Country diary: Tick-tock, it's tick o'clock | Sara Hudston

Porlock, Somerset: Beware these tiny blood-sucking arachnids - they are thriving in the countryside and urban parks after the wet springEnglish wildlife has very few dangers. Adders - our only poisonous snake - are scarce, shy and non-deadly to humans. European hornets (Vespa crabro) look and sound intimidating, but are rarely aggressive. Even the plentiful moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) that sometimes swarm beaches and harbours cannot sting.Yet I am wary of one creature, especially in summer. Usually less than 1cm long, it is typically found in areas of rough grazing, woodland or moorland where there are rabbits and wild deer. Continue reading...