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Owls and Boxes - Part 1.

Owls and Boxes – Part 1.

by Chris Saunders, 2 July, 2018, 0 comments

What is it about the owl that is so endearing and compelling – its eyes, its face, its silent mastery of flight, or the web of myths and stories that surrounds its nocturnal life? For sure, nothing can beat staying over in a wood and hearing tawny owls, and even better knowing they count your wood as part of their territory. When we were getting to know our wood 18 months ago we heard tawny owls, usually some distance away, and the thought struck that a nest box might bring them nearer, and give us the chance of a view. There was the choice of making one from several designs from the internet, or buying a ready made one. We decided on buying from the Barn Owl Trust. Read more...
Cats as predators

Cats as predators

by Lewis, 14 March, 2014, 0 comments

Cats have been been 'domesticated' for many thousands of years, and currently stand as the most popular pet in the world (according to Wikipedia).  It has been suggested that the Egyptians were the first to domesticate the wild cat.   Though the association with humans probably pre-dates their domestication, recent research suggests that cats were attracted to ancient farming villages - perhaps by the supply of rodents  (rats / mice).  It is possible that cats are descended from african wildcats that 'self - domesticated' somewhere in the Near East.  A kitten has been found buried alongside human remains in Cyprus; this dates from some nine and half thousand years ago. However, more recently, the BBC’s Wildlife program focused on domestic cats and wildlife. Read more...
Seeds, ants and dispersal.

Seeds, ants and dispersal.

by Lewis, 12 August, 2011, 5 comments

That seeds are dispersed by animals is well known; most elementary texts on biology are littered with a variety of examples. Fruits (and their seeds) attract animals with the edible parts; from fleshy fruits - plums, mangoes, berries,  cherries etc for frugivores, to various nuts.  As the animal searches for and collects the fruits (monkeys in the forests, squirrels in the woodlands), some may be lost or discarded on the journey ‘home’.  Other fruits / seeds cling to an animals by attaching to their fur / clothing using various hooks or barbs – a classic example being cleavers or goosegrass. Some seeds are dispersed incidentally; they may be lurking in muddy soil and adhere to the hoof or foot of an animal, bird or human, or be carried some distance by car or tractor tyres. However, many species of plants have an ‘unseen’ army of helpers – ANTS.  Ants disperse seeds in two distinct ways.  Read more...
Red squirrels in Scotland.

Red squirrels in Scotland.

by Dr Dick Morris, 28 July, 2011, 8 comments

Threats to red squirrels. The red squirrel is a delightfully charismatic species, which was once a common native over the whole of the UK, but in England is now restricted to a few small areas.  In Scotland, the situation is better, but even here there are only about 120 000 individuals. They represent 75% of the total UK population and are under serious threat, so any actions to protect them are to be welcomed.  There are two key threats, changes to the woodlands in which they live, and the so far relentless spread of the similar, but larger American grey squirrel. Read more...
Hunter Gatherer

Hunter Gatherer

by Sean, 12 July, 2011, 4 comments

In my 2011 quest to only eat meat which I have hunted or gathered myself,  I’ve learned a lot. Most people ask me “how” I do it, so I thought I would share a bit more on the actual tasks of finding the food. Read more...
Roadkill : rabbits, hedgehogs, foxes......

Roadkill : rabbits, hedgehogs, foxes……

by Chris, 4 May, 2011, 16 comments

In this country, like others dependent on the internal combustion engine, many animals are killed or wounded on our roads.  One of the first people to comment on the significance of roadkill was the American naturalist Joseph Grinnell; he estimated the mortality count in California (back in 1920 !!) ran into the hundreds if not thousands of animals every day. Read more...
Mast and Mast Years

Mast and Mast Years

by Chris, 28 November, 2008, 5 comments

Mast is the ‘nut crop’ of the beech tree (Fagus sylvatica), but, in a broader sense, is the production of an enormous number of seeds. And the phenomenon is not restricted to beeches.It can also been seen in oaks, firs, spruces and pines.Such species are said to have ‘mast years’ and in such years it is basically impossible for animals to eat all the seeds ("predator satiation") so many seeds survive to the following spring and germinate. Read more...
Weather effects and woodlands

Weather effects and woodlands

by julian, 29 August, 2007, 3 comments

This favourite of all small-talk topics merits attention after the hot April and subsequent very wet months of May, June and July. But I am not going to mention climate change as threatening, indeed potentially catastrophic, as this phenomenon is to all of us and our futures. The weather, particularly very wet weather, affects work in woods and their care and management for the small owner as much as for the large forest estate. Read more...

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