The Woodlands.co.uk Blog - Wildlife
How did the grey squirrel arrive in the UK?
Here is an answer to all those questions on the Red squirrel, grey squirrel blog asking about the introduction of grey squirrels!
Red squirrel, grey squirrel, black squirrel …
Once upon a time, we only had to worry about the impact of the imported grey squirrel on our native red squirrel (see blog http://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/conservation/red-squirrel-grey-squirrel/ ). However, it now seems there is another player on the scene: the black squirrel. Read more…
The Dawn Chorus
When did you last listen to the ‘dawn chorus’? April and May are the best months for hearing it, but if getting up early is a bit too much to ask, then you could pay a visit to the Breathing Places site at the BBC, where you can select a location and listen to a recording of the ‘dawn chorus’. Alternatively, you can download their excellent guide to the dawn chorus and bird song. Read more…
Dragonflies and Damselflies
Now the weather is warmer, dragonflies and damselflies are quite common around ponds and areas of water. Their beautiful iridescence and double wings are quite distinctive, but what is the difference between a dragonfly and a damselfly?
Butterflies and Woodlands
Butterfly Conservation has just launched a £900,000 conservation scheme to encourage better woodland management for butterflies in the South-East.
BirdTrack – Recording Bird Migration and Population Patterns
Watching the swifts swooping around in this week’s blue skies reminded me of the BirdTrack (originally Migration Watch) online recording scheme. BirdTrack, run in conjunction by the British Trust for Ornithology, the RSPB and BirdWatch Ireland, tracks migration patterns and distribution of species in Britain and Ireland. Read more…
Pond and Stream Dipping - Underwater Minibeasts
Do We Need Any Special Equipment For Pond Dipping?
No, everything you’ll need you’ll probably find around the house:
Wood Ants
You might barely notice it at your feet, but the wood ant is important. It is an “indicator species”, that is, their presence indicates healthy woodland.