AgriSound’s Post

Happy #WorldWildlifeDay! Today is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the abundance and diversity of our local Oxfordshire and Berkshire plants, animals and ecosystems. Oxfordshire supports a number of national/international priority habitats, including chalk grassland, beech woodland, fen, wetland and marshland and is also a critical area for freshwater biodiversity. Similarly, Berkshire boasts many principal habitats such as heathland, wetland, traditional orchards, grassland and woodland. Each of these habitats support a number of nationally rare/threatened birds, mammals, plants and invertebrates, as well as offering research and conservation opportunities. As spring approaches, there is yet more opportunity to get involved in #citizenscience approaches, all of which contribute to conservation efforts in these important ecosystems. So, what local wildlife and habitats do you want to celebrate today #LetsGetRecording #Wildlife #Nature #everyoneneedsnature #UKConservation #Spring

As part of the countdown to TAFU’s Local Wildlife Day https://lnkd.in/eRXHbZ6D on the 11th of July – Species no. 26. Stay tuned – 17 more days and 17 more species until then! The Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus), also known as the European Stag Beetle, is a large and impressive beetle native to Europe. It is easily recognisable by the males' large distinctive mandibles, which resemble the antlers of a stag. Males range from 35 to 75 mm in length, while females are smaller, measuring between 30 to 50 mm. The males use their large mandibles for fighting other males during the mating season. Stag Beetles spend most of their life as larvae, living for several years underground and feeding on decaying wood. They are primarily found in woodlands, gardens, parks, and hedgerows where there is plenty of rotting wood, which is essential for their larval development. Adults emerge in late spring to early summer and live for only a few weeks, during which they mate and lay eggs. These beetles are nationally scarce in the UK, primarily confined to the southeast of England. Conservation efforts focus on preserving their habitat by maintaining old trees and decaying wood. This is one reason why it is important not to keep our natural areas 'clean', as this dead wood, which is often removed, is instrumental in Stag Beetle development. #TAFU #TAFUsLocalWildlifeDay #TAFUsLWD #LocalWildlife #Nature #Sustainability #ClimateChange #Conservation #NatureConservation #NatureLovers

As part of the countdown to TAFU’s Local Wildlife Day https://lnkd.in/eRXHbZ6D on the 11th of July – Species no. 11. Stay tuned – 32 more days and 32 more species until then! Speedwells (Veronica) is a resilient wildflower that thrives in a variety of habitats, including meadows, woodlands, and roadside verges. Recognised for its attractive blue, purple, pink, or white flowers, Speedwells add a splash of colour to natural landscapes. These plants are typically 1 to 3 feet tall and prefer full sun and well-drained soils, although they can tolerate a range of soil conditions, from sandy to clay. In the wild, Speedwells are commonly seen in open, sunny areas where it can compete with other meadow plants. It is well-suited to poor, rocky soils and often found in disturbed sites, showing just how adaptable they are. Speedwell's drought tolerance makes it a reliable plant in various environments, and its flowers provide a valuable nectar source for pollinators, including bees and butterflies. To support wild Speedwell populations, we should avoid disturbing natural habitats where they thrive, and consider allowing native species to thrive in gardens, enhancing local biodiversity. Participating in local conservation efforts to protect meadows and open spaces can also help maintain the habitats that Speedwell and other wildflowers depend on. #TAFU #TAFUsLocalWildlifeDay #TAFUsLWD #LocalWildlife #Nature #Sustainability #ClimateChange #Conservation #NatureConservation #NatureLovers

#Elephants are keystone species, playing a critical role in maintaining the biodiversity of the ecosystems in which they live. Have you ever wondered what role they play exactly? Well, these gentle giants help shape their environment in numerous ways. By eating a variety of plants and fruits, elephants disperse seeds over large areas through their dung, promoting plant diversity and forest regeneration. Their ability to knock down trees and shrubs creates clearings that allow new plants to grow and provide habitats for other species. Additionally, during dry seasons, elephants dig water holes that not only quench their thirst but also provide water for other wildlife. Despite their importance, elephants face significant threats from poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. At the African Wildlife Foundation, we are dedicated to protecting these magnificent creatures. Learn more about how our #CounterWildlifeTrafficking program is tackling these challenges to safeguard these precious #species here - https://bit.ly/3XSaXIs #Africanconservation #Wildlifeconservation #Africanwildlife #NaturesValue

This World Environment Day we've been out checking in on our hives 🐝🌱 Did you know that habitat loss is generally thought to be the most important factor driving the decline in population of UK pollinators? Over 97% (an area the size of Wales) of all flower-rich grasslands have been lost in England since the 1930s, (and this is mirrored in other parts of the UK) reducing pollen and nectar sources and leading to a serious decline in the wildlife depending on wildflower-rich habitat. UK Charity Buglife's B-Lines Project is an imaginative and beautiful solution to the problem of the loss of flowers and pollinators. The B-Lines are a series of ‘insect pathways’ running through our countryside and towns, along which we are restoring and creating a series of wildflower-rich habitat stepping stones. They link existing wildlife areas together, creating a network, like a railway, that weaves across the UK landscape. This provides large areas of brand new habitat benefiting bees and butterflies– but also a host of other wildlife. If you're looking for a charity to support that directly helps re-build our pollinator habitat then Buglife might be the one for you! For more information about B-Lines and the work that Buglife do to help pollinators head over to their site www.buglife.org.uk

This week (7 Feb) we marked Reverse the Red Day. But why?.. Reverse the Red Day expresses the fact that when we pool our knowledge and work together with focus, we can save species. Conservation action works - just look at the Przewalski Horse! Data-driven and propelled by collaboration, Reverse the Red provides the tools and partnerships to unite us around our common commitment to saving species. And, when we say 'our' we mean everyone. We all have a role to play in protecting species - whether we’re NFPs, government agencies, zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens, multinationals, communities, or individuals... #reversethered #savingspecies #conservation #calltoaction

Canada’s prairie grasslands are home to diverse wildlife, including more than 60 at risk species. Yet, Canada’s grasslands are one of the world’s most endangered and least protected ecosystems, with over 60 thousand hectares, or 100,000 football fields lost every year. Landscape conversion and human activity have contributed toward the decline of this vital ecosystem, which has the unique potential to simultaneously sequester carbon, filter water and feed communities across the country. That’s why we have invested $30M over 5 years toward supporting evidence-based management and on the ground conservation. This #NationalGrasslandsAwarenessWeek (USA), join us in celebrating our Prairie Grasslands Initiative grantees Ducks Unlimited Canada Nature Conservancy of Canada/Conservation de la nature Canada Conservancy of Canada/Conservation de la nature Canada @Parks Canada Meewasin Valley Authority and Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation for work they continue to do in protecting and sustaining this important habitat. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gF9rmw62 #Grasslands #Conservation #Nature #Prairies #Wildlife #Collaboration

We always need to make sure we are focused on ensuring healthy, self-sustaining and resilient populations of wildlife in the wild. Does that sometimes require temporary translocation? I agree with the authors that you can't take a 'one size fits all' approach, but it does worry me that translocation could be seen an as alternative to proper habitat protection and I think that should be one of the considerations as well. Should we translocate vulnerable species to islands to save them? https://lnkd.in/g3UUFsan

It's easy to forget that orchids aren't restricted to the tropics. When protected in a good environment, native orchids can thrive in the UK⁠ ⁠ ⁠ They're actually a good indicator of soil quality and biodiversity health. Most species reproduce via tiny seeds. which need perfect conditions to germinate. Some species even rely on specific types of fungi in the soil for them to grow🍄⁠ ⁠ The efforts that Sussex Wildlife Trust and Cheshire Wildlife Trust are putting into meadow protection are paying off as both are seeing different varieties of orchid getting established. Encouraging signals that the meadows are healthy and starting to support rich bio-diversity 🌱⁠ ⁠ But they need a lot of help to maintain this and create more such spaces. We're currently trundling to create funds for both Sussex Wildlife Trust and Cheshire Wildlife Trust, supported by Sykes Holiday Cottages. If you join in, you and your company could become instant meadow champions too, simply by taking a walk with the trundl app 🚶🏻♀️ 🐕️ 🚶♀️⁠ #nature #environment #wildlife #charitywalk

Happy New Year! Are you as ready for 2024 as these birds? This week’s featured photo is of a beautiful burrowing owl, Athene cunicularia, taken at a recent project site by endemic biologist Calvin Won. Burrowing owls are unique due to their preference to live in burrows, often repurposing abandoned burrows of other mammals. They are typically found in open habitats throughout North and South America and are often characterized by their distinctive head tilt, bright yellow eyes, and activity during the day. This species faces threats like habitat loss due to urbanization and agriculture, vehicle collisions, and predation. However, conservation efforts are underway to protect their habitats and raise awareness about the importance of preserving these unique animals. Endemic Environmental Services is committed to protecting these species and their homes through our dedicated projects. #EndemicEnvironmental #endemic #biologicalservices #restorationservices #nativespecies #burrowingowl #environmentalconsulting