‘Effectively protected’ land in England has declined to just 2.93%. With the government’s commitment to protecting 30% of Britain’s land and sea by 2030 fast approaching, campaigners warn that swift, direct action is needed to overturn these declines. Ocean protection has increased to 9.92% from last year’s 8%, however land protection has fallen to under 3%, less than last year’s estimate. Declines in land protection result from the diminishing condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to climate change, pollution and overgrazing and conservation authorities agree that the UK government will need to take big steps over the next few years to meet 30×30 targets.
The UK Government has pledged £22b to support the development of two carbon capture and storage projects. Based in Merseyside and Teesside, these carbon capture projects will store carbon emissions from industry and energy production to help the UK meet its climate goals. This new industry is regarded as a key element in meeting targets around greenhouse gas emissions and is hoped to attract significant private investment as well as provide 4,000 jobs for local people. The captured carbon will be stored in deep geological storage in the North Sea and Liverpool Bay, with the hopes of removing up to 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
Botanists from Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens believe there are around 100,000 plant species yet to be discovered across the globe. A study revealed 33 areas that are likely to contain great numbers of undiscovered species and highlights regions in which botanists should be concentrating their search for new plants. By increasing the rate of discoveries, scientists hope to better target conservation and preservation, and discover these species before they are lost to extinction. Of the 33 areas identified, most are in Asia and include Vietnam and the eastern Himalayas. Africa, South America, Madagascar, Colombia and Peru have also been identified as key areas of interest.
Satellite data analysis from the University of Exeter has reported greening across the Antarctic continent. Due to the acceleration of the climate crisis, plant cover in the region has increased more than tenfold over recent decades, expanding from just 1km2 in 1986 to nearly 12km2 in 2021. Comprised mainly of mosses and green algae, this greening leaves the continent open to invasive species colonisation from foreign visitors. Although still dominated by ice, the growth of vegetation in the region is cause for concern and could facilitate further soil formation due to an increased presence of vegetative organic matter.
Conservation
Pine Martens have been successfully reintroduced to south-west England. In September, fifteen Pine Martens – eight females and seven males – were released in undisclosed locations on Dartmoor National Park for the first time in 150 years. After being driven to extinction by habitat loss and persecution, this translocation will reinstate natural predator-prey interactions and processes. Next year, the project will turn its attention to Exmoor National Park to translocate another group of these elusive mustelids.
Salmon numbers in England and Wales took a sharp decline in 2023. In a report by CEFAS and the Environment Agency, data showed that last year’s salmon stocks were at the lowest since records began in 1997 – declared catch in 2023 totalled 5,399, nearly 1,500 less than the year before. There are 64 principal salmon rivers in the UK (rivers which contain significant numbers), and only one of these is classified as not at risk. It is believed that climate change and polluted waterways are directly endangering these fish, as salmon are an indicator species for polluted waters.
The Welsh Government has announced its support for the reintroduction of Eurasian Beavers in Wales. With flood warnings becoming more regular across the country, the reintroduction of these animals could provide Wales with a nature-based solution to tackle water pollution and flooding through the creation of wetland habitats. The project is supported by over 90% of the Welsh population, revealed by a survey that was conducted by the Welsh Beaver Project who have been investigating the feasibility of reintroduction since 2005.
Foraging for food is an easy way to connect people of all ages with nature. Some of us may forage unknowingly while picking juicy blackberries in the summer months, and some of us may be unaware of the vast array of edibles around us throughout the year. Here we have selected a handful of items to forage through autumn and winter, highlighting where you can find them and their culinary uses.
It is important to be certain of your identification, so if you are unsure, check all foraged foods with a professional as some plants have toxic look-alikes. Remember to forage responsibly by leaving plenty behind for wildlife and allow plants to set seed or spore for regeneration.
Identification: With its distinctive appearance, this bracket fungus is instantly recognisable. It has an oyster-shaped cap, that can be white, cream, grey or tan in colour and measures up to 25cm across. The gills underneath can vary in thickness with age, but are generally white or cream in colour.
Distribution: Oyster mushrooms can be found throughout the year in large numbers, but they are most commonly seen in the winter months growing on deciduous hardwoods, such as beech.
Culinary Uses: Oyster mushrooms have a meaty texture and a mild, nutty flavour. They have a diversity of culinary applications and are often used to substitute meat due to their fleshy texture. They can be sauteed, stir fried, grilled and roasted, or used as an ingredient in soups, stews, risottos and pasta.
Did you know? Oyster Mushrooms are carnivorous and can digest nematodes (microscopic, unsegmented worms).
Identification: Growing in overlapping tiers, Velvet Shank Mushroom caps can measure up to 7cm in diameter and 10cm in height. The caps are bright orange, with a pale edge and a darker area towards the middle, which interestingly becomes slimy to the touch in wet weather. The gills are broad and white, turning yellow with maturity and the stalk is fibrous and soft.
Distribution: The dense clusters of this fungus can be found on dead and decaying broadleaved trees from late autumn to early spring. It is fairly common throughout the UK and can be found on the stumps and trunks of hardwood trees. The fungus shows a preference for elm, but can also be found on beech, oak and Hawthorn.
Culinary Uses: Velvet Shank has a sweet, nutty flavour and a chewy texture. They are only edible once cooked, and can be used in soups, casseroles and stews, or can be preserved using oil or vinegar for use throughout the season. For improved texture, the skin and stalks should be removed during preparation.
Did you know? Velvet Shank Mushrooms are one of few species that can be found in December because they can survive frost and being frozen solid.
Beefsteak Fungus (Fistulina hepatica)
Image by Ancient Woods and Trees Project via Flickr
Identification: Also known as Ox-tongue Fungus due to its resemblance as a young fungus, this bracket fungus grows up to 25cm in diameter and 6cm in thickness. The upper surface is a deep red and it has a cream-coloured underside that is covered with small pores.
Where/when: Beefsteak Fungus can be found from late summer to autumn and is common in broadleaved woodland. It can be spotted close to the ground on tree trunks and stumps, particularly Sweet Chestnut and oaks.
Culinary Uses: This fungus has a marbled, rubbery texture and a slightly sour, acidic flavour. It can be eaten raw when sliced thinly but is more commonly cooked in larger chunks. During preparation, Beefsteak Fungus should be simmered for a little while to soften the flesh.
Did you know? Beefsteak fungus will ooze a watery blood-like substance when cut.
Identification: Chestnuts grow on Sweet Chestnut trees; a large deciduous species which can grow up to 35m in height. It has long, toothed leaves that can grow up to 28cm in length and its flowers are long, yellow catkins. Sweet Chestnuts produce fruit cases that are covered in soft green spikes, and inside these cases are up to three shiny brown chestnuts.
Distribution: Sweet Chestnut trees are mostly found in south-east England in woodlands, towns and gardens. The chestnuts begin to drop from October and can be found until early winter.
Culinary Uses: Chestnuts can be baked, boiled, roasted, candied or stored in syrup. Before cooking, a cross should be scored on the bottom to prevent them from exploding. Once cooked and peeled, chestnuts can be used in cakes and stuffing and are often enjoyed as a festive treat.
Did you know? In the UK, it is believed that Sweet Chestnut trees were introduced by the Romans as a source of flour.
Identification: These seeds are foraged from the Walnut tree, a large, broadleaved deciduous species that can grow up to 35m in height. The bark of the Walnut is smooth and olive-brown in colour, which fades to grey as the tree matures. The pinnate leaves have up to nine pairs of leaflets, with one terminal leaflet at the end and the tree has long, yellow green coloured catkins. The brown, wrinkled walnuts can be found inside a green husk which splits as it ripens and can be picked from late autumn.
Distribution: A common and widespread species throughout the UK, Walnut trees can be found on farmland, towns, parks and gardens.
Culinary Uses: Walnuts are a popular snack and can be incorporated into several dishes, sweet or savoury. They can be eaten raw, roasted, fried or pickled.
Did you know? Walnut leaves are said to smell of furniture polish when crushed.
Hazelnuts, Hazel Tree (Corylus avellana)
Image by hedera.baltica via Flickr
Identification: Mature Hazel trees grow to around 12m tall and are easily identified by their leaves. They are soft to the touch, with a round shape, pointed tip and serrated edges. The flowers consist of yellow cylindrical catkins that hang in clusters from mid-February, giving way to the oval fruits which hang in groups of around four and are surrounded by leafy bracts.
Distribution: Common and widespread across the UK, Hazel trees can be found in woods, hedgerows, parks and gardens. Hazelnuts are present from late August and are ready to harvest up to October when the husks are golden brown and begin to split.
Culinary Uses: Once ripened in a dark, dry place, hazelnuts can be roasted or baked, and used to create stuffing, nut butters, pastry fillings and traditional festive confectionary.
Identification: Stinging Nettles can be easily identified by their dull, serrated leaves that, along with the rest of the plant, are covered in small, stinging hairs that deliver an itchy sting when brushed. The stem is square, and the flowers are small and green, resembling catkins with no petals.
Distribution: Stinging Nettles are common and widespread throughout the UK and can be found in woodland, grassland, hedges, roadsides and wasteland from Spring to Autumn.
Culinary Uses: The shoots and leaves of Stinging Nettles are extremely versatile in the kitchen and can be used in soups, risotto, pesto and popular herbal teas.
Did you know? It is thought that roman soldiers rubbed their bodies with nettles to keep warm and promote good circulation.
Identification: A small, annual herb in the mustard family, Hairy Bittercress grows to around 30cm in height. The compound leaves consist of small, rounded leaflets that are arranged in opposite pairs, forming a compact rosette close to the ground. The small, white flowers have four petals forming a cross shape and are around 1cm in diameter. The entire plant is covered in small, pale hairs.
Distribution: Common and widespread year-round, Hairy Bittercress can readily be found in the cracks in pavements, patios, walls and gardens. It prefers damp, shady areas but may also be found in heathland, coastal areas and moorland.
Culinary Uses: Although considered a weed, Hairy Bittercress has a wide range of culinary uses. It has a tangy, peppery flavour and can be used in salads, soups, salsa, or pesto, and can even be used to substitute cress and rocket. Picking leaves from the middle of the rosette is advised for the best flavour.
Identification: Growing up to 35m in height, Scots Pine trees are easily recognised by their straight, unbranched trunk and conical crown. The needles are grey green in colour and are arranged in twisted, bunched pairs with orange scented flowers that mature into green cones.
Distribution: Scots Pine are common and widespread throughout the northern hemisphere. Wild trees can be found in abundance in the Caledonian Pine Forest of Scotland and are widely planted elsewhere in the UK.
Culinary Uses: Scots Pine needles can be harvested throughout the year to make pestos, soups and stews. Young pine needles can be used to make tea or can be infused with oils to harness their citrusy, lemony flavour.
Identification: Rosehips come from the wild Dog Rose; a thorny, scrambling shrub with pale pink flowers. The flowers have five petals and yellow stamens that give rise to oval shaped, green seed pods known as rosehips. These eventually ripen to a vibrant red and contain numerous small seeds covered in irritating hairs.
Distribution: Dog Rose is common and widespread across the UK where it can be found year-round in hedgerows and woodland fringes. Rosehips appear around September after the rose has flowered, and last throughout the winter – they are ready to be picked when they feel plump and soft
Culinary Uses: Rosehips can be used to make jams, jellies and syrup for cordials, tea and desserts. Rosehip tea is commonly brewed with citrus fruits, lemongrass, dried fruit and honey for a vitamin C rich drink. These berries have also been used to infuse vinegars for a fragrant salad dressing. Rosehips cannot be eaten raw and must be cooked before ingestion. The irritating hairs around the seeds should also be removed during preparation.
Identification: Sloes grow on the Blackthorn tree, a black-barked scrub that grows to around 7 metres. Blackthorn has spiny, black-purple twigs and oval-shaped, toothed leaves which have pointed tips and a tapered base. Blackthorn trees produce small, white blossom in early spring, before the leaves develop. The sloes, which are the smallest fruit in the plum family, are blue-black berries around 1cm across. They can be picked from September to December and are known for their acidic taste.
Distribution: Blackthorn can be found in abundance in woodland, field edges and hedges throughout the UK.
Culinary Uses: It is recommended to pick sloes after the first frost for the best flavour, however this can be replicated by freezing and thawing the sloes at home. The tart flavour of sloe berries is favoured for preserves, wine and sloe gin. Historically, sloes have also been used to make tonics and syrups as health remedies.
Identification: The Elder tree is a deciduous species which can grow up to six metres in height and is identifiable by its toothed, oval leaves. Each compound leaf has up to seven leaflets, arranged in opposite pairs with a single leaflet at the top. The flowers of this tree, elderflowers, bloom between May and June. Clusters of white, five-petalled flowers appear with prominent yellow stamens, and umbels of dark elderberries form in late August.
Distribution: Elder trees can be found growing in a variety of conditions year-round, and are largely non-selective with their environment, which can include hedgerows, woodland, scrubland, grassland and urban green spaces.
Culinary Uses: Packed full of antioxidants and vitamins, elderberries have been used for centuries to support human health. These dark berries can be used to make wine, syrups, jams, cordials and can be incorporated into cakes and crumbles. Please note that elderberries should always be cooked before eating to neutralise cyanide compounds present within the fruit.
Brought to you by the Sunday Times bestselling author Guy Shrubsole, The Lie of the Land discusses how a handful of wide-scale landowners are responsible for the destruction and degradation of our vital landscapes, painting a humbling picture of some of the most notable failures of land stewardship in Britain’s recent history. However, Guy also presents a glimmer of hope as he relays the stories of those trying to help nature recover, from small-scale farmers to community groups and individuals. In doing so he gives the public hope that we can all become custodians of the countryside once more.
Photograph by Nick White
Guy Shrubsole is a researcher, writer and environmental campaigner who previously worked as an investigator for Friends of the Earth, and is co-founder of the Right to Roam movement. He was Policy and Campaigns Coordinator at Rewilding Britain for a number of years and has published a number of books including Who Owns England? and The Lost Rainforests of Britain.
We recently had the opportunity to interview Guy about The Lie of the Land, where we discussed what inspired him to write this book, how the privatisation of land has affected its conservation and preservation, what he hopes the reader can learn from his work and more.
Firstly, can you tell us a little bit about what inspired you to write The Lie of the Land?
I’ve been thinking – and campaigning – about the issues in The Lie of the Land for some years. Witnessing moorland being deliberately set ablaze for the purposes of driven grouse shooting was an early spark; as was reading about the landowners who drained the Fens, and the vast wet commons that once dominated Cambridgeshire which teemed with fish, wildfowl and eels. In some ways The Lie of the Land is a natural sequel to my first book, Who Owns England? – taking its analysis that half of England belongs to just 1% of the population and looking at the ecological consequences of this.
Have there been any instances where private land ownership has benefitted the environment and increased its accessibility for the public, and if so, what can be taken from this?
Absolutely, I discuss in the book how there are some brilliant nature-friendly farmers and landowners doing great work – heroes like Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell with their rewilding work at Knepp, or Jake Fiennes at Holkham, or James Rebanks in the Lake District. But I argue that we can’t simply rely on these few ‘good stewards’ to turn the nature crisis around on their own. We need to call out bad practice (as Fiennes does in his book Land Healer) and make all landowners more accountable to the public for how they’re treating the land. Look at how England’s peat bogs – a vast natural store of carbon and a crucial national asset in the fight against the climate crisis – have been mistreated by the 150 or so estates that own them and set fire to them each October. Look at the institutional investors who own great swathes of the Fens – organisations like the Church Commissioners – and how they continue to profit from what is essentially a ‘carbon bomb’, the wasted peat soils of the fenland losing fertility and carbon with each passing year.
The trouble is, a lot of estates and lobby groups for landowners hide behind the assertion that they are the ‘custodians of the countryside’, who can be trusted to look after it without the need for public oversight or pesky environmental regulations. But as James Rebanks says, “I’m a very proud defender of good farming, but the ‘custodians of the countryside’ argument only washes if we are genuinely doing that – otherwise it’s self-serving nonsense.”
Those Blue Hills by Jim Roberts Gallery, via flickr.
What do you think needs to be implemented to increase the perceived viability of community land ownership and management, compared to privately owned spaces? And how do you think we can increase the quantity of community land ownership going forward?
We need to give communities the power to take ownership of more land, for starters. That means introducing a Community Right to Buy in England, like the one they’ve had in Scotland for the past twenty years – a set of powers that has led to communities buying up half a million acres of Scotland. I visit one such community buyout in the book, Langholm Moor – a former grouse moor that was bought by the people of Langholm a couple of years ago: they’re now turning it into a nature reserve. No more moorland burning, no more predator persecution: they’re going to re-wet the peat bogs and are allowing birch and rowan to naturally regenerate up the hillsides.
We need to have that opportunity in England, too. And the good news is, the new Labour government announced in its first King’s Speech that it will introduce a Community Right to Buy in England. But we’ll have to campaign hard to make sure it happens, and that landed interests don’t water it down. And we need to unlock our own imaginations, to start to dream bigger about how communities could take control of land and manage it for nature. As the Scottish land reform campaigner Alastair McIntosh has written, community ownership of land “creates a new constellation of possibility.” Let’s reach for the stars.
I particularly enjoyed your last book, The Lost Rainforests of Britain, and it really opened my eyes to the remarkable habitats around us that many people, like myself, never knew existed. Do you think landowners are aware of the importance, in some cases rarity, of the land they own? And how has the privatisation of the UK’s rainforests affected their conservation and preservation?
Thanks! I think an increasing number of landowners and farmers are now aware of temperate rainforests – after writing Lost Rainforests, one of the loveliest messages I got was from a Devon sheep farmer who had discovered the very rare Hazel Gloves fungus growing in an old hazel grove on her farm. And it’s been really encouraging to see such snowballing momentum to bring back Britain’s rainforests since the book was published – like the Wildlife Trusts announcing rainforest restoration projects from Skiddaw in Cumbria to West Muchlarnick in Cornwall, and the Cornish landowner Merlin Hanbury-Tenison doing great work on his farm at Cabilla.
Unfortunately, not all landowners recognise the importance of the habitats they own – even sometimes when they’ve been officially ‘notified’ of their existence through the land being designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In the book I tell the story of the landowner who destroyed part of the River Lugg SSSI – and how his example is sadly only one of many instances since the first SSSIs were designated in the 1950s. Ultimately, if we’re to protect our remaining habitats, I think we cannot only rely on voluntary initiatives by enlightened owners, but have to give precious habitats strong legal protections – and make sure our environmental watchdogs, like Natural England, have real teeth.
What do you hope the reader can learn from your book?
I hope that readers get angry about the problems, take inspiration from the suggested solutions, and get out there and campaign for them to become reality!
The final chapter of your book details your 10-step proposal. At which point during the writing process did you develop these, and how did these recommendations adapt and evolve throughout the researching and writing process of The Lie of the Land?
In all of my books, I aim to set out clear political recommendations – for me the point of writing is not just to interpret the world, but to change it! From the outset I had quite a clear sense that all my recommendations in The Lie of the Land would be about how we can democratise decision-making over land, make landowners more accountable and give all of us a greater say over how land is used. That, to me, seems to be our last, best hope of turning the nature crisis around.
My own feelings of optimism about fixing this mess we’re in were definitely boosted by the conversations I had, and site visits I made in the process of researching the book. There are loads of communities yearning to look after land, loads of river guardian groups blowing the whistle on river pollution, and plenty of examples from other countries – and from our own nation’s history – of how we can protect and restore nature and do a better job than we are currently. But we need some policy changes at a national level to unlock these energies and scale them up. As William Gibson (allegedly) once said, ‘the future is already here – it’s just not very evenly distributed.’
Are you working on any other books or projects that we can hear about?
Steady on – I’ve just written this one! Currently I’m enjoying meeting with lots of people across the country to get the ideas out there – and I am campaigning hard for these policy changes. I also work with the Right to Roam campaign (you can join our mailing list at www.righttoroam.org.uk). But I definitely would like to write more books in the future!
The Lie of the Land is available from our bookstore.
Although widely used by ecologists, trail cameras are popular with naturalists, wildlife watchers and those who are simply curious as to what creatures can be found in their gardens. They allow us to monitor the wildlife around us without impacting their natural behaviours and can capture both images and video during the day and night, with the help of infrared imaging technology. Trail cameras are constructed to endure harsh outdoor conditions, including wind, rain and temperature fluctuations, making them robust and long-wearing.
With this technology we can observe wildlife that we may not otherwise be able to see. They allow us to watch easily startled species, like deer, or those that are nocturnal, like foxes. We can also record and observe a much broader, and more natural, range of behaviours without disturbance from humans.
Our colleague, Sabine, recently captured some excellent footage on two trail cameras around her home using the Num’axes PIE1060 Solar Wi-Fi Trail Camera and the Browning Strike Force Pro1080. The cameras were placed in her orchard, which has a small stream, and were left to record for around four months and one year respectively, capturing some exciting finds.
Here’s what Sabine found:
A pair of Magpies (Pica Pica) drinking and bathing in a stream, a natural behaviour which can easily be disturbed by human presence.
The Browning detected Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) during both the daytime and night time around the orchard. Deer are easily startled by human presence and trail cameras allow us to observe their natural, relaxed behaviours.
Another day and night comparison of Pheasants (Phasianuscolchicus). Videos recorded by the trail camera gave us a great insight into their breeding behaviours, not commonly seen in the flesh.
A possible BankVole (Myodesglareolus) emerging from its burrow. Usually sticking to their underground burrows, or dense surrounding vegetation, a carefully placed trail camera can even be used to capture the more unusual species found across the British countryside.
A Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) perched on a fence post to have its morning meal of a large nut. Another example of natural, undisturbed behaviour of a typically wary species.
For more information on how to choose a trail camera, see our buyers guide and our trail camera blogs on the Conservation Hub.
Planet Earth may have surpassed seven of its ‘planetary boundaries’. These boundaries are described as physical or biological systems and processes that contribute to the stability of life on Earth and its supporting functions. There are nine boundaries in total, which are considered breached when the process can no longer function – these thresholds have been reached with six boundaries, and number seven, ocean acidification, is close to its threshold. Breaching this seventh boundary would reduce the efficiency of the ocean as a carbon sink, threatening marine ecosystems and global survival.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a ten-year restoration plan to clean up London’s rivers. Inspired by New York’s Oyster project, the Mayor hopes that by encouraging Eurasian Otters, Water Voles, eels and mayflies throughout the capital, water quality will subsequently improve. Khan is also investigating the reintroduction of oysters, which were historically present in the Thames, as a means of cleaning the degraded environment.
Climate Crisis
Seabirds are having to fly further to find food sources due to the melting of sea ice in Antarctica. Researchers analysed the foraging data from over 2,400 trips made by seven South Georgian seabird species from 1992 to 2023. They found that receding sea ice in the region is impacting species like Albatross and petrels as they now have to travel greater distances in search of breeding grounds and food. The data suggests that altered patterns of food availability could impact the presence of these birds in certain ecosystems however, with sea ice at a record lows, further research is needed to better evaluate the long-term impacts on seabirds.
Young coral colonies bred using IVF technology have survived a record marine heatwave. These cultivated colonies were planted onto multiple reefs in the US and the Caribbean to restore degraded habitats in the region. Last year, the Caribbean experienced a mass bleaching event which resulted in significant losses of the reef– only 25% of older corals survived, however over 90% of cultivated corals remained healthy after the event, and researchers are hopeful that this technique may provide coral species with a greater chance of adapting to heat stresses over time.
Wildlife
The EU has made the first move toward legalising wolf culls. The proposal was put forward by the European Commission late last year, and this month member governments, including Germany and France, have voted in favour to downgrade the ‘strictly protected’ status of the Eurasian Wolf to ‘protected’ under the Bern Convention 1979. This amendment would allow the EU to revise the Habitats Directive to further ease the protection of the species, which currently permits culls only with specific authorisation in extenuating circumstances.
Butterfly Conservation have announced a ‘butterfly emergency’. This year’s Big Butterfly Count recorded the lowest ever numbers since the initiative began 14 years ago, with an average of seven butterflies per count, compared to last year’s twelve. Partially due to a wetter-than-average spring, late summer and a long-term downward trend, the results indicate a significant decline in British butterflies and day-flying moths. Butterfly Conservation has responded by urging the government to ban neonicotinoid pesticides harming these indicator species for good.
For many people, the mention of mushrooms conjures up images of stroganoff, druids, or damp housing. However, for those of us who are mycologically inclined, a vast kingdom of species, ecological interactions, and secondary metabolites awaits to boggle the mind. Fungi are everywhere, circulating through the air as spores, forming networks below our feet, and even influencing popular culture. But what is mycology?
Originating from the Greek language, mycology translates to the study of fungus. The term was first coined in the early 19th century, but the study of fungi goes much further back. The Greeks pioneered written fungal observations, initially through records of poisonings. They were also the first to attempt to classify mushrooms (fungi), albeit as plants with missing parts, a narrative that persisted until the late 1960s when the fungal kingdom was first described.
Since the Greeks, theories about fungi origins ebbed and flowed throughout written history. From a modern taxonomic standpoint, Linnaeus (the father of modern taxonomy who formalised binomial nomenclature) and his contemporaries were integral to mycology, describing groups (genera) that still exist today, such as Boletus and Agaricus – though these have been heavily adapted from the original classifications. However, at this time, mushrooms were still classified as plants within the subcategory of ‘Cryptogamia’, due to the lack of apparent sexual organs, a similar grouping to that of the Greeks. But is mycology solely concerned with mushrooms, colloquially known as toadstools, the enigmatic, ephemeral fruits of fungal species?
The short answer is no. Once thought to be asexual plants, mushrooms are actually the reproductive structures of fungal species that form networks of organic strands called hyphae, collectively known as mycelium. When two sexually compatible hyphal strands from the same species meet, they twist and writhe, forming a knot. It is from this mycelial joint enterprise that the mushroom fruits, hence the term ‘fruiting bodies’.
Boletus and Agaricus are prime examples of iconic toadstool-forming fungal genera. Once fully developed, the toadstool drops spores, either from pores (in the case of Boletus) or gills (as with Agaricus). These generaare members of Basidiomycota (the spore-droppers) that release spores to fall to the ground. The other major fungal group, Ascomycota, the spore-shooters, fire spores from specially adapted tissue into the wind. Fungi classified as Basidiomycetes do not exclusively form toadstools, there is a large variety of fruitbody formations, each with unique identifying features and characteristics. Examples include brackets, puffballs, earthstars, stinkhorns, corals, toothed fungi, jellies, rusts, and smuts.
Ascomycetes, the spore-shooters, exhibit a similarly large variety of fruit body forms. Many ascomycete fruit bodies are considered cup fungi, such as the morel – a forager’s favourite. Cup fungi belong to the Pezizomycetes. This subgroup also contains truffles, which are prized by chefs, foodies, and mammals of various sizes. Other intriguing forms include saddle-shaped fungi, earth tongues, and club- and finger-shaped fungi.
Ascomycete fungi are known for their propensity for parasitism and pathogenicity, such as the ever-fascinating Cordyceps (zombie ant fungus), made famous by The Last of Us, or Ergot(ClavicepsPurpurea), a plant pathogen. Ergot is hallucinogenic when consumed by mammals and most famously caused a ‘dancing plague’ among villagers in the early 20th century. Some fungi do not produce hyphae and therefore do not form mycelial networks or fruit bodies. A famous example of an Ascomycete fungus that doesn’t produce spores, mushrooms, or mycelium is yeast (Saccharomyces). Yeast is unicellular and present in the air and has had a dramatic impact on human societies via bread and beer, a winning combination.
Lichens represent a fascinating intersection of biology, ecology, and mycology. These composite organisms are the result of a symbiotic partnership between a primary photo-biont, typically algae or cyanobacteria, and a fungal host. The photo-biont contributes photosynthetic sugars, while the fungus creates a stable environment for the photo-biont to thrive. This mutualistic relationship is an ingenious ecological strategy that allows both partners to survive in diverse and often extreme environments. Interestingly, as mycologists delve deeper into lichen biology, more complex partnerships are being discovered. Notably, 98% of the fungi associated with lichens belong to the ascomycetes, the group of spore-shooting fungi, and almost half of all ascomycetes participate in lichen formation.
Let’s touch on slime moulds, another group commonly mistaken for fungi. These soil-dwelling amoeba, originally described as ‘fast-growing fungus’, were integrated into fungal evolutionary history until the 1970s. Slime moulds share similarities with fungi in their lifecycles and ecological niches, but despite their name and popular belief, they belong to a different kingdom altogether – the protozoan kingdom. It’s easy to see why they were once considered members of the fungal kingdom, as they ‘fruit’ under similar conditions and are often found on rotten substrates in damp forests.
The often-overlooked fungal kingdom has been a keycomponent to the development of life on earth andis often cited as one of the drivers for terrestrial evolution. Alongside its significance in evolutionary history, this unique kingdom has also benefitted humans for millennia andis expected to play a vital role in future healthcare, farming and food security. In addition to these significant contributions to civilisation, fungi are a delight to stumble across in the wild and are an object of beauty and wonder for many. Whether you are a seasoned mycologist, budding enthusiast or a complete beginner, fungi are bound to captivate you with their peculiarities –so why not head out this autumn, explore the forest floor, and see what you can find?
Below we have listed some recommendations for popular field guides and recent titles suitable for mycologists, as well as the NHBS Beginners Field Mycology Kit:
This extensive guide covers the fungi of the British Isles in astonishing detail and is written, and illustrated, by leading mycologists and horticultural scientists
Acclaimed scientist and author Richard Fortey acknowledges the otherworldliness of fungi and marvels at their charm in this enthusiastic and passionate book
An illuminating account of the invisible fungi that share our world, this book explores the evolution and adaptation of these organisms, the latest research surrounding the fungal kingdom and more
A beautifully designed pocketbook on the world’s fungi, this expertly written work contains an astonishing amount of information and covers a range of topics, including myths, folklore and modern culture
An illustrated mini field guide packed with information on over 200 species found in Britain. A concise written account covers size, description, habitat and the season in which each fungus may be found.
NHBS Beginners Field Mycology Kit
This comprehensive kit equips you with the essentials to observe and document fungi in any weather. The kit contains a Singlet Loupe 21mm 10x Hand Lens, a Rite in the Rain Spiral Bound Notebook and four Field Studies Council Guides (The Fungi Name-trail, Distinctive Gilled Fungi, Distinctive Non-gilled Fungi and Distinctive Grassland Fungi).
This blog focusses on forgotten species; those that are extinct, endangered or just urban, small and under-recorded. With climate change, habitat loss and invasive species threatening our native mammals, highlighting their importance is vital in driving their conservation, so we have chosen to spotlight three of the UK’s endangeredmammals, discussing their biology and characteristics, current conservation initiatives and what the future might look like for these animals.
Habitat: Freshwater, particularly streams and rivers near woodland.
Diet: Aquatic plants and grasses during warmer months, tree bark and shoots during winter. Preference for willow, Aspen, Alder and fruit trees.
Conservation Status: Critically endangered in England, endangered in Scotland.
Distribution: Free-range populations in the River Tay, River Otter and Knapdale, Scotland. Enclosed populations in Kent, Essex and the Forest of Dean. As of 2023, Scottish beavers have established 424 territories, housing up to 1,500 individuals.
Breeding: Between December and April. Birth in early summer of up to six kits, sexually mature at two years old.
Description: With distinctive orange, chisel-like teeth and a flat, scaled tail, beavers are instantly recognisable. Similar in size to a medium dog with shorter legs and a rounder body, the fur of a beaver ranges from brown to black. Once widespread in the UK, the Eurasian Beaver was historically persecuted for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. The species was hunted for fur, meat and the oil from its scent glands, resulting in extinction by the 1600’s.
Did you know? High iron content in the enamel of their teeth gives them their distinctive orange colour. This addition provides the teeth the extra strength that is required for felling trees and eating.
Conservation of Eurasian Beavers
Beavers are talented ‘engineers’, able to transform wetland and freshwater environments. Through the alteration and modification of these habitats, beavers can create complex wetlands, ponds and nurture more resilient ecosystems.Their dams provide a natural filtration system for freshwater landscapes and water quality is shown to increase as it passes through dam complexes, helping to reduce diffuse pollution in the area. Through improved water storage, beaver activities can also maintain water flow to drought-ridden landscapes, increasing the habitat’s resilience to climate change related conditions.
Environments altered by beaver presence host significantly higher diversity compared to those without. Tree felling can shed more light onto aquatic areas, encouraging growth of wetland vegetation. Feeding on larger, fleshy plants can favour smaller, slow-growing species in the surrounding habitat, leading to more abundant, diverse plant communities in the long-term. Species richness and overall abundance of small mammals, amphibians and bird species are also found to be higher in areas close to beaver dams.
After 400–500 years of local extinction, beaver reintroduction has been gathering traction in the UK. There are a number of reintroduction projects trialling their release, including the 2009 Scottish Beaver Trial in Knapdale Forest (which introduced around a dozen beavers to over four hectares of land) and the Devon Beaver Project which introduced one family group to an enclosed area in West Devon. England’s first wild project, The River Otter Beaver Trial, was founded due to the discovery of wild beavers in the region. This 5-year project observedeight family units over 28,700ha and is seeking to demonstrate the effect of beavers on other wildlife, local landscapes, water flow, water quality and local communities. Further reintroductions across the country have established both wild and enclosed populations of this keystone species.
Looking Forward
Reintroduction projects across the UK have been successful. Populations are breeding successfully and have been expanding their territories. However, there is cause for concern with the potential of conflicts to arise over land management. It is likely that, with expansion, there will be human-wildlife conflict with landowners and other stakeholders in the future. The impact of beaver activities on the environment can cause flooding of pasture, risk to crops and the felling of trees can cause harm to livestock and structures. Natural England has advised a paced approach to beaver reintroduction, minimising impacts to land use, infrastructure, livelihoods or environmental features while maximising benefits for the environment.
Habitat: Grassy banks along slow-moving rivers, canals and streams. Marshes, reedbeds, wet moorland, wetland.
Diet: Grass and waterside vegetation. Wetland plants in spring and summer. Roots, rhizomes, bulbs and bark in autumn and winter. Occasional invertebrates.
Conservation Status: Endangered in England and critically endangered in Wales.
Distribution: Found throughout mainland UK. Absent from Northern Ireland and most offshore islands. Estimated population of 132,000, range and numbers have declined by 94% from historical populations.
Breeding: March–October. Breed in spring, producing up to four litters a year.
Description: A small rat-sized rodent, the Water Vole has chestnut brown hair covering their entire body and tail, with a round nose and nearly hidden ears. This semi-aquatic rodent was historically widespread until the population saw a decline, resulting in nearly 90% reductions by 1998.
Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are key drivers of Water Vole declines in the UK. General infrastructure development, along with urbanisation of flood plains, have resulted in extensive loss of habitat for this species. Partnered with loss of vegetation and trampling around freshwater banks from grazing livestock, large areas of freshwater habitat are now unsuitable for voles. The unintended introduction of American Mink (Neovison vison) has also been pivotal in the collapse of Water Vole populations across the UK. Initially brought to England for fur farming, escaped mink have predated heavily on this species.
Conservation of Water Voles
Through grazing activities on grasses and rushes at the water’s edge, Water Voles manipulate their habitats, much like beavers but on a smaller scale. This manipulation can make space for a new community of wildflowers and grasses, attracting a host of invertebrate species to an area. As a valuable prey species, elevating Water Vole populations can support predators in the surrounding environment. Barn Owls (Tyto alba), Otters (Lutra lutra) and Pine Martens (Martes martes) are examples of native predators that would benefit from the repopulation of Water Voles.
A number of regional wildlife trusts have undertaken Water Vole recovery projects to support their repopulation in UK waterways. These typically involve recording and monitoring existing Water Vole activity, habitat enhancement, coordination of mink control, and in some cases, reintroduction of the species: 300 voles in the Yorkshire dales, over 600 in Essex, 200 in Gwent and over 1,000 individuals in Kielder Forest. The Forestry Commission has also pledged to make changes in Kielder Forest; improving the landscape by refraining from planting trees on river edges, providing much-needed habitat. In order to protect Water Vole settlement, the species is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), the UK Biodiversity Framework, and is listed as a priority species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Looking Forward
Reintroduction efforts across the UK have had mixed results. A period of growth was observed following initial releases in Nottinghamshire, which has now slowed. Overall occupancy from 2006–2018 has declined by 23%. It is thought that the continued pressure of habitat loss and mink predation is preventing populations from settling successfully. Responding to the poor establishment of Water Vole populations, recovery projects are enhancing existing freshwater habitat and building new areas to establish populations. Breeding and release sites will also be created to facilitate the successful reproduction of Water Voles in a safe environment, away from predation. In addition to habitat enhancement, more widespread mink control is also expected.
Diet: Small mammals, carrion, birds, eggs, fruit and invertebrates.
Conservation Status: Critically endangered in England and Wales, least concern in Scotland.
Distribution: Widespread and relatively common in Ireland. Populations recovering in the Scottish Highlands, some isolated populations in southern Scotland. Populations in northern England and Wales are fragmented and small. Populations estimated at 1,600–8,900 in Britain and Ireland.
Breeding: Mating season is during the summer months. One litter per year, born in March or April. Kits are fully grown at six months and sexually mature by three years old.
Description: Often confused with mink, Weasels or Stoats, the Pine Marten is a fellow member of the Mustelid family. Characterised by its chocolate brown fur and a distinctive, uniquely shaped light-yellow bib around the throat and chest, this elusive species has a long, bushy tail and large, rounded ears. Around the size of a domestic cat, Pine Marten are larger than both Weasels and Stoats and can be distinguished from mink by their chocolate coat.
Pine Marten populations underwent a major decline in the 19th century due to persecution by Victorian gamekeepers on sporting estates. Extensive habitat loss and fragmentation is another factor which contributed to the decline of these species in the UK.
Conservation of Pine Martens
The reintroduction of Pine Martens is favoured by many across the UK. The species is valued for their natural control of the invasive, non-native Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), which can account for up to 14% of a Pine Martens diet. This predation allows the native, endangered Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) to take hold. Eradicating competition from Grey Squirrels, and reducing the risk of the squirrel pox virus, has allowed the Red Squirrel to successfully repopulate areas around Pine Marten territory.
Pine Marten reintroductions positively impact Red Squirrel populations. Image by Joachim Dobler via Flickr
The Two Moors Pine Marten Project, the South East Pine Marten Restoration Project,Back From the Brink and Martens on the Move are programmes founded to support the expansion of Pine Martens in England. A total of 35 individuals have been relocated from Scotland to the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley, and further reintroductions are expected to take place on Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks later this year. Other projects aim to facilitate reintroductions through the enhancement of key habitats (Martens on the Move) or to undertake surveys and monitoring to inform on species distribution (Back from the Brink).
By 2017, around 50 Pine Martens had been relocated to woodland in mid-Wales from their original home in Scotland. The population was radio tracked throughout the first year, which monitored their movement and behaviour. The group have established a viable population, breeding every year since reintroduction.
Looking Forward
The future of Pine Martens in the UK is promising. Monitoring of existing projects shows successful breeding and expansion from Scotland into Northern England. It is expected that more Pine Martens will be released in the Forest of Dean, in addition to an estimated 40 individuals to be released with the Two Moors Restoration Project in autumn 2024. It is hoped that, with further expansion, populations may link with Welsh Pine Martens, boosting connectivity and genetic diversity.
However, as populations continue to expand, there is an increasing risk of conflict. With greater human populations, greater infrastructure, and greater exposure to protected species, concerns may arise among the public. The species are known to find their way into chicken coops and pheasant pens, damaging livestock and causing conflict with local farmers. The Vincent Wildlife Trust, Natural England and NatureScot recommend sufficient Pine Marten monitoring, active engagement and open communication with stakeholders to mitigate potential conflicts before they arise.
Each year, Butterfly Conservation urges the public to venture outdoors and record their local lepidoptera populations with the Big Butterfly Count – a UK-wide survey aiming to assess the health of butterflies and day-flying moths. The count involves recording the number and species of butterflies in a chosen area for fifteen minutes and uploading results to their official website.
There are around 130 day-flying macro moths and 59 species of butterfly in the UK. These highly sensitive animals are key indicators of environmental health and play a crucial role in pollination across the country. The latest State of the UK Butterflies report, an assessment on British butterflies, found that the group has declined by 80% since the 1970s. The Big Butterfly Count allows the health and trends of these species to be assessed, improving our understanding of their conservation and threats.
This year’s count took place between Friday 12th July and Sunday 4th August, and the results from nationwide counts can be found on Butterfly Conservation’s interactive map. Over 140,000 counts were taken during this time, recording nearly 1,000,000 butterflies. Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Small White (Pieris rapae) and Peacock (Aglais io) butterflies were the most recorded species across all data points, accounting for over 670,000 sightings.
This years count revealed the lowest numbers on record, and has led to the announcement of a nationwide ‘butterfly emergency’. On average, seven butterflies and day-flying moths were seen per count, half of last years average. This years count observed significant downward trends in the group, with around 81% of species showing declines, and 600,000 less butterflies recorded than last year (which equates to around a third of 2023’s total observations). 9,000 counts did not record any butterflies, which is the highest number recorded in the history of the count.
We participated in the Big Butterfly Count this year, and are excited to share our results below.
The National Trust has reached a significant nature target a year early. The charity strived to restore 25,000 hectares of crucial habitat across the UK by 2025, including peatland, woodland, wetland, meadow and saltmarsh, and succeeded in doing so in August this year. The restoration comes as a response to climate change and national conservation targets and seeks to expand meadows and woodland to create a connected network for wildlife.
Eighty Water Voles have been released to restore ancient landscapes in Cornwall. Considered ‘ecosystem engineers’ these mammals are known to positively impact soil health and plant diversity through grazing and enhanced nutrient transportation. The voles were released along the River Fowey to improve the surrounding wetland habitat created in 2022.Afurther 120 have been released near Megavissey, and more releases are planned for spring next year.
Three years of restoration work have seen the return of endangered birds in Hertfordshire.Work has come to a close on the Ashridge Estate, the largest woodland maintained by the National Trust – over 24 hectares have been restored by clearing dense areas of plantation, which has allowed more light to reach the ground through the canopy. Greater access to sunlight has improved biodiversity and the availability of food sources, andthe clearing will provide suitable conditions for many breeding birds, including Spotted Flycatchers which have been spotted on the estate after several years of absence.
Conservation
Conservationists are relocating Florida’s Queen Conches in a bid to support theirreproduction. This iconic mollusc has undergone significant declinesin recent years, accelerated by increasing ocean temperaturescausing lethargy and infertility for individuals residing in warmer, shallow waters. By relocating these gastropods to deeper, colder waters, researchers are providing new mating opportunities in a more suitable environment. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, this project is helping to ease reproductive pressures on this species.
In August, the UK government announced a goal to end all badger culls by the end of this parliamentary run. The newswas announced as part of a new scientifically–informed and evidence-based eradication strategy for bovine tuberculosis, which hopes to eradicate the disease by 2038. In the past decade, over 230,000 badgers and 278,000 cattle have been slaughtered, costing the taxpayer over £100m each year. Badgers will instead be vaccinated and released, and a dedicated task force will be formed to ramp up vaccination rates.
Wildlife
Five species of seabird have been added to the UK 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, followingpopulation declines due to a number ofpressures including climate change, habitat lossand unsustainable fishing. Over 30% of all British birds are currently on the list including Kittiwakes, Puffins and Arctic Skuas, among others.
Researchers have found promise in the medicinal plants used by critically endangered Western Lowland Gorillas in Gabon. The group studied the tropical plants eaten by gorillas in Moukalaba Doudou National Park and found four trees also used by localhealers. They are high in antioxidants and antimicrobials, and one tree is a promising candidate for tackling superbugs. All four species (Fromager trees, Fig Tree, African Teak and Giant Yellow Mulberry) show activity against a resistant strain of E. coliand contain chemicals with medicinal effects useful for treating a range of ailments.
Here in the UK, we have 11 species of grasshopper and 23 species of cricket (around ten of these being bush-crickets), both subfamilies belonging to the order Orthoptera. Although similar in appearance, the two can be separated by their antennae – grasshoppers have short, stout appendages and bush-crickets have longer, thinner antennae. Bush-crickets also have a larger body size than grasshoppers, growing up to 5cm in length, and females have a distinctive ovipositor used to lay eggs.
Here, we look at a few species of grasshoppers and bush-crickets found in the UK, detailing ways to ID them and where they can be found.
ID Notes: Up to 2.5cm in length. This grasshopper is usually a mottled brown colour, but can vary from brown to grey, orange and purple. It has barring on the sides, and a very hairy underside which is the most straightforward way to identify this species. It is winged and able to fly. Their song consists of short, single chirrups repeated at short intervals.
Distribution: Common and widespread throughout Britain. Common Field Grasshoppers can be seen from May to October on short vegetation in dry, warm days. They can be found in grassy areas including farmland, grassland, heathland, moorland, towns and gardens.
ID Notes: Up to 2.3cm in length. Meadow Grasshoppers are usually green in colour, with some individuals brown or pink-purple coloured (pictured above). The wings are often brown and are long in males, whereas female wings are short and do not reach the end of the abdomen. This species has distinctive black knees and a dark brown stripe running across the flank to the eye. They are similar in appearance to Common Field Grasshoppers, but lack a hairy underside, which can be used to distinguish them from one another. Their song is a burst of around ten chirrups, making a ‘rrr’ sound.
Distribution: Common and widespread throughout Britain. Meadow Grasshoppers can be seen from April to October in damp pastures with long grass. They can also be found in meadows, grassland, heathland and moorland.
Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus)
Image by Billy Lindblom via Flickr
ID Notes: Up to 2.3cm in length. As the name suggests, this species is mostly green in colour, but males can also be olive brown. Lines on the shoulders are incurved and white or cream in colour. Common Green Grasshoppers are winged and can fly, but their wings do not exceed the body’s length. They produce a long, loud ticking song which can last for 20 seconds or more and is reminiscent of a fast-paced freewheeling bicycle.
Distribution: Common and widespread throughout Britain, although a little patchier in the lowlands. This species appears early in spring and can be seen from April to September. It can be found in coarse, moist grass in meadows, woodland rides, hillside pastures and farmland.
ID Notes: Up to 2cm in length. This small grasshopper is most easily identified by its antennae – males’ are club-tipped, and females’ have a thickened tip. The body has several colour variations including green, brown, grey and orange. Their song is a repetitive ‘zrr’ ‘zrr’ sound lasting around ten seconds before stopping abruptly.
Distribution: Widely distributed across the UK, but uncommon. Mottled Grasshoppers can be found from April to October in areas of dry, short grass with access to rocks or bare ground, including grasslands, heathland and old quarries.
ID Notes: Up to 1.7cm in length. This species is the UK’s only native, arboreal cricket. It has a slender, lime green body with a yellow-orange or brown strip running along its back. Both sexes are fully winged, with wings reaching the end of the abdomen. Females have a long, upturned ovipositor and males have a pair of shorter, rounded claspers. The males do not produce a song, but instead drum their hind legs on nearby leaves.
Distribution: Common, found in England and Wales. The Oak Bush Cricket is common in the midlands and the south but is absent further north. It can be found in the canopy of mature trees in woods, hedges, garden shrubs and other deciduous trees from June to November.
ID Notes: Up to 2.1cm in length. This species is typically reddish to dark brown, with occasional yellow green through the abdomen and a paler area along the top of the thorax. It has very small forewings and long, hair-like antennae. Females have a large, upcurved ovipositor.
Distribution: Fairly common in central and southern England and Wales, where it can be found in woodland, hedgerows, grassland, farmland, towns and gardens. It can often be spotted in large numbers around bramble patches, where they are basking in the sun.
Roesel’s Bush Cricket (Metrioptera roeselii)
Image by Charlie Jackson via Flickr
ID Notes: A short-winged and usually flightless species, Roesel’s Bush Crickets are typically dark brown or yellow in colour, sometimes tinged green. They have a green face, slightly orange legs and a cream-coloured margin to their thorax, with two or three yellow spots on the side. Their monotonous song is recognisable for its long, mechanical sound.
Distribution: Common, found mostly in the southeast of the UK, but currently expanding its range north and west. This species can be found from June to October in rough grassland, scrub, salt marshes and damp meadows.
ID Notes: This large bush-cricket can easily be distinguished by its size, growing up to 7cm long. It is a vibrant green with an orange-brown stripe running the length of its back. Their wings are typically longer than the abdomen, and females have a long, downward curved ovipositor. This species has a loud, long song which sounds like a high-pitched sewing machine running continuously.
Distribution: Common throughout south England and Wales. It can be found from May to October in scrub, woodland, grassland and heathland, with a preference for light, dry soils.
The first guide to the 261 species of orthopterans of Britain and western Europe ever published. Features stunning, detailed images and information on the distribution and identification criteria. Includes a CD with over 200 orthopteran songs to aid identification.
A photo-based identification guide covering 28 native breeding species of the UK. This guide is part of FSC’s AIDGAP series (Aids to Identification in Difficult Groups of Animals and Plants), providing accessible identification tools for naturalists over the age of sixteen.
Grasshoppers of Britain and Western Europe
Orthoptera and Dermaptera
