It’s autumn… It’s time to look for mushrooms! Damp autumn weather is the ideal time to look for and identify mushrooms. We have set up a video with a number of tips so that you are sure to be successful. Watch the video here! Which species have you spotted?
1 Look below, above or on old tree trunks
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of a fungus. Several fungal threads are attached to the mushroom that run underground or tree bark. You can compare the mushroom with an apple (fruit) on the apple tree. The fungus clears up old material, such as broken tree trunks. That’s why it’s the place to find mushrooms!
2 Search near deciduous trees such as alder and oak
About half of the native mushroom species occur in deciduous forests. Forests with deciduous trees contain relatively less litter and vegetation, which is a favorable environment for many species.
A Xylaria hypoxylon on a black alder
3 Use a mirror and magnifying glass
A mirror is a handy gadget that helps you identify the mushroom. By holding the mirror under the cap of the mushroom you can sometimes see pictures or tubes (depending on the species). The tracks are in these inner walls. For example, a boletus does not have plates but holes, such as porcini mushrooms. You can also use the magnifying glass to get a better look at the details of the mushroom.
4 Bring a search card or download ObsIdentify
A search map is a handy tool that helps you identify the mushroom. Using questions, such as are there holes under the hat, will help you find the right kind. You can order the mushroom search card via our website. Is the species not on the map? Then use ObsIdentify. You take a number of photos of the species, then the app tells you which species it most likely is (with a percentage). Check whether the species is correct by means of a mushroom guide.
Did you know that we also offer mushroom excursions for young and old? At the beginning of this month, Paul organized a mushroom activity with Vrijeschool Kairos! Send us an email for more information about a mushroom field trip.
Badger with a story – In the Oeverlanden
In the summer of 2022, a unique find was observed in the Oeverlanden. At the edge of the driveway they found an European badger (Meles Meles). The badger was already dead and most likely hit by a car. Badgers have never before been observed in the Oeverlanden, which makes the discovery of the badger very special.
Female badger
After observation it turns out to be a female who had completely eaten herself with blackberries. The female badger was quite young: 2 to 3 years old. According to sources, badgers live to be around 15 to 16 years old in the wild, but the average age is around 5 years because the species is regularly hit by cars.
Source: De Oeverlanden Blijven!
How does the badger live?
The badger belongs to the mustelid family and is one of the largest land predators in the Netherlands. It is a nocturnal animal that leaves the burrow (gait system with several tunnels) at sunset and goes in search of food. They eat almost anything, but mainly search among the grass for worms, forest fruits, tubers, mushrooms and much more. The eyes of the badger are adapted to the dark, because they see minimally in daylight. The eyes are small, and it mainly uses its nose and ears for looking for food and guarding its territory.
The largest population of badgers lives in the Veluwe, North Brabant and South Limburg. There are around 12,000 badgers in the Netherlands. In 2022, 40 badgers were observed in North Holland with the help of observations.nl.
In the field study center
The association “De Oeverlanden Blijven!”, with which Natuurkampen cooperates, was interested in having the tie put on. The female badger is used for nature and environmental education at the field study center de Oeverlanden. The badger is now prepared in the field study center and is the showpiece of the collection.
Source: De Oeverlanden Blijven!
The 4 mushroom tips for in the field
It’s autumn… It’s time to look for mushrooms! Damp autumn weather is the ideal time to look for and identify mushrooms. We have set up a video with a number of tips so that you are sure to be successful. Watch the video here! Which species have you spotted?
1 Look below, above or on old tree trunks
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of a fungus. Several fungal threads are attached to the mushroom that run underground or tree bark. You can compare the mushroom with an apple (fruit) on the apple tree. The fungus clears up old material, such as broken tree trunks. That’s why it’s the place to find mushrooms!
2 Search near deciduous trees such as alder and oak
About half of the native mushroom species occur in deciduous forests. Forests with deciduous trees contain relatively less litter and vegetation, which is a favorable environment for many species.
A Xylaria hypoxylon on a black alder
3 Use a mirror and magnifying glass
A mirror is a handy gadget that helps you identify the mushroom. By holding the mirror under the cap of the mushroom you can sometimes see pictures or tubes (depending on the species). The tracks are in these inner walls. For example, a boletus does not have plates but holes, such as porcini mushrooms. You can also use the magnifying glass to get a better look at the details of the mushroom.
4 Bring a search card or download ObsIdentify
A search map is a handy tool that helps you identify the mushroom. Using questions, such as are there holes under the hat, will help you find the right kind. You can order the mushroom search card via our website. Is the species not on the map? Then use ObsIdentify. You take a number of photos of the species, then the app tells you which species it most likely is (with a percentage). Check whether the species is correct by means of a mushroom guide.
Did you know that we also offer mushroom excursions for young and old? At the beginning of this month, Paul organized a mushroom activity with Vrijeschool Kairos! Send us an email for more information about a mushroom field trip.
(Benthic) Animal Day
Animals are important! They are part of a community of life. A meadow is an example of a community. The elderberry, grasshopper and frog are (in)directly dependent on each other within the area. A collection of different living communities is called an ecosystem. Like a forest and heathland.
Animals are an important part of our fieldwork programs. We study, determine and establish relationships between fauna (biotic) and abiotic factors in an area. Even the littlest ones are studied at Natuurkampen: benthic animals.
Source: ARK
Benthic animals can be found just above the ground and in the benthic zone (the layer below the ground where organisms still exist). They are important for keeping the soil healthy. Soil animals mixed the earth by moving in the soil and fed on dead plant and animal remains.
Benthic animal research is discussed during field work days. We discuss the different techniques for searching, catching and identifying benthic animals. Then the students do their own research. An investigation that took place earlier this year was: the biodiversity in benthic animals and the moisture of the soil. Very interesting!
The benthic animal days are currently taking place to introduce young and old to the benthic life! Activities and workshops are taking place throughout the Netherlands and you can download teaching materials online. You can also participate in the benthic animal count, where you note down the observed animals. This provides a better picture of the benthic animals present in NL. All information can be found on the website of the bodemdierendagen.
Free film festival for primary school and high school
From October the 4th to the 10th, the annual Wildlife Film Festival Rotterdam (WFFR) will take place in the Cinerama, Rotterdam. The festival focuses in particular on nature and environmental education for students.
As a school you can participate for free in the educational program of the WFFR, both for BO and VO. Is Rotterdam a little too far away? As a teacher you can “watch” online with your class. When registering, the films can be seen for free, and you can download education materials on the platform.
A number of nature films that will be screened at the WFFR this year are Bee Wild, The Netherlands Underwater and The Wild Gardener. The festival is made possible by National Geographic, WWF and Natuurmonumenten, among others.
More information about the Wildlife Film Festival can be found here.
Heat wave: 4 tips to give nature a helping hand!
It is WARM, so warm that the nature around us is struggling. We have set up 4 tips to give the plants and animals a helping hand during this heat wave! Just from your own garden…
1. Give the animals some water
Give the wild animals in the garden water. How do you do this best? Place some bowls with water (not too deep, otherwise they can drown) in the shade. You make birds and smaller mammals such as the hedgehog very happy with this!
2. Create a shelter
Animals are looking for a shelter where they can avoid the sun. Short grass offers no shade; it dries out quickly. You can create a spot by putting down wood chips, compost or garden waste.
3. Plant plants!
Plants provide the optimal shade in the garden, and a green garden looks beautiful! The older they get, the more shade they provide and absorb CO2. So, win-win!
4. Bring on the rain!
Place a rain barrel in the garden. You collect the rainwater which you can use for many purposes, such as watering the plants. This way you save a lot of tab water.
A fun project for the future:
Who knows, you may be able to make your garden more natural and animal-friendly.
Natuurkampen is going to renew!
And that starts with a new logo. We came up with this new logo in collaboration with Renate Verboom .Design. Renate Verboom is a graphic designer and has contributed to the new corporate identity of Natuurkampen.
Renate: ”I like to create new designs for green companies. To make my designs even more sustainable, I donate 10% of the profit every year to a good cause.”
Curious about Renate’s web design? Then take a look at her website!
Bird watching, counting and sent
At the end of January we will again participate in the National Bird Count, organized by the Vogelbescherming, from Natuurkampen. The bird count is important to map the bird species and therefore better protect them. Will you join us?
The Bird Protection has developed a handy tool to determine together with the students in the class. With this counting form you can peat the common species and you will find images of the species for recognition. Download the bird count list here.
TIP: Would you like to gain more experience in identifying bird species? Then listen to the bird spot cast (free to listen to on Spotify), where bird watcher Arjan takes his childhood friend Gisbert, a beginner with no experience in bird watching, on a birding excursion. Highly recommended!
A Woolly Red List Species in the Schelphoek
It is a 16 cm mouse with a blunt head and brown fur. It is the oldest vole species in the Netherlands. It already inhabited our earth during the last ice age: it is the Arctic vole (Alexandromys oeconomus arenicola). Due to the closed delta works and the shifting of the polders and salt marshes, the animal in Schouwen has largely disappeared. The decrease in its habitat and the change in the water balance pose the greatest danger to this Red List species.
A new road has been built around our accommodation in the Schelphoek towards the Brouwersdam and 2 new roundabouts have been built. In this new landscape they have forgotten something important, the construction of a new nature reserve to compensate for the Arctic vole. In the Schelphoek live about ten Northern voles, and they are heavily protected. Van Burg, alderman of Schouwen, expects the compensation area to be ready by the end of next year.
Who knows, you might come across this beautiful animal in the Schelphoek nature reserve. That is quite special.
Are there microplastics in my shower gel?
Did you know that many products contain mini pieces of plastic? You will find them in care products, soaps, toothpaste and much more… These plastic particles of approximately one millimeter are called microbeads. The granules can easily go through the sewage, which makes them very harmful to the environment.
You can do your own research into the presence of microbeads, in the classroom or at home. How does it work?
Ask the students to each bring a product from home or purchase a number of products, such as toothpaste, cleaning agent, soap, mascara, etc. On the label of the product, you can see if there are plastics present. This is usually under the name of polyethylene, polypropylene or polystyrene.
You will also need:
You can conduct an investigation for the presence of microbeads by means of the following steps:
An additional tool to check whether you are buying a product without plastics is: Beat the Microbead. This app is free to download. You scan the product and then see whether microbeads have been processed in the product.
Sleeping Beauty
Did you know that some moths hibernate? Team Hei- en Boeicop encountered the herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix) during his winter sleep in the barn. The species seeks a dry place in early November where it stays until April-May. What is special about this species is that it hibernates with bats, which also hibernate in cellars and attics. The sedation is on the bat’s menu, yet they hibernate together in harmony.
The name of the herald has to do with the back of the wings. These look a bit like curtains ruffles, hence the name. The herald has completely adapted to the season, it feeds on the food that is available at that time. In the spring it drinks nectar from the willow catkins, in the summer overripe blackberry juice and in the autumn, it feeds on nectar from the ivy.
Other species that hibernate are the peacock eye (see photo above), the hackled aurelia and the little fox.