As autumn hits us with a rather-wet bang, here is a summary of our current workbook. This month CGO Ecology is working for a range of clients in a variety of sectors: road, rail, minerals, forestry and golf to name a few. Diversity is the key to job satisfaction after all.

As the days get shorter, this week in late September sees us pass the point of equal day and night length: the autumnal equinox. The spring and autumn equinoxes are busy times for reptiles in northern latitudes with pronounced seasons. The vernal (spring) equinox sees lots of activity following a long winter hibernation period. Males bask to encourage sperm production, then feed to get into breeding condition. Female emergence usually lags behind by a couple of weeks.

This is an unusual story from the Irish Independent today. Three fishermen off the coast of Co Kerry spent a whole day rescuing a pod of 60 dolphins in danger of beaching.

World Animal Protection (formerly the World Society for the Protection of Animals) has been in the press in the past week. They published a report revealing the extent of wildlife crime in the UK – from badger baiting, bats and birds being disturbed, to the illegal trade of endangered species. The report includes recommendations for how UK Government could better support the enforcement agencies working to tackle these crimes.

As the Marine Conservation Society says on its website, August is the peak month for leatherback turtle sightings in British and Irish waters. This world-travelling ocean giant is now widely regarded as a true native of these waters, given that it comes here deliberately to feed on jellyfish.