I was reading today that there are two small colonies of the 6 foot long Aesculapian snake in the UK. One is around the Welsh Mountain zoo in Colwyn Bay and the other is close to London Zoo. Non venomous, they prey on rodents which they crush to death - no danger to humans - although they may borrow your loft.
I've searched Regents park and never seen them. I'm told that they like to coil themselves up around the centre of bushes, so they are not an easy spot.
I was reading today that there are two small colonies of the 6 foot long Aesculapian snake in the UK. One is around the Welsh Mountain zoo in Colwyn Bay and the other is close to London Zoo. Non venomous, they prey on rodents which they crush to death - no danger to humans - although they may borrow your loft.
Yes, they live along the Regent's Canal. Picking off pleasure boats, which they digest whole
I saw some Lime Seed Bugs (Oxycarenus lavaterae) last week - although I thought they were something else at the time. It turn's out that they are currently a real rarity. I've had it officially confirmed that mine is just the third known sighting in the UK and a county first for Essex. I also believe that it may be the first time anyone's seen a breeding colony here as opposed to a lone bug. It might not sound that exciting, but to an old bugger like me it was very pleasing.
They are normally a Mediterranean/North African species, but with climate change they have been spreading north through Europe in recent years. I'll place my bets now, that it's only a matter of time before there are Daily Mail headlines about these 'foreigners' invading our country. Something to look out for folks (the bugs, not the headlines).
Last week someone posted a picture of these insects on the Kent Wildlife Trust Facebook forum. I have never seen these before. They must now be in quite large numbers in the south east.
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https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch
They are normally a Mediterranean/North African species, but with climate change they have been spreading north through Europe in recent years. I'll place my bets now, that it's only a matter of time before there are Daily Mail headlines about these 'foreigners' invading our country. Something to look out for folks (the bugs, not the headlines).