http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/ British Wildlife at Wild About Britain - The home of British wildlife, nature and environment conservation across the UK en Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:57:56 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/ http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/gaina/499-blogspot-updated.html Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:34:21 GMT Hello All :D

I've updated my blog today with photos that I took in the garden this morning for my art project.

The Mouth on Wheels

G ]]> Gaina http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/gaina/499-blogspot-updated.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/nutmeg/497-national-moth-night-2009-night-2.html Sun, 20 Sep 2009 10:06:02 GMT A much better night last night than the previous night, thanks to some cloud retaining the warmth of the day. I trapped in the garden again and although numbers weren't high, I had a nice selection of moths including some new for the garden.

Red Underwing (nfg)
Large Yellow Underwing
Lesser Yellow Underwing x5
Snout x2
Silver Y
Common Marbled Carpet x2
Setaceous Hebrew Character x3
Common Wainscot
Large Wainscot
Canary-shouldered Thorn
Shuttle-shaped Dart
Green Carpet x2 (nfg)
Lunar Underwing x2
Centre-barred Sallow (nfg)
Sallow (nfg)
Brown-spot Pinion (nfg)
Light Brown Apple Moth x2

My highlight was the Red Underwing :). ]]> nutmeg http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/nutmeg/497-national-moth-night-2009-night-2.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/nutmeg/496-national-moth-night-2009.html Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:15:34 GMT I put my 125W MV Robinson trap out last night between 20.00 - 00.30. The weather was clear and cool. Very few moths ended up in the trap: Large Yellow Underwing Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character 2 Light Brown Apple Moth Plus two new garden records: I put my 125W MV Robinson trap out last night between 20.00 - 00.30. The weather was clear and cool.

Very few moths ended up in the trap:

Large Yellow Underwing
Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing
2 Setaceous Hebrew Character
2 Light Brown Apple Moth

Plus two new garden records:
Lunar Underwing:


and Beaded Chestnut:


Nice to see the new ones, but it's always a bit disappointing when autumn arrives and the numbers in the trap plummet. ]]> nutmeg http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/nutmeg/496-national-moth-night-2009.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jonners/495-school-holidays-9-yorkshire-day-7-and-8.html Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:32:04 GMT *Friday 14th * The boys decided that they would like to find a river to play in today, so we set off across the moors again in search of suitable entertainment of the river kind. We stopped for lunch in Castleton before stretching our legs on Castleton Rigg. We then went in search of a river,... Friday 14th
The boys decided that they would like to find a river to play in today, so we set off across the moors again in search of suitable entertainment of the river kind. We stopped for lunch in Castleton before stretching our legs on Castleton Rigg. We then went in search of a river, eventually ending up at Hutton-le-Hole, where the boys enjoyed themselves in the Beck that ran through the village. We had seen a couple of shooting parties out earlier, much to the boys’ horror, but they were pleased to see that some grouse were still alive and well on the moors as we drove back home. Julia did well to spot a large Fox Moth caterpillar

crawling across the road along Westerdale Moor, and after a brief stop at Baysdale beck, near Sloethorn park, we headed back home for the boys to have a shower before pasta bolognaise for tea.
Saturday 15th
Home time had to arrive at some point and so after vacating the cottage as hastily as we were able (cleaners waiting outside), we said our goodbyes and set off for one last drive across the moors. We did manage to see one small group of Red Grouse,

one of which was right beside the car and too close to photograph! By the time I had swapped lenses he had moved off. We headed on past Whitby and towards Scarborough, where we stopped for lunch and a brief look around the shops. Next stop was at Bempton Cliffs, and what an experience. Although all the auks had departed, there were still plenty of Gannets nesting along with several Kittiwakes and Fulmars. The fresh wind helped ensure that the birds were able to float along the cliffs, providing some good opportunities for photos.

Swallows over the fields behind offered a greater challenge, but I still managed a few shots of one catching a butterfly!

After Bempton we headed on, over the Humber Bridge and finally to home. ]]> Jonners http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jonners/495-school-holidays-9-yorkshire-day-7-and-8.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jonners/494-school-holidays-8-yorkshire-day-6.html Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:23:30 GMT *Thursday 13th * Michael recommended a lovely walk at Sandsend to us as we chatted with him in the morning, so we set off after lunch, again across the moors. We stopped on Beacon Hill, by Lealholm Moor, and soon found ourselves on a wild Grouse chase. There was a small party of Grouse which... Thursday 13th
Michael recommended a lovely walk at Sandsend to us as we chatted with him in the morning, so we set off after lunch, again across the moors. We stopped on Beacon Hill, by Lealholm Moor, and soon found ourselves on a wild Grouse chase. There was a small party of Grouse which didn’t seem too bothered by us getting really quite close, literally almost on top of them on a couple of occasions.

After a while the Grouse lost us, but by then Aaron had found a beautiful green coloured lizard. It was in pristine condition with wonderful markings and colouration both above and below.

Next it was the turn of caterpillars to grab the attention, with three different sorts being found, including a couple of lovely Emperor Moth specimens.

A small Copper Butterfly put in a brief appearance along with some rather large Hover Flies and a Mid Day Fly, as well as one or two Small Heath Butterflies. We then headed on across Lealholm Moor along a very rough track, seeing plenty of Cotton Grass, and several more Grouse along the way, before eventually wending our way to Sandsend. The tea room was too busy to serve us a take away cup of tea, so we headed to the beach, but as the tide was already coming in we made our way round to the rocks at the foot of the cliffs. The boys spent a couple of hours happily searching for fossils, finding quite a few along the way, and also discovering some very large Woodlouse-like creatures secreted away in a damp crack in the cliffs. They were about an inch and a half long, but very quick and definitely not wanting to venture out. A few Fulmars would occasionally come and wheel about above our stretch of cliffs, appearing to try and dislodge the few pigeons that had installed themselves there.

A couple of Oystercatchers, several Black-headed Gulls and the usual Herring Gulls were the only other birds I saw. We were all hungry by the time we left and so we stopped at Cross Butts Restaurant just outside Whitby for a delicious, if rather expensive evening meal before heading on home. ]]> Jonners http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jonners/494-school-holidays-8-yorkshire-day-6.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jonners/493-school-holidays-7-yorkshire-day-5.html Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:41:49 GMT *Wednesday 12th * The falconry man had told us that there were Peregrines at Boulby Rocks, between Saltburn and Whitby. We found Boulby on the map and so decided to walk along the cliff path to see if we could find any falcons, or anything else of interest. It was a very warm, sunny day, and it... Wednesday 12th
The falconry man had told us that there were Peregrines at Boulby Rocks, between Saltburn and Whitby. We found Boulby on the map and so decided to walk along the cliff path to see if we could find any falcons, or anything else of interest. It was a very warm, sunny day, and it didn’t take long before the boys were deciding that they really didn’t want to be walking up steep hills along the tops of cliffs. A diversion took us down off the path, but over much rougher terrain, and although there was a family of Stonechats and a couple of Whitethroats, we didn’t see any Peregrines. We did see a Sparrowhawk, but nothing was more welcome a sight than the car upon our return.

We ate our lunch then headed on down to Runswick Bay for the afternoon, where the boys found some small fossils in the slate, before diverting their attention to some fun in the sea. As the tide crept in, they started exploring some of the rock pools, finding a couple of large crabs, a starfish and even a small flat fish. I found a rock with some Turnstones on it

and saw a solitary Sandwich Tern, along with the much commoner Herring Gulls. House Martins were still busy at their nests on the lifeboat house, and I even saw one emerge from one nest before clambering up to go into the next one.

We decided on our journey home to take a circuitous route across some of the moors, and on Moorsholm Moor we saw several Red Grouse, some of them quite near the road, by far the best view we had had of any thus far. We saw some more Stonechats, and some lovely cattle as we stopped briefly at Sleddale beck, near Wayworth Moor, and were entertained by some sheep in the road.

Home then to pizza for tea. Ah the joys of holiday cuisine! ]]> Jonners http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jonners/493-school-holidays-7-yorkshire-day-5.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jonners/492-school-holidays-6-yorkshire-day-4.html Sun, 06 Sep 2009 23:18:25 GMT *Tuesday 11th * Another fine day on Tuesday saw us heading out for the moors and maybe in search of a dipper on one of the rivers. We decided to stop by the side of the road on a part of Kildale Moor, surrounded by heather, and head up towards a dry stone wall and beyond, if only for a stretch of... Tuesday 11th
Another fine day on Tuesday saw us heading out for the moors and maybe in search of a dipper on one of the rivers. We decided to stop by the side of the road on a part of Kildale Moor, surrounded by heather, and head up towards a dry stone wall and beyond, if only for a stretch of our legs and some fresh air. One of the boys startled a few grouse, but we saw little else to start with. Even this high on the moors, there were still parts of the ground that were quite wet and boggy, so we had to be careful where we walked. A gap in the wall allowed us to traverse it with ease, but beyond yielded little more than we had already seen, although the views were expansive and quite awesome.

It was on the way back down to the car that Alastair discovered a rather large toad, almost black in colour, but handsome nevertheless. I took a few photos, one of which was on some whitened moss, looking almost artificial against his dark skin.

I then found some cotton grass, but didn’t notice the caterpillar under the cottonhead until I was looking at the photo at home in the evening. (See this thread http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...terpillar.html)As Alastair was looking for a suitable place to re-home his toad, he discovered a rather large area covered in Sundew plants. There were lots of these amazing plants, with their red sticky traps and a few with flower or seed heads on.

We returned to the car, where we ate our lunch before heading on to Danby, for a welcome cup of tea. While Julia and I were drinking our tea, the boys rolled around on the grassy slope, but not before Alastair had discovered a newt under some grass, and Aaron had found a lovely large yellowy frog in amongst some nettles, and so unfortunately out of reach. We drove on to Lealholm, and while Julia slept on the grass by the bridge the boys played in the river, and I had a paddle with my camera to see if there was anything exciting around. The only excitement was a pint of Black Sheep from the pub followed later by a rum and raisin ice cream! A rather twisty route took us (via a ford) to Goathland where we happened to see a large collection of owls and birds of prey in a field by the side of the road. We pulled over and the owner was happy to let us hold some of the birds and photograph them, for which we made a suitable donation. Jordan decided he would like to hold Gizmo, the White-faced Scops Owl, Alastair held the Snowy Owl, Aaron held the Peregrine and Julia held a rather large Rough-legged Hawk. Aaron also held the Gyr Falcon and Alastair got to hold the Peregrine too. I didn’t hold any, but was really pleased with some of the photos, and did have my finger nibbled gently by Ben, the Little Owl, so I came away with some good memories. We had tea in Sleights before heading back home, spotting a Barn owl on Newton Mulgrave Moor and a flock of Lapwings near Liverton Moor on a burning stubble field, as it was being ploughed up.
(photo taken at 19:56)
No dippers again today, but not for lack of trying, and a good day all the same. ]]> Jonners http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jonners/492-school-holidays-6-yorkshire-day-4.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jonners/491-school-holidays-5-yorkshire-day-3.html Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:28:24 GMT *Monday 10th * A rainy night gave way to a showery and decidedly overcast morning. Julia decided that she truly did need some more sleep so she had a lie-in until just after 10. In the meantime, the boys and I had gone for a short stroll down beside the sheep field. We found plenty of small toads... Monday 10th
A rainy night gave way to a showery and decidedly overcast morning. Julia decided that she truly did need some more sleep so she had a lie-in until just after 10. In the meantime, the boys and I had gone for a short stroll down beside the sheep field. We found plenty of small toads again and a few frogs, and were able to photograph them together to compare and contrast the differences between them.

There were hardly any butterflies out this morning, but the knapweed, clover and trefoil still gave a nice array of colour and a few photo opportunities.

The swallows were still busy, although we didn’t see many birds around this morning either. We did check out the nest outside the door and felt four eggs inside!

After a bacon and eggs with freshly warmed ciabatta breakfast, we consulted the information leaflets and decided to head for Pickering and the North York Moors Railway. Michael was outside with the dogs and he reckoned it should take about an hour via Helmsley, so we set off pronto in the hope of catching the 14:00 and travelling all the way through to Whitby. We made good progress on the road, there being much less traffic around than on the previous day, and duly arrived at Pickering after about an hour’s journey. Market day there meant we had something of a trek from our car park at a small trout farm, although time constraints meant we did not have enough time to have a look round. We had a few minutes to spare before boarding the train so grabbed a couple of sandwiches and sat down in the last clear carriage – the buffet car – which proved very useful for a few extra snacks, as we had not had time for a proper lunch. The train journey meandered through Newton Dale and past the woodland before eventually arriving at Grosmont after about one hour. I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a Dipper on one of the stretches of water we crossed, and an even briefer sighting of a Greater Spotted Woodpecker as it flew from a tree by one of the stations. At Grosmont we had to change to a mainline train, which took us alongside the River Esk to Whitby. Herring Gulls made their presence known with their raucous calling, and a couple of young ones provided a few moments of entertainment for the boys as they hopped about nearby. We crossed the river and nosed around some of the smaller shops in the old part of the town, the boys each purchasing an ammonite from a fossil shop we discovered. We stopped for a beer, coffee and milkshake and then headed on down towards the beach in the hope that we might be able to find some fossils of our own discovering. More Herring Gulls, Black Headed Gulls and a couple of cormorants were in the estuary, and rows of crab crates showed what an important little fishing town Whitby still is. Aaron was the only one of us who found any fossils, discovering a section of ammonite almost straightaway, but we didn’t have long and so we headed back for the train, although not before I had spotted a Fulmar flying around near the top of the cliffs. On the return journey we found some more comfortable seats and didn’t need to change trains, so were able to enjoy the comfort for the hour and a half’s journey back to Pickering.

We did see a couple of Herons roosting in a pine tree by the river, but the Dipper proved all too elusive. By the time we arrived at our destination we were all very hungry, so called in at the hotel opposite the station entrance for our tea. Julia and I each had fresh Whitby haddock, which did not disappoint, either by way of size or of flavour. We eventually returned to the car and after another hour long journey made it back to our cottage, but saw no wildlife in the dark. There did seem to be plenty of moths around though, a fact borne out by the decent number outside the cottage window, attracted by the light, including a lovely Large Yellow Underwing. Unfortunately, they are not the only flying insects in plentiful supply, as there are rather a lot of house flies in the cottage, but at least the sticky fly trap is collecting its fair share of them. ]]> Jonners http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jonners/491-school-holidays-5-yorkshire-day-3.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jonners/490-school-holidays-4-yorkshire-days-1-and-2.html Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:53:30 GMT *Saturday 8th* We had a really good run up the A1, managing the journey in around 3 hours from Peterborough where we had stopped for a family wedding, including a good half-hour stop-off at a Little Chef about 20 minutes away. The wedding had been blessed with glorious weather, so the outdoor... Saturday 8th
We had a really good run up the A1, managing the journey in around 3 hours from Peterborough where we had stopped for a family wedding, including a good half-hour stop-off at a Little Chef about 20 minutes away. The wedding had been blessed with glorious weather, so the outdoor marquee was ideal. The boys suffered somewhat, having to entertain themselves for most of the afternoon, but all in all managed admirably. We had somehow arrived at the church around 5 minutes before the bride, but largely due to her arriving 10 minutes late rather than us being anything like on time. A busy A14 stretch between Cambridge and Huntingdon had put paid to that, but thankfully we were in time, and not the last to arrive!
The promise of a warm welcome awaiting us at the end of the drive to Stable Cottage was by no means half-hearted. Margaret and Michael greeted us as though we were long lost friends, and Lola the Labrador was not about to let her presence go unnoticed. The cottage itself is lovely – an open plan single large room downstairs with armchairs, sofa, TV, dining area and kitchen, with a spiral staircase up to the offset bedrooms and bathroom. Margaret had left us a Victoria sponge cake, tea bags, milk and sugar, with a jug of fresh flowers on the table. We had a brief walk over the cattle grid and down by one of the sheep fields in the dark before heading back and getting everyone to bed.
Sunday 9th
Another beautifully sunny day greeted our awakening and even Julia felt that her tiredness would have to take second best to getting up and about. I took a shower before having breakfast, which consisted of cereal for all of us today, as we had nothing but a few essentials with us food-wise. The swallows’ nest beneath the overhanging roof outside our door, whilst appearing empty, was in fact still being frequented by some of the birds that were busy flying around the stables and neighbouring horse fields. A challenge then, to photograph one of the birds as it approached the nest, with my latest acquisition, a Canon 400mm f5.6 lens. Tripod, camera and shutter release were all set up, but I only managed one out-of-focus shot as the swallow turned. They are so quick, but I’m still up for the photo, even if the light is poor, and the chances of success maybe even poorer. We then decided that we would take a daylight walk down the edge of the sheep field and see where it led.

Large whites, Green-veined whites and the occasional Wall Butterfly and Painted Lady flitted about among the trefoils and knapweed, but taking centre stage was an abundance of baby frogs and toads. The long grass and patches of flattened hay must have been ideal for them, as we found quite a few of each, and a decent size too, although they were probably all this year’s, I would guess. The “track” led on to another field, with cut hay lying in it, and skirted by a small river. Some tall pink flowers were growing along the edge, but I didn’t recognise them at all, so I have some photographic evidence for later clarification. (Later identified on WAB as Himalayan Balsam) The river seemed an ideal habitat for kingfishers, but the only birds we saw were a couple of little Treecreepers, busy on a couple of the older Willows. As we started to head back, the farmer arrived with his hay turner to turn the hay once again, but he didn’t seem to mind us being there.

Upon our return we decided to have a cup of tea before heading out in the car. I watched a swallow attempt for some time to return to the nest by the door before dropping what he had been carrying, a small white feather. The boys and I tried in vain to float it on the wind for him to catch again. There are plenty of swallows around still, and Goldfinches and a Dunnock in the hedge and trees nearby. I briefly saw a Sparrowhawk fly out of one of the trees and fly away low over the paddock to the larger belt of trees. It will be interesting to see whether it is around again during the week. A sparrow in the tree near the main house turned out to be a Tree Sparrow, which I haven’t seen in years, so that was especially welcome. I will have to keep a special eye out for them this week.
After our cuppa, we decided that we would locate a nearby shop and then head up onto the moors. We soon found a large co-op in Stokesly, so decided that we would visit after a run on the moors. We set off , but soon decided that we needed to stop for a bite to eat. As it happened, eating places were few and far between, so we didn’t end up eating until Helmsely, around 19 miles away. A pretty, market town, it seemed very busy, with several small shops, a Castle and a large walled garden, which I unwittingly entered without paying! A small fast-flowing beck ran through the town, which was a sore temptation for the boys, but we stood our ground and kept them dry, with the promise of other rivers at a more appropriate time and place to paddle in.

We found a couple of small supermarkets, so decided to buy what we needed there, and then head back to have some exercise on the moors themselves. A small, narrow road led off the main road we had travelled earlier in a more direct way to where we were staying, and directly across the top edge of the moors. We stopped at a small carpark and walked up to the very top. The view at the top was quite amazing, with Middlesborough and the North Sea clearly visible. Alastair found a large Ichneumon Wasp of some kind on the marker stone at the top, and another Painted Lady and a Red Admiral were flying around. We headed on along the path, although I cut through some of the heather, and before long we had flushed a few Red Grouse out, but too quick to photograph. Aaron found a large Fox Moth caterpillar on the side of the track, and after a while we decided that we should turn and head back, as time was marching on. Meadow Pipits were aplenty in the heather, and it didn’t take long for Aaron and Alastair to flush out yet more Red Grouse, and this time I managed a couple of poor distant photos as the birds flew for cover. We headed back down to the car, and Jordan announced that he had seen some birds a bit like the Grouse, although grey in colour, with a bit of red beneath their beaks. He had found some Guinea Fowl, but by the time the others made their way over, the birds were back in their hut. We got back in the car and made our way down through Carlton in Cleveland and back to the farm. As we made our way up the track a Little Owl flew up into an overhanging Oak Tree. He gradually moved higher and higher up the tree, but I did manage one semi-decent shot of him as he looked down from his lofty perch amongst the greenery.

We had home cooked burgers for tea, before having one last half-hour uneventful drive out around the edge of the moors with our only note worthy wildlife being a grey squirrel running along the fence in Carlton. Still, a lovely day, and not a bad start to our holiday. ]]> Jonners http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jonners/490-school-holidays-4-yorkshire-days-1-and-2.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/steviepwildlife/489-will-you-our-ambassador-animals.html Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:36:05 GMT Will you be our ambassador to animals?

Do you care about Britain's wildlife heritage and would you like to be an "Ambassador" for the animals?

Wildlife Aid, the Leatherhead-based charity, is looking for people who are passionate about defending wild animals and want to do something tangible to promote the charity's mission of respect for nature.

A new initiative is being introduced this autumn called Wildlife Ambassadors - and the charity is hoping that a network of Ambassadors can be recruited across Surrey and beyond to advance the wildlife cause.

"The idea behind Wildlife Ambassadors," says the charity's founder Simon Cowell MBE, "is that we bring in people from different walks of life who are willing and able to champion Wildlife Aid in their community, their business or profession, and who can support us by helping to raise funds in their own neighbourhoods or workplaces and among their networks of contacts.

"Being a Wildlife Ambassador is about using your skills and your contacts to serve a really important cause - that of protecting our precious and endangered wildlife heritage. Forget fancy medals or uniforms with gold braid.. Being one of our Ambassadors is all about representing the creatures that can't speak up for themselves - Britain's wildlife! Though if you want to hold fundraising events for us and pass around the Ferrero Rocher, we won't stop you!"

Simon is hoping that he will be able to recruit a wide range of people to take on an Ambassadorial role for the charity - and that each one will be able to recruit others in turn, as well as raising much-needed funds. "This is not just about sustaining our current work in these difficult economic times but also achieving our longer term - but increasingly important - vision of creating a new, nationally and internationally significant, environmental education centre. And for that we need funds and a new, much larger, site that we currently have."

"It is a big challenge, but one that is possible with dedication and enthusiasm. There are many different ways that Wildlife Ambassadors can help us, for instance by encouraging friends, neighbours and work colleagues to support Wildlife Aid, by organising a fundraising event or initiative, putting together a syndicate of supporters to generate funds for the charity, or simply by making regular personal donations themselves."

Simon, who also presents the longrunning TV documentary series Wildlife SOS, plans to announce the first Wildlife Ambassadors in the autumn and then to officially launch the initiative in the new year. So, if you love animals and think you've got what it takes to be a Wildlife Ambassador, and would like to find out more about what the role involves, please call Simon for a chat on 01372 377332 or email him at simon@wildproductions.co.uk ]]> SteviepWildlife http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/steviepwildlife/489-will-you-our-ambassador-animals.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/arran-wildlife/488-press-release-fungus-foray-launch-arran-wildlife-festival.html Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:28:46 GMT *The Arran Wildlife Festival will be putting the “fun” in to Fungus with a special Fungus Foray on Saturday 12th September. * Prepare to be amazed when you join Graeme Walker from Scottish Natural Heritage for a free guided walk at North Sannox to find out about incredible fungi and the... The Arran Wildlife Festival will be putting the “fun” in to Fungus with a special Fungus Foray on Saturday 12th September.

Prepare to be amazed when you join Graeme Walker from Scottish Natural Heritage for a free guided walk at North Sannox to find out about incredible fungi and the astonishing hidden world beneath the soil. The two hour woodland stroll will start at North Sannox Carpark (NS015465) at 1pm.

Graeme said “The Arran Wildlife Festival takes place in May each year which is great for most local wildlife but not the ideal time for spotting fungi so we thought we would do something Autumnal to launch the next festival with a Fungus Foray. On this walk we will prove just what a rotten place Arran really is!”

Arran Wildlife Festival Chairman James Cassels is pleased to be launching the dates for next year’s festival. “We are already excited about plans for next year and are keen to get started. The 2010 festival will take place from the 12th-19th May and we will be celebrating our fifth year,” he says, “next Saturday’s Fungus Foray is a taste of what the festival offers so put these dates in your diary now and expect something really special in May.”

Last May the 2009 Wildlife Festival attracted hundreds of visitors to over 70 guided walks, talks and unusual events. Over the coming months the organisers are looking forward to presenting the highlights of the festival to meetings around the island. For more information please see the website Arran WIldlife Festival - Isle of Arran, Scotland or email info@arranwildlife.co.uk. The festival co-ordinator Lucy Wallace can be contacted on 07825 644161.
]]> Arran Wildlife http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/arran-wildlife/488-press-release-fungus-foray-launch-arran-wildlife-festival.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jimmyuk/487-site-very-unuseful-site-witch-doesnt-help-you-your-qustions.html Sat, 22 Aug 2009 10:04:56 GMT i have asked a few question's on here with no luck so im gona try a different site its a shame as this site looked a goodone ]]> jimmyuk http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jimmyuk/487-site-very-unuseful-site-witch-doesnt-help-you-your-qustions.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jimmyuk/486-giant-moth-beautiful-red-under-its-wings-can-anybody-help-me-name.html Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:21:23 GMT hi everyone can you help me i saw this really big moth that i thought it wos a moth the other day it wos really big i touch it and i notice under its wing wos the most beautiful red colour i have ever seen i have never seen colour like it can anybody help to out to find out what it wos? :D hi everyone can you help me i saw this really big moth that i thought it wos a moth the other day it wos really big i touch it and i notice under its wing wos the most beautiful red colour i have ever seen i have never seen colour like it can anybody help to out to find out what it wos? :D ]]> jimmyuk http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jimmyuk/486-giant-moth-beautiful-red-under-its-wings-can-anybody-help-me-name.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jimmyuk/485-giant-moth-beautiful-red-under-its-wings-can-anybody-help-me-name.html Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:32:39 GMT hi everyone can you help me i saw this really big moth that i thought it wos a moth the other day it wos really big i touch it and i notice under its wing wos the most beautiful red colour i have ever seen i have never seen colour like it can anybody help to out to find out what it wos? hi everyone can you help me i saw this really big moth that i thought it wos a moth the other day it wos really big i touch it and i notice under its wing wos the most beautiful red colour i have ever seen i have never seen colour like it can anybody help to out to find out what it wos? ]]> jimmyuk http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/jimmyuk/485-giant-moth-beautiful-red-under-its-wings-can-anybody-help-me-name.html http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/wildlifepilgrim/484-mystery-caterpillar-spins-cocoon.html Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:51:02 GMT A week or so ago I found a green caterpillar on my roses. I first thought it was a swafly grub but folk around here think its some kind of lepidopteran larvae. Since we couldn't identify it I decided to put it in a jar and watch what it turns into.



Well after munching through a few rose leaves it has now begun to spin its cocoon between a leaf and the bottom of the jar. We shall get a front row seat come hatching time!
]]> wildlifepilgrim http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/blogs/wildlifepilgrim/484-mystery-caterpillar-spins-cocoon.html