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Blog - Flora & Fauna

The Rosemary Beetle

The Rosemary Beetle

by Chris, 20 June, 2008, 41 comments

In recent years, there has been a new entrant to the RHS list of top ten garden pests. Its ‘top ten’ list is based on the number of inquiries that it receives to its advisory service. The newcomer is the rosemary beetle, Chrysolina americana.  Despite the implication, from its scientific name, that it is American in origin, it actually hails from Southern Europe.This beetle has now become established in the London and the Home Counties, Norwich and a number of other places - map available here. Read more...
Midges, Mosquitoes and Marmite - coping with insects in woodlands

Midges, Mosquitoes and Marmite – coping with insects in woodlands

by Angus, 13 June, 2008, 33 comments

There are lots of ways to cope with the irritation of being bitten by insects in woodlands and here are some ideas from various experienced woodland workers. Avoid Them Altogether First of all consider when mosquitoes and midges are most active.  In the winter, early spring and autumn mosquitoes and midges are much less active so this is a good time to do your energetic, outdoor work.  Carbon dioxide from breathing and from forestry machinery will attract insects so it's good to avoid doing major forestry operations in the summer months if possible. Read more...
How did the grey squirrel arrive in the UK?

How did the grey squirrel arrive in the UK?

by catherine, 6 June, 2008, 30 comments

Here is an answer to all those questions on the Red squirrel, grey squirrel blog asking about the introduction of grey squirrels! Grey squirrels (Scirius caroliniensis) are native to North America and were first released in the UK in 1876 in Henbury Park, Cheshire.  It’s not clear why they were introduced and the Victorians had no idea of the risks of introducing non-native species.  Perhaps they were just a decorative and interesting “exotic” in the park; part of the fashion for collecting that the Victorians enjoyed so much.   Read more...
Red squirrel, grey squirrel, black squirrel ...

Red squirrel, grey squirrel, black squirrel …

by Chris, 30 May, 2008, 35 comments

Once upon a time, we only had to worry about the impact of the imported grey squirrel on our native red squirrel (see blog https://www.woodlands.co.uk/blog/conservation/red-squirrel-grey-squirrel/  ).  However, it now seems there is another player on the scene: the black squirrel.   Whereas red and grey squirrels are two distinct species, Sciurus vulgaris and Sciurus caroliniensis, black squirrels are variants of the grey squirrel. Read more...
The Dawn Chorus

The Dawn Chorus

by Tom, 23 May, 2008, 1 comments

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

Dragonflies and Damselflies

by catherine, 23 May, 2008, 3 comments

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? Read more...
Butterflies and Woodlands

Butterflies and Woodlands

by Michael, 16 May, 2008, 5 comments

Butterfly Conservation has just launched a £900,000 conservation scheme to encourage better woodland management for butterflies in the South-East. Read more...
Buttercups, Old and New - Ancient Meadows

Buttercups, Old and New – Ancient Meadows

by Chris, 16 May, 2008, 2 comments

Already some buttercups are in flower.  They may be found in fields, pastures, hedgerows meadows, and of course, lawns and gardens!  The early flowers are often those of the bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus).  These may be distinguished from those of the meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris) by looking at the way the green sepals are arranged beneath the flower.  In the meadow buttercup, they lie against the flower, whereas those of the bulbous buttercup are said to be “reflexed” – the sepals hang down. Read more...

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