Jersey Post collaborated with WWF organization issued the second series of the rare fauna ( threatened species) on July 27, 2004.The depicted species are Wall Lizard / Podarcis muralis , Ant Lion / Eurolean nostras , Field Cricket / Gryllus campestris, and Dartford Warbler / Sylvia undata. Along with the issue stamp, Jersey Post released also the local FDC and maxi cards. The local FDC have marked image of Dartford Warbler on the left side and a special post mark shown Dartford Warbler also. Meanwhile maxi card presented more detail of each species and each card have attached stamp of the related species.
Wall Lizard / Podarcis muralis
The common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) is a species of lizard with a large distribution in Europe.It is also called the European wall lizard. The common wall lizard is a small, thin lizard whose small scales are highly variable in colour and pattern. Its coloration is generally brownish or greyish, and may occasionally be tinged with green.The tail is brown, grey or rust in colour, and may also have light bars on the sides. The belly region has 6 rows of larger rectangular scales that are generally reddish, pink, or oranges.The common wall lizard prefers rocky environments, including urban settings where it can scurry between rock, rubble, debris and buildings.It can grow to about 20 centimetres in total length.
Ant Lion / Eurolean nostras
Euroleon nostras is an antlion found over most of Europe . Adults may reach up to 30 mm long, with a wingspan of 70 mm . The adults need tall, isolated Scots pine trees nearby, where mating takes place .Larvae require dry sandy soil, close to vertical sandy ledges that help adults emerge.The antlion larvae eat small arthropods - mainly ants -, while the adults of some species eat small pollen and nectar.The adult has two pairs of long, narrow, multi-veined wings in which the apical veins enclose regular oblong spaces, and a long, slender abdomen.
Euroleon nostras are very feeble fliers and are normally found fluttering about in the night, in search of a mate. The adult is thus rarely seen in the wild because it is typically active only in the evening. They are highly active in desert regions and are a nuisance. They will deliver a small, mildly painful bite if given the chance to land on someone.
Field Cricket / Gryllus campestris
Gryllus campestris is one of many crickets known as the Field cricket and native to Europe. It is endangered in part of its range due to loss of habitat. These insects are dark colored and slightly less than one inch in length. The males range from 19 to 23 mm and the females from 17 to 22 mm.
Gryllus campestris prefer dry, sunny locations with short vegetation. The males make a burrow with a platform at the entrance from which they attract females with their "song." Field cricket are often found from May to August when the males sit at the mouths of their burrows and sing day and night
Dartford Warbler / Sylvia undata
The Dartford Warbler, Sylvia undata, is a typical warbler from the warmer parts of western Europe and usually resident all-year in its breeding range, but there is some limited migration. This species as passerine bird has distinct male and female plumages. The length is around 13 cm. The song is a distinctive rattling warble.The plumage is unobtrusive and muted tones, the colors are adapted to the dry dead plants, old wood or sunny greyish wood on their habitats.
The male has a grey back and head, reddish underparts, and a red eye . The reddish throat is spotted with white.The female is paler below, especially on the throat, and a browner grey below. The female also muted in color is brown above and lighter below, with the head and the back in gray-brown. Underparts sometimes pink or a pale red. The female also has white spots, although they are smaller and less marked.
The Dartford Warbler is insectivorous, feeding caterpillars, butterflies, beetles, Spiders and larvas, etc. This species breeds in heathlands, sometimes near coasts, with gorse bushes for nesting.The Dartford Warbler is naturally rare. The investigation was confirmed that the population was decline and consequently up-listed to Near Threatened status in 2008.
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