Thomas Coward

Descriptions of widespread biting insects affecting residents in Stockport and Chester explain the likely species involved and offer remedies for irritation. Correspondence includes reports of gnats and midges, with identification pointing to Culex annulatus as the main culprit. Female gnats are noted for blood‑feeding behaviour, with detailed observation of their swelling abdomen after feeding.

A male sirex juvencus wood wasp found in a Wigan coalpit was likely introduced as a grub in imported pit-prop timber. The species’ larvae bore into fir and pine, sometimes damaging otherwise sound wood. Comparisons are made with the larger sirex gigas and with reports of species abundance in England and continental Europe. Other insects, including a longicorn beetle, have similarly been discovered in mines after arriving in timber used underground.

Camping boys on the Yorkshire coast encounter a poisonous weever fish, causing a minor sting but no serious harm. The fish’s painful sting poses risks to shrimpers and beachgoers, yet the writer argues it should not be blamed for defending itself. The incident is presented as a lesson in leaving wildlife undisturbed.

Seasonal growth in mid‑May brings abundant flowering across fields, hedges, ponds and woods, with grasses, wildflowers and less common species such as climbing corydalis and alpine pennycress contributing to a vivid rural landscape.

A coprophagous beetle is described struggling through grass, its winter activity and nocturnal flight noted. When disturbed, it stiffens, rolls onto its back and produces a mechanical squeak. The beetle’s tendency to remain inverted for long periods is highlighted as an ineffective defensive habit.

An argument is made that gamekeepers harm agricultural interests by killing stoats and weasels, which naturally control rats, considered the most damaging threat to game and crops. Allowing these small predators to live would likely reduce rat populations and lead to fewer losses overall.

Observations of dead birds are described as valuable for recovering leg rings used in migration studies conducted across Europe and America. Although few rings are ever reported, those that are have revealed important insights into bird movements, including that some Swedish black-headed gulls winter in Britain. Readers are encouraged to send found rings and related information to the listed scientific or newspaper addresses to support ongoing research.

A plough‑girl works a field behind a pair of horses while a lone pied wagtail follows, staying in the north after others have migrated south. The scene reflects seasonal change and the bird’s resilience as it awaits the return of longer days and its brighter nuptial plumage.

Frosty weather brings stillness to the landscape as plants wilt and insects disappear. Birds search bark and foliage for dormant prey, while groundsel persists as one of the few flowering plants. A correspondent reports concerns in Germany about dwindling swallow populations, attributing declines to urban infrastructure, cleaner streets and the scarcity of insects. Increased agricultural development and irrigation in Algeria now support more insect life, leading many swallows to remain there through summer rather than returning to Germany.

A quiet lunch in a Cheshire lane prompts observations on stable flies that, despite their usual biting behaviour, refrain from feeding. Possible explanations include age or fungal infection from the fly-destroying fungus empusa. The piece reflects on how household cleaning may disrupt the natural spread of this fungus, which helps reduce fly populations.

Early September observations in Surrey describe trees shifting into autumnal colours as horse‑chestnuts brown, sycamores sicken, and oaks deepen in tone. Virginia creeper turns crimson, while laburnums are stripped by yellow grubs that hang from branches. Blue tits pick off the pests, though willow wrens, more agile hunters, have recently disappeared, possibly having migrated south.

Superstition leads people to kill harmless reptiles, illustrated by an incident in which a green lizard was mistaken for a dangerous creature and destroyed. Only one native species, the adder, poses any real threat, and even it is unlikely to harm humans if left alone. Worldwide, nearly all lizards are non‑poisonous, with only two venomous species found in Mexico and Arizona.

Tiny thrips are described as a persistent agricultural pest that damages wheat by sucking moisture from developing grains. Their small size makes them hard to manage, and the winged females cause discomfort to people by landing on faces and eyes. The piece also contrasts thrips with rove beetles, noting differences in behavior and the more painful reaction caused by the beetles’ defensive discharge.

Hot summer weather in the Shetland Islands draws dozens of grey and common seals to the beach at Shunni Wick, where they rest, play in the Atlantic surf and bask in the sun. The piece describes their appearance, behaviour and numbers, noting the grey seal’s prominence in the region and contrasting their beauty with the practice of shooting them.

Haymaking in Ambleside is depicted as a violent upheaval for wildlife, as mowing destroys grasses and insects and occasionally kills birds and small animals unable to escape the machinery. The contrast is drawn between the practical needs of farmers and the fatal consequences for the creatures inhabiting the hayfields.

Male reed buntings and yellowhammers begin their seasonal displays, using distinctive plumage and song to attract mates, reflecting both aesthetic awareness and emotional behaviour in birds beyond simple instinct.

Autumn fungi provide visual interest as they grow on decaying trees, with oyster mushrooms forming striking blue-grey clusters on aging wood. Though sometimes removed to prevent perceived spread, such fungi rarely threaten healthy trees, instead accelerating the natural breakdown of timber already weakened by insects or age. The cycle of decay is portrayed as part of nature’s efficient reuse of life and material.

Autumn colours in France appear most intensely in vineyards, where vines show vivid shades from scarlet to magenta, while poplars and woodlands also display strong seasonal changes. Cork forests along the Riviera exhibit minimal foliage change, but their berries, including those of arbutus and pepper trees, stand out. The vine harvest has largely concluded, leaving villages scented with fermenting grapes and attracting insects drawn to the leftover fruit.

Red-legged wading birds and gulls are described as displaying a wide range of leg colours, with red being common across multiple species. The text considers whether these bright colours offer any advantage but concludes that prey species likely cannot perceive such colours well and that visibility through water complicates assumptions about camouflage. Readers also provide anecdotes about stoat behaviour, suggesting their curiosity leads them into traps, particularly when entrances appear dark and concealed.

The piece discusses long‑standing beliefs about the toxicity of yew trees, noting claims that their leaves, berries and wood can poison animals or humans. Historical accounts, including those of John Evelyn, challenge many of these ideas, suggesting that dangers are often overstated or dependent on quantity consumed. While birds and some livestock have eaten yew without harm, instances of poisoning still occur, prompting a caution that individual reactions vary and experimentation should be approached carefully.