{"id":24513,"date":"2023-02-08T14:38:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T13:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=24513"},"modified":"2023-02-13T10:19:14","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T09:19:14","slug":"go-wild-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/2023\/02\/08\/go-wild-7\/","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

\"\"
Starlings roosting on Brighton pier <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
TV HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Wild wintery delights<\/h4>\n\n

Winterwatch <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Catch up on BBC iPlayer <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n

JANUARY SAW THE RETURN OF Winterwatch <\/em>to our screens for a joyful two weeks. The four regular presenters celebrated the wonders of the UK\u2019s wildlife and its landscapes. Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan returned to Wild Ken Hill in Norfolk for a second winter, whilst Gillian Burke and Iolo Williams headed northwards to Scotland\u2019s greenest city to experience the urban wildlife of Edinburgh. <\/p>\n\n

As usual, there are live cameras aplenty to keep viewers hooked and the popular Mindfulness Moments. Prerecorded films with the four presenters and Megan McCubbin take you around the UK to encounter both extraordinary winter wildlife and knowledgable naturalists and conservationists \u2013 including murmurating starlings, roosting jackdaws with Flock Together\u2019s Nadeem Perrara, and insects with entomology curator Ashleigh Whiffin. <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

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

Jack Baddams<\/h4>\n\n

We speak to the Winterwatch <\/em>wildlife researcher about what his role on the programme involves <\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Jack Baddams also co-hosts the comedy nature podcast How Many Geese? <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

How did you first get involved in \u2018The Watches\u2019? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

I have my mum to thank! I\u2019d always been a huge fan of the show and she simply encouraged me to find the email address of the series producer and drop them a message asking if there was anything I could do on the show. I had no faith in her plan but, lo and behold, I ended up getting a job as a \u2018story developer\u2019 (someone who monitors the wildlife cameras) on the show for four series, before being taken onboard as the wildlife researcher. Moral of the story: if you don\u2019t ask, you don\u2019t get! <\/p>\n\n

What does your research involve? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Largely it\u2019s working on the content of the show \u2013 whether that be the pre-recorded films or the \u2018live items\u2019. In the case of the films, we\u2019re working on them months ahead of time, so there\u2019s always something to keep busy with. My role also involves researching the locations that the programmes use as a base, and I\u2019m very lucky that I get to explore the best wildlife spots in the country and speak to the people who know them best! <\/p>\n\n

What does your role involve during the live weeks? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

As the wildlife researcher, it\u2019s about being across all the wildlife action that\u2019s happening on and around our main location. I talk to a network of local naturalists to find out the interesting stories or species, and then make sure we try to get them filmed. So whether it\u2019s footage we\u2019ve captured on our remote cameras or with our long lens operators, it\u2019s my job to be across it all and work with the producers to make sure we\u2019re getting the best moments on screen. <\/p>\n\n

Are there any animals or plants you\u2019d like to get featured, but haven\u2019t found a way to do so yet? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Moles! I would absolutely love to find a way to do a feature on moles. They\u2019re a species I\u2019ve looked into a couple of times, but they\u2019re not animals that make themselves easy to film, given that they spend their entire life underground. I think they\u2019re one of the most fascinating creatures we have in the UK, and the idea that they\u2019re just busying away with their lives under our feet amazes me. <\/p>\n\n

What is the most unusual aspect of your role? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Being on location throws up all sorts of situations. I\u2019ve been involved with setting out weightlifting courses for badgers, been trained in the art of frog tickling, and calculated the air speed velocity of a laden great spotted woodpecker! <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n
PODCAST OF THE MONTH <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Beneath the Baobab<\/h4>\n\n

jammainternational.com\/podcast-2<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Gordon looks into community conservation <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

The award-winning wildlife cameraman and presenter Gordon Buchanan steps up to the microphone to host this podcast from conservation and communities charity Jamma International. Across the episodes, he delves into the world of community-led projects and how indigenous peoples are working to conserve wildlife both now and for future generations. The podcast doesn\u2019t shy away from difficult topics, such as the legacy of colonial land use or the role of the media in sharing misinformation. <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n
CHILDREN\u2019S BOOK OF THE MONTH <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Darwin\u2019s Super-Pooping Worm Spectacular<\/h4>\n\n

By Polly Owen, illustrated by Gwen Millward, Wide-Eyed <\/em>Editions, <\/em>\u00a312.99 <\/em><\/p>\n\n

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

DID YOU KNOW THAT CHARLES DARWIN was fascinated with worms? Polly Owen and Gwen Millward\u2019s zany and humorous book tells the true story of how the famous naturalist discovered that the humble earthworm is one of the most important species on the planet. <\/p>\n\n

Colourful pages filled with a pleasing combination of illustrations, speech bubbles and text show the enamoured Darwin conducting experiments on his specimens. <\/p>\n\n

First, he tests their sight and discovers they can\u2019t see but they do have light-detecting sensors in their skin. Second, he tests their hearing and finds they can\u2019t hear but they do respond to vibrations. Then he tests their smell and concludes they can only smell their own preferred foods. <\/p>\n\n

But most exciting \u2013 particularly for children \u2013 is his discovery of their super-pooping superpower! Cue lots of poo pictures and the lesson that worm poo is essential for plant and animal life. <\/p>\n\n

This is a disarmingly silly read that manages to share cool worm science, and an insight into Darwin\u2019s life and work, with a light and easy touch. <\/p>\n\n

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

<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n
BOOKS ROUND UP<\/span><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Sensational <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

By Ashley Ward, Profile <\/em>Books, <\/em>\u00a320 <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

A professor of animal behaviour at the University of Sydney, Ashley Ward is more than qualified as our tour guide into the dazzling world of senses \u2013 both our own and those of other animals. It is an impressive journey into why we may have as many as 53 senses (rather than just five), and how we interpret the world around us. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elixir <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

By Kapka Kassabova, Jonathan <\/em>Cape, <\/em>\u00a320 <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Award-winning writer Kapka Kassabova has written an exceptional new book. She takes us to the valley of the Mesta River in Bulgaria, surrounded <\/span>by forests and mountains. Here, she follows the river and explores the connections between people, plants and place, seeking an answer to how we can re-think the way we live.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Britain\u2019s Living Seas <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

By Hannah Rudd, Bloomsbury <\/em>Publishing, <\/em>\u00a316.99 <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Dip your toes into the world of coastal wildlife with marine biologist Hannah Rudd\u2019s book, written in collaboration with The Wildlife Trusts. The first chapter introduces the different habitats and species, then the book takes a deeper dive into the threats facing them, the conservation work being undertaken, and what you can do to help. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spring Rain <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

By Marc Hamer, Vintage <\/em>Publishing, <\/em>\u00a316.99 <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Following the success of his previous books, How <\/em>To <\/em>Catch <\/em>A <\/em>Mole <\/em>and Seed <\/em>To <\/em>Dust, <\/em> writer and gardener Marc Hamer has written a third book. In this memoir, he reflects on his childhood in a violent home and how he came to love plants, insects and nature by finding refuge in his small back garden, leading to a life of gardening. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

ID GUIDE<\/span><\/h5>\n\n

Early spring flowers <\/h4>\n\n

Spring is near, daylight hours are increasing, our winter bird visitors are leaving, and the early spring flowers are starting to bloom. For more ID guides, visit our website: discoverwildlife.com\/identify-wildlife<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
COMMON GORSE<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

A large evergreen shrub, gorse is most recognisable by its coconutscented bright yellow flowers. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
BUTTERBUR <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Named for its large leaves that were once used to wrap butter, this plant has small pink flowers on a spike. <\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
RED DEAD-NETTLE <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Loved by bumblebees, this nettle species has pink-purple flowers and lacks a sting \u2013 hence the \u2018dead\u2019 name. <\/p>\n\n

\n\n
TV HIGHLIGHT <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Serengeti III<\/h4>\n\n

Catch up on BBC iPlayer <\/em><\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Will Askari the male lion pose a danger to the pride\u2019s new young lion cubs? <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

THE DRAMATISED WILDLIFE SERIES Serengeti <\/em>returns to BBC One for a third season, this time narrated by the British actress Adjoa Andoh \u2013 of theatre and Casualty <\/em>fame, and lately playing Lady Danbury in the Netflix adaptation of the Bridgerton <\/em>books. The six episodes were produced by John Downer Productions, which has previously made Spy <\/em>in <\/em>the <\/em>Wild <\/em>(and its associated programmes) and Snow <\/em>Bears. <\/em><\/p>\n\n

We are introduced \u2013 or reintroduced, if you watched the previous Serengeti <\/em>seasons \u2013 to the main characters that feature across the series. One such character is the lioness Kali, who started the series with young cubs to look after, who are now starting to explore the world outside of their den. What trouble will they get into on their adventures, and will they survive meeting the male lion of the pride?<\/span><\/p>\n\n

A baboon family led by a male called Bakari have found sanctuary amongst the rock \u2018kopjes\u2019 \u2013 the piles of ancient rocks sticking up like islands from the surrounding grassy savannah. Bakari faces the threat of a rival, who has the audacity to bully his son, leading to a battle for the troop\u2019s survival. <\/p>\n\n

It\u2019s also almost time for cheetah Aiysha\u2019s cubs to become independent, but have they learnt enough hunting skills to venture out and go alone? They may have enthusiasm \u2013 shown by their attempt to catch some flamingoes \u2013 but it\u2019s going to take more than that to survive. <\/p>\n\n

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

Watch all the episodes from the Serengeti III <\/em>series <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n
MEET THE VOLUNTEER <\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
\u201cI want other people to enjoy nature, too!\u201d<\/h5>\n\n

Student Anna Webberley has been leading her university\u2019s ornithological society <\/p>\n\n

\"\"
Anna wants fellow students to have moments like this <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

ALONGSIDE STUDYING FOR HER BIOLOGICAL sciences degree, Anna Webberley is the president of the Cardiff University Ornithological Society and was awarded the British Trust for Ornithology\u2019s (BTO) Marsh Award for Young Ornithologist of the Year in 2022. <\/p>\n\n

What does your volunteering involve? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

As president of the society, my role involves running and organising the society and its events, with the help of two committee members \u2013 Maddie Davis (secretary) and Lili Tarrant-Snedden (treasurer). Events include regular birdwatching walks, socials, and trips both in the local area and further afield, such as a Q&A session with Iolo Williams and a residential camping trip to Pembrokeshire. We encourage our members to get involved in citizen science, too. <\/p>\n\n

I also regularly help out with the BTO\u2019s monthly Wetland Bird Survey in Cardiff \u2019s Roath Park each month. This involves counting and recording the numbers of different species of wetland birds. This data is important for informing conservation decisions. During spring, I volunteer as a nestbox volunteer, which involves monitoring the nestboxes in a local woodland and checking the progress of the chicks nesting there. <\/p>\n\n

Why do you volunteer? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

I really enjoy getting out and about in nature and wildlife, and doing things to help the environment where I can. I want other people to have the opportunity to enjoy it, too! The more people that are passionate and care about these species, the more they will work to conserve and protect them. <\/p>\n\n

It has been great to see the society get re-established (after it shut down in 2020, due to the pandemic) and have such a good increase in members over the last couple of years \u2013 we now have nearly 40 members. It\u2019s also amazing to see more people helping out and getting involved with the local volunteering activities. <\/p>\n\n

What has been your proudest moment as a volunteer? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

It was receiving the BTO\u2019s Marsh Award for Young Ornithologist of the Year last year for my work with the ornithological society and vounteering. I felt incredibly honoured to receive the award. <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>
\n

5 THINGS WE LOVE<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1 Butterfly Bloom <\/span>top, \u00a320, <\/em>butterfly <\/em>conservation <\/em>store.com<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

2 Unisex Arctic Sport Tall Boots, <\/span>\u00a3155, muckbootcompany.co.uk<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

3 ATC 17-40×56 spotting scope, \u00a31,820, swarovskioptik.com <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

4 Eco birdfeeder, \u00a38.99, shop. <\/span>woodlandtrust.<\/span>org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

5 Zoology jigsaw puzzle, \u00a325, wrendaledesigns.co.uk <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

PHOTOS: LION: LUKE GENT\/JOHN DOWNER PRODUCTION LTD\/BBC, ILLUSTRATIONS: FELICITY ROSE COLE; ANNA: IMAGE TAKEN PRIOR TO THE BIRD FLU OUTBREAK; STARLINGS: SIMON DACK NEWS\/ALAMY<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gogetting Your guide to closer to nature this month <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":24511,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"92","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"92","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_92-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_92-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"March-2023","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"March-2023","purple_external_id":"March-2023-92-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"March-2023-92-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000087241||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000087241||","purple_android_product":"com.im.wildlife.501","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.wildlife.501","purple_ios_product":"com.im.wildlife.501","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.wildlife.501","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":"2023-02-13T09:19:25Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"678cd4a9-e496-4dbd-962b-5b28a70a7d4f","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2023-02-13T09:19:25Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAD\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/w==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AZ4zUqeSWTb2WK1sopwp9Tw","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\/2023\/01\/161b0c94-a4c1-418f-a350-e643d95be5a1.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\/2023\/01\/161b0c94-a4c1-418f-a350-e643d95be5a1.jpg",2048,1948,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/01\/161b0c94-a4c1-418f-a350-e643d95be5a1-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/01\/161b0c94-a4c1-418f-a350-e643d95be5a1-300x285.jpg",300,285,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/01\/161b0c94-a4c1-418f-a350-e643d95be5a1-768x731.jpg",768,731,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/01\/161b0c94-a4c1-418f-a350-e643d95be5a1-1024x974.jpg",800,761,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/01\/161b0c94-a4c1-418f-a350-e643d95be5a1-1536x1461.jpg",1536,1461,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/01\/161b0c94-a4c1-418f-a350-e643d95be5a1.jpg",2048,1948,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":"Gogetting Your guide to closer to nature this month","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24513"}],"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=24513"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24513\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25743,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24513\/revisions\/25743"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24513"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24513"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24513"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}