The Selborne Society

You might be surprised to know that #PerivaleWood in NW London, one of the UK's oldest Nature Reserves, is entirely run and maintained by #volunteers who do a range of tasks from woodland management to monitoring species, admin, cake-baking and much more! #VolunteersWeek

It's Moth-tober! 🎃🦋 With autumn now underway, keep an eye out for these butterflies and moths in your gardens and green spaces. Discover how you can help these amazing species to thrive by creating a #WildSpace 👉 wild-spaces.co.uk #SaveButterflies #MothsMatter

Bumblebee nests come to their natural end as autumn settles in. New queens seek cosy, undisturbed spaces to hibernate alone until spring🍂 Of the UK’s 24 bumblebee species, these four remain active in October🐝 🆘Bumblebees are in crisis. Donate today: ow.ly/k6kk50TwWJz

As we head into Halloween season, volunteer Ian Wilkinson found this Beafsteak fungus (Fistulina hepatica) in the wood. Usually found low down on oak trunks, this fungus looks disconcertingly like raw meat and even oozes a blood-like substance if cut! #PerivaleWood #Autumn

The River Brent was full and fierce yesterday and our floodplain was working overtime soaking up the excess water which otherwise might have caused worse problems downstream. Here's the grassed area taking up the water at Gurnell. Floodplains are vital natural sponges

More harvest mice have joined the first releases from earlier this year - and Selborne Society volunteers who manage #PerivaleWood continue to work to create and improve habitat for them. Everyone involved in reintroducing this native species can feel justifiably "mouse proud"!

... and here are some at their nest in a tree trunk. The next will die off naturally in Autumn, with only the queen surviving to hibernate until next year. 📹 David Howdon

David Howdon found these native European Hornets (Vespa crabro) waiting patiently in a recent moth trap. Hornets can be attracted to light, but despite their scary appearance are generally docile unless disturbed. #PerivaleWood

@BumblebeeTrust Ants also do this - think it's a warning

Help us caption this photo 🐝 What is the reason for this bumblebee high five? 🙌 📷 Les Moore

Thursday 7pm, Ealing Beaver Project online premiere ‘Beavers in Paradise’ by award winning wildlife filmmaker @mattbrierley (BBC Wild Isles, Nat Geo, Disney), live panel Q&A hosted @BBCSpringwatch presenter @MeganMcCubbin . Free tickets & link here: bit.ly/4cQ9gPT

September is here and bat mating season begins. Males of most species use special calls to attract females, which can include purrs, clicks, and buzzing. Bats also concentrate on building up fat stores for the coming months.

It's September and the beginning of meteorological autumn! Be on the lookout for these butterflies and moths 🦋🍂 Discover more species with tips on how you can help them by signing up to our monthly enewsletter 👉 butrfli.es/2Td2KQg #SaveButterflies #MothsMatter

This watercolour "Perivale Marshes", was painted by Hanwell artist Frederick H Coe around 1888. The Brent floodplain in Perivale was always a natural wetland, providing homes for water-loving creatures, like newts and water voles while preventing potential flooding downstream.

... and a handsome male Gypsy Moth from Juliet Pickering's recent overnight moth trap. If you're wondering, we know this is a male by his feathery antennae. Females are paler in colour and have less decorative antennae! 📷 Juliet Pickering #PerivaleWood #Moths

Meadow Brown butterflies enjoying a last Summer hurrah before their offspring overwinter as caterpillars at the base of meadow grasses 📷 Mala Patel #PerivaleWood #Butterflies

Beavers have so many hidden talents! They can... 💧 Improve water quality 💧 Stabilise water flow 💧 Give a huge boost to habitats in crisis Let’s bring back this amazing keystone species, find out more 💚👉

Two years ago, beavers were officially recognised as native species in England... but why are they still waiting to return to the wild? 🦫 Today we launch A vision for the return of beavers to England and Wales. 🐾 Find out more👉wtru.st/3yYgu6k (1/3) #BeaverVision

Meanwhile, Kim Wakeham found two types of dappled feathers. The first are Spotted woodpecker feathers, but what's the second? Tawny Owl? #PerivaleWood #Birds #Feathers #ID

Speckles and Spots ... Ian Wilkinson watched this Speckled Wood butterfly at the Reserve last week. This butterfly enjoys partially shaded woodland and dappled sunlight, where males can be seen rising from their sunbathing position to see off intruders. #PerivaleWood

Online screening of ‘Beavers in Paradise’ by award winning wildlife filmmaker @mattbrierley Thursday 5th Sept. The film, kindly sponsored by @ConsanoEarth will be followed by a panel discussion and live Q&A hosted by @MeganMcCubbin Sign up here: bit.ly/4cQ9gPT

Meanwhile, Rob Fenton found lots of Common Darter in the same place ... and here's a reminder of what the new pond looked like at the back end of last year. #PerivaleWood #CommonDarter #Pond

Nicola Goddard filmed these dragonflies laying eggs at the new pond last week. This pond was only created last year ... #PerivaleWood #ponds #dragonflies