Welcome to the fouth issue of The Realm. Spring is finally here and we are celebratng that with a look at some of our most recognisable of migrants - the swifts, swallows and martins. Delve into the botanical world with a look at the yellow archangel. View the photos of Hanzel and Gretel, a pair of mute swans that we will be following the breeding season of and check out the details of the summer contest - we have some great prize up for grabs! There is also the second installment of our series on the history of the invertebrates, and of course a rundown of the nature stories that have been making the news over the past month. I hope that you enjoy this issue of the magazine and maybe even you will feel inspired to make a contribution!
I would like to thank all of the people that have contributed to this issue of The Realm - cdsmith15, Rufus and wyldeflower.
Remember, the next issue is out the first Thursday of June as the seasons race towards the summer! I hope you will return to read the next issue, until then all the best and I hope you enjoy this months contents.
Silvershark
CONTENTS
SWT Volunteering- Red Moss of Netherley
Photo Gallery: Hanzel & Gretel
The Invertebrates - Invasion of the Land
Flower Power: Yellow Archangel
Nature News
The future is far from looking secure for Florida's Everglades. The recession in the USA means that funding to restore the fragile ecosystem may be cut following the federal governments failure to give the promised funds to help the restoration project.
The fearsome Komodo dragon has a weaker bite than that of a house cat. But their make us for this with an impressive set of teeth, powerful neck muscles and special adaptations to their skulls that enable them to bring down much larger prey.
The lions that were once part of the Royal menagerie belonged to a subspecies that is now extinct in the wild - the Barbary Lion. Barbary Lions were driven to extinction by hunters in the early part of the 20th century and only a handful remain in captivity.
The Mekong giant catfish will face extinction should a dam project on the Mekong river go ahead. Along with the catfish, several other species of fish that migrate up the river will be badly effected as will the habitat that is generally pristine in many areas.
The first recorded frog species without lungs has been described. Lunglessness is rare though it is known in several species of salamander and a caecilian.
Habitat loss coupled with climate change is leading to declines in many species of dragonfly in the UK with three species becoming extinct in region in the last 50 years.
Pied Babblers are a bird that live in the Kalahari desert living in close-knit family groups. Like meerkats, these birds adopt a sentinal system with one bird looking out for danger while the rest of the group forages. The sentry sings to let the rest of the group know that it is safe.
The USA Congress has created new act to close the loopholes in the Shark Finning Prohibition Act - including adding the requirement that sharks must be landed whole rather than using the fin to body ration and the new act would apply to ALL vessels not just fishing vessels. Shark imports from countries that don't have as strenuous finning restrictions could also end up being banned.
Navy sonar is thought to be responsible for the washing up of five Cuvier's beaked whales and a closely related Sowerby's beaked whale in the Hebridies, Scotland. The unsual strandings occurred over a week with the carcassess drifting for around two to three weeks before being washed up.
The Migrants Return
The swallow, bonny birdie, comes sharp twittering o’er the sea,
And gladly is her carol heard for the sunny days to be;
She shares not with us wintry glooms, but yet, no faithless thing,
She hunts the summer o’er the earth with wearied little wing.
The lambs like snow all nibbling go upon the ferny hills;
Light winds are in the leafy woods, and birds, and bubbling rills;
Then welcome, little swallow, by our morning lattice heard,
Because thou com’st when Nature bids bright days be thy reward!
Thine be sweet mornings with the bee that’s out for honey-dew;
And glowing be the noontide for the grass-hopper and you;
And mellow shine, o’er day’s decline, the sun to light thee home:
What can molest thy airy nest? sleep till the day-spring come!
The river blue that rushes through the valley hears thee sing,
And murmurs much beneath the touch of thy light-dipping wing.
The thunder-cloud, over us bowed, in deeper gloom is seen,
When quick reliev’d it glances to thy bosom’s silvery sheen.
The silent Power, that brought thee back with leading-strings of love
To haunts where first the summer sun fell on thee from above,
Shall bind thee more to come aye to the music of our leaves,
For here thy young, where thou hast sprung, shall glad thee in our eaves.
The Swallow, by Thomas Aird
April and May see the return of some of the most familiar of British summer migrants - the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), house martin (Delichon urbicum), and common swift (Apus apus). These swift, agile fliers that catch hunting insects on the wing have just completed an epic migration from as far away as the tip of South Africa back to their breeding grounds in Europe where they raise their chicks on the rich bounty of summer insects. Swallows are usually monogomous with the same pair reuniting each breeding season, though this doesn't stop 
either partner sneeking off for an illicit affair with a neighbour. The females are highly selective over which partner they chose. Males with long streamers are most attractive as this signals the health and vitality of the male as does a large white rump. Ticks and fleas show up more clearly against the white feathers so this ensure that females select those males that are carrying the least unwanted parasites. Work to construct their nests starts almost immediately - the summer is short and the race is on to raise as many young as possible before the parent birds need to start heading back to their wintering grounds. The agile swallow likes to nest in barns and can often be seen dashing over farmland where they scoop up insects flying abobe the vegetation. House martins, as their name suggests, are happy to construct their nests of mud on the sides of human dwellings and in fact, these are one species that have benefitted from us creating new places for them to construct their nests that would normally be built on cliffs. These small black and white birds dart around the houses catching the insects that rise up from the lawns, and joining them in late May are the larger, sooty-brown swifts.
Though appearing similar, the swift is not actually closely related to the swallows and martins and is instead a relative of the nightjar. One of the last of our summer migrants to arrive, these birds that are so well adapted to life on the wing that their short legs mean they can't even perch like the swallows and martins. They are true masters of the sky. They eat on the wing, drink on the wing, gather nesting material on the wing, and they even sleep and mate on the wing. Their screeching call as they race through the sky makes them instantly distinguishable from the pleasent chittering of the swallows and martins. The only thing they have to return to the ground for is to nest, and one of their popular nesting places has for a long time being beneath the eves of buildings. However as home improvements are made, the holes in the eves that these birds use for nesting in are often closed up leaving them with no place to nest.
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A swift on the ground is usually in trouble because once grounded these birds can have difficulty in taking off again. If you find a swift that doesn't appear to be injured on infested with fleas and ticks weighing it down, you can give it a helping hand to return to the sky. Taking care to hold the swift gently but firmly, take the bird to an open area and throw it up into the air (like people do with pigeons) or alternatively, take the bird upstairs and sit the bird on your hand facing out of the window so that it can take off again when it choses. Always remember to wash your hands after handling the bird and try to minimise then length of time you are in contact with the bird. If the swift, or any other animal, is showing signs of obvious injury then call your nearest wildlife rescue shelter.
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Swifts build nests out of grass and twigs that have been blown into the air. House martins and swallows though both construct cup nests out of mud lined with grass and feathers. Normally the birds will use a nest that has already been built and just make essential repairs rather than undertaking the time-consuming task of building a new nest from scratch and swifts will return to the same nesting site year after year just adding fresh nesting material. It is possible to purchase or build specialised nest-boxes for all three of these species that can be attached to walls though care needs to be taken where these are sited to ensure that they are sheltered from the weather. All three species will sometimes leave their chicks for days should food sources become scarce. Some parent swifts nesting in the UK have even made trips over to France to find the flying insects they need to feed their chicks returning a couple of days later. While most chicks and eggs would freeze to death without the care of their parents, the offspring of these birds are specially adapted to cope with prolonged absences of their parents slipping into a type of torpor that means they use up very little energy. Should the parents be away more than a few days though, the chicks will perish.
A shortage of flying insects can be disasterous for these breeding birds even though they are capable of travelling long distances for food. With the increasing use of pesticides on farmland and in gardens that kill off vast numbers of insects and the trend of paving over lawns and keeping gardens neat and tidy the numbers of insects around are declining, and so too do the birds. Already faced with problems on their long migrations that take them across the vast Sahara desert, they are now returning to breed in areas where their food source and choice of nesting sites is declining rapidly.
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A Home For a Swift
Swift nest boxes can be bought at several online wild bird supplies stores, or you can even make your own following the instructions HERE. Swift nest boxes need to be sited where there are no obstructions in the birds flight path and out of direct sunlight. Where starlings are abundant, the entrance hole is best placed beneath the box, however please remember that starlings are also in trouble having declined dramatically. Rather than exclude them completely, why not set up a nest box for these entertaining characters too? |
A Home for a Swallow
Swallow nests can also be bought online from places such as the RSPB store HERE. These are relatvely inexpensive though with time and effort it is also possible to construct your own. All of these birds prefer to nest in colonies so it is best to put up several nesting sites that are fairly close to each other. |
A home for a House Martin
Though they appear similar to the nests of swallows, house martins nests have a small entrance wereas the nest of the swallow is more like a bowl. Double nests such as this one pictured that can be bought online HERE help to establish new colonies of house martins as these birds like to nest together. These nests however can sometimes be taken over by house sparrows. As with starlings, house sparrows have also decline dramatically so please consider catering for the nesting needs of these birds too rather than trying to exclude them! All nesting places should be sited in areas that are as safe from predators, including domestic cats, as is possible.
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Find out about their return journey to Africa in the Autumn...
SWT Volunteering- Red Moss of Netherley
Introduction
Red Moss is a raised wet bog, the largest in the old Kincardineshire area and the ninth largest in Aberdeenshire. The bog is over 7000 and gets is water supply sole from rainfall. It gets its water supply solely from rainfall and is believed to be over 7000 years old (tests were done by the University; they ran out of measuring sticks after seven, each stick representing 1000 years!).
Peat was dug out of the bog by hand for decades and drainage ditches were added as they went along. These are the ditches we are going to dam up to stop the rain water running off the site.
The area supports a wide range of wildlife including: Teal, Shoveler, Snipe, Curlew and Red Shank. Roe Deer and insects including, Dragonfly and Damselfly can also be seen. I also believe there is pond life there; however I am yet to across any. Currently, eight different species of Sphagnum Mosses recorded. It is this that we are trying to encourage.
Pic 1: Bringing Materials to site Pic 2: Completed Dam (1) Pic3: Completed Dam (2)
What We Are Doing
The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the volunteers are damming up the drainage ditches to stop the rain water from running off the land.
Before the dams go in there is preparation work that needs to be carried out. Firstly, we needed to find the drainage ditches; a task which is not as straight forward as it may seem due to the amount of Heather growing. Once the ditches were found we had to locate the beginning and end of them; mark it on the map and give it an identity.
The area is split into four sections, A, B, C & D and the ditches were numbered as we came across them in a clockwise direction. Once that was complete, we put in dip wells to measure the level of the water. We put one dip well approximately half way along each ditch. After all the ditches were found and dip wells in place, the water level was recorded. This was to give the ‘before’ reading.
Next, we had to survey the ditches and determine the direction and flow of the water. Also, we had to establish where the dams were to go. The first dam would be placed at 20cm lower than the start of the ditch and there would be a dam put at the end of the ditch if it was deemed necessary. Each dam was made of interlocking plastic lengths driven into the ground. There would be 2x1.5m lengths, 2x1.25m lengths and 2x1m lengths. The dams were driven into the ground until each section was level with the highest bit of ground.
Pic 4: Men at Work- Dam going in. Pic 5: Mack ‘helping’ Pic 6: Sphagnum Moss
Why We Are Doing It
We are doing this work to restore and encourage the growth of Sphagnum Mosses and regeneration of the peat. Peat bogs act as a massive carbon sink and if they were allowed to dry out there would be a massive carbon release into the atmosphere.
Conclusion
It has not been until recently that the need to restore sites, such as Red Moss, has become apparent, including the benefits to the environment and wildlife.
I found this a rewarding experience and I thoroughly recommend you take up the opportunity to volunteer, if you can!
Pic 7: Mack ‘admiring his work’ Pic 8: Large A-frame Dam Pic 9: One section (Before dams)
(From Crombie Moss)
Credits
Information about Red Moss: http://www.swt.org.uk
Picture 8: A-Frame Dam: M.Stevens- SWT Volunteer Co-ordinator
Further Information
Red Moss and Other Sites: http://www.swt.org.uk
Sphagnum Mosses: http://www.snh.org.uk/wildlifecrimeschools/index.asp?tm=66
By cdsmith15
Photo Gallery: Hanzel & Gretel
Hanzel and Gretel are a pair of swans nesting on a forum members local nature reserve. Last year their nest was destroyed by vandals, but we are following their story this year in the hope that they might be more successful this spring and manage to raise their family. You can follow their season HERE.
Photos by Rufus
The Invertebrates - Invasion of the Land
In the Devonian Period, 360-420 million years ago, the first of the invertebrates were taking steps onto land. The terrain they would find out of the water would have been devoid of the predators that lived beneath the waves, but at this time the early plants were flourishing.
The oldest terrestrial animal in the fossil record is a tiny millipede called Pneumodesmus newmani that lived around 428 million years ago. Millipedes, and their predatory relatives the centipedes, are still around today. Their ancient ancestors reached sizes far bigger than any of their modern relatives today. Millipedes aren’t venomous though they secrete a toxic chemical when they feel threatened. Centipedes on the other hand, do possess venom to enable them to disable their prey. The largest centipede alive today is the Amazonian giant centipede, Scolopendra gigantean that reaches length of up to 30cm. These large invertebrate predators are capable of feeding on frogs, lizards, rodents and even birds and bats. Compared to their ancient relative, Euphoberia, though this centipede is tiny. This ancient centipede grew to as long as a metre, and like its modern relatives would have been a veracious predator.
Along with the centipedes and millipedes, another group of animals were also taking steps onto land. These were the ancient sea scorpions (eurypterids). Though they are called sea scorpions, most actually lived in freshwater or swamps. This group contained some of the largest arthropods that have ever lived. The biggest of them all was Pterygotus, reaching around 7 feet in length. These were some of the most fearsome predators of their time, hunting down the early fish and other animals that they shared their world with. Species from the group Hibbertopterus are thought to be among the first sea scorpions to step out of the water and onto land. A track way from what is thought to be one of these sea scorpions was recently uncovered in Scotland and is one of the first trace fossils from a terrestrial animal.
The Carboniferous period saw the rise of the first true scorpions. Modern scorpions are very similar to their ancient ancestors, though today they do not reach the massive sizes that they did in the past. The largest scorpions today reach around 20cms in length. Their prehistoric ancestors could grow to over a metre! They are the first true terrestrial arthropods, able to survive without having to return to the water.
Scorpions, unlike most arthropods, do not lay eggs. Instead they are viviparous - meaning they give birth to live young. The female is very protective of her offspring. They ride on her back, the young of some species remaining with their mother for up to a year, until they are able to defend themselves. Today’s scorpions live in a variety of habitats from the humid tropical rainforests to the dry deserts. Their tough exoskeleton means that they lose very little water, and as a result can thrive in dry conditions. Along with the scorpions, spiders and their relatives, the harvestmen, also moved onto the land. Of course, being predators there had to be something on the land for the spiders and scorpions to eat. Insects provided that meal. The first insects are thought to have appeared in the Devonian period and have evolved from a crustacean ancestor. Unlike crustaceans and arachnids, insects have only six legs rather than eight. The late Carboniferous saw some of the largest insects ever to have lived...
Continued in the next issue of The Realm...
Flower Power: Yellow Archangel
![[image]](http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t133/dandelion56/wf10/63976046.jpg)
Yellow Archangel - Lamium galeobdolon
This plant is a native perennial found in woods and clearings or under a shady hedge or even in damp areas.It is comon in southern and central england rare elsewhere.
The Archangel is closely allied with the purple dead nettle and has also been used medicinally as well as the white dead nettle.
Archangel has a hollow square Stalk with leaves opposite in pairs.
It has a much shorter flowering period than other nettle species being in flower April to mid june.
It is a very welcome spring flower providing early colour in the hedgerows and a mass of it can look very attractive.
Its species name galeobdolon is made up from two greek words Gale ( a weasel) and Bdolos ( a disagreeable odour ) as it is quite pungent .
Medicinally its been used for healing sores and ulcers.
ByWyldeflower
Summer Contest 2008: Eye On Nature
Welcome to the Realm of Nature's summer art contest, Eye On Nature!
The aim of this contest is to create a portfilio of work about one particular species of animal, plant, fungi or any other living organism on the planet. All types of artwork are included such as:
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Short stories
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Poetry
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Drawing
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Painting
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Photography
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Digital art
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Etchings
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etc...
Each portfolio can contain up to eight pieces of work, mimimum three pieces, and one of these MUST be a factual introduction to the species. Each person can submit up to three portfolios. The work you submit must be your own, including all images used in digital manipulations.
Every effort should be made for the subject to be a WILD animal (non-captive), however its understood that when choosing an exotic species it isn't always possible in the field of photography - whilst it is still enouraged to get out and see nature for yourself, if a zoo or other captive situation be the way to go, then please be creative but state what is captive so it can be judged accordingly.
The winner will be decided in the autumn after a vote.
The winners prize options are as follows (DVD's will be region 2 so if you don't have a region 2 or multi-region DVD player then please chose one of the book options):
Tiger: Spy in the Jungle Book and DVD
OR
Planet Earth OR The Blue Planet Book
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Planet Earth OR The Blue Planet DVD
The runner-up also wins a prize - a choice between the Tiger: Spy in the Jungle DVD OR the Tiger: Spy in the Jungle book
The winning article may also (if you chose) be featured in October issue of The Realm magazine.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Contest start date: You can start now!
Submissions thread opens: 1st August
Submissions deadline/voting start: 7th September
Voting end/Winner Announced: 28th September
To enter the contest you will need to register on The Realm of Nature Forum where you can gain access to the submissions thread when it opens for you to submit your work. If you have any questions or queeries, please let us know in the comments box below.
ACT NOW!
The latest environmental campaigns from around the world.
STOP Japan's whaling
JAPAN’s commercial whaling industry has been dominated throughout history by three large companies—Maruha, Nippon Suisan and Kyokuyo.
Following international pressure, this trio recently claimed to have quit the business.
But we can reveal this to be untrue.
All three companies continue to play a major role in the whale meat industry – unwittingly supported by consumers. YOU can now help us shut down the Japanese whaling fleet for good by contacting the UK and European subsidiaries of Nippon Suisan, Maruha and Kyokuyo.
Read more and take action here - http://www.eia-international.org/what_can_i_do/stop_japans_commercial_whaling/
Say NO to biofuels
The Government’s approach to biofuels touts them as the saviour to the transport sectors' greenhouse gas emission problems.
From 15 April, the fuel that will go in your tank will contain 2.5% biofuel without your knowledge or choice.
This is all because of the Government’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO).
The 2.5% will rise to 5% in 2010.
Most biofuels will:
Lead to increased competition for land.
Raise food prices.
Drive rainforest destruction.
Do little to reduce emissions.
Read more and take action here - http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/biodiversity/press_for_change/biofuels/index.html
Talk to Dove before they destroy forests
Unilever, the makers of Dove beauty products, are buying palm oil from suppliers who destroy Indonesia's rainforests. We've got the proof. They're causing forest destruction, species extinction and climate change.
Together we can make the company stop destroying forests for palm oil.
Join the international Dove campaign today here - http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/forests/asia-pacific/dove-palmoil-action
The Realm of Nature Forum
The top chat and discussions on The Realm of Nature forum this month:
Badger Cull in the UK - plans are afoot to cull badgers to prevent the spread of TB in cattle though scientific grounds for the cull are highly debatable...
Sunbathing Fox - one lucky member has been able to get up close with an urban fox
Loch Garten Ospreys -the osprey drama has returned and this year EJ has produced more eggs with Henry's rival VS. Last year Henry returned and drove VS from the territory but so far there is no sign of him yet...
Bird Feeder Outside Work - a bird feeder placed outside the work of one forum member is already attracting a variety of avian visitors!
Border Collie Trust - lots of chat about these intelligent canines
Guess the animal - join the fun in and see if you can guess what animal is shown in the picture!
All that and much, much more wildlife chat over on The Realm of Nature forum!