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How to... Hunt for fossils Alister Cruickshanks, founder of www.ukfossils.co.uk, shares his tips for finding the remains of creatures past

he British Isles is comprised of rocks that cover almost every Tgeological period, from the last Above: a belemnite fossil. Ice Age to more than 2 billion years ago Here: the fossil-hunting coast of the Isle of Sheppey, and, unlike many other countries, UK Kent. Below: an ammonite laws are generally very relaxed about collecting fossils. With more than 11,000 miles of coastline, abandoned quarries and riverside cliffs, fossil hunting can be carried out all over our island. However, many locations are designated as SSSIs (Special Sites of Scientific Interest). This means it is against the law to hammer or dig in cliffs or damage rocks that are fixed ‘in situ’, but you are free to pick up loose fossils from the beach, or hammer loose rocks and boulders. You don’t need experience to fossil hunt, geological hammer. These are available from genuine fossil. You will more than likely and often you don’t need any tools. What UKGE (www.ukge.com). meet other collectors if you’re hunting on a you do need is a little patience and a keen Once you get used to looking for the fossil beach, so you can ask their opinion. eye. Fossil hunting is a bit like ‘shape shapes of these common fossils, you will Most experienced hunters will be happy to hunting’. You look out for particular shapes start to build on your knowledge, finding help or give advice. For a personal expert in the rocks. The most popular and more unusual or less common types. First, service, you can take it to your local sought-after fossils, such as ammonites, though, you need to know the best places to museum or to the Natural History Museum resemble the shape of a snail’s shell. look. Fortunately, there are countless guides in London (www.nhm.ac.uk). Belemnites look like bullets, and and books available, and even DVDs With just a basic camera phone, the other crinoids have a distinct showcasing the most popular option is to take three different angled shots ‘star’ shape. Another areas of the UK, such as the of the find, and use either the Natural very common find famous Jurassic Coast in History Museum’s ‘identify by email’ service, are echinoids, Dorset. A first point of or post the images of your finds on the which are round call could be the UK national fossil forum, www.discussfossils. or sometimes Fossils Network com, which is monitored by experts. heart shaped, but (www.ukfossils.co. Finally, something important. Fossil always with a star uk), which has the collecting can be dangerous if you do not marking on top. largest database of follow basic safety procedures and take You should fossil-hunting sensible care. Buy protective gear and keep purchase essential locations, with over well away from cliff faces because loose rock safety wear such as glasses 350 fully featured guides. falls and land slips are common. You should to protect your eyes from stone chippings, Once you make your first find, you will also always check local tide times if hunting and fossil hunting equipment such as a basic want to have it identified to make sure it’s a on the beach, and stay away from river mud.

Have you done any fossil hunting? Write and tell us about it by emailing [email protected] wildlifeextra.com MAY 2014 101 Theknowledge

Stay happy, healthy and wise on your wildlife-watching Skills adventures with the help of our expert mini-guides

Insider’s guide to... Freediving Despite its extreme image, non-competitive freediving can be enjoyed by anyone, says Emma Farrell, one of the sport’s leading instructors

reediving is the sport of breath-hold diving, without scuba much about what goes on in tanks, which humans have been doing for as long as they your mind as in your Fhave walked the earth. body. It is also very There are many advantages to learning to freedive, including important to avoid increased confidence both in and out of the water, better breathing, any form of better hydrodynamics, and increased safety. The discipline gives over-breathing, you greater control over your breathing, and the techniques learnt as this lowers can be used as a form of meditation and relaxation. CO2 in your Many people learn to freedive because they want to take better blood, distorts underwater photos, are interested in hunting and gathering their blood chemistry own food, or simply like the feeling of grace and and increases the weightlessness and the more natural risk of a black out. views of marine life you can enjoy. You will then learn If you are interested in learning to how you can move freedive you should be sure to effortlessly wearing long choose a recognised course with fins which maximise power a qualified instructor. The first while minimising effort. thing you will learn is how to The great thing about the sport is that breathe correctly. It is not just anyone can do it, even people who have been precluded from scuba about holding your breath. diving. Age is no barrier – the current female world record holder in Proper breathing slows your heart seven out of eight freediving disciplines is a woman in her 50s. rate, ensures your body is well Please note: if you are thinking about taking up freediving you must oxygenated, and relaxes and focuses ensure you are medically fit, and learn with a recognised instructor. your mind for the dive. Freediving is as For more information go to www.gofreediving.co.uk

Travel medecine Specialist travel health nurse Beverley Tompkins from Nomad Travel gives the lowdown on Stomach upsets avoiding and treating this common complaint

It is estimated that include raw fruit and vegetables, dairy limiting, resolving within a few days, 30-50 per cent of products, undercooked meat and seafood. although symptoms can be distressing travellers will Ice in drinks and tap water in many and debilitating and can have an impact experience travellers’ countries can be highly contaminated and on travel plans. diarrhoea during a one should always be avoided. Care should be Medicines such as loperamide and or two week stay in taken with street food. sachets of rehydration solution should be low income and developing countries To prevent infection, hands must be carried to help manage the symptoms of where standards of sanitation are poor. washed thoroughly after using the toilet diarrhoea and reduce the risk of The most common cause of infection is and before eating or preparing food. dehydration. Antibiotics such as a bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella or Drinking water should be bottled, boiled Ciprofloxacin and Azithromycin can be campylobacter. However, parasites and or purified, and food should be thoroughly prescribed by a GP or specialist travel viruses are also known to be causes. cooked and piping hot. health nurse to carry as self-treatment for Contaminated food and water are the Travellers’ diarrhoea can affect people moderate to severe cases. main sources of infection. High risk foods at any point on their trip. It is usually self- www.nomadtravel.co.uk

102 MAY 2014 wildlifeextra.com Theknowledge

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Project profile Voluntourism Mammal Taking the plunge counting Wild Days Conservation founder, Thinking about volunteering on a marine conservation project? Andy Jefferies, about their Richard Nimmo of Blue Ventures Expeditions explains how to do it conservation holidays in the UK nyone wanting to volunteer with How did Wild Days come about? marine wildlife is faced with a A chance conversation! I met co-founder Kathy Amind-boggling array of options Gill in London and we pondered why there across the world’s oceans, but there are a were so few opportunities for people to go on few universal considerations. Here are the conservation holidays in the UK. A seed things I think every would-be volunteer was sown ... needs to consider before signing up: What’s involved? People come with us to learn Where and when? about conservation in the UK Think carefully about where you want to go, and to participate actively. We but don’t limit yourself to familiar countries. train people to set small mammal If it is a particular marine experience that you traps so that we can do surveys. They are looking for, rather than a particular learn how to take the animals out of the traps, destination, then make that the focus of your Manage your expectations weigh them and release them safely. We set camera traps, too, so that we can learn more research. Another consideration is the variety If the project you are considering is focussed about the movements of the larger mammals. of marine life and the timing of your visit. on one study species, it’s important to Our survey work feeds straight into the work of Conduct your own research about each understand how likely you are to encounter the Mammal Society, an organisation that has location to understand what you are likely to it, so ask about the frequency of sightings and been working for 60 years in the UK. It directly the host organisations’ rules and protocols. see. Remember, even in some tropical contributes to the management of important While you may want to swim with turtles, countries the water temperatures will vary areas of natural Britain and to the National sharks, dolphins or whales, you also need to considerably from summer to winter and Mammal Atlas Project. there are times of the year when the sea consider if it’s really appropriate and whether What is the Atlas Project? conditions are not ideal for diving or boat use. it is safe. There are often national government The NMAP aims to produce the first atlas in and international organisation guidelines for over 20 years giving data on mammal How much will it cost and what’s the value? interactions with wildlife, such as the distribution across the UK. This is something The cost of a trip is always a factor with Department of the Environment guidelines that has been seriously under-recorded so far, marine projects they are likely to be for Whale and Dolphin watching in Australia which has led to a lack of knowledge of how expensive because of all the equipment and the International Whaling Commission well mammals are doing, and has hindered required. Compare what is and isn’t included general principles for whale watching. their effective conservation. in the costs as some projects will include dive How vital is the volunteers’ work? equipment, dive training and certifications, Health and fitness Conservation is too important to leave only to while others won’t. The time that you spend On any marine project you need to be the experts! The interest and on or in the water is likely to be the most confident in and around water and it is enthusiasm so many people have important factor to you, so if you are joining a probably best that you are not to do something positive is diving project ask how many dives you will susceptible to seasickness. Your host hugely inspiring, and our get each day. I have heard of diving projects organisation should have your safety dream is to channel that in the most positive way. that don’t deliver as much diving as expected. at the top of their priorities, as marine work can be in remote places and What will volunteers gain? physically challenging. The expeditions Muddy boots and a happy heart! Plus, new friends, new interests and an that I run require all diving participants to be enormous sense of well-being. If they also take able to swim 400m in the sea and tread water home the knowledge and skills to go on and for two minutes. Carefully consider the risks make their own contribution to conservation and make sure the organisation has clear locally, we’ll be highly delighted. safety protocols, a good staff-to-participant Wild Days Conservation’s first project takes ratio, offers relevant training and has a good place 22-28 June in Dorset. For more safety record. www.blueventures.org information tel: 01603 505731; www. wilddaysconservation.org wildlifeextra.com MAY 2014 103 Theknowledge Bookshop IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Book of the month The Walker’s Guide to Outdoor Clues & Signs Animal Tristan Gooley Architecture (Hodder & Stoughton, RRP £20) Our price £16.99, quote WT022 Ingo Arndt, Jurgen Tautz Get back to nature with this book and learn how and Jim Brandenburg to find your way around the countryside with (Abrams, RRP £18.99) clues taken from the land, sun, moon, stars, trees, Our price £15.99 plants, animals, sky and clouds. This book will if you quote WT021 make you look at the world in a totally new light and will also help Move over Kevin McCloud, you to equip yourself with all the observance tools you need to carry yout time is up! Humans may out natural weather forecasting, navigation and tracking. think they have the monopoly on grand home designs, but The Galápagos: A Natural History we’ve still got a long way to go Henry Nicholls to match the most (Profile Books £15.99) outrageous, implausible and downright designer abodes from Our price £11.99, quote WT023 the natural world. Every day, all over the world, creatures are Nicholls, who is a nature writer and blogger for designing and building their perfect space to live in, catch their the Guardian, explores the spectacular Galapagos prey, attract their mates and raise their young – and there isn’t Islands and their natural history, with Charles an expensive architect or curmudgeonly builder in sight! Darwin as his accompanying guide. There are If you have ever wondered how or why these impressive detailed chapters on rocks, birds, plants, sea and structures were created, Animal Architecture, a new coffee human life and Nicholls also questions the role table tome featuring studio and in-situ shots by award- tourism has played in the development of the islands since Darwin winning nature photographer Ingo Arndt is the book for you. made them the cradle of his evolutionary theory. Available from 1 May, the book showcases 120 of nature’s most complex and elegant structures, from the colourful mating Birds ID Insights arenas of bowerbirds in West Papua to the fantastic nests Dominic Couzens and David Nurney created by ants in Africa. (Bloomsbury, £16.99) Ingo’s images provide close-up details of the designs, and Our price £12.99, quote WT028 are accompanied by fascinating facts about the evolution of Designed for birders of all levels, it allows readers animals and insects, survival methods, mating habits, genetic to compare the plumages of similar pairs and dispositions and more. groups of species, including age and seasonal differences, making it a perfect aid to identifying the more difficult birds found in Britain and other parts of north-west Europe. It features over 300 species, including Birds of the Serengeti the likes of olivaceous, Sardinian and subalpine warblers, crested, Adam Scott Kennedy thekla and short-toed larks, middle spotted woodpecker, booted (Princeton University Press, £17.95) and short-toed eagles, with clear artwork and useful identifying tips. Our price £12.95, quote WT024 This guide will add to the experience of seeing The Fly Trap the spectacular wildebeest migration and the Fredrik Sjöberg predators that stalk them in Tanzania’s Serengeti (Particular Books, £14.99) by getting you to look to the skies as well, and Our price £12.99, quote WT015 observe the park’s colourful birdlife. The book Inspired by his own experience of collecting features 264 of the species most likely to be encountered on a safari hoverflies, Swedish entomologist Fredrik Sjöberg to the area, and includes nearly 500 colour photographs. It also gives explores the fascinating life of fellow Swedish interesting information on the birds’ ecology and behaviour. naturalist René Malaise. This near-forgotten Animals of the Serengeti scientist travelled across Burma and invented the insect catching device known as the ‘Malaise trap’. Adam Scott Kennedy and Vicki Kennedy (Princeton University Press, £17.95) Our price £12.95, quote WT025 TO ORDER Part of the same series as its sister title Birds of the To purchase any of the featured books or DVDs at our special Serengeti, this book brings to life the animals and discounted price, go to: www.wildsounds.com/wildtravel or reptiles that are likely to be encountered within call: 01263 741 825 and quote the relevant offer code above. the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation area Offers valid until 30 June 2014 of Tanzania. It’s an indispensible companion for anyone thinking of making a visit to the region, to enhance your Free postage for all UK orders. A percentage of every sale will be donated overall experience of the wildlife to be found there and inform you to our selected charity, World Land Trust about the characteristics and behaviours that you will observe. (www.worldlandtrust.org) wildlifeextra.com MAY 2014 105 Theknowledge Essentialviewing A look at the latest wildlife DVDs and upcoming natural history TV for you to enjoy

5 minutes with... This month’s DVDs EARTHFLIGHT BBC Earth Jan Haft This film unlocks the secrets of the skies, showing German film director Jan Haft talks about his the world from a bird’s point of view. Amazing sights from six continents are revealed as the documentary The Green Planet which explores viewer joins the journeys of snow geese, cranes, the wonders of a European forest flamingos, pelicans, eagles and other birds. Catch a ride with cranes high over the waterways of Venice Tell me about The Green the birth of the fox cubs or the fruit of or glide over the edge of the spectacular Grand Canyon with the bald eagle. Planet film? the strawberry going red in time We produced a two-part series about lapse, which probably has never been Std DVD RRP £19.99. Our price £11.99, quote WT034 the mid-European forest for German shown before. BluRay RRP £25.99. Our price £15.99, quote WT035 TV, which had the best audience share on Germany’s prime time Did you have a favourite species? JUST THE FACTS: FAMILIES IN THE WILD natural history slot so far. So the idea Absolutely – the stag beetle. It is the – HYENAS AND MONKEYS came up to continue shooting and go largest and most charismatic of all of Cerebellum for a theatrical version. Europe’s beetles and a threatened There are two releases in the Just the Facts: Families species as well. in the Wild series this month: monkeys and hyenas. Why focus on forests? The series Families in the Wild explores the family It’s one of the habitats that lies very How did your love of the natural units and amazing intricacies of some of nature’s close to us and yet it has never been world come about? most beautiful and fascinating animals. seen like this before. My goal is to When I was a boy I watched wildlife show that our European nature is as films, and wildlife filmmakers were DVD RRP (each) £14.99. Our price £12.49, quote just as fascinating as my great idols. Those films code WT016 (monkeys) or WT017 (hyenas) somewhere far away. boosted an interest in nature which had WALKING WITH DINOSAURS Are you pleased always been there. BBC Earth with the film? So a dream came Experience what it was like when dinosaurs ruled I am very happy true when my the Earth. Watch with the family and embark on a with the film, wife and I were prehistoric adventure, where Patchi, an underdog although every able to make a dinosaur, becomes a hero. filmmaker will living out of see things to be this profession. Std DVD RRP £19.99. Our price £13.99, improved in quote code WT030 every film he Who do you BluRay RRP £27.99. Our price £19.99, quote code WT031 has completed. hope will watch 3D BluRay RRP £33.99. Our price £25.99, quote code WT032 the film? What makes the Of course it is great to TO ORDER film special for you? make films for nature It is our first theatrical release enthusiasts, but we also hope Go to page 105 for instructions on how to order these and it’s one of our films that has been to reach and inspire the ordinary TV DVDs at our special Wild Travel Bookshop prices produced in a local habitat. viewer and film goer who is not necessarily dedicated to wildlife This month’s TV What was your most memorable documentaries. encounter while making it? Deadly The wild boar and its piglets in a What is your next project? Islands spring forest is one of the most We are involved in a series about Discovery Channel memorable experiences for me. North American National Parks for In a six part series National Geographic and at the same that starts on 1 May, Any surprises? time we’re covering local topics such zoologist Dave Many small surprises, every time as Lake Chiemsee in Bavaria and a Salmoni explores some research led into existent footage. For two part mini-series on golden and of the world’s most example, a caterpillar fighting an ant, white-tailed eagles. remote islands and the species that thrive there, highlighting the predators and their prey. THE GREEN PLANET, Studio Hamburg Doclights He investigates how and why these native Std DVD RRP £17.99. Our price £12.49 if you quote code WT018 inhabitants have successfully survived and flourished – despite the harsh conditions. bbc/darrenwilliams ©

106 MAY 2014 wildlifeextra.com Theknowledge KitlistWALKING Our choice of the latest men’s walking shoes to hit the high street for a range of budgets

Budget 2 KARRIMOR 3 REGATTA 1 HI TEC The Karrimor Bodmin Low III men’s walking shoe The lightweight Regatta Edgepoint men’s trail The Hi-Tec Alto waterproof trail shoe, which is made features a Weathertite waterproof and breathable shoe is perfect for low-level defined trails. The up of a suede leather and mesh upper, is lightweight lining, while its 3D moulded toe protects both your upper is durable PU nubuck with mesh panels for and breathable shoe suitable for light hiking. The toes and the shoes from knocks and scuffs on rocks. breathability. It has rubberised heel and toe ghillie lacing system means the shoe moulds to your They also feature a Phylon midsole for cushioning and bumpers to protect against scuffs and scrapes, foot and features a lightweight injection moulded a durable rubber outsole for added grip. while the EVA footbed provides comfort. EVA midsole to ensure your foot is cushioned. £69.99, www.karrimor.com £45, www.regatta.com £44.99, www.hi-tec.com

Mid-range 2 MERRELL 3 BERGHAUS 1 MAMMUT These Moab GORE-TEX shoes by Merrell feature Suitable for running, biking and hiking the Mammut’s Graphite Imperial shoe is lightweight and synthetic leather/breathable mesh uppers and are Vapour Claw GTX shoe features comfort, weather comfortable and suitable for most terrains. Features lined with GORE-TEX® XCR fabric lining. The outersole is protection, breathability and a superb grip on include a rolling concept that provides supports to the made from Vibram’s Multi-Sport Sole/TC5+ Rubber, multiple surfaces at any angle, whether wet or foot to reduce ankle rolling, and its sole is made of the which will provide you with great traction in wet dry . Waterproof protection is achieved with a newly developed gripex technology for secure footing. weather conditions or when walking on slippery rock. GORE-TEX breathable membrane, also allowing £108, www.mammut.ch £100, www.merrell.com you to hit the trail in all weather conditions. £100, www.berghaus.com

Top-end 2 SCARPA 3 HAGLÖFS The Zen Pro by Scarpa is a stylish walking shoe that is 1 SALOMON The Haglöfs Mens Ridge GT walking shoe is The X Over Leather GORE-TEX® trail walking shoe is equally at home on a variety of terrains including waterproof and lightweight, and made from soft suitable for those who enjoy long-distance hikes. alpine trails and via ferrata. Features include a smooth and comfortable leather with a GORE-TEX® lining. Features include an EVA injected midsole that cushions and precise climbing zone around the toe for rocky Features include GEL rear foot cushioning, and your foot when running on aggressive terrain, memory terrains and a 1.8mm water-resistant suede upper that AHAR (Asics High Abrasion Resistance Rubber) is foam that wraps the heel to provide a customised, will keep you dry and comfortable. used on the heavy contact areas of the outsole. adaptive fit and GORE-TEX® lining. £124.99, www. £124.99, www.scarpa.co.uk £130, www.haglofs.com salomon.com

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