Early Birds Discover the warblers'song 21 - Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust
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Spring 2021
NEWS FROM YOUR LOCAL WILDLIFE TRUST AND FROM AROUND THE UK
Early
Birds
Discover the
warblers' song 21
>> What's in a Name?
Discover the secrets behind
scientific names 14
> Go Wild This Spring!
Get inspired to enjoy the
natural world 28
PROTECTING WILDLIFE FOR THE FUTURE
4 8 21
Welcome
© RUSSELL SAVORY
© PETER TATTON
©MARK HAMBLIN2020VISION
This year started with the wonderful
news that Mike Master, the Trust’s
Contents
Chairman, was awarded an MBE for his
services to wildlife and conservation
in the Queen’s New Year Honours.
4 Wild News
The latest news from Hertfordshire,
Mike has been playing an important Middlesex and further afield
role in creating a positive future for
wildlife by bringing the Trust to the attention of our MPs,
local politicians, local businesses and many more. Read 8 Keep Rivers Flowing
Why our rivers need your help
more about his involvement in our latest news on page 5.
10 Explore
Congratulations Mike!
Once again, I’d like to say a huge thank you to all our SEDGE WARBLER
members. Your response to our appeal last year and RIVER MIMRAM AT DAWN Discover Old Park Wood
28 12 Wild Community
further asks has been very overwhelming! In addition to
© JOSH KUBALE
your amazing generosity, we have been helped to meet
the challenges of 2020 by grant funding, in particular How your community is helping wildlife
from the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Emergency
14 Scientific Names
Fund. Thanks to this, we were able to adapt to the new
circumstances caused by the pandemic.
Explore the ins and outs of scientific names
Over the last year, I’ve heard from so many people about
19 Go Wild Online
the importance of their daily connection with nature and
that has certainly resonated with me. The most common
question I hear is “but what can I do for wildlife?” and the Find the right online event for you
good news is that everyone can do something to help.
Naturally, your membership is already making a great
difference because it enables us to continue to work hard 21 The Early Bird
Listen up to what warbles in spring
to make Hertfordshire and Middlesex a little bit wilder
24 Blue Butterflies
every day. Volunteering with the Trust is another great
support and hopefully, it won’t be too long before our
usual full programme of activities can resume. Closer to Explore the wild places home to
home, if you have space, select nectar-rich plants for your blue butterflies
garden and you’ll be rewarded with butterflies, bees and
hoverflies making regular visits, or a bird box might result
in the delightful sight of young blue tits fledging. 28 Wild Spring
Find out how to enjoy wildlife in spring
Standing up for wildlife remains at the heart of what the
Trust does and you can make a difference by contacting WATER VOLE BLUEBELLS
your own MP. With the delay to the Environment Bill, we
are pushing for this time to be used to strengthen the
legislation; take a look at our website to find out more.
At a more local level, I’m pleased to say that some of our
local authorities have adopted our model policies in their
Get in touch
Local Plans, ensuring that any implications for wildlife will info@hmwt.org Design: TGDH www.tgdh.co.uk 4 ways to get involved More info
online
be fully considered, and we continue to work with those 01727 858 901 Printed on FSC © Certified Stock
who aren’t there yet. hertswildlifetrust. org.uk
Grebe House,
All rights reserved. No part
may be reproduced without
Volunteer Shop Discover
wildlife
Whatever you can do, every action for wildlife you written permission from the Could you donate your skills and time to help look Our online shop stocks a range of wildlife items and
St Michael’s Street, after wildlife? You can find all open positions at gifts. All proceeds go towards our work.
take, they all add up and together you’re making St Albans, Herts AL3 4SN editor. The publishers do not
hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/volunteering hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/shop
the difference! necessarily identify with or Donate
Registered Charity No: 239863 hold themselves responsible
Thank you! Membership Alan Cotterell for the views expressed by
contributors,correspondents Donate Campaign Join an
and Pip Barattini event
07919 575 380 or advertisers. If you can spare a few pounds, please consider Stand up for wildlife and take Action for Insects at
membership@hmwt.org donating to help protect wildlife on your doorstep at wildlifetrusts.org/take-action-insects
hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/donate Do
Cover: Sedge Warbler
© Chris Gomersall/2020VISION
2 wildlifematters Spring 2021 Spring 2021 wildlifematters 3
NEWS
WILD NEWS
Trust welcomes
new colleagues
Water voles to Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust welcomes new
© TERRY WHITTAKER 2020VISION
return to the ver faces and says goodbye to old colleagues.
ITAKER
In the recent months, we said farewell to some of our longest
Endangered water voles will
WH
standing members of the team. Rob Hopkins, Assistant Reserves
be reintroduced to the River
JO
Officer, Martin Ketcher, Non-Native Invasive Species & Water Vole
Ver this year after a 30-year Conservation Officer and Laura Baker, Nature Reserves Manager,
absence. who are off on new adventures; we wish them all the very best.
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust Matt Clark has succeeded Rob Hopkins as Assistant Reserves
Officer after completing his Reserves Traineeship with the
in collaboration with the Ver Valley
Trust. At the same time, we have welcomed Jo Whitaker who
Society and local river owners have
has joined the Trust as the new People & Wildlife Officer for
announced plans to reintroduce ARK
Panshanger Park (read on to find out more). MATTH EW CL
water voles to the Ver Valley north
of St Albans. Around 150 water voles
will be reintroduced to this stretch Thank you
of the Ver as part of an ambitious The project is kindly
funded by the Debs
programme to expand the territory
of the animals in Hertfordshire.
The habitat in that stretch of river
Foundation and the
Lynda Foundation. Panshanger park set for a wilder future
provides the perfect conditions Panshanger Park will become a wilder place with a new community engagement and
for water voles – dense bankside WATER VOLE volunteering programme, thanks to a new partnership between Herts and Middlesex Wildlife
vegetation and clean water – but Trust and Tarmac.
sadly water voles have not been seen the 1950s, water vole populations our help now – but it’s not too late
to bring them back from the brink, Jo Whitaker, the new Panshanger Park People and Wildlife will highlight and protect its varied wildlife, rich history
here since 1987. have decreased nationally by
Officer, is now based at the park, and will be helping visitors and stunning landscape.
over 90%. as this and other projects in the
Water voles, typically found in healthy discover more about the park’s wildlife and habitats. As well
area prove.” Find out more about Panshanger Park at
chalk rivers, are under serious threat Tim Hill, the Trust’s Conservation as supporting the existing team of dedicated volunteers
hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/panshangerpark
from habitat loss – the majority of Manager, says: “This is a major You can find more in the nature reserve, Jo will be working to develop a new
England’s rivers are polluted and of breakthrough for wildlife in the information and updates at programme of volunteering activities including conservation,
poor ecological quality – and predation Ver Valley. Water voles are Britain’s hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/ monitoring and interpretation across the park.
© JENNIFER GILBERT
by non-native American mink. Since fastest-declining mammal and need verwatervoles. Jo’s role is funded by Tarmac and employed by Herts and
Middlesex Wildlife Trust. The new project builds on the
Trust’s previous work with Tarmac at the park and will
include volunteering, community engagement and nature
reserve management at Panshanger Park for the next
Trust chairman receives MBE five years.
Stuart Wykes, director of Land and Natural Resources for
Mike Master, Chairman of Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, has Tarmac said:
received an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours for his services to
“We are really pleased to welcome Jo to the team at
wildlife and conservation. Panshanger Park, as we continue our long-term partnership
Mike Master has been volunteering on important for our health and wellbeing with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. As the park grows in
the Trust’s Board of Trustees since 2007, and we should all do what we can to popularity, Jo’s role will help our visitors learn about the
becoming Chairman in 2009. He was protect it.” park’s history and wildlife and provide many opportunities for
instrumental in the Trust’s purchase of people to get involved in helping us protect and manage the
Lesley Davies, the Trust’s Chief Executive,
Amwell Nature Reserve in the Lee Valley park.”
says: “We are overjoyed and proud that
in 2006 and his contribution has been Mike has been awarded an MBE for his Panshanger Park is owned and managed by Tarmac who
vital in establishing Herts and Middlesex services to wildlife and conservation in are working in partnership with Herts and Middlesex
Wildlife Trust as the leading voice for Hertfordshire and Middlesex. A well- Wildlife Trust and Herts County Council to open up the
wildlife in Hertfordshire and Middlesex. deserved reward for his dedication which historic landscape to the public. The partnership is working
will hopefully raise more awareness for in consultation with a range of stakeholders to create
Mike Master said the award came “out
our wildlife.” a financially-sustainable, exemplar country park which OSPREY LAKE AT PANSHANGER PARK
of the blue” and that he was delighted to
MIKE MASTER
have received it. He said: “Wildlife is so Congratulations, Mike!
4 wildlifematters Spring 2021 Spring 2021 wildlifematters 5
NEWS
WILD NEWS UK UPDATE
UK HIGHLIGHTS
Minke whales are seen regularly
Wildlife Trusts welcome new president 2
off our coasts each summer
Discover how
The Wildlife Trusts 1
Broadcaster and biologist, Liz Bonnin are helping
has been elected as president of The
wildlife across 3
Wildlife Trusts. Liz will be championing
The Wildlife Trusts’ new 30 by 30 vision the UK
to protect 30% of land and sea for nature
by 2030. Liz says, “It is a critical time 1 A dam good job
for the natural world, and I hope that Ulster Wildlife are using coconut
through lending my voice and support, fibre logs to create dams on Cuilcagh
and by working together, we can help to Mountain, re-wetting and restoring
enforce the changes that must take place large areas of peatland. The boggy
UK UPDATE
in order to secure a brighter future for areas created will capture and store
Sightings up during
our wild places.” carbon, helping combat the climate
Alongside Liz Bonnin’s appointment, crisis, and provide a better habitat for
The Wildlife Trusts have also welcomed wildlife. This work, done in conjunction
seaside staycation surge
biologist and Springwatch presenter with local farmers, is part of a project
LIZ BONNIN © ANDREW CROWLEY; BUFF-TAILED BUMBLEBEE © CHRIS GOMERSALL/2020VISION; BROWN TROUT © LINDA PITKIN/2020VISION
Gillian Burke as vice president, as well as to restore 16 hectares of degraded
four new ambassadors: environmentalist podcaster, David Oakes; and professor peatland on Cuilcagh.
and birder, Mya-Rose Craig; actor and of biology and bumblebee expert,
Our 2020 Marine Review presenter, Cel Spellman; actor and Dave Goulson.
2 Shark sanctuaries
Scottish Wildlife Trust welcomed the
T
designation of a new suite of protected
HUMPBACK WHALE TAILFIN © GUDKOV ANDREY/SHUTTERSTOCK; BREACHING MINKE WHALE © TOM McDONNELL
he Wildlife Trusts’ Living Seas 100 Trust Shoresearch surveys. These areas in Scottish seas. Four new Marine
teams are the eyes and ears of vital surveys help map and monitor the Protected Areas will help safeguard
the UK coast, but this year their wildlife around our coasts, and the lack species like basking sharks and minke
observations were joined by a of data as a result of their cancellation whales, alongside 12 new Special
surge in sightings from the public, as more could make it harder to assess the health Protection Areas created to benefit
people spent time around our coasts. of many of these plants and animals. Scotland’s iconic seabirds. It is essential
n More than 30 bottlenose In this bumper year for sightings, Wildlife Trusts were also unable to run now that these areas are backed by
dolphins were seen ‘partying’ highlights included the first orcas in many of their beach cleaning projects, effective management measures.
off the Teeside coast Strangford Lough, Ulster, since the 1970s, though they were superceded by the
and a rare ‘run’ of Atlantic bluefin tuna hugely increased efforts of individuals
n Large numbers of Atlantic
up the English Channel from Cornwall to and smaller groups during 2020. Cornwall
blue-fin tuna recorded along
England’s south coast Sussex. These impressive fish can weigh Wildlife Trust, for example, reported
hundreds of kilograms and were sometimes that those people living within walking
n Baby Risso’s dolphin joined by porpoises, minke whales and distance of beaches still carried on Neonicotinoids are
photographed off the coast dolphins in a huge feeding frenzy. cleaning right through the lockdown. a threat to bees and
of Anglesey, North Wales Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts’ Working to clean up our marine other pollinators
director of living seas, says: “In 2020 environment is essential, with marine
n Humpback whale filmed off people flocked to the sea as soon as wildlife in greater peril than ever from
Yorkshire coast, which has
lockdown restrictions were lifted — plastic, nurdles, litter, discarded fishing Bad news for bees 3 River restoration
become a hotspot for
they needed the coast like never before. gear and now disposable Covid masks too. The Government has agreed to The neonicotinoid will be applied by Surrey Wildlife Trust are working
whale-watching
Wildlife Trusts around the country were Better news for wildlife included authorise the use of the highly “seed-dressing”, which results in only with a wide range of partners to
reporting a surge of public interest in the successful reintroduction of sand damaging neonicotinoid thiamethoxam 5% of the pesticide going into the crop. restore the natural course of the
marine life and coastal species — people lizards to Fylde sand dunes, Lancashire, for the treatment of sugar beet seed The rest accumulates in the soil, from Rye Brook, near Ashtead, helping to
delighted in seeing marine life and it making it the most northerly population in 2021. The Wildlife Trusts strongly where it can be absorbed by the roots of encourage brown trout upstream
lifted the hearts of millions in this most in England, and the discovery of a oppose this decision. In 2018, the UK wildflowers and hedgerow plants, or can and capture flood waters. Riverbanks
difficult year.” previously un-recorded seagrass bed off Government supported restrictions on leach into rivers and streams. were reprofiled and natural bends
It wasn’t all good news for wildlife Northern Ireland’s Ards Peninsula. the neonicotinoid pesticides across the and meanders were added, as well as
however. Although more people were Read the full marine review, with European Union due to the very clear To find out more, take a look at our Wild a large riverside pond, to create more
spotting sea life, the restrictions of 2020 many more amazing stories from around harm that they were causing to bees LIVE episode on the use of neonicotinoids habitat for wildlife, including spawning
meant a lot of scientific monitoring work our coasts, at and other wildlife. wildlifetrusts.org/wild-live areas for brown trout.
had to be cancelled, including more than wildlifetrusts.org/marine-review-20
6 wildlifematters Spring 2021 Spring 2021 wildlifematters 7
© TERRY WHITTAKER
Here’s how you can help:
SAVE WATER, SAVE WILDLIFE!
Keep Rivers Action Annual Saving
Flowing
Take quick, non-power showers
27,000
instead of baths
Install a hippo/save a flush in your
5,000
toilet cistern
WATER VOLE
Add flow limiters on your taps 15,200
such as the one we’ve seen from 2016
As the summer sun warms the air, you sit by the edge of the cool chalk river. Huge trout motor in the to 2019, combined with unsustainable
current ahead of you as the mighty river dashes white and blue. The dark green water weed flails Fix dripping taps 5,500
groundwater abstraction are having
pendulously to a healthy, rippling flow; its minute yellow and white flowers settled above the surface devastating impacts on wildlife and so we
dance side to side and seem adorned with bouncing jewels, as damselflies, demoiselles and caddisflies continue to pull apart the web of life that
Install a water butt in the garden
rest on the tiny stalks. binds our wetland flora and fauna.
and use rain water to water the 1,000
Possibly the most worrying thing is garden or wash your car
Glancing downstream, some small being food for an immense diversity of and agricultural water supply, as well
children gently swing their nets in an aquatic insects. Birds, bats and fish eat as changing weather patterns bringing how young people will be assessing
attempt to catch a delicately veined these insects and provide food for other variations of extremely low rainfall the situation. Having grown-up near a Cut the lawn longer to hold more
sluggish, wildlife-depleted wetland today, 6,750
alderfly, as dozens more dart loosely predators – larger fish, kingfishers, herons, and flooding. moisture and avoid watering it
around them. No more than two metres otters. All the while, water voles, one of we can’t expect them to remember the
from you, amongst the fragrant water our river’s herbivores – teetering on the These factors and others are causing diverse, shining, life-filled environment
mint and floating grasses, a sudden rustle edge of county extinction – consume the rivers like the Colne, Lee and many of that once was. Rare chalk rivers and Use a watering can instead of
their tributaries to dry up. Even after wet their iconic British wildlife are being lost, 22,500
as something dives. You pivot round, varied plants growing on the bank side, a hose
but it’s only another water vole. You see their feeding habits and burrows creating winters like the one we’ve just had, even both literally and from the memories of
them all the time. It’s just another normal optimal conditions for other species. after flood events have washed wildlife our children.
morning by the chalk river. away, groundwater will soon drop once Collect tap water while waiting for
However, these precious habitats are at more and the rivers’ ecosystems will Whilst we can’t make it rain, we can all do 3,600
it to warm
For many of Hertfordshire’s chalk rivers, a risk of extinction themselves. One reason feel the effects. If our winters continue something to help: reduce the amount of
globally rare habitat, this is a scene from for this is a reduction in groundwater to be mostly dry, the aquifer won’t water we use and use it more efficiently.
In Hertfordshire, our average water use is Another way to help you save water is to install a water meter and monitor
yesteryear. Memories of healthy chalk levels as a result of water abstraction be able to recharge to feed our chalk
one of the highest in the UK – 158 litres per your use and to identify the water footprints of the products you consume
rivers abounding with wildlife are being from the aquifer to provide our household rivers. Prolonged dry weather periods,
person per day; around 20 litres greater and reconsider your consumption of those.
eroded away quickly and at risk of being
forgotten. Josh Kalms, People & Wildlife than the national average and enough to
fill an entire water butt to overflowing.
© TIM HILL
Officer at the Trust, delves into the secrets Download the app: ‘Get Water Fit’ or visit getwaterfit.co.uk
of our chalk rivers and what we can do to Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the
Environment Agency, predicts that in to calculate your own water use and receive these free water
help them. saving devices, plus step-by-step advice on reducing your
20-25 years, there is a real chance that we
These rivers are fed by groundwater. will not have enough water for ourselves, own consumption to save money and wildlife
Filtered through chalk, the water emerges let alone our chalk streams, if we do not
- cool and crystal clear - as springs at the act now.
top of our valleys where groundwater
levels are sufficiently high. Chalk rivers
are rare – southern England has 90% of The Keep River’s Flowing is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Colne Valley – A Landscape on the Edge, in
a global total of 180. They can be diverse partnership with Affinity Water and Groundwork South. Josh Kalms is the People & Wildlife Officer for the Trust’s nature reserves
and productive ecosystems brimming that are owned by Affinity Water.
with wildlife, the mineral-rich water home
DRIED UP RIVER MIMRAM Find out more about this project at colnevalleypark.org.uk/keeping-the-rivers-flowing
to a range of specialist plants, in turn
8 wildlifematters Spring 2021 Spring 2021 wildlifematters 9
EXPLORE
Royston
2. Long Deans A1
Baldock
Why now?
© CLARE GRAY
It’s the perfect place to discover the first signs of spring. Letchworth
Know before you go Hitchin
Location: HP3 8BS, Hemel Hempstead Buntingford
Open: Open and free at all times
M1
Wildlife to spot Stevenage
Kestrel, cowslip, song thrush, brimstone butterfly Luton
B
The lowdown LONG DEANS S
Visiting Long Deans at this time of year is like taking the
first deep breath in spring after a long winter. The open Welwyn
space in this valley invites you to meander and take in the Garden Ware
scent of a new season. Early butterflies, such as orange- City Hertford
tip and brimstone and bees such as white-tailed queen
bumble bees can be seen swirling around the wildflowers.
Lift your gaze up and you might spot magnificent raptors, Hemel Hoddesdon
St Albans
such as buzzards and red kites wheeling and displaying Hempstead
on the thermals created by the early warmth of the
spring sunshine. M25
The flower-rich grassland is scattered with impressive
veteran trees which provide a home for fungi, Watford Barnet
invertebrates, birds and bats.
Find out more at hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/
longdeans
Harrow
OLD PARK WOOD
TA Uxbridge
WN
A ND M1
YO OLL
1. Old Park Wood
WL © H
MARGARET
Just behind Harefield Hospital, on the edge of a bustling city, a tranquil refuge is tucked
3. Danemead The lowdown
M25
A wood pasture wander
Why now? at this time of year is a
away. Old Park Wood is a hidden gem and rich with wildlife. This nature reserve is a joy to Spring birdsong symphony for the senses.
visit throughout the year, however, it offers a particularly stunning sight in spring, when Know before you go
Beautiful bird song
fills the air – can you
the woodland floor is transformed into a sea of colours. Location: EN11 8GG, near Hoddesdon hear the high-pitched
Open: Open and free at all times twitter of a goldcrest, the
Spectacular blooms of bluebells, yellow archangel, lesser manoeuvrability and mottled reddish-brown plumage. It might country’s smallest bird’s
celandine, wood anemone and coralroot bittercress, the latter be a challenge to spot them, their camouflage perfectly blending Wildlife to spot
or the melodic scratchy
being a rarity in both the UK and Hertfordshire, create a in with the trees, but listen out for the distinctive “twit-twoo” Tree creeper, blackcap, opposite-leaved golden saxifrage
song of blackcap or, if you're
rainbow of purple, yellow, white and more. call. This call is actually a combination of a pair of owls, the GO ES
lucky, maybe a fluting call LDC RI DG
female calling “twit” and the male replying with “twoo”. of a bullfinch from the dense REST © JO HN B
Old Park Wood is an ancient woodland, thought to have been
© CHARLOTTE HUSSEY
continuously wooded since Saxon times. At the boundary of the You might also hear the rhythmic drumming of a male great scrubby edges.
woods, you may see a shallow ditch, flanked by a series of large spotted woodpecker, marking his territory and attempting to In spring, look out for the diminutive opposite-leaved golden
stumps - the remnants of hornbeams whose stems would have attract a mate. saxifrage in damp areas along the Spital Brook. This beautiful
been cut and ‘layered’ down to form a natural fence to hold oak-hornbeam woodland is surrounded by rich history – the
Know before you go
livestock such as pigs, fattened up on acorns in a system known site is bounded by Ermine Street, a major Roman road that
as pannage. Ancient woodlands are those known to have been Location: UB9 6UX, near Harefield Hospital
Open: Open and free at all times ran from London to Lincoln and York. The Hertfordshire Way,
present by 1650 and are an irreplaceable wild link to our past, a 195-mile long-distance circular trail through the whole of
hosting a unique biodiversity. Hertfordshire, passes through here.
Find out more at hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/
The wood is the ideal habitat for tawny owls which are perfectly oldparkwood
adapted to these dense woodlands, having short wings for great Find out more at hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/
danemead
DANEMEAD
Please visit our nature reserves responsibly and in line with Government guidance. For more information about how we work
during Coronavirus restrictions, please visit hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/coronavirus.
10 wildlifematters Spring 2021 Spring 2021 wildlifematters 11
WILD COMMUNITY
© JOSH KUBALE
Datchworth
Climate Group’s
veggie swap for
wildlife
Datchworth Climate Group have been helping their local
community reduce their carbon footprint by selling and
swapping locally grown, organic fruit and vegetables at
their monthly village stall. Last November, they decided
to do even more for local wildlife by donating all the
Thank you
money raised from the veggie swap to the Trust – raising suspended. These wild places have Thank you for all your work in
over £200 for wildlife. Thank you!
Sophia’s bee-autiful been vital for so many people in
supporting their wellbeing during
maintaining these wonderful oases”.
art to help save
You are amazing. Our work would “I am so grateful for being able to get
simply not be possible without you, these difficult times. out into the fresh air, the daily walks
our incredible members. Despite what Many people in our local community appreciating the changing seasons,
our bees has been a tough time over the past
year for everyone, together we have
have got in touch to share what these
wild places have meant for them over
and now being able to get out into the
wider countryside.”
Last year, eight-year old Sophia set herself a challenge to been able to continue to protect local the past year… “Nature and our beautiful countryside
do something positive for her local community by raising wildlife and inspire people about the have helped us stay positive during this
money to help our bees and pollinators. “Oughtonhead is on our doorstep and
natural world. pandemic.”
is a very special place for us. We feel
Sophia created an incredible ‘bee board’ which she Thanks to your support, we were really lucky to be able to walk there “Walking in the woods has been a
displayed outside her home to educate her neighbours able to help thousands of people every day.’’ lifesaver during lockdown, watching
about bees, and installed a pond, bug hotels and bird stay wild, learn about and enjoy local “Have so enjoyed the beauty of the changing seasons and the changes
feeders in her own garden. Not only this, but Sophia wildlife with our online Wild at Home in the woods. Thank you.”
also created and sold wonderful drawings, hand- your reserves local to us through the
activities and events and inspire a new lockdown period. Thank you.’”
painted cork coasters and bee-friendly flowers to raise All of this is made possible because of
generation of wildlife lovers.
an incredible £115 for the Trust. Sophia’s drawings were “During lockdown, my wife and I have your support – thank you.
proudly displayed in her neighbours’ windows inspiring You have also ensured that our got a lot of pleasure from our frequent If you would like to share your stories
the local community (and even some people abroad!) nature reserves and wild places have walks in Balls Wood and Hobby of how your local wild places have
to get involved to help bees. Determined to do even continued to be protected and cared Horse Wood. helped you, please get in touch with
more, Sophia and her family took on the Chess Valley for, despite many of our fundraising
Hannah at fundraising@hmwt.org
Challenge and raised a further £100 for the Trust. Sophia and volunteering activities being
has been an inspiration to us all, with her hard work
helping to protect our wildflower meadows – a vital food
source for our bees so that they can continue to thrive.
Thank you, Sophia! Local businesses protecting wildlife
If you would like to help local wildlife and raise
funds for the Trust, please get in touch with
DATCHWORTH GROUP Hannah at fundraising@hmwt.org.
Fitch Group
Fitch Group has been helping its employees around the world support their favourite charities. In recognition of their
In remembrance
hard work and commitment during 2020, Fitch gifted each employee with funds to donate to causes close to their hearts.
Tom Speller, a Fitch employee in its London office and dedicated member of the Trust, kindly selected us to receive a £100
donation to help us continue protecting the local wildlife that he loves. Our thanks to both Tom and Fitch Group for their
We are extremely grateful to our member David Mattingly for kindly leaving a gift to the Trust in his will. His support in this wonderful support.
special way will make a lasting contribution to our work for wildlife.
Our thanks and sincerest condolences to the friends and families of long-standing member David Murrell and Mr Wilson for
kindly donating to the Trust in their memory. These donations help us ensure the wildlife that their loved ones cherished is
protected for years to come. If you would like to talk about how your company or employer can support the Trust, please get in touch with
Hannah at fundraising@hmwt.org
12 wildlifematters Spring 2021 Spring 2021 wildlifematters 13
How scientific
© JAMIE HALL
© PHILIP PRECEY
names originate
Scientific names are often used to
describe characteristics. For example,
if an animal is common (or regularly
found) it will often have the species name
“communis” or “vulgaris”. Anything with
“variegata” means dappled or speckled.
“annularis” means spotted. Those words
derive from Greek and Latin.
The surprising simplicity Sometimes a scientific name will feature a
person’s name, or eponym. It is considered
rather bad form in the scientific
of scientific names
community to name a species that you
have discovered after yourself, however
species are more often named after other
people in order to recognise and honour
GRASS SNAKE NATRIX HELVETICA them. This means that sometimes, a
history of the organism’s discovery or its
circumstances can be gathered from its
Dicranopalpus ramosus? Streptopelia decaocto? Charcharadon charcharias? Vulpes Vulpes? scientific name.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of scientific names, you’re not alone. As you might expect, many are named
after great scientists. The tiger shark
Dave Willis, People and Wildlife Officer, tells us about the method to the madness. is Galeaocerdo cuvier, after the French
Understanding the scientific names of water bodies in the spring and summer, Linneaus as he eventually called himself. anatomist, Baron Georges Cuvier. Similarly,
plants and animals can seem daunting: is a good example of how confusing From Sweden, Linneaus was writing famous biologists Richard Owen and
multiple long words which at first common names can be. Across its range it and working at a very important point Charles Darwin are honoured. Sir David
glance can appear unpronounceable and is, or has been, known as grass snake (UK), in history. Competing imperial powers Attenborough has twelve species named
incomprehensible. However, once you barred snake (UK), Couleuvre á collier were bringing specimens back to Europe, after him! Others honour close family or
know how they work, what they mean (France), Ringelnatter (Germany) and notably France and Great Britain, and friends, particularly if they inspired the
and why they are important, they can biscia dal collare (Italy). However, it has these were being formally examined by scientist in their love of natural history.
make much more sense. the same scientific name, Natrix natrix, what we would recognise as scientists. Some names describe more surprising
or, after recent revision, Natrix helvetica, characters, such as Atelopus farci, a toad
Commonly known as “Latin names”, the The scientific name positions the
across western Europe and Britain. species that was named after the rebel
words used actually come from a range of organism in relation to all other living
languages. They are crucial in helping us At the same time, South Africa’s grass things via the Linnaean system. This group FARC whose activities deterred SMOOTH NEWT LISSOTRITON VULGARIS
to understand the classification and inter- snake – Psammophis mossambicus – is detailed web of evolutionary connections deforestation in an area of Colombia,
relationships of all living organisms. This completely unrelated to our own. between all life on Earth classifies all which eventually led to protecting the
It is often assumed that discovering a new Often, the first named or most common
is because they are universally agreed as living things into Kingdom, Phylum, Class, animal’s habitat and preventing its
Organising living organisms into some species means travelling to remote areas species in a genus often has the same
a system – whilst common names can Order, Family, Genus and Species – or, if likely loss.
sort of framework that would recognise to find obscure and unseen animals or genus name as its species name, showing
vary in different languages, scientific you prefer a helpful memory hook for this plants. Whilst this is the case sometimes, it to be the first example. The wren
their connectedness and identity
© TIM H ILL
names are like one world language, sequence, ‘Katy, Please Come Over For more often than not discoveries are made (Troglodytes troglodytes) is named after
was formalised by scientists in the
universally understood. Granny’s Scones’. In the case of our grass from museum collections or among the Greek word "troglodytes" (trogle =
seventeenth century - Thomas Artedi and,
snake, it would go as follows: animals that are already known. hole, and dyein = to creep) meaning ‘cave
The grass snake, found in and around our more famously, Carl von Linne, or Carolus
dweller, from its habit of building nests in
In the same way, it can be discovered
holes. In some cases, the organism may
that animals which were believed to
have the same scientific and common
be distinct species are in fact the same.
names, such as boa constrictor, whose
Katy Please Come Over For Granny’s Scones Nowadays, this is often established
scientific name is Boa constrictor.
using DNA but can also be realised
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species through morphological (body shape) All scientific names are given by serious
characteristics. and professional scientists. Well,
Animalia Chordata Reptilia Squamata Colubridae Natrix Natrix sometimes their sense of humour gets
Dinosaur names are among the most
= animals = animals = reptiles = scaled = a family of = Old World Helvetica the better of them and we end up with a
famous scientific names – which child
with a flexible reptiles snakes snakes = Grass snake beetle genus Gelae (pronounced a bit like
doesn’t know Triceratops (three horned
rod supporting “jelly”) which includes the species Gelae
face), Iguanodon and Stegosaurus?
their dorsal or bean, Gelae fish, Gelae belae.
Interestingly, Tyrannosaurus rex is
back sides probably the most famous species that
ODYTES
ODYTES TROGL
WREN TROGL doesn’t have a common name at all.
14 wildlifematters Spring 2021 Spring 2021 wildlifematters 15
Spring2021
2021 MEMBERSHIP SURVEY
© NEIL ALDRIDGE
We would love to know a little more about you,
what you think of us and your views on our work.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey
either online or by post.
Online
Visit hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/membersurvey or scan the QR code.
Post
Fill in this form and return it to Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, Grebe
House, St Michael's Street, St Albans, AL3 4SN.
We will let you know the results of the survey in a future issue of
Wildlife Matters. All responses are anonymous. Thank you!
Your Membership 3) What were your reasons for joining
Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust?
HOOPOE UPUPU EPOPS 1) What type of membership do you have? Please tick your top 3 reasons for joining
the Trust
Individual
Our favourite Sarah Perry, Living Rivers Officer: “Urtica dioica – because it
‘urts ya!”(Stinging nettle) Joint
To help support local wildlife
scientific names
To help care for nature reserves and wild places
Lesley Davies, Chief Executive: “It’s an occasional visitor Family
to these shores, I like the hoopoe aka Upupa epops. Just To support the Trust to protect wildlife through
makes me smile.” Life the local planning system
Most nature enthusiasts and
For information about visiting local nature reserves
conservationists will have their favourite Ian Carle, Nature Reserves Manager: “Mine is Anthoxanthum
2) How long have you been a member of
odoratum (sweet vernal grass) because I think the first part To learn about the wildlife in my local area
scientific names, even if they don’t like to of the name sounds like a great name for a series of heavy Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust?
admit it. Here are a few of our colleagues’ metal albums - always makes me chuckle… ”
1 year or less
For ideas and advice about what I/we can do
to help wildlife e.g. wildlife gardening
scientific names of choice: In fact, Ian goes on to explain “‘odoratum’ means sweet
smelling in Latin, which is a great description as this grass 2-5 years To be part of a national movement campaigning
Alex Waechter, Records Centre Manager: “Fraxinus excelsior!
gives new mown hay its sweet smell. If that wasn’t enough, for wildlife
Because it sounds like a Star Trek ship name.” (European Ash) 6-10 years
the first part of its name ‘Anthoxanthum’ is actually derived To attend walks, talks and events
Matt Dodds, Planning & Biodiversity Manager: from two Greek words, anthos meaning flower and xanthos More than 10 years
“Chrysosplenium oppositifolium… just say it” (opposite- meaning yellow, alluding to the yellow spikelets produced by Other, please state
leaved golden-saxifrage) this grass when it flowers.”
Tim Hill, Conservation Manager: “Sylvia borin – garden So, there you have it – there’s a lot in a name. Not only do
warbler - its plumage is plain brown/grey and about as these names act as time capsules, classifiers and guides, they
© TOM MARSH
borin’ as it gets! Acknowledging, of course, that beauty is can also be poetry and quips. They advance science and add
in the eye of the beholder… and it more than makes up for an extra dimension to our enjoyment and understanding of
it with the loveliest song.” the natural world. 4) Would you recommend becoming a
Dive deeper into the curious world of scientific supporter of the Trust to a friend?
Emma Norrington, Head of Fundraising & Communications:
ALL
“Mink are called Neovision vision! An 80’s synth
naming and join us at the online event Please Circle
“Scientific Naming for Beginners” on 25 March.
band – surely?” Yes / No / Maybe
More on page 19.
Continued overleaf
H EDGEHOG
16 wildlifematters Spring 2021 Spring 2021 wildlifematters 17
Go Wild
© STEVE KENNY
Trust Publications and
Events
Communications
| BIRDS EYE ST
5)
On a scale of 1-5, where 1 is ‘never’ and ‘5’
is very often, how often do you use the
following to get news and information
Our online event programme If you can’t make the time of the live event, you can still register
UDIOS
from the Trust?
in advance to receive a recording afterwards to watch in your
Wildlife Matters RVE
continues to be diverse and hugely own time.
NATURE RESE
KI NG'S MEADS popular. Online events are a great alternative
E-news Booking is essential for all our events so don’t delay and
to get closer to nature and learn about book your place today. Visit hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/
Social media wildlife from the comfort of your home. events for full listings and booking.
Website
Wildlife in Hertfordshire
The programme covers a wide range of nature-related topics.
and Middlesex You can watch the talk on your PC, Mac, laptop, mobile phone
We would like to give everyone the chance to learn more
about our fascinating wildlife. Please support this with
6)
On a scale of 1 – 5, where 1 is “not at all” and or tablet; no software download is required. a donation if you can when booking your place.
9) What do you feel is the greatest threat
5 is “every time”, please rank these article
to wildlife in our area?
subjects on how often you read them. WREN
Climate change Friday 19 March | 2pm – 3pm Tuesday 30 March | 2pm – 3.30pm Wednesday 5 May | 7pm – 8.30pm
News and updates about the Trust
© ANDY ROUSE 2020VISION
National news about the Wildlife Trusts
Building development Helping Hertfordshire’s Swifts Learn to Sketch Red Kites Summer Tree Identification
ONLINE ONLINE ONLINE
Intensive agriculture Swifts spend nearly their whole life in Settle down with your sketch pad and Do you know your beech from your
Species identification
the air - they eat, sleep, drink, bathe and pencil and accompany us for an online birch? Learn how to use the various keys,
Habitat loss
Gardening for wildlife even mate on the wing. But, like many tutorial on beginning to observe and guides and identifying marks to aid you
Large infrastructure projects (Such as HS2) other species, they have suffered a tragic sketch birds in flight. Local artist Martin in identifying Hertfordshire’s trees in
Trust nature reserves loss of habitat and nest sites. Learn Gibbons will show you how to start field their summer state.
Other (please state) what work is being done in Hertford and sketching birds, going through the basics Suitable for all ages.
Seasonal wildlife and where to see it further afield to help them to breed and of shape, form, depth and adding detail.
Presenter: Andy Holtham, Volunteer
thrive in Hertfordshire. By the end of the session, you will have
Practical activities to do at home
10) What more could Herts and Middlesex Suitable for adults. sketched a magnificent red kite!
Fundraising updates Wildlife Trust do to support individuals Aimed at adults, but suitable for children
©JON HAWKIGRAPHY
Presenter: Jenny Rawson, Senior Reserves
H ILLS PHOTO
and groups to take their own local action Officer drawing alongside adults.
for wildlife? Presenter: Martin Gibbons, Volunteer
7)
Are there any subjects that you’d like to
© TIM HILL
see in Wildlife Matters that we are not
NS SURREY
currently covering?
© TIM HILL
SWIFTS
RED KITE BEECH
Thursday 25 March | 7pm – 8pm
Scientific Naming for Beginners Wednesday 1 April | 6pm – 7.30pm “Impressed with the software used -
ONLINE
More guidance and practical advice on our website we enjoyed the chat interaction, the
Have you ever wondered why everything Bird Song for Beginners multiple-choice questions and the
has two names – the common one ONLINE
ore local activities to help groups plan and deliver
M activity downloads!”
we usually use in everyday life, and a Join us for an enjoyable discussion
8)
To reduce our carbon footprint, and help their own wildlife projects
scientific one usually made up of two (or about the most common birds you are “REALLY great session - thank you
to save costs, we could create an electronic more) words you don’t recognise? If you likely to hear from your back garden or so much for putting it on. My 4-year
ownloadable resources for different groups – at
D
version of Wildlife Matters. If this were would like to get a grip on how and why local walk. Learn to identify the birds by old loved it and dashed straight into
home, schools, community groups, businesses.
available, would you be interested in receiving scientific names work, join us to discover their song and revel in the dawn chorus. the garden to look for snakes in the
it as an alternative to a printed version? roviding more regular updates on our work
P the simple rules that are used to name There will be plenty of opportunities to compost heap!“
through social media animals and plants. ask questions!
Please Circle “Very well organised and knowledgeable
Suitable for adults. Suitable for all ages. delivery and presentation.”
Yes / No / Maybe Other (please state) Presenter: Rob Hopkins, Volunteer
Presenter: Dave Willis, People and
Wildlife Officer
18 wildlifematters Spring 2021 Spring 2021 wildlifematters 19
Spring2021WILD THOUGHTS
The Early
© MARK HAMBLIN2020VISION
Gillian Burke
Bird…
Spring has sprung and with You will, of course, hear a range of birds
sing in a dawn chorus, such as robins,
@gillians_voice it the first hesitant voices tits or blackbirds, but this article focuses
are starting to fill the air. on the lesser known warblers, a group of
birds in the bird family of Sylviidae.
Not long until a full-blown
symphony of birdsong No special skills are required to enjoy the
dawn chorus – just close your eyes and
heralds a new day. Senior
Together Reserves Officer Jenny
lose yourself in the concert – but being
able to distinguish the different tunes
and identify the individual
Rawson tells us what to
for nature listen out for – and when.
birds can increase your
enjoyment and give you
a sense of achievement
Even if you are no early riser, you might
It was the best little hide! A Viewed with this lens it is hard, therefore, too. If you’re used to
WILDER IS HEALTHIER want to set your alarm early in spring.
hibiscus bush with the perfect to believe that there is still the need to identifying birds from
Just before the morning sunlight fills the
little-girl-sized hollow, where I debate diversity in the conservation and their looks rather than
Research published air, the dawn chorus begins with male
environmental sector but clearly we do. From their voice, bring your
would spend whole mornings, by The Wildlife Trusts birds calling out to mark their territories
binoculars. As the sun
watching butterflies and jewel-like sunbirds senior leadership roles to volunteer positions, in 2019 showed that and to encourage prospective mates.
starts rising, you might
flitting and darting nervously from flower just 0.6% are from black, mixed and other children experience It is thought that bird song at dawn is
get a glimpse of the
to flower. I had no access to field guides ethnic groups. This is a famously quoted profound and diverse more effective than at mid-day because
songsters.
and no idea what the birds were called. To figure and one that likely extends to under- benefits through regular the sound carries further in the still air,
be perfectly honest, it didn’t really matter representation from white working class contact with nature. meaning that more females will hear it.
because I was quite content with just backgrounds as well. It’s essential that all The earliest risers will be up and singing
watching and occasionally trying to draw One thing that we can all agree on is that children (and adults too) from 4am. Where to go
what I saw in a little notebook. This was my we have the fight of our lives right now in have the opportunity Spring is known as being a time of new Good sites to listen to warblers are
Kenya in the late seventies. No internet, no meeting the twin challenges of the climate to experience nature in life. It is also a key time for migration those with dense thorny habitats,
clubs, no daytime telly, no distractions — just and ecological crisis. As 2020 is set to go their daily lives, but 42% when birds arrive in the UK to breed. If this could be your local park or
the world outside to explore and discover. down in history as ‘one hell of a year’, there of people from minority you are new to birdsong, spring is a good woodland. To find some of the more
With time and freedom on my side, I got to is a precious opportunity to set a course for ethnic backgrounds time to learn, as the arrival of our spring specialist species, such as reed and
know the many moods of the natural world. a truly 21st century mind-set. If we are ever live in the most green- migrant birds is staggered. This is a great sedge warbler you will need to visit
Beautiful flowers hid thorns, lush green grass really going to walk the walk and actually do space deprived areas, way to learn each new species one by one. your local wetland site.
hid snakes, the same wondrous sun, that things differently, we are going to need the compared to just 15% of
*England’s green space gap, Friends of the Earth
gently warmed up the day, would birth violent full power of diverse voices and perspectives white people*. We need
afternoon storms that, in turn, gave way to the to forge resilience and adaptability at least 30% of land to
cooling sweet smell of the earth. I loved it all. All in a fresh, new system that serves be restored for nature,
this gave me a profound sense, even as a little everyone and everything, and helping wildlife recover
girl, that everything in nature had its place. exploits nothing and no one. and bringing nature into
My younger self had yet to learn that this everyone’s daily lives.
ILLUSTRATION: C. IZUNDU
is what biologists call diversity — the single
word that describes the infinite possibilities, The Wildlife Trusts are committed to putting
expressions and connections of life on earth. equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of Gillian Burke is a biologist
From a biologist’s perspective, all this variety our movement. Find out more: and wildlife presenter and
is not just the spice of life, it is the source of has recently become vice
wildlifetrusts.org/wild-about-inclusion
nature’s resilience and adaptability. president of The Wildlife Trusts.
SEDGE WARBLER AT DAWN
20 wildlifematters Spring 2021 Spring 2021 wildlifematters 21Who's singing when? Have a listen to some birds to prepare your own dawn
chorus outing at hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/dawnchorus
HAFF © TIM HIL
I FFC L
CH
1. One of the first warblers 2. The blackcap, 3. If you visit a local wetland with reed and sedge beds, 4. One bird you need a bit of luck to see is the
you hear in spring is a true P © AMY LEW arriving shortly after listen out for the explosive sound of the sedge warbler. willow warbler. They have become less common in
sentinel of warmer times. KCA
LAC IS the chiffchaff, is a scrub Their scratchy song Hertfordshire but are
B
Their tune is simple enough, dweller and you are is sung from low in well worth discovering,
ARBLER © TIM ARBLER © T
they keep chanting their more likely to hear than GEW the vegetation but, as OWW IM as they have a lovely
D HIL ILL HI
own name – chiffchaff see them in the thick SE they move into spring W descending song. About
L
LL
chiffchaff chiffchaff. If you undergrowth. Blackcaps and want to attract a the same size as a
Ch iff ch a ff can spot the chiffchaff can be identified by mate, they will launch chiffchaff, they can be
perched high in the treetops, their rather scratchy up in song crescendos difficult to tell apart
look closely with your but melodic call, not
Blackcap
as a display flight. If by their looks, but you
binoculars and you might be dissimilar to blackbird you do get a glimpse, will be able to tell the
able to spot so-called ‘pollen horns’ where the feathers song. The males have a look out for a light difference when you
around their beaks are full of pollen from their feasting black ‘cap’ and females Sedge Warble low W a r b le r hear it!
on goat willow flowers after their long migration from have a brown ‘cap’. r eye stripe, known as a
W il
‘supercilium’.
Africa to spend the summer in the UK.
1
2
3
4
March April May
5
6
7
8
HROAT © TIM H
5. Just like the sedge warbler, the reed warbler OPPE
R WARBLER © A
MY 6. One of our most distinctive HI
TET ILL 7. A more common 8. Contrary to its name, the garden warbler doesn’t
SH W warbler that you might normally inhabit our gardens but is a bird of woodlands.
skulks low in the vegetation and can be challenging warblers can be found on
LE
AS
hear but rarely see is the Those birds have mostly grey plumage with no
W
to distinguish. However, our wetland reserves in
GR
IS
in contrast to the sedge Hertfordshire, including Rye whitethroat. As scrub distinctive features – unfairly,
RBLER © TIM warbler, the song of the Meads, Thorley Wash and dwellers, they nest ER © their Latin name is Sylvia
WA RBL PAU
ED
HI
LL safely away from the WA LT
H borin. Luckily, looks are not
RE reed warbler is croaky King’s Meads. The grasshopper DE
N R
and continuous – they threat of predators but, everything and garden
r warbler really lives up to
US
b le
R
r W a r Whitethroat
GA
Grasshop p e compared to blackcaps, warblers make up for their
H
sound like they don’t its name – its strange song
pause for breath at sounds like the stridulations whitethroats will often “boring” look with a lovely
all. This isn’t true, of of grasshoppers – the buzzing sing from the top of bubbling song. This shows
course, as birds are sound they make by rubbing their bush, proudly many similarities to their
able to sing whilst their legs against their wings. proclaiming their relative, the blackcap, and
they breathe, alternating They like to sing from a low perch and have the amazing territory. You can tell them from their russet brown back Garden War can even confuse the most
Reed Warble their song with short ability to throw their song over large distances, which and bright white throat. In contrast to the common bler knowledgeable birdwatchers
r deep inhalations and makes them notoriously difficult to see – but fascinating whitethroat, the lesser whitethroat has a rattling song each spring until they get
expirations. to hear nevertheless. and a pale white throat, with a slate grey head. their ear in!
22 wildlifematters Spring 2021 Spring 2021 wildlifematters 235 places to see
blue butterflies
See the spectacle
for yourself
Aldbury Nowers
This stunning chalk grassland is a haven for butterflies,
including the small and chalkhill blue.
Where: HP23 5QW, near Tring
Balls Wood
The wide sunny rides of this tranquil woodland
are awash with a variety of butterflies in summer.
Look out for common blues and brown argus.
Where: SG13 7PW, Hertford Heath
Hexton Chalk Pit
This unique reserve, an old chalk pit with wildflower-rich
grassland is home to a large colony of chalkhill blue butterflies.
Where: SG5 3JP, Hexton
Frogmore Meadows
This nature reserve is a home to beautiful wildflowers
which provide an important food source for bees and
butterflies, including common blue.
Where: WD3 6ER, near Rickmansworth
Fir and Pond Woods
This diverse nature reserve features woodland, meadow
and wetland habitats that are rich in invertebrates,
including common blue and brown argus.
Where: EN6 4DG, Potters Bar
T
he blue butterflies are some of our most dazzling and Did you discover any butterflies ?
endearing insects; winged gems that come alive in the When spotting butterflies, please be sure to follow
COMMON BLUE © GUY EDWARDES/2020VISION
spring or summer sunlight and dance from flower to flower. Government guidance on social distancing and stay local.
They shimmer in shades of blue and silver, although a few And remember to share your best photos with us!
of the UK’s nine resident species are misleadingly brown. Some of
these butterflies are now only found in the few places their favoured @HMWTBadger
habitat remains. Many of these areas are now nature reserves,
protected by The Wildlife Trusts. Some, however, can be seen more
Hertswildlifetrust
widely: common blues emerge around May and fly over many
grasslands, including road verges, and holly blues appear around
Hertswildlifetrust
April to flutter through parks and gardens. Your best chance of
spotting butterflies is on a calm, sunny day.
Common blue butterflies are found on
wildflower meadows across the UK
24 wildlifematters Spring 2021 Spring 2021 wildlifematters 25You can also read
