Educational – Hoopoe – A blog by nhbs

An Introduction to The Fungal Kingdom

Members of the fungal kingdom come in a remarkably diverse variety of shapes, sizes and colours. This blog provides an introduction to several captivating and commonly encountered fungal genera, highlighting their key characteristics, applications and identification tips.

We hope that this guide serves as a useful starting point to help recognise a few of the broad groups of mushrooms commonly encountered in the UK, but it should not be used for foraging purposes. There are around 15,000 species of fungi in Britain and identification can be extremely challenging, often requiring microscopic examination. Even in popular edible groups there are species or lookalikes that can cause serious illness, so it is vitally important to never collect or consume mushrooms unless you are absolutely certain of the identification.

Amanita

A red and white fly agaric mushroom on leaf litter — Image by Bernard Spragg via Flickr

There are around 600 species in the Amanita genus across the globe. This fascinating group exhibit great diversity but are best known for Fly Agarics and their distinctive crimson cap which features in mythology, folklore, art and media. While some members of this genus are edible, Amanitas are better known for their poisonous qualities and hallucinogenic properties. There are roughly fifty Amanita species that can be found within the UK. Around fifteen species are common and can be readily found near the base of trees, and five of these individuals are considered poisonous. Despite containing some edible species, the genus is generally avoided and are not considered safe for the novice forager.

Key Characteristics: Amanita’s form a mycorrhizal symbiotic relationship with trees – where they release enzymes and other organic acids to break down organic matter, making the nutrition in the soil more bioavailable. In turn, trees will provide Amanitas with nutrition synthesised through photosynthesis. These mushrooms can be characterised by white (or off-white) gills, that are closely spaced and free from the stipe and they are often seen with irregular patches, or ‘warts’ on the cap, which are fragments of the veil – a membrane that enclosed the young mushroom.

Uses or Applications: Research has shown potential for Aminata species in healthcare, particularly for their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Historically, Fly Agarics have also been used as an insecticide, where they were broken up into milk and used to trap flies.

Species Examples: Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa), Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria), Panther Cap (Amanita pantherina)

Mycena

Introduction: More than 100 Mycena species can be found throughout Britain and Ireland, although less than half of these are considered common or widespread in distribution. They are often referred to as ‘bonnets’ and consist of small, delicate toadstools with fragile stems and a number of these species are known to be bioluminescent, caused by a chemical reaction within the tissue cells.

Key Characteristics: A small conical or bell-shaped mushroom with a thin stem. Mycena caps can be translucent or may have light striations and on the underside, gills are attached to the stipe and produce white spores. Due to their small size (caps from 0.5 – 15cm), some species may only be identified through microscopic examination and spore sampling.

Uses or Applications: Due to their small size, Mycena are not considered edible – some species within the genus are poisonous, and since the group are difficult to identify, they are generally regarded as unsuitable for foraging.

Species Examples: Common Bonnet (Mycena galericulata), Rosy Bonnet (Mycena rosea), Lilac Bonnet (Mycena pura)

Psilocybes

Introduction: The Psyilocybe genus is a widespread group of mushrooms, some of which are well known for their psychoactive properties. They are found across the globe in a range of nutrient rich habitats, and can be found growing in clusters in mossy, grassy or forested areas in the UK. The genus is split into two clades, one of which is comprised of hallucinogenic species that have a blue staining reaction when bruised (however it is worth noting that not all blue-staining fungal species contain psilocybin).

Key Characteristics: Psilocybes fall into the ‘little brown mushroom’ category – a non-descript, brown to yellow coloured mushroom that is small to medium in size. These gilled toadstools typically produce a dark spore print, have a slender stipe and a hygrophanous cap that changes colour as moisture levels change in the mushroom tissue.

Uses or Applications: Psilocybes are often referred to as ‘magic mushrooms’ for their psychoactive properties. Species in this genus can contain compounds such as psilocybin, which induce hallucination and changes in perception for those who have ingested the compound and has been historically used to treat some psychiatric conditions.

Species Examples: Liberty Cap (Psilocybe semilanceata), Wavy Cap (Psilocybe cyanescens).

Lycoperdon

Puffballs on a leafy floor — Image by Stu’s Images via Flickr

Introduction: A genus of puffball mushrooms with approximately fifty species across the globe. These instantly recognisable fungi are common and widespread around the UK and can be found on the ground in woodland and pasture with plenty of leaf litter, where they decompose organic matter.

Key Characteristics: Lycoperdon species have a distinctive set of characteristics that allow for easy identification. These small-medium sized balls do not have gills or spores and have no cap. They tend not to have a stipe, but some species do have a small one that can appear thicker. Some species have a tough outer skin, and inside, the mushroom should have white, spongy flesh that turns yellow or brown as the spores mature. Members of this genus are basidiomycetes – they produce spores within the basidia (a microscopic spore-producing structure) which are located inside the fruiting body, releasing a cloud of spores when squeezed.

Uses or Applications: Most species in the Lycoperdon genus are edible. They are said to have a mild taste and smell, making them choice edibles for many foragers. Although they have a tendency to become slimy once cooked, puffballs are a common substitute in various vegetarian dishes.

Historically, puffballs have been used in medicine for their hemostatic properties which stop or slow the flow of blood, and blacksmiths in particular are known to have kept puffballs in the forge for these properties, as well as their ability to aid in the healing of burns.

Species Examples: Common Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum), Pestle Puffball (Lycoperdon excipuliforme), Stump Puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme)

Boletus

Introduction: There are around 250 Boletus species worldwide, which until recently, were divided into smaller families and have since combined to form a larger genus. There are approximately 80 species of Bolete within the family Boletaceae in the UK, and many of these are choice edible species for foragers. As a largely mycorrhizal group, Boletes are commonly found in woodland or forest but may also be found in grassland habitats. Boletes can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours –appearing quite large with thick, meaty fruiting bodies or smaller in size with more delicate features. Species in this group are basidiomycetes – instead of gills, these mushrooms have spongy, pore-filled masses on the underside of the cap which release spores.

Key Characteristics: Boletes are usually large, fleshy mushrooms with a thick stipe, characterised by spore-bearing structures on the underside of the cap, called tubes. The group is basidiomycetes, which feature a spongy mass containing pores that disperse white to yellow spores into the air. A large number of Boletes are also known to form mycorrhizal relationships with trees, and can often be found under broadleaf and coniferous trees.

Uses or Applications: A number of Bolete species are edible, including the King Bolete, and are considered some of the most versatile edible fungi.

Species Examples: King/Cep/Porcini/Penny Bun Bolete (Boletus edulis), Summer Bolete (Boletus reticulatus), Bronze Bolete (Boletus aereus)

If you’d like to delve deeper into the world of fungi and attempt to identify the mushrooms species you come across, here are our top picks to get you started:

EBHL Conference – Paris, May 2025

NHBS colleague Leon recently attended the general meeting of the European Botanical and Horticultural Libraries Group, or EBHL for short, which this year took place in Paris from May 14th to 17th. This annual conference brought together librarians and archivists from academic libraries and herbaria for several days of talks and behind-the-scenes tours at four outstanding locations in Paris. We have attended previous meetings in Brussels and London, and this continues to be a valuable occasion to meet some of our key customers from across Europe and the USA in person. The overarching theme of this year’s meeting was “Plant Sources;” branching out into three topic areas over three consecutive days.

A view of the Jardin des Plantes and part of the Paris Natural History Museum.

Day 1

The first day took place just outside the Paris Natural History Museum and its botanical gardens and discussed new tools for botanical and horticultural documentation. This included approaches to preserving the illustrations in the herbarium of Bonpland and Humboldt, how bibliographic metadata reflects historical developments in taxonomy, and an introduction to World Flora Online, a global resource for botanical information. After lunch, delegates were split into several groups and taken around the special collections section of the Central Library, which featured a collection of remarkable historical wax models of fruit and fungi that were used in teaching. We were also amazed to see the museum’s restorators at work in the basement’s book and paper restoration workshop, surrounded by a collection of vintage hand tools and presses. The craft and skill on display here were, frankly, astonishing. The day was completed by a trip around the botany library and its enormous herbarium storing dried plant specimens, including some remarkable collections of original herbaria and exsiccata from Humboldt and other historical collectors.

Some of the historical herbaria and exsiccata in the collections of the museum's botanical library. — Some of the historical herbaria and exsiccata in the collections of the museum’s botanical library.

Day 2

The location of second day of the conference, the Institut de France. — The location of the second day of the conference, the Institut de France.

On Wednesday, the conference continued at the Institut de France in the heart of Paris, right next to the Seine, and discussed private herbaria. A series of talks introduced us to some remarkable historical figures, including Benjamin Delessert, the Girardin family, and the tragically short-lived Auguste Pervillé, who died aged 33. Details of their lives and the impact they have had on the history of botany are ongoing areas of research. After a brief tour of the stunning library of the Institut de France, we were expected back at the Natural History Museum for a guided tour of its famed Jardin des Plantes. After this, I had the opportunity for a quick visit to the museum’s comparative zoology and palaeontology galleries, which have been high on my bucket list for Paris. The group reconvened in the evening at a rather unique venue, the moored barge “L’Eau et les Rêves” that doubles up as a floating café and Paris’s only botanical bookstore.

One of the libraries inside the Institut de France, normally only accessibly on appointment.

The mind-boggling collection of vertebrate skeletons in the museum's Gallery of Comparative Zoology. — The mind-boggling collection of vertebrate skeletons in the museum’s Gallery of Comparative Zoology.

Day 3

Given the meeting’s theme for the third day, “Understanding French Horticulture”, we were originally supposed to convene at the Société Nationale d’Horticulture de France (SNHF) but, due to ongoing building and restoration works, were instead hosted at the Ácademie d’Agriculture. After being greeted by a bust of none other than Louis Pasteur, we listened to presentations from visiting scholars on, amongst others, SNHF’s historical bulletins and what they reveal about how horticulture grew and developed in France, the remarkable early-20th century autochrome and film collection of the Albert Kahn gardens (subject of the book Natures Vivantes), and the botanical iconography that can be found in the Decorative Arts Library. The latter was a visually rich talk on how botany has influenced ornaments used in print and sculpture.

One of the beautiful libraries in the French Senate.

In the afternoon, we were allowed access to several libraries inside the French Senate and taken on a tour of the adjacent gardens, the famed Jardin du Luxembourg. In the evening, we went back to the academy for a remarkable presentation of the book Les Raisins de Redouté, which reproduces historical paintings of grapes and grapevines. After having gone missing for over a century, this collection of 83 paintings on vellum was rediscovered in the academy’s archives in 2018 and reproduced in this handsome, large-format book while the originals, valued at some 6 million euros, have been stored in safer environs.

Day 4

The final day of the EBHL conference entailed a visit to Versailles, specifically to the Potager du Roi, the King’s vegetable garden, and the library of the adjacent École Nationale Supérieure de Paysage. This working garden used to supply food to the courtiers at Versailles at a time when year-round availability of fresh fruit and vegetables was still largely unheard of. The garden is in the process of being restored and has a long and storied history. In the library, the archivists treated us to numerous original maps from their collections that show plans of this and other gardens in Paris.

The meeting was a great opportunity to catch up with existing customers and hear what their institutes are up to. We are looking forward to the next meeting and would like to thank the organizers of this year’s conference, in particular Florence Tessier, Sabrina Castandet-Le Bris, Mégane Pulby, and Audrey Lumière.

NHBS welcomes opportunities to develop closer ties with the professional and amateur organisations that we count amongst our customers, whether through attendance or sponsorship. Do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Equipment in Focus: NHBS Moth Trap

The NHBS Moth Trap is a highly portable option for moth trapping, tested and approved by Butterfly Conservation.

Its easy, flat-pack design features a collapsible frame made from lightweight panels covered in a light coloured nylon, which is easily assembled with Velcro. A single, stainless steel V frame holds the trap’s bulb carrier, secured with a single screw, and supports two top panels that prevent the moths escaping. The trap features a single 20W, shatter-resistant blacklight bulb (included) that is mains powered and is supplied with a 4.5m power lead connecting to a standard UK plug.

Fully assembled, the NHBS moth trap measures approximately 30cm wide x 30cm deep x 50cm tall and weighs around 2kg, making it significantly lighter and much more portable than many moth traps. For convenient transport and storage, it also comes with a carry bag housing all the components.

Learn how to quickly set up your Moth Trap with our video guide below!

Our Findings

NHBS colleagues Oli and Dan recently took our moth trap into their gardens and caught a beautiful range of species, including a Buff Tip, Peach Blossom and Scorched Carpet.

Additional Kits

Our moth trap is also available in two kits:

The Starter Kit includes the trap and all its components, as well as three 60ml collecting pots, perfect for holding specimens, and a copy of the Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland to aid successful species identification.

The NHBS Moth Trap with Inverter Kit comes with an inverter and waterproof battery enclosure, giving you the flexibility to use the trap in any location without having to rely on mains electricity.

Find out more and order your trap today at nhbs.com

If you have any questions about our Moth Trap or would like some advice on the right product for you then please contact us via email at customer.services@nhbs.com or phone on 01803 865913.

The NHBS Guide to Maintaining Bird Tables and Feeders

A bird table is a great way to provide supplementary food sources to local bird species, especially during harsh winter months, and offers a delightful window into the lives of our local birdlife. This added food source can have significant positive impacts on the overall health, condition, and breeding success of bird populations in the UK, but with this support comes the responsibility of ensuring a clean and healthy feeding environment. Feeders can quickly become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, encouraging the spread of diseases such as avian trichomoniasis and avian influenza, so it is important to understand how to keep them clean.

In this blog, we detail how to clean and maintain garden bird tables and feeders throughout the year, and highlight the importance of good hygiene for bird conservation in the UK.

Greenfinch on a bird feeder filled with seeds — Image by Jannis via Flickr

Why Is Good Bird Table Hygiene Important?

Maintaining good bird table hygiene to mitigate the spread of disease is of growing importance. British birds are under significant pressure from habitat loss, land use change and increasing urbanisation across the country – and conditions like avian trichomoniasis, a contagious disease partly responsible for widespread declines of Greenfinches in the UK, can be easily spread through contaminated food dropped by infected birds. Proper bird table hygiene can not only mitigate the spread of disease, but can also minimise the attraction of pest species like mice and rats, which pose a risk to human health through the transmission of zoonotic diseases.

Disease prevention extends beyond simple cleaning – positioning bird tables away from perching or roosting areas minimizes contamination from falling debris or excess faeces, and prioritizing designs that attract smaller songbirds can also reduce the concentration of larger, messier species like pigeons. Replacing older tables, which typically have a lifespan of around five years, also ensures that damaged or difficult-to-clean surfaces don’t become persistent reservoirs for pathogens.

Garden birds on bird feeders filled with nuts and seeds — Image by Stein Arne Jensen via Flickr

How Do I Maintain My Bird Table and Bird Feeder?

Daily

Daily maintenance is essential to prevent the accumulation of harmful bacteria and mould:

Dispose of any uneaten food on bird tables– seed mixes and mealworms in particular should be disposed of after 24 hours
Check over the suet balls or birdseed in your feeder to ensure that it is safe to eat
Thoroughly sweep the table surface or wipe over the feeder pegs to remove debris, droppings and loose food

Monthly

A monthly deep-clean is important to prevent disease transmission in your garden, especially during wetter, colder months:

Disassemble any removable parts for a separate, more thorough cleaning
Scrub each part with a stiff brush and a solution of soapy water or diluted bleach to eliminate harmful bacterial or fungal growth, ensuring that any cracks and crevices are thoroughly cleaned
Rinse all components with clean water to remove any residual cleaning agents
Allow the parts to air dry completely in the sun before reassembling and refilling with food

End of season

At the end of the season, a comprehensive ‘full service’ of your bird table or feeder should be undertaken:

Thoroughly inspect the table or feeder for damages and repairs – whether this be splintered wood, cracks and splits, or loose screws. Repair or replace as needed
Consider repainting or treating table wood with a wildlife-friendly, non-toxic wood preservative or paint to safeguard against weathering and decay

Ensuring your bird feeder is in a good state of repair minimises the risk of injury by garden birds and ensures that the table can be easily cleaned to minimise any bacterial or fungal growth.

Robin on a feeding table — Image by Alison Day via Flickr

Well-maintained bird tables and feeders can directly impact the health and well-being of our local avian populations. By implementing a routine of daily, monthly, and end-of-season cleaning, you can minimise the risk of disease transmission and provide a safe feeding environment for local birds.

For further reading on how to care for local birds in your garden, click here.

UK Moth Recorders’ Meeting 2025

Butterfly Conservation’s Moth Recorders Meeting provides an essential update for ecologists, wildlife watchers, and naturalists interested in the latest developments in moth recording, research, and conservation. Introduced by director of business and research, Russel Hobson, this year’s meeting was held online via Zoom on Saturday 25th January, and comprised of a variety of talks by keynote speakers including Dr Zoë Randle, David Hill and Dr Avalon Owens.

Dr Zoë Randle, Butterfly Conservation: National Moth Recording Scheme Update

The first speaker, Butterfly Conservation’s Dr Zoë Randle, shared an update on the National Moth Recording Scheme and key trends. Over 600,000 observations were submitted on iRecord throughout2024, bringing the total macro moth records to 36.2 million and micro moth records to 7.4 million in the National Moth Recording Scheme. Despite an increase in moth recording last year, Zoë emphasised the importance of both recorders and verifiers, while also stressing the need for more volunteers to streamline the verification process.

A map showing the density of records across the UK — Number of Records in the National Moth Recording Scheme per km square. Credit: Dr Zoë Randle

Dr Norman Lowe, County Moth Recorder, Breconshire: Charismatic Clearwings in mid-Wales.

Dr Norman Lowe, County Moth Recorder for Breconshire, discussed clearwings in mid-Wales, presenting the group as flagships for dayflying moths and provided an update on clearwing records during 2024. Last year, 31 more recorders and ten more pheromone traps/lures were supplied to aid in recording, resulting in a total of 80 clearwing observations for 2024. Data revealed some local and scarce species, including the Welsh Clearwing and Red-tipped Clearwings, and highlighted species which are common and widespread, like Lunar Hornet Moths.

David Hill, Conservation Manager (Scotland), Butterfly Conservation: Black, White, Red & Gold – surveying Argyll’s rare moths

Next to speak was David Hill, who reported on two key species that he has been working with in Scotland: White Spotted Sable Moths and Transparent Burnet. He discussed the background and biology of the species, as well as the efforts undertaken to better understand their pressures and distribution.

2024 larval surveys uncovered 30 White Spotted Sable caterpillars over three days and allowed surveyors to categorise habitat. This coming year, the team will look to rear caterpillars to confirm identification, start adult surveys and seek out sites where Anania terrealis, a commonly mistaken species, is present.
Transparent Burnets are a focus for Scottish conservation projects as part of the Species on the Edge programme. This rarely recorded species is one of concern due to loss of suitable habitat and work will continue throughout 2025 to establish the distribution and abundance of this moth across Argyll.

Transparent burnet moth — Transparent Burnet. Credit: David Hill

Dr Luke Evans, Butterfly Conservation: Can we measure the impact of insect change on bird and bat populations?

Dr Luke Evans discussed the DRUID project, which has operated since 2021 and aims to investigate the drivers and repercussions of UK insect decline. Evans discussed the impact of this catastrophic decline on species whose diets are adapted to insects, true correlation vs random correlation (the observation data conundrum) and the suggestive patterns of decline in birds as a result of this. The use of key data, including that in the National Moth Recording Scheme, demonstrates the importance of national monitoring data for evaluating insect abundance and the direct impacts of insect change.

Dr Sam Fabian, Imperial College London: Understanding why artificial lights trap flying insects using high-speed videography

The next presentation was delivered by Dr Sam Fabian, who explored the aggregation of insects around bright light sources, how artificial light can impact insect flight and the behavioural mechanisms behind it. Fabian suggests that circling behaviour around bright light sources is due to dorsal light response – a stabilising reflex where insects angle their body to orientate bright lights above them – which causes erratic flight paths around artificial light sources.

Circling behaviours around artificial light sources. Credit: Dr Sam Fabian

Dr Avalon Owens, Rowland Institute, Harvard University: Do sustainable lighting practices sustain moths?

Last to speak was Dr Avalon Owens, who concluded the session with an insightful discussion on the impacts of light pollution on moths. This growing threat is one of many that impacts global insect abundance and diversity, and can have a range of negative impacts on insect behaviour, including: fatal attraction, temporal and spatial disorientation and visual confusion. These can have catastrophic effects on insects internal body clock, navigation ability and recognition of resources. With light pollution levels growing and expanding exponentially, Dr Owens also outlined key routes to tackle the issue by creating sustainable lighting that is useful, targeted, controlled, low level and warm coloured.

Five lighting principles for responsible outdoor lighting and impacts of artificial light on insects. Credit: Dr Avalon Owens

This year’s Moth Recorders Meeting was a fascinating insight into the National Moth Recording Scheme, key trends and developments in moth ecology and conservation, and the threats to these undervalued insects. Find out more about Butterfly Conservation, their valuable work and ways to get involved on their website.

To hear more from this year’s speakers, a recording of 2025’s meeting can be found on the Butterfly Conservation YouTube channel.

National Nest Box Week 2025

Friday 14th February marks the start of National Nest Box Week. With widespread population declines due to habitat loss and urbanisation, National Nest Box Week presents us with the perfect opportunity to provide habitat for local birds, boosting breeding success and contributing to the enhancement of biodiversity in our green spaces.

Mid-February marks the start of the breeding season for many British bird species, with many beginning to actively seek new territory and suitable nesting sites. Nest Box Week is a great time to install a new nest box or do some maintenance on any existing boxes. By providing artificial nesting sites, we can assist species such as Robins, House Sparrows, and Swifts, while simultaneously raising public awareness about the diverse range of birds that benefit from these resources.

House Sparrow at the entrance of a nest box — Image by Vine House Farm via Flickr

Here are some ways to get involved in National Nest Box Week:

Install a nest box in an outside space, garden or balcony
Plant native flora and provide access to fresh, clean water to keep your garden bird-friendly
Support bird conservation organisations by donating, volunteering or sharing their work
Encourage friends and family to get involved in supporting their local wildlife

Garden Bird Species

Robins are a familiar sight in UK gardens and are easily recognised by their bright red breast and cheerful song. They prefer open-fronted nest boxes, often tucked away in hedges or shrubs, to mimic their natural nesting preferences in sheltered crevices and vegetation.

Blue tits are small, vibrant birds common across the UK that are often seen flitting through gardens and woodlands. They prefer small, enclosed nest boxes, hung high to mimic their natural nesting sites in tree cavities.

With their distinctive yellow beak and melodious song, Blackbirds are a common sight in various habitats across the UK. They prefer open-fronted nest boxes, at a slightly higher location, tucked away amongst dense vegetation or climbing plants for added security.

House Sparrow perched on balcony railing

Common in UK gardens and urban areas, Sparrows prefer nest boxes with a small entrance hole, placed high up on walls or under the eaves of houses, mimicking their natural nesting sites in crevices and holes in buildings.

Why is National Nest Box Week important?

Increasing urbanisation, human development and changing land-use have had devastating impacts on bird populations in the UK. A loss of natural nesting habitats has introduced extra challenges for rearing young, and nest boxes provide nesting birds with vital habitat to rear chicks – helping to mitigate the impacts of habitat loss which is essential for supporting local bird populations.

Find a selection of nest box blogs on the Conservation Hub, including:

NHBS Guide: Where to hang and how to maintain your nest box

Author interview with Susan Young: Night Vision and Daylight Camera Systems for Wildlife

This comprehensive guide describes how wildlife can be monitored and recorded in a non-intrusive way using well-developed and reliable technology. Detailing key techniques for capturing high-quality footage of a range of species, from nocturnal mammals to elusive birds, this practical resource is ideal for both professional ecologists and amateur naturalists alike who are seeking to enhance their understanding of the natural world.

Susan Young is a photographer and writer based in South Devon, who has a wealth of experience in wildlife photography. She has authored several books, including CCTV for Wildlife Monitoring and Wildlife Photography Fieldcraft, and is currently carrying out research with Natural England, the Woodland Trust and Mammal Society on the use of remote cameras for wildlife monitoring.

We recently spoke to Susan about her latest book, where she explained how she first started working with visual systems, how ecological and wildlife-watching camera systems differentiate, and more.

Firstly, could you share a little bit about yourself and your background working with visual systems?

My background is in physics and engineering, but I have had a keen interest in wildlife from a very early age. Since moving to Devon some years ago, I developed my interest in photography and wrote several books on various technical topics. I used trail cameras before they became ‘famous’ and finding some aspects frustrating, moved to bird box cameras – I then became interested in using security cameras with separate recorders as they had more useful features.

In 2015/2016 I started as a volunteer with Natural England and the Woodland Trust where I was encouraged to develop my ideas for portable CCTV systems, which led to the discovery of three calls of Barbastelle Bats not previously recognised. Further work with dormice, otters, deer, small mammals and birds showed just how well the systems performed, being much richer in features than trail cameras and much less expensive than thermal systems.

Your previous book, CCTV for Wildlife Monitoring was published in 2016. What inspired you to revisit the topic for a second book, and what advancements or changes does your latest title encompass?

My book in 2016 was more of an introduction to CCTV technology, which was just taking off and becoming more readily available. Since then, the technology has advanced dramatically, with HD cameras giving very high-quality images, and recorders becoming available with solid state drives making them very portable.

There are many other features not found in other visual systems – in particular, security recorders have inbuilt video analysis which can be controlled by the user, greatly reducing the amount of video data to analyse. My book has detailed step-by-step instructions for all aspects of the night vision camera systems with the aim of flattening the learning curve.

Night Vision systems are commonly associated with ecological research and wildlife watching, how do the camera systems you describe differentiate from them?

The systems I describe have a raft of features, as described above, making analysis much easier. They can also be left outside unattended and are particularly useful for remote areas. They are also relatively low cost and portable.

Why did you feel that it was important to include a section on public engagement and education in this book?

Public engagement is important for raising awareness of the plight of our wildlife, as well as for attracting funding. High-quality videos from security camera systems, particularly of protected or rarely seen species, have proven successful. My book gives step-by-step instructions to encourage the use of this technology without the need for costly specialists.

Regarding schools, introducing children to technology at an early age makes use of the systems less daunting in later life.

Have you come across any emerging or under-utilised applications for this technology that you believe hold potential?

Many of the applications I have developed using my camera systems are new and I believe hold great potential. Because the systems can be set up and left for long periods, it means little or no disturbance to wildlife – for example monitoring breeding birds of prey in remote habitats, observing dormice behaviour in dormouse boxes, or surveying bats in hazardous environments.

Have you encountered any particularly memorable or exciting wildlife captures? Can you share any highlights from your experience?

On the conservation front, discovering new Barbastelle calls was very exciting, as was viewing previously unseen dormouse behaviour. On the naturalist level, filming four young Fallow Deer running round and round my rural garden in play was very heart-warming.

Finally, what’s next for you?

I am planning some research using my systems for small mammals which are often under-recorded. I am also producing educational material for the Mammal Society.

Night Vision and Daylight Camera Systems for Wildlife is available here.

The NHBS Seed Sowing Calendar: January-March

Planting and watching seeds grow is one of the most rewarding parts of having an outdoor space. From a young age I can vividly remember chilly winter trips to the garden centre, picking out different bulbs and seeds to plants in time for spring, followed by an agonising wait for the last few frosts to pass to allow us to start planting. This patience was however rewarded with my favourite task – exuberantly poking a million holes in compost-filled trays – before carefully sowing the seed in the soil and gently covering them in a blanket of compost.

To this day, I still get just as excited when spring is around the corner, and I can finally turn my wintery, plain garden into a hub of vibrant flowers and wildlife. But with so many different bulbs and seeds out there, all of which working to very different schedules, it can sometimes be overwhelming when thinking about where to start, what to sow when, and where.

Here, we provide a detailed Seed Sowing Calendar to make sure you’re on-track for those beautiful spring blooms in just a few months time.

Close up of lots of Sweet Peas in mixed colours including pink, fusia, purple and white. — Sweet Peas by the Walled Garden 02 by Sam Saunders, via flickr.

January:

January is still very much in the grasp of winter, so most seeds sown outside will perish due to the cold and frosts – therefore it is recommended that seeds are planted in trays or pots that can be kept in an enclosed greenhouse or indoors in a warm, dry, sunny place to ensure successful germination.

Sowing this early in the year means that you’re more likely to get a good, healthy crop come springtime, but it does require a lot of patience and attentiveness.

Sweet peas – Lathyrus odoratus

Sweet peas are one of my favourite flowers and produce vibrant, fragrant blooms in a range of stunning colours. They are natural climbers, therefore they should be grown up a cane, netting or trellis, and can reach approximately 2m in height. Seeds should be planted 1cm deep in trays or individual pots filled with compost in late winter (January – February) and watered 2-3 times a week. As soon as the last frost is over, and the soil is loose and pliable, transfer the seedlings outside. When the plants are tall enough to reach the canes, manually wrap the stems securely, but gently, around them – the plants will naturally take to climbing the higher they grow.

Carnations – Dianthus caryophyllus

Carnations produce small, fringed flowers on long stems and should be grown in small to medium pots or planters with good drainage. The seeds should be planted about 0.5 cm deep, in potting soil or compost, covered in a layer of soil and pressed down firmly. Place them in a warm, sheltered space inside and water 2-3 times a week using a spray bottle. When the seedlings reach 5cm tall, transfer outside after the frost has passed.

You can also sow carnations directly into the garden once the frosts are over, normally in late April, however it’s unlikely they will bloom the first year if they are sown this late in the spring.

Lobelia – Lobelia erinu

Lobelias are beautiful, colourful little bedding plants that are very hardy and will produce flowers from early summer to mid autumn. They are easy to start indoors, and need well drained, loose soil to thrive. Sow the tiny seeds liberally across the surface of the soil in a large seed tray, cover loosely with a thin layer of compost, and gently press down to ensure the seeds are fully covered. Place the tray in a warm, sunny position and water with a light mist. Ensure the soil stays moist while the seeds are growing inside and transfer into the garden once the frosts have ended.

Close up photograph of orange and red tagetes (french marigolds). — Tagetes patula by Tacowitte, via flickr.

February:

February is the ideal time to start sowing most summer bedding plants, as well as perennials that grow year on year. Due to the colder temperatures, it’s recommended that most flower seeds are still grown inside to begin with.

French Marigolds – Tagetes patula

Marigolds are very easy flowers to grow and are equally easy to maintain once they’re bedded into the garden. Fill a tray with compost and press the seeds 1cm deep into the soil, then cover lightly with another thin layer. Plant each seed 5cm apart to allow for growing room, and water every couple of days to keep the soil moist – but not soggy. You can then plant the seedlings outside in early spring (mid to late March) in pots, planters, beds or hanging baskets when they are a few inches tall and the weather is milder. Marigold seeds can also be planted directly outside, but you should wait until late spring (April – May) or early summer (May – June) to do so, otherwise they may not germinate in the cold weather.

Snapdragons – Antirrhinum majus

Snapdragons are bright, annual plants that come in a wide range of colours and heights, and attract an array of garden insects. They require a lot of light to germinate, so make sure you don’t cover the seeds with too much soil. Simply put the seed on top of the soil in a tray, cover with a very thin layer of compost and compress with your hand, before watering once a week. Place in a warm, very sunny location and, if sown in one large tray, thin the crop to one seedling per pot when the seedlings have developed 2-3 leaves. Snapdragons can be transferred into the garden after the final frost of spring and should be spaced 30cm apart to give them enough room to grow into full blooms.

Wild Flower Bed showing a mix of pink, white, yellow and purple flowers. — Wild Flower Bed by Pete Sandbach, via flickr.

March:

By the time March comes around, the soil is slowly starting to warm up and frosts are a lot less frequent. During this time, some of the toughest flowers can be sown directly outside, as well as summer-flowering bulbs.

Cornflowers – Centaurea cyanus

Cornflowers are small, vibrant blue flowers that grow best in full sunshine. They can tolerate freezing temperatures, so these seeds can be planted outside throughout the winter. If you are planning to sow Cornflowers nearer spring, plant the seeds straight into soil or planters about 5cm apart and 1cm deep, and water once every 3–4 days. Cornflower seeds are loved by many garden birds, so to make sure your hard work isn’t wasted, ensure they are covered with a good layer of compact soil.

Cornflowers take approximately 10 weeks to flower if they are planted in spring, so these beautiful flowers will brighten up your garden in no time!

Wildflower mixes (native)

Late March is the perfect time to plant your mixed wildflower seeds to produce a beautiful range of native flowers, colours and scents, and most importantly provide food, shelter and habitats for key pollinators such as bees. Wildflowers are best sown straight outside in large beds or planters. Break up any large lumps of soil, then generously sprinkle the seed mix before carefully raking over the seeds, ensuring they are fully covered up. Gently water the area after planting, ensuring that you don’t dislodge the seeds with too much water, and watch them bloom!

Water your wildflower garden twice a week to ensure the soil doesn’t dry out, particularly over the hot summer months.

If you are keen to begin your wildflower garden early, you can plant them in February if the weather remains mild and dry.

Cosmos – Cosmos Bipinnatus

Cosmos can be grown both inside and outside, and thrive is sunny areas of the garden. They germinate very quickly and produce vibrant, tall flowers. If you prefer to start your flowers inside, yielding blooms in early summer, sow the seeds in individual pots in mid to late March in fresh, loose compost. Each seed should be 2mm deep in the soil and should be covered in a thin layer of compost. Place the individual pots or trays into a larger seed tray and water from below. Transfer into beds in the garden four to six weeks later, or after the last frost.

If you prefer the ease of planting seeds directly outside, or are a little late to the party, wait until the weather is mild and drier in early May before scattering the seeds straight onto evenly raked soil and covering lightly. Water every few days until the plants are well established, but be careful not to overwater as this will cause fewer buds to grow on each plant.

Small green seedling in a terracotta pot in compost. — Mystery seedling by Joe Lipson, via flickr.

Top Tips:

– Make sure to label your seed trays or pots if you’re growing a variety of different seeds at once, as it is very easy to get mixed up!

– Ensure that any seeds grown inside are only kept in moderately warm places – too hot a temperature, such as by a radiator, can cause the seeds to perish, so it’s recommended to take advantage of sunny windowsills and French doors instead.

– It can be beneficial to ‘pinch out’ bedding plants in the early stages of growth to ensure they focus their energy on big, strong, bushy blooms, rather than becoming tall and leggy. This helps produce side shoots that should all bear flowers, but it is advisable not do so until the seedlings have grown at least two sets of leaves or you risk damaging the plants. To pinch out a plant, gently cut the growing tips just above the side shoots, repeating on as many stems as you wish until it resembles the shape you’re after

– Even if you miss the opportunity to start growing your seedlings inside, it’s rarely too late to grow your seeds if they are in season. Instead, you can plant them straight outside when the milder weather arrives, and will simply have later blooms – so you can enjoy beautiful flowers during the summer months instead.

Interview with Charlotte Mead: The Wildwood Trust

The Wildwood Trust was established in 2002 and is one of the UK’s leading conservation and rewilding trust. The charity aims to push the boundaries of conservation by working alongside nature to fight the biodiversity crisis and halt species extinction using nature-based solutions. Alongside their conservation projects, volunteering opportunities and memberships, they also offer a host of educational courses and workshops across both of their sites.

Wildwood Devon is home to numerous native bat species, and over the last two years, they have been working alongside Devon Bat Conservation and Research Group to create, assist and monitor secure bat roosting sites for the breeding season to support endangered bat populations. In mid-2023, NHBS donated 10 general-purpose bat boxes to support this project. A year later, we had the opportunity to talk to The Wildwood Trust about the results from their first annual species survey on this site, how our donation has aided the project’s success, discuss their goals for the next five years and more.

Firstly, can you tell us about The Wildwood Trust and how the charity began?

Established in 2002, The Wildwood Trust is a native species conservation charity formed to push the boundaries of innovative conservation and rewilding. The charity began after it was decided that a small zoo could be instrumental in educating Kent locals about British wildlife – the zoo was subsequently renamed Wildwood Discovery Park and soon became The Wildwood Trust. Since then, the park has grown and changed, and the Trust has taken on a second site on the Escot Estate in Devon. We recently rebranded and the sites are now known as Wildwood Kent and Wildwood Devon, both working under The Wildwood Trust.

We work with nature to fight the biodiversity crisis, to halt the extinction of species and to create resilient habitats in which nature thrives. Wildwood’s experience and expertise in working with native species means we can work effectively across the UK in many projects, focussing on nature-based solutions to reinstate native species populations and recreate truly wild spaces.

Rewilding, through the reintroduction of keystone species, is the most powerful tool we have. These reintroduced animals alter their landscape by creating the space and complexity for hundreds of other species to thrive.

Which species are you hoping to encourage to the area with the installation of our bat boxes?

We have a number of resident species on site, including Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus), Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), Daubenton’s Bat (Myotis daubentonii), Noctule (Nyctalus noctula), Soprano Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) and Whiskered Bat (Myotis mystacinus). With the addition of the Schwegler 2F Bat Boxes supplied by NHBS, we are hoping to attract a wider range of species, including Barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus) and Nathusius’ Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii).

We have since completed our first bat box check and are pleased to see that our resident bats have taken to the boxes, and we have found pipistrelle droppings in multiple boxes. We were also lucky enough to find a female Common Pipistrelle in one of the boxes.

Breeding projects are a key element of the work you do. Why are these programmes so important and do you have a favourite success story that you can share with us?

Breeding projects are incredibly useful for a number of reasons, from maintaining genetic diversity within the population all the way through to providing an alternative to translocations. We work with a number of organisations and charities, who are also involved in captive breeding groups, to maintain high standards of husbandry and welfare to provide a healthy, genetically diverse captive population that can assist in future conservation projects.

I couldn’t possibly choose a favourite as Wildwood has bred and reintroduced many species, including Water Voles as part of development mitigation work and Hazel Dormice into suitable areas of former range. However, the memorable reintroduction of Red Squirrels to Anglesey was a successful project and re-established an iconic species after significant declines following the introduction of Grey Squirrels. We have also joined forces with other major captive breeding collections to implement a national captive breeding group which can assist in any future conservation projects.

How is Wildwood working to combat the effects of climate change?

Many of our rewilding projects aim to facilitate the restoration of native habitats, often through reinstating lost species. A good example of this would be our flagship wilding project ‘Blean Bison’ in Canterbury. Launched in 2019 with Kent Wildlife Trust, the project looked to promote stronger habitats by restoring natural processes and aimed to bring transformational change through a controlled trial with European Bison. To combat climate change, the project is aiming to restore 600 hectares of ancient woodland, a vital natural carbon store that can hold around 30% of the world’s carbon.

What does the Wildwood Trust hope to achieve in the next five years?

Wildwood will continue to be a leader in the field of native species conservation. We will continue to deliver our mission to protect, conserve and rewild British wildlife by building long-term and sustainable partnerships with like-minded organisations. Through collaborative working, we can maximise our impact and bring resilience to our native ecosystems.

Are there any other conservation projects that you’re working on that you can tell us about?

We are proud to be a collaborative organisation and, with like-minded conservation partners, we are now working towards the conservation and reintroduction of several species across Britain, including wildcats, Red-billed Chough and White-clawed Crayfish to name a few.

Part of the national captive breeding programme, the wildcats at Wildwood are involved in the creation of a genetically viable captive population. Our wildcat breeding programme has been hugely successful and in 2020 we announced our collaborative work to restore the European Wildcat to Britain.
As a keystone species, the conservation of White-clawed Crayfish is important for several reasons. The only native crayfish species found in the UK, these crustaceans play a key role in the food chain and are an important indicator species for freshwater health. White-clawed Crayfish are threatened by invasive Signal Crayfish, so our work to support the breeding of these animals through establishing a Devon crayfish hatchery is important in ensuring their survival.
For over 200 years the Red-billed Chough has been missing from Kent, so we have partnered with Kent Wildlife Trust to reintroduce these birds to the cliffs of Dover. The project has now reached its second year of reintroductions, and there are now 19 birds established in the area.

We are always looking for more projects to get involved with so please do get in touch if you think we can help!

Birds of Conservation Concern Red List: Species Spotlight

In September, five species of seabird were added to the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List. Arctic Tern, Great Skua, Leach’s Storm Petrel, Common Gull and Great Black-backed Gull have joined the list of species most in need of conservation. Each of these species has experienced population declines due to pressures including climate change, avian influenza and habitat loss. Over 30% of all British birds are now on the Red List; the most recent additions joining Kittiwakes, Puffins and Arctic Skuas, among others. An alarming ten out of 26 UK seabirds now feature on the list.

In this blog we shine a spotlight on these seabirds and explore the threats that have resulted in their addition to the Red List.

Leach’s Petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous)

A dark grey bird with a black, hooked beak and black legs. It is standing on the sand with its wings spread — Image by Alexis Lours via Flickr

Identification: Leach’s Petrel is a Starling-sized bird with a wingspan of up to 48cm. This burrow-nesting seabird is mostly black in colour, except for a white rump with a black line running through it. The wings are angled, with darker wingtips and a lighter coloured ‘V’ over the wingspan and the tail is dark and forked.

Distribution: Most sightings of this species are recorded around coastal headlands and sea-watching hotspots during autumn. The UK has an estimated 48,000 breeding pairs which can mostly be found on remote offshore islands (particularly in Ireland and Scotland) before migrating to the tropics over winter.

Threats: Leach’s Petrel was added to the Red List due to population declines and localised breeding concerns. It is thought that more than half of the UK’s population resides at fewer than ten sites, areas which carry the risk of predation by introduced mammalian predators as well as avian predators.

Fun fact: Leach’s Petrels spend most of their time offshore, close to deeper waters beyond the continental shelf, before returning to underground nests at night.

Common Gull (Larus canus)

A seagull standing on a rock. It has a yellow beak and legs, a white body and grey wings. The wings are tipped with black. — Image by Ekaterina Chernetsova via Flickr

Identification: A medium-sized gull with a wingspan of up to 130cm. This species is similar in appearance to the Herring Gull but is smaller in size. It is mostly grey from above, with a grey back and upper wings. The underside, head, tail and body are white. The small bill and legs of the Common Gull are yellow-green in colour and, up close, a red orbital ring can be observed around the iris. Their call is a high-pitched ‘kee’ or ‘kee-ya’ sound.

Distribution: There are approximately 49,000 breeding pairs of Common Gull in the UK, which breed in the north and west of Britain and Ireland. They are generally widely distributed throughout the country but are found with the highest densities on the eastern side of Scotland. Predominantly a coastal bird, this species has a preference for upland areas and can be seen in towns along the coast throughout the year.

Threats: Severe declines have been observed over the last 25 years, with over half of the breeding population lost during this time. These losses are due to a number of factors, including predation, habitat loss and degradation.

Fun fact: Despite its name, this bird is scarcer than other gull species and is found in lower numbers.

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

A large gull flying over the sea. It has a yellow beak with a red patch. Its body is white but the backs of the wings are a dark slate grey — Image by Gertjan van Noord via Flickr

Identification: A thick-set, very large gull with a powerful beak. Great Black-backed Gulls are easily recognised by their black upper wings and an impressive wingspan of up to 167cm. The head, neck, tail and underside are white and there are visible white edges to the upper wings in flight. This species has pale pink legs, and a distinctive large yellow beak with a red spot on the underside towards the tip.

Distribution: There are around 17,000 breeding pairs of Great Black-backed Gull in the UK which can be seen throughout the year in coastal locations. This species is found across the UK but has high densities around the northern Isles and south-west Ireland.

Threats: Populations of Great Black-backed Gull have declined by an estimated 50% since 1985, brought on by suspected declines in food availability in their natural habitat, habitat loss and threats from entanglement and development.

Fun fact: The Great Black-backed Gull is the largest gull species in the world.

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)

A small white bird with a black head. Its legs and beak are a vibrant red and the wing tops are a light grey — Image by Alaska Region U.S Fish and Wildlife Service via Flickr

Identification: A small, slender seabird with a wingspan measuring up to 85cm. The Arctic Tern is a white bird with a black cap and grey wings. It is streamlined in shape and has a deeply forked tail with long streamers. The legs and pointed beak are red in colour and their calls are hard and repetitive, with a ‘kee-arr’ sound.

Distribution: There are approximately 54,000 breeding pairs in the UK that can be seen in good numbers around Shetland and Orkney. Arctic Tern can be seen from April to September in Britain, breeding coastally in the north.

Threats: Arctic Tern populations have undergone long-term declines for several reasons: habitat loss, human disturbance in breeding and feeding habitats, impacted chick survival by avian influenza, and declines in Sand Eels, a critical food source.

Fun fact: The Arctic Tern has the longest migration of any tern – this species breeds in the Arctic and travels south to summer in the Antarctic.

Great Skua (Stercorarius skua)

A mottled brown bird standing on long grass. It has a dark grey beak and legs. It is a brown bird with mottled white, yellow, gold and black — Image by Kjetil Rimolsronning via Flickr

Identification: A large, dark brown bird with a wingspan up to 140cm. Great Skua are heavy in build and almost black in colour when viewed at a distance, with white flashes on the wing visible in flight. Up close, their plumage is streaked with black, brown, white and yellow and their bills and legs are black. They have a distinctive gull call – a harsh ‘hah-hah-hah-hah’ sound.

Distribution: Great Skua can be seen around British coastlines throughout the year, with most sightings documented between April and November. This species is known to breed on northern islands, including Shetland and Orkney during the summer months.

Threats: Great Skua populations have been severely impacted by avian influenza, resulting in at least 2,500 deaths of Scottish birds since 2022.

Fun fact: Considered ‘pirates of the sea’, Great Skuas are predatory birds and will hunt small birds, rabbits and rodents.

Recommended Reading:

Seabirds: The New Identification Guide

Lavishly illustrated, this comprehensive guide covers all known seabirds and features more than 3,800 full-colour figures.

The Storm-petrels

The definitive work on the European Storm-petrel and its relatives, by one of the world’s leading experts on the species.

The Seabird’s Cry

In ten chapters, each dedicated to a different bird, this book travels the ocean paths along with them, looking at the way their bodies work and the strategies needed to survive in the most demanding environment on earth.