Nature Notes
Time for change…. Seasons come and go and as environmental and weather conditions shift, certain species emerge while others disappear.
The departure of swallows is always a sign that summer is coming to a close as they prepare for their epic 6000 mile trip down through France, Spain and Morocco to the warmer winter climes of southern Africa. Devon also welcomes thousands of passage waders and overwintering wildfowl including sandpipers, snipes and egrets. Sheltered coastal wetlands and mudflats like Slapton Ley are vital pitstops for these birds on long migration trails, with some coming from Arctic breeding grounds as far as Russia and Scandinavia whilst heading for a warmer winter in Africa.
Left:Sandpiper migration Space Invaders
Environmental changes bring new species especially in our waters where temperatures are rising. Octopus blooms continue to disrupt marine ecosystems locally and those familiar flashes of silver shoals of mackerel are now a rare sight. Other invasive coastal invaders include seaweeds such as Wireweed, Wakame and Carpet Seasquirt (affectionately known as sea vomit) which smothers marine
life forming massive dense mats whilst clogging aquaculture equipment and boat hulls. It’s vital to monitor these species which overpower and disrupt our own local ecosystems competing for light, space, oxygen and nutrients. For more info and to report sightings of non-native species visit Devon Invasive Species Initiative.
Devonnlp.org.uk
But it’s not all bad news… The Two Moors Pine Marten Project have recently
reported that pine martens are now back and officially thriving on Dartmoor after a 150-year absence.
Devonwildlifetrust.co.uk
The small but mighty Mediterranean Oil Beetle has been found this year at 2 new sites at Coleton Barton and Little Dartmouth. It was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 2012 and this confirms the area as a national hotspot for the species.
The Black-veined White Butterfly is an iconic, stunning butterfly which once found across southern England became extinct in the 1920s. As
conditions in this area are considered to be highly suitable Ambios are leading a project to reintroduce this species in the area.
ambios.net
Sources:
Devonwildlifetrust.co.uk.
buglife.org.uk.
southdevon-nl.org.uk Devonnlp.org.uk.
mcsuk.org.
nhm.ac.uk
Arachnids assemble Prepare for the indoor invasion in September when it’s prime mating season for spiders in the UK. Most of the ones you see indoors at this time will be males running around looking for a mate. But don’t forget spiders are the sign of a healthy environment and they certainly have their benefits killing and consuming many household pests
including clothes moths,
houseflies and fleas.
© geograph-2357899-by-Derek-Harper
© geograph-1971523-by-sylvia-duckworth
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