Looking for stag beetles

[slimjim]

Hi,

I'm a local wildlife photographer and I've been working on a personal project about London's wildlife for the past decade. I'm now very keen to get a shot of a male stag beetle - it will be part of this series:

http://www.simondeglanville.co.uk/parklife.html

I was wondering of the good people of dulwich and peckham might be able to help me? This is the time of year you will find stag beetles in your garden and if anybody was willing to catch one for me I'd be extremely grateful. If are willing to help and you find one in your garden could you put it in a largish tupperware box with a few leaves and give me a call? My number is 07734 052712. I'd ideally want two males (the ones with antlers), but I could work with one.

I'd like to offer a print of the resulting image, or a print of any of my other work if you'd prefer, to anyone who can help me in my search.

I will, of course, return the beetles to appropriate habitat (or your garden if you'd prefer) after I've finished the shoot. It should only take an hour or two.

Many thanks,

Simon

[chuff]

I have loads in my garden every year, this year i've only seen the females so far but i'll definintely try to catch a male when they decide to show themselves. We usually get quite large males like this one and have videos of them fighting. I have become quite attached to the small beasts.

Will message you if I find any soon.

e

[El Pibe]

You could try hunting down at the wood near sainsburys on dog kennel hill, there are loads of beetle hotels and it's an area known for stag beetles.

Lovely shots, I'm seriously hoping the disco scorpion wasn't a londoner!!

[KidKruger]

Talk to Nunhead cemetary, they ensure woodpiles are maintained as habitat for stags so I'd expect if you understand the seasons and how that affects stags' behaviours you should be able to set-up some visits with their representatives.

[slimjim]

Great - thanks Chuff, that's encouraging. Yes please do let me know if the males turn up in your garden.

Thanks for the advice El Pibe and KK - I'll check both those areas. And yes, that scorpion is a Londoner - there's a couple of established populations of european yellow tail scorpions in the city...

[Whittler]

You might want to take a wander round the top of Sydenham Hill, top end of Kirkdale, Sydenham Rise - i've seen quite a few here already this year. Sydenham Woods is a good area for them.

[lozzyloz]

There's an established colony on One Tree Hill

[Nigello]

I think this place http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/reserves/centre-for-wildlife-gardening has an area set aside for stag beetles.