Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2017 i BBC Wildlife Magazine

 Two articles this month have a link we didn’t foresee when planning the issue. White storks can be seen all over Europe and photographer Jasper Doest wanted to document the way they have changed their habits as people have encroached on their natural habitats (p80). The birds have proved masters of adapting to human spread by using our man-made structures in place of the nesting places they are losing to intensive agriculture. When I visited southern Portugal (p44) I saw plenty of examples of white storks nesting on electricity poles as if they were iron trees. In the most extreme example, 24 pairs of storks had used every junction in the legs of a large pylon so it looked like a strange Christmas tree decorated in grassy baubles. The birds…

NICK BAKER REVEALS A FASCINATING WORLD OF WILDLIFE THAT WE OFTEN OVERLOOK. Not many people give slugs enough time in my view. Sure, there are a handful of pest species that bring the reputation of this group of marvellously muculent molluscs into disrepute, by nibbling at your pansies or destroying your dahlias. But if you’re prejudiced against slugs, you risk missing out on a fabulous array of species and behaviour. This month, however, I’m not writing about slugs per se, but about some other creatures they host. Next time you find a nice big slug, maybe the great black slug, Arion ater , I implore you to spend a few moments watching it. As the beast grooves around on its rippling lubricious foot, a large hole opens periodically on the…

THE ANTHROPOCENE As geological time-scales go, we are most familiar with the periods (Jurassic, Cambrian etc), which are subdivided into epochs. Many believe we are entering a new epoch – the Anthropocene, which recognises the influence of humans on Earth’s biological, atmospheric and geological systems. There’s much debate over exactly when the Anthropocene started. One possibility is 1945, the date of the first nuclear tests, which will leave a distinctive radioactive signature in the rock strata of the future.…

SEEING A LIVE PLATYPUS HAD BEEN A LONG-TERM AMBITION OF WINSTON CHURCHILL’S. While World War II raged in September 1943, a ship departed from Melbourne docks carrying a most unusual passenger. On board was a duck-billed platypus, a beady-eyed young male called Winston. He was ensconced in state-of-the-art accommodation: a portable platypussary built especially to house him as comfortably as possible on the long journey to Liverpool. Before being loaded onto the heavily armed MV Port Phillip, Winston had been trained lovingly for months by the keeper at Healesville Sanctuary, David Fleay, in the hope of making the journey as smooth as could be. An 18-year-old ship’s cadet had also been appointed ‘platypus keeper’, charged with proffering Winston’s daily diet of 700 worms and tending to the animal’s needs. The…

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Various academic establishments allow students not attending full-time to take individual modules. The Certificate in Field Ecology offered by Aberystwyth University (www.aber. ac.uk) comprises several dozen modules that can be studied as standalone courses – units covering conservation strategies or field survey techniques could be useful for would-be conservationists or researchers. Online or distance-learning options provide flexibility for students, too: the College of Animal Welfare has a Diploma in Countryside and Environment (www.caw.ac.uk/course/level-2-diplomain-countryside-and-environment) taught through distance learning, while the Open University (www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue) and the ZSL- and WWF-affiliated United for Wildlife Education (learn. unitedforwildlife.org/course/ index.php?categoryid=4) provide free online learning on conservation-based topics. The Durrell Conservation Academy (www.durrell.org/wildlife/academy/courses) offers hands-on intensive training in animal breeding and husbandry, and also conservation management skills. Cotswold Wildlife Park (www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk/education/further-and-higher-education) also runs talks and courses in…

The future of Britain’s most important nightingale site is still in doubt, despite the withdrawal of a planning application for 5,000 homes. The former military base of Lodge Hill, in North Kent, was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 2013 because of its estimated 85 singing male nightingales. In 2014, the planning authority Medway Council approved plans for 5,000 homes at Lodge Hill. More than 12,000 people objected, and the application was due to go to a Public Inquiry in 2018. Medway Council says it expects to receive a new application for developing the site in the coming months. “By 2035, we must build 30,000 new homes to keep up with our expanding population and each and every suitable development site is key,” says council leader…

“THE UK IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST EXPORTERS OF LEGAL IVORY PRODUCTS, AS DEALERS ARE ALLOWED TO SELL IVORY FROM PRE-1947.” WHAT IS IVORY? The word ‘ivory’ usually refers to the tusks (enlarged upper incisors) of elephants and extinct mammoths and mastodons. Tusks are found in almost all African elephants (they are much larger in males – the record is 3.5m long) and some male Asian elephants. However, ‘ivory’ can correctly be used to describe any mammalian tooth – such as from hippos, walruses, narwhals and sperm whales – which is large enough to be carved or engraved. HOW MANY ELEPHANTS ARE BEING KILLED FOR THEIR IVORY? As many as 30,000 every year, by poachers using helicopters, military-grade weaponry, snares, poisoned pumpkins, and cyanide (which is dumped into watering…

Tegenaria domestica Often the most abundant spider found indoors, Tegenaria domestica is one of the species known as a ‘house spider’ in the UK but is called a ‘barn funnel weaver’ in North America after the funnel-shaped webs it creates to catch prey. Pholcus phalangioides Also known as the cellar spider, this species has a teardrop-shaped body and very long, thin legs, which make for an ungainly gait. Often found hanging in corners where walls meet ceilings, it can be a very common resident in our homes. Steatoda bipunctata The rabbit hutch spider is a close relative of the spider known as the noble false widow and is frequently mistaken for it. A common spider in basements, sheds and (where else?) rabbit hutches, it is completely harmless to us. Araneus…

How does a local viewpoint differ from that of a scientist? Biologists normally have a field season with a certain predator species, yet often they will be sitting in a vehicle or at least be some distance from their subject. The people we filmed have existed on the ground alongside these animals for thousands of years. Across the world there are people living immersed in nature and near animals that are demonised. We never hear from these people, yet they are the real experts. Which is your favourite moment in the series? Eagle hunters in Mongolia use female birds to hunt for fur, releasing them back into the wild to breed when they become adults. We filmed our hunter releasing his eagle after treating it like a member of his…

Autumnwatch TV BBC Two Due to air 23–26 October, 8pm Classic seasonal viewing starts right here. Autumn’s British wildlife favourite will be based at the National Trust’s Sherborne Park, Gloucestershire. As Springwatch was filmed here earlier in the year, the team will be examining how seasonal changes are affecting local species. “It’ll be a riot of colour, packed with wildlife,” says producer Chris Howard. “Features will include the survival skills of harvest mice, life in a fulmar colony and a head-to-head of two classic autumn species: swan and goose.”…

1 GRIZZLY BEAR Khutzeymateen Inlet Conservancy The first area in Canada to be designated as a grizzly sanctuary, Khutzeymateen protects a number of important salmon streams where bears come to feed. 2 TRUMPETER SWAN Gitnadoiks River Provincial Park Described as the heaviest bird native to North America, the trumpeter was threatened with extinction in the early part of the 20th century. Its call really does sound like a trumpet... 3 HUMPBACK WHALE Johnstone Strait Humpbacks spend the summer months in the cool waters off British Columbia (and Alaska), feeding before heading south to Baja California. You can kayak with them and with orcas here. 4 ORCA Tofino, Vancouver Island One of the most reliable places in the world to see orcas, the waters off Vancouver Island have both resident pods…

SUE WATT Conservation and travel writer Sue has tracked gorillas six times. She says, “Every time is different but on this occasion, knowing they were only semi-habituated, the experience had a real edge to it.” See p20 NATALIE LAWRENCE Natalie is a natural history writer. In this issue she reports on a “strange wartime escapade” in 1943, involving Winston Churchill and his request for six platypuses. See p30 BEN HOARE “The best thing about my job is meeting wildlife heroes like bat rescuer Samantha Pickering,” says features editor Ben. “Visiting her bat-filled home and garden was humbling and a revelation.” See p38 GET YOUR DIGITAL COPY Buy a digital edition of BBC Wildlife Magazine for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, PC or Mac. Visit iTunes, the Google Play store, Amazon or…

VOLE PEAK Populations of small mammals are now at their annual high. For the best chance of seeing bank voles (long tails) and field voles (short tails) up close, join a mammal-trapping event run by the Field Studies Council or a county mammal society: www.field-studies-council.org; www.mammal.org.uk FINAL FLURRY The last small tortoiseshell butterflies are active this month. This second brood soon hibernates as adults, ready to breed next spring. Since 1976, the UK population has declined by nearly three-quarters, so any overwintering in your shed or garage are precious guests. THERE (STILL) BE DRAGONS Few dragonflies remain on the wing in October, which makes common darters all the more noticeable. These medium-sized dragonflies typically allow a very close approach, enabling you to marvel at their amazing compound eyes. FUNGAL FAIRIES…

SEA SPIDERS The closest relatives of a trapdoor spider found only on Australia’s Kangaroo Island are 10,000km away in South Africa, according to research presented in PLOS ONE. The epic sea crossing was probably made on a raft of vegetation between two and 16 million years ago. LOVE HURTS Observing a fellow animal in pain can make perfectly healthy mice feel the pain themselves. New research published in eNeuro shows that observer mice undergo activation of a brain pathway involved in the physical manifestation of pain. LITTLE HELPERS Biologists are recruiting flies to help survey mammals in tropical rainforests. Molecular Ecology Resources reports that analysis of the DNA that sticks to the insects as they forage on faeces, open wounds and carcasses reveals more mammal species than do conventional techniques…

EXPLORE OVERSEAS Joining a conservation or study project abroad can provide useful experience but it pays to research the organisation and programme before you commit, particularly as costs can be high. Reputable organisations are clear about the goals of each project, where your money will be spent and how your work benefits wildlife, habitats or communities. One recommended outfit is the Earthwatch Institute (earthwatch.org), which runs wildlife and ecosystem research and conservation expeditions lasting for as little as a week all over the globe. GVI (www.gvi.co.uk) has conservation projects in Greece, Thailand and Costa Rica you can join for between two and 24 weeks. Trips with Biosphere Expeditions (www.biosphere-expeditions.org) range from seven to 13 days and might involve camera-trapping tigers in Sumatra or wolves in Germany. Operation Wallacea (opwall.com) has…

Chimpanzees and baboons in Uganda are being born with abnormalities, including limb deformities, cleft lips and reproductive problems, that are being caused by pesticides. Wildlife in the northern area of Kibale National Park in western Uganda survives close to intensive agriculture, and chimps and baboons are known to raid maize fields especially. Writing in the journal Science of the Total Environment , researchers say samples collected from 2014-16 showed pesticide levels in maize stems and seeds, soils and rivers close to chimpanzee territory exceeded recommended limits, and this probably led to the abnormalities they detected in 16 out of 66 individuals in the area.…

Why don’t wildlife trade bans work? Trade bans don’t work because they ignore the legitimate rights of communities that live with wildlife to manage their resources; they disregard the concerns of thousands of people who make a living from the trade; and they deprive consumers of products that they desire. All three of these stakeholder groups then work to undermine the bans. Bans stimulate corruption and black markets, which worsens the plight of both wildlife and local people. How would a legal trade in rare species work? A trade system would have to be devised that satisfies all the concerned parties – local communities, governments, businessmen, consumers and conservationists. The trade would have to be sustainable and not endanger the wild species. The vicuña and many crocodile species have been…

WATER MONITOR The second-heaviest lizard on Earth, reaching up to 3m long (though most grow to around 1.5m). Found across much of southern and South-east Asia, the species has a keeled tail and can swim strongly, spending long periods underwater. CROCODILE MONITOR Nicknamed the ‘tree crocodile’, this huge New Guinea lizard is – unusually for its size – an arboreal species found in the canopy of lowland rainforests. It has a very long head and snout, believed to be an adaptation to foraging for invertebrate prey, including under tree bark. GOULD’S MONITOR A common sight in Australia, this abundant lizard is a fast runner that often sprints bipedally, on its two back legs. It can also ‘tripod’ – rise up on its hind legs to look over rocks or bushes…

SPIDERS COME UP THROUGH THE PLUGHOLE We do often find spiders in our baths, but they’re not arriving through the plumbing. Most are males that have fallen in the bath during their romantic wanderings and are unable to get out. Some people like to put a towel or a ribbon of toilet paper over the edge to act as a ‘spider ladder’ for those that become trapped. SPIDERS NEST IN OUR ATTICS A common fear among arachnophobes is that there are ‘colonies’ of spiders making nests in our attics. This simply isn’t true. There are some social spiders that live in large communal webs, but these species do not occur in the UK. FALSE WIDOWS ARE DANGEROUS The media has fuelled fear of the noble false widow spider, Steatoda nobilis,…

What’s your book about? My husband, David, and I both love running and wildlife. In July 2012, we set off from the southern-most tip of South America to run the length of the continent. It took us 15 months to complete. We ran marathons back to back for days on end and lived life at its rawest, camping wild and washing in ditches. The book charts our adventure. What made you take it on? It was all for wildlife. We wanted to inspire, to prove that we can tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges: it’s not too late to protect our last unspoilt ecosystems. We raised money for BirdLife, Asociación Armonía and Conservación Patagónica. What surveying did you manage on your journey? We did a bird point-count (a tally of birds heard…

Over the past decade, some 1,000 rangers have been killed protecting our forests from the devastating impacts of organised wildlife crime, a global industry worth more than $19 billion a year. For an insight into this highly dangerous, poorly paid day-and-night job, watch Rangers on the Front Line (Love Nature; www.lovenature.com), a 26-minute documentary revealing the risks taken and sacrifices made by staff in Cambodia’s Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary, and examining how training from experts is better equipping these guards in their fight against heavily armed poachers and loggers. From far east to far west, savour the full series of the award-winning 2014 series Wild Canada (uktvplay.co.uk, available until 31 October), an inspiring portrait of the scenery and wildlife of this magnificent country. Closer to home and with the nights drawing…

What does the BDS do? We undertake and support research on dragonflies, aiming to conserve these insects and engage the public. How do volunteers get involved? They can contribute to local recording events, citizen science projects such as our Clubtail Count, outreach work or writing. We also run work parties on sites designated as dragonfly hotspots. These are usually muddy and wet, but fun. How does the recording work? Our recording scheme, DragonflyWatch, is a ‘ladder’ through which volunteers can develop their skills, starting with ad hoc sightings and leading up to, for example, exuvial surveys at priority sites. All data is vital, as distributions are changing at an unprecedented rate. Data will also be used in the State of Dragonflies 2020. What’s an example of a project that has…

1 FIRST SIGHTING I go to RSPB Exe Estuary regularly to photograph birds. On this particular visit in June, I was watching butterflies flitting along the path when I noticed a little ball of ginger fluff clinging to a blade of grass. When I moved nearer I realised it was a dormouse! It seemed oblivious to my presence and continued to feed and groom itself. I was able to get some close, detailed shots using my zoom lens. As soon as I returned home I contacted the site manager, Peter Otley, and he confirmed this was the first ever dormouse seen on the reserve! Jo King, Exminster, UK 2 SEEING EYE TO EYE This picture of an adult shag was taken on a trip to the Farne Islands, Northumberland, with…

“IT WAS ONLY AN EIGHT-HOUR JOURNEY AND I HAD A STRONG WISH TO SEE ONE AGAIN. IT WOULD BE LIKE SPOTTING AN OLD FRIEND.” October 1999. I was on a gap year in New Zealand to see the natural wonders of the country. In the nutrient-rich waters off Kaikoura, against a backdrop of snow-dusted mountains, a sperm whale dived and gracefully lifted its iconic tail to the gasps of an appreciative audience on a tourist boat. It was as though it was waving goodbye – after three whale-watching trips in succession, I was about to return to shore with some happy memories but in the knowledge I’d be moving on soon and unlikely to witness this beautiful sight again. I didn’t even have a proper camera for a souvenir photo.…

“AFTER DARK, THE POLLINATOR NIGHTSHIFT TAKES OVER AND A MYRIAD MOTHS EMERGE TO START FEEDING.” As more people discover the joys of ‘mothing’, assisted by a new generation of field guides with stunning illustrations, our national moth list is growing steadily and knowledge of moth distribution is being transformed. Identifying these diverse insects can nonetheless be tricky – the large family Noctuidae is especially notorious, with many subtly different species – but an army of fellow enthusiasts will help you put a name to your photos if you share them on social media or websites such as iRecord. Even a small garden can be home to dozens of kinds of moth. One way of experiencing moths is to leave out a (harmless) trap that uses a mercury vapour lamp or…

Uganda, nicknamed the ‘Pearl of Africa’ by Sir Winston Churchill, offers an exceptional wildlife holiday, best known for its primate-watching opportunities. Scattered around Uganda, the diverse national parks are home to endangered Mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and a plethora of other wildlife including the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino). For an unmatched natural world encounter, follow your guides through the mist-covered rainforest to observe a family of Mountain gorillas for a golden hour that will mark itself permanently on your memory. Equally as exhilarating, although altogether quite different, is watching a group of chimpanzees in the tropical Kibale Forest National Park, or in Queen Elizabeth National Park; an area widely appreciated for its variety of habitats including riverine forest, savannah and salt flats. Another of Uganda’s icons is…

• BEHAVIOUR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE STAND ASIDE DR DOLITTLE! ANY HUMAN CAN READ ANIMALS’ MINDS, ACCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY. Forget talking to the animals; most people can routinely read their minds. New research shows that humans can gauge animals’ emotional states based solely on the sounds they are making. Biologists led by Piera Filippi of the University of Aix-Marseille, France, have found that humans can tell from an animal’s call whether it is aroused or relaxed – and not only primates and other mammals, but birds, reptiles and amphibians, too. Species they investigated included Barbary macaques, African elephants, American alligators, ravens and hourglass treefrogs. This holds true for English, German and Mandarin speakers. “So this is not driven by culture. It seems to be biologically rooted,” Filippi tells BBC Wildlife.…

“BIGMOUTH SUDDENLY RETORTS WITH A LOUD VOLLEY OF TOADY MOANS. WE’RE SHOCKED.” The droveway beeches are dressed for October. Naked from the trunk up, from their ashy waists down they are wrapped in lush velvet skirts of moss that flop over their shins and web the earth between their short fat feet. Deeper, the old oak boles stand numb and dumb with beards and tufts of twigs, some tasselled with boas of ivy, others trussed with thongs of honeysuckle. Stubbornly they cling to their mantle of leaves, a threadbare mac that leaks cruel sky. And amongst them birch poles lie toppled like giant cigarettes, their silver peeling, their rotted red baccy crumbling from their broken butts. Thick ears of fungus bud from these fags and listen to the drizzle of…

VOCALISATIONS It can be tricky to see gorillas in the rainforest so it’s essential to listen out for their sounds. Gorillas communicate in a series of grunts, screams and rumbles, and even through singing and laughter. Some are piercing and loud, others deep, soft and barely audible. DROPPINGS Droppings will indicate the gorillas’ trail, but their size will also tell you whether the ape you’re following is a silverback or a smaller gorilla. If they’re still warm your gorillas will be close by, of course. Gorillas’ urine also has a distinctive, strong smell. LEAVES AND STICKS Gorillas are voracious eaters and mainly vegetarian. They often skim leaves from a branch or peel a stem to get at the juicy insides, leaving piles of plant debris on their route. Vegetation will…

SO YOU WANT TO WORK with wildlife? Perhaps you’ve already begun a related degree – zoology, botany or environmental science – or a more vocational undergraduate course such as wildlife conservation, zoo management, science communication or wildlife film-making. Even so, competition for careers in wildlife is fierce, whether you plan to study animal behaviour, contribute to conservation or share your passion for nature on screen or in print. The good news is that, even in your first undergraduate year, there’s plenty you can do to boost your prospects. Over the following pages you’ll find ideas for short courses you can take alongside your studies, providing valuable skills and experience. We also discuss how volunteering and work placements can enhance your CV with training and a demonstration of commitment. We hope…

“IT SHOWS JUST HOW DANGEROUS THE SITUATION HAS BECOME.” AMAZON FINDS In a two-year period, 381 new species were discovered in the Amazon, according to a new report from WWF and the Mamirauá Institute. They include a new species of pink river dolphin with a population of just 1,000, and a snake that appears to have two pairs of eyes. GO, GODWIT, GO! The first black-tailed godwits to be raised in captivity in Britain and then set free were starting to migrate south, as BBC Wildlife went to press in early September. WWT released 26 godwits in the Ouse Washes and expect them to travel to Africa for the winter.…

“THE SPIX’S MACAW WENT EXTINCT BECAUSE OF THE ILLEGAL PET TRADE.” During the 1990s, there was just one Spix’s macaw left in the wild and that one disappeared in 2000. Luckily, there is a captive population that should reach 170 by next year and there are plans for a reintroduction programme. Spix’s macaw is only found in Brazil and is confined to the so-called ‘caatinga’ biome in the north-east. Caatinga is a dry area dominated by small trees, bushes and cacti and forests with larger trees that form alongside rivers. The parrots require the large trees, especially the caraibas that can grow 25m high, for nest cavities. Though habitat loss was a factor in its disappearance, the main reason the species went extinct in the wild was the illegal pet…

THE PANEL EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO wildquestions@immediate.co.uk or post to Q&A, BBC Wildlife Magazine, Immediate Media Company, 2nd Floor, Tower House, Fairfax Street, Bristol BS1 3BN Q SHARKS Are shark-bite incidents increasing? A The number of shark bites reported each year is relative to the number of people entering the water. The rapid growth in coastal populations and increased popularity of ocean-based recreational pursuits (and the advances in equipment such as wetsuits) mean that hundreds of thousands of people are entering the marine environment for longer periods of time. If current lifestyle and demographic trends continue, then the number of reported bites could reflect this. Fatalities from shark bites are very rare (you’ll have heard the comparisons that more deaths are caused by falling coconuts, traffic accidents, faulty toasters and…