Wildlife Watch issue 101 - Spring 2022

FREE! BIRD INDEPENDENT CUCKOO BUCCANEERS INSECTS POSTER Find some fearsome Meet the bees feathered pirates that buzz alone Issue 101 Spring 2022 What’s that sme THE EEL iffy wildlifesome weird and wh ll? DEAL Discover These thin fish make incredible journeys!

Ecodrintoerr’s WILD THINGS TOM HIBBERT News from our Wildlife Watchers Editor, Wildlife Watch BRILLIANT BEAVERS Are you ready for spring? I know I am! Albie (aged 6) from Somerset visited I love winter and the Cornwall Beaver Project and all its wonderful wildlife, but saw a family of beavers and the there’s something so special amazing dam they have built! He learnt about the arrival of spring – all about how beavers help prevent floods it’s a magical time. and make habitat for other wildlife. One of the best things FUNGI FINDERS Cover credit about spring is that so many incredible insects appear. Six-year-old Rowan from Manchester In all our excitement There are loads of beetles, (below) explored some new areas at our 100th issue, we butterflies and bees to be of nature and found these fabulous forgot to thank Rachel discovered! In this issue, we’re fungi! And Molly, also 6, from Flintshire Hudson Illustration for taking a look at solitary bees (below right) spotted these towering the beautiful background and how they find a place to toadstools on a path near her house. on the front cover. It’s nest. Turn to page 18 to find gorgeous, don’t you think! out more. We’re also introducing some of my favourite birds: the skuas. Have you heard of them? They’re fast, ferocious and fearless pirates of the sky – I think you’re going to love them! You can find out all about them on page 12. With these and so many other amazing animals to discover, I hope you have a spectacular spring! GET IN TOUCH Email us at: [email protected] Ring us on: 01636 677711 Write to us at: Wildlife Watch The Kiln Mather Road Newark Notts NG24 1WT wildlifetrusts @wildlifetrusts thewildlifetrusts WildlifeWatchUK

IN Cover pic of European eel © Neil Aldridge / naturepl.com THIS ISSUE 12 Wood anemones © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION18 Regulars Sphagnum moss © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION 06 Pomarine skua © Pete Richman 02 Wild Things 0 4 The Science Section Leafcutter bee © Jon Hawkins / Surrey Hills Photography Fact-packed discoveries 0 5 Your Stories 10 Heroic Habitats Peatlands 11 Poster 14 Gallery 1 6 Weird Nature Smelly wildlife 17 How to… Make a wildlife pond 22 Feature Creature European eel 2 3 Where Do Seabirds Nest? 2 4 Competitions 10 Features 06 Woodland Wildflowers 08 Springing to Life Who’s stirring this spring? 12 Sky Pirates Discover buccaneering birds 18 Bee B&Bs 20 The Nature Engineers WILDLIFE WATCH 101 Editor: Tom Hibbert Editorial Team: Ashleigh Carter, Charlotte Varella, Joanna Richards, Leanne Smart, Mike Watson Check out wildlifetrusts. org/privacy-policy to find out how we keep your information safe. What’s Wildlife Watch? packed full of amazing pictures, Wildlife Watch is the junior posters and competitions. branch of The Wildlife Trusts. We also have a really wild Join Wildlife Watch and start your website and e-newsletter nature adventure. Prices range full of wild ideas and from £10-£24 per year for child- nature-spotting tips. Plus only membership and £30-£60 you get access to local WAKTECEHPING! for family membership. events and groups. Go You’ll receive a starter pack to wildlifewatch.org.uk and four issues of Wildlife to find out more. Watch magazine a year. This is

The Science Se ction In every issue this year we’ll be bringing you a fact-packed science section, sharing recent discoveries about weird and wonderful wildlife and explaining the meaning of some scientific words. WILD WORDSImpress O(oVh-IvPihO-pSoIzT-iOh-Rtur) MAMMALS your friends with new AsiTsnoohttsramueeebbycevbetcesai-ann,lningkuioemsbitnehoaeterotlossgr,ptaihlneainkessyyeptghecferoagtocsrtgiu!asnl.ldy , (mam-mulls) words from the world PELAGIC Mammals is the name for of wildlife the group of species that science! (pe-la-jik) are warm-blooded, have a oofoooPrrvounpeeimtelenarosngttnlhhtaishceetneahjadwwute’.ss.aaoTtpPtthpmeeeeeerrnl,,eayndllagiickksnmioeecesuaoapp‘l,rsdneeetwillblmaaoaeeggftaliliitnocclhasgnebfwaiistiorrorahderty.itsmh,ee backbone, feed their young with milk, and have or fur at some point either hair in their adlifoeml.paHhmiunmms aaanlr.es,amll iecxea, mdopglessaonfd RECENT DISCOVERIES SEAL SOUNDS looked after by a rescue © Margaret Holland centre. They also played I n noisy places, recordings of wind noise, animals often raise to see how the pups’ calls their voice and make would change when the wind louder sounds to increase their was louder. They found that chances of being heard. Some when there was a lot of noise, animals go a step further – the pups actually lowered they actually change their tone the tone of their voice. It’s of voice to be heard above the thought this might help their background noise. Scientists voices carry further in noisy haven’t found many mammals conditions. The ability to judge that can do this, but a recent the level of background noise experiment suggested that and change their voice in baby common seals may have response seems to be quite rare in mammals, making this special ability. these seals super special! The scientists recorded the calls of eight common seal pups, which were being THE TRAVELLING TURTLE Kemp’s ridley sea Sea Zoo. They hope to help the turtle was found turtle recover and fly it back to A04 stranded on a beach Mexico, where the seas are in Wales, 4,000 miles away warm enough for it to survive. from its usual home in the Gulf Kemp’s ridleys are the smallest of Mexico! The turtle, nicknamed and most endangered sea Tally because it was found on turtles in the world, with © Anglesey Sea Zoo Talacre beach, was taken into only around 8,000 care by experts from Anglesey nesting females left. r@ecaFonovglelolrewyseoTynaslTleywa’sizttoeor

SYTOOURRIES tree A feather duster in the by Faith, aged 10 One November morning away from the hustle and bustle, I tiptoe quietly though the woods and hear a gentle rustle. I look all around then up to the sky, Then I see it, a squirrel with a glint in her eye. She shuffles slowly down to the ground, Her feather duster tail sweeping round and round. One final leap onto a leafy bed, From there I see her tiny ears twitch on her head. Oh no – she has seen me, to the spot I freeze, She looks at me suspiciously, her eyes like onyx beads. Then she creeps a little closer and I think I see her smile, Then with a tilt of her head she says, “Stay and watch me for a while.” I follow her as she leads me to the stump of a tree, Where she looks around checking no other squirrel eyes can see. Then she digs and she digs into the soft, green moss, Her tail waving wildly like a stick of candy floss. Her little claws move quickly flinging dust and dirt. She must find her goodies quickly before another finds it first. Then at last with a flurry, she holds up her prize. She’s found a treasured nut she left here last time. She holds it in her mouth and dances with glee, Her short, furry arms waving happily. Then with a bow, she says goodbye, And she scurries to her treetop home, way up in the sky. THtoYAOFNaUiKth! Dstooryieosuawnadnitdteoawsrtiotewfoartcthhe@mwailgdalifzeintreu?sStse.nodrgy! our 05 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022

WWOILODDFLLAONWDERS Bluebell woodland © Guy Edwardes / 2020VISION by Max Lawson Ooexfucprelwallneontostd, tlaainmnidmestaoalsrseeaenhdothmfeue(nstgooim.aSneptarimminaegzsii)snhgaindvdaerniety stars of the show – wildflowers! HERE ARE SIX SPECIES TO SPOT THIS SPRING… WOOD ANEMONE BLUEBELL © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION © Vaughn Matthews TdBocDSfhioelfoniutedeve,deepnibybftroehivesynuaieelooglsumeukletwanhiltfpiro-ouvueboweolglpabduenpableleuaninunaencutngobsrdmd leahuoafbllepulobnelhroptlriunasarientssnooybldtobfiehskuetptleehlhrlrlew-eUeagssaaoKhepcdroa,oldbadaplbeoenlnelanuatuddn!rueufdfitbusnliuofelyuaswclollpalulesfrylreiropmnsleweegdwaate.syynhr?ossicuthocaaornneeapshiodaoalelnvir.neeeWarmoftolefiootedendsne!bsyWwbiotlhoudeaobfacegonlluiallneosvdsrdmu,edtweiwtrecoyreaononoxootsoeofp.ldddsrblTloahphraarinaelginnandvhedwngesmtt,sobyspi–ootteu’eansdsltlcreoop-ciasaswaoinhflasneayhssrmtoeapiaabuleboosmlediofsntte,apteebhnston!eiaistxsts-ftianeohpyneuioetsnhnutaafed’lncrolleacmeiwnirdsepietdsnaewrodttnwmhilwnedihet.gioeniLlopegtifhkdaloyeielrnaowkfnuasleod’arroesnr d 06 wildlifewatch.org.uk

LESSER CELANDINE There NLoasorontnIhtu’chdmtiWeehonnMoaLtoomWawndxaidoldpzaooilrninndofeg’dljsaeTsnIpcrpwtuda,estopactcr’rhsnikoeedGtsoesarnceoltlaifntg © Tom Hibbert are around that live there. 1,600 species of wildflower in WOOD SORREL the UK! © Philip Precey Ttbsddcyhtueaipateltcmilatckhelneasper.dsclslwsLyui.neepoIherts.oaswctIdesotearlhla8apscan-nreo1sedd2lndagipcninplcoeaedetsttitthisnahshyseloe,as, u,ghawsgmersmoehaawwatarkttetls-hilhnlslyieahngaertalscibyltpoloseulewotucsrdotaeefckallueoromsslauwiekavldeebetnhrasudaetnsohylpkeonaoscvtlllieeaoonssnnstsieedgerr © Ross Hoddinott / 2020VISION WahraOwWalenlonhihandloeeiernsdtnu.noe-sWsfsdituthoht’soahwarerolefplyeiiytdne’lhmrimdeissspohoostiaseroneitrsdukegpetclmrfvxsehlceohcetaeiitwatnndynidnste,wsb.egrt,iheEdhnwtaeihgfhtcyohei,anhuibtcfbghnllhuoeisedtrwaafasositftnebeslidarosewtnhwuducdortopiohotwmshueadeogaptfleaiohdonvdndoessisgdeucsphssdtaoh,ettrnoohthoraefoeerelltdstxwhUigopstrhKhueeltoea.hertd.ontasewatim!trseall © Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION their petals before raindrops fall! COMMON DOG VIOLET WILD GARLIC WwTagtYhfhhroaahoiceelurdbilmcluwifichctlsgoaatotaohhewtnosrfeartld.eaievacsYlrlenatstsohrnotosughahdmnrafsecoignvfoallweoeodonsnnsoctsidhugterii,xnsnaoeoeuwtlddfvosaoeapaghnlflnleeiyg-tlgsocesstehiahneaaperaglclnlleldipl,ycwdutgetamihihenednlsiernpnooltnadeshlwsdnaettciashdnvawfeelaorkagosprrn.er,eoepoWdsdtiowsitinilinlanawdginntis.ridlc!drsu.gbabrylic bdoigWathurwiselpdlibilakduengldbtaoserloaicft! wiasdsovtToatytoeohhgnpdrpeeydelv,acsisiptomnoiholuldvmerpfreestpovmsret-ilrooeawtoaalrnefgtaenltortsd,thafwhoiofestoeeugsddrblrnaosvsodfnieertowidtvsitlonieinesltmlht’raaatah.rnfhlryiaUavda,fsrennvbihthegleipielkeelceaadeaatorgarsuysfteclos-sbhersemou–ahnwtetatbhtt.wspeieotC.areyotfoThtdlislmhaeealiftrseysmr,toapthsohmvleunaeecnsihrt nearby eggs on it. 07 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022

© Dale Sutton / 2020VISION wfarAormms wetrMhinteeategmnrrypomaeuenrnalitdmst,uiabrnelutssot.aisBtrp’esurdnisntsoigrtar,ijpnuopgsuterftarwhoreimlodpnltilhfateheneibtrsetwgrgeieinenttstseinatrognhdwirbeaseahkrdnoeyaoufttoisporcninso.pmtrhienegu.p SP RIN GING TO LIFE BboyotSha-rCaard WHAT IS HIBERNATION? WndwitdT tadepiossonheohnmiuutrftihTnefmisortrqmehpeev’pntuiriaaeneasovaenaindrtresnrlwseeatetecthtetcbthoasroruotodtieeatyrhglrarldltapayetdttohht-otetsehuittuuscnn.epskigosrfbikHlregeoeeeohomen’iohresffslbrus–dsfptandevs.blshsaeoorTieloonnioarttrfhbadhitsrmanvoeiwetiyesiaogtinnnraniiosnnhnw,gbgnpilnasetoirtoieteentltiwoipesofitrrnsota,itffeshosaetnmwkwesridartbdepnegahlhaniesooek.yseekuirwfemTlf!ennnleasthSnoaitewaemfaheod.oftdlnniyiemsIeoobsetort,eand.aasoseubbpaAltdnlgccodrcuvihaeashmpdrweetelaalnesoslteeaeaevhtcerhbmnaedlntmerpuseiegterboth,t,raerhooreehvbegagneerisaaruynnpayt.srrs,tegdosntedaiostvtnryhaai,omeatttsoastotrnceoutoethtbf’arugusiievnosanoiyddvldle!yy,. 08 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022 wildlifewatch.org.uk

LSETTIR’SRIMNEGETTHSOISMSPEROINF GTH! E ANIMALS© Tom Marshall CpIo’emtoeTorraepudthscalsiepnhetnaeee(dSNIcrt’xaom!iaica)nrrtiaalvtuafleyeonrBnderrdwoteYeaFoIioclbrbdltioorherofkalvl-nousoeCtdhgetwaglisiwyrsre!eedtirSltsadWtcinlnhiifdgloedo,lilfse BROWN LONG-EARED BATS BtatbCfhhkugaornuanaoicifbovdtionkwtleededwharinryinbfninuoinbottilgastoroueruatestnhrtitmi,sohlnmrgfettnaamnhoa-aeettefiefagantalhaneotiorontsesrnethvpileeragndeienrbnb?gsniribneit!olnoywaeagrAugtnnrt,ipftnohsadtfuesuetoataepiertpmsxvirrntti,.eofnhswarywAn.ogeoleenfIhmynntmeyseo’ievcokrsoigNehdsuuoksa.ogrsmpsfistvetfhmeiaaemrsaenrvnmyberadeoddlfibnriueann,cderfvgttrrighrotoaomertetumnhoolyoorneuioAttipheeskpsssusr,mipiltn.hemeociyeledrsheieBnaarsroreewtcdhtnseblawsotonasuglckn-aidnngo!f © Mark Hamblin / 2020 VISION Hugh Clark© s PEACOCK BUTTERFLY / 2020VISION COMMON FROG Ihphsnowbatmlipuhiesfbubnheseeataetedhehtncyvtrerinet’nedgnsvspra,sfeaasaaltc,titphtrnehuiaweadoersdesnisenanaeywynlrhgtsaiohmhsosiiynubpaaancaet’euetrvera’dsrtserpgehrilnvltaguetealhaeahieskpdisestre.eh,e!yaaldTlebicPyftnhdiseaaouaeetdeucdtotopaeayylp,tahcrscrssbuepocuatleeahshuaicsdel!ulriktecadtfMsaeootrbdoh–oalc’rslouenemykctfsnthilfhrtotpabteeheifwlvubynroayefofeotuelrctbdiuomaeoetertaartsrrdsehi,ftsrtolrt,heekafiioflecftleyrrihsfaseefiiobnrpeelsoluogyeeayd’tndgcltal.eeegborrssofoen.luiof.BelnotnWsehdocenhkapeeifunaitnrtsgrslekettso ©©VaKuagthrinnaMFMartoathrgteinnwseShaptaroaevswtgesuotwersnevtpfetiuiievCninnoveaecagoednncktntmhthdetafiahebvoedmnnseieorsmyoyaeodiaeswrnufnt.genarhdAoaaa’kfertrglysnilyyaotnlsyooustg,icpsowoctnsathahoordnbnsewielnsedpasytkbnroedap’ywroln,,syoeasteedattgpwfheoartssaoetanmtthwhthygaghe(eisnlneomsearwdrf.hyyieanaHtaiernogtyohvaaDptgecfceervieoso?knriesrcnsmdwhtee.ydaimooetdIg,rfhntuiogtoebneh’rstdugee)tr.! bcluu5tst0ete0rPrfelseieagoscgfocsuca!pkntolay © Tom Hibbert 09 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022

HEROIC satpWIoh’nemigidlandgJttglylioeafiumnesncndvTohysrissiu!fsniMrstegoitsynmta.gfhnaLetdvhasoIenoulcobfratvoi,tsegehsire HABITATS PEATLANDS by Jenny Bennion Sphagnum moss © Ross Hoddinott / 2020VISION Can they Sphagnum moss © Mark Hamblin / 2020VISION What are What wildlife help fight the How can we peatlands? lives there? climate crisis? help them? Peatlands are a really special TibPbitayrpdpaTInmthehhe’eirlirmlscarafadeeaeepfadlnnettaaursrotshasersttlcezkd,parsseenoitita.ahnnndsandaowmSenagrdtogrneceyeiofdgeacswtatpoaehgYmolnrstpalropinnlornainllmmunnleooertlduaineseomvogeuwlanootnovtcoonrshlhr.pttfteaslrfmfo,ssyooett,ltrnehaiohmouoonompnanteansfssfseett,selarssmspaeaictnponooetstroyesse.naifslet,ciosnttwicrlaeaadatill-dBnlrfaade.sdossloisgofpanesfiic.coaikdnrliesec!doscYdolcpsotoeraufeaaciasisrraUmlkrbr!ositstpeiK.onflaWhacfeaHnwggaprentahgimohentselofditrchheaptrweidldearassaaoaneiiakmlnnterkenmbppmwaliwbt.ganviad,yphlrnoao.engeadstseeugdhnrnWrdeyi,ynssahsgretdstecooasiiahbhfgann,ai!ahvierlegairngteadnenBathetnhlimhcclrgnutavttgtlrteltoteogo8ittouehhttmeiohhr0wsetaaaibtrthspkeeahepslbteepleemhsyetesoeceeytdeoalonnwrirucrmtraecbyaeapfeantteneterrt,mastsuocfpratcGtdoehoheoGnerleatoecmssdwloatsbtaplrptaboiravoscebounae!leyalosyrdletltttanyhtshpdlchtsoeelhaaeatisasrnnnestgpoepdwbppaoftlea!ideryrtcptetdncoouuobaeegchcsetupgsmnudasiuranoerl.oydyteurnppsdulpoeBwapp,aolsuouayantetntsnosrshhrondtmaweeyouaettsmatmnosiapyo-ibtlnn.gtlfhaktgiasrAdtyhheaek,iarknoteesoeetetgkurlswp type of wet, boggy habitat – in fact they are often known as bogs. The UK has lots of peatlands. Blanket bogs can be found on many of our uplands, hills and moors. Lowland raised peat bogs and fens are found on lower ground closer to sea level. What makes peatlands so special is that they are wet and very acidic. This means that as the plants on peatlands naturally die, they do not fully decompose (rot away) and instead form layers of peat. Peat forms very slowly at only 1mm a year! Round-leaved sundew © Brian Eversham peatlands! Sundews are tiny plants with little tendrils on their leaves, each tipped with a sticky droplet. When insects fly past, they get stuck to the droplets. The sundew then releases a chemical that turns the insect into a disgusting kind of insect © Lancashire Wildlife Trust soup, which the plant digests! 10

© Ross Hoddinott / 2020VISION I spy… dtahmeDmsaemslfpslyeo,ltfhlfiaoevosed, leiaknneodrtmghriosaubbsliuteeyin-etsmaitilodedh-aeilrp! 11 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022

by Pete Dommett © Peter Cairns / 2020VISION tffsuheownlaolafotdaswsifhtroebsoraeurtlachdebebokedaeiiclrmrtiiredbnditansslghwneegiebl-nllovgoyebsreoohtaldsidetann.aa!vfBdsgSdrihuioobktoitumsuunfiroacgsftcffsi?thinaethaednhnriiiseeerdneigrsshly Over the wild Scottish 12 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022 sea, a skua spots a gull catching fish. It sgioutwsirnvilddefutiiscslnygkcnyhgoeaorrbg.sb.i.erebdws,lehu(hcsaniocurtuhiaplgsittshihnidsenrmguospkpitdhu)s-eaair! It might seem mean, praeascbinkouoluettshpsteeteonrapeslaiprngregaycs.ifieoWtisoshmd–ykf–brnoosomtawhveners searching for your next meal when spfienrccigairheaolamstwKsedloosebubfspicaertbtdkneoi2ssrdnpd0!, aes0orar,vbadpiesnsitnefcioftrleiruvssremde, dinntg you can just snatch it from someone else? Skuas have taken this sneaky strategy to the extreme and are very successful at it! wildlifewatch.org.uk

SEABIRDS OF PREYSpcNYkolooauwwuawesscor.faanBurndleuepstsrretueshepdkeuraFyetaO’morseUresaaRlryhlessaaospvdofeeaamcpsloiettenetfsligdmyoewteofrissnsthcagkanesul,idalrehsidionnkoctythkrpheeediedr‘aifbUbatleelyKcalo.aikfngessislaetonyfindleth.tshTehehaseraepsiare.’! © Bob Coyle GSKRUEAAT © Peter Cairns / 2020VISION ASKRUCTAIC TpTshfstihoeoonuelirtclspomnhpeawifurecnl-shynprgrgqsoeitieenruuebivattmgiidsacettfetklroromboiyocsofriwrmue,ttfadwafcpaaltsfiheilnrliesulmnbx!drtonaeAonafadlfsrnllanoinyleteasrdsAergrntfkrfitutsdcoviouhteltevtorrisiaieeesncdwkbfrauysoabiictrskpfkhdytueiioesiotat.f.snswTtetshgaaner–vrugesubGesjkan!teuieatnr–aigml‘lshedttSouahirirksnsnkeeup,ntlweeafloarssroowy’s!rmaildnnyregftaohsre © Pete Richman TitfrfeaellssninThaainhticosbekSitobgsch–nuekoegaeluUtOkutwvlayaKsrleBlknat!bno–nhotTditereethg)ihdhnrynewreaaiAtasrsginbhlnrcslradbceedheoticabnaffaiScfartbsrgsohrissainrstaenlkndghestougdsseltbara,ahtugnseihn(nepprtdonecwoor.lieaaltfiue‘ltsrtbsSdegobs!fcnieikInnystosuhgaxtttaaihylelbapssse’benuuoabarwdzfefskrbz,ieinainaimilertlkssrgd’dsdf.asaasicinasnnofantoldy.lttrdlhheadaet PSOKUMAARINE © Pete Richman LSOKNUGA-TAILED © Mathias Schaeff BIA Minden / naturepl.com Another large skua Skuas fiercely ApsA UistunlruhoKcmNcseu,tpekiimbtrchiiruntbiewhrnsTftgroromegheetdtiuhreitshasaesrtedtel,nnhlgsio,cbyndteerswosuagflapiabitcnncmugsoieiadrttftrmdflouoslsufoesokouamtlfdiudroanlsAlinarndldpfsefereaserwtmooiessccoinmionamtiatrehmlthstsl(ihtonhwelhefoeinygesrethnogislmAmtaegsm.-hnrru,tieeecgaddrostfritleiltaaaehceshlctnai.edeceeesdyearstbnotslskipeefkpeuaitettreaalwhaaobnttbieneoliderregsdsyehtntesehouroaetduenafh.asrsttwIemhncliwiniewotnetteahtrtleehlsesels.ertat)ssoarnd that often attacks protect their nests. other seabirds and They’ll attack anyone or 13Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022 of their prey. anything that strays too robs them birdwatchers close – including humans, ‘Poms’ (as cassCsacohpalrolotnothrobhtyeneaeoir-rtmuisacc)hsnhaapadasrposemAetendtsro’chtratteeaairciseiral ssfguektgsrauaurtaenahssgle,lsyerivs, ?e. sheep and cattle!

GALLERY 2 Send in your photos, poems, artwork and letters for your chance to feature in the gallery. If your artwork is picked as the star entry you’ll win your very own drawing kit! The perfect starter set for any budding wildlife artist. 1 4 3 6 5 14 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022

7 8 1) Puffin by Suki, aged 8 10 Suki has created a wonderful 9 little puffin! 12 11 HEwmOitahWilthwTeaOstucEbhNj@eTcwEt iRllindelifetrusts.org 2) Waxcap by Reanie, aged 13 ‘Gallery entry’ or The waxy texture here is perfect. wWTThrhiiletedelWKitfoeiillnudW,sliMfaaetta:cTthrhuGesrtasRlloerayd We’re in awe! Newark 3) Owl by Nell, aged 12 Notts NG24 1WT This owl looks so alert, like it’s searching for prey! 4) Red kite by Alexis, aged 12 By drawing each feather, Alexis has given this red kite a really textured look. 5) Migrant hawker by William, aged 12 It’s so hard to photograph a flying dragonfly, but William has smashed it! 6) Harvest mouse by Leonard, aged 8 This mouse is adorable! A great action pose of it climbing up stems. 7) Barn owl by Teddy, aged 8 Teddy has captured the colours of a barn owl perfectly. Great job! 8) Waxcaps by Holly, aged 10 This is a lovely collection of fantastic fungi! 9) Deer by Lola, aged 10 We love the way Lola has set a scene by including grass and flowers. 10) Orca by Harry, aged 6 What a gorgeous orca! We love the bright blue water and the big wave. 11) Pigeon by Erin, aged 11 This is an incredible painting of a bird that is easily overlooked! 12) Pigeons by Alfred, aged 9 Alfred’s nest, complete with origami pigeons, was a great surprise! Iwnfdtsahwaoehnemnaewdm’rtefeise.lflooaWaintrcntgeoueidaeenrmletydmootiyogyuuoeohrirudnutwaricraagelaufl.isebrrdtos,swetsitooerk 15 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022

WNAETIURRDE W EIRD- O-ME T E ERFUL WACKY R WEIRD WOND THIS ISSUE: SMELLY WILDLIFE WPINEEEDAPPLE WGRHEIETNE-VEINED GORSE STORM PETREL © Brian Eversham © Jon Hawkins / Surrey Hills Photography © Neil Wyatt © Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION IyWtdptbahe’osiyhlnteleagoerefanoiwnlavsoagpey-twdfpholotseolfeoferawft.lsgnheaTeusaderhqdveetpeuisedrsssaseotevpeiwpanezlpriahcmecelntasdaicenttv,trntotsetuhstmhossseoimh,uesyfbelrtelrredstelinolnaloiowglkgrlfiyrenno!sgw! gwtAhriefitnrehungai,-tvbyseuu-istnrmpherdeoilswlwiinnhaggbitsfoelcuosewtanatett?rbraMiuscttaotelnerefly Tanaoe-ssrhnovfcsteesroeedcauenromfgy!lgctjoiTooegovowynhlnepveeeetueeotoyrorstofs’p.fmrpbBsoeotolmeehfuwstltheutfleeihsnilnsrttlitwihssdhinshtepeeegtaieehren,stimtayecaeansekm-cslmysdlloy!neeaceolopnoltltolthnlhdawiuenntrhtgtse These little ocean explorers hsppfteuehrmrmoefnrauaoglmnem, ssleeobc.mnTayenohpn–idrsyobepdtasheumsceiccteria!onlllmgltyhaoaanstnpeeaehvtcuaeiasnrlaal have a pleasant, musky smell. GOLD SWIFT Scientists have discovered that storm petrels can recognise members of their family just by smell; and chicks can identify their own smell, which may help them find their way back to the nest if they wander off! SHIELDBUGS POLECAT © Frank Porch BROOM © Neil Wyatt © Jim Nelson © Elliot Smith tBhuatttecrafnliepsraordeunc’tetshuerpornilsyiningsects JbsicutswArooshnsinwgsecte’thoectleasihetntekppesuyupeipcektinsgeen,leyalnottgdohimartswfs.etnileoenHodff,glsolmobooiurwnarwwsagors.ekgeoetoveeermrmesassbrtadga,rshbion,oovairofdfetsomvwaooafsmanfsfiollra! msIpmsptttsaaw’toSshrtaiyrehninehptrnaeiyikmuaicedkcvitutclehioeidbnavlornrabuingeaftstrufghtutlarmeygspoaeacd.srlnrulpAIeelohsfyucadsotsahtsniimatshavnehgtmt,eekooeeshbyvramornubessenrftut..eeweoiSeTghlentiloxolhynahtiramstoseslelhmdiuarbtebqrhlapeneurtaeoneialairnednwtedUm.egsnnKe–e,. d, Lwstfhctchoioaekuereanenrsyostctopetuaothgrlrshrolfeeeaaefdrnormrtsuiofdgmtcfioshlleteyeothf,aameipnvennroebedttelhheas.edrIlmerc,lsfeyiatreaahotflsbtfeolp!yushtuohemmalleevgsceettlaasehsntnaaidctsghses tshmaetl’slsr.eTphoertgeodldtoswprioftdiuscaema oth wildlifewatch.org.uk mpoanlegsofflypainroeaupnpdlet!hAettodpussko,fthe plants, trying to attract females by releasing a pheromone with a pineapple-like scent. 16 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022

17 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022

Did you know that most of the © Jon Hawkins / Surrey Hills Photography UK’s bees are solitary bees? These incredible insects have some interesting nesting habits… BBE&EBs ATISASOLITARYB by Ryan RROW NESTE In the UK, we have over 270 Clark different species of bee! They are Most solitary bees split into three main groups. There are Spined mason bee © Ryan Clark nest in the ground. The WH the big, fluffy bumblebees, the honey bees, RSBU female bee digs a burrow with BE and the solitary bees. Most of our bees are ST her legs, chucking the soil behind solitary bees, with 250 different species! Many her. They usually nest by themselves, are small so easy to mistake for flies or wasps.EE? but in places where the ground is Unlike bumblebees and honey bees, which can just right, you can sometimes see have hundreds of worker bees in a nest, solitary hundreds of bees making their bees live alone. Each female bee collects pollen own little burrows next to and nectar for her own nest. Pollen provides each other. the protein young bees need to grow up big and strong, whilst nectar offers a wildlifewatch.org.uk sugar rush for energy. D AND BREAKFA Pantaloon bee © Ryan Clark Bumblebees and honey bees look after their young and feed them as they grow. Solitary bees take an easier approach! Once she’s made her nest, the female bee collects pollen and nectar from plants. She takes this pollen back to the nest, spits up some nectar and lays an egg. She then seals off this section of the nest and moves onto the next. When the young bee hatches, it will have some tasty pollen and nectar to snack on. Male bees are lazy and play no part in creating a nest or collecting pollen. 18 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022

Ryan works for Cumbria SSFOPPROUITRNTTGHOIS Wildlife Trust and loves to spend his spare time 1. TAWNY MINING BEE finding solitary bees and bumblebees. A flash of red across a path could be a female tawny mining bee! This species HOLE NESTERS often digs nests in lawns and leaves © Frank Porch behind little volcano-like heaps of soil. There are also lots of species that nest off the 2. ASHY MINING BEE ground, in dead wood or plant stems. Beetles chew their way through This bee looks like a panda with its fuzzy dead wood creating long tunnels, which black and grey-white body! Look out for are perfect for bees to use after the beetles it nesting in the ground. have finished with them! To keep the eggs and young bees warm and dry, the adult bees seal 3. EARLY MINING BEE off each section of the nest. Red mason bees seal their nests with mud carried on their faces. Leafcutter bees use pieces of leaf they snip from plants using their powerful jaws. ick Upton Two-coloured mason bee © N Patchwork leafcutter bee © RyTS © Frank Porch SN AIL SPECIALIS © Chris Lawrence an Clark Some species take advantage of empty snail shells, laying their eggs inside them! They then hide the snail shell by covering it in bits of plant. These bees aren’t common, but they’re amazing to see. One species covers the snail shell in twigs and grass stems, and can look like it’s flying on a tiny broomstick as it carries bits of plant back to its nest. SNEAKY BEES You can spot this bee by looking for its red © Penny Frith Not all bees collect bum! Females also have blood red hair on their own pollen and their backs and often visit fruit trees. nectar. Some are sneaky and take over the nests of other bees. 4. RED MASON BEE They can smell where the nests are and wait for the female bee to pop Photography Base-banded furrow bee © Ryan out for some food. They then quickly Clark If you have a bee hotel, look out for this bee rush in and lay their eggs in the bringing back mud on its face! The female nest and run away before the bees have two horns so the mud doesn’t fall off. They also have fluffy red backs. female comes back! 19Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022 © Jon Hawkins / Surrey Hills

I magine a stone archway. Right in the middle of the arch is the keystone – the stone that holds the whole thing together. As any engineer knows, without that one stone, the arch falls apart. Likewise, in nature, there are certain plants and animals that play a big role in holding the natural world together. We call these keystone species and they are our nature engineers! The Nature EngineersStboynReomban © Artur Tabor / naturepl.com © David Parkyn / Cornwall Wildlife Trust BThEeAWVetElaRndSEngineer BThIeSWOoNodland Engineer Btrtbhtoeot rosoEweeetawfnhbaaiecBorygeudivshmeermrleis.kalaadtp,rIimahntnryvf’lsssteiadegishensrnpahelelnaihtsgeevtheg,aisgnaaeraweraoividnrfvdavnieten,dereeeenesSbrcdrlsesstnaedoectuo..tmosmnrflhtThaiToihvtndohatalurneuehaegsennnitfnelncmohiepndtynctyadefeeiralmtwpd.dertamdhthilTeahavsreeotetehe,!emothatyrelesrTeraibnstessuiuhrvunWadbxescaeeadpdcteeehnyrpiiiklnewsasdspdetagcthtivlola,frnristanalefefeiatfteeoahnrelftaslkrhtscnetwrTroodmesteyuryrghu.uosfenbsowUusttswtako.haru,tnKossAntnwnmradr,nd,laaklellrdalssenryttslhooeonifddtdtuivyrssttelaeshhl tneetoetrosyfemwfeocesisalradmntw!tritehe WalolieklfsobTaeforvmeovuAeterwksrhuremsnewtieahd.s5n,oleeitenT.,tlfsw0wdzraohErAiimoe0caursneeilPiagelaon0ernao’lwtoavssasnddhEtleretpsshiuoosaihnabismeenaraltonastesuhoarchtlmddetsflofeophentweflasaaafeiobriyBwnenbdinlAnlalmaolldgeleiooiidcsnmsEr,vnlapwkwiaoweuebfev,neeifnpnrnseuieiniaorlln.ttdgcmdWtira.ignpcvT,sa!tTlaiadithehosimmntnohThy..neeoehwwneeoaBtTydydiehim?nsshsiukastrprlewthioeItil1yntivlrbwt9s’ovdrbeseaogebeye2wiaifebl.udtglerb7hoKarntaefroi.ifyewbrettngctaehaoCuenekcEilgeounora!hantxlunayrpgrtoWsorkreiennoeottwmnwacosfdincpaulohtidpstaltemllw,apshlcribawpofneieaietnrnwnasgpeitgcehbeeeoestdifjshhsuionaesngvtG,e5r4eat bBbisiurodinnldsefsututhsrsee!tior 20 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022 wildlifewatch.org.uk

MindorekteThuetRhleeneRyeeratsowmRatsWbooiiienlnndmiwsleEedi.naoudlHsginrrfpektoeioEaeepTunndcbreruoioraeCwiswnpsnatisgetrowbhpafbtioasonBaortdrhkcnitskiaiasftinonhr!e © Andy Rouse / 2020VISION © Ross Hoddinott / 2020VISION WTheILODpenHGOroRuSndEESngineer WILD BOAR WAtollwssocoifhlrdutmuihsbbhnTiuebsgohgceyrrcerh,setyriaiwlloeeraedondspahtpsfDdhuet!oiofEeceononunrohsvrogrrssoeotolmmlephxnuposeaaairemgncmpkoh’hseeotupephtthsswholaellheaerfarsnutiooahslvhgpdtpor.aevohlsrlaBlabfeeWiwmo,rogftucnseweaoScurlrieeetedohsl.aodandhtssdeoTsaafmadsdalo,oahciskvsrsflttcyram.eipeheet,tgp,aoEsI!npadcenhterNuilhnehelaenftercloBeweoeistnokoodstarrwwlydpmeitidntnmrthprtaeeweatuuFwathliaiaishnorelnptitdoaphalhnneerd,laraEreaeanentstlbusryslhwnanndteieEf.artetnd,yesoxawobirseasdssmpknhyprig,terslseeaeoydeeooecrelaahltocefalongoehodneriwtpargrexorowsrewew.elpitdsnrniadsesntsiosile,tetlosdwcndheostie.erfeinsg The Soil Engineer Ogwdaw BwfrllillooouasriseveituovUobwtteuarelndsanermnisw.dblnnfaaoJ–teadinihbutrcndhkstbdesycuesutiutmswttdntfhhhoahorlwtoaeieaemleifw–dlnofetoteeushe1ittrrtilbw,alonhl3deytotpmoil,ihsetlmllrphvy,waeawyeuemsbcarrrcici.drtsletlrewtdssdeaseaLedlnieeanooaikbayblstatddefnukonoopwtsfEiorhadlnaioloeoynlawaerg.frfdewagsyslBolpnsomliufechanwuuoirgwpgaroantrpiisaelsnnmsvdttwher,hhaoeseit‘tnaebiepoenhchcldghnilardoebaeowbsliudiprnsoanuf!antineetteasrgSTteisht,tvheechrhhbpwciwsearotde’aiaygttreauyotinclfetn,raaioprenesnthfe,nunuineeenehcoadsdrbuslerxdunfeyi.erafctdttg.yfNimaotitalcnmuoeetbktoncogaibn!eetBttahirnenlgTo.aerroerriioehTnctvsoswamawaheuetursi.aiyesnrrnnigTneynba!ohhotdiderofeneye 21Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022

EEUELROPEAN © Jack Perks EOXCPELAONRERS Scientific name AODVVERELNATNUDRERS Anguilla anguilla E uropean eels are long, slender fish D id you know that eels can sometimes with two little fins just behind their Size travel over land as well as in the head and a long dorsal fin running Can grow over 1m long water? They can survive out of along their back. They have an incredible the water for quite a long time and may lifecycle, involving one of the most impressive Amazing fact crawl through wet grass to move from one migrations on the planet! sfEiwsehlismeasmrtehinaogtnbaeareocfkgtwhoeaodrfdeasw!t waterbody to another. Adult eels mostly live in freshwater habitats, like rivers, canals, and lakes. But when © Vaughn Matthews EEENLDSANGERED they’re ready to breed they make their way downstream, out into the sea. They then E els used to be really abundant in swim all the way to the Sargasso Sea, in the our rivers. In Victorian times, they western Atlantic Ocean. Some eels can travel were so common they became a over 3,000 miles on this journey! cheap and popular snack – including in When the adults arrive, they spawn and die pies! Now eels are one of the UK’s most soon after. The tiny baby eels then swim all endangered species. Fishing isn’t the only the way back to the UK, which can take up to threat they face. Pollution can ruin their three years! These young habitats, dams and other structures can eels, which are known block them from swimming up rivers, as glass eels because and climate change may even be shifting they’re so see-through, leave the sea and make the currents that help the tiny eels swim their way into rivers, back to Europe. However, there’s lots of streams and lakes. As work being done to save these rare and they grow, they get darker wriggly fish! and we call them elvers. Eventually, they become wildlifewatch.org.uk adult eels and have to make the long journey back to the Sargasso Sea. 22 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022

WSNEHEAESBTRI?ERDDSO Manx shearwater © Chris Lawrence Guillemots and chick © Gillian Day W hen you only spend a few months on land, you really have to choose the perfect place! WTHAENDWEARVIENSGMyHwtsbatehhpealasaoaeertnroneaeycydkorittac’ssuhshaaleteitnnsocaoyaukd’rbtgt,arcifrardsasaedpneoanclsaesaleotifa,syr,ihusspfoeafhtaeellfnurapnftdsioahddsatrwe.aeelntfmkvaBaoeeegyuoa–nlfatsfdrrrlonlad,tyoahmldrmsyttiessnlhera!tkeeloehnaT’upsewnshetedehonogao.sonongwfel!seeattthhrttieeehlsring Tithwthhahmeeviyceawhklatoeostvseaefrlvsyteaeoassnsesttahehfateefrmfyoitsrcohetahnfnaiene.nmdrdTghyftoo.iostoAhdsmeftearfeowysarenastasshefeoatchioblroedicrsy,dhedssic,toookns’,t wctsecSpochlthahraneirefeisunetfacmdsoygrbkaneg.tsiftrteholh,dtToesarheomsrttetatogpofosgoarfrfesroocotroctetlxutpiuhoen,smnrnemecesdlbrdtaatde,,ofbytaprsahoaiotrrotteorledmh,oirdisoernstranaitegnrwhattgeoseeoraogesmrgunssrtsngldaedo’oswatlatlnsnbohsf.ciodteusesorulltraadfvenfinegeddrhp.yst CLOSE TO THE COASTSntthheeeesatbsc,ieorbdaaus.sttMn,theooeesrydtodsntoeolanictb’totliermldikiseseliabntnaotcdhskstertjauoUysKltatoonnofedfssftathoroofrnreo.m like common terns, will happily catch fish SAFETY IN NUMBERSAibtsonierbodsfyftspehponcaeotetrripotsavdaewatuenatintainnnnraftygdoiogcoa,remykfilnitrisntpnhaeecglrgenaareo,nryrbidmegdtsisaeroiiaedsatnzorcastgeeetrob.nastnlimh,sTocrodahknlouoisitikinsrgreeedphgseiisr.AvpvoateeroWaetc-penisbrtsicrptsioccehhteamoduttcmrfaenhiebatredeoonliyirlrtrrseyee.aedisswgOsgansye! from lakes, so they GOING UNDERGROUNDStpwcabshactoelnhaaiinoerfmtdfeldfimrlerse!eselrgeealyToasuigsshsri–bldyegwelibsasasosimtcrllbhweltiaiknhneieenarngeadtmvdibioertlesn.siu.snnbg,tarStTghiriorvunfoohedoottsgmweiohsoriedsehdebmbsrto,ipotuwhgbeilrrlgreegaiiearkshresocdloeegtswkatscatthrMttskrptaioedyolysatlariasrtsnctntinohncrxcenbgeeaoreiyeasvoigtudrhricbhhcdlbehdfttierodtoau.yshtcrir-ron.ebwrrstoegShmteaaoweetvtnoopesofneroerimidsrn, Guillemots on cliff © Tom Hibbert. 23 Wildlife Watch Magazine // Spring 2022

COMPETITIONS WINWTHOERLEDXTORFABOIRRDDSINARY FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN: E nter the world of birds for an (oTTefhlslekuausnawsnwheiecsrht iisntwitnohetshpUeeKmc.ieasgazine!) incredible journey through the skies, into trees, and even underground! RRP: £12.99 You’ll discover parrots, hummingbirds, eagles, and more! This colourful book is written by the Urban Birder David Lindo, with illustrations by Claire McElfatrick. We’ve got FOUR copies to give away. Buy online at: wtru.st/world-bird RRP: £14.99 WIN BUILD YOUR OWN BINOCULARS Binoculars help you to see and FOR YOUR enjoy birds and other wildlife in CHANCE greater detail, and with this easy TO WIN: to assemble kit you can now build your own pair! Made from sustainable Tell us what cardboard, the pieces just slot together animal you with no glue, no mess, and no fuss. would most like We’ve got TWO kits to give away! to see through Buy online at: buildyourownkits.com your new RRP: £19.99 binoculars! WINA BUG’S WORLD D id you know that flies can help FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN: us solve crime? Or that spiders can be astronauts? Discover the Just answer this question! extraordinary things bugs do for How many species of bee us – and how we can look after them are there in the UK? too – in this vibrant book written by the a) Fewer than 50 Natural History Museum’s insect expert! b) Around 150 c) Over 270 We’ve got FOUR copies to give away. Buy online at: wtru.st/bug-world-book RRP: £14.99 Send your competition entries to us: By COMPETITION RULES Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 1WT Don’t forget to May 2022 einmclauidl ewCyaootcmuhrpcneotaimtmiopnes,@eangtwreiieldsalnmifdeatyarubwsetausy.soeordgf ocBnoynoutparocwsteitnbgWsityielodaulinfeadbsWoouacittaclyhmo,ueTrdhieaencKthriyaln!n,nDeMElsAa.tDhLeIrNREo:a3d1,