Page 104 - BBC Wildlife Volume 36 #04

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LETTER Stirred awake
OF THE I found Ross Piper’s article on
MONTH wood ants fascinating (Games
of Thrones, December 2017).
While out in my local woodland
during late January, I saw loads
of wood ants emerging from
their nest. This seems very
early in the year to me
– I sometimes see
the odd one but
never this many,
this early.
Debbie Rigden,
via Facebook.

Entomologist
Ross Piper
replies: The
worker ants will
The sun
overwinter in the nest, wakes up
Helen Brierton has but even in the depths wood ants.
trouble exploring of winter the full power
wildlife areas. of the sun falling on their nest for
a good amount of time will be
Limited access to wild places enough to stir them into activity
and to bathe in its rays.

I found Bo Beolens’ article (Wildlife me to a place that really isn’t accessible, Pet peeve
for all, January 2018) a very interesting or book a restaurant with steps. They are I was annoyed by Mark
read.Ontheeditor’s letter page he mortified and say, “I just totally forgot you Winson’s letter (A wildlife cat-
says, “Disabled people find amazing useawheelchair!”Whyshould they have astrophe, December 2017) on
cat-proofing bird feeders. He
waysofgetting around the obstacles to remember? To them I am merely their
suggests calling a plumber to
they confront.” It is a shame that we friend, not a disabled person.
solve the enormous problem
have to really. I’m afraid I don’t agree wheelchair
of domestic cat predation on
I have spent most of my 42 years access has taken a great leap forward,
wildlife. What workman and
accepting piggybacks, manoeuvering with though.I have yet to explore a park or ironmongery does he suggest
very little grace or elegance, and even wood without a companion trailing people use to save small
being taught the art of ‘bum bouldering’ behind. I have to exert massive energy mammals, amphibians and
(moving over rocky outcrops on my to get over obstacles, while saying sorry. anything else the cat decides
Iustrat on by Er c Smith necessarilythe injury, disease or condition articlein BBC Wildlife. Let’s hope Bo’s is a solid oak door, firmly shut,
toplay with?
Sorry for what?
bottom) to get to see inaccessible wildlife.
The only successful method
Iamwith Bo in his view that it is not
It was encouraging to see such an
which wouldalso save cats from
that is disabling but society’s response to
it. It makes me laugh when friends take points are noted and acted on. getting squashed on roads.
Helen Brierton, via email
Peter Thomas, via email
BLOGGER OF THE MONTH
BE A WINNING WRITER This month’s winner is L Jay Reeves,
who writesaboutthe wildlife of
The Letter of the Month wins a pair of HI-TEC Altitude Lite II
Cheshire. Read her blog at https://
waterproof boots, worth £60.00, and perfect for hiking. ljaynature.wordpress.com. Visit www.
They are available in sizes 7–12 for men and 4–8 for women. discoverwildlife.com to find out
For more information, visit www.hi-tec.co.uk how you can join our Local Patch
Reporters Project.
104 BBC Wildlife April 2018