The Red Kite: Milvus Milvus, Tudor Legislation and the Little Ice Age

Walking down the street in Woking, I looked up and saw a magnificent bird of prey circling over the houses - a Red Kite ( Milvus Milvus ).

Red Kite, Photo by Thomas Kraft  CC BY-SA 2.5

Wildlife Trusts' Action Plan to restore natural flood defences

River Wey in flood, Old Woking, Jan.2014

More rain on saturated ground and the River Wey rose above it's banks, shown here at Old Woking Palace on 4th January 2014. Are there natural, sustainable solutions for flood control?

Woking Palace meadows in flood

The River Wey at Old Woking Palace is brim full.

A Winter Solstice Butterfly

Red Admiral Butterfly

Today is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and here is a surprise, a winter butterfly! A Red Admiral (Vanessa Atalanta)

Candles for Christmas 2013

WOKING CUSTOMERS ONLY! Now is the time to order your handmade candles for this Christmas.

1 x 19cm Pure Beeswax Candle Pair, £7.50

All are made with 100% pure beeswax from my own bees in Woking and near the Devil's Punch Bowl.
Pure beeswax candles make a lovely gift, but why not have a jar of Woking honey too?
Delivery is free for customers in Woking, or you may collect.
Call Marion, the beekeeper on 01932 349828 or visit my Candle Shop to see candles for mail order.

National Honey Show 2013

Marion Malcher is presented with the Silver Jubilee Bowl at the National Honey Show by Dr David Aston, Chairman of the British Beekeepers' Association.

Silver Jubilee Bowl Presentation, National Honey Show 2013

The Silver Jubilee Bowl is awarded for beeswax in Class 150 of the National Honey Show.

A beautiful Rosemary Beetle (Chrysolina americana)

Whilst delighted to find this jewel like beetle in my garden, I was less pleased when I discovered she will be eating my rosemary and lavender bushes.

Rosemary Beetle, photo M.Malcher

Water

Water?  here in modern Britain, apart from the occasional hosepipe ban in an exceptional summer, all we have to do is turn on the tap. But how can we be sure it will always be as easy as that?

Good News for Red Squirrels

Red Squirrel by Paul Whippey

The Red Squirrel is the native squirrel of the British Isles, the American Grey Squirrel was only introduced in the 1870's. Sadly, the two kinds of squirrels do not co-exist and Britain's Red Squirrels have declined greatly in number, but there has been some good news in recent days..

Planting Bulbs for Bees

What could be nicer than planting bulbs to bring a splash of colour in the Spring? and the bees will appreciate the flowers too!
Older people living in more than 150 of Anchor Care's retirement properties and care homes are planting bulbs as part of their Bee Friendly national campaign over the next six weeks. I was delighted to be invited to help launch their campaign at West Hall, West Byfleet in Surrey.

Bee Friendly Launch at West Hall

What bulbs will you choose?

Mating flight of the Queen bee

Film director Markus Imhoof used mini-helicopters and high-speed cameras to film a princess mating on the wing.

Harpella forcifella

A very rare moth in Britain makes an appearance in Kent.

Photo : Accipter, courtesy of Wikipedia

Mr Ross Newnham, a volunteer with the Kent Wildlife Trust, discovered a Harpella forcifella moth on the Holborough Marshes Nature Reserve near Snodland.   (Source: Kent Messenger)

This European moth which has only been recorded four times in Britain to date, is quite common in Belgium.

A Grey Seal

The wild Cornish coast is home to Grey Seals, like this one, or perhaps it's a Selkie?

The Yeoman Archer

Mr Messett of the Yeoman Archers showed visitors to Woking Palace how Agincourt was won!
The longbow here was made by the archer himself.
The Yeoman Archers are a not for profit group who raise money for the Armed Forces.
https://sites.google.com/site/yeomanarchers/home

Nectar Gatherers in Old Hall Copse

Honeybee

The brambles are out and providing rich nectar for bees and butterflies