Wild Life
The magazine for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust members
Winter 2023
Winter marvels Discover where to enjoy this season’s wildlife offerings
HABITAT MANAGEMENT
Wonderful woodlands
Find out how we manage these unique habitats so they flourish for both wildlife and people SURVIVAL STRATEGIES
Pressing pause
Learn the incredible methods insects employ to synchronise their life cycle
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Digital copies of Wild Life magazine are also available. If you would prefer to receive a digital copy, please email membership@hiwwt.org.uk and we will update your record.
A world where woods and trees flourish
H
ampshire and the Isle of Wight are two of the most biodiverse counties in England. We are lucky enough to enjoy a wide range of wildlife habitats, from internationally important coastal marshes to globally rare chalk streams and water meadows, fragile chalk grasslands, extensive heathlands, and of course, rich ancient woodlands. Many of the nature reserves and sites which we manage incorporate areas of woodlands, and in this winter edition of Wild Life, we celebrate these incredible environments. However, for our woodlands to flourish,
they need appropriate management. Under our new Wilder strategy, we are embracing rewilding approaches to conservation management and creating wilder woodlands. On page 18 discover the many varied ways that we manage our woodlands sustainably, helping to create varied and vibrant ecosystems, which are beneficial for both wildlife and people. From mammals and birds to reptiles and amphibians, our woodlands are home to thousands of species. On page 8 we discover how the unique soil properties found at Pamber Forest Nature Reserve help give rise to a unique mix of trees, plus an astonishing array of flora and fauna which includes an unparalleled collection of moths and fungi. Our goal of inspiring one in four people to take action by 2030 remains at the heart of our mission to get more people on nature’s side. We have seen hundreds of people step forward to help nature and I am delighted with our continued development of Team Wilder, which has spread across the country with all 46 Wildlife Trusts now taking this approach. We recently celebrated the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations who are leading the
way towards a wilder Hampshire and Isle of Wight at the 2023 Wilder Awards & Conference. Discover who our Wilder Award winners are on page 16. During the Conference, we also launched the Save our Chalk Streams campaign. Out of the 220 British chalk streams, only 11 currently benefit from any legal protection (such as Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)). We are campaigning for all chalk streams to have legal protection and for this to be more effective than what is already in place, to truly drive recovery. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to write to local MPs asking them to champion our chalk streams. This made an impact. Find out which MPs we recently met to discuss how we can drive forward chalk steam recovery, on page 14. Your continued support helps us to safeguard all our wonderful habitats and species – including woodlands and chalk rivers and all the species which call them home – thank you.
Debbie Tann, Chief Executive Twitter @Debbie_Tann
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Wild Life is the membership magazine for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
Editor Helen Skelton-Smith Designer Keely Docherty-Lee
Registered charity number 201081. Company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales No. 676313.
Email membership@hiwwt.org.uk Telephone 01489 774400 Address Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane, Curdridge, Hampshire SO32 2DP
Website hiwwt.org.uk ● We manage over 60 nature reserves. ● We are supported by over 28,000 members and friends, and 1,500 volunteers.
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Wild Life | Winter 2023
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WILD SEASON
4 Your wild winter
The best of this season’s nature, including winter bird arrivals.
8 Reserves spotlight
Take a closer look at Pamber Forest Nature Reserve near Basingstoke.
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10 Wild news
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A round-up of the latest Trust news, successes and updates, including the launch of the Save our Chalk Streams campaign.
16 Team Wilder
Wilder Awards shine spotlight on nature’s superheroes.
FEATURES
18 Woodlands management
Discover how we nurture our woodlands so they will flourish for future generations.
22 Pressing pause
Learn the incredible tricks which insects employ for surviving the harsh weather of winter.
REGULARS
26 Terrific trees
Winter is a wonderful time to discover old and unusual trees, we reveal six places where trees and woodlands have a story to tell.
28 Wildlife gardening
Advice on preparing your garden for a parched spring and summer from garden writer Kate Bradbury.
30 My wild life
Wild Life | Winter 2023
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ROSS HODDINOTT / 2020VISION
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Carmen Perry, Senior Ecologist, reveals how survey and monitoring programmes can help improve habitats for biodiversity.
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YOUR WILD WINTER
Your wild winter The best of the season’s wildlife and where to enjoy it.
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WINTER SPECTACLE
The wonderful world of fungi With more than 15,000 species in the UK, fungi make up an entire kingdom of their own. They vary widely in size and form, and their diversity is stupendous. Neither plant nor animal, fungi are one of the most diverse organisms on Earth; they can live under or above the ground, in the air, and even on plants and animals. As trees shed their leaves and the land braces for winter, the humble mushroom thrives. Fungi are part of a vast and varied group of decomposers, and play a vital role in our ecosystem. By transforming dead animals and vegetation into raw nutrients that can be absorbed by plants, fungi sustain and nurture the plant life around them. When they’re not pumping nutrients into the soil, they’re providing a valuable food source for a host of birds and mammals. Every habitat is home to a great variety of fungi. Trees also rely on fungi, with great woodland networks helping link and support life. Fungi even help maintain tree diversity in natural woodlands and on page 18, we explore the wonderful web of life found in woodlands.
SEE THEM THIS WINTER Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve The mixture of woodland, lakes and meadows attracts a great variety of birds and mammals. During mild winters, fungi can still be found here erupting from the woodland floor. Chappetts Copse Nature Reserve This serene, ancient woodland near West Meon is home to a fantastic variety of rare plants and fungi. Look down at the woodland floor, and notice the small wonders of the natural world. Beneath the ash trees lives a healthy population of dormice – they are busy fattening themselves up before going into hibernation for the winter. Main image: Bracket fungi BEN PORTER
Inset: The classic fairy tale toadstool, this red and white fungus is often found beneath birch trees. JON HAWKINS - SURREY HILLS PHOTOGRAPHY
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YOUR WILD WINTER
A murmuration of starlings in mid-air.
The coldest and darkest months of the year are upon us. Although it might be tempting to stay indoors and wait for spring to arrive, the night sky will soon be alive with the arrival of migrating feathered friends. All in search of food and a milder climate. A wide variety of ducks, geese and swans visit the UK in winter. The major migration hotspots tend to be around our coasts, including Farlington Marshes
Nature Reserve where large flocks of migratory birds, including dark bellied brent geese, wigeon, teal, avocet, redshank and dunlin congregate. Winter also sees the return of short eared owls to the reserve. Up to 5,000 wildfowl, including gadwall, goldeye and goosander flock to Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve from Scandinavia for the winter. Spot them along the banks where they nest in holes in trees, and
DANNY GREEN / 2020VISION
Where to watch migrating birds watch gadwall feeding out on the water with other dabbling ducks. Watch as they tip forward to feed on submerged vegetation without diving. Look out for starling ‘murmurations’ where hundreds or thousands of birds swoop through the sky together before settling down to roost for the night. During the winter months, large numbers will arrive from the continent and over winter at Fishlake Meadows Nature Reserve.
URBAN FIELDCRAFT
Woodpeckers in winter
PETER CAIRNS / 2020VISION
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Although mostly a year-round resident, the best time to see woodpeckers is during winter, especially late winter and early spring when trees are bare, which makes it easier to spot them. Woodpeckers do seem to have favourite trees, preferring ancient, broad-leaved woodlands which have big old trees. However, the green woodpecker tends to prefer more open places with scattered trees. As well as excavating tree holes for nesting, they can also use their beaks to chisel out insect larva in the
wood and to extract sap. The distinctive drumming of the great spotted and lesser spotted woodpeckers indicates their presence and is the easiest way to tell if they are around. Woodpeckers are also more territorial at this time of year. The male will hammer against dead trees, creating the distinctive drumming sound, and which proclaims ownership of its territory. Woodpeckers are able to do this up to 20 times per second and suffer no ill effects due to their shock absorbing skull.
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HEAR THIS
January is fox mating season. Listen for the vixen calling to males at night. Typically, the female fox (vixen) gives out a howl, whilst the male fox will respond with a bark.
SEE THIS
As they move across the snow-covered ground, animals leave footprints, known as tracks. These tracks provide an ideal way to learn which species are active in winter.
JON HAWKINS / SURREY HILLS PHOTOGRAPHY
AMY LEWIS
SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
Clashing antlers Fieldfare These large, colourful thrushes visit to feast on berry-laden bushes. They are sociable birds and can be seen in flocks of more than 200 birds. See them at Pamber Forest Nature Reserve.
CHRIS GOMERSALL 2020VISION
BERTIE GREGORY 2020VISION
Badgers
Autumn marked the main event of the year for our largest land mammal, the red deer; mating season.
See them this winter The rut may last into early December. Early morning is a great time to try to see males
performing. Deer typically prefer woodland and forest, with thick low-lying vegetation. The forest woodland provides good cover and shelter from the elements, as the low, golden light and cold, dewy air creates the perfect autumnal atmosphere. Take special care not to intrude on rutting deer. Rutting stags, in particular, are often pumped with testosterone.
BERTIE GREGORY 2020VISION
Known as the ‘rut’, males make a loud belly belch to proclaim their territory and fight over the females. This display may involve groaning and stylised walking, but often results in dangerous, physical contact as they lock antlers. Having spent the rest of the year in single sex herds, the annual rut sees the dominant male rounding up his harem of females. Younger males, and indeed many of the females, have other ideas, and the result is one of the most dramatic events in the wildlife calendar. Stags roaring, heads tossing, and antlers clashing; battle ensues. It may look dramatic, but this is a ritualised fight, with the aim of settling the dispute and sorting out who’s boss, rather than inflicting damage.
Badgers don’t go into hibernation during winter, but they do go into a period called ‘winter lethargy’. Badgers slow down so much that they can happily go into a deep sleep for days or even weeks during times of harsh weather. This sleep is called torpor.
The six British deer species Fallow, Roe, Red, Sika, Muntjac and Chinese water deer are found throughout the UK, all excluding the latter have been seen in Hampshire. Only Red and Roe deer are truly indigenous. Fallow deer were most likely introduced by the Normans around the 11th century. Today, they are widespread and the most common deer in England. Muntjac, Chinese and Sika arrived on our shores in the late 19th and 20th centuries and are found in lesser numbers.
Winter gnats One of the few insects active in winter, swarms will typically gather in areas that are kept warmer by the sun. Here, male winter gnats perform their courtship dances on the wing. This lekking behaviour is a competitive display to try to attract a female. See them at Roydon Woods Nature Reserve. Wild Life | Winter 2023
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Discover Pamber Forest MARK EMERY
Located just six miles from busy Basingstoke lies a very special ancient woodland. With a unique mix of soil type and 300-year-old oak trees, Pamber Forest Nature Reserve contains an astonishing array of flora and fauna.
MARGARET HOLLAND
Pamber Forest Nature Reserve has a rich history. As a part of the Forest of Windsor, it was a playground for the royals’ favourite pastime of deerstalking. Traditional management practices, such as coppicing, have also heavily influenced the landscape of this ancient woodland. Coppicing is a traditional form of woodland management, which was
Purple emperor 8
originally conceived to create a variety of small woodland products. These were typically used for hurdle making (moveable wooden fence panels used to section off areas for grazing animals) and thatching spas (for thatching roofs). Pamber Forest was particularly known for producing high quality materials. The raw product was sent up to the potteries in Stoke via canals, where it was made into crates, which were then used to safely export pottery around the world. With the onset of the industrial revolution, the need for these materials decreased and so coppicing also declined - the last commercial coppicing took place at Pamber in 1963. This led to a huge loss of wildlife, as many species had adapted to thrive in this form of woodland management. Notably several woodland butterfly species, which prefer open space, declined in numbers. In 1991, Graham Dennis became reserves officer for Pamber and instigated a coppice restoration project, as the
Forest had become very shady. The initial work involved felling a lot of the oak trees to create the open canopy. This work was done in conjunction with Englefield Estate, who own the Forest. We have carried on this cyclical cutting of the coppice ever since. Pamber’s rotation of coppicing now takes place on a ten to 12-year cycle. Every winter, volunteer groups meet every week, completing around 2ha of coppice between September and the end of March. So, if you visit during autumn and winter you can expect to see these coppiced log heaps in the stream valley areas of the reserve.
Connectivity Pamber Forest also features an open ride system. This involves creating open connected spaces so that wildlife can travel from one coppiced area to another. Each year, ride edge coppicing, which involves mowing the edges, takes place. This encourages wildflowers to grow along the edges of the open sunny rides, which in turn provides vital nectar and food sources for a variety of species such as caterpillars.
“Invertebrates fly along open rides without the need to fly through shade or attempt to go over the top.”
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NATURE RESERVE SPOTLIGHT Trees of Pamber
Rich mosaic of habitats Pamber’s open woodland area is managed by a hefted herd of Dexter cattle. Their allyear-round grazing keeps the vegetation short which helps support an assortment of ground flora. Their dung attracts some of nature’s most well-known scavengers – dung beetles and flies, which in turn attracts other small predators, thus helping expand the reserve’s biodiversity. The reserve’s heathland habitat can be found at the highest part of the forest. Here, the acidic, sandy and gravelly ground provides the perfect conditions for acidic loving plants and shrubs such as heather and bilberry. Bilberry is commonly found on the Moors in northern and western Britain. The south is generally considered too warm. However, the shrub is abundant on the heathland, and has performed incredibly well this year due to the unseasonal damp conditions. The Bilberry pug moth, as its name suggests, is reliant on the shrub. The larvae hide in leaves of the bilberry during the day, coming out at night to feed.
“Pamber Forest, and the surrounding area, is the only location where Bilberry pug moth lives in Hampshire.”
PAUL LANE
The vast majority of Pamber’s trees are oak, followed by birch and holly. This is due to the reserve’s acidic soil. Maple trees can also be found in the more neutral stream valleys, alders and willows also prefer this wet ground. The few ash trees, which prefer a lime rich ground, can also be found in the stream valleys. The ancient trees provide a huge diversity of habitats. In the top canopy, you will find purple hairstreak and purple emperor butterflies. Graham usually only sees one or two purple emperors a year but this year, for the first time in 32 years, he discovered five just on one transect. Gall forming insects such as oak apple, oak marble and spangle galls also live at the top, while the lower canopies attract species which prefer more shade. A prominent feature of Pamber’s old trees are the various cavities, hollows and holes, which provide important habitats for a range of invertebrates. The reserve also contains several ancient woodland tree indicator species including wild service tree, crab apple and white beam.
Wood spurge can be found along the reserve’s ride edges.
The reserve’s ponds and two contrasting streams support a wide variety of wildlife. Silchester Brook runs all year round whilst Honeymill Brook is an ephemeral stream. Pamber is one of only five sites in the UK where Ironoquia dubia, a rare species of caddis fly, has been found. Its larvae was last recorded in 1969 and despite investigations in the years since, it wasn’t until 2018 when a single male was eventually caught in a light trap in the bed of the dried up steam. It requires a very specific habitat of an acidic woodland stream which dries up.
Warm, damp weather triggers early fungi Pamber experienced a constant abundance of fungi this summer. This is very unusual and is due to the damp conditions experienced in July, August, and September. There are possibly over 1,000 species of fungi at the reserve. With many existing underground for several years, you never know which you may stumble across. The rare violet webcap came up in profusion for just one year but has never been seen since. It’s most certainly still here, just biding its time until it reappears above ground again.
Pamber’s moths Moths have always been very well documented at Pamber. In Victorian times, entomologists came to the Forest on the train from London specifically to study the moths. Almost certainly you will find specimens from Pamber Forest in collections around the UK, including in the British Museum.
Moths are Graham’s speciality, and with around 850 species at Pamber there are plenty to keep him occupied. Graham is noticing changes to the moth population, perhaps due to a warming climate. Light and dark crimson underwings are becoming more common. The last record of a light crimson, until recently, was in 1965. It has been a record-breaking year for the coppice specialist moth, the drab looper. This day-flying moth prefers sunny glades where its larvae feed on wood spurge, an ancient woodland indicator species. Typically, the team would count 12 to 15 per year, but this year there were more than 60.
Upper Inhams Copse, to the east of Pamber Forest, was bought by the Trust in 2001, following a gift in the Will of Gwen Talmey. Gwen made the gift in memory of her parents, and was particularly keen that the area purchased included woodland. Adding to Pamber Forest Nature Reserve was the perfect choice and we are incredibly grateful to Gwen for allowing us to secure this site for wildlife. Pamber Forest is owned by Englefield Estate and leased to Basingstoke & Deane Council. Since 1997, the Council have supported and funded the Trust to manage the reserve on their behalf. The two reserves are now managed in tandem, to maximise the benefits to wildlife. Wild Life | Winter 2023
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WILD NEWS
All the latest news from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
The Reddish buff is a medium sized moth with a typical wingspan of up to 15mm and weighs just 23mg.
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Did you know? The Reddish buff moth is in the family noctuidae, which are also referred to as Owlet Moths.
The moth has a particular habitat requirement in order to survive, and our intensive management of the reserve has increased pockets of suitable habitat and the required microclimate for this species to thrive. This is composed of a mosaic of open heathy shrub and short grassland, with important blocks of scrub to provide shelter and create the desired microclimate. Jamie adds: “The Reddish buff moth epitomises the challenges many of our rare species face. Restricted to a single site with specific habitat requirements and a single food plant, it seems to have everything against it, yet it is still persevering.” The Trust’s remaining focus for the site is to continue to restore and improve the habitat for the moth and other species.
TRACY DOVE
IN A NUTSHELL
Rare moth f lutters back from brink
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arlier this year, we were delighted to discover two rare Reddish buff moths (Acosmetia caliginosa) during the Trust’s annual moth survey programme on the Isle of Wight. This is a significant and reassuring find as we were concerned about the status of this endangered species, which is only found on one site in the UK. This is the first time that the moth has been recorded in four years, the last adult moth was found in 2019. Covid then massively impacted survey efforts in 2020 and 2021, when only one single larvae was found. Jamie Marsh, Director of Nature
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Recovery, Wilder Wight & Wilder Seas said: “It is a difficult moth to survey and requires a lot of time and effort. It doesn’t readily come to light traps and can easily hide away, so it is very fulfilling to discover two individuals. “We were getting nervous that the species had been lost so to find it this year, and have it verified by the UK’s leading expert, is a big relief.” The Reddish buff moth’s last remaining stronghold, which is at a closed sanctuary site for wildlife, contains an ideal mix of its most favoured habitat along with saw-wort (Serratula tinchoria), the sole larval food plant.
■ The Reddish buff moth is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is also a Priority Species in UK Biodiversity Action Plan and is fully protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and under Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006). ■ A special license is required to work with this species. Along with Trust staff, a dedicated group of volunteers and site partners including Isle of Wight AONB, Butterfly Conservation, Amazon World and Wildheart Animal Sanctuary have helped bring the species back from the brink. ■ The moth’s flight period is from April through to July. It’s coppercoloured forewings and pale red hindwings helps it to blend in with its surroundings and attract potential mates.
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NEWS
Exmoor ponies help with Isle of Wight rewilding project Two Exmoor ponies are getting their teeth stuck into vital conservation work on the Isle of Wight. Logan and Luther are the first two grazers to the Trust’s rewilding project at Wilder Little Duxmore. Their task is simple – nibble, browse and graze the land to encourage habitat restoration, create ecological niches, and help nature’s recovery. It’s the first time that the Trust has used ponies to help with rewilding and they join the existing cohort of conservation grazing livestock, including native breeds of cattle and sheep. In October, they were joined on-site by two saddleback and Berkshire cross pigs and belted Galloway cows, from our
friends at Nunwell Home Farm, to play an important role in shaping the landscape for the benefit of local wildlife and the recovery of nature on the former arable farm. Together, they will create a mosaic habitat structure by browsing scrub and selectively grazing herbaceous vegetation, creating wallows in the land, or breaking up dense grasses to encourage botanical diversity. Deploying livestock as ecosystem engineers in this way can be hugely beneficial for wildlife. Extensive grazing over a large area encourages biodiversity by helping to create the ideal conditions for a wide range of insects, birds, reptiles, and plants to exist.
KATE GARNHAM / HIWWT
Our corporate partners, Wightlink, provided vital support to transport the ponies to the Isle of Wight.
Disappointment at rejection of Titchfield Haven proposal The Trust is very disappointed that our proposal for the future management of Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve was rejected by Hampshire County Council. We still strongly believe that our proposal provides the Council with a great opportunity to work with the Trust to develop an exciting, viable, long-term sustainable vision for this much-loved area. Our ideas would offer the best possible outcomes for nature and local communities as well as helping to combat wider environmental challenges like pollution in the Solent, while also adapting to climate change. We will continue our work to support nature and wildlife in this much-loved area, and we hope there is still an opportunity to achieve something transformative in the lower Meon Valley in the future. We are grateful for the support of our members, supporters, donors and the local community in developing our proposal and we were heartened to see how much support the Trust has had from people who wanted us to step in and give Titchfield Haven a new lease of life. For more information please visit: www.hiwwt.org.uk/updateTitchfieldHaven
Working together We’ve been working alongside local residents, who have formed the Tadley and Pamber Rural Protection Society, to oppose a 260-house development adjacent to Pamber Forest Nature Reserve. This forest is among the county’s most significant ancient woodlands and is managed by the Trust for the benefit of nature and local people.
The proposed development would sever a critical wildlife corridor connecting Pamber Forest and Ron Ward’s Meadow, both legally protected as Sites of Special Interest due to their immense ecological value. We’ll continue to work alongside others to challenge inappropriate developments that impact our most vital wildlife sites. Wild Life | Winter 2023
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The results from our nightjar surveys in the New Forest have revealed that the breeding population of nightjar in 2023 is 353, based on territorial males. This is equivalent to about 7.7% of the UK population. Unfortunately, the number of territories is approximately 18% lower than in 2018 where 435 territories were recorded. However, the number of territorial males still exceeds the New Forest target of 300 breeding pairs. A total of 1,379 nightjar observations were recorded including churring males, calling birds, wing clapping displays, flying and foraging birds. Nightjar were recorded on 141 of the 154 transects. Carmen Perry, Senior Ecologist, said: “This project has once again been great to work on, collaborating with Forestry England and volunteers to undertake surveys across the forest in search of these birds. Everyone recorded nightjar and I had a lot of positive feedback from surveyors; it was lovely to hear how much everyone enjoyed spending their summer evenings walking through the forest. “Despite it appearing like a fantastic year for nightjar, unfortunately results have shown a decline in numbers since the last surveys in 2018. Reasons are currently unknown; as nightjar are a
a .
DAVID TIPLING / 2020VISION
WILD NEWS
Nightjar survey results report decline in numbers migratory species, it could be due to a number of factors, or simply natural fluctuations in populations.” The surveys are conducted every five years to monitor the nightjar population and distribution changes within the forest. Sixty-five volunteer surveyors, which included a mix of Arcadian and Trust staff, along with Forestry England staff and volunteers, walked an impressive 154 transect routes, which took place in all
areas of suitable habitat across the New Forest. They took place at dusk or dawn between the end of May and mid-July, and involved counting and mapping the elusive birds. Further surveys need to be carried out to establish if the decline is part of a long-term trend. There is extensive good quality habitat in the New Forest for nightjar and it is likely that there are unrecorded birds outside of our survey area.
Rare sea slug discovery
HELEN BOYCE
Warty doris (Doris verrucosa), a rare sea slug, was recently identified by volunteer, Jenny Mallinson, whilst conducting a survey at Hythe. Jenny reported the sighting to iRecord.org and it has now been verified as the first record for the species in the UK. Alerted by this news, fellow Shoresearcher volunteer, Helen Boyce, conducted her own beach search at Royal Victoria, Netley, and subsequently found three more specimens, extending its known range within the 12
Solent estuary. Helen is now conducting further searches at other sites, in the hope of helping Jenny establish how widespread the species is. The sea slug is mainly found living under stones in the intertidal zone, and its most characteristic feature are the tubercle shaped warts that are found all over its body. It is a rare privilege to discover a first, whether for a site, county or the country. Congratulations to our Shoresearchers!
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NEWS
Remembering Dr Robert Page Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust was very saddened to learn that Robert Page, who was the Trust’s first Chief Executive, passed away this summer. Robert worked at the Trust for 23 years from 1976 to 1999. He achieved a huge amount for local nature conservation during his time at the Trust, setting us on the path to becoming the organisation we are today. Everybody at the Trust would like to express sincere condolences to Robert’s family and friends. We also paid tribute to Robert and his amazing contribution to the Trust at our Annual General Meeting in October.
News in brief Showcase for Seagrass project
Romance at Swanwick Lakes
The Trust’s seagrass restoration project was the official charity for this year’s Southampton International Boat Show. Members of our Marine team, along with volunteers, raised awareness about the project with visitors at our stand and during talks on the main Foredeck Stage. We were able to showcase our work as well as raise additional funding. Visitors were able to make donations to the Trust when they purchased their ticket as well as at various donation points around the show.
JENNY BURNS
Congratulations to Associate Trustee, Alex Nicol-Harper, who became engaged to her partner Sean during the event to celebrate Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve’s 30th birthday in June this year. Sean, who attended the event to give support to Alex following a spinal cord injury last year, popped the question whilst the couple took a little walk following the ‘Woodland wellbeing’ session. It wasn’t a surprise as they chose the ring together a few weeks prior, but they were both pleased to be able to make it official in a natural environment.
PAUL GONELLA, STRONG ISLAND MEDIA
Rewilding Britain funding The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Rewilding Network has been awarded funding of £13,116 from the Innovation Fund run by Rewilding Britain. The funding will be used to support the set up and first year of the network, which aims to bring together local landowners who are carrying out large scale rewilding. The funding will allow us to further support network members, facilitating knowledge-sharing and equipping landowners with essential skills for rewilding. For more information visit: www.hiwwt.org.uk/hampshireisle-wight-rewilding-network
Congratulations to Cheriton volunteers Congratulations to Cheriton Conservation Volunteer Group, a Watercress and Winterbournes partner, on being shortlisted in the National Park Protector Awards. The Award celebrates those who have shown a deep dedication to protected landscapes, and the group were recognised for their excellent work in the village in Cheriton, which sits within the South Downs National Park and is home to a beautiful chalk stream.
Wild Life | Winter 2023
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WILD NEWS
How old will you be in 2063?
Miller MP and attended by our local MPs Caroline Nokes, Flick Drummond and Sir Desmond Swayne’s assistant. With 85% of the world’s chalk streams in Southern England, we have a responsibility to better protect these cherished, unique rivers and are pleased that some of our local MPs recognise this and will champion chalk streams in Parliament.
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We asked this question, at the launch of the Save our Chalk Streams campaign, at this year’s Wilder Conference & Awards as the government says our rivers will not be in overall healthy condition until 2063. Chalk streams are one of the rarest habitats on earth: there are only around 250 chalk streams in the world. Out of the 220 British chalk streams, only 11 currently benefit from any legal protections as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), but we need to see protections go further to halt damaging practices on our chalk streams and accelerate action. With your help, we’ve been calling for new legal protections for all chalk streams if they are going to stand a chance of recovery while we are still here to see it. We asked you to invite our MPs to a roundtable to discuss how they can drive forward chalk stream protection in Parliament, in collaboration with Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. We were pleased that the event was co-hosted by Dame Maria
As the Government prepares a ‘Chalk Stream Recovery Pack’ to decide what actions they will take to restore our chalk streams, it is a key time to continue to push our decision-makers for the most ambitious chalk stream protections possible to ensure these rare and EO AV U abundant rivers are resilient for years to come.
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Save our Chalk Streams
CHALK STREAMS
Flick Drummond, Caroline Nokes and Dame Maria Miller together with Debbie Tann.
Megan McCubbin, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust President, recently joined school children to call on the government to save our chalk streams. At the event, Megan said: “This beautiful River Test, along with all rivers, deserves to be treated with respect. We are asking everyone to use their voice to ask for more designation and protection for our chalk streams. We need you to use your voice and speak up for chalk streams so please message and email your MP today. If you use your voice, you might just win for nature.” HELEN SKELTON-SMITH
Left: Megan McCubbin with school children from Whitchurch Church of England Primary at the River Test.
To support our chalk streams, everyone can get involved by writing to their MP, asking them to become a chalk stream champion and advocate for chalk stream protections. Find out more about how you can take action: www.hiwwt.org.uk/rivers 14
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WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
We need to Restore Nature Now
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ampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Chief Executive Debbie Tann gave an impassioned speech when conservation charities gathered at the Restore Nature Now rally in London. Organised by TV presenter, conservationist and Trust vice-president Chris Packham, protests took place outside the offices of the government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in Bristol, London, Reading and York. Forty of the UK’s leading conservation and environmental charities came together to raise awareness of the nature and climate crises, and to call for immediate and urgent action. This came after the latest State of Nature report laid bare the continuing decline of wildlife in the UK. Debbie’s speech can be seen on the blog section of our website and here is a transcript: “Twenty-five years ago, I stood in front of a packed village hall and told the audience we had lost 97% of our wildflower meadows. I hoped they would be as shocked and upset as me. After all, I am an Ecologist and I care about this stuff. To my dismay, someone shouted out ‘well, we’ve still got 3% left – isn’t that enough?’. I learned a valuable lesson that day. Just giving facts doesn’t always change minds. So, I became a do-er. I have spent my career in nature conservation delivering change on the ground, learning what works, and showcasing the results. I lead one of the Wildlife Trusts and we are
The State of Nature Report found: 32% decline in freshwater species abundance since 1970. 37% decline in red squirrel population from 1993 to 2016.
fantastic at delivering conservation. We buy land, lots of it. We rewild, restore and repair ecosystems. We re-naturalise rivers. We replant seagrass meadows. We bring back missing species. We educate, build partnerships, deliver nature-based climate solutions. We can show that conservation works. We have many successes to show for our efforts – like the return of the otter to every English county, after they had been wiped out to near extinction 60 years ago. But still, only a tiny percentage of our land and sea is able to support thriving wildlife. Less than 4% is in good condition for nature. Designated areas, nature reserves and conservation projects are impacted by what happens all around them. Our conservation efforts are hampered because these sites are too small and isolated. Many of them are becoming polluted, damaged by recreational pressure, and hemmed in by development. This is why nature needs more space, and why we pushed for the goal of 30% of land and sea for nature’s recovery by 2030. And it’s good news that 30x30 has been
adopted by 188 countries under the Global Biodiversity Framework. But will it be delivered? I worked here at DEFRA 12 years ago. I helped write the Natural Environment White Paper. An important document. I had huge hopes then as the UK government at the time committed to landscape-scale nature restoration and the Lawton principles of bigger, better, more joined-up. The 2010 Aichi Biodiversity Targets had also just been set. But 17 of those 20 targets were missed. The White Paper delivered a few pilot projects but little else. And here we are in 2023. The latest State of Nature report showing that nature’s decline continues to get worse. DEFRA will say – we have ‘world leading targets’. The Environment Act. The Environmental Improvement Plan. The Plan for Water. Environmental Schemes for Farmers. But these are just documents, like the many that came before them. Implementation – the doing – is what matters. Farmers need proper support to transition to nature-positive land management, like agro-ecology or regenerative farming. Polluting industries need to pay for the damage they do. We need rapid investment in nature recovery to meet 30x30. We need missing species back – especially those that build ecosystem health like beavers. Restoring nature is not a party-political wedge issue, or part of a culture war, to be painted as a ‘cost’ we can’t afford. It’s far more important than that. We need to restore nature now.” Wild Life | Winter 2023
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Wilder Awards shine spotlight on nature’s superheroes Since setting out our ambitions in our strategy Wilder 2030, we have seen hundreds of people step forward to play their part. Team Wilder is growing all the time and the idea has spread beyond our counties, with all 46 Wildlife Trusts now taking this approach. The Trust is supporting and working alongside farmers, landowners and business leaders, all wanting to make a change. We are empowering individuals, communities and schools to do things differently, we are joining together to push those with power to act in the interests of future generations and we are learning from each other about what works for wildlife. Many people across our two counties are doing remarkable work to help nature recover and create a wilder Hampshire and Isle of Wight.
Thank you Corporate partner, Lakeside North Harbour, who the Trust has been working with since 2015, kindly provided the venue for the Wilder Conference & Awards 2023
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During our 2023 Wilder Conference & Awards, we celebrated the achievements of individuals, groups and organisations who are leading the way towards a wilder Hampshire and Isle of Wight. The winners of the nine Wilder Awards were: ● The Wilder Neighbourhood Award (right) was scooped by Wilder Bramley, based just north of Basingstoke. The group has created a community bee garden, a wildflower area and the Bramley Green Grassland Restoration Project. Claire Levée, from Wilder Bramley, said: “We were thrilled and humbled to be recognised for the community work we are doing both in terms of practical conservation and education to enhance biodiversity and sustainability.”
● The Business of the Year Award was won by Portsmouth-based FatFace which has recently become B Corp Certified in line with its commitment to high environmental and social standards.
● The Nature Recovery (Land and Sea) Award was won by The Lockerley Estate in East Tytherley near Stockbridge (right). Over the past eight years, the estate has transformed from a conventional arable farming system to a regenerative one, adopting techniques such as direct drilling to minimise soil damage, and drastically cutting back on fuel use.
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WILDER AWARDS
l The Wilder School Award (right) was given to Hounsdown Primary School in Totton whose eco-team has been leading on a range of projects including creating a wildflower meadow and planting 30 new trees. l The Innovation for Nature Award was won by Artecology on the Isle of Wight which crafts regenerative ecological environments for wildlife. Products include the Vertipool – an artificial rockpool habitat used on coastal flood defence structures.
PAUL LANE
l The Young Changemaker Award went to Arun Carson, aged 14, from Bransgore in the New Forest, who started volunteering with the Trust aged just nine. His love for all things marine wildlife has seen him research species and take part in intertidal surveys.
Outstanding Contribution Awards
Emily Stroud, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Senior Engagement Officer said: “Arun takes his surveying very seriously, researching the species of the shore and has become one of our top identifiers and experienced surveyors helping others. Any opportunity to get involved in conservation, he leaps at it.”
l The Individual Action for Nature Award went to friends Hazel Metcalfe and Sarah Smith from Whitchurch near Basingstoke. They have volunteered with the Watercress and Winterbournes project and founded the Chalk Stream Challenge badge to help youngsters connect with chalk streams.
Two awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Trust were given to Di Mitchell, and John Ayres. John (below) has volunteered for the Trust for more than 40 years as a Local Area Volunteer of the Hart and Rushmoor Group and as a Volunteer Reserve Manager with the Northern Estates Reserves Team.
Di (above right), who has only just recently stepped down as a Volunteer Reserve Manager at Coulters Dean Nature Reserve, has for the past 30 years been a champion of the Trust supporting wildlife,
giving talks to the local community and keeping meticulous records of her wildlife sightings and work on the reserve. The Awards were presented by our President, Megan McCubbin. Megan said: “We are delighted to celebrate the champions of nature across our communities. Many people are doing remarkable work to help nature flourish and make Hampshire and Isle of Wight wilder and greener, but our winners have gone the extra mile with their passion, creativity and unstinting hard work.”
Expert speakers and panellists took to the stage to discuss rewilding, nature-based solutions, and the urgent restoration of rivers and seas. The first session was chaired by Jamie Marsh, Director of Nature Recovery, Wilder Wight & Wilder Seas, and focused on how we can reach our aim of 30% of land secured for nature’s recovery
by 2030 through rewilding, land use change and regenerative farming. Martin De Retuerto, Director of Nature Recovery, Wilder Hampshire, chaired the second session which dived into the challenge of creating wilder rivers and seas, how to tackle pollution in our waterways and the role of nature-based solutions.
Taking stock The Conference was an important opportunity for the Trust and some of our partner organisations to come together and discuss the progress that has been made, but also debate the critical issues that we face and the changes that are needed now if we are going to put nature in recovery by the end of the decade.
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Managing our woodlands
for future generations
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WOODLAND MANAGEMENT
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ur woodlands are incredible places full of diversity supporting a huge array of wildlife. Their benefits are vast, not only in terms of the nature they support but also the relationships we, as humans, have formed with them. Offering a wide range of ecosystem services, woodlands have provided – and continue to provide – vital functions which are integral to our lives. Woodlands provide a source of sustainable livelihoods producing timber, fuel and shelter. They help to regulate the climate and stabilise soils, preventing flooding and storing carbon. They are also the perfect place to explore, connect with nature, and support our health and wellbeing. Woodlands define the landscape and, whether ancient or young, provide homes for thousands of species of plants, animals and fungi. They are one of our most important natural assets and are vital for biodiversity and nature recovery. However, for our woodlands to flourish, they need appropriate management to ensure good health and resilience. By managing our woodlands sustainably, we are creating a varied and vibrant ecosystem, nurturing a habitat that is beneficial for both wildlife and people.
The woodlands we see today have been shaped by human history. We know that by the Iron age, humans had already reduced woodland cover by 50%. This downward trend continued and by the 20th century, we had reached an all-time low of 5% woodland cover in the UK. The 1950s was a turning point and heralded a conservation movement to protect woodland sites as nature reserves. Woodland now covers around 13% of the UK but this is still well below the European average of 37%. As part of climate change targets, the government is aiming to increase UK tree cover to 18% by 2050.
Woodland management Traditional ways of managing woodlands, such as coppicing (a system of periodically cutting a tree down to ground level to stimulate growth) have declined significantly as demand for wood for tools and crafts has fallen over recent decades. As a result, many woodlands have either been left unmanaged or managed solely for timber. This has led to structural changes within woodlands, a lack of trees at different stages of growth and a lack of opportunities for animals to thrive. Without some form of management, many of our woodlands will become dark, over-shaded and dominated by big mature trees without any variation in structure, age or cover. Woodland management now involves a mix of approaches. Often, this work is mimicking natural processes like wind and storm damage or grazing by large animals like bison that once called our landscapes home. The general approach is to create a species diverse woodland with an age structure that allows for succession, ensuring there are always trees to replace those that are lost. This involves a long term management view (up to 400 years) to ensure those aged veteran trees continue to flourish into the future. Under our new Wilder strategy, we are embracing rewilding approaches to conservation management and creating wilder woodlands. Where suitable, free roaming grazing by robust livestock will help mimic natural processes and create diversity and structure within the woodland systems. Creation of wood
Right: Cattle grazing at Hook Common and Bartley Heath Nature Reserve, which contains areas of heathland along with woodland. SARAH WESTON
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Left: Friends of Testwood volunteers with coppiced willow and birch from the banks of Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve. This was gratefully collected by Marwell Zoo for browse for the okapi and giraffe.
processes of fires and storms which open up expanses of woodland to sunlight, allowing ground flora to flourish, taller grassland areas to thrive, and fallen trees to rot down. Eventually, scrub takes over, saplings grow, and the woodland canopy closes up again. All of these areas provide unique habitats for an array of species. A ride is a linear trackway designed for access and may have several zones
including central tracks or pathways, taller grassland areas on either side, plus shrubs and bramble thicket which grades into taller woodland trees. Glades are openings within a woodland and can either be coppiced or left as grassland and scrub. Glades and rides link up to create wildlife corridors and we actively manage these areas in our woodlands.
CLARE BISHOP
The key to woodland management is the management of light. Even plants that are very good at surviving in deep shade still need to get their nutrients from the sunlight. Woodlands which are structurally diverse and have a wide range of micro-
habitats tend to have more biodiversity. Structural diversity means that there are, for example, trees of different ages but also different physical ‘layers’: leaf litter and soil, ground vegetation, understorey of saplings and shrubs, taller coppice and young trees, and then the woodland canopy. Micro-habitats include standing and lying deadwood, damp and shady areas, sunny, sheltered glades, scrub, ponds, standards (single stem trees or timber trees as they are sometimes known), veteran trees, pollards and coppice stools. Research indicates that many species prefer to live in the first 10 metres from a woodland edge, where there is more sunlight. Coppicing and creating rides and glades can enhance the biodiversity of a woodland by increasing the levels of light, rejuvenating individual trees and
pasture particularly on our rewilding sites will be a focus and utilising a range of grazing animals to produce a mosaic of niches for wildlife to thrive. Woodlands made up of similar sized and aged trees with little variation in tree species can only support a limited number of plant and animal species. By actively managing woodlands (and mimicking the natural processes that used to occur), through tree felling, coppicing, creating and cutting open areas, encouraging dead wood, and planting new trees, we are able to create light and shade, wetter and drier areas and ensure varied structure to the woodland, which will support a much greater range of woodland species. We are also protecting woodlands for the future, by allowing space for the next generation of trees to replace those that exist now and by making them resistant to diseases and pests that target individual tree species.
The importance of light
Coppicing is an ancient system of woodland technique that we still employ today. It can rejuvenate a tree and allow it to last for many years and provide further crops of timber or wood. Some of our oldest trees may be coppice stools rather than single stem trees (known as a ‘standard’). Both coppicing, and the creation of rides and glades, mimic natural 20
DAVID CARDINAL
Right: Cattle at Emer Bog and Baddesley Common Nature Reserve, which offers an incredible range of habitats including wet woodland.
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WOODLAND MANAGEMENT Left: Pine felling took place at Upper Inhams Copse this year. The aim is to restore the broadleaved character of the area in line with its SSSI designation.
Woodlife wildlife
GRAHAM DENNIS
allowing shorter vegetation and shrubs to grow, thus creating more structural diversity and micro-habitats leading up to the edge of the taller trees.
Importance of ivy Many people mistakenly believe that you need to reduce ivy in woodland. However, ivy is an important plant for wildlife. When ivy is in flower, it provides large amounts of nectar, and this is particularly important in early autumn when there are very few nectar sources. In winter, it provides a lot of cover for hibernating animals, and by February it provides a vital food source as birds will eat its berries.
“Without some form of management, many of our woodlands will become dark, over-shaded and dominated by tall, overcrowded trees without any variation in structure, age or cover.”
A natural solution to the climate crisis Our woodlands are a key tool for addressing climate change because of their carbon storage potential. The role of woodland in combatting climate change by storing carbon is only just beginning to be fully understood. UK woodlands are estimated to soak up around 21 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. That’s around a third of the carbon dioxide emitted by cars every year in the UK. And whilst our woodlands are often talked about for their carbon storing ability, what’s not always known is that whilst trees and other plants lock up carbon, nearly three times as much is stored in the woodland soils that support them. To provide any form of useful carbon storage, woodlands need to exist and be protected in the long term, not just in the present. We recognise this, and sustainable management that protects
and enhances our woodlands is the basis of our long-term vision in our woodland strategy. What this means is that the rate at which carbon is removed through tree felling is less than the rate at which it is stored in the trees, soils and other organic matter throughout the woodland. Any timber products coming out of the wood are potentially reducing or replacing the need for activities that use fossil fuels. Management can increase carbon storage in a woodland by reducing competition for large trees and allowing them to grow even larger. It also works by increasing organic activity in the soil and aiding the establishment of new trees. We believe woodlands not only contribute to tackling climate change now, but they will be around to do so over centuries to come.
Many species benefit from coppiced woodland, rides and glades. Dormice, red squirrels and other small mammals use the sprawling branches as pathways. Dragonflies forage for insects along woodland rides. Birds, such as nightingale and garden warbler, find ideal nesting and feeding in coppiced edges of rides, glades and dense scrub. Reptiles like to bask in the shorter, warmer grassland areas (with scrub and tall grassland for cover nearby). Butterflies and moths benefit from an increase in wildflowers and grasses, whilst bumblebees profit from a rise in nectar and pollen-rich plants. Bats also forage for insects along woodland rides although some species prefer a closed canopy and dense understorey.
Four woodlands to visit this winter Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve The mixture of woodland, lakes and meadows attracts a wide variety of birds and mammals. Discover gold-coloured birch trees and fungi erupting from the woodland floor.
Roydon Woods Nature Reserve Find an impressive patchwork of wildlife rich habitats, including grassy meadows and ancient copses of conifer and hazel. Listen for the eerie whistling of the sika stag, and lose yourself in the magic of this enchanting ancient woodland.
Chappetts Copse Nature Reserve Look down at the woodland floor in this ancient woodland, and notice the small wonders of the natural world, including rare plants and fungi, and a healthy population of dormice.
Pamber Forest Nature Reserve The forest is over 800 years old, and many of its oak trees have been standing for centuries. The reserve is home to crab apple and wild service trees, which are only found in ancient woods. Wild Life | Winter 2023
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WINTERING 7-SPOT LADYBIRDS © PREMAPHOTOS, NATUREPL.COM
Insects have an incredible trick for surviving the harsh weather of winter, as entomologist Dr Ross Piper reveals. 2 22
Magazine Wild Life |Name Winter | Summer 2023 2023
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uman ingenuity and technology have enabled us to thrive in every corner of the globe, from the chilly polar regions to the sweltering tropics and everywhere in between. Insects might lack our technology, but this hasn’t limited their own ability to colonise and thrive in just about every terrestrial and freshwater habitat there is. How are these animals able to survive extremes of temperature: the cold winters of temperate locations and periods of intense heat and drought? These six-legged marvels have evolved a number of ways of dealing with extremes, from waxy exoskeletons that minimise water loss to behaviours such as migration. However, they also have an ability that makes them more-or-less immune to the vagaries of the environment. It is known as diapause. This phenomenon is easily overlooked and is as remarkable as it is subtle; a
period of seeming calm and inactivity that belies extreme changes at the cellular level. In response to challenging environmental conditions, insects can stall their development, effectively pressing the pause button until conditions improve. The diapausing animal is still alive, but its cellular machinery shifts from cells dividing and organs developing to a state of ‘tick-over’ and maintenance. With that said, some diapausing insects may even remain active, but they feed less and their reproductive development will be slowed or halted. How does this differ from the hibernation we see in mammals? In hibernation, metabolism slows and body temperature drops, but in essence, it is a very deep sleep. In contrast, diapause is a much more extreme form of inactivity, as the life of an insect in this state is effectively ‘paused’. Wild Life | Winter 2023
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PRESSING PAUSE
Hide to survive In a deep state of diapause, the insect can’t respond to danger and flee from predators, but usually diapause takes place in the soil, behind flaking bark, deep within a plant stem or in some similar sheltered location, offering a degree of protection from these external threats. If you go out searching for insects in the depths of winter, it’s not difficult to find lots of examples of diapause. You might discover beetles, wasps and lots more besides under the bark of a dead tree, a whole community of diapausing species in a grassy tussock, or eggs and myriad larvae in the upper parts of the cold soil. Across the vast diversity of insect life, diapause is extremely common; however, for any given insect species the phenomenon only typically occurs in a single stage of the life cycle. Often, diapause happens in the immature stages of the life cycle – the eggs or the larvae – but it can also occur in the pupae as well as the adults. Take, for example, the peacock butterflies you might find in your garden shed in the depths of winter. These are in diapause and in really cold snaps you can even see ice on them. Shutting down for the colder months, the bodies of these diapausing butterflies will undergo
some radical changes, such as the production of anti-freeze chemicals and the shrinkage of their flight muscles, which will grow back to normal size as diapause comes to an end. How is this strange state triggered? It’s not as though a jaded insect suddenly decides one day that it needs a long rest. The actual triggers are environmental and rather subtle. In insects that need to survive the winter, it is falling temperatures and shorter day length that trigger the cellular changes needed for diapause. For example, blowfly maggots frantically feeding on a carcass in autumn will respond to the decreasing day length and falling temperatures by guzzling the decaying matter they need, before crawling out of the carcass and burrowing into the soil. Normally, the maggots would pupate straight away, but the physiological response to the shortening days and lower temperatures is stalled development, so the maggots don’t pupate until the following spring. The raft of changes that occur inside the body of the diapausing insect can include the production of compounds and proteins that protect delicate cellular structures from the ravages of extreme temperatures.
Dr Ross Piper is an entomologist, ecologist, author and presenter. His pursuit of insects, especially beetles, has taken him around the world.
ROOSTING PEACOCK BUTTERFLY © GARY K SMITH, NATUREPL.COM
In some insects, flight muscles get smaller at the onset of diapause and then increase in size again towards the end.
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PRESSING PAUSE
Biding their time With its life on pause, a diapausing insect is capable of some extremely impressive feats of survival. Take the large copper butterfly (which was once found in the UK but is now sadly extinct here); the caterpillars of this fenland species can handle being completely submerged in fresh or brackish water for 28 days with no impact on survival. They can go on for much longer too, at least 84 days, but beyond 28 days fewer of them make it through the ordeal. This underscores just how little metabolism is going on in the diapausing insect; it must be using a vanishingly small amount of oxygen to survive underwater for such a long period of time. Perhaps the most nefarious exhibition of diapause is in parasitoid wasps and flies. The female parasitoid will deposit her eggs, either singly or en masse, into or onto the unfortunate host. Depending on the species, the development of the eggs or young parasitoid larvae will be stalled until the host becomes acceptably plump and ripe for being devoured. As well as the normal triggers of diapause, these parasitoids may be able to pause their development by detecting levels of certain hormones in the host that indicate when development should be stalled and when it should be kickstarted. The active larva of the remarkable, albeit ghoulish small-headed flies seek out their host, a spider, and tunnel into its body, often through the leg joints. Once inside, the larva will make for the book lungs (the spider’s respiratory system) and there any further development will be halted, sometimes for many years, until the spider is sufficiently sized for the fly larva to grow and pupate. When the spider is pleasingly plump the larva jolts into action, swiftly consuming the innards of the doomed host. Sometimes, and adding insult to injury, the larva induces the host to spin a protective web that will shelter it during pupation. This ability to slow or halt development is one of the cornerstones in the success of the insects. It allows them to sit out extreme conditions, sometimes for very long periods, waiting for the better times to return.
wildlifetrusts.org/action-for-insects
A parasitoid wasp (Netelia vinulae) laid these eggs on a puss moth caterpillar. Development of the larvae within the eggs will be paused until after the host has spun a cocoon to pupate in.
Magazine Wild Name Life | Winter 2023
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EGGS ON A PUSS MOTH CATERPILLAR © ROSS PIPER
The UK’s insect populations have suffered drastic declines, with far-reaching consequences for wildlife and people. Find out how you can help reverse these declines at
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6 places to see
FROSTY OAK TREE © GUY EDWARDES/2020VISION
terrific trees
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rees are impressive at any time of year. They can live for centuries, the shape of their trunks and branches telling the story of their long lives. Some grow tall, others wide and sprawling, creating natural, living statues. Winter is a wonderful time to discover the UK’s old and unusual trees, as many have shed their leaves, revealing the unique shapes beneath. Here are six Wildlife Trust nature reserves where the trees have a story to tell. You can discover even more at www.wildlifetrusts.org/ancient-trees
Did you spot any tree-mendous trees? We’d love to know how your search went. Please send us your best photos by emailing webmarketing@hiwwt.org.uk or tweeting us @HantsIWWildlife
See the spectacle
for yourself
St Catherine’s Hill, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust The beech trees at the top of the hill have been a prominent feature of the landscape since they were planted in 1897. Beneath the trees are the remains of St Catherine’s Chapel, a 12th century chapel that was thought to have been destroyed as part of the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century. After excavations in the early 1900s, it was buried back over to protect it, and its layout and condition remain a mystery to this day. Where: Winchester, SO23 9PA 1
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Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copse, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
This splendid ancient woodland is home to red squirrels, dormice and a variety of bat species. Legend has it that the name Bloodstone came about after an ancient battle that turned the stones in the stream red with the blood of the fallen. In fact, it is an alga that turns the stones red. Where: Brading, Isle of Wight, PO33 4AU
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Moseley Bog, Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust
Moseley Bog is a gateway to Middle Earth. The gnarled old trees were a favourite of author JRR Tolkien, who lived nearby. They provided the inspiration for the old forests in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Where: Birmingham, B13 9JX
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Hethel Old Thorn, Norfolk Wildlife Trust
The Wildlife Trusts’ smallest nature reserve is just large enough to protect a single, very special tree. Hethel Old Thorn is thought to be one of the oldest hawthorns in England. Legend has it that the tree grew from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea. Where: Wymondham, NR14 8HE
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Cwm Byddog, Radnorshire Wildlife Trust
One of the top 20 ancient tree sites in Wales, with some trees thought to be up to 800 years old. One mighty oak has a girth of 6.3m, whilst there’s an alder with a 5m girth. With so many old trees, it’s also a great place to see lichens. Where: Powys, HR3 5SL
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Roydon Woods, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust
Be absorbed by the magic of this ancient woodland, which is home to copses of conifer and hazel. These woods are perfect for birders and wildlife enthusiasts, with a tranquillity and magnificence that will enchant even the most hardened city dweller. Where: Brockenhurst, SO42 7UF
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Saving water for wildlife
ILLUSTRATIONS BY HANNAH BAILEY, PHOTO © SARAH CUTTLE
We’ve all noticed the recent changes in weather patterns. More of us are experiencing drought more often, and can expect to more frequently in future. Winter is the perfect time to start preparing your garden for a parched spring and summer. Wildlife suffers in drought. Birds like robins and blackbirds struggle to find worms and grubs to feed their chicks when the soil dries up. What’s more, leaves shrivel, putting caterpillars and other grubs that eat them at risk, while flowers produce less nectar, which has a knock-on effect on pollinators. As gardeners, we should adapt to drier conditions by growing more drought-resilient plants, but we mustn’t neglect the wildlife that also uses our gardens. By topping up bird baths and ponds, using grey water to hydrate our plants and providing supplementary food when natural sources have (literally) dried up, we can make life easier for wildlife struggling to adjust to climate change. Our reliance on mains water should be at the heart of dealing with drought. Aim to use less tap water,
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which means saving more rainwater. Collecting water in winter to use in spring and summer will not only keep your garden growing and your wildlife thriving, but will also reduce pressure on reservoirs and rivers when it’s dry, and sewerage systems when it’s wet. When reservoirs dry up our rivers are drained as back-up but, conversely, heavy showers can result in sewage discharges into rivers and the sea. Everything is connected – simply by saving rainwater and using less mains water we can save local species, save entire river ecosystems, and still have attractive, species-rich gardens.
Kate Bradbury is passionate about wildlife-friendly gardening and the author of Wildlife Gardening for Everyone and Everything. Recently, she has provided advice for the Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature website.
Get more tips for growing in harmony with nature at www.mycoronationgarden.org
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GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE
Save water
Invest in water butts now to store up winter rain. Buy as many as you can afford and connect them to the downpipe of your house for maximum flow. (Councils may offer cheaper versions or you might find a bargain at your local tip.)
Make a rain garden
If budget allows, transform your space so that all rainwater soaks into the soil slowly, rather than going down the drain.
Use grey water
Keep a bucket in your shower, a washing up bowl in your kitchen sink, and syphon water from your bath to hydrate your garden. Use eco detergents to reduce the impact on soil health and use the water immediately so it doesn’t go bad.
Mulch the soil
Cover bare areas of earth with bark chippings, home-made compost, gravel or even plant material to lock in moisture, which will help plants grow.
Free Team Wilder gardening advice Gardens present a tremendous opportunity, alongside our efforts on our nature reserves, to provide space for wildlife to flourish and increase our connection to nature. For support on how to turn your personal oasis into a haven for wildlife, the Wilder Garden Champions are on hand to help. Book your free consultation now www.hiwwt.org.uk/requestgardening-consultation
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Create shade
Grow tall plants or trees, or let your hedge grow taller rather than cutting it back this winter. Plants in shade are less likely to scorch and the soil remains wetter.
Add a pond
Now’s a good time to dig a pond, which should fill naturally before spring. Ensure it has shallow margins and sloping sides, and consider running a pipe from your shed roof so it fills automatically when it rains.
Grow more plants
Cover every inch of space with plants, including climbers up walls and fences. The more plants you grow, the more humid your environment, the less dry the local atmosphere.
Grow drought-tolerant plants Replace thirsty plants like astrantia, astilbe and persicaria with drought-resilient plants like lavender and salvia, but don’t stop growing natives as many species rely on them.
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MY WILD LIFE “It’s amazing to work at a place where everyone has a shared passion for nature conservation.”
Carmen Perry Senior ecologist Carmen leads on a variety of survey and monitoring programmes on our reserves, rewilding sites and for external clients. Here, she explains how growing up in and around woodlands, in the New Forest, had a massive influence on her passion for wildlife and the outdoors.
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OUR WILDLIFE CHAMPIONS
I was always watching wildlife documentaries while growing up and my dad used to take me out birdwatching in the forest and local nature reserves. This certainly helped spark my interest in wildlife and led me to where I am now. Little did I know at the time that these activities would provide me with invaluable identification skills that are essential in my career. I joined the Trust in April 2018 after working in ecological consultancy for several years and realising that I’d had enough of working for developers and wanted a more rewarding job in conservation. At the Trust, I lead on a variety of survey and monitoring programmes. My main responsibilities are to carry out a range of ecological surveys and monitoring work including preliminary ecological appraisals, botanical, bat, bird, great crested newt, reptile, dormouse and invertebrate surveys. All of this feeds into ecological reports, action plans and management plans in order to help us provide advice on improving habitats for biodiversity. My work also involves liaising with organisations and companies to provide ecological advice and inspire them to enhance their grounds for biodiversity. While I love all wildlife, I’ve always been a birder and this is my main interest and what I have the most experience in. I also find insects fascinating and during university chose to look at the group Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets) as I wanted to learn something new and this was a group that I wasn’t familiar with. It was a great choice! Not only are they colourful, interesting and produce sounds, they are also really important in ecosystems and can be used as biological indicators of habitat management, which is what I studied for my dissertation. One of the best things about my job is being able to observe so many
“It’s rewarding to pass on skills and expertise to help others and share my love for wildlife.” rare and interesting species; there are multiple wildlife highlights to choose from including handling cute dormice, releasing white-clawed crayfish, unexpectedly finding a Clifden nonpareil in a moth trap and watching nightjars swirling around me in the forest. One of the biggest and most enjoyable projects I’ve worked on was recently leading the New Forest nightjar survey where I had to coordinate a team of over 65 staff and volunteer surveyors to head out on nights throughout the summer to record these elusive birds and gather important data on their status and distribution across the forest for the National Park. Woodlands are one of my favourite habitats particularly during the spring. I feel a real sense of excitement when all the trees are just starting to come into leaf and everything is so green and vibrant, also when birds are arriving from migration and wildflowers such as bluebells and wild garlic are coming into bloom. Then there’s the woodland bird song at this time of year; I love to hear the dawn chorus when I’m able to get up early enough.
EMMA HEALEY
I have lived in Hampshire for most of my life and grew up in the Waterside area on the eastern edge of the New Forest. I spent a lot of time outside as a child, playing in the garden as much as possible gathering a collection of snails, ants and tadpole pets as well as going on multiple trips to the forest and the coastline.
surveyors to gather accurate species lists and counts including detecting presence of more elusive species. It’s also a standardised and easily repeatable survey to allow for comparison over the years. We’ve also recently implemented the use of an app called Survey123 to collect survey data which makes our data collection more accurate and efficient. I particularly like the variety of my job, working with a range of different species and habitats all across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. While I went into the job to work with wildlife, it’s also been important to work with people as they are the ones that will be able to make the difference to allow nature to thrive. It’s really rewarding when landowners take on board our advice and implement measures we’ve suggested that are shown to have a visible improvement on biodiversity.
I have transferred Orthoptera survey skills and techniques learnt at university into my role and these surveys are now one of the main components of longterm monitoring programmes at the Trust. Due to really high numbers at our new rewilding sites this year, we’ve developed a sampling method using a box quadrat that our team designed and built based on my experience surveying Orthoptera for my dissertation. It then involves walking a transect across a field and placing the quadrat down at assigned locations and counting all Orthoptera within. The high sides prevent these insects from escaping, allowing Wild Life | Winter 2023
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Looking to treat the nature lover in your life? Then the gift of membership to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust could be the perfect present. Whether they enjoy the brilliance of birds, the marvel of marine life or the intrigue of insects, there is so much wildlife to discover all year round. The support from your gift will help protect wildlife and wild places, while bringing your loved one a year of unforgettable memories. The recipient of your gift membership will receive: ✱ A welcome pack to open for Christmas ✱ Our 200-page nature reserve guidebook ✱ Three issues per year of our member magazine Wild Life Family members also receive junior membership, including a pack to open for Christmas, with stickers, poster, and a brilliant handbook. Plus four Wildlife Watch magazines per year! MARK HAMBLIN / 2020VISION
Membership starts from £27 per year. Contact our membership team on 01489 774408 or visit
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