Messages from the Wild

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 tempora...

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 earthwo...

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 col...

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. Producer, Presenter annabel@message...

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 Campaigner @lucy_lapwing   Producer, Presenter annabel@messagesfromthewild.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com...

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     Producer, Presenter annabel@messagesfromthewild.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl www.m...

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.    Producer, Presenter annabel@messagesfromthewild.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.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 Blu...

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.   Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Ill...

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 .   Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com   Illustrations...

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,...

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 Producer, Presenter annabel@messagesfromthewild.com

With many thanks to Dr George McGavin, Zoologist, Broadcaster, Author www.georgemcgavin.com @georgecmcgavin   Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

With many thanks to Matt Brierley, wildlife filmmaker www.sharksindeepwater.com @mattbrierley   Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com   Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

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   Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com   Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr...

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 to Alex Morss Ecologist and Author www.alexmorss.co.uk    @morss_alex    Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com   Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

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/     Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com   Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

Messages from the Wild podcast has been hibernating (for good reason) but as spring has arrived in Europe now is the time to hear from the Ashy Mining Bee who will be out and about pollinating and building her nest in the ground in relative peace and quiet. with many thanks to Rhian Rowson Natural History Curator, Bristol Museum, Galleries and Archives www.bristolmuseums.org.uk   Producer, Present...

With many thanks to Dr George McGavin, Zoologist, Broadcaster, Author    That ends the First Season of Messages from the Wild. Please send any requests for animals you'd particularly like to hear from for the next season....coming soon. And please send feedback. Thank you for listening. Happy Christmas. Annabel  Producer, Presenter: annabel@annabelross.com   Subscribe to Messages from the Wild on...

With many thanks to Peter Rock, Urban Gull Expert, Research Associate, University of Bristol   Producer, Presenter: annabel@annabelross.com   Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl

With thanks to Mark Pajak, Spider Expert, Bristol Museum and Art Galleries    Twitter: @markyspider   Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com   Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl    

With many thanks to David Dewsbury, Wildlife Enthusiast and Researcher, Forest of Dean   Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com   Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl    

With many thanks to Dr Amoret Whitaker, Senior Lecturer (University of Winchester) Scientific Associate (Natural History Museum, London)   Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com   Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl    

With many thanks to David Brown, Bat Specialist, Avon Bat Group   Producer, Presenter: annabel@annabelross.com   Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl  

With thanks to Ray Barnett, Head of Collections and Archives, Bristol Museum and Art Galleries ray.barnett@bristol.gov.uk  |  www.bristolmuseums.org.uk   Producer, Presenter annabel@annabelross.com   Illustrations by Annabazyl www.fiverr.com/annabazyl