stag beetles

[wellington]

Hope this is the right place to post.

We have had an abundance of stag beetles this year. I have also finally seen many in flight too.

They don't seem to be able to right themselves when the are on their back. If I turn them over they just flip themselves again. There is a right beast in our garden just now who is absolutely going manic and there doesn't seem to be anything we can do to help them.

I would be grateful for any helpful advice anyone could give.

[fl0wer]

Maybe injured, or near the end of its life.

They sometimes get hurt by flying into headlights. Place it amongst shady damp wood and leave it. Handling it risks a nip, so let its feet grasp a twig and use that to convey it.

Interesting stuff on line, eg http://frontpage.woodland-trust.org.uk/ancient-tree-forum/atfnews/images/stagbeetles.pdf

If you moved this post onto the 'ED nature watch' thread someone more knowledgable than me might respond. It is great news you are seeing them, means their several years long larval life cycle has been able to complete in some safe corner.