Holiday photo/ Sulphurous Jewel beetle

http://www.arkive.org/sulphurous-jewel-beetle/julodis-euphratica/

Found this beetle which you can see on this link. In AbuDhabi!  Will try to add my photo!


Here it is!
It is surprising that you would think the UAE is mainly sand and yet it has some amazing insects and butterflies. They have a really impressive botanical park in the centre of the City.  I must research it some more.

Wildlife issues to be put to general election candidates/

I am pleased to see the Wildlife Trusts publishing their concerns and their advice to us as members to allow us to raise these important issues with our candidates before we vote.

An extract from an email from the Somerset Wildlife Trust to its members

I’m sure you also know how unique, beautiful and precious our natural heritage is in Somerset. We have wonderful moors, a stunning coastline, rolling farmland, picturesque towns and villages with the added jewels of the unique wetlands in the Levels and Moors, Exmoor National Park and four Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We are passionate to secure a positive deal for the UK’s wildlife in the upcoming election, during the BREXIT negotiations and following our departure from the European Union.

The rewards for making the right decisions would also be great: a UK which is a world-leader on the environment with clean air, clear water, a stable climate, healthy seas, beautiful landscapes and thriving wildlife in the places we care about most. All this is fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of our own and future generations.

We know that there is huge popular support for wildlife and the environment from people of all backgrounds. In a recent YouGov poll, 80% of people said they think the UK should have the same or stronger environmental protection after it leaves the EU.

The Wildlife Trusts would therefore like to see all parties commit to:

1. Nature's recovery in a generation. To achieve this will require us to transfer all current EU environmental laws into statute in the UK and ensure they are policed, and in England, to enact an Environment Act that restores the ecology of our rivers, farmland, soils and cities.
2. Protection of our marine wildlife through a well enforced and complete network of marine protected areas in UK seas and sustainable fisheries policies.
3. New sustainable policies for our farmland to allow wildlife to thrive alongside food production. Taxpayer’s money should be invested in creating abundant wildlife, healthy soils, clean water, climate change mitigation and beautiful landscapes for the benefit of everyone.

Take action! You can help give wildlife a safer future. Candidates will be talking to you on your doorsteps and in your streets. You can let them know how much wildlife matters to you, and ask them what they plan to do to help it thrive. We’ve set out a few simple questions you can ask yourself and share with family and friends who share your commitment to the natural world? What will your party do to ensure we our wildlife laws remain strong and that steps are taken to restore the damage we have done to nature? If you've got a bit longer, why not ask: Specifically for England, will you commit to an ambitious new Environment Act? What will your party do to ensure that wildlife thrives in our seas once more? If you want more detail, ask them: Will you make sure that more marine protected areas are designated and policed? What will you party do to ensure we have new farming policies in each part of the UK to provide for nature’s recovery? More specifically: Will you make sure that any payments to farmers are for positive environmental action?

Batty Piece, wild Orchids. Pyramidal and Green Winged, and Broomrape

Having recently discovered a Green Winged Orchid flowering in our meadow, on a walk about today I found our Pyramidal orchids just beginning to show a slightly pink tip of the flower spike. Last year we had hundreds on display.The single Green Winged orchid is now on its last flower and hopefully will produce a lot of seeds. It was fortunate that we found it as the grasses and other flowering plants make it difficult to see.  I also spotted a lovely pale pink and almost colourless Broomrape plant . Again hard to spot.

Message from the Somerset Wildlife Trust,. Simon Nash CEO

I'm a member of the Somerset Wildlife Trust and I know how hard their job is to look after wildlife life in our lovely county and how difficult it is to to raise the funds to do the job as we would like it done. This letter has been sent to me as a member and I am happy to share it with you.

Dear Supporter You know how unique, beautiful and precious our natural heritage is in Somerset. We have wonderful moors, a stunning coastline, rolling farmland, picturesque towns and villages with the added jewels of the unique wetlands in the Levels and Moors, Exmoor National Park and four Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. And you will also know that we have an upcoming General Election on Thursday 8th June.  I’m passionate about securing a positive deal for the UK’s wildlife during the BREXIT negotiations and following our departure from the European Union. And in a recent YouGov poll, 80% people said they wanted stronger laws to protect our wildlife – so we know you care too. This election is particularly crucial to Somerset’s wildlife because, as you are keenly aware, decisions made during the process of leaving the EU could have substantial impacts on the strong protections Somerset currently enjoys.  Agriculture and fisheries policies – currently developed at EU level – have also for many years provided a source of funding for farming that protects wildlife. This election brings us an enormous opportunity to craft new domestic policies that could lead to a thriving countryside where farming and conservation work seamlessly together, and ensure that we continue to have an environment that is brilliant for wildlife and people. Somerset Wildlife Trust wrote to all the candidates in Somerset asking what they will do for nature if elected on 8th June and in particular we asked for. A ‘blue belt’ of marine protected areas in UK seas including our Somerset coast.   Action to ensure we are the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state than we found it. New farming policies, where taxpayer’s money is invested in ways to deliver multiple benefits, including nature, healthy soils, clean water, climate change, natural flood management, and beautiful landscapes.  Whether you attend a hustings, meet your candidates on the doorstep or contact them by letter, email or social media post, I would urge you to do the same, keeping in mind all that is special in Somerset. This is fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of our own and future generations. Please join us in holding our politicians to account. Remember, Nature can’t vote but you can vote for nature. Simon Nash, Chief Executive, Somerset Wildlife Trust