Dr Phil Smith Wildlife Notes: June

Wildlife Notes

According to the Met. Office, June continued the run of warm dry months this year, rain in the northwest being only 50-75% of average. In Formby, measureable rain in small quantity fell on only nine days, mainly near the beginning and end of the month. This was reflected in a rapid fall in the dune water-table, the level in the Devil’s Hole, Ravenmeols, dropping by 15cm, leaving the slacks almost entirely dry. This time last year there was extensive surface water. I saw no evidence of Natterjack Toad breeding in the Devil’s Hole and it looks as though it was another poor year coastwide.

Willow Warbler - Tom Cadwallender

Some Don’t Like it Hot!

Research

New research from BTO implicates rising temperatures in the steep decline of the Willow Warbler, one of the UK’s most tuneful harbingers of spring. The study, published in the journal IBIS, shows that Willow Warblers are doing better in Scotland, where temperatures are cooler. Evidence is building to suggest the population in southern Britain is a casualty of recent anthropogenic climate change.

Orchid at Childwall Woods (by Howard Harris)

Howard Harris 

Volunteer

Howard Harris  It is with deep sadness that we mark the passing of Howard Harris earlier this month. In the decade or so of my work at MBB I have been fortunate to know and to work with Howard. To benefit from his extensive knowledge and passion for nature and to work with him on...

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