{"id":23678,"date":"2023-01-11T10:14:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-11T09:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=23678"},"modified":"2023-01-12T10:26:00","modified_gmt":"2023-01-12T09:26:00","slug":"your-letters-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/2023\/01\/11\/your-letters-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Your letters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Log piles can be a treasure trove of wild creatures <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Suprises lurk at the bottom of the back garden <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

These last few years have been eye-opening in various ways to us all, but something that has definitely come out of it for me is the power of my back garden to lift the spirits. There is nothing better than exploring a corner that hasn\u2019t been weeded in a while, or visiting my log pile to see what lurks there. But there is one area that everyone avoids. To best explain, I wrote a poem about it, which I would love to share with you… <\/p>\n\n

At the end of my garden there\u2019s a spiky plant. <\/p>\n\n

No one goes near it, partly due to the needle-like leaves, partly because it\u2019s in the dark shady bit, under the trees. <\/p>\n\n

What an unsightly thing from bottom to top it goes from bare, leathery bark to the caracasses of last year\u2019s leaves standing like a dagger, unsheathed. <\/p>\n\n

And \u2013 if you catch if off guard \u2013 you may see its children; small, purple berries swelling up from within, poisonous and sharp to taste, reminding you of your rightful place. <\/p>\n\n

Sharon Swift, via post <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Treat for the weekend <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

The scene of BBC <\/em>Wildlife <\/em>magazine coming in the post catches my smile and built-up anticipation off-guard every time as I secretly tell myself I will be binging it at the weekend as usual. Reading articles from some of the best authors and editors, who share and illustrate their experiences and knowledge, makes time disappear for a good while and encourages me to be a better guardian of nature. Huge thanks to you all for loving our mother nature. <\/p>\n\n

Alexander Pal, via email <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n

PAUL MCGUINNESS REPLIES: <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Thanks for your kind words, Alexander. Every month, we finish the latest issue in a mad whirl of panic and exhaustion, so it\u2019s gratifying to hear that all our efforts are not in vain! <\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Whoooo is that? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

A great magazine but I am sure I have noticed that you often do not tell us what the picture across pages 4 and 5 is of? So the October magazine fails to identify the bird on page 5. A little owl, perhaps? I am sure last month\u2019s magazine had the same \u2018error\u2019. <\/p>\n\n

Duncan Thomson, via email <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n

CATHERINE SMALLEY REPLIES: <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

The image next to our flannel panel is one of very few in the magazine that doesn\u2019t have a caption. In future, we will endeavour to include the species name in the credit which runs along the side of the image. The October issue featured a northern hawk owl. <\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Size matters <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

I read with some alarm on page 96 of the December issue that the European yellowtailed scorpion was \u201cup to 45cm in length\u201d. On checking, I was greatly relieved to find that it was in fact only about 4.5cm. <\/p>\n\n

Tony Daniels, via email <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n

MEGAN SHERSBY REPLIES: <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

You\u2019re absolutely right, that should have read 45mm or 4.5cm \u2013 a scorpion measuring almost half a metre in length would be alarming indeed! Unfortunately, errors like this do very occasionally slip under our radar and into print, despite our best efforts. <\/p>\n\n

\n\n

A king that kills animals <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

I noted with some bemusement that the December issue editor\u2019s letter stated that the new King was \u201calways an outspoken conservationist\u201d and asked whether, as King, he will \u201cstill be able to champion conservation and wildlife issues\u201d. <\/p>\n\n

This is the same man who petitioned Tony Blair\u2019s government against introducing a hunting ban. This is also the same man who actively shoots game birds \u2013 with all the issues associated with that particular blood sport. In short, this is a man who actively takes pleasure in the killing of animals. I\u2019m not entirely sure what his contribution to conservation is, other than glaring hypocrisy. <\/p>\n\n

You do yourself and your publication no favours by participating in the greenwashing of the Windsors. <\/p>\n\n

John McAree, South Lanarkshire <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Why squirrels nibble nuts <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

I recently watched interesting behaviour of a grey squirrel searching for and digging out a buried acorn. It appeared to nibble it, turn it around several times, then bury it in a different place. It could be checking its stash \u2013 but surely it wouldn\u2019t nibble the acorn and break the seal of the shell? I would be grateful for enlightenment.<\/p>\n\n

Martin Woolley, via email <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n

JOHN GURNELL, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF MAMMAL COMMUNICATIONS <\/em>REPLIES: <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

During the autumn, grey and red squirrels store tree seeds to be reclaimed and eaten when food is less abundant. They bury the seeds in small groups of one to three items, just below the surface \u2013 a behaviour known as scatterhoarding. <\/p>\n\n

Acorns are favoured by grey squirrels and you may see them dig up an acorn, nibble one end, then re-bury it, maybe in a different hole. Why do they do this? Acorns of our native oak species belong to a group that start to germinate in autumn, and squirrels slow or stop the germination of the acorn by biting off the radicle, which would eventually form a root. In this way, they keep the food intact over the winter period for later consumption in the spring. <\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Reading for pleasure <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

I was thrilled with the December issue. I found Lucy Cooke\u2019s \u2018Female of the Species\u2019 column on Darwin\u2019s bark spider fascinating. If I am ever asked what animal I find the most interesting, it would have to be it! <\/p>\n\n

Chris Packham\u2019s feature \u2018The Power of Poo\u2019 was funny and hugely informative. Just goes to show how we are still finding miracles in nature. <\/p>\n\n

I was also so pleased to read that the red flesh of the yew berry is not poisonous. [Please note that the yew seed is <\/em>poisonous!] I shan\u2019t do it, but I\u2019d love to scare my family by popping one in my mouth on a walk! <\/p>\n\n

Thank you so much for producing these wonderful magazines.<\/p>\n\n

Philippa Batchelor, via email <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Answers to Spot The Difference<\/h4>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
<\/div>
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GET IN TOUCH<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Email <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

wildlifeletters@immediate.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Post<\/span><\/strong> <\/span><\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

BBC Wildlife, <\/em>Eagle House Bristol, BS1 4ST<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By contacting us you consent to let us print your letter in BBC <\/em>Wildlife. <\/em>Letters may be edited.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

PHOTO: LOG PILE: MARTIN HUGHES-JONES\/ALAMY<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Suprises lurk at the bottom of the back garden These last few years have been eye-opening in various ways to us all, but something that has definitely come out of it for me is the power of my back garden to lift the spirits. 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