Messages from the Wild

This Dipper is part of a series commissioned by University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group for The River Derwent.  With many thanks to Mark Cocker, author and naturalist. "I think it’s a fantastic quiet bit of politics because the central challenge of our entire species and our civilisation is to understand our dependence on the rest of life and this project allows those organisms, as close as possible, to speak for themselves about the issues that affect not only them but more centrally humans themselves and I think that’s the beauty of it.” Mark Cocker on Messages from the Wild   further info: annabel@annabelross.com

This Mayfly is part of a series commissioned by University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group for The River Derwent.  With many thanks to Charles Foster, author and academic.   further info: annabel@annabelross.com

This Water Vole is part of a series commissioned by University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group for The River Derwent.  With many thanks to Christine Gregory, writer, photographer and painter. The Water Vole: The Story of One of Britain's Most Endangered Mammals   further info: annabel@annabelross.com

This episode is especially made to accompany the work of the painter and print maker, Frances Gynn, for her exhibition on Fairy Shrimps as part of her Public Erasures series. It's powerful stuff so please go along if you can. Public Erasures at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) Bristol. Featuring the Fairy Shrimp (Chirocephalus diaphanous) Endangered translucent crustacean Living in temporary ponds Main source of food to many organisms Important indicator of a healthy eco-system   With many thanks to Frances for inviting me along to open her Fairy Shrimp Public Erasure and for being such a great Fairy Shrimp herself.

Earthworms are arguably our most vital animal. They're quite funny too. (This one has been added to the podcast for a second time to be used in Derby City as part of their Wildlife Festival.) With many thanks to Nicky Scott, aka Dr Compost, Food Waste Educator, Community Compost Expert Dr Compost | Growing Devon Schools "I may have trained as an agronomist but I learned something new about earthworms today - listen in!" John Meadley  annabel@annabelross.com www.messagesfromthewild.com    Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

Our largest ant species explains how vital ants are to our survival, despite his seemingly lazy life, he manages to make the effort. With many thanks to Professor Adam Hart, Entomologist & Professor of Science Communication, University of Gloucestershire Adam Hart And thank you to Gregory Ovenden for his ant recordings in this episode: http://www.thesoundfarmer.com This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan. annabel@annabelross.com www.messagesfromthewild.com

Vital to our existence and yet maggots have never been a very popular creature but, Dr Erica McAlister makes this particular maggot seem almost adorable. With many thanks to Dr Erica McAlister, Entomologist, Senior Curator at the Natural History Museum, Author, Presenter  @ericamcalister This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan. annabel@messagesfromthewild.com www.messagesfromthewild.com

Curious creatures woodlice, well I think so. I'm so happy I finally got to talk to one, I'd always wondered if they actually did eat their own poo. This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan. With many thanks to Lucy Lapwing, Wildlife Presenter and Campainger @lucy_lapwing www.messagesfromthewild.com  annabel@messagesfromthewild.com   Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

After listening to this badger I think you'll realise that they don't deserve the bad press they seem to get. This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan. With many thanks to Steve Backshall, Naturalist, Presenter, Author, Campaigner www.stevebackshall.com  www.messagesfromthewild.com  annabel@messagesfromthewild.com   Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

Dragonflies are out and about in all their glory across Britain now so keep your eyes peeled for them. This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan, called Voices from the Lost Gardens. With many thanks to Steve Jones, Author and Dragonfly expert @aparthenop on Instagram.  If you want to hear the special bonus segment about their mating sequence, send us an email. Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

Bluebells are at their peak across Britain now and they love to be admired but they really suffer as a whole if any of them are trampled on. This one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan, called Voices from the Lost Gardens. With many thanks to Nicola Bradley, Head Gardener at the Lost Gardens as she really brings these beautiful flowers to life. She's the perfect Bluebell. Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

An alternative to the traditional Christmas tree but perhaps more quintessentially British, The Oak.  This Oak lives at the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall and comes from the collection I made for them last year: Voices from the Lost Gardens. With many thanks to the wonderful Dame Judi Dench, who really could not have been a more perfect Oak.

A perfect winter warmer, this one comes from the collection I made for The Lost Gardens of Heligan, called Voices from the Lost Gardens. Jimmy Docherty really makes me laugh and he knows his stuff too - farmer, entomologist, television presenter and I would add comedian.  Visit Jimmy’s Farm and support the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

This interview comes from a collection called Voices from the Ocean. It is such an important series as we really know so little about the ocean. It comes to us with thanks to Gallifrey Foundation and Mission Blue, finding experts from all over the world to give us their time and energy so that we can be entertained whilst being educated. “With knowing, comes caring, and with caring there’s hope, that we can find an enduring place for ourselves within the natural systems that support us. But first, we have to know.” Dr Sylvia Earle And with many thanks to Marine Biologist, Lucy Woodall of Nekton  How to respect and protect seahorses Seahorses help protect seagrasses, seaweeds and coral reefs. They are important predators for bottom-dwelling organisms. But, they are often caught just to be sold as souvenir pets. Don’t buy seahorses. Don’t pollute the ocean with plastics and chemicals. Demand protection for seahorse habitats. Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

This is not a good time of year for hedgehogs in Britain so please take a couple of minutes to listen to this public service announcement from one. And please pass it on as far and wide as possible. Thank you.  With many thanks to Yvonne Cox, Founder of Hedgehog Rescue, South Gloucestershire www.hedgehogrescue.info Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

With many thanks to Dr George McGavin, Zoologist, Broadcaster, Author www.georgemcgavin.com @georgecmcgavin   Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

With many thanks to Matt Brierley, wildlife filmmaker www.sharksindeepwater.com @mattbrierley   Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

This is for Max, a Spider Ambassador, which we should all be really. Maybe once you've heard this fascinating House Spider, you may want to become one, it certainly changed my view of them.    with many thanks to Peter Smithers, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society Entomologist, University of Plymouth     Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

Plants have a message too and as it's Spring, I thought it would be a good time to give the dandelion a voice. A favourite of the Ashy Mining Bee.   with many thanks Alex Morss Ecologist and Author www.alexmorss.co.uk   @morss_alex    Messages from the Wild on iTunes Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

Some slugs are useful. And funny.   with many thanks to Dr Ben Rowson Senior Curator: Invertebrate Biodiversity (Terrestrial Mollusca), National Museum Cardiff https://museum.wales/cardiff/    Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl Feedback to: annabel@messagesfromthewild.com