Wildlife Newsletter

The Newsletter is produced from contributions sent to Margaret Cheetham who puts them all together on a regular basis – see the bottom of the Newsletter for contact details. Please also contact her if you would like back copies. Please note that the files are in PDF format and usually between 0.5 and 4 Mb big:

February’s newsletter from our “sister parish” in Delta, British Columbia. Also below I include recent contributions from Roger Hewitt. As I am about to go away for a month I didn’t want these observations to become out-of-date –  better to send now rather than wait for the next newsletter.

Good afternoon! This edition features observations from Marl Pits Wood and Erica Trust land, as well as signs of Spring. At last!

30 January 2023

The sun brought out the raptors today: we had a Sparrowhawk and Buzzards over our house, as well as this Red Kite. We have seen it a few times over the last couple of weeks, but the best views were today. Keep your eyes peeled!

31 January 2023

Up until today I have found Lesser Redpolls very hard to find this year. I had one on my feeders just after Christmas and didn’t see any on my walks, so I was pleased to see this one on my feeders this afternoon.

3 February 2023

Snowdrops and Aconites are out now at Turnerspuddle Church, and the tracks to Turnerspuddle have now dried up, so get your shoes on and have a look:

Good morning! An end-of-January edition with a special feature on “Pine Cone Toadstools” – which include the “Earpick Fungus!”. Also check out those amazing “ice horns” as well as deer and bird updates from across the parish.

Good evening! A special feature on semi-slugs – a first for the newsletter. An otter makes a surprise appearance and seems quite at home in Affpuddle. Plus bird observations from across the parish, including overwintering Blackcaps:

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We continue with reports and observations from late 2022, including a special feature on identification of social wasps. Enjoy! Margaret and Ian:

Enjoy a bumper edition attached, plus news from our “twin” in Delta…

Good evening! It’s been a while – a few weeks of travel and then covid got in the way! Much of the attached was written in September, but it’s all enjoyable – perhaps making us nostalgic for that sunnier weather? Happy memories… This newsletter’s special feature is one of our largest beetles – the infamous Devil’s Coach Horse (Ocypus olens) which is supposed to atone for our sins. Look out for it. It’s still around and widespread.

Good morning! Am I an ant? Find out in the attached. Plus other fascinating/fun observations.

NB – there will be a break (not sure how long – I haven’t booked a return ticket yet), but do feel free to email me with ID questions that I can forward to Ian (who will be in Briantspuddle) or anything for the next newsletter, which is likely to be sometime in October.

Good morning! This is the penultimate newsletter before an autumn break. I shall be away, but am contactable by email and can forward ID questions etc to Ian. Today’s question is: Why do we call a butterfly pupa a ‘Chrysalis’? Find out inside. And lots more!

Good evening! This weekend’s focus is a spectacular fly – a shieldbug parasite. Plus some very cute mammals and unusual bird photos:

Good morning! We end a dry August with some weather-related observations and photos:

Good evening! A special edition on caterpillars of the nettle butterflies to complete your bank holiday reading.

Good afternoon! Young Eli (remember him from an earlier edition?) pays another visit to Affpuddle and goes on a nature trail in Adrian’s garden and then onto heathland. A heart-warming story of discovery and adventure. Plus lots of other goodies – from birds of prey to crane flies  –  for your weekend reading:

Good afternoon! Why are there so many beech leaves on a woodland track? Find out in the attached. Plus Hummingbird Hawk-moths and details on Erica Trust land work this autumn:

Good evening! Check out the parish’ favourite mammal in newsletter 54. In response to an ID question, I also attach newsletter 2021/171 from last September. Sometimes it’s good to revisit the relevant stuff from previous years, but without the lockdown!

Good morning! Today’s special feature is flax in the parish. Plus observations in gardens at Briantspuddle, Affpuddle and Throop.