Friends of the Quantocks

There are simply no good reasons not to return lynx to Britain. Important study published today in Scotland. linkedin.com/posts/scotland…

Just as the tides will never stop… I WILL NEVER STOP! it might seem an endless task. It might seem pointless to some BUT cleaning up rubbish from the environment is as important to me as breathing. 💚🌍🗑️🚯 #litter #litterick #bemorewomble #gbspringclean #lovewhereyoulive

A collection of bee orchids I’ve encountered. Bee orchids mimic the look and smell of female insects to trick male insects into trying to mate with them: thrusting against the flowers, the male insects pick up and deliver pollen without reward (a process known as pseudocopulation).

The #MigratoryBirds are already on their way!🌍🐦🦉🦅🦉 🔻This map illustrates the feat of these trips that thousands of #birds make twice a year. via @SEO_BirdLife

Surrey Wildlife Trust has teamed up with the Dogs Trust to appeal to dog owners to keep their pets on leads at the county's many sensitive sites for ground-nesting birds: bit.ly/4iyAGN7

An important reminder as to why protected areas (vital though they are) will never be enough to stem & reverse the decline of Nature

Did you know that Britain was once home to one of the world’s largest and heaviest flying birds? 🪽 Fossils reveal that #DalmatianPelicans thrived across Somerset, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire etc. and were still flying over Somerset when the Romans were here. (1/4)

Every species plays a crucial role in our ecosystems, from food production to water recycling. Understanding these roles and connections is essential for effective conservation. via @TheWCS

📣Taunton’s Reuse Shop based at Priorswood Recycling Site recently reopened! The Reuse Shop can take and offer good quality items, from books, bikes, toys, games, furniture, CDs, DVDs and sports equipment to crockery and cutlery.

Good to see the ⁦@guardian picking this up. Come on Labour! ⁩ Launch natural history GCSE in England now, campaigners urge Labour | Conservation | The Guardian theguardian.com/environment/20…

A tracking study has found that dogs walked off-lead cause significantly more disturbance on lowland heaths than pets kept on the lead: bit.ly/4jgLEIx

‘Wild venison served in schools for first time’ There is no meat more healthy or sustainable than wild venison. In the absence of predators such as lynx and wolves, deer numbers are out of control across Britain. Eating them makes good sense. thetimes.com/article/387df1…

It's time for tauros 🐂 We’re backing an innovative #rewilding project to explore whether a herd of #tauros could be introduced to Scotland. This large grazer would fulfil a vital ecological role that’s been missing in our landscapes for centuries. (1/3)

Meet the Dalmatian pelican 🪽, a spectacular bird that once soared over Britain’s extensive wetlands. Driven to extinction in Britain nearly 2000 years ago, these magnificent birds could take to Britain’s skies again. #RewildingBritain #DalmatianPelican (1/2)

@JackPerksPhoto Hi Jack, how does this work? We are very interested your film, looks magic, and wondered if it could be screened in one of our villages on the edge of the Quantocks, which has 80 small streams. Nigel

If you are a member of group that might be interested in seeing Britains Hidden Fishes do get in touch to arrange! We have screenings this year in Devon & Cornwall. Jeremy Wade narrates this fish documentary that took 2 years to film celebrating the amazing fish in Britain.

How much do you know about the UK's smallest bird of prey? 🦅 The merlin is a small falcon (not much bigger than a blackbird!). Your best chance of spotting one of these beautiful birds is over the winter, as migrant merlins arrive at our shores in search of warmer temperatures.

Did you know Somerset Badger Group has 3 accredited trainers providing all modules needed to become qualified badger vaccinators. This in-house training reduces costs and helps educate our members and others involved in badger vaccination! 🦡 #BadgerVaccination

Countryfile shared the latest this week on the reintroduction of pine martens to the south west. Four months on from their release on @dartmoornpa @DevonWildlife team track their whereabouts. Watch the episode on iPlayer 👇 bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod…

Decade-long project to reintroduce Pine Martens hits major milestone rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/Dec…

Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers are starting to get active, drumming and calling, like this one in the Wyre Forest. from now until March is the best time to locate them. Thanks for the record Gary.