RAUK - Archived Forum - Posts by Mike:

> I saw quite a few adders out in County Durham yesterday... 

Adder them to the forum distribution maps.

> There was also plenty of frogspawn about, but no toadspawn yet,

This weekend we had our first toadspawn for the year.

In my case it's because I am actively looking for species that are supposed / do exist in the park or it's locale, though I would not call it a 'targeted' survey. We are 'targeting' Great Creasted as they had been reported for the park a few years ago but not seen since, Newts have been seen but not to identify yet, other than the size says they would not be Great Crested.

If that was "management" done by  "Nat Trust under EN guidance" what hope have we, words escape me.

We too are well into the fire season, the park has had a few over the last few weeks and the Army ranges / heathland  not to far away were well alight last night. We used to have 5 fire stations now it's 1, as for police forget it.

"Paranoid & Pessimistic", add depressed and saddened.

Mike

Tony,

I have been to that part of Rome several times including the Collosseo but I was not into Reptiles and the like then.  Some parts of the Collosseo were open to the public but I suspect that you will need some form of permission to get into the off limits areas.

There are other areas (ruins) in Rome that are more remote to the public even in the city center, these should be better for viewing Lizards, but for the life of me I can't remember where, I'll have to get my Rome map out.

Feral cats were everywhere !.

Enjoy!, I am most envious, a beautiful city.

Tony,

Could scan it for you if that helps, can't do slides though.

I'm in Aldershot, or Camberley during the day.

June "Wildlife" magazine has just turned up.

In an article on wildlife in a Bristol garden (starts page 42) there is a diagram on what can be done to introduce wildlfe into your garden. Text for a "smaller pond " goes (repeated verbatim) -

"The pond was rapidly colonised by frogs and smooth newts; commercially bred toad tadpoles and great crested newts are being introduced."

"Commercially bred" - illegal surely ?

Mike

Really off topic this is!, but any help appreciated.

Went out to our garden pond last night to spot what I could of the newts, frogs and such.  What I found I was not expecting, a large, off white worm of some kind. About 10cm long tapering from on end to the other, what I would call the 'head' end (as it did all the movement and appeared to be searching) was the narrowest and had a round mouth. Along the body the animal went from round at the head to flat at the tail.

Worm or leech?, initially I thought leech as the tail end appeared to be anchored, now I wonder if it is a flatworm of some kind?

Suggestions.

Mervyn, now had a reply about the Judicial Review. Copied directly from Lee's email.

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Mike,

The Judicial Review is lodged over this business of RBC not carrying out/insisting on the developer completing an Environmental Impact Study.  As you know to get awarded a judicial review in any case is rare - so there must be a good case.

Our solicitors have changed their stance to a 'no win, no fee' and we need to raise ú2400 to see us to the end of the JR.  The date set is for the 17 Sept and we feel RBC are expecting our funds not stretching that far and that we will back down.

I have not yet spoken to Chris Hall, This is the next key step for us, if he can persuade English Nature with a proper recognised report that there is sufficient evidence on our findings it will really add some weight to our case.  As you know we have been through a Public Inquiry and a huge campaign over this whole business with TV & radio,
papers etc, which has resulted in lots of interest (and sympathy) but it will not budge the authorities.  This is our last ditched angle of attack. We intend (after the report) running our biggest media campaign.  We have to be careful with who speak's to who, so we do not compromise ourselves with certain personalities within the group as far as the JR is concerned. John Moon from the Hampshire Greenfield Alliance has been helpful and has recommended Blackwater Valley FOE & The Hampshire Wildlife Trust.  I have sent many emails this evening to these and all those recommended by the Urban Parks Forum through you.  The Urban Parks Forum people in their email
mentioned 'groundwork', who are these people? Under your heading of campaigning in one of your emails we have pretty much all that you suggested.  We had an email site under AMPLEE which is now dated and as for the political arena my trust has diminished considerably as many have 'slopey shoulders'.

I have a copy of the bat report on file if you would like a copy.  I have attached an updated list  from Joanna our resident amateur wildlife entrepreneur.

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I have asked for a copy of the bat report, Updated list available here, Groundwork are here

Mike.

That view of bracken looks familiar Gemma, can't remember the name of the area, at the top of the slope is there a wide mown path ?, no, not the same place then but must be close.

When are the progs airing ?, at least we should watch this "Libeleous" action , and I'll get to see what Tony looks like .

"Environmental politics", planning depts, EN - dispair, 'em I say.

Mike.

I still can't get over that one, just sat there and looked at you, come and get me!, or is that come over and see me sometime. Some of those red eared were a bit sprightly, had a devil of a job with a couple of them, after you making it look so easy, still the missus liked me in the rubber gear!

Interactive ? , just what DO you do to get a terry to "interact", the mind boggles. Perhaps a training program is in order for bored terries, "catch the frisbee" or "chase a mate" although that seems to be coming naturally.

Come when you call, call her what ? - oi you!.

Any more evidence of nesting / viable young, especially in this heat ?

That large Aligator Snapper in Manor Park was eventually caught when the pond was drained for repair, that bu..er was large!.

Mike.

Mike

Hi, hope this helps  (I couldnt get the link to work)

link is http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/resprog/findings/non-native/index.htm

To actually get the pdf files rather than open them on-line, right click on each pdf link (when you get to the above page) and choose "Save Target As...."

Prawns !, not even I get prawns Martin

We didn't notice much problem with the Moorhens when we had the terrapins, (maybe the pond size and available food has something to do with it) what we did notice was the drop off in newts, which seem to be recovering now the terrys have gone.

As for the RSPCA, well, use of a .22 was mentioned

Mike.

Hi,

Has anybody got any tips on keeping down (or eradicating) blanket weed in a small garden pond, this year has been particularly bad for the stuff.

Mike.

Hi Alan,

Not bad, although I'm getting a bit p...ed off with this heat. Volunteer levels in the park are almost non-existant.

Barley straw seems to work in much larger ponds (acres of) for bloom, but for Blanket weed, don't know.

The pond is very small, about 6x4ft, it's just on 2 years old and has had breeding this year frogs, common newts, 1 dragonfly and 2 damselfly species, also seen many other bugs and things.

The blanket weed grows at alarming rates in the sunnier parts (clearing it almost daily by "rolling" onto a cane), where there is a mat of Duckweed / Parrots Feather there is no weed. Your filter box must be part of a pump system then?, would it help initally just to use the Bio Claire?, i'm worried a pumped filter system would / could remove some of the invertebrate life.

Mike.