aSometimes things work out just fine if you leave them to the last minute; generally they do not. Today, however, was the former. I had my biggest ever NARRS reptile count - 87 common lizards and one slow-worm - in two hours walking round Redhill Common in Bournemouth, Dorset, at the very tail end of the season. Talk about leaving it late though...

This story is doing the rounds at the moment: a two-headed adder seen in Yorkshire. Here is the BBC's take on it: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/24289923

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published a British Standard for biodiversity management, assessment and information provision in the development-planning process. BS42020:2013 aims to set the gold standard for biodiversity professionals, and will be regarded with great interest in the ecological consultancy industry.

Every year, we try to keep our 'continued professional development' (CPD) profiles updated by attending conferences and training courses. Not only are these important professionally; they are rewarding, enjoyable and educational. This week I attended an excellent CIEEM training course in Somerset on lichens, bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) and fungi. 

Thanks to all the county Wildlife Trusts that expressed interest in our recent round of competitions on Twitter. We offered a free slug and snail survey, and a free reptile survey training day.