Hello! This is what has been happening this week...
1) It’s confirmed – Autumnwatch is back!
Earlier this week we brought you the very exciting news that Autumnwatch will return to our screens in the next few weeks. Chris, Michaela, Martin will be back at the National Trust’s Sherborne Park Estate in the beautiful Cotswolds. Meanwhile, Gillian will be on the South coast of England with a special family of foxes. We’ll be back on BBC Two from Monday 23rd of October – and there’s plenty to look forward to.
2) The return of Obi-swan Kenobi
Remember Autumnwatch 2015? It was when we asked you to help the WWT name a whooper swan. Obi-swan Kenobi was the final name chosen by Watchers. And two years on, Obi-swan has returned to WWT Caerlaverock! The organisation say it returned with a mate overnight. No word on any lightsabers though…
Overall it was a busy night at WWT Caerlaverock, the reserve reported that 63 whooper swans have now migrated back to site.
3) Spider thought extinct turns up on National Trust estate
The National Trust said this week it had found a species of spider previously thought to have become extinct in the UK. Volunteers searching for arachnids in heathland found the “diamond spider” at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. A black diamond shape, edged with white on its abdomen, identified the spider. It’s only the third time it has been recorded in the UK.
4) The "Harvest Moon" appeared
The Moon was bright in the sky on Thursday night as clear skies across most of the country allowed for the “Harvest Moon” to make an appearance. It’s the first full Moon after the autumn equinox; in days gone by it signalled to farmers that the time had come to start bringing their crops in from the field. Thanks to Watchers on social media there are some fantastic photos to see!
Plane beautiful - image by Joe Reid
5) A photographer revealed his tips for taking photos INSIDE waves
Mike Lacey creates the stunning shots by placing himself in the most dangerous part of the wave. As it curls over him he captures the movement of the water, and the results are incredible.
6) Stunning autumn colours revealed
As the leaves turn and the darker nights draw in, we asked you to share photos of how autumn is looking where you are. We’ve gathered some of the best submissions here.
7) And finally.... migrant moth turns out to be a hoax
Remember last week we brought you news via Butterfly Conservation about a non-native moth that had been reported in Ireland? It was thought that the black witch moth, which is native to the southern US and Brazil, had been accidentally released or imported. It was later revealed to be a hoax. On the BBC Springwatch Facebook page it was suggested that the image was actually taken in Tennessee.
