’t fantastic, but this artwork is! Well done, Summer. © John Bridges 16 In This Issue… 23 Check out 02 Wild Things wildlifetrusts.org/ 04 Plastic Clear for a Year! privacy-policy to find 05 Your Stories! out how we keep your information safe. Read stories from Wildlife Watchers r Wildlife Watch 91 Hpfoarswteker-meo!tH CCroematpuorsets tree-menDous Issue 91 Autumn 2019 0 6 Compost Creatures Cover: © Malcolm BrownMeet the wildlife thatFind out who 08 Saving our Sea Life Editor: © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISIONloves your compost!lives in an 10 Homes Under the Sea Tom Htibhbeertrive oak tree Editorial Team: Rockstars Abbie Hargreaves Anna Maggs 11 Hedgehog Poster JMoaarnynPtaohRrtieechrrairdvser 12 Quiz Mike Watson 13 Young Climate Champions 14 Gallery 16 Weird Nature Beetles 17 How to… Help birds avoid windows 18 A Helping Hand Saving special species 20 The King of Trees Mighty oaks 22 Feature Creature Kingfisher 23 Where’s the Birdsong Gone? 24 Competitions Beetling oKfitnhge What’s Wildlife Watch? Get in touch The Wildlife away river 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 Have you seen these Dive into the child-only membership and £30-60 for family membership. or ring: 01636 677711 or write to us at: Charity No extraordinary watery world of You’ll receive a starter pack and four issues of Wildlife Watch magazine Wildlife Watch, The Kiln, Mather Road 207238 insects? the kingfisher a year. This is packed full of amazing pictures, posters and competitions. Newark, Notts, NG24 1WT We also have a really wild website and e-newsletter full of wild ideas and Keep watching! nature-spotting tips. Plus you get access to local events and groups. Go to wildlifetrusts @wildlifetrusts wildlifewatch.org.uk to find out more. thewildlifetrusts

PCllfaeYoasertariarc! Bex Lynam has been living plastic clear for a whole year! Here’s her final update on this inspiring challenge. How did my lntTeoeavxktetehli!et made my own cereal year go? bars and other sweet treats (like ice cream!) It’s been a steep learning curve. to replace all those that I had to work hard to change Have you made your come wrapped in plastic. the way I shop. But it’s been plastic swaps and They’re healthier too as I add fruit Snoexwthfaotr’sme? very rewarding to see the huge and much less sugar. This is just the start of a single-use- difference this has made to the cut down your plastic amount of rubbish I throw away! use? Well done! This is Top tips plastic-free life, not the end! Living Each week the bin lorry arrives a huge step towards clear is now a way of life and most of the time I’ve got making the world a The secret is to start small. plastic and I won’t be going back. little or no general waste to better place for our Change a handful of items first, for me give them! wildlife! So what’s next? let’s say five things. Work on Avoiding single-use plastic has I’ve been filling up my ‘plastics swapping them for a plastic- bin’ with any single use-plastic 1 Tell your friends free alternative or cut them out become natural, although being items I did use. I’m pleased to and family what completely. When these changes organised has been essential! you’re doing ahnaovethbeer cfiovemietehmasbaitsn,dchstoaortseagain! It’s also made me carefully reflect report that I’ve only just filled on how much ‘stuff’ I buy and I’ve it up! It’s mostly things like the asked myself more plastic wrappers from greetings Ask your It’s much more fun to do it with cards and yogurt pots. I’ve 2 supermarket to and more found a store near me that sells yoghurt in a glass jar. I’ve also make changes all your family and makes the ‘do I really made some of my own cards changes much easier. Chat with instead – my creative side has Ask your school to mum and dad about which plastic need furesyeokaGujnororeouoowrddwnohelniunoycpgwakl!anyosdontiulcet been thoroughly tested! make changes items you could swap. this?’ The hardest 3 swap 4 Write to your MP Crisp packets were the and ask them to hardest to avoid because take action on I love crisps and I’ve never plastic pollution found any that aren’t sold in a plastic wrapper. But I’ve started making my own which has been great fun. I’ve also 04 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2019 www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

SYtoourries by Polly (aged 10) Hwcrahevaaettuiytroewusofeurvoledmrbwtehoelinkddeientrooesdsaeuer largest insect that Frog in Polly’s pond age alive and thriving ever lived. And it was today? Well, maybe you also predatory. Yikes! have seen them roaming Imagine that flying your garden and have around in your garden. never even realised. But it became extinct fwyBttrs hHhsehgostafoeea tiuihsjaeaulemotnthueaid6eriverrbrwndtesvltdsvdSesee5zrhiiltkaegieeeavudobztea4wbnvremrvbnlenieigemete0aetnitdhEug’ltoamiereosle0elpyta,offoflgtesiovfritxtrreshsnboootle,emrhott,eahhtmaegnhngrbfeptsmewyratsice.ibwlarbolmyadlyianaechyieodIbeegohnsatourcyesearealsrpawnidyteywe,usucnchrewyteasjhstr–ahyakucihscohvfnlsesiitootmeteiiaulebnebegveohlaoameeg2miesga,spderrhdbodlesdd3lgmiwioyilieeovna,n.ns,iwcraacehraafcbgoo.aIgmblrgahtynriolydsnnecNaesuioosetunabdihlanddntolyu.aamoluifihtddrinory-srw7srunfkndroaooorocsstmrno0wifsgaogrennuaiuel.sdesoysmoreaurasstomcaonwyhutiutgrarpanouiiotontildsnriolwldaguhrsslrlsoeifneqbitare.oain!sldndauosinsgadluitos.ietn,r 251 million years ago. Isthmoaulglehrthmy’ amouenaugxirinemsiwgotToaeat-lldlRdsskaseayo,yxlouoiInus’ntmgstgwoidstmtohieadueplektlidhnnindeegngirxneeotaov’ntlbselimaorybuouheerutasartvh–ee Scientists say insects creatures such as were larger then as birds, frogs, toads, there was more oxygen dragonflies and i enpnfublveoiseeotBelhflslsoeidven.tefreiaoeMladldtri,ohebarp.rategsiohvnneleealsosirne,vleiianaacwiwttlhostianreiubeclgrirleekheagessmna,wstbdrwioeeldelmrahteeefhnilnscoeesbshwta,ehotnesheienndroetvlsglymoyebtlesuhenvletaesatodeteenfdrdfelieds damselflies and to pollinate them also the smallest – beetles! In the bugs and beetles. spring, check inside However, they a magnolia flower looked a lot different and you’ll see 358 million years the little beetles ago. In fact, one of crawling around, the early ancestors collecting pollen to of the dragonfly – help make baby the griffinfly from trees. Don’t think bugs are the only prehistoric animals in your the Paleozoic era garden. Just look – had a wingspan in your pond. of nearly 70cm, Frogs evolved Do you want to write making it the for the magazine? Send Pollinating beetles your stories and ideas to [email protected]! 05 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2019

cCroematpuorsets Common shrew Cmlatimkhnieneadikbbwweeeinaeayttrosoewlmwiteusmsrsaor,to(,pshnytornhtouedweeeesmepnvwftriree!dfhotc)unr.seemoflTaeaalmhahclpnyoyetpposdmssoleuaaenssegrcrhatlegekifrchtoiestkftfelarcwoeianfhnwrospcet.hsriranluioCidwtsbmtnoaltGeeioifmcnmrreTors!ndmh,peTtaaetogosrhott.,isatWeonwYrtsrya.godlihiullAcudhdeeagtlellnalcniisbffltapeipeaihmagnstnaTnrrgaeuradtfdeuilcsrnrsrscetyoodstrtpcttseo.athloor’iealenessrwutgdgoprete/aethwncibatnnooiosacdywmiretsset,pet!oost Shrews need to eat every 2-3 hours to survive – that’s a lot of slugs and bugs! Illustration: Rachel Hudson Illustration Robin Robins hunt insects on the edge of the compost. Smooth newt A baby newt is called a newtlet, or an eft! 06

Devil’s coach horse Earwig This predatory beetle curls up Female earwigs its body like a scorpion when are great mothers. threatened! It doesn’t have a sting, They guard their but can bite so is best left in peace. eggs and young from predators. Slow worm Slow worms love munching on slugs. They can live for over 20 years! Grass snake Slug Grass snakes are the only snakes in the Slugs and UK that lay eggs! The heat from rotting worms help compost helps keep them warm. break down the compost. Common toad 07Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2019 Toads spend the winter buried in compost heaps, mud or under rocks and logs.

More than half our wild animals live in the sea, and they need protection! Saving our sea T tnMohaelatousroirenkeaearaePftsrreeoertrpesvcereotasetedolicfneAte,lradethnaferdso.,gmTwohvhteehesrerneemmasorepesnetatcdciabarelimtpaliaatkeregtsinogf atuwhcpaotitvan4idrtio1eeunsrfn.eudTwlhwoiMsuildyraelcrifaioenraetwshPtaser.tohTcteehacailsltretdwhdetilhAsl eehreebsalprpsiellthicoaaianpvltrepnobletaewecceetsntshsheeotme! Here are some of the creatures who are found within these sites and will be better protected because of them: Seahorse Black sea bream © Paul Naylor / marinephoto.co.uk © Paul Naylor / marinephoto.co.uk SglUeipkruainrepnehlptiagikoliennrtcshaghmeenatsyoatm,aseillteormleialokeenkeboriiingmnazgeaaamraanlrsoefsdtnietcpakrrieseetprhyatfoh,eetuueectcyrtimn,ehetyssialn.iektlyTehge,hagsseateesymaakihnahhoanootvvhgrreesseaeesiarreobtpphoaoaa!butriacgehtsee!tlsy These silver fish are very bold and adventurous. During the Ocean quahog breeding season the males make a nest by clearing sand from a huge circle of the seabed, like a moon crater, and defend it aggressively! Did you know that all black sea bream are born female? They only turn into males when much older! Eider © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION © arransealife.co.uk 08 Ewhpicdeaooearnarmvdsidte.trushiTgctehkhUsesteKythhaldaorruovveeceutkgrit,nuohbceeturhesa teedtuaimcnbdolluiyukldsecfslekuetsshfltf,seywraafmeinnraeadteltlyhlroaesmtrhrtdrseoaswrnyyisthnohhigusce.hlffliTafnkihrsdeehferyo.opnamtrahetehdtmheueck fu5ITltehn0lsied0vheeoyysrecwsfeayoaarprstnehaoroq,vlndufee!a–reyIhtdaolloiivngbnegigtisslaibtkainmuedvreaeibe.rsdryOensinaonleotrhtkwhwiene-lag!gssrueofsaowiunfilnngogdoarctoldloaenbmegep.

LifebSlyaMtaetrt Stalked jellyfish Smelt © Matt Slater / Cornwall Wildlife Trust © Jack Perks Stalked jellyfish are tiny snowflake-shaped animals that live in shallow water, usually stuck to sea weeds. They are Sisnompenrraeioevl.btekTaarnhsrboeeblywysuastmta.rsesaYptolefelausfnisscdpth,arasentihtl’ltvtoayesttymr,oyulifeckatklehlnyteds.hiaMresltmmmaimyoeubenllne,iodnlifiteveckreuswetfceuoaupartmesrprie,bpabserreturaosdtn!fatdhWtthoethehrirsiyers?alloiiNwvmpeoaeesyn? distant relatives of jellyfish, with tentacles on their arms to catch prey. Although they are delicate, they survive waves Sea pen and storms and can sometimes be seen in large numbers. Catshark © Paul Naylor / marinephoto.co.uk © Alexander Mustard / 2020VISION A sea pen is actually a colony of tiny anemone-like creatures Lapickssrueeeirtatalteiryslcdl lhscauhoiznpavyge,rdkrrfeeosu,sdrritcnpiinangrgtesttyhhhoolaenikurdtekshsaaseynhmtsdaimeasvaleelobwfeaetxondintrdr.myeAcmsstak,nenicnilgrybatherebotessutthhegae.ehnyTndhsgbkeseiyyhnt debaliurlvfeisesyrh,s. living joined together, sharing a central stalk. They dig into soft muddy seabeds and stand upright like an old feather 09Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2019 pen. Then they use tentacles to catch plankton brought to them by passing currents. Some sea pens glow in the dark!

Rockstars!by Donal Griffin © Paul Naylor / marinephoto.co.uk aslTeshoaeiatmnseobmuotothtnooemfi!sa ItsKsmhheoeiogrpreheaat–nnrleoiemthylpoeomeootkeus towtofroilflrleobtethseleovesfeeawrysseypcietroodcmifaeifnonsdrdtt,hawbebuolnetnecdtxoaetnrutfisumy,loebmuuyastoprruioon’rcteekaasosnnoeinatmhtseahqlesu!irt? Sea anemone Barnacle Sea squirt Limpet © Paul Naylor / marinephoto.co.uk © Paul Naylor / marinephoto.co.uk © Paul Naylor / marinephoto.co.uk © Julie Hatcher Barnacles are crustaceans which AtoTstooowahhsqnufrerehueawtotyyheiadcrdanectakusisatssrebtlttbehnt,rsruaebee,csrcacyusbahkametelolouaaedofsdr.tsebeqsisgueoaicrmtrsaeilbnaitovismcreSf!eleuaeofisfdtatstohafihonosceugdhoqarnetunsafdtdiodeenrrtraiesmslov!saetAlrTusolnhnsgceeksysms,uhaorarfnneovdeeeupsdnbblaoIasatdoe’ohfsnrriuatnoinekhneldrtgdegasfoeloeemsntmouhartysafnaeasottldoinonelsirtndeat’nmsasmcntpttfabhiotoisoamocremuhticlngeta.ohshmehsThlnesthaioodsrtlennrhiekoted.eoden.!e These greyish coloured, conical stay in the same spot on the shaped molluscs are very rock their whole lives. On the www.wildlifewatch.org.uk common on rocky shores. They shore, they can close their shell cling tightly to the rock while the plates to protect themselves from tide is out, but when they are predators and to stop them from covered in water, they move drying out. But under water they about and use their radula (it’s use their modified legs (called like a tongue!) to scrape algae cirri) to sweep tiny food particles off the rock to eat. to their mouths inside their protective shell. 10

Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 112019 HuHnoggry © Tom Marshall Hedgehogs eat as much food as possible in autumn, fattening up on fbaeteetnleosu, gshlu,gthseaynfdinsdnaaislsh.eWltehreendthspeoy’tre and curl up to hibernate through winter.

Wi ld Quiz 1 234 How well Clue © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION do you This mighty male © Linda Pitkin / 2020VISION know your is Britain’s largest autumn land mammal! © Richard Steel / 2020VISION animals? © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION Clue Clue Clue You might spot this This fantastic fish This fast flier thrush in a field in swims up rivers and heads to Africa winter. We’d give you even waterfalls! for the winter. another clue but that wouldn’t be fair! Fungi Finder! E PD EC BP EAF F UA EI AD LIL Acinuatntuhymeonuwoifsirndgdsreeaaalltrcofhfo?rthmeussehsrpoeocmiess– P FO CW SB FSY AFS JX DL CHA Fly agaric Shiner CBH RP AE UIG Inkcap Puffball Elf cup Jellybaby KAC UP RW PNA Waxcap Pink disco NLD EC EI VER Deceiver Blewit I LW DA PT OR I PIN KD IS COC LL YB ABY SJE Help the blackbird find the berries Can you help our blackbird find a tasty autumn treat? 12 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2019 Autumn Animals Answers: 1 Red deer, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Salmon, 4 Swallow www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

Yccolhiuamnmagptieons School children Amelia “hcItufhhdarsmwoaeinNudwnncdahplwoniotgesenpr’auototefrsoebolerfwdlrnlleslidimtktkloalitomi.avleecnyeteITnsvaatthssdtehamkowetceaeenuhrfieinrrfdlsoyoiaitd.freetooitslIoSeihddultfllgtdeeoeisnrtfsei,isvrftgkmtterstebroyiihirkndpekufoeesiogientununrgIsogmncmfgsstofpoegtieiIlyoaanl,rewfspodggtsutbhedcafaeaerteahonsooliomsnctopdmo.uasNpo”leenttuuleosacsfpwiaomredrlewiorpmefaeoyooulilsecuartofnlhhinrtwwkwdeeedeaohnlIualyltd are standing up ed 5, is a nature lover from Shrops hire Yfor their future Amelia, aged 9, is from Norfolk, wh Lily ou might have heard the words climate change, 13Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2019 or climate crisis a lot recently. This is because the world is heating up much faster than it should s Nature Reserve be, because of damaging activities like cutting down forests and burning fossil fuels (like gas and oil). This could be a disaster for wildlife, and ere she volunteers at Cley Marshe for us too! But it’s not too late to make a difference, and young people are owmsfwfTitwiomnpiynsH“cnrgcilgIkyrtacEhheiwpeeaensoPrrrrmdacaepposoLhty.rAtrltpw.ieoihIncnNiaItsfooehttwisEtewlegreihTElrdteddndiea’-oe.nr.sm’rwmdeirThttInehnheeitdyfroseandtiwaItcdcow-scrghtiesectlhthoalihhhtleiansoohvliiodrystneeoltrotr,divbbckhektlae,ahieeenininrntbreccgepgidaasugmndaluuteaatimyofsstIwffntsoeetpieeyshtirl‘saartIldSeco’imvEiAlynltaiaeaf.Vt”deserEtstsdhheof Lily, ag leading the way! Inspired by a brave teenager from Sweden called Greta Thunberg, young people across the world are showing how much they care about our planet’s future. They’re protesting to ask the Government to take action to stop the climate crisis. Lots of children and teenagers even missed school and went on organised strikes to show how important the problem is. Many of you wonderful Wildlife Watch readers have taken part! Meet some of the young people helping to save our planet.

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 2 4 HEwomOWTirTtaWhhwihliedletrhwliTWtiKefeOaeiisltltnodWcuE,hlbuNiaMf@jseetTcawcaEThttrtRi:hulliGdneslaetrisfleR‘lGetorraauyldlsetrsy.oerngtry’ 5 6 14 NNeowttas rNkG24 1WT yiWinInof cciwulldluruelddidffeereeaatTywhrtouueiunsrmertg,!fsysirWooosutnedrnomsaaonrmic’gttwiheafoo,tl rraamgkgleseweotdetaiosanhw!dailrle

7 1) Puffin by Mia, aged 13 9 (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust) We love this beautiful puffin painting. Mia has 11 really captured some of the wonderful details, 12 especially around the puffin’s colourful beak. Great job, star winner! 2) Otter by Chloe, aged 11 (Somerset Wildlife Trust) This fantastic otter looks so cheeky poking its head up from the water! The wonderful colours make us feel like we’re in the water with it. Keep painting, Chloe! 3) Foxglove by Callum, aged 10 (Suffolk Wildlife Trust) It’s great to see a drawing of this fabulous wildflower. By adding some buzzing bees Callum has really set the scene of a lovely summer day. 8 4) Birdbox by Ellie, aged 9 10 (Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust) What a creation! Ellie made this model birdbox from the packaging that a real bird box came in! Her bird certainly looks happy with its new home. Great job, Ellie! 5) Butterfly by Luca, aged 6, and Alessandro, aged 3 (London Wildlife Trust) The colours in this painting are gorgeous! We love the bright blue butterfly and the vibrant wildflowers all around it. Two young wildlife artists in the making! 6) Barn owls by Maisie, aged 7 (Essex Wildlife Trust) Maisie has drawn a wonderful picture of a male barn owl feeding a female. Males often bring females gifts of food when they are pairing up early in the year. 7) Dolphin by Orla, aged 7 (Scottish Wildlife Trust) This dolphin is so cute! It’s one of the bottlenose dolphins that live in the Moray Firth in Scotland. Orla loves spending time by the sea, looking for shells and sea glass. 8) Maybug by Romey, aged 7 (Devon Wildlife Trust) Romey has great taste in insects! Maybugs (also called cockchafers) are large beetles that fly on warm summer evenings. We love those big orange antennae! 9) Deer fawn and stag by Ruby, aged 11 (Ulster Wildlife) This incredible drawing of a fawn and stag is so atmospheric. The huge moon and the silhouettes of the deer paint a magical picture. Wonderful work, Ruby! 10) Frog pond by Rufus, aged 6 (Sussex Wildlife Trust) Rufus’s pond looks fantastic. We love the mix of wildlife we can see in this drawing, especially the colourful newts. What a wonderful watery world! 11) Red squirrel by Sam, aged 10 (Sussex Wildlife Trust) We love the brilliantly bushy tail of this beautiful red squirrel. The detail is amazing – the fur looks so lifelike! Great job, Sam, keep drawing! 12) Kingfisher by Toby, aged 7 (Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust) Toby has done a great job of capturing the colour of one our brightest and most beautiful birds. Most kingfisher sightings are just a flash of blue as one darts along a river.

We ird SaaAworrlmeoel nolecafdobrtelhgeoreefeuum,trllsfleuoyaslmr.ee w eird-o-me te •r• • Weird l • • • • Wacky • Nature weird! Wonderfu Gbereetelnetortoise This issue: Beetles by Charlotte Varela Black oil beetle Seven-spot Sexton beetle ladybird © Barry Watts © John Bridges © Charlotte Varela © John Bridges It’s big, it’s beautiful, and it has some SslwwlayaTeeoohdorivtmtoueheyothubeynd–ban’ti-rlrhristseddciiegpinesng5vhogncrl,etto5eortnoloor0aac-ursk0etdsalsyfpnaynoaebtoagrp-dliitlletrthoithlewdlaioesdensdikpt-slhsgiyilonkotbiaanctegosirarr.kdtsdtfhtaiApeelnsiecfrinngenigperd..yoiallfBilodbfaseaoobrtbslinlme,y’tue!p TbtmtfatobSheheleueamkemcxrmoybayato’moriobmnlveendoeegsakyubsaebmlte.ofneeosTefedneuhotaeltpeedgbltedeysaudfserotarru,hadysrraretdeetitrnnhhnenabdgeenewliisrrgnarbdsooytooh.hrootkdkM!oubrnyttnao,esodgwmgclweaasehsanttueteihlaclsarohensesnr.d HfhborAtdoohooeudonmrwmeteuwttooaellfpetnfasttsrfethrohhecne–wrdelaeeyialtroraedhdotuonaeoutalhlfyrdndusrtemgohp?ysyueokIgattcynhui’rsnkl’deaeresgegiemrtoaaohnsapnnetthactodmottianhc;rhrpdkteitdiofydooiintrihseoocggsee.orhrNyoaigepntoiflcel.ee!l really weird habits. Black oil beetle larvae use their hooked feet to hitch Great diving beetle Tiger beetle Wasp beetle free rides on unsuspecting bees. They hop off in the bee’s nest, where they gobble up its eggs before pupating and emerging as adults the following spring. Charming! Stag beetle © Terry Whittaker / 2020VISION © Jan Hamrsky / naturepl © Alex Hyde / naturepl © Frank Porch HMdlilayntaobuiaedmcrweealvrieeeleeariwtssdmssle.(,tibiiabtpSssnhaglthrealbteirehvbgisilvdeeeiesfabedsifeplvo)eisctnerfrleooyeagjtacrcsulneltreaeshduesst:sesswthateihlh!roaoofeAtsnevhosykdegweeillunuimaavhmlctfnesioksvtoorsayetnnaisxstgh?s. This beetle might spend most of AmttbtWhiiaartgusafeoneHecrpyujcaroraA’.otrhrhobweAMwsoleotsnbrso!es.tmpahTitTmnltihbaeehhnseitaeeeeelnaatmslcacboarc.thvmanrtEfisav,nabaetaellhiliclteivkshwvegheeseeiirirnngtasaiahrbrblawisebnfaasonoeuhcaodinrekthrdnw–oathwviateh.t its time underwater, but it isn’t 16 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2019 aaifrrauinddteorrietsacwhinfogrctahseessk–y!kItintrdaps The wasp beetle’s black and yellow of like holding its breath – but stripes are a clever disguise. It even awcatatrnnaatcstlestood.ftGloyrloeigfafhtttodaiavnindngeswobmepeeottlneimds eiafsrite moves in a jerky way that makes it turn up in moth traps! look like a flying wasp. This means that anything that wants to eat it thinks twice about chowing down! Baby wasp beetles grow up in dead wood and sometimes hatch out of firewood that’s been brought inside. www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

17 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2019

Meet some of ftrhoemaemxatiznicntgioanninimtahels that we’ve brought back UK. © Peter Cairns / 2020VISION HeHlAapnindgby Tom Hibbert Shatiagshennenelit’pmatwrqrfeaerouaolalsraiolomltl,dycbesmoaelTfbeareonhtastertheicdeomvbeov,eWafemesipnndpsrill.eadadeawSnnlcbtsioifthilaaesemdaeclnlaTikegprftrnie.itullgriodaHemshfbciteantcseearondfsslaeouisemnwwoanxiddtiahrtttsreihelpenytshr!falcafeocetrWaiiutybnotnhnreinnettesr,cecropyosowaefeu.mmldhhlcbiteaeplteheorlklspeie.sestAtfaeuhatrnhlroaysvliemomtpidvicheraeiauasch.lalssivoeO,epemmstxrphhtiietesigeahnsahsldec.orettyIsiaffnoltrmotoonlfhsirmttiiotgt–nblmehgietts 18 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2019 www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

EuBreaasviearn Osprey © Nick Upton / Cornwall Wildlife Trust © Andy Rouse / 2020VISION 1w5ati0atchrkyooeeusnIasttrochtshosetepuolprlUde!sypKhsraeovaveder The UK’s last wild beaver disappeared over 400 years ago, but O spreys went extinct in the UK just over now this bark-munching mammal is back thanks to help from a hundred years ago, and for nearly 40 wildlife charities! Beavers from Norway were released in three years we had no nesting ospreys. Then big lakes in Scotland. The beavers happily had young and spread to different rivers and lakes. There are also projects working to some came back! A pair of these brilliant bring them back to England and Wales, too. birds nested at Loch Garten in Scotland in 1954. They came back on their own, but they needed lots of Beavers are famous for using their huge help to spread further. Nests were guarded to make sure they front teeth to cut tree trunks and branches. wlieftAigithbsteoianwvwnerobcooaddn!y They pile up the logs to make dams and their weren’t disturbed, and new nest platforms were built to give them lodge – a home with an underwater entrance. a home. Some Scottish chicks were taken to Rutland Water in England, The pools they create are great for other looked after and released when they were old enough to fly. These birds came back to Rutland as adults and nested, helping ospreys wildlife, like kingfishers and dragonflies. return to England. By building nest platforms, we’ve helped them come back to Wales, too! LBaurtgteerBflluye © Jim Foster, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust PForoogl © Ross Hoddinott / 2020VISION O ur largest and rarest blue butterfly went extinct here in the 1970s. Because this beautiful butterfly is also at risk in the rest You might have seen a common frog, Mhtahalavedetupsacookouloqlnufudrdaoscgclkiaskilnel ga! of Europe, scientists worked hard to bring it back to the UK but have you ever heard of a pool frog? just a few years later. But it wasn’t easy! These croaking creatures are incredibly rare. For a long time, scientists thought Large blue caterpillars eat ant grubs, but they need a certain species that pool frogs had all been brought to England by of red ant. To bring the butterfly back, they had to people – what we call a non-native species. By the make sure there were plenty of the right kind time they realised that some pool frogs had been here the netshtaestnc,hmatwestbehLignaraerptucrroiegkbllecasttaho!rbsrelrtuythyreieienciagkr t of ants. After they had made the perfect whole time, it was too late. The last native pool frogs were gone. habitat, with lots of red ants, butterfly eggs To save the species, pool frogs from Sweden were brought to were brought over from Sweden. The England and released in a protected place in Norfolk. The frogs did reintroduction was really successful and well and have now been moved to another nearby nature reserve, now large blues are doing well at several too. With a bit of help, the pool frogs should spread and you might spots in southwest England! be able to see one for yourself! 19 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2019

Aothtnifsiirnmsttahgjilesasontilccdeto,reaitekm.isBiguahtctltosuoeakellmay hlliiotktmeleethctleoorseae’srwnahonotdlheiynwoguo’mrlllduscoohof nwgisoledineligfteh!at of T The King Dbomy mPeettet WtcmTcrhtbwoeraaeiaguleobleengni.ntdieyiantTgaitsrmhtphtytnosBioev.maapfiudretoTirksrsautrhselaamnypwctinscisrehmnsbdiuelcdium,slaeaviaelnwoielrstfessekekfiaao–l,,ctyoihfvrnssctaeutoihosnkratopaueuh)tgtpvknuahneeomtrngterkerrhoedrts,iroingi1nenst–wa2ghwetgahrf0stirmeeisnysorsei.mmoltopteoihIrantaeieaeot’lksgillonkaiamUotptyknrbKhien.osilimreeneB–saaos!oatfemEnocntlnthcsrcrwetogothtsahhlssioiertcsaetesohfseincrwtsooaohvaoauoaenmnmesnkrrydydem(moaesotulrosohffrouenovslrituvral! © Kim Taylor / naturepl Living Trunks Moosncsatetphlhmnbumseiec,itrgeoooklotihsurcwtathetthhfr,lknseiaeenp’hgsomnlgiopouest,nriotssduafgktootunrnr-trfaeierkdptimilanhglaefargeehonenbrttdatdnhdhaoissrpebfto,s,fgrawadltopihrtkkavsohleeuiywid(l.lcteeerAkeftte) ! DTlahiyde istysilvoeegur-gwks anosnohwtehde?ftrriutilnlakroy fbauntteoraflky will tree. © Visuals U nlimited / naturepl Reliable Roots Oa(kwpter(guellltenr,eighTwvmpfesshrtee)laoeoyeeaaosaumrcyrbunaenvaedegrdelkdniibeutat,taoaylolemritenptrvhashtoge)deoitkenuifrs,fl.rrtlrno)e,ihtUi.nhmedomxeYnrntraouetrdefdhautkuashtesebunhdmemrurwgrtssntorgihiieein.g(,otceehIemthmftahu’’rsstfleaiunlslsearklngporsdcogiooatooittpsts. win-win relationship! MbDetoahenL1jeona,k0rOoed,g0lyTay0aidv,hTkneyeOeresdntelrtaKdeeGonir,enaKsaoTsDk.gnkgmhMcsio!noeaebiodfnsnCborL.erBillTmieyiwrntvhyhioteobeaal?rsfiineu,onnT’res7hho0Taev0hveeoerf © Matthew Maran / naturepl 20 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2019 www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

Trees! © Peter Eeles Luscious Leaves In dspewblrbouiaicblncibfeltrrilhuaogfdtbaeihetnut,salvteeeecos,egurrhrlarpssrtdifakyele,kiyielersnelfmaefle(ilnlbacoesreopsalunwfsduttuchmdi)(el.eiritvnsehpMrcmet)csseialrtmeliseulslatfileonierdhuano.rreainnpdntBnodicadsirgrlbohesltnaohwurtetdrohmrfeddesinomliosaliironcsaokocaeewgkaht,rhoekicfks. Odd Galls Tinayntrggeoareaollkwtwh’steahbnssup,ddcsesavlalaeleynlodtdhpgesleaisralltesvrae,gwnsg.gshTeiihcneh protect the wasp grubs ionLgofcroolgukwadloiilnnsuggdt fuisonprrsinaiddgniefgfaetleuhre,teunommta.tkny-pa–epsple and marble galls (left). tthews © Vaughn Ma © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION Home Sweet Hole Sevheoisrnlaaehicn(vnlstmseilhnoubldlsetteladhieoeterrhmiadrudsenpettsiadgam)nhmaysilnenipopatkdaaroiaeplntesnrrvyketedtedEs–eoaetnrlrf(mrsl-llnegwoyehuieeclnwafoaictans)yhhl-n.otettnecoBhdlisadnherlai–l.bsdoceottSehsskuwrbamseererarnksiedonans.akogl,kmtlsetice © Margaret Holland Appetizing Acorns In loaftHeawucsae((noeonlsevuegnreouseftnturapdtn)tsyshmfes.fmwmfelctGeaanimiialalcr,suldeslehamlptyyb,hfnarmbtwsroohcaoqaamaoeouvudrlsorags)ingterdlahhra(seipennennrtalidhuscsgctwrletheaubreaiaeodnwteinriynodi.ddninsutsgoj)tsaeyr.s DOthiaedky’tyrreeoe4us0dkyoennao’rtswpor?oldd!uce acorns until Magazine // Autumn 2019 21 Wildlife Watch

Feature fTihsehkininggs of Creature atstwshotogpnuKhoeuaeodciatmnyhtthtpte’gsfelheolusrahfiuatiirrltthrssaosnlipphsmirmnghaeoceagrparisrigyenncs,sst,hhacdnti.tahnhh.toabregTtewedabyehypidosaoenwrwpvnuinearieoileteynllfil.falrtddueohhOvbislfuevosn,betentuhawicficrtoreseqdkiafrttrluresUetetoahe.abKmfreirWogtea’iysacohthcausnmdtikenrpdpisnnniosos,eitwesnttborfhtcigcaustethshhttyce,h Kingfisher by Abbie Hargreaves sWeheetrheecma?n you © Andy Rouse / naturepl Essential pctaaykoooeaYoirhntmeosbuarigeipudopnihnfe-evigmpsatgeooehoevanfteeraeibohyrerspsereasq.siatc’ltcYpulwiowcpwyanaoioaloeamonaiuayttltnhltuanyo.aeomwdrldutr–.nhk!acirA)oggri,eoantebfehbsirbngdraatrtuyrfwhctbeiifothssgekievatgluhehhoeegyhesetwtmr.n!a-eribyWvp-Irehiw’tlegfrd’uislaneteorhcheesairwhtawtniaizrfdpesslizrea(ntepdeaehiilnsgtlyvtepth‘igwsepoeimrltpanineosjovsuenetfereilsefyttprehstd-ins Facts Lovebirds Scientific name Alcedo atthis uTtaIihhffahnlpLeoeetinethkmfvet’ieolefeescrleasehyth1mmirtlsn8iieydnictnoaektogafwhisldshsenteptih,ituadsbhachsnraiaibfepreirnetdnedrueewtsisoanalpuld,aikgyilps,knlyi!thttaiejinhuamttonrhogesrwdgeoetfhinr.useareehehTianvpreiwhes.dtepderItrifhscrsynbomsoeetwaaheauvanfnercieipleslkdlh’enslhsleeowwtnce,showaohgitiklhtmttleighcleelfrsehosedna.eeritgslf! Typical life span Glsuobpaerlstars Two years We only have one KeoiynpegeliAfndismethhyeaaerztssipnhurganovdtfeaeeccratwtstathhtieredrir! © Andy Morffew species in the UK, the common kingfisher, but there are over 100 different species of kingfisher around the world. While ours stick near streams, rivers and canals, some species live in the woods, on mountain tops, or even in the desert! 22

WThheere’s © Andy Rouse / 2020VISION Birdsong Gone?by Yussef Rafik B irds use their voices for a variety of different reasons, but why does birdsong seem to disappear once summer is over? Why Do Birds Sing?MitiEsswanhtvondaeiaelsdilyiccnrtctattvuoooahtoafenfeitclcsttileorihyenrtmechmutthhoaembaietciadtruyktodtenhstshri,esoucaaiananpcmvntggeteoad.atfflTwhoetmmhoauiitetnsahapydcltrfeteioauhta.tnbseaeAeiminrcbrdtdsseapsitttnarhhheuogreee,tsninaainibrgnlergitdrgshrdsaoyss!nwgaill CThhaenAguetsuImnn © Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION slhoiwnTauhghhvdaieienecsghsnbmotiegainvsoehtoetanot9iicsonr5recfeglosydtca.hcuoelTledeerchdi!baeeesydlas, homes from rival birds. Once the summer months draw ABDliorldAYsneSyairn?g to a close and autumn sets in, tblhoirnedgsbercreonemedeiendsgttsooeaaatsntoreanncftdo.ar Tmmheoaystetn,o Fear not though, there is and their chicks have already still some birdsong to be grown up and left the nest. htToybaheheviueraeeadtrryurf,demstaswopdruneaupcBcrahrhrieonsiita,gtgiewshsschtleohywtlbeltott.hiheoraSederduroysiiprttuomtitpghhrmaeuieaatonsitclrtn!hsasscRi.non,oodOngonbgtftwahitisnneliellscunlryaeoaesbnfrpastreeeeribnnecoergoidnefihuinesgiennghooadtatffr.hdlleat This means that the adult this time of year too! birds no longer need to 23Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2019 keep singing to defend It’s ABlrlaIinn apathcrnortdosodarahusgtosecacenlaApangcsl‘sslivoenpt!omhdeaieccpaemiblaesiblrxytdoor’ixsn’x their territory. Many The birds will also begin Research by some to migrate to of the world’s warmer countries top ornithologists for the winter! (that’s bird scientists to you and me!) has shown that © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION the structure of a bird’s brain actually changes tofdhofurrtorhciunoeggnhbttorrhaoueiltnlibnthtrgheeaesytdoeinanagrger.gsrTeeehtasebpsioopgnnag.rsetiTsrbhleis hatheneldpysmatrooeregmivcoeormethpiemlebpxirresdosssnilgvoseudstooerathnayt potential mates.

Competitions On the Origin of SpeciesAcross Down U ncover the wonders 2 This red-breasted garden bird sings all 1 bpYoierdue’pr(1e-0pmeleeotptset’rclsika) elllyoftothhisefaisrhth-leov‘pinegepri-ver year round (5 letters) of how the earth 3 This Rockstar sea creature has a ring of 2 This red-bellied bird nests in holes in old and the plants and tentacles around its mouth (7 letters) oak trees (8 letters) animals that live here have developed over 5 This fearsome beetle shares its name 4 lTohviesssetoaedautcmk uissstheelsU(5K’lsethteerasv) iest duck, it time. Retold through with a big cat and has babies that live in 6 bThuitsiscoamn peoxcset lclerenat tmuroethmeirg!h(6t beautiful illustrations, burrows (5 letters and 6 letters) 7 This sea creature has a pouch like 1 look creepy, a kangaroo (8 letters) letters) this adaptation of 2 Charles Darwin’s classic book will fill your 34 mind with amazing theories about evolution! We’ve got FIVE copies to give away. 56 Buy online at wtru.st/origin-species RRP: £12.99 For your chance to win: 7 Solve the clues to complete the crossword (the answers are all hidden in the magazine). The shaded letters will give you an anagram to solve. Tell us what animal’s name the anagram spells for your chance to win. Here’s a big tip – the animal hibernates in winter. GBGiaurridddeen Go plastic free! G et to know all your Were you inspired by garden visitors with Bex’s ‘Plastic Clear this handy guide to for a Year’ identifying the 50 mission? most common garden birds! Make your own An illustration of each bird, plastic-free swap by organised by size and colour, wa rbaepepsiwngaxyowurrafpooindsitnead makes it easy to compare species of clingfilm. To help you from great tits to goldcrests. get started, we’ve got We’ve got FIVE copies to give away. TsHhaRrEkE-pbaetateurtnifeudl wBheaeBlee-e Wraps to give away! For your chance to win: FAoInnrsPwlayesortitchueCrlfeocallorhwfoairnnga qcYeueaesr,ttiwoonh.awtiwnas: Bex’s hardest swap? bceoedbeeWeIwLDraLIpFEsW.cAoTmCHRR10P:fofrro1m0%£9o.f5f!0 We want you to get creative and invent your Buy online at own bird! You could mix together real species Use discount or create something completely new. Draw your creation or write a description and send it in. Buy online at wtru.st/50-garden-birds RRP: £4.00 Send your competition Competition Rules Watch, The Kiln, Mather Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 1WT your entry! DEADLINE: 30 November 2019 eDnotnri’etsfotorguets:toByincelmudaeilywoautrcnhacmome,[email protected]