My Blog - Jeff Clarke

The Unexpected Invert {yoogallery src=[/images/stories/blog/inanis]} All images unless otherwise stated © Jeff Clarke 2011 You never know when a new species is going to come your way. Admittedly if you study invertebrates the odds that you will find something different are rather better than if you only ever record birds, or mammals. On Saturday 20th August I was leading a 'Bumblebee and Bugs' walk for the Friends of Runcorn Hill when one of our party, David Watmore, potted a fly and brought it across for me to identify. It was obviously a hoverfly, a large one at that. I suspected that it was a Volucella species and wondered if it was Volucella zonaria. I retained the specimen and took it home for further ID. I consulted my copy of Stubbs ...

Cerdanya Tour 2011 (Iberian Wildlife Tours & Jeff Clarke Ecology) {yoogallery src=[/images/stories/blog/cerdanya2011]} All images unless otherwise stated © Jeff Clarke 2011 What memories will our clients have of the recent tour of Cerdanya in the Pyrenees? The fantastically dramatic limestone ridge of the Cadí Moixeró? The Telecabina ride ride to the top of the Tossa d'Alp? Picnicking amongst high alpine forest surrounded by Citril Finches? Watching Apollo butterflies glide by on floppy wings?The tour began on the 28th June and we arrived back in the UK late on the 5th July. As we approached our base at Prullans the potential of the area was immediately apparent. Our clients rooms in the lovely Hotel Muntanya faced across to the Cadi ri...

Mountain High {yoogallery src=[/images/stories/blog/picos2011]} All images unless otherwise stated © Jeff Clarke 2011 One of the joys of wildlife tour leading is getting to show and share so many wonderful sights with other people. My tour of the Picos de Europa in May 2011, in partnership with Teresa Farino of Iberian Wildlife Tours was exceptional not only for the variety of flora and fauna to be seen, but also the witnessing of some fascinating and rarely observed animal behaviour.In comparison to last years tour Spring 2011 was very advanced in its season. As a consequence we enjoyed a significantly different combination of animals and plants during the 10 days in the region. We arrived in Spain via the Brittany Super-ferry 'Pont Aven',...

Slytherin {yoogallery src=[/images/stories/blog/slytherin]} All images unless otherwise stated © Jeff Clarke 2011 The reptile mats that I've been monitoring at Hogshead are beginning to pay dividends, until now Common Lizards had been the staple fare but a visit to another nearby heathland clearly passed on some of its charm. I'd joined my buddy Paul Hill to check out his reptile mats and it proved to be a Grass Snake fest. We uncovered a minimum of 7 animals, mostly youngsters less than a year old. The one pictured above has a cloudy eye and is preparing to slough its skin.We then transferred to Hogshead and as if by magic there was another adult Grass Snake under one of the mats. This was the first known record for the site. Then today I ...

Budby Common {yoogallery src=[/images/stories/blog/budbycommon]} All images unless otherwise stated © Jeff Clarke 2011 Over the Easter Bank Holiday I took the opportunity to visit one of my favourite locations , Budby Common, in North Nottinghamshires Sherwood Forest. In recent years this superb area of heathland has undergone an impressive and effective heathland restoration programme. The judicious use of Longhorn Cattle and rare breed sheep have made decisive impact to bring the heathland back to rude health and the wildife has responded. The heath is jumping with Tree Pipits, while Woodlarks yodel across much of the area.The invertebrate population is equally interesting and indicative of the sandy substrate on which the heather grows. ...