WildlifeWatch Issue 89 Spring 2019

hFaRrvEesEt ! Wildlife on Homes under the sea your doorstep mouse poster Discover which What can you find creatures under your doormat? live in shells Issue 89 Spring 2019 kKnnoockck! Weird- Meet our THREE looking species of woodpecker wildlife Check out these wacky creatures!

Wild Things News from our Wildlife Watchers Being creative! Ecdoirtnoerr’s Lydia, aged 11, L ast year eco-artist in Cornwall. This is a way is a member of Linda Thomas made of raising awareness of the LMeaanncnheester Gloucestershire this incredible “Wave problems that our coasts and Wildlife Trust, of Waste” dress. She seas face because of littering. Editor, Wildlife Watch and she made this lovely created it from 100 bodyboards Can you think of any creative necklace out of wood. that were found littering beaches ways to raise awareness of litter? Bluebells swaying in the She told us that she loves sunshine, birds singing the dawn trees, and we think she’s chorus, butterflies flitting along in done a great job shaping the breeze. There are so many the acorn and the leaf. wonderful things about spring! Spring is the perfect season The litter for wildlife watching. Lots of problem animals are making the trip to the UK to spend the summer, Linda Thomas Eco Design Pic: © Symages Photography flowers are blooming, and the trees are full of colour. What’s A wintry that noise you can hear? squirrel Well it could be the sound of a woodpecker drumming! Evie’s wildlife poster We just had to Discover our three species of share this lovely poem, woodpecker on pages 20-21. We love this to make your own nectar entitled “Squirrels in the Will you be visiting the seaside fantastic bar on page 17! This is the Snow” from Ollie, aged 8. this year? You can learn about poster by perfect way to give a tasty The poem reads: some of our wildlife that lives Evie, aged 9. meal to bees, butterflies in shells on page 10. If you’re If you want to help wildlife, and other insects visiting “The squirrels fur rock-pooling, you might even see like Evie, check out how your garden. Dances in the breeze some of them for yourself! As their feet freeze Under the snow We’ve also got a really exciting And now you new feature! We want YOU Know the poem to write for the magazine. Do Of squirrels in you have an amazing wildlife The snow.” experience you want to share with us? Does wildlife inspire Are you a budding poet? you to write, or draw? Have you Send your poems over to done something brilliant to help [email protected] wildlife? Let us know and we and we might feature you! could feature your story. Find out all the details on page 5. We can’t wait to hear from you all! Happy wildlife watching!

Hibernating ladybirds Pic: © Amy Lewis 08 In This Issue… Jasper went on a wintry Pic: © Jon Hawkins Surrey Hills Photography 18 02 Wild Things wildlife walk and spotted 10 0 4 Plastic Clear for a Year! these ladybirds hibernating. 0 5 Want to Write for Wildlife Watch? What a great find! It inspired 06 Mad as a March Hare him to draw this brilliant picture. It’s amazing what you can find when Why do hares box? you look a little closer on a walk. Next time you’re out, get up close 0 8 Brilliant Butterflies to leaves and see if you can find 10 Homes Under the Sea any tiny critters. If you want more inspiration, check out our article Shells about wildlife on your doorstep on pages 12-13. 11 Amphipod Poster 12 Wildlife on Your Doorstep Check out Cover pic: © Elliott Neep 14 Gallery wildlifetrusts.org/ Pic: © Alex Mustard / 2020VISION 16 Weird Nature privacy-policy to find out how we keep your Weird-looking creatures information safe. 17 How to… Wildlife Watch 89 FHaRrvEesEt ! Wildlife on Homes under tHe sea Editor: your doorstep Discover which Make a nectar bar Leanne Manchester mouse poster What can you find creatures under your doormat? live in shells 1 8 Cosy Nests Issue 89 Spring 2019 Visit the homes of our furry friends Editorial Team: 20 Here Come the Headbangers Ben Cook Anna Heathcote Drumming woodpeckers Mary Porter Mike Watson 22 Feature Creature Adrian Royston Lynn Victor Bee-fly Branwen Messamah 23 Are all Feathers the Same? 24 Competitions KKnnoocKcK! What’s Wildlife Watch? Get in touch The Wildlife meet our tHree Wildlife Watch is the junior branch of The Wildlife Trusts. Join Wildlife Watch Trusts species of woodpecker Weird- and start your nature adventure - prices range from £10-24 per year for Email us at: [email protected] Registered looking child-only membership and £30-60 for family membership. or ring: 01636 677711 or write to us at: Charity No Wildlife You’ll receive a starter pack and four issues of Wildlife Watch magazine Wildlife Watch, The Kiln, Mather Road 207238 Check out these a year. This is packed full of amazing pictures, posters and competitions. Newark, Notts, NG24 1WT wacky creatures!! 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 wildlifewatch.org.uk to find out more. wildlifetrusts @WildlifeWatch thewildlifetrusts

PCllfaeYoaserartiarc! L ast year, Bex Lynam told you she was living Spolahsotwic much More than 103,000 Tcrimeeattioveg!et plastic clear for a year. Find I used? have tonnes of plastic out how she’s doing now. And packaging was Removing lots of single use plastic how did she tackle Christmas I’m now six months in to thrown away and from my life is very challenging. without using plastic?? my plastic free challenge. not recycled in the But it’s given me the opportunity UK this Christmas. to be more creative, especially I’m keeping hold of all That’s the weight with nature! Not using plastic has plastics that I can’t avoid in a of almost 215,000 taught me to reuse whatever I AChprliassttmicasf!ree ‘plastics bin’. I thought that I’d be polar bears. have, and it’s saved me some buried in my own plastic waste pennies, too. I don’t need to buy I spent lots of time preparing for by now! But it turns out that some top Tips extra containers because I just a plastic free Christmas. A big easy changes have made a BIG reuse all the glass jars, biscuit challenge was how to wrap up difference. The most important Use paper tape (which tins and cardboard boxes that I presents without using plastic! things for me have been: uses natural glue) already have. Some fun things I’ve What lots of people don’t know is instead of plastic tape. done are: that a lot of the wrapping paper Roewmnebmabgesrtiongthteo take my You can usually buy it you can buy has plastic in it. supermarket from good stationery Made confetti from leaves stores. Decorated gifts with flowers Glitter is actually a microplastic Buying loose fruit and and shiny wrapping paper has vegetables Ask Mum and Dad to Recycled jam jars as plant pots a plastic coating. use plastic-free teabags Made gift tags from old Instead of using plastic tape I Cooking and baking lots or loose-leaf tea. Many Christmas cards used ribbon and twine which could of my own food big brands use plastic in their teabags! There is an amazing community of be reused afterwards. I also used Yes, there are some things in pueseopallel otrvyeinrgthteowreodruldc,esothIehirapvleasbteicen festive cotton fabric rather than my plastics bin, but it’s not full Take your favourite getting plenty of help and advice. paper for some gifts. Of course, and I’m making small changes drink to school in a you could try doing this any time all the time. Slowly, my habits reusable bottle rather of the year, not just at Christmas! are changing and plastic free is than a plastic bottle. Maybe you could give it a try next becoming a way of life! time you buy a birthday present? If you’re struggling to find the solution to stop using a particularly pesky plastic item, get in touch with us at [email protected] and we’ll help! 04 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2018

Pic: © David Tipling / 2020VISION lDwoorvyietoteuo? Do you love wildlife Pic: © Katrina Martin / 2020VISION and writing? Would you like to write for Wildlife Pic: © Penny Dixie Watch? Then we want to hear from YOU! 05Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2019 We want to feature an article from a Wildlife Watcher every issue. You could write about an environmental issue that worries you, or a wildlife experience you’ve had close to your home. Maybe you are barmy about bats and want to share it with other children? Whatever you would like to write about, we want to hear from you! Interested? Let us know at [email protected]! Send us your idea for an article! If we can’t use it in the magazine then we’ll put it on our website. We can’t wait to hear from you!

MMadhracasrhea?a WsAasiannhpcydeotsiinrtvpweighrthiydancaircgodetam?sstnhtderiayosforninougmge? Pic: © Andrew Parkinson / 2020VISION Did You Know? 06 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2019 ahI anndrteebUwncsyHWusKtdoamhitivroltreadkieoenninlirsrin’gfbfetyafegaeamhdrtrsThrmwaoeomrtavnwuiriwtnnees’shntgt.aaa8sdf,Syhars0oalsaeeir%imkrddnmfemeolggaiyenrhaue,nrvwensrttsyehohliapinrtsleweoydgigaynlsepwfmigl,fehdoaeehaahts!pislantvklalaseeoa1rt0ecfhcmdse0srpeueoesberycsaetsyelsointnaittclehriitvsddeh.eea.st www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

H ave you ever heard How to spot a hare the saying ‘Mad as a March hare’? ttifThhsieheealeidrggsbfru,oaeelosslsdtshpepetesilimagcacihaenetldltytyooecattrsr.toypdpotaostwhshenaaervaeetnshndei’stmdginur,osbowkep.nceMantuoasrceh Well people have been saying it for el mbsepm HaeHiaonesaeevawoairalerytecnehneusyssressoflcauamthiuahfllrsarras.yleeo.voMdtgeWyuoohasofgavatfkurtevtoaeya’crerythetrshoauhiuganlnoegrogrgesmeeooost.tydfohefocldeibhkl–uomeeessthlefhayeofanerr,rtiovsoientrehmegssyea,opmoyawfuop’lesldohaelmulikiisvcrwsteetheaohilnllfneltshcmoee.ir HUNDREDS of years. It’s all because Pic: © David Tipling / 2020VISION of the odd behaviour that hares Pic: © Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION show in the spring, especially in March. So, what exactly is it? Why do hares box? Move aside, Usain Bolt Great places to spot hares March is right in the middle of the hares’ It’s not just boxing that hares are great at. 7 breeding season. This means that male They’re also amazing sprinters! They can hares are looking for female hares to reach 40 miles per hour when they run at mate with. full pelt. Incredible! The males chase females but sometimes Pic: © Andy Rouse / 2020VISION the females don’t want the attention. That’s when the boxing match begins! When the female has had enough of being chased, she turns around and wallops the male to discourage him. Take that! It looks like they’re boxing because the female and male are on their back legs, hitting each other with their front paws. They even pull out fur. OUCH! Zooooooom! 3 8 5 10 1 6 How are hares different from rabbits? 4 Pic: © Andrew Parkinson / 2020VISION You probably know more about Different types 29 rabbits than you do hares. Maybe of rabbits have you or someone you know even different sized ears, 1 Derbyshire Woodside Farm  have pet rabbits. Although they but hares have very 2 Devon Meeth Quarry  might look similar, there’s actually long ears. Hares 3 Durham Rainton Meadows  lots of ways that they’re different. have black tips on 4 Essex Blue House Farm their ears, too. 5 Lancashire Brockholes Hares have 6 Lincolnshire Willow Tree Fen much longer Hares live above 7 SCOTLAND Montrose Basin back legs – the ground, 8 Norfolk Upton Broad and Marshes so they move whereas rabbits 9 Sussex Malling Down a lot faster! live underground 10 North Wales Anglesey in groups. 07

SaGmee IbatIfthl’auovmoaeovtvtatoeethtzrurhsaiifrneleeriidgetaydesr,thctcoiobaanhpulcbilanithihcltgiolakto’tostfmhmsosjeeurey!s.t Pic: © Jon Hawkins Surrey Hills Photography BBruiltltiearnftlieSambsyGee Stpiopstting n ow is the Hoerrjeuastllvyiseiatrin, g? perfect Butterflies like sunny days with not too time to go Most of the butterflies that you see will live much wind. searching in the UK all year round. These are called Sgneet aakculopseornloaorke.sNtinogsubdudtteenrflmy oslvoewmlyentots! for beautiful Shadows scare butterflies, so try not to butterflies, and there ‘resident’ butterflies. butterflies block their sunshine. are lots of different areBuhtedreidoynohuoklindoawy?thTahteysovmiseit us looking for sopnetcoiemseteotsaeefe! wRetahdat warm weather, somewhere to lay their eggs, Pack your binoculars, they’re are nice and easy for not just for birdwatchers! you to spot. a hEfelnuuunTdrntdohtdelpeuorresepitnesdtgroos‘emfosothttvifiagneemsrrgatUiycnloKeittnnsi.’eebIfasmcru,otfaatslmtoerge!wairAnfselfeireraiacsinnadcliyatamtonlneuodtrrbuasgunovatteutareldtihrnefeslny,r!nto 08 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2019 www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

Name: Painted lady [migrant] N[maimgrea:nRt]ed admiral Pic: © Guy Edwardes / 2020VISION Pic: © Gillian Day Rb amegacldleoMloltt!lshdaBfacwtTlsaeWeedianeohoscarmnrymwefahsrLmibi,mutoaaerrehmeasopfybeyreenlltfieealsrifhgoar,ttranhhurecocroatrdeaesnkmsofrt.yddinfetntwW’sohrdtlgpaeagheooionnrdrayrse.wiooeygnumdfwdwkMl!gscymihh:rawae(taiebdosrsdilratatmserifhotloab.seaivnrrIirrnareeyegnreolsradso)us7nrfsttcelhastymraeritbpne.inae.RTcifgmscnWraeAahpfokrndmaalatmosmahodaprtkmacpe’eesagreasdiintinststeanwmzhtangosaagiieeenyiin!udrgsfct.aAhemitygwegnolAlaeasrs,mtmcissfvtoitslatdehhtaefhoeoyteoaeseocauruf.pnftrl’nc.entssporoaIt:nthaiwdowt’altstl.eesavuuniartnerirnpsetsihrtsienihnn,ellaletogaangrtflrvseteriectssehhilkees In 2009 over 11 million painted ladies came to Britain in the spring. They spent their summer holidays drinking nectar and [Nreasmideen: tB] rimstone breeding. Then more than 21 million of their offspring flew back to Africa for the winter! In years like this, you might see hundreds of painted ladies in just one field. You can’t miss their peachy orange wings with white and black spots. Where to look: Amazing fact: Find some thistles! Eggs are With a strong wind to help laid on the yummy thistle leaves them, painted ladies can travel which the caterpillars munch on at more than 31 miles per hour. when they hatch. The butterflies That’s faster than any human also like to drink from the being has ever run! brightly coloured flowers. Name: Small tortoiseshell Pic: © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION [resident] Pic: © Amy Lewis TSw w-hmuLhiinpsaiitktieloesle,rltdo.obbInrlrtlate’eismocaioeksfs.fa,etooyssnyheuelertlooslpl,swrm’tehwatiestniityneadsgnktbseealeautndhredee.tiombr rdhoigiusdhtlletwuofnerrodlalm-enkrgnspeiord,ewewdnfaiotbthroudartstadedsrrhufielerieidsnsgo. f dBriIirsfgigmyhuotsi!ustoHetndhueinnasgkssratpyhepliesnradebfdutuahttnteeotriwrlfsltyihnloletooeosrkpkihnsriigdnaigfnologsrtuialnnikssievnhyaiancaelkenaadthrfr,biinvyrkeaosmus.o’bretleoo. SvlboeomiWsufgtsicdatghooadlslmfnelteoonyrminreaegtocoioastinatsrraoderdnsebraeihlncitnogethlodeolblfreslkotoplohinwo:aalunarepsk.yrp,Aswttihollypiietkohaei.rtch PtsocmoruAofrefrat,lmdopotkhaiurseiaetsreofaezusbr.hislhunTueitotshgtplelsatparrinftyferladgyertowicwssinttisoniul:cfulgroafbnlsrradeaaas!htnsbhdmiiegtsmall Where to look: Amazing fact: 09 gtahaBnerrdimdmeesnaxt slopmntloooerslseet!laaoYfvnyoeyuwwtocohaowendraelfainnfndrdodem.r ofTrfohthmeentmhaemableeu‘btbtreuimrtytesyrtefolylnl’oecw.omweinsgs

Every issue Donal is going to tell you about a different home under the sea! Just like us, animals need to find homes to live in. This time, we’re telling you about shells, and some of the animals that live in them. Shells!by Donal Griffin HoasfeorpdnmmlieasiewsctDkttaciihmrcirnodadetmeboosdseybcw.pwehioieoli?lctoussesaedly Pic: © Alex Mustard / 2020VISION Pic: © Alex Mustard / 2020VISION Pic: © Polly Whyte / Earth in Focus Pic: © Alex Mustard / 2020VISION Pic: © Shutterstock Snew hoepsuharsoeestl.ehlKcethetleleesdmpafsarreeollmoivmoetksph,oeobrudutattafnoonttrghftoeehrrresscsirleneoaottyhktpueferoessresopatfoe, slruihfkeseecelltpatfrhisetethdinonagmetoxoertlssdt..imSTsohhemeeylyeloskuateonveiiupmssitaaetnlhasiemsgstrahoelewasisrtihdee. Scallops Common whelk Hermit crab Tower shell Tsfwtibaocwihtpnsoeunheehynatndeceocpeurdinoserei,tlehtimsbswfaicu.atuocmeilfptrlifhseslretosohesod1enw.er6fasTllt-efliohok2ssidwseeeo0niadtaeanawriwllt.lshaUihettheessrullefaSioasTlcrlfhDyalaoeiklotiyl2oirds,nc0pas0onyhowhaofavTtkteovhuhi?neYeeoegomyugyusspern!cteesgatatr.olosstlo,csrspmaocw.aolcluSboiklcstmlscosopyeidsagpasbcefelerlnlulloieasisstsvthpepoe.aaaelspfyTnldrasihta!ndihuotnertgelaecytctsichotrardhhececsloeleaklhealdnttedethwelslitsdo.he Whelks are another type of sea Hermit crabs are a type of snail usually found in the muddy crustacean (so are lobsters, shrimp and sandy areas of the ocean floor. and barnacles). They’re often seen The common whelk will actively on rocky shores, so you might hunt living prey and dead animals come across them when you visit (known as carrion). They do this thhaerdb-eoaucthe.rSsohmelleccorvaebrsinhgathveeiar body, by using things called chemoreceptors but hermit crabs are different. (pronounced ‘key- Instead, they use old mo-re-cep-tors’) to shells of other animals sniff out their prey! to protect themselves. 10 www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

Pic: © Alex Mustard / 2020VISION Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 112019 In another world! TaIwmhtcmhiaeseaplrlgteesheiednietphaen‘oadyaldte,ivn,staiidnmandgnyiasmdcilnllria!ivettT’nisahnh’setogiusnfwrionfeleynogli1rlseaolcdrcwmssaio’f.llllfiyoCevtoendcruesogaer.iannply!

oWdnoiloydorlsuitfreep Rob Pilley is a by Rob Pilley zoologist and lives in Bristol. He is a wildlife TV producer and he makes the wildlife series Spy in the Wild for the BBC. He has two children, Scarlett aged 11 and Ethan aged 8. You can see them on their own wildlife adventures at fhmRraoebamvmekefeeyopYmosroeeuuubrrmryTeeuporisbuyatsooeruieu.osnnets Rob’s Wild Adventures on YouTube. Pic: © Neil Aldridge Y ou don’t have to goPic: © Shutterstock Pic: © Guy Edwardes / 2020VISION out exploring miles www.wildlifewatch.org.uk away from home to find incredible wildlife… you can start right on your own doorstep! Get up close for a look at what’s been living right under your nose. 12 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2019

“Not-so-dull” Keep on doormat searching! A great place to start is your outside Pic: © Chris Lawrence Keep looking around your doorstep in the doormat. Yes, really! Go on – lift it up and mud and leaves, and you may find a tiny see what’s hiding underneath. earwig. These amazing insects have big The first, most common, animals you pincers at the end of their bodies. But don’t might see here are earthworms, especially worry, they won’t hurt you! Did you know if it’s damp under the mat! They love that earwigs are amazing mothers? They searching out their favourite food – dead leaves. These amazing make a tiny nest and curl around their creatures can eat their own weight eggs to protect them until they hatch – in soil in one day! right under your doorstep! The second creature you might see is also one you’re likely to Pic: © Alan Price recognise – woodlice! They are distant relatives of crabs and Pic: © Chris Lawrence lobsters and so they rely on damp places to live. Under a doormat is just perfect. If you do find woodlice and you’re extra lucky, you may even find one of the most ferocious garden predators… the woodlouse spider! These shiny red and white spiders have some of the largest fangs (relative to their size) in the animal kingdom. They use them to cut right through the woodlouse’s protective armour! Making a Being home out of watched? your home After you’ve finished your doorstep safari, tbsIdtdmtfhwcwpdiweo ytnfhhhhrocamarooouoryeeieeeeibianuttIgcoovmpoofheabymertekgbhrrrwuaiemeervrtfwwawrpae!t’urgtrishdielenasrigsaoiLpaanoegaielaapgeblemwhouosdryyahdvarakeeb!tktvdserhitaeiouinnvnrafeeDpaerabehau.nrlregdngtcrcoiruwnDaelladwoatforewturiaesfssothoeynluygiunaieinypnmnisgenroycbnnsgrotddsgisdhaemhl’udedaetrctiemt.oewimtyyethahbnlfstherTyorwtoowhr.reuaeebeoahoe’yufuseLosdteyehsyiusiearsry.ifrtdealruybabnliwrlslyvyuiemsaoeipwllduodihaturanewnlntirdnghbegleudianrteIetfgbecayiriuoltdfsilvtuiyeltspoee’d,rwwrreiaefntliyoynlrwldedaoaarrlmeflmoyspul!ulnuTbcdghukseyru,rsntosehdwoeleensthrgayedleonyosud’orsermtlmhiszaeoaf sadoaibrybmrmlrrtdioossedeefMomvaet.oa.sveuettvkCeryhinrlnmotyobnheacotbuwvcueeerhrsuerihordrscaimiptledaukdteatoowsscinnrnAntu,henhdwdidswe-nee.bpvidoyhlYlnale:elouoeafbtnRnaluloturonyydotserwoonumdmtbvdainsItkiinrseoclnho’wuaweadisaorctonarwgehoosnsklryeoWugintrce!arfbednhooeeusfrofdWtiiameiinntnnalstYnlmaedryiodrybeod!iedoeogYpsgvellemuThosue!uoiohatwdhahTusuYanvwitrauwmeneasaoneeTendoybouhgsgtultiwad.nlleteeba.dyoeoooyveoetsolurfuieuhlheefuultetn,seaaerihnavllasyerevects Pic: © Adam Cormack Amazing,keep the insects from yourPic: © Amy Lewis Pic: © Jon Hawkins Surrey Hills Photography right?house during the summer. 13Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2019

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. 2 3 4 5 HEwomOWTirTtaWhhwihliedletrhwliTWtiKefeaeOiisltltnodWcuE,hlbuiNaMf@jseeTtcawcaEThttrtRi:hulliGdneslaetrisfleR‘lGetorraauyldlsetrsy.oerngtry’ ostfhWnhonianeIarafoirgclmrwmdtuleweulr!eitedfyoWTet,ofeworeakueTaiyrigtrnwuotmteeudcsuerlirtruagr,eapwdnhsfwiayoreditlosgliandtuelgsor!son’t 6 14 NNeowttas rNkG24 1WT

1) Reeds by Chloé, aged 10 (London Wildlife Trust) This issue’s star winner is Chloé and her fantastic lake scene! We absolutely love the dramatic, soft colours and the great shading technique, as well as the animals! Can you spot the critters on the reeds in the foreground? 7 2) Emperor dragonfly by Thomas, aged 9 8 (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust) Check out this emperor dragonfly! The detail is 10 brilliant and Thomas has managed to make it look like it’s just taking off from the leaf! Great job! 3) Fox by Erin, aged 7 (Somerset Wildlife Trust) This fox by Erin definitely has a piercing stare! Did you know that foxes have super night vision? They have a special layer at the back of their eye that reflects light. It makes their eyes look green if you shine a light into them at night! 4) Bird by Ramisa, aged 15 (Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country) Wow! Isn’t this an incredible drawing?! Ramisa sent in this mystery bird after a photograph of it caught her eye! We’ve got our detective hats on trying to find out what it might be! Do you recognise it? 9 5) Meadow at night by Lola, aged 12 (Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust) 11 Lola has done a brilliant job with this gorgeous 12 painting of a meadow at night! The way the sky changes from light to dark, and the deep brush strokes, make it really special! 6) Pale tussock caterpillar by Joella, aged 7 (Suffolk Wildlife Trust) We were super impressed by Joella’s drawing of a caterpillar. It was so good that our butterfly expert recognised it straight away! What fantastic and shading. colouring 7) Fox by Lottie, aged 9 (Gwent Wildlife Trust) This eye-catching fox by Lottie is practically glowing! The bold colours of the oil pastels really make the picture jump off the page! 8) Sea slug by Martha, aged 6 We think it’s about time sea slugs got the appreciation they deserve for being so amazing and colourful. Martha told us that she thinks looking at sea slugs is like watching a fashion show under the sea! 9) Otters by William, aged 5 (Berks, Bucks & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust) ssWeoiemllinaemainnwtohatetserriinvinseprthiTreehdawmtiolded?sr–awhotwhelsueckoyt!teHrsavaefteyrouseeevinegr 10) Hoopoe by Gracie, aged 6 (Devon Wildlife Trust) We were very excited to get this drawing of a hoopoe from Gracie, and its upright crest means it’s excited too! These exotic-looking birds sometimes turn up on our southern coasts when they migrate from Africa to Northern Europe! 11) Adder by Eva, aged 6 (Devon Wildlife Trust) Eva drew us an adder sssneaking through the grassss! The pattern down the back is spot on! Look out for them basking from the first warm days of spring, usually around March. 12) Help the hedgehogs by Aoife, aged 10 (Derbyshire Wildlife Trust) We love the pressed flowers Aoife used to show this hedgehog getting ready to hibernate! This Wildlife Watcher wants everyone to know to leave grass and leaves alone over winter so hedgehogs can keep w arm.

WNaetiurrde w eird-o-me te •r• • Weird l • • • • Wacky • Wonderfu This issue: Weird-looking creatures! Sea mouse Spoonbill Minotaur beetle Emperor moth Pic: © Paul Naylor Pic: © Bertie Gregory / 2020VISION Pic: © Russell Cooper / naturepl Pic: © SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / naturepl This furry creature is actually a type Thfsttcothooawharivessfniaineinbdpgdvdaierzeeetathvtrthyehyereercmrrigeoitryroautblwipoongkeroedeyheaksivyrkrsid.eniashbTagnbarfhrsadelobelotoamiiitnorrhwkd.nbe,sTsmwenbihdautaeathehkttyyaeeittr’s sldtiatmfhttThrrrrfhoeoaeevaeimngaierlregedmhndstsohef(uibrunmesoonasotnng.teebthtIastpibrt’lesuheeoiasnregeaoc)bssdtkhdo–e.eeotuSoeefhereuntnwpoltepgehsr!det’nesuboTrsionrehnnbntneneaoei,ettyemsleudelsbsthes,etleuaimeffncoesinalogd!renddmtadth.hneeTeihsinirreg TbeTitbhtpoehy’siirecsegemtassghcd,euaoeoatskhrouateeoelagrermonhtfshafitcomelkitaettheshsmallaes‘lohe.todnlayTtithkheeheseessaylmlyo’eyt.o’ovswNatnoekpdoaiolteae,yisktv,tnsttewoihaotaleacitvmnnkeiltgdaisdtsshktr!eeemsal. of worm! It gets even stranger… spoonbill swoops in. its bristles are grey but the edges Sea slug Water stick insect shimmer blue, green and gold. Wow! It might look harmless, but the sea mouse is a predator. It hunts small crabs and other worms that live on the seabed. Devil’s coach horse Barn owl Pic: © Paul Richards Pic: © Joris van Alphen / naturepl Pic: © Dr Malcolm Storey Pic: © Jack Perks Taaithatgatnnowiriisddvel,taenbrijctyun’eaatiststesvnotntetlltoampeionkosi.oecloto!IymktvaIotecbookhasinsvutcuneeesopn,r,arurtyspbselposqiutoootuyiitttfnh’citsfychiuedeokberrolrulyyecieunteswctspsee,a.herenTietcnhsotnosentye. fsdcdlisbYonoaoeioenodmleulaiokesnoeuisdmnbutatbhgitoeifuagiumncwbrrhlasgnalboteutbbcirohtrsesaidewaeelaasnlsloetbnhucnldbodoherapoh‘yuidctrk’rehtrknoiesrtemshweeo?icr.idowsnoTBwr’hvotl.eusoeeeYnt!lirossirhTekpdeuehaedaeehsvcgfietylaatnureh’aniryfrief2snoy3gu!e Sc1faice0enroneea0lldadoossttuauplsournrensogeec,fsstmihwde!aisTinoifrthfhgenieneesrfarueUselminn.kKaTtkeahysrszesheecienayamoagpslcoo,eosluorwpsmeroohsaektnihnaicngadhngends weird tentacles. This little fellow looks just like a 16 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2019 mantis. It hunts prey under water using its front legs and its tail acts like a snorkel, letting it breathe under water. The water stick insect is perfectly camouflaged to hide among reeds in lakes and ponds, lying in wait for its unlucky prey. www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

17 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2019

nCeosstys Pic: © T J Rich / naturepl by Mary Edwards W e know that many Fox animals make nests, not just birds. They do this to be safe and warm, to stay well out of the way from predators and to protect them from bad weather. Here’s what some of our favourite animals would have to say about their homes… Badger Pic: © Andrew Cooper / naturepl Pic: © David Kjaer / naturepl foAxgaerso“isuskpcuaolklfl”e.d Abadger’s home is called a sett, but ocfamnbtuoaTbnrhdeenegemtelhlasraa.rsdgneeet9tsus0tp Mtp subolcpiagrWdyagni-sepeticghsrleu,iedniyaoTkseaegrhvenuennnsheaaot,td,otsrtrwhltmaciiishdnskeanaweeemgelcfleheeeirteocnseoodlhutullmocoreriania.tasowayndnWlbkoilaeecneseeuedredslsagnaocdrsraogantoetbon.fhgiundcind,oWtsntke’uwutdsotenmron,hn.ft.hfaateeoWeoianSrdneunokevdyodtd.wesosmm,iibWoeusdlloeearieenktattdkh.csieormdelueaitokiobtnea“eflsgosds,tttlooihebnwueaokperrvnyield”efjeuo!estsxuhnetapesncirsduorlil it is no ordinary home! It is an underground network of tunnels and chambers (“rooms”) which can be very old and big. Our family have l ditiblanavheiegenaeOssdgddveaudisentnhrseitsngdwestegtyartoeenr,snuoeststdfornttrooa,oigntlrnnn,aweacmogkbweerteumaablttanniouskrnuydiunendantgngpndaedetrdeoionilnsrsrotettceyikadarlnacarnokahytwtderyiaosbgdsrfrnriod.moagasxeoWrs.esermsbnlel,lubyaisfbrrrfy.beri,rleoWlaeaiirwtac,dllenyk!wdlietkliolininekakuge,telr.dtotwfIocfrseikmygds,osiheguto,allfncnokdleeuicaenenpd, little dens around our territory as safe houses, to eat our 18 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2019 When a fox is prey (often rabbits, mice ju(1m6hpfueanebtti)ontugot,l5aitnmcdaenotrnes or birds) or to get away from danger or bad weather. its prey. www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

shehBtiidbtaseedirgfraneetwahartsealelyydwbocineuonatl’tdtthdh.eoeirr is claa1r5ngAbelirvasoedeugtinnte.dras Pic: © Kevin J Keatley / naturepl Dormouse Common shrew OthcethoiirbbDneeoerrnrstmotastiMecfreoainmy. swairmeSmhgroeeorwsds Pi Pic: © Bryan Wright c: © Terry Whittaker / 2020VISION sTh7hr0raee0twhembeoieaisfnaruauttpstept!oer Pic: © Danny Green Ashrew’s nest is usually at ground level We wouldn’t want a fox to find our disIttnutieshhrsbeaat,vgalauealwdniicanoleestrsnostmpsceeoyc.uoiasuel and we make it under cover. Matted nests! We usually build them wtaistoilhhninrieenefoafwgralcbolesohYe“ntwomschtou.ailnantoTnrhedkashgceet!vihosisaormoahwrnmlrdp“”leaeomtio.nwryftsTat,vgohatshienurenhetegosrh”eee,featahatplaultesvinoniftnnneogebeoellaidbst!kvorieaeekWngomlnnerdrgrflyaeeadaouoi.WognvstvnlsmDl.ewotsdeeytghreuiWsoodoegbmsgrg.srefrrhreyotyWaaaaoluoootrywnnksueenuuufcesdnmarsdrnhck!sttielamgasaein,vureknsognoeoogpne.’rwutsnostoohWisroltnuhsuysehtdeheagienrebot,waahnardleuyainrt!dikkrscrhseennwWeehlnosieaeniseegltnwstesieeasxghtesstriaifpwsnadfttrwoveooseewbeorinmnleewsllifddttktoadhoewsovieeeedt!oeaunts safely tucked away in a hole in a tree or in thick bramble We dormice are very skilled at hedges. nests out of bark and leaves. We weaving so they are nice and snug for our fill them b uWwdlwiastehhhtAbealieeeiscedtnrhhsweawe,wniestowihenmouuheehdssariscueiu,ltbshaaleatellaoalrlrayynnervseacdoeaptonscfelomeeafotnlwtlhyelreteeeynsmodnmgouloopirftvosaoietnasukrzk.teeeninieWnedaisnis,oeg,.dlphddbairtfuolr,fwaeertwicoernqekeocgbuntdeoeittlthadfrentreneieberdnadsysstra,ey. and honeysuckle. 19Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2019

Drum roll please... IaBttthh’ruseiestsybhpsudtorrisownikyngina’dttignmrgudseemowtaumahnniyhddne?gdBao(riAdnittanahtcdhienheyh’esmto?rwwe!a)oekco-eotdomppeesc. kers bDyomPemteett W e all know that woodpeckers like Pic: © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION to, er, peck wood (the clue’s in the name!). In early spring, they take this to the extreme by banging their bills against tift sthy(osoishtwoeprstkeuAomhonttshpatnrorwauruesetgewrpeonpkyetsnveokheaeptrdweah-aomratptiesfhtdwyeeehiaoidr‘dcocdurisltkkotnyreeruuedgdeasrrcrmrpuokesibhtheuon,moeoaclnnfdlrtovkmiyswioanenrenccaegtrmgrhe’t’neat.sfiaerdnnnttWotrlhrtidstmytkooaooheitottoteahhsakvidateanetbwhptrtwcroiraeerabaacdaolacclrikt’gurkdstaidaahlnedtasbiaiogrrnfs-egbmsmu.biaateidlanTselakirnhgegls!uti)saikelpsmf.a–ten.eonBdeududtt! Multi-toolDwwuawbtbphrpinhrtoeuoaehdeonmtwiyrnndetseemhyh,ahesreeftoteb-iuhoniatrrairlrtgr,udrtbh,chptnsiieshslheolktlsteipisninafsnfi,ogphunttthuetorafasfesdotlialptlhmiorsncbret,wfeighinoclw,olegotsslihnht.ondhbaeliuTgyceantihhnroyrtodkehdsontdyitsh.wn.rroleoipWuglifAltynurhasotwpgthwnottotruhfhedhooeipneedpeudesiygemrtgtpehe,chcbeceksltceiitwnehomkahbtraiekotisgbudrhrsop,srdst.rohttheochdhWdeinwlmeoeahuiswgrmesersneuyb WToonogdupeecTkweisrter Pic: © Andy Morffew w tbdoiretaIhcennhptcsihsh(peeterhilirsneo.lgoulT,enthwngnegoesttooeshdnt-copghofeuosacelyeksssec.chrihsnaoamroolslbtorteuerulnsesrate)rruaethnnuekdspirtaatsontkrdeo2n8tshgecivmcbekeraakl s weeks to dig out. How quickly can All three species of British woodpecker you say this silly sentence? uthseeyt’vheeiar lbsoillseainchthgeostetdhieffier roewnnt wuanyiqsu, ebuatnd interesting talents. pc“eocHcuookludwlidfamapwuewoccookhodwwdppoeoeococdkdke?er”r Ewgveoetuntlidnaghwiatosvoetdotprnoegucubkeleer 20 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2019 around that! www.wildlifewatch.org.uk

Pic: © Margaret Holland Pic: © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION Great MSpaocthtiende Woodpecker Amazing AnteaterGreen Woodpecker Drum Wltwiokoietboheadipthbseoigcbnkrpeiegasrhtrs,rtolciytto-.csmIoot’mlusonuuodrnuesircdaalaftberegiatewtfhseitetehrsbspa,leetlcohwiueehdseg,rcnebaeiultlntdthhwoaaeortsod!sdl)yo.pueeInnvcsdektsreerdalirkdloue,omgaksrsec(earaannbzdyit, Gwbscoeeraonecanoaodkdtbnrspaesdeaipnchg(opktaetriesiyapnrresd(sdastra,usahnmglbomdlailmrlootsdhisswwnetgabb1btoyrckeatohmtsnuleetcrrsadhsfwireanucasngmaydeol.lmrrmTsthhtereaeeresttmyea’tb-lvh)tyemraauateranesvclkoephosnneiunagerbetdwmer)aye.aons–yTs.thtukwTennchhooneeamwixytnpngambloet4nosoano0ivtdiesthrehuistemostihrupanetdr l ipaatwtoanusoTnrdgpohkghesdidusnpaaeadwenbn(scdsodwkomuhieesdpirovcp’kesshtentnhctoieooskowfnenufngiornt’ulsusaaluersrtfcgiatmiikasevmyoes‘leyuaionoasrwisnfltnftoeelhestnche.f’gto.esIlotteohgdnbrnaagoitstsuthhihnta’eeodsnsftsksstiteet,ihcspaarkotrbnycuecthesgoainhnikaldeg!na)d.dofnofIutnmrhpititfoslhalisnremcesmwti,eadigtaneihnatgst-ifhlt.rioseeeSnelbdognisll, bird’s skull when not being used! m blntgahiuautrWevmrsodathlfbaeeemres,nentraldibkfotk)eiheerfwbde!gbifyrreye’dereeeesadattlfnreeossror.psgta.oTrgbuhtAetubenessyfddoy,’rrtwewdhfroioenutohoyomddwatpmhrienaeeicnrwaskgehle,osgarootushrdlptaeilhnarsteniestphdiogbeonthlfarlUteyctheKikwnesoha.itrooanTtwdsdhopnengweyogphcnusaiktteereeaksrubs.s(paTiafnnhoansdeudelnoacodttniinn Northern Ireland. Size Guide Pic: © Steve Knell / naturepl 31-33cm 22-23cm 15cm Gwroeoadtpsepcoktetred Lwesosoedrpsepckotetred Gwroeoednpecker Little Drummer BirdLesser Spotted Woodpecker The Weird and Wonderful Wryneck! TsTsioqnhphprusiaceesierhescrcieatioseterwsswdrB!shtorbhi.IiotetgaaL’dchsniipnasoute’utsehupcsnerkesimenrogtarhurastreheetllaaeysefrtotsestrstaoppatspweholsnsowetod’ooiesrdfl,smdlpptbaraeuouunlcctlmtdtkhtetrehodesoreno,efbyllsutyoyhmlsialnefiavs,iinrewrtlesl–losiovspoiensintrdsg’itsnsEehl,gnorba.pgoan–alkraerttinnkhhlysdgeeybafaooinmngtrhdgdateeaoyWrrsldbtttawhyeleaosn. a Pic: © Rich Andrews / CVL Birding This curious member of the woodpecker family is very different to the others. It sobWsAotpnihwnrwrrldoiyyidnlssnrtgatviestiinbnscadidiiktntlBoslsdhuerthioiwsstsaeanesuomaie’rntcteduas,cdmkaoablriesunkrunoiemctno.ueennanosaocdstrlwo-lnylhumiaktosihnkemeleeeaoysi!tnn.s 21

Pic: © Michael Hutchinson / naturepl Feature wBuamnnblaebbee?e or Creature On a warm spring day, a fat, furry Bee-fly yellowish buzzing thing catches your eye. by Branwen Messamah It looks and sounds like a bumblebee, but something is odd. Its eyes are too big, EssFaencttisal its wings look wrong, and its long, pointy black tongue (called a proboscis) sticks out ScBieonmtibfiyclinidaamee while it flies instead of being tucked in… bTeheFe-arflemy atihlryeamt9lievsmepeibnceiterhsseoUf K how strange! In fact, it’s not a bee at all, but a fly! A bfcTeliahncleaglAeyumdesage“argbezosoisfnmaotghtmbebfeaeewrtceibamtneyeeetshsst”esy! bee-fly that is. Pretending to be a bee is what bee-flies do best – it’s a clever way 22 of scaring off anything that might want to eat them even though they can’t sting! aPonldlpinarataosritses Adult bee-flies have a sweet tooth. They feed on nectar, pollinating plants as they go, just like a proper bee! But as babies, the bee-fly larvae have a taste for something a little different. They drink the juices of live ground- nesting or solitary bee grubs! This makes the bee-fly larva a parasite because it lives off another animal! It might sound gross or cruel, but it’s an important part of the life cycle of this very cool creature. Egg-cellent aim To find a ground-nesting or solitary bee nest for her babies, the female bee-fly flies low. After inspecting a nest to check everything is ok, she hovers a few inches above the entrance hole, and quickly twists her body to flick an egg at it! But before she does this, she dips close to the ground and collects some soil in a special chamber at the tip of her body – just below where she lays her eggs from. This odd bee-haviour is a smart way of making sure her babies have the best chance of survival. The eggs get coated in the soil as she lays them: The extra weight on the egg makes it easier for her to hit her target, and the coating camouflages the egg in the soil! When it hatches, the bee-fly larva ence crawls into the nest and finds Chris Lawr tasty host grub to suck the Pic: © a juices from! It hangs out in the nest over winter, before it’s ready to emerge from the nest next spring!

FsAtearhameeteah?lelrs Pic: © Ernie Janes / naturepl by Tom Hibbert Pic: © Alex Hyde / naturepl FShoidmeeoeckraoestlehohpouewrrbssi,rocdbfofsum, twaetnahidrenmysdo,aifmolfletehhreealenrvstet thshaheealspmppetehfcsleyiaa!mlnjdob. Pic: © Lynne Newton Pic: © Andy Rouse / 2020VISIONwing. Tail feathers What are feathers? Staying are usually stiff too, warm Dress to impressFhlmiboibbnlekaianakrtiaeidaorerrtbabdnahatstslcehwnte,thrrirh,deinlseegialeknesisfaskie.e..nrecErmegtTahaaeshlamelchreentnhayardbyaufdrothinbtaslefsaikann.cvt.frichreeabMoTherluhlmaeoseliesessdhstkob,eflrerlaoaanwttichnh“e,sefrjhesusdfaasaeftitrtnaateh”lhiotnkeiahenesirmeBabstoorh,iiutuarnsebdrrllstsyusohtwlaoiasvr!ioBetiadnhmsiwlmbbrljagwkoudceoayieoicmhsnnatersktbidtrlcoptalhbuystamcenoaoe,olpnaerdfngrds,e.t’lsieldtotyofcbekTht,rt(DjihiuedhTehrutarehttcfsaheheheteoeaelseaogcimebmepeawytlsrnflleolpleyotyyymte.pntetanhtha’doswhdhurkafmrteoetleyfeoeeauthraek.yordebuesvfreeaothTbofmcee,rhpryetnhiiwasrhd!reaf,p.edennedrntssaorehdaetsturnewthatagseatpbrerhtrroeehsmehawne,fearletowueeaowWcarufvthplaeofttoeythhiahrncswnsnegsaeehdatthaoetion‘netocittmstnpoworofhehctfesuuviietetoetggenhhegttmlstghldeerghohp’ie)tes,aefriktlwntheeheateeehyrpiiraemdCntsshptahtdoiooepwangh.lelmouorvhhohpemestectwouerasjetakocrltbtbhpnderosirlessaehimtgo,mhtnoiiuhnormhbedf.stgrs.aomastpeOcfivhnTnscneodaedtsheaofaldaahrteeriowemtfulnhOetdteeftoaanbthsieneurwrtnartnst’eoresahadihthlatzrntlslfrcstl.-eiefsksyetthnpfct,erhtiomhaegonrsoeeserakrlgpoorwtsyfbv.ighl.uuneytiihrtanrhpTrgohdaetgheuesvdeny.eafdSfiersrooapofmrntirokhtteemere,serdselmligikstkeaoe,eskhianeglp Pic: © Andrew Parkinson / 2020VISION rivals. Some even Pic: © David Tipling / 2020VISION have feathers just Taking flightMmftpclhihugouaashssnhnttcgltbfaeheiingsreadgataschintnoehcsdnreatstsnotwpahufaerelreyyc,faiemtatihrhaluatabwhctnyihenakfrgslilsrao.tpffneolTpogahiwmentehrsgyaea,salrneosrsdoitr.vutegTshnhltieiddeffesbetehirbredys for displaying, like the great crested grebe, which puffs up the feathers around its neck like a lion’s mane. Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2019 23

Competitions G30etDaryesaWdyilfdo! r For your chance to win: V ery soon we’ll be Tell us which word is missing from the wordsearch. Good luck! getting ready for 30 Days Wild! That’s Spring, moss, newt, grass, whale, shark, where we ask everybody mouse, rook, sunny, hoot to do one wild thing every day during June. That S UNN Y O P could be walking barefoot in the grass, following P THK I F S a bumblebee, feeding the birds, writing a wild RDU R OO K DaWfGyomsarooonWytrrootgeiutl/odwar3fbaiF0ilnRdonddEludiaEftoeyrp3eutsr0agwtucissiklttd?es.r poem…the possibilities I WH A T MU are endless! NR T HOO T We want to help you with your 30 Days Wild GRA S SUE adventures. That’s why we’re giving away this bngarouniltiledoiabeunostdtosbokouotynroodaruldeecvcoeoafnrndpturryeirzoeceuomsrg!aincWdirsoevese’rcwneothguparieveti!snyW,ogiudea’’evvwneeatfigfyoiocuaatnTtdioWnaOnd U V S OWS R bundles for lucky Wildlife Watchers. Y A R TWE N NoWafotturhlredal Wonders soCeeualrebrating Ayiwnlofeacueacr!eresnYdh.oiWaaburbl’eeelOorabl’evdouhnoleduityaiosmfotgrikbcheu,opoaieltdftavllraast,eFoth?mnsOirmsreTaseUaphtoanMzRweemedtsrnocidfteaeolhttlhyhbncp,oatiyiaifsmetfntosthahdretleosy Y ou can keep the sea by your side every day givTHFWWeeWIolNlhahhuywaTrastdta–­tyaoyihas!roelheloaatuuthrnhreersesbwacifenbgersoghsawxettae?hsortenstrhscscepasecneeacbilqelteeusodefoostutfwhinowaidntosnikon. ed:tehppeecmbkiaerdgrs?azwinaer.m? with this cuddly dolphin. Did you know that RRP: £14.99 Buy online at: wtru.st/Natural-Wonders we have bottlenose dolphins in our seas? If you visit our seaside this summer maybe you’ll even be lucky enough to see one in the wild! We’ve got TWO dolphin toys to give away to our readers. For your chance to win: caWrbeeoawututartehnset tyosoehuae?caaIrsnwitfihtnhydeyiwonuathyloetvrheea?ot Tiutersllosueusanw!dWsh?yhMafota’rsyyybooeuuryrcofhauavlonoucvreeitetthotehwining! RRP: £14.00 Buy online at: wtru.st/dolphin-cuddly-toy Send your competition entrDieosnt’ot fuosrg:eBtytoemincaliuldweaytcohucronmampse@, awgiledlaifnedtCruaoswtmsa.oyprogeftBcitoynioptaoncsttinRWguiylldoeluifsewWithatycohu,rTehnetrKy!ilnD,EMAaDtLhIeNrER:o3a1d,MNaeywa2r0k1, N9ottinghamshire NG24 1WT