Standing up for Nature
Tim writes: This is Elliot’s laughingthrush (Trochalopteron elliotii), a songbird found in Central China and the extreme NE part of India. It occurs at high altitudes from about 1200 to 4800m in forest and scrub. But like all laughingthrushes, they are heard more often than they are seen. This was unusual to see one perched…
Paul writes: on a warm summer evening I like to sit in my garden with a light on and see what moths will come in. One of the best to arrive is the Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor). It makes its presence known quickly. Most moths will spend some time flying around before settling on the…
Tim writes: This is a Siberian Weasel (Mustela sibirica) photographed at night by torchlight in the forests at Labahe, Sichuan in China. It was at an altitude of c2000m above sea level. This is the one and only individual that I have seen, and judging by the scarcity of wild photographs, it appears that they…
Paul writes: The Cinnamon Bug (Corizus hyoscyami) is a dramatic looking scentless plant bug and not usually confused with anything else in the UK. It’s about 9mm long and easily stands out against the green foliage it likes to feed on. It used to be quite rare and only seen in southern England but is…
Tim writes: White-rumped Snowfinch (Onychostruthus taczanowskii) is only found at high altitude meadows and steppes in the Himalayas. They are usually associated with Pika colonies as they nest, shelter and roost in Pika burrows. Though the relationship with Pikas seems rather one-sided as I noticed aggression between resident Pikas and Snowfinches with an eye to…
Paul writes: Empis tessellata is a common fly and can be seen throughout the UK, it belongs to the family Empidae, also known as Dagger Flies. The family is quite distinctive, typically with a small head combined with long body and legs. There are several similar species, Empis tessellata can be told from its black…
Tim writes: The Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis) was split from the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) as recently as 2000 based on DNA analysis. However, it differs markedly in appearance being much more contrastingly black and white below. They are pretty enormous, with a wingspan that can exceed 3m, and weigh up to 12kg. They breed…
Paul writes: Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) was a new butterfly for me last year. I knew they bred at Fen Bog, a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust reserve on the North York Moors, so I thought I’d see if I could spot one. Fen Bog is a moorland reserve with a large area of wet heath,…
Tim writes: Imagine seeing a wild wolf loping across the countryside when he stops about 40m away and stares right into your eyes. It sent shivers down my spine and is one of my most enjoyable wildlife experiences ever. I have seen wolves on a number of occasions before, but this one was a particularly…
Guy writes: The Capercaillie – still not out of the woods Capercaillies, the world’s largest grouse, are impressive birds. Their name derives from the Scottish Gaelic ‘capull coille’ meaning horse of the woods. I’ve only seen them a few times in Scotland, but had great views in Sweden on several occasions. I’ve also been fortunate…