Alternative Resolutions for a Brand New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! Do you bother making resolutions? I say eat as many chocolate biscuits as you like and embrace one (or more!) of these New Year resolutions instead!

Get out more

Being outdoors is a good way to de-stress and keep healthy too. But life can be hectic and sometimes it’s difficult to find time to do things. Why not commit to having an “outdoor day” at least once a month or fortnight. The best way to start is by visiting a local nature reserve and even taking part in an organised activity. There are hundreds of reserves all over the UK – I bet there’s one not far from you! Check out local reserves here

Participate in citizen science

Completing a wildlife survey provides really useful information to scientists. Records from all over the UK can help us to understand the decline or spread of species. And there are loads to choose from! There’s the Big Butterfly Count, the Big Garden Bird Watch, National Hedgehog Survey and more. Why not try to take part in at least one during 2015

Feed the birds 365 days

How many days of the year can you remember to feed the birds!? It’s easy to forget, but garden birds start to rely on the food we provide - especially on cold days. Challenge yourself to feeding the birds 365 days of the year and see how many you manage!

Don’t forget your camera!

Countless photo opportunities have been missed by not having my camera with me. I’m certainly going to remember to take mine everywhere I go in 2015!

Start a new hobby

The new year is a great time to start something new. Pick something that will get you outdoors such as a walking group. Alternatively you could learn something new which will complement your wildlife interests such as SLR photography, sketching or painting.

Join a local group

It’s likely that there is already a local bird or wildlife watching group in your area, although sometimes they take a bit of researching to find! If there isn’t one – why not consider starting one yourself! 

Become a species champion
Pick a British species to support and learn as much as you can about it throughout the year. Make a trip to go and see it in the wild and possibly even do some relevant volunteer/charity work. Learn about the threats facing the species and its environment and spread the word amongst your friends and family. Why not chose a lesser known species which doesn’t receive as much attention as the more iconic/cute animals do.

Waterloo Road and the Crested Tits

It’s taken me a while to get round to writing this, mainly since it involves admitting that I watch Waterloo Road (naff TV programme set in Scottish school with over-exaggerated accents.) Look, it’s a guilty pleasure. However my fingers are poised over the BBC complaints page until I decide whether my grievances are unjustifiably petty or not.

Around 4 million people tune in to Waterloo Road each week and sadly would have witnessed the mocking of dear old Audrey McFall and her Crested Tits.. Miss McFall is the school’s history teacher and portrayed as a bit of an old nutter in weird clothes. She’s pretty wild too; this series saw her arrested for demonstrating against the destruction of local woodland and nesting sites. Campaigns for her cause were met with sniggers, jeers, rolling of eyes and other such fun pokings. Alright it does sound petty now that I’ve written it down.

Alas, the point I’m trying to make is this; should a highly popular and influential BBC programme be contributing to the unfair stereotyping of "outdoorsy folk"? There is real crisis right now concerning young people and their lack of connection to nature (as mentioned in a previous post.) And so for a programme to include such a storyline is surely just a little irresponsible??...

It would have been nice to see the show using their popular characters (particularly the school kids) to promote environmental awareness to it's younger audience. 

Anyway, the BBC are responsible for some truly spectacular nature and science documentaries. I just don’t know why they would want to undo all their hard work! Rant over. 

Young People and Nature

I am a young person, 21 to be precise. And I love nature. Granted we are few and far between, but we are out there. We’ve all read the shocking reports – you know, that one saying that only 1 in 5 kids climb trees nowadays. So if you’ve all finished falling off your chairs in disbelief let us address problems rather than write long reports about them

I firmly believe that amid an ocean of touch screen devices there are literally thousands of young people who have the potential to become fantastic naturalists. But how can young people who have never been given the opportunity to experience nature, be expected to discover it on their own?

Young people today are not made aware of the opportunities and experiences that are available to them. The ones who have already identified their interest in wildlife will seek out experiences on their own. And possibly go on to study or work in conservation - which is great. But just remember that the future of our environment doesn’t just depend on scientists – it depends on the gestures of everyday people getting up in the morning and feeding their garden birds because they care. Because at some point in their life something or somebody inspired them to appreciate the natural world.

There is a distinct stereotype among young people that being interested in bird watching means you must be elderly and dress like a librarian. Now I’m not suggesting you go and throw anyway your favourite corduroy trousers, but perhaps this is a two-way thing. Stop succumbing to your allocated stereotype so readily. Don’t dismiss a young person’s potential just because they don’t own a pair of binoculars or wear hiking boots 365 days a year. I can guarantee you there’s a receptionist somewhere with the potential to become an incredible wildlife photographer. And there’s a supermarket tiller somewhere with the potential to become a great birder – even if they don’t know it yet.

I challenge you readers to approach a young person who you never dreamed would be interested in nature. Show them just a little bit of your passion for wildlife – ask a question, show a photograph, discuss a news article. At the very least you’ll get a sympathetic or slightly bewildered expression. And at the very best you may just plant that tiny seed of inspiration. I can tell you now, young people aren’t going to miraculously start turning up at your wildlife groups. You’re going to have to go to them. But if you really care about the future of conservation and preserving your hard work, you’ll do that right?

Additionally, I challenge the secondary education system to stop failing our young people. Stop measuring their successes on their ability to play sport and achieve A’s in mathematics. Why aren’t you compulsorily teaching environmental issues alongside road safety and sex education? Issues such as climate change and fracking, which are likely to affect the next generation during their lifetime. Okay so you’ve got your football clubs, but where are your gardening clubs, vegetable allotments, bird watching groups, green committees, science clubs, hill walking groups…. The list goes on.

At the risk of sounding like I’m preaching a sermon – go out into your local communities and reconnect the young with nature. Send information to your local high schools notifying them of local groups and events. Hell, offer to run an after-school club yourself. I don’t know a primary school child who isn’t fascinated by animals; the test is to maintain that interest throughout secondary school and into adulthood. Write to your local councils urging them to offer support and funding. It will take a monumental collective effort, but I’m confident we naturalists are a hard working bunch. Our responsibilities lie not only in the protection of wildlife, but also in the preparation of those who will one day take our place. 

2 Minute Beach Clean

I'm not a huge fan of Facebook - but i do believe social media can be a powerful (and perhaps under used?) tool in the world of conservation. I saw this great little video posted by the BBC about littering on beaches. The campaign urges beach visitors to spend just 2 minutes picking up litter on the beach and put it in the bin - after you've taken a photo and posted it on social media, obviously. The hashtag #2minutebeachclean is now trending across the internet and hundreds have taken part. 

Imagine if every single beach user did a 2 minute beach clean, it would start to make a real difference. The ocean is absolutely full of plastic, all originating from us humans in some way or another. By picking up the litter we see on our beaches we ensure that it doesn't get washed back out. As plastic objects are gradually worn down they form microplastics which can retain harmful chemicals and are often mistaken as food by fish.  

There's no doubt that marine litter is set to be a future environmental crisis if we keep using our oceans as a dumping ground. So time to stop posting photos of your dinner on Instagram and use it for a good cause instead! 

To find out more about #2minutebeachclean visit their website! Or if you fancy something a bit more hands on why not sign up to the Great British Beach Clean happening between 19-22nd September at a beach near you!

Bird Cake Recipe

I remember making yoghurt pot bird cakes when i was little and i think it's a simple way to get children engaging with nature. You don't even need to force your child to consume copious amounts of yoghurt - All sorts of food containers can be recycled into bird feeders. Alternatively you can use cookie cutters to cut shapes out of the mixture like i did. I used 100g of lard with an equal amount of bird food - too much lard will result in very squishy cakes but too little means the mixture won't hold together properly. Begin by melting the lard over low heat and then mix together with any of the following:

- Bird seed                                         - peanuts 

- raisins (not good for dogs!)             - sunflower seeds

- fruit pieces                                       - bread or cake crumbs

- cheese                                             - oats

 If you are using pots or containers, tie a perching stick to the end of some string and thread through a small hole in the base of the pot (so that you can hang them upside down when ready). Get somebody to hold the string in place whilst you fill the pot to the top with mixture. If you have used cutters instead, take a drinking straw and punch a hole in each bird cake - you can add the string later once they have set. All you need to do now is leave them in the fridge overnight to harden. 

These bird cakes are particularly good for hanging out in the winter because the lard will stay chilled and not melt in the sun. The high fat content will also give garden birds the best chances of surviving cold winter nights. 

Here are a few more photos from my weekend at home in the Scottish Borders. The fields had already been harvested - i feel like autumn colour is already on its way (and i can't wait!) 

Red squirrel watching - almost!

Today i visited Haddo House, a National Trust property in the north east of Scotland and set in some lovely woodland. Up until today, i must admit i felt like a fraudulent naturalist: i live in Scotland yet i have never ever managed to see a red squirrel before. However, i am both delighted and devastated to announce that i saw one today, moments before it was frightened away by a dog walker. i'm the proud witness of a red squirrel's bottom and bushy tail bouncing off into the undergrowth and out of sight. I suppose that i have now seen at least half a red squirrel, which is more than before - now i just need to spot the other half!

The house itself was beautiful and the garden was well tended. I greatly enjoyed befriending several dozen ducks and geese at the lake with a bag of barley purchased from the gift shop!

My last night in the Scottish Borders

On my last night at home before travelling back to Aberdeen i took a final stroll up our country lane. I love to walk up to this ploughed field to watch the hares, who sit bolt upright and watch me back. The sun begins to set between the Eildon hills and a barn owl swoops from post to post along a hedgerow in the distance. A 7-spot ladybird scuttles across my outstreched hand and i wonder what this view will look like on my next visit.

National Garden Bioblitz

I recently did the national garden bioblitz with my 7 year old sister - here are just a handful of the species we spotted. In total we recorded more than 60 different creatures over just a short 30 minutes outside. There are over 23 million gardens in Britain and even small ones can contain hundreds of different species! To find out how you can give nature a home in your patch visit the RSPB campaign website.

Wasp nests welcome!

It's common knowledge that wasps aren't the most popular insect around, in fact I've heard many question the point in their existence altogether. I suppose this resentment is understandable - after all these angry little creatures appear to enjoy striking fear and pain amongst the human population. However, since all species exist only where there is opportunity to do so, we must assume that wasps too have some purpose to fulfil. 

The truth is wasps do a great lot of good in the garden! They control numerous pests such as aphids and some species even pollinate plants. Their nests are delicate papery balls constructed by the queen. You may have even heard a wasp scraping a wooden surface with its mandibles to create the pulp needed for it's new pad.

I spotted this nest inside my chicken house

Did you know that only female wasps can sting? They tend to become more aggressive towards humans at the end of summer from August to September. This is because they switch their eating habits from insects to gorging themselves on rotting fallen fruit. The fruit has an alcoholic effect which causes the wasps to become easily irritated and prone to a few drunken brawls (perhaps you can relate/sympathise!?)

Despite their flaws wasps really are fascinating insects. There are hundreds of thousands of different species in every colour of the rainbow (many of which can't sting at all.) Consider not destroying a nest if you are able to just avoid it for a while. If you ignore the wasps they will likely ignore you too!

Home again in the Scottish Borders

 

 I'm back in the Scottish Borders at my parent's farmhouse. The country lanes are avenues of white hawthorn and cow parsley and the garden has suddenly burst into colour. I didn't realise that the phrase "don't cast a clout until May is out" refers to the blossoms of the hawthorn which is also known as maythorn. Apparently you can grow hawthorn from 6 inch cuttings - i'll be giving this a go soon to form a wildlife hedge down one side of the garden. 

Homemade Weed Killers

The more laid back gardeners amongst us who refrain from a bit of good old fashioned weeding may be tempted to to reach for a bottle of Roundup. However these products contain harmful chemicals which are damaging to the environment and bad for you too! So why not try making your very own murderous concoctions using simple everyday ingredients from your cupboards. They are all very effective methods and eco-friendly. Of course you could always just learn to love that annoyingly indestructible dandelion which keeps reappearing on your patio. Our obsession for neat and immaculate gardens has sadly had a huge impact on our British wildlife. Nature is often chaotic and untidy - but beautiful and fascinating too! Consider having a small patch in your garden where weeds can grow in peace. But if you really can't bring yourself to live in harmony with docks and dandelions try the following:

Hot Water

For an instant result pour boiling hot water directly on weeds to cook them on the spot. Even stubborn weeds cant survive a scalding and will be shrivelled and brown the following day. To avoid using a lot of electricity why not use the boiling water leftover after cooking.

Vinegar or Salt

Cheap cooking salt is effective for patios or driveways, pour directly into the cracks for best effects and water a little. Remember that large amounts of salt will make soil unsuitable for any plants, not just weeds. This makes salt the most effective method for preventing weeds from returning. Adding only small pinches of salt should dilute to safe levels within a few rainfalls. Vinegar works too and can be added to a spray bottle diluted with some water.

Newspaper

Newspaper/tarpaulin/black bin liners can all be used to cover weeds, blocking out the light. The weeds will eventually die although this method takes longer than others. Good for weeds within plant borders where the other methods would kill everything.

Hand Sanitiser

Rubbing alcohol, sold in small bottles for killing germs on your hands, can also be rubbed onto the leaves of weeds to dehydrate them. Again good for when you don't want to harm surrounding plants by treating the soil.

Washing up liquid

Not a weed killer by itself but is useful as a gel to adhere other ingredients to the leaves of weeds. Try mixing in salt or hand sanitiser and painting on to weeds.

Ground Cover

Weeds will pop up wherever there is opportunity and no competition for resources. Try covering bare patches with plants that like to spread such as heather and various alpines. Alternatively cover borders with bark which will block out light. 

Please remember that most methods are not selective - protect surrounding plants when applying!

Garden Snails

This handsome chap was so rudely awoken when i spotted him snoozing on a giant Allium leaf. The latin name for a garden snail is Helix Aspersa, and did you know they have a top speed of 1.3cm per second? Mucus produced by snails protects their soft body from harm and even allows them to cross a razor blade unscathed. Snail Mucus is supposedly the next big thing in skincare due to it containing collagen, antibodies and other such "good stuff". As much as i like them i won't be slapping snail mucus on my face any time soon!

I am so awfully fond of them because i had a pet African land snail as a child - so this one won't be taking a flying lesson over into the neighbours garden today. Apparently they can live up to 20 years and have strong homing instincts; imagine how many times you have lobbed that same snail over the fence!

The Mouse Hotel

At easter i went home to my parents farmhouse, although as it happens i wasn't the only visitor. I had been well informed of the recent invasion of tiny squeaking and pattering feet in one of the outbuildings. Being where our 3 pet rabbits are kept, the constant supply of food and fresh hay must have been just too tempting in comparison with the damp of the surrounding field. 

As i entered the barn, i was met by a host of beady black eyes and oversized ears from just about every surface, nook and cranny. The numerous field mice froze and inspected me suspiciously, like they expected me to come bearing dinner, before continuing to scuttle about anamused. I couldn't quite believe my eyes as i counted at least two dozen at once (my mum tells me there are now four generations of mice.) Of course she is quite to blame for providing them with a comfy carboard box and extra tit-bits every evening at 8 o'clock. Inadvertantly creating Morebattle's very own five star mouse hotel.

I made this little film of them to show you, although the lighting is not great. They very much enjoyed the galaxy chocolate bar stuck down with ample marmalade (the first time i tried the little thieves just carried off the chocolate within mere seconds)

We decided to half the population so i made a second "mouse house" at the bottom of the garden using old flower pots and heaped grass cuttings. I scooped up a dozen or so in a cardboard box and set off to release them into the great wilderness. However i fear they legged it back to the barn and their cosy box well before i even made it up the garden.