‘Be a Zoologist’ workshop at BRLSI

Posted on by Georgia Locock

A few weeks back I was contacted by the zoologist, Dr Emily Joachim asking if I could help out and give a talk at a workshop that she’d be running at Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution. Emily is a zoologist that specialises in British Owls (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/legacy/natureuk/2011/05/-normal-0-false-false.shtml). The aim of the workshop she was running was to enthuse the children which attended and show how they could become a conservationist/zoologist now. As part of the workshop there was owl pellet dissections so they could learn how to clean, prepare and identify the skulls and there was skulls for them to identify with keys. Along with this I gave a short talk about how they can get out, monitor, record and explore the outdoors.

The building where the workshops took place was in the centre of Bath so I was up very early that morning as I had a 2 hour train journey ahead. The day went very well and I really enjoyed myself. I was really impressed by how knowledgeable the children were and how they could identify all of the species that I spoke about and showed photos of.  They also seemed very enthusiastic and interested in the activities they did which was fantastic to see.

Here are some photos from the day, kind permission of BRLSI

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unnamed (1) Drawing the skulls that they identified.

unnamed (5)Myself helping with the pellet dissection

unnamed (3)Identifying skulls.

unnamed (6)Myself giving a talk

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Urban murmuration

Posted on by Georgia Locock

On my way home last night, after a family day out, I spotted a small starling murmuration just round the corner from where I live. As soon as I got back I ran upstairs, with my camera of course, and looked out the window in hope of spotting the murmuration. To my delight I could still see it and I had the opportunity to film it with my camera. As it was just getting dark and I was a bit shaky as I was so excited I didn’t get the best film but you can see the film I got below. I’m hoping to go along and stand closer to where the murmuration is another night and hopefully get some better film.

It was so interesting and fascinating to watch. They all seemed to know what they were doing and their timing was perfect. An even bigger bonus was being able to watch it from the comfort of my own home, which shows that wildlife is everywhere! So I’m sure there is one not too far from where you live, and it’s worth going out and keeping your eye out for one in the evening as it is really intriguing to watch.

Here’s the video I got.

Town and city bird roosts

Posted on by Georgia Locock

Recently I’ve been very busy with school work and a couple of other things but that hasn’t stopped me from getting out and about. One wildlife spectacular that I have been observing in my local city centre is a pied wagtail roost. In Lichfield city centre, as it gets dark, all the nearby pied wagtails group together to form a roost for the night.

Not only does this happen in my city centre or with pied wagtails but they take place everywhere and with other bird species too, like starlings. They are really worth looking out for as they are fantastic to watch. The noise they make when they’re settling down is incredible. If you watch all the individual birds closely you’ll see how they’re all trying to get their own spot, then settle down for the cold night ahead.

There are many reasons why they gather in our towns and cities like this. For example by roosting here they are less vulnerable to predators and in rural areas temperatures can be several degrees above those in the open countryside. This can be a difference between life or death to a small bird in the winter.

You’re most likely to see these roosts in the trees right outside the shops. So next time you’re in town at night or just as it’s getting dark during the cold months look up at the tress and you’ll be in for a real treat!

Here’s a video I got of the pied wagtail roost in Lichfield city centre.

An hour of talking wildlife

Posted on by Georgia Locock

At the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas I am a junior leader for the Wildlife Watch group and a few months back I was asked to give a short talk as part of one of the sessions. When I did my talk, yesterday, it went very well and I thoroughly enjoyed giving the talk as they were a great audience. My talk was all about my wildlife experiences from 2014.

The group meets once a month on a Saturday afternoon and they do a whole array of different activities from pond dipping to mammal trapping. The Arboretum is teaming with wildlife and before my talk I took a short 30 minute walk around, here’s some photos that I got.

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