Sarah Smith

The Rugged Oil Beetle (Meloe rugosus) is one of only five oil beetle species in the UK and is one of the rarest. They have seen a decline in both their range and abundance and are now only found in parts of southern England and south-east Wales. Here in Gloucestershire, we are lucky enough to […]

Whether it’s the ghostly silhouette of a hunting barn owl or the eeriness of a tawny owl’s hoot, owls are emblematic of the British countryside. These birds represent key umbrella species in the food chain, offering insight into the broader health of the ecosystem. Various organisations are leading the charge in monitoring, conserving and raising