{"id":21224,"date":"2022-10-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-19T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=21224"},"modified":"2022-10-21T12:05:39","modified_gmt":"2022-10-21T10:05:39","slug":"go-wild-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/2022\/10\/20\/go-wild-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Go wild!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Go wild<\/span><\/h2>\n\n

Your guide to getting closer to nature this month<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

BBC TWO<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Autumnwatch <\/em>will be airing from 25th October. Catch up on iPlayer. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Flocks of fieldfares can be seen feeding in hedgerows during autumn and winter <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
TV HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Settle in and enjoy Autumnwatch <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

BBC Two and iPlayer from 25th October <\/em><\/p>\n\n

AUTUMN IS UPON US, WITH ITS COOL temperatures and shorter days. And that means just one thing \u2013 it\u2019s time for Autumnwatch. <\/em>Hitting our screens for four days at the end of October, the team will once again be bringing us the best of the UK\u2019s autumnal spectacles. <\/p>\n\n

This year, the programme has an overarching theme of The Changing Face of Autumn, with the team examining the impact of climate change on our wildlife. After a summer of heatwaves and wildfires, how have our animals and plants fared \u2013 and what does this mean for the future? <\/p>\n\n

Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan will be returning to Wild Ken Hill in Norfolk. Once a traditional farm, it\u2019s now being rewilded and they will be on the lookout for small mammals and winter migrants, such as redwings and fieldfares. Part of the farm suffered from wildfires this year \u2013 they\u2019ll see how it\u2019s recovering. <\/p>\n\n

Over in Wales, Iolo Williams and Gillian Burke will be at Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve and Cardigan Bay looking for murmurating starlings, wildfowl, otters, deer and bottlenose dolphins. <\/p>\n\n

Plus, there\u2019ll be plenty of pre-filmed stories, mindful moments and live cameras to enjoy. <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n
MEET THE RESEARCHER <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Lucy Hodson <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The naturalist and prop-maker extraordinaire tells us about working behind-the-scenes on Autumnwatch <\/em><\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Lucy (left) and field producer Sophie Meyjes show off some fruity props LUCY: TOM GILKS; FIELDFARE: FERGUS GILL\/NATUREPL.COM <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

How did you first get involved with The <\/em>Watches? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

I\u2019d been a fan since I was a teenager, so it was a dream to be involved! In 2019, I volunteered at the RSPB\u2019s Loch Garten Nature Centre whilst Springwatch <\/em>was based there. I met some of the team and got to know a bit about the setup, as well as seeing some incredible wildlife. I secured a workfrom-home role during lockdown in 2020 \u2013 it all snowballed from there. <\/p>\n\n

What\u2019s your role on Autumnwatch? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

My role is as a junior researcher, and any day on The <\/em>Watches <\/em>can be completely different. I work onsite on the live shows, so it\u2019s all very fast-paced. Each day I\u2019ll be in touch with the team about any props needed for that night\u2019s episode \u2013 we\u2019ll discuss how we might communicate a topic or species in prop form, and how I might go about making it. As well as getting crafty with paint and glue (and bubbles\u2026) I\u2019ll also bumble around the site looking out for good wildlife stories. <\/p>\n\n

At Wild Ken Hill it\u2019s been great getting to know the lay of the land, exploring the marsh, the fields, the woods and the heath for wildlife that might be good to showcase in the show. <\/p>\n\n

How do you go about thinking up all the props? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

I\u2019ve always been a very crafty person, so I\u2019m in my element in front of a box of cardboard scraps, paints and glue. I chat with the research team about props for each episode, and how it might look or work. Sometimes I have a week or two\u2019s notice, other times we come up with some last-minute ideas just hours before we go live! <\/p>\n\n

When making a prop, I like to know the stories behind each species: what exactly are we trying to communicate? It\u2019s lots of fun when you\u2019re showing things like rhynchokinesis (through the bending of a snipe\u2019s beak) or the pheromone release of springtails. Bringing a bit of informality, humour and hands-on to the show helps connect people with the species! <\/p>\n\n

What happens to the props afterwards? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Props tend to have one of two destinies \u2013 they\u2019re either claimed by a team member or visitor (kids groups visiting the set love them) or I\u2019ll recycle them into another episode\u2019s props. I pride myself on my scraps and bits-and-bobs collection. Hoarding little pieces of leftover materials always comes in useful when you need something for a prop emergency! <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n
RADIOSHOW OF THE MONTH\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
Wild Inside <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Listen on BBC Sounds <\/em><\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Ben and Jess dissect a jaguar in a previous episode of Wild Inside <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Following on from last year\u2019s three episodes (ocean sunfish, Burmese python and jaguar), evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod and expert veterinary surgeon Jess French return to undertake dissections of ethically-sourced animals for BBC Radio 4. In these two new episodes, the pair are opening up a female cheetah and a great grey owl to investigate what makes them unique and adapted to survive. How can the cheetah run so fast and how does the owl hunt silently amongst the boreal forest? This series is fascinating, but definitely not for the squeamish. <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n
CHILDREN\u2019S BOOK OF THE MONTH <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
The Secret World of Plants <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

By Ben Hoare, Published <\/em>by <\/em>DK, <\/em>\u00a320 <\/em><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

WITH OVER A THIRD OF THE WORLD\u2019S plants under threat, it\u2019s never too early to inspire the next generation with the magic of the plant kingdom. And, as BBC Wildlife <\/em>regular Ben Hoare expertly demonstrates in his latest sumptuously illustrated book for younger readers, there\u2019s a lot of magic to marvel at.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

We begin with leaves \u2013 what they are, how they work, and how they have evolved since the earliest plants first sprouted some 500 million years ago. Simple, clear presentation means you get to the heart of the matter in an instant, and examples of different species are used cleverly to demonstrate the diversity of plant life in the UK and around the world. <\/p>\n\n

But its through looking at the many ways plants defend themselves, how they move and the myriad other remarkable things they do that the layers of plant complexity are revealed. Be warned \u2013 if you buy this for one of the youngsters in your life, they\u2019re going to have to prise the book out of your hands first. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

BOOK HIGHLIGHT<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
The Book of Vanishing Species<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

By Beatrice Forshall. Bloomsbury, <\/em>\u00a325 <\/em><\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Beatrice Forshall\u2019s book includes a variety of species, from impressive blue whales to tiny plankton <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

THE HAND-COLOURED, DRYPOINT engravings of artist and writer Beatrice Forshall form the backbone of The <\/em>Book <\/em>of <\/em>Vanishing <\/em>Creatures, <\/em>inspired by her time as artist-inresidence with the Cambridge Conservation Initiative between 2017 and 2019. Some of her prints remain on permanent exhibition in the building. <\/p>\n\n

Shepays tribute to some of the planet\u2019s most unusual creatures and plants, whose histories extend back for generations but whose future remains uncertain. It is particularly poignant that during the researching and writing of this book, 111 species were declared extinct, some of whom feature within its pages.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

It acts as a poignant reminder of the insecurity of our planet and the impact that humans are having on our cohabitants. Forshall might not have a scientific background, but her poetic, human perspective and unique artistry are incredibly moving \u2013 and backed by in-depth fact-checking by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The Book of Vanishing Species <\/em>is both a celebration of our world and an urgent call to action. <\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n
BOOKS ROUND UP <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Ocean: Exploring the Marine World<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Phaidon Press Ltd, \u00a334.94 <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy more than 300 stunning images of the world\u2019s oceans and seas. Underwater photographs appear alongside scientific illustrations, Japanese woodblock prints, ancient Roman mosaics, early nautical cartography and contemporary artworks in this beautiful, large format book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remembering <\/strong>Bears<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

By Wildlife Photographers United. Remembering <\/em>Wildlife, <\/em>\u00a344.99 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The seventh title in the Remembering Wildlife series, which raises money for conservation by asking leading photographers to donate their images for free. This title, whose proceeds will go towards bear conservation projects, features all eight species of bears.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our <\/strong>Place <\/strong>in <\/strong>Nature<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Edited by Zachary Seager Pan <\/em>MacMillian, <\/em>\u00a310.99 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

At a moment in history where the environment feels under greater threat than ever before, this volume of essays \u2013 by some of the canon\u2019s most enduring writers, including Rachel Carson and John Muir \u2013 offers a soothing balm. An ideal gift for the literary-minded nature lover in your life, or just a treat to dip into yourself.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

London <\/strong>in <\/strong>the <\/strong>Wild<\/strong><\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

By London Wildlife Trust Octopus <\/em>Publishing <\/em>Group, <\/em>\u00a315.99 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Explore the wildlife and wild places of London in this new book from London Wildlife Trust. It celebrates the 40th anniversary of the charity\u2019s inauguration in 1981, and features writing from staff and volunteers, and friends and allies of the charity, plus a foreword by Chris Packham.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n
ID GUIDE <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
Fabulous fungi <\/h5>\n\n

Autumn is the peak time for finding fungi. The three illustrated below are all distinctive species and can be found in woodlands. For more ID guides, visit our website: discoverwildlife.com\/identify-wildlife<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

PURPLE JELLYDISC <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

This weird-looking gelatinous mass is mainly found on the trunks and branches of dead beech trees. <\/p>\n\n

YELLOW STAGSHORN <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

A striking species with antler-like forking branches, this fungi grows on rotten logs and stumps. <\/p>\n\n

LILAC BONNET <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Also known as lilac bellcap, this fungi can be found growing in woodlands and some grasslands. <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n
MEET THE VOLUNTEER <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

\u201cI do it because I really care about hedgehogs\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Luke Alexander Wilkin has been surveying hedgehogs and picking up litter on campus <\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Luke is in his second year of volunteering on campus <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Whilst attending The Sheffield College, Luke Alexander Wilkin has become involved with volunteering for the Hedgehog Friendly Campus, a national programme funded by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) to support young people in education to make positive changes for hedgehogs and other wildlife. <\/p>\n\n

What does your volunteering involve? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

As a volunteer for the Hedgehog Friendly Campus, I have been involved in footprint surveys, celebrating Hedgehog Awareness Week and doing lots of litter-picking around the college grounds. There are 20 of us from the Supported Work Skills and Independent Living Skills groups volunteering for the Hedgehog Friendly Campus. Many of us have learning difficulties such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia. <\/p>\n\n

This year, I am taking part in the Big Hog-Friendly Litter Pick Challenge. This is a brilliant eco-friendly competition run by the BHPS, with school, college and university teams competing to collect the most litter from around their communities. When my team took part last year, we came in second place! Around two million pieces of litter are dropped in the UK every single day, so our actions will help to prevent hedgehogs from getting caught up in it and injuring themselves. <\/p>\n\n

Why do you volunteer? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

I volunteer to give hedgehogs the best chance of survival and to encourage people to care about a safe and clean environment for hedgehogs, other wildlife and ourselves. This volunteering has given me a better understanding of the environment in general and the impacts that humans have on it. It has also been a great opportunity to gain some work skills and experience, such as working with other people and communication. But mainly, I just really care for hedgehogs! <\/p>\n\n

What is your proudest moments from your time volunteering? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

My proudest moments volunteering so far include our team being the runners-up in last year\u2019s Big Hog-Friendly Litter Pick Challenge, and winning a Bronze Hedgehog Friendly Campus award this year. We\u2019re hoping to go on to achieve a Silver award this year! <\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n
5 THINGS WE LOVE <\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

1 Under the Sea cushion \u00a314, marksandspencer.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2 Burford bat box, \u00a329.99, shopping.rspb.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3 Geometric whale hoodie, \u00a340, mcsshop.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4 Wildlife coasters, \u00a36.50 each, avelingartworks.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5 Moon gazing hare embroidery kit, \u00a322.99, paraffleembroidery.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Photos: FUNGI ILLUSTRATIONS: FELICITY ROSE COLE; WHALE ILLUSTRATION: BEATRICE FORSHAW <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Your guide to getting closer to nature this month<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":21650,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"88","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"88","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_88-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_88-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"November-2022","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"November-2022","purple_external_id":"November-2022-88-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"November-2022-88-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000087237||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000087237||","purple_android_product":"com.im.wildlife.497","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.wildlife.497","purple_ios_product":"com.im.wildlife.497","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.wildlife.497","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"58d61955-0ac4-406c-83f1-ab6f21d86b70","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2022-10-20T09:01:49Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"096d3461-da24-4704-9915-72f4fe9e9a33","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2022-10-21T10:05:53Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAg==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/ACW00YdokRwSZFXL0_p6aMw","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":true,"apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"[]"},"categories":[29],"tags":[14],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/10\/307307353_505780614714533_6553759185664097093_n_preview.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"11","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/10\/307307353_505780614714533_6553759185664097093_n_preview.jpg",1200,1600,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/10\/307307353_505780614714533_6553759185664097093_n_preview-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/10\/307307353_505780614714533_6553759185664097093_n_preview-225x300.jpg",225,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/10\/307307353_505780614714533_6553759185664097093_n_preview-768x1024.jpg",768,1024,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/10\/307307353_505780614714533_6553759185664097093_n_preview-768x1024.jpg",768,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/10\/307307353_505780614714533_6553759185664097093_n_preview-1152x1536.jpg",1152,1536,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2022\/10\/307307353_505780614714533_6553759185664097093_n_preview.jpg",1200,1600,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Your guide to getting closer to nature this month","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21224"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21224"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21224\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22375,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21224\/revisions\/22375"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21650"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21224"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21224"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21224"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}