Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2019 i BBC Wildlife Magazine

This year marks the 40th anniversary since the iconic natural history series Life on Earth came to our TV screens. Most memorable for David Attenborough’s close encounter with mountain gorillas, the programmes also featured many more of the most sublime and fascinating creatures in the animal kingdom. The world was revealed to be a rich and varied place, with animals such as the raggiana bird of paradise, seen in the picture above, delighting viewers with their strange courtship behaviour. In those days, we were largely free of the concerns about the natural world’s health and wellbeing that trouble us today – people just enjoyed seeing the quirky and interesting animals. Now, we need to be hugely concerned about our environment and species conservation, so the continuing popularity of nature programmes,…

With the glaring exception of our native and noble Caledonian pine forests in the Scottish Highlands, all other British evergreen forests are usually considered as little more than an alien habitat. The planting of primarily non-native conifers in huge plantations is a relatively recent phenomenon, which only arose from the need to create a national reserve of timber when woodland cover reached an all-time low of five per cent by the end of World War I. Producing a yield up to six times faster than broadleaf trees, conifers will always be the forester’s timber of choice. But with such a limited cast of native conifers to select from, British plantations became quickly populated by fast-growing, introduced species such as Sitka spruce and lodgepole pine from North America, or Norway spruce…

Synanthropic species fascinate me. In a world where natural habitats are in disarray and decline, they buck the trend. If I want some kind of positive affirmation that all is not bad in the world, then I look towards the animals and plants that thrive in man-made spaces. One such species that gives me this kind of reassurance is found in my attic. Here, separated from the everyday warmth and domesticity chez Baker, is an even stranger world – inhabited by a creature whose enemy is the dehydrating effects and fluctuations of central heating, and which finds sanctuary in this cool but frost-free space lying above us. Creaking up the loft ladder, I enter the dark. For the most part, this species is widely scattered, so barely registers, but right…

Researchers are already noticing changes in bear hibernation patterns, whereby they are entering their dens later in the year and emerging earlier. “We are getting shorter periods of denning,” notes Grant MacHutchon. “For example, if the ground is not frozen and there is no snow, the bears may still be able to dig nutritious plant roots later in the season.” It is also likely that a warming climate may contribute to a longer growing season for plants at high altitude and improve bear habitat in the north, allowing the species to expand its range, for example, into the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. In a recently published study, a team of researchers led by Douglas Clark, a conservation scientist at the University of Saskatchewan, has for the first time documented the presence…

Within spotted hyena society, it’s the females who wear the proverbial trousers. But new research suggests that their dominance over males has more to do with their social connections than their physical attributes. Female hyenas are as big, if not slightly bigger, than males. Famously, they also possess male-like genitals – an erectile ‘pseudo-penis’, through which they copulate and give birth, and which they wield in displays of dominance. But new analysis of 4,133 tussles between spotted hyenas in Tanzania shows that they are won not by the biggest, strongest or most aggressive animals, but by those who can call on the most friends for assistance. Unlike the males, who join new clans as they mature, the females generally remain with the clan they are born into. This advantage allows…

One day in 2009, a colleague of Richard Young took a call from the Department of the Environment on Montserrat. The tiny Caribbean island’s mountain chickens – large, forest-dwelling frogs – were dying in droves, they were told. “I immediately thought it was chytridiomycosis, a fungal infection fatal to this species,” Young remembers. “Within two weeks, we got a team out there to capture the remaining individuals and bring them into a captive-breeding programme.” “My dream was always to use my scientific expertise in international wildlife conservation.” Today, it’s very likely there are no mountain chickens living in the wild on Montserrat, and they are extremely rare on neighbouring Dominica. Indeed, they have declined by an estimated 99 per cent and are classified as Critically Endangered. Nevertheless, Young says this…

From the 1980s, avian cholera – perhaps carried by feral cattle – has caused mass deaths of albatross chicks on Amsterdam Island in the southern Indian Ocean. These include the young of the Amsterdam albatross and two-thirds of the world population of Indian yellow-nosed albatross (both endangered). Now, French ecologists have developed a vaccine that, in field trials, has greatly boosted chick survival. Amsterdam Island is one of the most remote places in the world, sitting more than 3,000km away from its nearest neighbouring large land masses. Its isolation made it a hotspot for evolution of some bird species found nowhere else. Several of these are now extinct, but 40–50 pairs of Amsterdam albatrosses cling on. Using material taken from a dead sooty albatross, a research team, led by Vincent…

From a cursory view, you might easily dismiss a Eurasian starling as a nondescript, black bird. Up close, however, the truth could not be more different. In breeding plumage, there is no glossier British species, with the sheen flickering from purple to green (right) as the birds’ movements catch the light. Once nesting is over for another year, gaudiness is unnecessary. The post-nuptial moult results in duller plumage, with black feathers tipped white, creating a spotty appearance. By spring, the iridescence returns once again.…

In this comprehensive and enjoyable book, Tim Flannery transports the reader, in a time machine, to Europe in its earliest days, before the land took the shape we know today. After revelling in the fantastic beasts and plants that lived in these prehistoric climates, as well as the eccentric naturalists who studied them, our guide zooms to the appearance of the first European humans, how we’ve changed nature today and our attempts at rewilding. The finale is a glance into a future where megafauna such as straight-tusked elephant and rhino roam, visited by tourists from Asia and Africa, where the largest animals are extinct.…

The first instalment of this brand new podcast is, rather appropriately, entitled Beginnings. It shares the passions of a variety of people, and demonstrates the different ways it is possible to connect with nature. From the singers who start the day by joining in with the dawn chorus to a former soldier who took up beekeeping to help him cope with PTSD. As each story unfurls, listeners are invited to revel in the joys of spring and discover what chimps in their natural habitat have to tell us about our early ancestors. An uplifting and poignant collection of narratives.…

MAKE A MEADOW Incorporating a ‘wild’ meadow section into your garden will be a boon to insects and other wildlife. Now is the time to consider planting mixed seeds. DIG DEEP As spring approaches, it’s an opportune time to create a pond. Ensure there is a gentle slope at the sides, to make it more wildlife-friendly. FEED THE BIRDS If cold weather persists, hanging feeders, or scattering food on the ground, will give birds a helping hand. You can also clear away patches of snow, so birds can get a head start on hunting for insects.…

The punch of large images emphasises fine detail and the wider scene. And that scene often involves the restoration of more natural vegetation cover and the diversity of wildlife that could thrive as a result. The story of how the Scottish uplands have been degraded by centuries of deer and sheep grazing has been told many times. So too have tales of persecution of creatures such as birds of prey. What sets this book apart is contemporary solutions.…

More amazing facts at discoverwildlife.com ARCTIC WILDLIFE Is the opening of the Northwest Passage a problem for wildlife? A Arctic sea-ice has now retreated to the point that the Northwest Passage, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via Canada’s northern coast, and the Northern Sea Route, which traverses Arctic Russia, are both open to shipping for at least part of the year, with traffic expected to increase. Little is known about the biology of Arctic marine mammals in general, so the impacts are difficult to judge, but a survey published in 2018 identified narwhals and walruses as particularly vulnerable to disturbance from boat collisions, noise and developments in infrastructure, especially at bottlenecks such as the Bering Strait, through which both shipping and migratory animals must pass. Stuart Blackman BIRDS…

“Hedgehogs are very docile creatures and should only be handled when necessary.” Why are you championing the hedgehog? I love hedgehogs. I always have. Ever since I saw my first one through the kitchen doors at my parents’ house in Sussex, I have been enchanted and mesmerised by these little creatures inhabiting the British wild. My encounter reminded me that you don’t have to go overseas to see marvellous species. Over the years, I have made several wildlife films about hedgehogs, and have spent many nights waiting for them to appear. Sadly, I haven’t seen one in my London garden, but I have cut small holes in the fence to give them access. What makes them special? Hedgehogs aren’t obviously beautiful animals, with their sharp spines, little snouts and beady…

The State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2018 showed how urban numbers are down by 30 per cent, rural are down by over 50 per cent, just since the turn of the century. The urban data suggests some levelling off, which is exciting, as it is in this environment that the Hedgehog Street campaign has concentrated its attention. It is now beginning to focus on how best we can encourage farmers to manage their land with hedgehogs in mind. Hugh Warwick runs HedgeOX in Oxfordshire…

ISABELLE GROC Writer Isabelle watched grizzly bears in northern Yukon feasting on chum salmon. “As the temperature dips, water freezes on the bears’ fur,” she says. “In a unique transformation, they become ice grizzlies.” See p18 MARK WARD Nature writer Mark is a self-confessed listing addict. “There’s nothing like the thrill of seeing, or identifying, a species for the first time,” he says. “And adding it to your life list!” See p28 SUE FORBES Photographer and naturalist Sue spent days on deck watching red-footed boobies fishing. “Seeing the speed and accuracy as a booby plunges towards the ocean was stunning.” See p38 JAMES LOWEN Author and naturalist James is mesmerised by winter starling murmurations. “It was amazing to watch the swooping mass against a fiery sky above the Vatican in…

The cooler corners of our houses and buildings are not just favoured by cluster flies. Ladybirds hunker down in gaudy clusters; lacewings (right), along with small tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies, also seek cool, dry and frost-free places – something our homes seem to provide in the early autumn. Only when our central heating kicks in do they wake up, often expending valuable energy reserves until we find their dead, crisp bodies on our window sills.…

Grizzlies can be seen here all year, but viewing ‘ice bears’ is more limited. By mid-October Arctic air arrives, and the ice bear season begins. Moose can be seen mid-September to early October. Bear Cave Mountain Eco-Adventures (bearcavemountain.com) offers grizzly viewing in Ni’iinlii Njik (Fishing Branch) Territorial Park between mid-September and November. Trips are limited to four guests and depart from Dawson City, a 70-minute flight from Whitehorse, Yukon’s capital. Steppes Travel (steppestravel.com) is one of the few UK tour operators offering trips to see ice bears.…

Amy The articulated skeleton of a female mallard, pictured on the previous page. Note the numerous flexible neck vertebrae and the keel, an enlarged and flattened extension of the breast bone. This anchors powerful pectoral muscles used in flight, which account for up to 40 per cent of its weight. Cat Boy Katrina and Hein’s pet cat, pictured right – largely bald due to his part-Sphynx ancestry. Hairlessness reveals the underlying feline structure – for example, the true size of the ears, which in most breeds of domestic cat is usually obscured by fur. Apothecary jars Some of Katrina’s large collection of domestic cat skulls has been artfully arranged in the old apothecary jars below. Amassing them has involved a huge amount of correspondence to get the necessary legal permissions…

For centuries, the tribesmen of Papua New Guinea have used bird of paradise feathers to make elaborate costumes for their sing-sings ( left ). These local festivals are gatherings of a few tribes or villages to showcase their distinctive cultures and keep traditions alive. The two biggest are the Goroka and Mount Hagen shows that draw crowds from all over the world. They are a riot of colour, with each tribe presenting its particular body painting, songs, dances and displays of feathered headdresses and neck adornments. Dancers mimic the courtship displays of the birds – making the feathers shake and bounce. When David Attenborough first saw a sing-sing he exclaimed on how many birds must have been sacrificed to decorate the dancers. But, these days, many costumes are preserved and…

The visitor’s choice is self-drive or guided tour. The easy availability of 4WD vehicle hire means that, suddenly, (with no past experience of confronting megafauna) you may be placed in challenging conditions (sand, mud, river crossings) where you’ll learn tough lessons quickly. IF YOU ARE SELF›DRIVING: • ALWAYS KEEP YOUR DISTANCE Never invade an elephant’s space. Turn off your engine, speak quietly, be respectful but vigilant. • READ BODY LANGUAGE Watch for an elephant lifting one leg from the ground, swinging it and kicking up dust; holding its ears out for a prolonged period to show its size; or shaking its head repeatedly. With any of these signs, back away slowly. • LEAVE TWO ESCAPE ROUTES Make sure there are at least two clear ‘escape’ routes, so neither of you…

Honeybees are about the best known insects in the world, but they are also one of the most misunderstood. They don’t make honey for human consumption, they make it so they can survive winter (or nectar-free dry season). Combined with continuous worker turnover in the nest, and a queen-replacement facility if the monarch fails, this effectively makes a colony immortal. Domestication has made honeybees commonplace, but the science that underlies their complex foraging communication, worker caste system and honey creation is key to understanding how and why these insects exist. A mellifluous tone, as golden as the honey they discuss, enables the authors to relay this sweet message.…

What are ‘ghost trees’? There is a concept in ecology called the ‘ghost hedge’ – whilst some of our ancient hedgerows were created by planting, others came about as woodlands were cleared to make way for cultivation, leaving strips of the old growth. In Ghost Trees I took this idea and applied it to a wider range of features. I was fascinated by the way aspects of the landscape that had been lost – trees, field boundaries, even whole rivers – still leave their mark. What do trees have to tell us? Trees are a repository of story. As well as having a physical presence, they tell of the history and social history of an area. Even the different generations of street trees represent something of the spirit of the…

This boldly illustrated children’s book relates 26 double-page stories of ‘incredible animal architects’ that create remarkable structures in which to live, sleep, raise offspring, store food or impress a mate. The master builders are both familiar (moles) and oddball (meerkats). Succinct text conveys image-rich detail. Weaver nests dangle ‘like colossal raindrops’; Darwin’s bark spider webs ‘stretch as far as three buses, end-toend’. My daughter was entranced by edible-nest swiftlets building nest-cups with their own spittle, and termites converting their poo into citadels. The concept is simple but clever. Focusing on a commonality between people and other animals – the need for a safe home – generates empathy. We may be the ‘land-takers, worldshapers’ but we share with other creatures ‘this one planet we call home’. A compelling book, gloriously executed.…

ARE DRAGONFLIES TERRITORIAL? Yes. The males of some dragonfly species are highly territorial. Competitors will fight viciously over prime egg-laying sites in order to attract the most females. One example is the southern hawker – a common visitor to garden ponds. If you wander into a male’s territory, don’t be surprised if he approaches and inspects you as an intruder. DO DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES PERFORM COURTSHIP DISPLAYS? Only a very small number of UK species are known to perform courtship displays, including both the banded demoiselle and the beautiful demoiselle, two species you can see drifting along stream and riverbanks on warm summer days. The males aim to attract females by showing off large, beautiful wings in fluttering aerial dances. DO THE MALES TEND TO STICK AROUND AFTER MATING? To…

1 Loch Garten is an RSPB Reserve in the heart of Scotland’s Caledonian pine forests. It is not just famous for ospreys, but also one of the premier locations to find crested tits and red squirrels. 2 Kielder is managed by the Forestry Commission and is one of the largest woods in England. It is home to about 50 per cent of England’s red squirrels and recently welcomed back pine martens after a long absence. 3 Thetford represents the largest man-made forest in lowland Britain. Straddling the Norfolk-Suffolk border, the heathland and plantations are home to a range of conifer-loving birds. 4 Cannock Chase is Britain’s smallest mainland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Located in Staffordshire, it comprises a mixture of deciduous woodland, heathland and large conifer plantations where wild…

For more information on Papua New Guinea visit papuanewguinea.travel. BoP displays are best seen early morning between May and October. Wildlife watching trips, including to Kumul Lodge (kumul-lodge.com) and Rondon Ridge (pngtours.com) can be arranged through Reef & Rainforest (reefandrainforest.co.uk), Wildlife Worldwide (wildlifeworldwide.com), Naturetrek (naturetrek.co.uk), and Rockjumper (rockjumperbirding.com) among others. Within Papua New Guinea, PNG Explorers International (pngexplorers.com) and Trans Niugini Tours (pngtours.com) are local agents offering a range of wildlife-watching tours.…

High expectations New research brings hope that the Maldives can survive rising sea levels. Geophysical Research Letters reports that these low-lying islands formed when seas were higher than today. Waves moved rubble onto the islands from the edges of the reef. Mandarin mania New Yorkers have gone wild for ‘hot duck’, a mandarin spotted in Central Park over the past few months. The species is not common in the US, so it has made a big splash with locals, and in The New York Times. Breeding success Storm petrels have bred on the Shiant Isles in the Outer Hebrides for the first time, according to the RSPB. A black rat eradication programme has enabled these tiny seabirds to breed on the islands – their eggs now safe from predation. Bark…

The 28th annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony took place at Harvard University in September 2018. The prizes – in the spoof alternative to the rather more illustrious Nobel prizes – honour genuine achievements that make people laugh, and then think. Though tongue-in-cheek, they are designed to spur public interest in science, medicine and technology. Some of my favourite winners over the years have included the discovery that regularly playing a didgeridoo is an effective treatment for sleep apnoea and snoring; that many identical twins cannot visually tell themselves apart; and that the word ‘huh?’ exists in every human language. Others include a chemical recipe to partially un-boil an egg and – my all-time favourite – a device, called the Mosquito, that repels teenagers loitering on street corners by emitting a…

Mere mention of the word ‘eagle’ makes me tingle with excitement, provoking plans to spend time seeking out and studying these superlative raptors. The next best thing is to be immersed in this stunning survey of every one of the world’s 68 species. It’s a winning combination of great images (at least one and often more for each species), taken by or curated by renowned photographer David Tipling, and evocative and accurate text by wildlife writer Mike Unwin, incorporating the latest research. Arranged by habitat, this book reveals the diversity of eagles, from the diminutive but powerful little eagle of Australia to the mightiest species, such as the harpy eagle of Central and South America and the Steller’s sea-eagle of eastern Asia. The wide-ranging accounts include identification, hunting techniques, breeding…

Part of a growing series by the same author, following on from The Owl Book, The Fox Book, and The Hare Book, this richly illustrated and affectionate little volume provides an excellent introduction to one of Britain’s best-loved mammals. Jane Russ presents both ecological and cultural perspectives on the species, and up-to-date information on its rapidly changing conservation status, including a look at reintroduction efforts. It’s an easy read – ideal for non-specialists or the young.…

Get ready for spring planting or add to the indoor collection of flora around your home, all in the knowledge that you’re helping to combat plastic waste. These simple but stylish flowerpots and planters are made using recycled PET bottles, and are available in five different colours (grey, blue grey, dark grey, white and terracotta). There are a range of sizes and shapes to suit most spaces in and around your home, too.…

As 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the legislation that created the UK’s first National Parks, Tom Heap asks if these cherished landscapes can work better for people and wildlife. We hear from Nigel James from the South Downs National Park Authority, who lists the parks’ core purposes as being “protecting beauty, helping wildlife and providing access.” But how do you ensure sustainability of a habitat that can boost dwindling wildlife numbers while meeting the needs of local agriculture and communities that surround National Parks? Here, we learn more about this delicate balancing act.…

ON THE GO TOURS WORLDWIDE Have you ever wanted to spot the elusive Bengal tiger? India is the best place in the world to see these majestic creatures in the wild and with On The Go Tours, you can go on an adventure and visit a number of national parks and wildlife reserves that have been set up to protect this endangered species. onthegotours.com 020 7371 1113 SHENTON SAFARIS AFRICA Shenton Safaris’ camps, Kaingo and Mwamba, are the ideal destinations for nature lovers looking to track and photograph the beautiful leopard. Having built their reputation over 26 years, through their unique hides, incredible guides and their location in the area of the South Luangwa National Park known for its big cats. Kaingo and Mwamba are the ultimate location for the…

You could hardly accuse this colourful pipefish of being boring, but compared to their closest cousins they are a tad conventional. Seahorses, seadragons and true pipefish are famous for tearing up the traditional gender-role rulebook, with males giving birth to young. But ghost pipefish do things the old-fashioned way. It’s still not entirely straightforward though – females must carry their eggs in a pouch formed from pelvic fins, supplying them with nutrients through their skin until they hatch.…