Wildlife Watch Issue 95 Autumn 2020

FNURTHEATECH! WILD FREAKY Issue 95 Autumn 2020 CRAFTS FUNGI POSTER Get creative with Some seriously natural objects terrifying toadstools! EPIC SUPER JOURNEYS SPIDERS The birds that Discover the hidden skills of cross the planet these wonderful webslingers

WILD THINGS News from our Wildlife Watchers ECDOIRTNOERR’S NEW BIRD WATCH FEEDERS TOM HIBBERT WEBSITE Editor, Wildlife Watch We’ve got a brand new Wildlife Watch A utumn is probably my website! It’s full of favourite season. It’s activities, stories an exciting time, full of and amazing wildlife to discover. change. The weather changes, There are guides to identifying the trees change, and there are wildlife, exciting quizzes and big changes for the animals, too. lots of tips for helping the planet. Start exploring today The birds that visited us for at wildlifewatch.org.uk the summer start to leave and new birds arrive for the winter. CREATIVE Some of them travel incredible COMMA distances! You can read all about these mega migrations John from Wirral loves on page 20. butterflies and We often see a lot more enjoys spotting them in the wild. He spiders at this time of year as made this beautiful males go looking for mates. comma butterfly from Some people find them scary, chicken wire and plaster but spiders are wonderful bandages. Amazing! creatures with some amazing skills. Find out all about spider NATURE RESERVE Tom is a new member of Derbyshire Wildlife senses on page 18. Sophie from Bristol made this wonderful mini nature Trust and loves Autumn is also a great time reserve to give a home to lots of little animals. It has reading Wildlife a tiny pond, some plants and plenty of hiding places Watch. He made bird feeders to look for mushrooms, as they for insects. We think it’s brilliant! out of pine cones and his love the wetter weather. Turn to garden birds love them! page 12 to discover some of the most gross and creepy fungi you can find! We’ve got some great indoor activities to have fun with on rainy days, too. Can you solve our nature crossword (page 6) or get creative with some wild crafts (page 7)? Whatever wild adventures you have this autumn, I hope you have fun!

BUILDING Wasp spider © Will Atkins FOR BUGS 18 IN THIS ISSUE… Catrin and Gethin from Conwy used our guide to making Fly agaric © Jon Hawkins / Surrey Hills Photography 10 02 Wild Things a bug hotel. They built this 20 04 Wild Skills fantastic bug mansion! Ospreys © Andy Rouse / 2020VISION This will give a home to so many Tracking magnificent minibeasts. Great job! Jumping spider © Will Atkins 05 Your Stories! Check out 06 Puzzle Page wildlifetrusts.org/ 0 7 Nature Crafts privacy-policy to find 08 Berry Buffet out how we keep your 10 At Home in the Trees information safe. Autumn WILDLIFE WATCH 95 11 Fox Poster 12 Freaky Fungi Editor: 14 Gallery Tom Hibbert 16 Weird Nature Editorial Team: Abi Paine Wasp galls Joanna Richards Mike Watson 17 How to… Leanne Smart Charlotte Varela Make hidey holes for wildlife 18 Spider Sense The amazing skills of spiders 2 0 Mega Migrations Our most impressive migrant birds 22 Feature Creature Dab 23 Do Hedgehogs Have Fur? 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 You’ll receive a starter pack and four issues of Wildlife Watch magazine Wildlife Watch, The Kiln, Mather Road 207238 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 WildlifeWatchUK

by HibTobmert TRACKING Wtthoefisgeucrreeoauteustp’errwreeeehs.fseoSourofrotmtreuoonreuc,wnoabdimnuleditemdtnhoabeeuliysytgwaahdtrbiolendoliseulgihafrhesyvta.etahWrncaeedl.tumwsetseeigawhhleatthrncdyoa,ltyonstehueveseeerrs POOS AS CLUES ON THE TRAILOne of the best ways of Mthaeinryslmeeapminmgaslpsowt iallnhdavfeeefdaivnoguarirteearos.uBteescabuestwe een identifying hidden mammals they use these routes so often, is by their poo. By looking at they create trails we can find. the size and shape of the Look for trampled ground and poo, as well as what’s in it, you can solve the mystery of who left it there. But don’t touch poo with your bare hands, as it can have harmful pabotaorfecaitesveorahiuaraerriitdnaeeingtr io(tgaoohnditdd-steiiismngtoneiffyttr,ehobnaoutsstytmiponeuiglel’lvsysep!o).offoBt.iutirnuddndaer straight lines through grass, just like mini footpaths. Fox paths are narrow and tough to spot, but badgers make clear paths up to 30cm Because badgers use the wide. paths for years, they are often same worn down to bare ground. TOP TIP website for a guide to identifying TOP TIP can sometimes be seen cutting across the Head to our wildlifetrusts.org/identify-poo Otter paths animal poo: land between the bends in a river. PRINTS LEFTOVERS bareictvoeersantlsa,lokcethsneoowfuehtdidodpf etinhneewmcoi.ldnMwleifiseiclle.acLnahodneodwkevvfneooenrleast Another great wayBadger track © Philip Precey Leftover food can © Jenn Porteous to study secretive nibbled nuts and animals is to look mushrooms with for tracks. The best places to find tracks holes in the are in sand or mud side of hazelnut (though snow is shells, whereas great, too). Pools squirrels will split and puddles are the shells apart. good places to look, Experts can even as they have muddy emthdieggehshst acaopnmedeaantnodimdthraienlskn.uPmabyearttoefnttoioenotroctlhaewsmizearokfs.the print, tell which species of mouse ate a nut. TWfiOnedP’v: eTwIgPilodtlifaegtruuidstes.toorsgo/mideenotfiftyh-etrparcinktss you might TtohOnruPasThrIoPacnkAvoiplri–lheiato’rsdf wbsrhuoerkfraeenctehsetnoasgiolensthgaettlhlstrhuiesshltiakssemtlyyaitnsoshbiedeseass!nsaoinlsg 04

SYTOOURRIES Arthur and Fred bPTyhrBioevnenDty (aHagyaedWw9)ke-Fmooutnhds the Mby AyrthGura(argdeed n10) Wildlife We were I’ve been Magpie just photographing in picking my garden for the Blue tits chives past few weeks. in our We set up a bird garden when mummy Privet hawk-moths table and put fat balls found two moths. They For a while, it had in our feeder which our had scarlet striped sides birds love to eat. photo as it and brown wings. At first I sat and waited and waited shows its we didn’t know what they character. were and then I looked them and waited with my up in the butterfly and moths its beautiful wings camera. I was just about GREEDY! book and found out they were out. Then it flew antoTdYHBAOoArntUNhnuKyr! to take a photo of the We set privet hawk-moths. The privet up a pea stick a tops of trees when I saw up a wildlife camera and to hawk-moths are like scarlet little way and we the blue tits suddenly our amazement around 30 flying tigers. thought it had appear - two fledglings minutes later the FOX CAME disappeared, but and two adults. OUT and we caught it on The privet hawk-moths are I watched as they fed camera. Sadly, it was very camouflage chameleons. The it was just really on the fat balls. Then one of quick and I did not see it first one who left zoomed camouflaged because with my own eyes, but then around in a big circle and it had its wings folded in the adults started feeding the flew away. The second moth so was completely hidden. baby and I aimed my camera amfoetwhewr eaenkdsbaleabdtearorbowymefowsxaionwudtoamw!y stayed still for a long time. But mummy saw it! at the blue There are lots of sparrows in our garden and they tits and I Fox We were high- struck the might have eaten it button and fiving and went to bed with for their lunch, so it took around sweet dreams. was lucky that it was 30 photos camouflaged. In nature, smaller insects and baby of them! Dfyowoorauytthroceushtom@wraiawengisltadatzolniinfdweetir?rdiutSeeseat nss.doto0rg5! animals have to hide from I like the their predators. magpie

PUZZLES! CLUES CROSSWORD (Answers at foot of page) ACROSS DOWN 2. This playful marine 12 1. This small, spiky mammal lives in a group mammal hibernates 3 called a pod. There are 45 6 over winter. lots of species, including bottlenose and common. 7 3. This bird of prey usually comes out at night. It 4. Stag, dung and MAZE has big eyes and can longhorn are all types TJHAHEYELPFATICNHODERN turn its head really of this insect. Can you help our far around. jay find an acorn to stash for winter? 4. This black and white 5. This large water bird is mammal lives in a sett. bigger than a duck but smaller than a swan. 7. This minibeast has eight legs and can spin webs. 6. This big black bird is the largest member of the crow family. COLOUR IN DCryiogoEulhortSucorIowiGnlonutNhmrsisu, Alkotiirn-cggBoofilosIwhuReirledrDdwavnitedhrstdhioeensi.gn 06 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2020 Answers: Across 1. Hedgehog, 3. Owl, 4. Badger, 7. Spider; Down 2. Dolphin, 4. Beetle, 5. Goose, 6. Raven wildlifewatch.org.uk

NATURE CRAFTSbyDaisyFox A t this time of year there are all sorts of natural objects lying around just waiting to be used in an art or craft project. Next time you are out, why not pick up some pine cones, sycamore keys and twigs and give these seasonal makes a try? Pine Cone People Nsobpuarirttgifutihetrsetsialniosusvtfpeuuimlrtleoondsfthbbooynewaespsuortafiiffnnutghdl ecbtihorloelsoseeusavorssem,orag,nlnrauedlsehwnthasfeurrsdomesrotmlsibteotelrfewgwriietnhetenrs. , YOU WILL NEED: • Small pine cones • Paints (acrylic works best) (approx 1.5cm across) • Wooden beads different colours (from craft or home shops) • Fabric leaves in • Glue 1. Start by asking an adult to help 3. When dry, glue the bead to the you remove the top couple of top of the pine cone, making sticks from the pine cone. This sure that the hole in the bead will leave room for the bead to is at the top of the head. Put a sit on top. Put the sticks to one blob of glue into the bead hole side, you will need them later. and push one or two of the loose pine cone sticks in. 2. Paint each pine cone in your chosen colours. 4. Paint on the hair and features. isAwrdheueclotnsmcurmpaefetrinnvdigse.iodn Paint the bead head in place a base colour if you 5. Glue the fabric leaves cone Hovering Dragonfly Mobile like. Allow both to at the back of the pine to make wings, and your pine dry completely. cone person is complete! psSpyecirrfaaemlcdtoforoewr knmetayokstih(ntehgegcrtooreluoenu’sdrfs.ueTlehdderpairogadoesnr)folldyoyownkianpmgresi.cttyshaasptheeiys YOU WILL NEED: • Eight pairs of sycamore keys • Four 8cm-long thin sticks or twigs • Two 20cm-long sticks or twigs • Paint (acrylic works well for this craft) • Thin yarn, string or embroidery thread • Glue • Assorted natural materials (optional) 1. Each dragonfly has two pairs cross shape. Leave a long Find more of Daisy’s creative of sycamore keys as wings and length of yarn to make a loop projects to try on Instagram a stick for its body. Paint the so you can hang your finished @pool.of.rock bodies and wings in vibrant mobile up. colours and leave to dry. 4. When you have assembled all 2. Glue two pairs of wings to four dragonflies, tie each to the each stick. When dry, tie a long ends of the crossed sticks. thread around each to hang it from the mobile. Adjust the 5. Hang your mobile up and thread if necessary so that your watch the dragonflies hover. dragonfly balances horizontally. Why not collect other natural items to add to your mobile? 3. Take the two longer sticks and They will all look pretty hung tie them together to make a next to your dragonflies. 07

Ibfneeaacusottmufomer nawobildurirlgifbheut!lyshceosloured BBEURFRFYETby Lauren Booth Wasp © Paul Hobson Fieldfare © Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION WBHAT ARE BERRIES?etsptdohoealtiexaehftfnidneebcertcsrs,fpeseierobfrnto.ronhreleiSoiiooetsedewrpuhdsarnssiere,.noeasegetdTuisorhdmtrhetu,oaefeflstarwsyrorhcoyeumlwedseutigaoatseirdssgr,lreobcfulociea,enwrerrosepvidgctnenoalaso.tuvgtuthfaWmieemtrneweinihnebstprjieeiiusnr,phdnanofitoalegocemnafa.ryortdnpdeeTndwftlnthlnisatiemhfomeeobnhseswafrhrteanieilnmsgvsadehan.tndlyy wildlifewatch.org.uk 08 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2020

IVY tabsBptueyotrfihrssoiuooermsmnwoaaeiulrndeasslrit.feoe, HAWTHORN © Chris Lawrence © Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION Iuohothnuifgrtteiu.hlnAsNiehnlotrehgvcsoeayuimlnfogovlrbcethsryihereoaheietsrshvueitewmesanspsoyghbic’udtrretlhuehpyidnmanelsbtetclyrbloiiehc’rgoirtdnaeeeshfsgsnswtoallyaopcfiikgnanfolteaortbdrteehnpxmlraabeite.ccitwrut,skswfitiilovlotdebhyoouienodbrprcgdreoseislerioan.rsiunItevyrddsycgoefaflrlnosoer’eotweharnraesepvraapselnellryadautrne Sprowvidinetear.gjRuepbeibcStidekbyeaeyrweprltrmrrhirtiieeenreaoisamgeswstscsgtbfta,ohaarevlorolnlrielswlrdtoadinhttnohoeshbdraniasuorwNwssfwfrthasosoaienn.vamlksteiTremshmepSreiacrnofbosolanseecdonerldudusdauocmmifnnerfrioapadnbmlsvglriraibgo,ehuttwnrdeeden their favourites! ROSE wcBealiagncihnektabaintirdtdbhaseeyri!rries © Vaughn Matthews BLACKBERRY © Maria Justamond RStateopheraipeesetetrcaeuceomneglardbrtishpeeeeaestrhttbraoeomfgoRoesnyrrsoaeo’rodorersnendiwheeDghtsihsspeeihooposcsa-in.upsrebnaeG,rsdmidcgurdrogeeesbsagbriebfueonn-oenricrwggdrrokars,witsbbenhhuoeirsedieplveidgptiatlwratlhdhlhilafp,raebeteen.oteuTetjiensugnhva.itseecysneylymosivnoienusttoihdksedfeit.fteeoeroofrpecmtihetnnheldgyormutattMhshoshebeeipserelvftrsbrrloeeruiwytsried!tibclsaltu,llisth BBbrabpoliarrlrdaedocecsktgeknbarbctee,nteeartdhrrdtrieeicmefsllrihisaSnocamaaoclimmunhrrbkfetsvebmeapetadaeerusrnasgrrettfrsdluaeadsimemorv,njaousooifdtnnwioutguciccnrryswrslsiao,uyeteahbnwdb.pniliTyflansueodohnctgrohnebpkwadesBeblbcioesriefktrnioohhtarmgaorrdomsiinleisrnoecnbs’eetfsysrladeosorssmmefaciamnJanulslldaleneesdeacdtetrsode,unrcupwopoamefrldmestos. .n bramble stems. 09 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2020

EthVeERfoYrIeSsStUcEhaTHnIgSeYsEeAaRcwhes’ereastaonkiangndawlohoakt at woodland wildlife! Discover how special wildlife you can spot. Autumn by Leanne Manchester Who doesn’t love the crunch © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION of red and orange leaves under your feet in an autumn woodland? My favourite thing is watching the leaves clotirhkryaeatnhntgoagetesenaceenoxdhltootruiwemrdameInaycdonautynh’rdeseinpfifonsettr!aaeWrnwthttooysohfddaaolldanl.en’tIsdyo?ofu creatures scurrying There’s lots of life too - for the winter ahead, around, getting ready and some plants still flowering, attracting hungry insects. How many of these can you find this year? IVY FLY AGARIC © Scott Petrek L ook for ivy and you’ll find © Jon Hawkins / Surrey Hills Photography A lthough many fungi can lots of wildlife, too! Its dark be seen all year round, green leaves climb up autumn is the perfect trees, and its flowers are very time to spot them. If I asked you important for bees and other to draw a mushroom, you’d insects. By autumn lots of other probably draw a fly agaric! They’re flowers have died off, but ivy our most famous fungus, and continues to bloom. Wait for just usually turn up in fairy tales. Look a few minutes near ivy in the out for them growing under trees, autumn and you’re bound to especially birch or pine trees. see hoverflies and bees filling Make sure you don’t pick and eat up on the tasty nectar before them, though - they’re actually they go into hibernation. poisonous to humans! JAYS RED SQUIRRELS If you live in some places in the UK, like the Scottish Highlands © Margaret Holland J ays are beautiful birds, © Peter Cairns / 2020VISION and Northumberland, you and unmistakable - you’ll might be lucky enough to see know them when you see our native red squirrels. Aren’t them. Although jays are here all they adorable? These fluffy year round, you’ve got the best little mammals are very busy in chance of seeing them in autumn. autumn burying food that they dig They move through woodlands up again in winter. Unlike dormice searching out a prize food - acorns! and hedgehogs, red squirrels don’t hibernate, so they need to They hide some to eat later in the make sure they have enough food saved up to make it to spring. year when it’s cold and food is hard What will you spot this to come by. Isn’t that clever? autumn? Let us know at [email protected]! Look out for their white bum when they fly past! Jays are actually a member of the DKINDOYWO…U crow family? Wow! 10 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2020

Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 112020 SCTIATLYKERS © Matthew Maran / Nature pl oitnatchtFhnooraoeodwulxrlwnonecittnassramsynaaweserniecandedtaytesjst.uc.fTaairsTtohtlinhlemeadeksysyinsapahnhdsalaaassrtpokfvhofesplehfeyyasufbotnlanrieovodtrieednnfgtogglitaenrhsrsivandttohoatelemnwendssae.chs

F..F.F...F.F. RFEUANKGYI!GsfihHvaeApteeSrsrTiafyrLeiYngg,rofGuwniOgngiRthiYnisthaaeuntwduomGondRs(i!UfLyoEoouSkdOfoaMrrethE…e)se DFEINVGILE’RSS DboymPmeetett © Anita Goodwin © Chris Lawrence BBLUATCTKERWITCH’S BSLTEEERDEIUNMGowuawntotuoldsnp’rtead © Laura Elizabeth Coles Ytboawtohatlwarhoaaeecsrbakcrotcdst!sroswodeTroavasdhainfneniedonjgrdedsefgbfletoldthgyowrhttaboirnhifisinosunitezacyfwncbtaurhonihgnunrtcucoreriytrgeiertneaseuenfrosstt.f.ifWnBotuleoktil,roadfrufa!gefunir,lngogeghwuiinos!a-sCctttGhalaynenlnoig-gdwgdrhleiae-vtesr.eknnouffff© Mark Willis FRIGHT FACTOR: 12 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2020 wildlifewatch.org.uk

© Kimberley Ridgwell YortsfeoiflotnttehZdhoNitfs7chusoeitekdocthtenhWueahymce.finwgleosutaaTossthcrholltarnUuiolctttaminohcdsahsnKtrilodpakfeteegmoaar‘tfeeeutwhsorh)utbtsossorgtsheamat(rpio!pwmnilgaarsotdvdeTu-r’ess’cttehfe,hhlciettAitnsacielfaaisei1vcbiesemkuko0rlidlhfeh.ssllhteslvf’0sreiu,oIheaoetetgtusrhswlnfanyllrsrarkisofseneneog-tchntliacmbi!dsaongrwuasiohenc.uftrepseowriehsedonrru-roorisopskrenagpidorastiyNdentg/utaihnsdoecsege.wrd BTFLOUEONETGDHUINSG The devils-fingers bright FRIGHT FACTOR: © Stevie Smith / first-nature.com red droplets olbososoSfhlauoanpttozcthatsyopnknlreiooyupnekei.gdcntdtgeghtefhIiariign,eswnaaoemlopbshdreofttruuhrstuhaii)rtofnnttsneotergh–pveeoageroairiUesiradftoutfanhsa’sKtsdewssphoceltn,ssissaiinimraedsny.utft(irorcnhws,eTnogseoauthiteedfenrnitmnl’irolllern’fveeltr-usreewetdsgnhsts-uigren.oaruT!nsurshoo,newuitdlhynieftdhupnpugirlepbi glluooeunoftjAcsekgh!slrliyoslidlkfyiesca FRIGHT FACTOR: This common DFEINAGDEMRASN’S As you walk (fetaoshtssuufleclprersanfeUcnarcabKcobilael.yonrlIalowtsylnikldvoichcitc-inohronharaunekge–zanssdesdtfssb,lllfeecaitujkteiurarsclenalehskdfogoteta!ctvutuslohEriepk)snewrseataedhewntsaecedwhit! © Tom McDonnell rggecotlarhthliailhsaautndbtrocpeebmoofhfuteruaurus.yplecnoicgiEotszsietgueahh3u)e.aistsc…tIf-footthfhuowut8tfyhwfentrhmfwahootcarrgheomiomiaungypilueoseu,baehsosstdwgelgog,ytesoosfghdorptgushen,ftoruoolhytgsyofauthi‘’mkhhotnfrwnnnrie(eini!uaganodsdsoTgrbengotshlfitefrgoguenopiusinrsutaeiov’pgotfeiosenkirtys, a wave? FRIGHT FACTOR: FRIGHT FACTOR: STAY SAFE Stthhoeemysecaaffuennsbgidei emd,eiigta’hsdtblyneodsttaltonooglkoeroforkiugash.ntSedonn,inotogt ,tsobtauuyctho.n 13Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2020

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 wildlife artist. 2 3 4 5 HOW TO ENTER owErmitwharitilhtewetasotucubhsje@actwt: liilndelif‘Getarullesrtsy.eonrgtry’ TWhieldWlifeildWlifaetcTrhuGstas llery The Kiln, 6 Newark Mather Road Notts NG24 1WT 14 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2020 Iydsfohowuanerr’teffiferoisatrtogtunnerateomtouyeori,nuwacrelgauberdstweaitenothdraeknWmwdi.ledsWolwifeceiilalmTilrniumgcshleut,tddsaieoals.o

1) Elephant hawk-moth by Florence, aged 13 This wonderful drawing of an elephant hawk-moth captures every detail beautifully. Florence has chosen the perfect colours and even managed to make it look fluffy! 7 2) Owlets by Eilidh, aged 5 We love these cute little baby owls (called owlets). Eilidh has been really creative using feathers and other materials to make this lovely artwork. 3) Orca by Emily, aged 8 The bright colours of the sunset really make this artwork stand out. The raised tail gives a nice sense of movement – it looks like the orca is about to slap its tail on the water! 4) Dormice by Laura, aged 9 Laura has drawn two cute little dormice 8 snuggling up as they hibernate over winter. They’re just adorable! 5) Turtle by Katie, aged 12 The details on this turtle are amazing! Turtles are very rare visitors to the UK. The species we see most often is the leatherback turtle, which sometimes appears in summer. 6) Goldfinch by Thomas, aged 7 This is another great drawing that really captures all the details of the subject, from the white tips to the wing feathers to the red mask on the face. 9 7) Western conifer seed bug by Ethan, 11 aged 7 Ethan has drawn one of the new neighbours from the spring issue of Wildlife Watch. It looks like it’s about to scurry off the page! 8) Crab spider by Betty, aged 6 Betty captured this great photo of a crab spider catching a fly. Crab spiders use their camouflage to surprise their prey, so they’re really hard to spot! 10 9) Chough by Iona, aged 11 The shading on this chough is fantastic. Choughs are like more colourful crows, with bright red beaks and feet. They nest on cliffs and in crevices in just a few places in the UK. 10) Pond by Luisa, aged 11 Luisa has created a lovely pond scene, with lots of wildlife including mushrooms, flowers and a beautiful pair of swans. 11) Barn owl by Eva, aged 9 This drawing shows off the amazing hunting skills of the barn owl, swooping down silently to snatch its prey. 12) Sea creatures by Wayland, aged 7 Wayland has drawn a great collection of sea creatures swimming around, with lots of fish and jellyfish. 12 15Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2020

WNAETIURRDE W EIRD-O-ME TE •R• • WEIRD L • • • • WACKY • WONDERFU THIS ISSUE: WASP GALLS by Carys Evans ROBIN’S PINCUSHION OAK MARBLE GALL ARTICHOKE GALL OAK KNOPPER GALL © Tom Hibbert © Amy Lewis © Les Binns © Les Binns It would be easy to mistake this gall Ocobtwesrlfaueemmabskessartesepmoprllroagwealhatnetdnroerdb,avldtelhoapseoagierangonrenudavtththnilhadlgeseteiderlraaguttalhwrpailketee.lseilgyaTostaosh.ffateTeeorebheynhfsueoopcrnyeamaiceacpkhreadecnyef!otaro riigttwsegLrsrieaavoaoseidlnswntlssrypegatwlhstonlouashlogparlitkeevcoytaahojleufo,vocgstoewhratgkmeahluisinkisi.srceigeInnhanaahnsttihhsriomdtaeeimpcedsehsreeuoeh–oltaioutkent.cheoncchestttrseie!lsgddieoTtaiifnbiblsolyyleak TtmoahothTwaareaheaekekkekGewalyekaterronosaieirdnnormsledmgpeisanapknaocnwneassasoercthfuiopollgoliosrynrpalio,nenheltpklshge.rnoellWfceimtoikhnowcuaeeetmaynsttssahpdeh–hecesaeaowoyotgfpn’!rrfrhngoeetihcsm.tohe for a red, fuzzy pincushion! They can be seen on wild roses and CHERRY GALLS are caused by the larvae of a tiny wasp – so small they are almost impossible to spot! It’s the perfect home for lots of wasp grubs until they are ready to fly away as adults. SILK GBUATLTLON BRAMBLE STEM GALL SMOOTH PEA GALL OAK © John Bridges © Brian Eversham © Les Binns © Brian Eversham Hutgbiapmnaoerrdveleedeteepheyrymanonoorem,upiunastdeegietlhkodvttyo,eootysorfbeoolauopmufntsoreemybkorsuewagastdketyaothoslfaneiepnnssamd!ltfaah?Blnr–oeuNvtatatsehddexoeoutfynlt.’t Brambles have the perfect Tllffehoearahouuaomodenrsivmktusuoae.eealtlTertishckglhcwlleetyoeeeaorafvshyfnlveodseaaaeprbnosssrrwelghyeyisnay-afpsoironwloistinimiuktnpsftieenalney!ielsdtcgaTe4pbthorrormluna.eangnbuTlymnalihsr’tttrtlh.sselheoleeotraahfrentinae’sgdts defence against predators These galls almost look like little 16 nociboW–slifrebfnthaeatvb’htunmseleiepnrshbnssdmbaloerohyveuicfaesdgmeavtsteh!eeacmBoetkutoraftisnanhsk.pnmgheBmriaonnuabartgtleapehreckmdotvstshvmetoaaeofnrugenmronsattmhiaesnigni.g!satsehtlles Christmas baubles hanging from the bottom of oak leaves! Tiny grubs live inside the glossy balls feeding on the tissues of the oak. The galls stay attached to the leaf even after it has fallen to the ground, with adult wasps emerging in winter. wildlifewatch.org.uk

17 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2020

S PSIEDNESR ESssApUpindRidievAerersbrGsiaiotOnylodoOgftisDhNteAowirtChtsinRoilkgEshtauatisdmtihae.es by Sara Goodacre Jumping spider © Will Atkins Sdebiecnysoseeespberaychitupsdsttoisttinemetcooargmesfenftssmrexadepniarosnoelchrmotearhm-rowieletslsahrarusssratpnovtetnhedrrhreteleas4lpyor0twooseu0hftnoaosampdrocclvlsdidahrel.el.cbiTymaoTeheanthsaaeul,eadtyrrfoye!nrekonscaetmsehreedoepdfirry 18 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2020 wildlifewatch.org.uk

Wasp spider © Will Atkins Jumping spider © Will Atkins STPRIUDMERPSTOP © Frank Porch MOST EDIBLE-SOUNDING EPIC EXPLORERS BORN TO RUN CSSacpnUieedcnCuitaisUfleicsMktnhilaelB:mirsEpecoi:RnlAowruaSernbPaiessIllbcaDaectmEwuocReuuerfnlbailgteineaa!ves © Chris Kirby-Lambert (THEN HIDE) Spiders can travel huge distances using BEST DISGUISE wind power alone. They spin a long line of Spiders have lots of different uses for their silk that acts as a sail that blows away in the eight legs. Wolf spiders drum on surfaces with ASScpNieecnTitaif-licsMknilaIl:mMloeoI:kCSsylniSkaePgeaIlneDsaEnvetR,nwataolkr s © wind, taking the spider with it. This is called particular pairs of legs as a way of ‘talking’ ‘ballooning’ and we think some spiders travel to each other. Four-toothed spiders use like an ant – but isn’t! Stephen up to 100 miles in a single day this way! It’s their front legs as sails to carry them across risky though because there is no control over watery surfaces if they accidentally land on WORST TABLE MANNERS landing. This means disaster is potentially them. Common house spiders use their legs Wolf spider © Chris Lawrence for running. They often startle us by running Dalton / Naturepl just around the corner. On the other hand, across our floor, but the truth is we’ve scared © John Bridges it means spiders are excellent explorers, them and all they can do is run and hide. They and often the first animals to arrive in aren’t long-distance runners though, so spare SSSbcpyPieesIcnpiTtariafliTcysiknnIilgaNl:msgGteliuc:kiSnyScgsyPpptoIirtedD!yesEtotRhtohreafcloicoar new places, like volcanic islands. a thought for the poor exhausted spider now hiding under your sofa. PERSONALITIES MMIASRUVNEDLLEORUSTSOBOUDT Spiders have different survival strategies depending on where they live. Some species We often sweep away cobwebs, but they’re even have more than one strategy, which amazing structures. They have natural we call a personality. A good example is the spindly, long-legged cellar spider often antibacterial properties that we still found in our homes. It’s known to spider don’t fully understand. We scientists (or arachnologists) as Pholcus can learn from spider silk phalangioides. Cellar spiders to make man-made are either brave or shy. Brave versions that will be spiders will twirl around useful to doctors trying to frighten you and engineers. away if you tickle their The spiders in web, but shy ones our gardens will curl into a ball and in farmers’ and pretend you fields also can’t see them. help control Your home will numbers of have both brave pest insects and shy types all year round. because it seems You’re welcome! that neither strategy is better than the other. 19

Bmabthciarerdkoyeisasa’rrsdnfeiulnstdythocumanedrmesliepygdnlflihaiaacmbtranflilaeeetloelwstoij.,ooAkMbmnufsusrraomintconneeaafytyahltswlhocsfehhoomeludnr! Arctic tern © Rob Jordan / 2020VISION MEGA MIGRA by Tom Hibbert WMIHGYRATE?Apwmttlhhmoahiaegcefipiegirrnnaprytdatteooehtnfuieaootsnononsigoendfii,ats.nshtsIdojpneuorrsbani,tnthevswgaeotcthieahmUdicrnaKobhpdn,valguameadescmuuo.wetaesAusetnlmnltamytoimntfhhirr.goaaaermilrpasspoetioreonnnes wildlifewatch.org.uk 20 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2020

wbninueAttesSsftrrwpiicinenaanlt!SlhdooewuthUtsheK © Chris Gomersall / 2020VISIONCAONMDINGGOINGLhoaietnfgslOrythaeotothbes,ihfnaearofebeeucirwtne.iykrtbhTddpiannhi,isernutoedwemgtorssurtieftshtmihaghhabirreninmrbariiir,evresdtabeecprcsnenhortiyconfiailnocodgttagkrimheooesu,reniewnttoauhUg(nfhknmerKneodaiinnonnmlilnhswsttieoatehfs’ncusrcepsdtrtsatprtsiwehi.msnerdTeangdehtiryoed.ieanfTtoosytopohhurflraefeAertthhouyvafwrie,rsvvnicewmgieeena).o.sht.eTttTeohrhreneeyeysflty. ATMIENOTALNMAPSSTwlhnarmheetinbogeradaahertlmgesetsailntculathrheawepreetkleiylhlcysyori’cpctrfh(sialeheoiaknolwgevwdfeuoecac-sirtolnyhtuehiagseeisets.hisbrtINsleneibonaoiipwtnermhrdogtsnehesso,aibdtuwrSibuaosoraliyneeiluvtyt-iettotmihootnrhf,seftdac)EihgoetaatehuamtsseerstemccpytoatoacorartmhsasuWps.entps!eBa,eusuasastt.snertBthdwhier’asodirtrsks© Andy Rouse / 2020VISION thsbOpeuesrtxUipncarKogcem,tyinosseafaltemebuanateuvctemonkenitnhset! RECORD BREAKERS! GOLDCREST ARCTIC TERN BAR-TAILED GODWIT © Adam Jones These seabirds make the © Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION longest migration of any kAbStasihloneuosemfmmoAfearermeenrctgtdnreciaceoooro,sntrmafettiahhmslrilnenuyatahygmecslenaaobmtehrnwnaseemcfattlrhky,AyainetaorkhtcoigtvpenhteialAycgearinnfnct9Ulhytiear0iKnictssr,.l0oceasIjtn0ou.pnic0utArdhairnt.,nge.y! © Pete Richman The record for the longest Europe’s smallest bird is a pbtmeZa1ou1aeia,plt0tea.koud0leIaulta0gnrtttahkiodbbonkiidslinaeoorwwdmsrnma-isti-tthtneaeshsaodgtiteolrrcueaeemdapdtsomnpsfuglfntairbiogpog’ortephtdrmtfaplootswytgifeAninaioaotegil.snnaendT.etsfshoaihBkfedtfreaaoer.yaerrrett-esyfohlstynteoNottoore,w iubwnaoasuluecAl.trryiTmgfoelrhyhseaeesshrrariieutdgcrmbhonaeoaoeuidnlgrutdnNhertrtecdaagoamrd)ntoersstfatislhog,dmtorrtsrceSofautrefhokeetrcoaoie.svlhorEmettwysomaanh(icsSwtneshhucattmheemaraeor2naU.ums0dlTltKlitupevhiionnemretcago!ryhoenvbjeioaio,inarrncid,ne fhllsyy 21

by Cheryl Burns DAB © Alexander Mustard / 2020VISION A FLAT FISH? Scientific name © Paul Naylor / marinephoto.co.uk CAMOUFLAGE Limanda limanda Adab is a type of flatfish, which is Like most flatfish, dabs are the masters the catch-all name used for more Oldest recorded dab of camouflage. They spend their life on than 700 different fish species. 12 years the seafloor, where their sandy-brown As the name suggests, adult flatfish are colour helps to hide them from predators. weirdly flat! Flatfish can be found all over Amazing fact They can also quickly bury themselves the world, in oceans, rivers, estuaries and The dab is also a beneath the surface for extra protection. freshwater environments. dance move - sadly Dabs typically only grow to around 30cm it doesn’t have much in length and have rough skin, which differs EYE TO EYE to do with our favourite to other flatfish species who feel smooth to flatfish though! touch. They can normally be found in the Dabs start their life looking like a shallow waters of the North Sea up to depths normal fish: torpedo shaped, with an eye on each side of their head. After of 100 metres. They feed on small a couple of weeks they begin crustaceans to change. Their bodies flatten and their and marine eyes slowly move round to the righthand (or worms - but dextral) side of their head. Other species of will generally flatfish have their eyes on the left-hand side. eat any bottom- dwelling animal 22 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Autumn 2020 they can catch! wildlifewatch.org.uk

HHDEAODVGEEHOGS © Tom Marshall FUR? by Belinda Grindrod W ebuatllisknthoewrehaedsgoeftheorgssidaeretostphikeym, ? © Amy LewisfogllilrkioceQlweousfui,rllorjsumstquills twice, first around © Jon Hawkins / Surrey Hills Photographyhair. 6-8 weeks and then WHAT IS FUR? around four months. This is called quilling, and can Fur is made up of hairs growing be quite uncomfortable chfrlaoovmseelemyatocorhgeeftothhlaleicnr.leoS,nowemhheicahairnmgimraokawelisnsg for the hedgehog, as the t mfolahuaunearyF,tiiemumerarrrfmauncilslareoawyxalpasetara.rsptrreTomftroiohcat.rmeuhnAprleieadnirror,bealstywonoreedtthmchytfitceiiewcothatoknoitm.hukalaareenesysedepoborafseitlheysoenof ft new quills are thicker warmed with body heat, gets trapped in the soft fur. and stronger - like when humans grow adult teeth. ARE HEDGEHOGS HOGLETSBaby hedgehogs (called FURRY?Ms smtmhr bkhcptefewaohoeeuueiolgkfaisHerelsry-rdrlytrldimocpkeiemaafuoelqwedisensrwepffueg.esedetdjaiapoe,uTillninvlrfiohnhshstnmcihethn.o.tiaeogsesteggTilh.darieatasshkseshIgnronet,epidnbeed’rfdssmiotahaiokbreailcoaufiallaheyulsagsllrdtocsoarr,pn’oheokuswvtahi.akhenbpsnebfgeieTrgerrodlovootsphyehoddmctsetargeedoyhoyretcmmenekeihtstssyte!eoor.ptrcomdQrofaaeotlrtluroveifttfniuepodlrloirrsglefouiohkadustnethriteneihe7notnaghhie,uern0eaAtdrddhi0vrdgee0uehlustpopighaTfnrlgtf iaeohinsorrerstvgoedseTtseltoserh!baqemtvtewuliuseemsbemi)hrdleudyleeasspm.anifrftymiiaewhrnpfsmnleeiHheosbgtsldamwiuoeeeosqaarmkadttrkurnhntfireegaonooidoelerhlfbgrutssfchaahl.un.triaorasnhseleeltgrdewes HUFF ‘N’ POP When they are very frightened, hedgehogs make huffing & snorting noises and they jump, or pop, to stick their spikes into whoever is trying to touch them. OUCH!!!! 23

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