... Are Swifts and other Hirundines really native? And of course when will bee eaters become native? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-65910074  
Anyway here's another story more local to me you might find interesting for Sunday morning.
https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/23588628.plans-advance-new-honey-bee-centre-north-dorset/ 

Interesting, Nick!!! What makes a native species? Come to that, what constitutes a species? Speak to a professional taxonomist and they will probably say "What we taxonomists agree is a species - until we know more." 😁 Advances in the understanding of DNA has markedly improved on earlier ideas based on morphological comparisons, distribution and ability to interbreed to produce fertile offspring. An added source of confusion is the convention over naming species correctly [based on the original identification] and the horrible relentless drive to "improve" common names! Consequently every autumn I have the reeducate myself on current fungus nomenclature as all my books will be annoyingly full of obsolete synonyms! 😱

As far as Hirudines and Swifts are concerned an obvious question is: Where is a migratory animal "native"? Where they breed? Or where they spend most of their time? Given that the environmental/ecological change produces changes in habitat, we can expect to see species' boundaries change. The tragic conflicts surrounding human migration and boundaries are a stark example of this biological process in action.

WRT Beekeeping "Centres" - I have a personal aversion to an overplayed centre-based interpretation of something that is best delivered in a practical way by a knowledgeable person. I know the zeitgeist is for real and virtual snappy interpretation, but as Robert Henlein's saying goes: "A university is a log with a student sitting at one end and the teacher at the other." Honey farms and centres are great - but only as the Icing on the Cake!

 

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Today marked the appearance of dragonflies - at least four of them (black and yellow), zipping this way and that around the back garden. I note the usual midge-like insects are reduced in number, can't think why...

(Back in the 80s and 90s at least half the houses in my road had ponds in their back gardens. Now there are only two of us left with them, and the chap over the road has fancy fish in his. Mine's nowhere near that elegant, indeed some would call it an overgrown mess, but I've seen dragonflies for the past four years - so they at least like it!)

 

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Our garden badger...
https://twitter.com/i/status/1671431971258486785 


 

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Some ancient and astounding natural history...
Mammal and dinosaur found ‘locked in mortal combat’ from 125m years ago
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/mammal-dinosaur-found-locked-mortal-150000384.html 


 

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Interesting Roger which reminds me of this story since it’s connected to volcanoes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66226417 
which of course leads on to this. Living on top of a time bomb is not my idea of bliss. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210730-the-enigma-of-europes-largest-active-volcano 

Someone suggested that New Zealand would make a good bolt hole if the ball goes up. I'm not so sure.
Nick

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This morning I awoke to find a stick insect on the outside of our upstairs bedroom window. It was around 8 inches 20cm long. 
After some research it appears that they do breed in Devon and Cornwall and have done for 100 years after they were introduced by mistake from New Zealand.

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I've seen a locust in Cornwall. Just passing through, I assume.

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Huge numbers of red admirals at Woburn Centerparcs. On two buddleias, counted 47 admirals, 4 peacocks and the odd white, blue and comma.
No fritillaries though, which are often dominant in the Longleat CP.
I wonder if it's natural regional variability or a favourable year for admirals. 

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Huge numbers of red admirals at Woburn Centerparcs. On two buddleias, counted 47 admirals, 4 peacocks and the odd white, blue and comma.
No fritillaries though, which are often dominant in the Longleat CP.
I wonder if it's natural regional variability or a favourable year for admirals. 

Numerous Red Admirals around here too in this part of Dorset. A good year for them it seems.
Nick

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I had the pleasure of a pick of Suede Boletes in the garden yesterday. We had some on toast for our tea!
I'm sure you know not to eat anything you are not sure about. [...as the actress said the the bishop!]
Let the fungus season begin.
https://www.wildfooduk.com/mushroom-guide/suede-bolete-2/ 

 

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A bit of parasite palaeontology... enjoy!
Fossilised reptile poo contains 200-million-year-old parasites
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2386267-fossilised-reptile-poo-contains-200-million-year-old-parasites/ 

 

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The lengths the shooting lobby and the Torygraph will go to in order to try and discredit environmentalists and climate change activists is despicable. Chris Packham is the latest target of a number of attempted personal persecutions including this ludicrous one.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/chris-packhams-sniff-goshawk-chick-201305320.html 

Packham's programme "Earth" is phenomenal and in many ways superior in his presentation to the legendary David Attenborough whose skills are starting to wane, unsurprising as he will soon be a hundred! It is likely that Packham will take over Attenborough's mantle and also become a National Treasure given the number of other outstanding enterprises he is involved with.

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Some stunning award-winning photos on the BBC website. Wonderful.
Peregrine Falcon image wins bird photo award
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-66706149 
 

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Rare photo shows a macaque riding a deer for fun in a Japanese forest - with a special macaque-on deer-porn clip for Beast!
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/rare-photo-shows-macaque-riding-215808249.html 

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Dozens of Comma butterflies feeding on oozing blackberry juice in the limewoods yesterday:
https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/comma 
 

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Dozens of Comma butterflies feeding on oozing blackberry juice in the limewoods yesterday:
https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/comma 
 

Always interesting to read about the Comma, Roger. It's a very recent migrant to Ireland. 

http://www.irishbutterflies.com/comma_butterfly_of_ireland.html#:~:text=Rare.,Nettles.&text=There%20are%20only%20occassional%20sightings,possible%20migrants%20from%20the%20UK .

I saw one for the first time 2 years ago.
 

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On a different note from Ireland, worrying news about Lough Neagh.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2023/0917/1405756-lough-neagh/ 

The largest lake in the British Isles, it's a marvellous sight, so large that it almost feels like you're looking out at the sea when you're on it's shores.

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On a different note from Ireland, worrying news about Lough Neagh.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2023/0917/1405756-lough-neagh/ 

The largest lake in the British Isles, it's a marvellous sight, so large that it almost feels like you're looking out at the sea when you're on it's shores.

Yes, Lionel - I'd noted coverage of that on BBC recently:
Lough Neagh: Environmentalists hold 'wake' after algal blooms
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66835897 

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New Scientist article: 27/9/2023
"Researchers have struggled to explain the precipitous decline in central Europe’s insect populations since the 1980s, but a new model suggests weather is to blame."
Europe’s ‘insect apocalypse’ may mostly be driven by changing weather
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2394290-europes-insect-apocalypse-may-mostly-be-driven-by-changing-weather/ 

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To follow on from that  Mosquitoes. Malaria vaccine big advance against major child killer
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66985273 
Malaria kills mostly babies and infants, and has been one of the biggest scourges on humanity.
It nearly got me though. I've got to thank Quinine for me being here this afternoon. 
Which is why all these years later I only buy tonic water with added quinine. 

A good read I bought in 2003 three years after I recovered.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fever-Trail-Search-Cure-Malaria/dp/0330481851 

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