Hirschkäfer-Suche

Is it really all that good?

Markus Rink — Thu, 02 May 2024 18:38:27 +0000

For several years now, the first reports of active, even flying stag beetle males have been coming from Franconia as early as 20 April. Usually very large, proud beetles that want to conquer the world. This year, these reports seem to be coming from all directions, including Trier. In between these reports, there are repeated cold snaps and suddenly the first dead males appear, without any injuries, simply dead. Of course, climate change is also affecting the stag beetles developing deeper in the earth. You think you might be missing something down there. The females of the stag beetles usually stay even deeper in the ground and are not as willing to take risks as the males. They prefer to wait and are at least a week later than the males anyway.

So there is still the hype around the end of May/June, when the females are very tempting to invite you to their wedding. However, most early starters’ batteries are likely to be pretty flat by then, if they haven’t already died because of a late frost. We’ll keep an eye on things and stay tuned, but the cards will be reshuffled, hopefully not too quickly for the stag beetle (and us).

Der Beitrag Is it really all that good? erschien zuerst auf Hirschkäfer-Suche.

Is it really all that good?

Markus Rink — Thu, 02 May 2024 18:30:26 +0000

Der Beitrag Is it really all that good? erschien zuerst auf Hirschkäfer-Suche.

The stag beetle in Bavaria

Markus Rink — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 06:49:13 +0000

The stag beetle friends Nature two e.V. together with their cooperation partners are pleased about the very good bachelor thesis of Ms. Mona Range from Erlangen. Ms. Range took a closer look at our Citizen Science (CS) project “www.hirschkaefer-suche.de” as part of her bachelor’s thesis at the Weihenstephan – Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences. We ourselves have already written, published and criticized a lot, and suddenly we are being taken to task ourselves. That was a new feeling for us too, especially for me. We are proud of her findings, which she has skillfully derived from our data pool and our way of working. “Citizen science” works for the stag beetle, producing solid results without having to dispense with the expertise of experts.

Mona Range evaluated and compared our data delivered to Bavaria through neutral glasses, without comment from the stag beetle pope from the distant Moselle. Her work is now all the more valuable for us.

I myself do not (yet) know Ms. Range personally, but only from the data transfer, her own stag beetle reports and as a follower of our posts, from which I conclude, however, that she cares a lot about the stag beetles and our environment as a whole. She will certainly be urgently needed in these difficult times.

We wish Mona Range continued success on her life’s journey!

Dr. Markus Rink Alf in April 2024

Der Beitrag The stag beetle in Bavaria erschien zuerst auf Hirschkäfer-Suche.

We are waiting for the stag beetles…

Markus Rink — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 17:22:22 +0000

Our team is now waiting for stag beetle season. The already finished 24 beetles are currently still waiting in their earthen shells, approx. 30 cm below the earth’s surface, for a signal to make the laborious climb to the surface. This signal is triggered on the one hand by an internal clock and on the other hand by the ambient temperature and usually reaches males earlier than females. Maybe it just depends on the depth of burrowing, because females build their earthen shells about 5 – 6 cm deeper than males. It will be a good four weeks before the first beetles dare to come out of the ground. Because they hatch earlier, the males usually have to wait for their ladies, who then want to do a flying lap and prefer to be courted aggressively before they get married. We are once again looking forward to an exciting stag beetle season

Der Beitrag We are waiting for the stag beetles… erschien zuerst auf Hirschkäfer-Suche.

The stag beetle search in winter….

Markus Rink — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 17:28:04 +0000

The author is currently studying the stag beetle population in Bavaria for their bachelor’s thesis and is excited to see the results of the collected data. They mention that they are taking care of a nest of a special stag beetle pair through a video link. In Rhineland-Palatinate, they have analyzed data since 2000 and are in contact with a European team to contribute to the overview of distribution data in Europe. They mention that winter is the time for evaluation and preparation, as the stag beetles are resting underground. The author expresses appreciation for the contributions of two volunteers from Aachen and Brittany, Azilis and Jannis, who are helping with the stag beetle search. They also mention that they are getting older in the team, but that the young people challenge them every day and keep them fit.

Der Beitrag The stag beetle search in winter…. erschien zuerst auf Hirschkäfer-Suche.

The praying mantis Mantis religiosa is now well observed…

Markus Rink — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 20:33:37 +0000

In meadows, along forest edges, and even in settlements, this imposing, voracious insect can be observed. An immigrant that can already be found in many federal states. Our volunteer Thomas Pottier produced this great shot in 2020. Next week we will be on the lookout again specifically.

Der Beitrag The praying mantis Mantis religiosa is now well observed… erschien zuerst auf Hirschkäfer-Suche.

A new statistic

Markus Rink — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 21:35:13 +0000

Der Beitrag A new statistic erschien zuerst auf Hirschkäfer-Suche.

Now it’s time for the final phase

Markus Rink — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 20:54:25 +0000

The number of dead male stag beetles in our reports is increasing, no longer predominantly eaten beetles, but more and more also exhausted, externally intact beetles. Females are now predominantly observed continuously. Both are signs of an approaching end to the great, conspicuous above-ground period. We present statistics here in mid-July. To start with, it has been a good stag beetle year. They seem to be benefiting somewhat at the moment due to the fact that many trees are dying and are increasing in individuals, so are more conspicuous. Of course, there are two sides to this coin, but the stag beetle only reacts to a supply that can also decline again. It would be worse if climate change dried out the soil too much, or if pests appeared that killed it off. Monitoring is therefore more important than ever, as the tide can still turn for Lucanus cervus.

Der Beitrag Now it’s time for the final phase erschien zuerst auf Hirschkäfer-Suche.

A few more days of high season …….

Markus Rink — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 06:57:11 +0000

Now it is time to enjoy the great flights of the stag beetles. In a few days, the flight activity in some regions should already be decreasing.

Der Beitrag A few more days of high season ……. erschien zuerst auf Hirschkäfer-Suche.

Stag beetles get married in summer weather….

Markus Rink — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 12:12:26 +0000

Flights, weddings and robbers disturbing the social gatherings. Such reports have reached us in the last few days. It’s stag beetle season, we should all enjoy it.

Der Beitrag Stag beetles get married in summer weather…. erschien zuerst auf Hirschkäfer-Suche.