Concise Garden Wildlife Guide
Language: English
Pages: 192
ISBN: B00R47OZR6
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
This beautifully illustrated concise guide is packed with information on the wildlife that can be found in Britain and the near Continent, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, molluscs, and crustaceans. It covers around 200 species, all of which are illustrated with superb full-colour artworks. A concise written account covering size, description, voice, habitat, distribution and habits appears on the same page as the illustration for each species. The easy-to-follow layouts and superb artworks aid quick and accurate identification, and make this book an invaluable reference outdoors as well as at home.
To protect it against the elements, the book is wrapped in a durable plastic wallet. Also included is a fold-out insert illustrating differences between similar species, and assisting in quick identification.
Renowned natural history artists Sandra Doyle, Stuart Carter, David Daly and Lyn Wells painted the illustrations.
with a black-and-yellow-barred abdomen. HABITAT Near field edges, in woodland clearings, on waste ground and in gardens. Found in Europe as far as Sweden. In Britain it was first discovered in Sussex in the 1940s. FOOD AND HABITS Adults seen June–September. Low-built orb-type web traps jumping insects such as grasshoppers. Female lays eggs in a large and fluffy egg sac close to the web. This has thick zigzag stitching (stabilimentum) worked into the centre (purpose disputed). Giant House
and bark throughout Europe. FOOD AND HABITS Adults seen spring–autumn. Hides within holes from which about a dozen silky trip-wires spread out. When prey disturbs the threads, it dashes out of its hole to grab it. Flower Spider Misumena vatia SIZE AND DESCRIPTION Length to 10mm (f), 5mm (m). Female is white, yellow or greenish with reddish stripes on each side of her abdomen (although these may be absent). Male has dark brown stripes on his abdomen, and two dark brown front pairs of legs.
‘pink’, but flight call a softer ‘yupp’. Song a loud ringing trill that becomes lower and ends in a flourish, before being repeated again. HABITAT Breeds in all types of woodland, as well as in parks and gardens. British birds are resident, but those from elsewhere in Europe may winter in Britain. FOOD AND HABITS Eats fruits and seeds, and also insects during the breeding season. Nest a neat cup of moss and lichens, lined with feathers and built in the fork of a branch in a small tree or
buildings and natural sites for hibernation; also behind boards attached to walls and in specially made boxes. Usually emerges after sunset, but may be seen during daylight. Hunts flying insects for up to 3 hours in warm weather, up to 15 minutes in cold. Each male has a group of 8–10 females. Usually one young is born in spring. Average lifespan four years. Brown Long-eared Bat Plecotus auritus SIZE AND DESCRIPTION Length 3–4.3cm; wingspan 23–28.5cm. Not a large bat, but with prominent ears
after a seven-month gestation. Many muntjac die in hard winters; lifespan of survivors is 16 years. Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus SIZE AND DESCRIPTION Length 100–140cm (body); 1–2cm (tail); 100–140cm (height at shoulder). Coat reddish-brown in summer, moulting into longer grey-brown to almost black in autumn. Short muzzle with a black nose, and large dark eyes. Bucks have small antlers (to 30cm) with three tines. HABITAT Deciduous and coniferous woodland, open moorland and sometimes