Wasp spider, Angiope bruennichi.

The Wasp Spider. One of the more exotic spiders now found in our countryside, by the end of the autumn - the season when spiders are most in evidence - they could have spread well beyond the Home Counties 

Wildlife experts urged gardeners yesterday to be on the lookout for the creatures over the next few weeks -and report sightings. 

Originally from the Mediterranean, they were discovered in England in 1922 where the climate was just warm enough for them to survive. 

For decades they clung to the sunnier South Coast but in recent years have been seen as far north as Cambridge. 

Many conservationists believe their move northwards is linked to our warmer climate since the 1970s.

Stuart Hine, of the National History Museum, said: "We are getting a lot of reports of people finding 

them in their gardens. Last year we had unprecedented numbers. 

"We are about to start the spider season - when females are at their largest and when the males look for mates - so we could see more." 

Female wasp spiders are around the size of a 2p piece, with body marking resembling those of wasps and bees. 

But while they can bite, the creatures are not poisonous. 

The males, which are far smaller and brown, are often eaten by the females after mating. 

Because of this danger, males lurk on the edge of the female's web until she sheds her skin.

For a while after this process her jaws are soft so he can mate in relative safety.

Despite such precautions, many males are still devoured by their partners.

The females leave their egg sacs on grass leaves and therefore can only thrive in areas where grass is not regularly grazed or mown. 

The species - Argiope bruennichi - eats beetles, flying insects and grasshoppers. 

Climate has been linked to the spread of a number alien species across Britain in recent years. 

Among them are scorpions which are reported to have migrated from colonies in London's docks.

Also worth mentioning whilst not found at Northward Hill are the Noble False Widow Spiders, they are also an invasive species and are in

Hoo and High Halstow, they are quite aggressive and will bite, they are not poisonous, but it's like getting a wasp or bee sting, so not

pleasant. They pre-date the formers arrival on these shores by a little over 3 decades.

Getting back to the stripey arachnid should you feel so inclined to have an encounter with one just come to Northward Hill RSPB and walk

down to the Marsh gate (the one leading out to the old comms. building) all along the path through to the wooden bridge, there are several 

webs mainly on the left side of the path in the long grasses.

Another thing to look out for this week over at Cliffe Pools (Redham Mead) is a Purple Heron, seen a couple of days ago and may well still

be around but hidden out on the vast expances of the North Kent Marshes.

Thanks to Ruth Gillies and Eliza Jane Saunders for the images.