Author Archives: jonathan

The witch and the eft

Newts, often called efts among many other things were one such group of animals that were poory understood in the past.They were thought to be the spawn of witches in the middle ages and to touch one would turn you … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on The witch and the eft

Strange jelly

This is the time of year when frogs spawn is found in waterways, but there is often problems in very wet weather and that is frogs laying their spawn in water that is to try up such as in open … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Strange jelly

Some Tasmanian animals and plants

I was fortunate enough to visit the Australian state of Tasmania a few weeks ago and photographed many common and less known creatures. I will write a large section on the adventures that myself and my  colleagues got up to … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Some Tasmanian animals and plants

Autumn Lepidoptera

Many larvae of large moths can be found up until this time as they finish eating and growing. Many will go to ground to hibernate as a pupa, some as a caterpillar and some as adult moths. Most of the … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Autumn Lepidoptera

Rutting Roe and Leech

Roe buck traditionally rut during the warmest part of summer time usually at the end of July, but it varies according to the weather as they are triggered mainly by hot temperatures, and so if we do not get the … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Rutting Roe and Leech

The carrion beetles

There are many species of beetles that hang around carrion, although many species do not eat the rotting flesh but feed on other beetle or fly larvae that do. Many species of rove beetle do just that.The larger species of … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on The carrion beetles

Cats in the bush

Not pussy cats or big cats, but caterpillars. Many species, especially moth larvae are more visible as they grow larger or consume large amounts of leaves making it more obvious that something is stripping plants of their leaves. This is … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Cats in the bush

Basking time

It is so good that the weather in Britain has been as it should be this summer time, although a little warmer than average. Still, many species of animal bask in the sun shine including birds and insects.Many species of … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The chaffinch and the sputnik

I nearly placed my hand on this nest of chaffinch chicks as I measured the girth of a Lime tree a few days ago.The chicks were still and quiet and the nest was not obvious amongst the various shades of … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on The chaffinch and the sputnik

The Great Pretenders

The evolution of species has had amazing adaptations for survival. One of the best strategies for survival is mimicry of poisonous species. Just how simple plants and insects have mastered this is unclear, but surely some of it must be … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Great Pretenders