Lucy Pittaway Most sheep thankfully live free-range lives, but can often suffer footrot, due to a constant battle with the weather and wet grass. Sheep are not stupid, they know a smiling face and can recognise the faces of up to 25 people. Yet sheep (mutton) and lambs are regularly slaughtered to make both meat…
creatures
playing cards to teach about nature
The Heritage Playing Card Company makes a range of cards that not only are good for amusing yourself playing patience if bored and alone, but also you can play card games with others, and learn about nature and wildlife at the same time. The sets include 54 cards, beautifully made in Belgium with gorgeous illustrations…
the urban wildlife of London city
Cities are not all humans and rats! All urban areas have opportunistic foxes (which have lost natural habitats – they eat rabbits and rats in nature) and endangered stag beetles (those big grubs you find in the soil are babies, so leave them alone). Reducing light pollution and glass buildings (especially lit) can help local…
what we can learn from wildlife
If you’re confused about life, often times the best beings to ask are wild animals. Unlike humans (or even domesticated pets), most wild animals instinctively know what to do. They know foods and berries to eat or avoid, they know how to shelter, and they fast when sick. They know when it’s time to play,…
meet England’s coastal birds
Seabirds are quite unique, and not just seagulls. They can drink seawater due to special glands in their heads that filter out the salt through their nostrils, and have build-in sunglasses to navigate the ocean glare. Sanderlings (all images by Gill Wild) like long sandy beaches. These small plump wading birds are pale grey and white,…