The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. They say, "It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives. The world is invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: biodiversity."
Rare Species
Priority Species status in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan has been given to the Striped Lychnis moth which has been seen by local biodiversity experts. It's main food supply is from the Dark Mullien plant, which is also present. More about this from Butterfly Conservation.
Red-Backed Shrike
The RSPB give these the highest conservation priority 'Red', with the species needing urgent action. I saw this amazing sight recently of a large beetle impaled on barbed wire. Apparently this is part of a 'Shrike Larder', no wonder the other name often given to the Shrike is the 'Butcher Bird'.Barn Owls
We have at least one, and possibly a pair of Barn Owls (RSPB Amber status) in Cookham Dean with many sightings reported, especially around the orchard and surrounding fields. According to the Barn Owl Trust, habitat creation and management is by far the most important thing for wild Barn Owl conservation.
Managing land for Barn Owls involves providing the ideal habitat for field voles, their main prey. This can best be described as "long rough tussocky grass with a deep litter-layer". It can take the form of whole fields, field margins, field corners, woodland rides, or tree plantations and can be created on farms, smallholdings, or even in large gardens (in rural areas).
Ungrazed orchards with big gaps between the trees are a good habitat as are ungrazed wildflower meadows. Making these areas suitable for Barn Owls will benefit a huge number of other species of bird, butterfly, insect, amphibian...the list goes on.
Adders
We've had a few sightings of Adders, sadly one dead on Dean Lane run over by a car, about a year ago but more recently a large one was seen curled up asleep in long grass. A dog found it and started barking, luckily the owner managed to get the dog away without disturbing the snake.
Gloworms
I have seen Gloworms on the paths and edges around the orchard. The glow worm is not at all worm-like but is a beetle up to 25 mm long. Only the wingless female glows strongly, to attract the flying males. Each individual female has an adult glowing life of only a few weeks until she mates, since she dies soon after laying her eggs.
In addition to these more unusual sightings, we regularly see Muntjac deer, Roe deer, foxes, badgers and many, many birds including of course the Red Kite.
Please post your wildlife sightings and tell everyone what a beautiful and wildlife rich area this is. Let's not lose this.
