Coventry Telegraph - Wild Thing Blog

Highland Wild Fling

2008-06-03T07:43:36Z

The Irwin family took a wild holiday to Glenigan on the North West Coast of Scotland just a ferry trip away from the Isle Of Skye.
This time I'm handing over to Katie Irwin (14) on work placement here this week - to share her experience.
Over to you Katie....

We set off about eight aclock at night, it took us nearly a whole twevle hours to get there! We got to see a beautiful view when the sun started to rise on the Highlands, there were deer,running around on the sides of the roads, and lots of wildlife coming to life, all the early morning birds chriping, everywhere we look was beauty, if we looked up we would see montains as high, some even higher than the clouds! We finally arrived there at 6 -7 oclock.The Irwin family stayed up and explored the area that we were staying in, it was a lovely little cottage, it had sheep even in the back garden! and even when you were sat down inside if you looked out the window was the most stunning view.
We travelled down the road to the ferry, that we took across to the isle of skye,on the mini ferry you could get out and walk around, we could see the seals diving in and out the water,it was really something to see, when we got on the island we went to the otter santurary, there were lots of streams,running down the mountain, we drank the fresh water from them, it was rather refreshing :).We then carried on to a look out hut, unfortuanatly we did'nt not see any otters, but we did see lots of wild life and more seals! We then took the most windy wind road ever, it was the most scary breath taking view,when i looked down it was the most highest i've ever been, the road had no barriers on the side, you could'nt see the other side of the hills that we had to go over,it was the most scariest car-ride i have ever been on! When we got to the town we went to the reptiles centre, the man there was very helpful, he gave us a tour round the little centre and at the end he let us hold a snake,bonus.
We slept like logs that night!
The next day we went back across the ferry, across the windy windy road, and by the end of the day we had drove all the way around the isle of skye,which was bigger than i fought,but i could'nt complain with the views we got too see! We stopped off at a big beautiful waterfall, which lead into the sea, we also stopped off at a beach were Dad found a little fossil. On the way back from our journey we went to Loch Ness, we went into the town of Loch Ness and went to the highland wildlife centre, there were lots of big 'macs' there, thats what tom calls sheep! And it was a nice wall along a river with Old remians around the little park.. Then we of course bought Nessie T-shirts and carried on our way back towards home. The views that we did'nt see because it was night on the way there, We got too see them all in the light as we came back, it was a lovely trip and i'd recommend anyone to try it.

Great Tits fledge

2008-05-29T07:28:16Z

I've never seen such an industrious pair of dedicated parents up close like my experience of the Great Tits choosing to nest in my garden

The nest box has been sited quite low in the boughs of my willow tree which is fenced off for the summer as a rabbit run for Babbit the rabbit whose hutch is against the fence under the tree.
Every morning , evening and weekend the parent birds were taking turns to go in and out of the nest box laden with beaks full of flies for the hungry youngsters
I wondered how each one knew when the coast was clear to go back in - there was definately not enough room in there for both of them!
The chicks have been very vocal in their anticipation of their next meal bur this morning all was quiet.
I watched and waited - but there was no sight nor sound from the nest box and the family has left. I hoped that I would witness it - but it was not to be. I still feel priviledged to have been chosen by the birds for their starter home site and I'll keep the bird table stocked and hope they return.

The Birds & Bees (and Bats!)

2008-05-12T11:05:44Z

What a joy it's been this weekend with the glorious weather. We've taken two trips up to Brandon Marsh and really enjoyed them both.

On Saturday morning, Steve and I with little Tom took an early morning trip up to Brandon Marsh for a walk and it was alive with bird song and mini beasts. We go there regularly as Wild life Trust members and have got to know the pathways quite well - chosing a favoured route each time we go. On Saturday , we were treated especially, thanks to a couple of wild life reserve volunteers, to a pair of woodpeckers nest guarding. Apparently, the male woodpecker wasn't around much and the female kept returning to this hole at the top of what looked like a dead tree to keep an eye on her eggs. The slightest movement in the surrounding trees summoned her back for another check while Mr woodpecker could be heard pecking away in the distance. The reserve guys were armed with the lastest photographic kit and were virtually camped there for a week or two until the young were hatched.
This pair of woodpeckers have been using this tree for a few years with the evidence of other holes in the same tree from previous seasons. We chatted quietly about the other wildlife sightings around the reserve including grass snakes, lesser spotted woodpeckers and badgers vowing to return over the weekend for a 'bat watch'..

Great Tit nesting

2008-04-16T07:56:24Z

We put a bird box up on the willow tree in our garden and a Great Tit is buiding a nest in it

Kate and James had made the bird box at a country park event during half term and Steve put it up on our willow tree in the garden. I've been watching this Great Tit bobbing in and out of the branches and it (I say 'it' coz I don't know if it's male , female or if there are two of them) has decided to build a nest in there. I feel really priviledged!
We've been keeping the bird table full - it's a great way of recycling. Our garden birds feast on all sorts from pizza crusts to toast and crumpets and breakfast cereal is a real favourite. In fact, supermarket own brand cereal and museli is a cheaper way of keeping your bird table full mixed in with bird seed.
I've also hung up a old tin watering can in the apple tree in the romantic hope that a robin may choose to nest there.
I'll keep you posted on the progress of the feathered families.

Any newts out there?

2008-04-16T07:27:01Z

Well our quest to find evidence of geat crested newts at Wyken Slough was a real adventure at the weekend. Steve managed sink into a pond over his wellies but he carried on squelching and I carried on giggling.

We dropped Tom off at Nanny's house and off we went to Wyken slough around the back of Aldermans Green or Wood End dependent on the direction. The weather was glorious early Saturday morning and it reminded me of when we used to walk over to the slough when we were kids - there used to be an ice cream van there in the summer. Now it's an official nature reserve and I couldn't believe how big the area was.
We walked to the main water area from Aldermans Green industrial estate and our first encounter was a load of rubbish, dumped by the water's edge. My first thoughts were of regret at not having brought some bin bags to clear some of the mess - but we'll do that next time.
Anyway on going along, we came across a load of frog spawn bobbing among the reeds and our spirits were lifted.We photographed it, noted the location, air temperature and wind conditions and carried on around the edge. Further along is a track which led to a big marshy area - is this where we'd find evidence of the presence of the Great Crested Newt?
Steve stepped in to take a closer look as they lay their eggs on leaves which they curl over and ended up sinking up to his thighs and I was curled up giggling. We continued our search further up the path and were met by an angler who described a giant newt (you know 'that big') in a pond further along. We returned to the pond in the early evening with Tom (nearly two) in tow and gently trawled it with a big landing net but the treasure was not to be found.
We'll take some advice from the Warks Amphibian and Reptile Team on our next steps - and although this was our first very amateur attempt at pond surveying - it was great to be out in the in fresh air at a really beautiful location right on our doorstep.Let us know of any GCN sightings.

Wild Events & Activities in Warwickshire

2008-04-10T09:35:59Z

Calling all groups who are wild about all things wild. We want you to recruit volunteers, share your experiences and let us all know what's going on by posting your wild life and conservation events on this blog
So I'll kick off by waving a 'walking and working' ST GEORGE'S DAY flag...

On Sunday 27th April 2008 Warwickshire Wildlife Trust invites you to join in with one of our guided walks, or their work party at Kenilworth Common Local Nature Reserve.

At 10.00 am:

Take a guided walk around Rough Hill SSSI Nature Reserve in the company of Harry Ratcliffe, one of the warden team, and enjoy this lovely old woodland just as it's beginning to sport its Spring finery.

Please meet at the car park off The Slough (the A448) at grid reference SP 052637.

Cost £2 per person

At 10.30 am:

Join volunteer warden John Hancock for this guided walk around Harbury Spoilbank SSSI Nature Reserve. This wonderful grassland nature reserve is home to six species of orchid and twenty different butterfly species.

Please meet at the entrance off the B4452 Harbury to Depper's Bridge Road at SP 384598.

Cost £2 per person

or why not join a WORK PARTY?

At 10.00 am:

• Join volunteer wardens Howard and Serena Eccles at Kenilworth Common Local Nature Reserve, an area of wonderfully diverse woodland for a practical management session. Meet at the railway bridge on Common Lane, at grid reference SP299732.

This event is free and full training will be given.

For each event, all you need to bring is appropriate weatherproof clothing and strong footwear.

Eddie Asbery, Reserves Woodland Project Officer at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust says, "We can't promise that there will be dragons to slay or beautiful maidens to be rescued, but we can guarantee that, whichever activity you join in with, you will have an excellent time, and will feel refreshed and ready for the new week. The guided walks give you the choice of either a woodland or a grassland, both bursting with life, to explore, but if you feel like a more energetic day, then the Kenilworth Common Work Party could be just what you are looking for. In any case, all the events give opportunities for enjoyable, healthy exercise, working out those muscles in the fresh air. See you there?"

Call 024 76308999 for more details or visit the WWT website and don't forget to post your experience on the blog

In search of newts

2008-04-10T08:49:52Z

We've made a bit of a resolution this year - now that our little Tom is coming up to two years old and can stay with Nanny or Aunty Loz - that we are going to 'do our bit' for the Wildlife Trust and do some volunteering. Steve and I went along to a listed event at Brandon Marsh Nature Centre to learn about surveying amphibians in Warwickshire. So this weekend, armed with our new found knowledge, an identification guide and certificate as an accredited agent, we are going newt & frog hunting at our local pond.
Haven't times changed? - when I was a kid, I kept newts in a giant pickled onion jar - now they are a protected species , not to be handled.
I'll let you know how we get on, but in the meantime, visit the WWT or WART website (listed in the 'we read' panel), get some details and get involved. Share your volunteering experiences with us in the blog.

Monster on the loose

2008-04-07T08:35:24Z

We had a bit of a fright yesterday afternoon when we spotted Bosky's door open in our hallway. Bosky is a 3 foot long Bosc monitor lizard - and she'd manage to escape in the house!

Thankfully she hadn't gone too far - she's not that quick and Steve found her behind the kitchen plinth - tongue flicking and bright eyed.

He grabbed hold of her and whisked her up to the bath where she had a swim for half an hour while we cleaned out her viv.

Not the first escapee we've had at home over recent years - but this one at least was found quickly.
Two years ago - while I was on maternity maternity leave, I put Monty (another giant Bosc monitor) into a kids plastic paddling pool in the garden on a sunny day in July - but he escaped while my I was feeding little Tom - and despite the whole neighbourhood (and their dogs) trying to track him down - he was never seen again.

I know Monty had a good summer, the back fields were teaming with crickets and it was end to end sunshine, but I doubt he survived the harsh winter.
Then there was Lucifer - a devil of a gecko - with yellow eyes and warty skin - who escaped in our house for 18 months - up the back of the kitchen units, following the pipes under the bathroom floorboards - only to appear a couple of weeks back on the bathroom wall just as I was about to have a shower!
All the lizards are safely back in their vivs this morning - but let me know if you spot Monty out there!

Cammy the Chameleon

2008-04-02T07:53:25Z

Reptiles make great pets - honest! No white hairs on your clothes or carpets - no smell (providing you keep their vivariums nice and clean) and they can be real characters!
Anyone coming to the Irwin House may think they've stepped into 'club tropicana' - the chirruping sound of crickets that (unfortunately for them) are the staple diet of three of the lizards we keep.

Let me introduce you to Cammy - the Chameleon, He really does change change colour, dependant on the mood he's in. He responds with a cocktail of sky blue, greens and yellow when the kids sing 'Cammy Cammy Cammy Cammy Cammy the Chameleon' to him - which Steve and I must have started coz they're too young to remember Boy George'.
He lives proudly in a vivarium in our living room which also provides us with a soft green light in the evenings courtesy of his bulb. Feeding time at the 'Irwin Zoo' in Coventry is always a spectacle and Cammy - right on cue will eye up his fresh batch of crickets - with each eye on two different victims at opposite ends of his viv - and on making his selection will shoot out a tougue almost as long as his body - sucker the cricket into his jaws then munch on it satisfyingly. Who needs David Attenborough anyway ? Although I will say that the whole family camped silently to watch the fabulous 'Life in Cold Blood' series recently.

Blanket of Bluebells

2008-03-27T08:19:46Z

At last - don't you just love this time of year? There is no image more beautiful than the Warwickshire countryside about to yield it's spring time burst of colour.

Daffodils are dancing in the sharp winds, first green leaves are popping on barren branches - but in a couple of weeks time is the greatest springtime spectacle of them all - a carpet of bluebells in the Warwickshire woodlands.

carefully, Bluebells are protected. We can not dig them up, pick them or damage them and they're very sensitive to being trodden on.

Thank heavens for that - for a shimmering sea of bluebells in full flower is a sight to behold and shouldn't be spoiled.

We have the perfect traditional habitat for bluebells in Warwickshire - they love moisture laden, still air and just a little shade and thrive in old woodlands and hedgerows. But you may be surprised to know that they are also found on cliff shorelines if the climate permits.
In Warwickshire, the bluebells are in leaf and in around two weeks time will be in flower - so get your warm clothes on, wrap up the little ones and keep your dog on a lead and take a trip to Ryton Woods, Tocil Wood (Grid ref SP304754) or Wappenbury Wood (SP382708). Don't forget your camera!
PS Wappenbury Wood is closed on Wednesday and Saturday and you need to paek on Burnthurst Lane off the A423. For more details contact Warwickshire Wildlife Trust on (024) 7630 2912.