Love is in the air

Laura Ross

Communications Officer, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

This Valentine's Day we're celebrating wildlife that might not typically be associated with love, but still sends our hearts into a flutter - after all, they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Spoiler alert: there are no swans, doves or cute fluffy things.

Rowan Bunney, Retail Manager

Slow Worms can be secretive creatures that prefer to hide in secluded places where they can find some warmth, such as under logs or in compost heaps, although, despite being a keen allotment holder, I am not lucky enough to have them in mine. Their ability to move silently and effortlessly away into gaps and burrows makes glimpsing one feel like even more of an achievement. I’ve been lucky enough to have seen a handful in various places and, each time I find one, my love for them grows. These legless lizards may not appeal to everyone but I think they’re beautiful.

Sarah Watson, Events Officer

I’ve always loved Cockchafers, or May Bugs. They’re one of our largest beetles, chestnut-brown with antennae like little antlers. They hatch in April or May and fly at night looking for a mate. Buzzy and clumsy, they tend to crash into people and windows. But they’re harmless. They’re such bumbling characters and easy to catch. I used to find them as a child, in our garden in Sussex, and I’d pick them up and feed them rose leaves. They were much easy to find then, but these days I feel lucky to bump into one.

Aimi Rifat, Communities & Engagement Officer

I love bees - Honey Bees, Bumblebees, Mason Bees and this little Lasioglosom, also known as a Sweat Bee. This type of bee gets its name, not because it sweats, but because it likes the salt found in human sweat - you may find one lands on you and affectionately licks you! They are only tiny, about 1cm in length, but are such important pollinators. They do not carry pollen on the legs like Honey and Bumblebees, but carry it on the underside of their abdomen, which turns bright yellow. They then take it home to feed and nourish their young.

Gesine Garz, Head of the Discovery Centre

I have a pair of Wrens that come and nest in my yard every spring. They are very cute, small and brown. Their bodies are quite round. I have just started spotting them in my garden and yard again. Last year they had several babies who all learned how to fly in one day. That was the last I saw of them. I wonder if they ever make their way over to the nature reserve.

David Bentley, Volunteer and Trustee of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

The male Gadwall looks dull and grey. But close up, his intricate patterns - tight wavy-lines and crescents - and his subtle shades are stunning. The female is equally unassuming, but has a kind demeanour and orange lipstick. If you take the time to look, you'll see they're both modestly drop-dead gorgeous.