1000 David Attenboroughs – Week 1

Would you like to be a David Attenborough?!

Take the first steps with Wild West End to learn the skills to be an ecologist.

During this time of coronavirus we have been sending out tasks, some of which can be done looking out the window, others from sitting on your step or in your back yard or garden, or if you are leaving the house, on your walk in the park (please keep apart from others and only go to the parks if the Government allows this).

So, the first tasks!

1. Botany/Habitats

Are there any old brown stems from last year still standing? Draw the stem and describe it. Is it hollow? Is it round, does it have 4 sides, or a different number? Does it still have seed heads?

Wildlife tip: ladybirds, lacewings and some moth and butterfly caterpillars shelter in hollow stems over winter, so try not to tidy them till after the last danger of frost (mid-April in Newcastle). Other insects over winter amongst dead leaves at the base of plants so please don’t tidy these either.

2. Listening Skills

Listen to the birds. Can you listen for and tell apart three different bird calls? And then for an additional challenge, can you see the birds making the calls? You will need to sit very still and quietly to see some birds.

3. Observation Skills/Animal Behaviour

The first bees are out! Sit and watch a bee for 10 minutes. What is it doing, what plants does it visit?

Let me know how you do! E: wildwestend@greeningwingrove.org.uk

Wild West End is a two year project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund

^{Picture of Sir David Attenborough © International Monetary Fund 2019 – Used under Creative Commons Licence (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)}