Sarah Stoker Many people mistake water voles for large brown rats (‘Ratty’ from Wind in the Windows was a water vole). These cute creatures with brown fur and small black eyes are mostly seen during day, but plop into the water if they are discovered. Living on insects and small mammals, they live in burrows…
native wildlife
why we need insects & bugs
Image People are often scared of ‘creepy-crawlies’, but in fact insects and bugs are as important as elephants (without the pin-head sized midge, cocoa flowers could not pollinate – and that means no chocolate!) Like worms, insects can transform dead plants and animals into rich black soil. One in three mouthfuls of our food depend…
look up at stars in the sky
Joanne Short Protecting night skies is very important, not just to stop light pollution but also to help wildlife. The overkill of street lamps and non-stop lighting causes all kinds of problems. Removing ancient building facades to replace with floodlit glass causes birds to fly into windows. Other birds now wake up at the wrong…
be a better wildlife photographer
Lewis Newman Taking wildlife photographs is a wonderful way to learn about the world, but it’s really important to know how not to disturb or startle wildlife, including on the coast for marine creatures. There’s a great book on how to take wildlife photographs at home (say in your garden). Also read tips to be a…