Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2019 i BBC Wildlife Magazine

The impact of the mighty Gulf Stream on Britain’s climate, our natural habitats and the wildlife they contain, is hard to overestimate. Originating in the Gulf of Mexico, before finally lapping on our western shores (as the North Atlantic Drift), this long-distance ocean current effectively operates as a conveyor belt, delivering warm Caribbean water north-eastwards across the Atlantic. Thought to elevate Britain’s winter temperatures by about 5°C, the current’s influence is the sole reason, for example, why palm trees thrive in west Scotland, while at similar latitudes across the Atlantic, polar bears survive in sub-zero temperatures. However, the Gulf Stream’s effects are not just responsible for our mild winters – the accompanying south-westerly winds are famously moist, too. With western Britain the first port of call for any rain-laden clouds…

It’s a tantalising bird of such a shy and distrusting disposition that it rarely hangs around much to be observed and admired. A real shame, because if you could, you would see a bright and bold bird bedecked in a colourful palette of red, green and gold – the sort of feathers you are more likely to find on a tropical parrot in a rainforest than on a bird you could see down the park or on the playing field. But the green woodpecker, Picus viridis , is more than just a beauty. I could fill numerous columns with their amazing adaptations, but to me, the best and most bizarre thing about them is totally hidden from view… most of the time. The first time I became aware of this…

Paramo is a South American term referring to a high-altitude moorland habitat above the tree line (and below the snow line) in tropical areas of South and Central America. It generally occurs between roughly 3,000–5,000m of altitude. It is characterised by tussock grasses, cushion plants, evergreen shrubs and the distinctive Espeletia genus, known as frailejones, which form big leafy rosettes atop thick woody stems. Also common are puya, a member of the bromeliad family, which, like the frailejones, form leafy rosettes, but close to the ground. Paramo receives a lot of rainfall, typically more than 2,000mm a year. In South America, it is mainly found in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru. Further south (in southern Peru and Bolivia), the habitat above the tree line is similar, but tends to…

“Since 2014, we have done a lot to improve the habitat for eels in the network of Somerset wetlands that form the Avalon Marshes. We’ve cut reedbeds to open up new channels, have dug a variety of underwater ledges and trenches, and chucked loads of tree root balls into the water. Eels aren’t fast swimmers, so a more diverse underwater structure gives them more places to hide. By helping aquatic invertebrates and other fish, we are in turn creating more food for the eels. We’ve also replaced culverts: the connectivity of the habitat needs to be good enough for both elvers arriving and full-grown silver eels leaving. Our aim is to make this the best place in the country for eels.”…

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Robert Macfarlane is famed as a chronicler of the British uplands. These are now embroiled in increasingly acrimonious debates over grouse shooting and the persecution of species such as hen harriers, as well as discourse over how much gamekeepers’ lawful predator controls benefit declining curlews and other upland birds. In Scotland, there is a growing debate over the concentration of land ownership in the hands of relatively few vast estates, and whether deer-grazed highlands should be reforested and rewilded. “The monopoly grip of the big bloodsport estates just has to be broken in Scotland; we need far fewer deer, far fewer grouse, far more landowners and far more trees,” says Robert. “The land reform movement north of the border is gaining real momentum; it’s exciting to watch, and with it…

Immerse yourself in over 200 spectacular images of our ever-changing planet. Accompanying the upcoming BBC series of the same name, this vibrant book is a showcase of satellite imagery; capturing crescent-shaped sand dunes creeping across the desert, tulip fields like many multi-coloured threads of cotton laid side by side, and vast swirling patterns of vivid blue and green algae blooms. “The biggest surprise is just how much you can see from space,” says author Michael Bright. “Imagine being in London and observing something not much bigger than a football located in Amsterdam – that’s how good satellite images really are.” But this isn’t merely an aesthetically-pleasing coffee-table book. Explanatory text and detailed annotations reveal how such satellite technology allows scientists to track wildlife and changes on the Earth’s surface. Where…

When Jim Crumley planned the third in his seasonal quadriptych, he probably imagined having three months of vernal unfurling to write about. But this was 2018, the year of Narnian snowfall in March and April, when ‘Springlessness… was suddenly rife across the length and breadth of the land’, and summer came all of a rush. The dissonant meteorology might make this the stand-out book of the series, as Crumley certainly doesn’t waste the opportunity to show and blame the creeping ills we are inflicting on Scottish nature through climate breakdown. But there is beauty too, of course, and stories of restoration – of beavers, of sea eagles, and detailed pleas for the return of Highland forest and the wolf.…

What set you on the path to living a ‘zero waste’ lifestyle? For me, it was very personal. I was having some health issues, and for the first time, I started paying attention to the products I was using. Many of the things we interact with, such as beauty products, cleaning products, and plastic contain endocrine disruptors that interfere with our hormones. I slowly started making changes to live a more natural lifestyle, and I found the changes weren’t only better for my personal health but also for the health of the planet. What’s one of the simplest ways to cut back on waste? Avoid coffee cups, which are lined with plastic and unrecyclable in most places. The lids aren’t recyclable either. So, if you forget a thermos or don’t…

The next time I get my theories of natural, sexual and kin selection as mixed up with each other as a double helix of DNA, I’ll know where to go. Here are short, simple explanations of each one, with bonus, witty illustrations to drive home the point like a rutting red deer stag. Amazing Evolution isn’t aimed at me, however, but my offspring, who are just another small step down the road in Homo sapiens becoming nothing more than a brain that survives entirely on fun-size chocolate bars. Luckily, they loved it, too. My 10-year-old was constantly flicking through to the chapter that explains how wolves became dogs. He’s an expert on the subject now. I was most startled to find the evidence that we are genuinely still evolving –…

More amazing facts at discoverwildlife.com This month’s panel CETACEANS How do sperm whales dive so deep for so long? A Glimpse a sperm whale’s tail as it disappears below the waves and you’ll probably have to wait an hour or more before seeing it again. Sperm whales are among the deepest-diving mammals, spending three quarters of their adult life hunting squid at depths of 1,000m, using beams of sound to detect their prey. Sperm whales endure these epic dives by equipping themselves with massive reserves of oxygen – not in their lungs, as these quickly collapse under the immense pressure, but rather in their blood and muscles, bound to myoglobin, a protein that occurs at levels 10 times higher in sperm whales than in the average human. So much myoglobin…

If a mantis could laugh, it would surely be a theatrical, maniacal laugh of the ‘mwahaha’ variety. Though it’s one of the largest of all mantis species, the nefarious influence of this entomological super-villain is limited to its East-African home range. It’s not known to have a secret lair (though, of course, that’s the thing about secret lairs), but there’s no doubt it’s a master of disguise. It comes in a variety of colours – greens, browns and pinks, blending with the local vegetation and waiting for passing victims.…

FRANS DE WAAL Primatologist Frans discusses the idea that humans aren’t the only species with free will. “We believe that animals must be the slaves of their emotions. Nothing could be further from the truth,” he says. See page 28 ANDREW SALISBURY Entomologist Andrew Salisbury explores his career and an exciting new discovery for Britain. “Since being introduced to the diversity of insects, my goal was to work with them,” he says. See page 53 DUNCAN GEERE Writer Duncan asks whether there are too many humans on Earth. “Population is only part of the story,” he says. “The world’s richest 10 per cent are responsible for half of all carbon emissions.” See page 58. LAURA BOWER Conservationist Laura explains the extraordinary mating behaviour of stag beetles. She says, “stag beetles…

If you don’t believe how important ants are to green woodpeckers, then look in their droppings. They’re easy to find and not unpleasant at all. Search on top of the grassy hillocks of yellow meadow ants and you'll see something similar to the burnt ash of a slow-burning cigarette. Crumble one between finger and thumb and peer at the resultant dust. It’s an ant wrecking-yard – all you can see is thousands of pieces of ant exoskeleton.…

Every bear alive today is classified as being part of the Ursinae subfamily – apart from the Andean bear, which is the sole living representative of the Tremarctinae group or short-faced bears. About 11,000 years ago, members of this lineage included the North American giant short-faced bear that roamed the USA and Canada – early settlers may have been confronted with a beast weighing upwards of 1,100kg that could run at 64kph. In contrast, male polar bears typically weigh up to 600kg. But a study published in 2011 of the South American short-faced bear concluded this monster was even bigger, weighing 1,600kg and measuring 3.4m when on its hind legs. Andean bears, in contrast, reach a maximum weight of 150kg and rarely grow larger than 1.5m.…

1 EGGS Mature European eels are believed to spawn in deep water in the Sargasso Sea, off south-eastern USA. Closely related American eels probably also spawn here. Afterwards, they all die; the eggs rise to the surface. 2 LEPTOCEPHALAE Eggs hatch into transparent, leaf-shaped larvae called leptocephalae. Over the next year or two, they drift with the plankton across the Atlantic to Europe on the Gulf Stream, a distance of 6,000—8,000km. 3 GLASS EELS Fewer than one in 500 larvae are estimated to arrive on European coasts. In bays and estuaries, they change shape again into 6cm-long glass eels, and wait in huge numbers for high spring tides. 4 ELVERS After another transformation, the pencil-length juvenile fish, now known as elvers or brown eels, swim upstream…

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Offshore explorer Reef manta rays usually roam coastal waters, but scientists have seen one for the first time at the remote Cocos Island in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. The Marine Biodiversity Records report suggests they may swim further offshore than assumed. Butterfly declines According to research published in Insect Conservation and Diversity, meadows adjacent to high-intensity agricultural areas in Germany are home to less than half the number of butterfly species found in nature preserves. With hindsight The long-bodied and aquatic olive sea snake can see with its tail, reports Molecular Ecology. Light-sensitive skin ensures that they don’t leave their precious rear-ends poking from their rock shelters for sharks or any other passing predators to spot. Cold remedy Golden snub-nosed monkeys in China routinely suckle each other’s young. Science Advances…

How many different conservation groups can you name? Stick to the UK, to make it easier. There are the obvious leviathans, like WWF, Greenpeace, RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts, but what about the many smaller groups? The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, World Land Trust, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and Marine Conservation Society immediately come to mind. Then there are the specialists, like Whale and Dolphin Conservation and the Bat Conservation Trust. Ah, but what about Fauna & Flora International, the Born Free Foundation and WildAid? It’s not surprising that there are so many. One organisation alone couldn’t possibly grapple with climate change, plastic pollution or rainforest destruction, for example, let alone all the, relatively, straightforward issues. I’ve just done a quick search online and, in 10 minutes, found 65 different…

DOCUMENTARY SERIES Shark Find out more about the lives of these powerful, but often misunderstood, predators. BBC iPlayer, until March 2020 WEBCAM Nest box and feeding station Marking the arrival of spring, Manchester’s City of Trees has launched two live feeds to keep tabs on avian visitors. cityoftrees.org.uk/livefeeds DOCUMENTARY SERIES Natural World Starting with a look at Florida’s wildlife amid an ever-increasing human population, follow stories from across the globe. BBC iPlayer, until March 2020…

The atmospheric photos by renowned conservationist Merlin Tuttle alone would be enough of a reason to own a copy of Bats: An Illustrated Guide to All Species. Marianne Taylor’s book is a celebration of the second most diverse order of mammals, and offers a concise and engaging introduction. With more than 1,300 described species, it must have been a real challenge to choose which ones to profile in detail in the second section of the book – great stripe-faced, Egyptian slit-faced (below), and pallid bats all made the cut. It packs an awful lot into its beautifully illustrated pages, though it can’t cover everything. It will make a welcome addition to my bat bookshelf.…

Side-step packed-lunch predicaments by cutting back on waste and the need for bulky tubs and containers with these reusable wraps. Made from beeswax and organic cotton, the wraps can be washed in cool water and hung out to dry after each use. Plenty big enough for even the most generous of doorstep sandwiches, the wraps kept sarnies nice and fresh when refrigerated. Estimated to last for up to a year, they have the added benefit of being compostable when they come to the end of their life. The packaging is made from recycled and biodegradable materials, too.…

Read this book and rejoice at how easy it is today, in many places, to see this supremely graceful, fork-tailed bird, and reflect on the commitment of a host of conservationists over many years that brought it back from the brink of extinction. Written by one of those involved in its reintroduction, Ian Carter, and enhanced by many of Dan Powell’s evocative paintings and sketchbook pages, this book provides a detailed month-by-month account of the kite’s yearly cycle, interspersed with accounts of every aspect of its life, from the history and future of its conservation to communal roosts and studying the dispersal of young birds.…

Raptors and grouse Isla Hodgson is absolutely right to say that efforts to resolve the conflict between hen harriers and grouse moors (Talking point, April 2019) have so far focused on two areas: diversionary feeding and legislation. The 10-year Langholm Moor Demonstration Project suggests, to us, that we now need to test new approaches, such as the one being trialled by a consortium of interests in England to manage young harrier broods, so they can thrive alongside economic grouse moors. Interestingly, cultural attitudes to this trial are also being monitored. Finding a practical solution is important to the hen harrier because in the words of RSPB, ‘management of land for grouse shooting has protected upland areas from the worst of over-grazing and blanket conifer plantations whilst generating income for upland…

Why are you championing the horse chestnut? I remember as a kid calling it a conker tree, and I thought it was such a cool name. Then a teacher told me it was called a horse chestnut tree, and I thought that’s even better, it’s got two very cool names. I then went on to learn that it had a scientific name that I can’t pronounce. I also have really vivid memories of the anticipation I felt waiting for the conkers to fall, and the excitement and joy I felt when they did. Then gathering them, and picking the ones that would be on my team, was an annual ritual. And were you any good at playing conkers? “Other kids were soaking their conkers in all kinds of potions, I…

1 Ariundle Oakwood National Nature Reserve is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and situated north of the village of Strontian in the Highlands. The wood contains the remains of historical human use. 2 Taynish National Nature Reserve is also managed by SNH and located some 20km west of Lochgilphead. Over 6,000 years old, it is considered one of the finest Atlantic oak woodlands in Europe. 3 Borrowdale Wood, just south of Keswick in Cumbria, is managed by the National Trust. It represents the most extensive remaining block of sessile oak wood in northern England. 4 Coedydd Aber National Nature Reserve, near Bangor, is one of the best places to catch the ‘western trio’ in North Wales. Don’t miss the spectacular waterfall at the head of the valley. 5 Wistman’s…

In the 1980s, a sizable part of what is now Thrislington Plantation National Nature Reserve was nearly lost to industrial excavation. However, an innovative scheme to translocate sections of mature grassland, prior to quarrying taking place, was successful. In 1991, 13 acres of snooker-table-sized compartments were painstakingly removed and relocated to a new site away from the quarrying area. The reserve now covers 60 acres in total and is notable for the diversity of its insect life, including glow worms, wild orchids and perennial flax. It is managed by Natural England and aggregates company Lafarge and is one of a network of sites across Britain being monitored for indications of climate change.…

A milestone decision means that Scotland’s newly re-established beavers have been protected by law since 1 May this year. Announcing the move, Scottish environment secretary, Roseanna Cunningham, said that the importance of beavers to Scotland’s biodiversity is huge. “However, we recognise that beavers can have a significant impact on farming...which is why we have been working closely with farmers and partner agencies to establish management plans, as well as a licensing system for culling when there is no other alternative.” This protection comes after a decade of beaver reintroduction work in Argyll by partners the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT), Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and Forestry Commission Scotland. At the same time, beavers released in Tayside without official backing have also thrived, with a population of at least 430…

A school advisor once told Andrew Salisbury that entomology careers didn’t exist and suggested he go and work in a factory. Thankfully, he wasn’t dissuaded. Even as a young boy, the RHS’s principal entomologist kept caterpillars and cockroaches and was always the child that took animals home from school to look after. Aged 12 he started recording insects while volunteering at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry. His passion for invertebrates eventually led to a PhD at Imperial College London on the host range and chemical ecology of the lily beetle. Salisbury currently works as part of the RHS Plant Health team, undertaking research and providing advice on pests and biodiversity. Last summer, an unexpected discovery came across his desk: “It was a real first for me,” he says.…

A new title will see Robert and Jackie reimagine the field guide, and produce words and illustrations of the 68 British birds on the Red List of endangered species. This new “field guide to wonder and loss”, which is expected to take three years to produce, will include studies of the turtle dove, hen harrier, corncrake and nightingale. The Red List includes once-common birds, such as the starling and lapwing, and “some awesomely zany species, such as the Slavonian grebe, which is a Ziggy Stardust kind of bird,” says Robert. “If The Lost Words was trying to take the children’s picture book and turn it into something completely different, this is trying to rethink the field guide,” Robert says. “A field guide speaks to the eye, rather than the heart,…

The fascinating world of insects is opened up to us in this delightful book by Sverdrup-Thrygeson, a professor of conservation and insect ecology. Find out why insects are so successful as an animal group and uncover their vitally important work in cleaning up after others. A particularly excellent chapter discusses how various insects have inspired engineers, designers and scientists – leaf-cutter ants and their cultivated fungi have given us new antibiotics, and a colour-changing Indonesian beetle is helping to combat the forgery of bank notes. The significant role of insects in the food chain is also covered, including why they are an environmentally friendly option for humans.…

Attract more bees to your garden and give them a helping hand by making the most of flower power. This relaunched online app shows you just how bee-friendly your garden is and provides suggestions on how to improve your planting choices – and tempt more pollinators in the process. Developed by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, use the website’s ‘flower finder’ to form a list of the variety (and quantity) of plants that bloom in your garden to reveal your overall ‘score’ and any months that might be lacking floral focus. You can then use the information to make sure your garden is all abuzz with the sound of bees.…

HANDS OFF To avoid disturbing nesting birds, resist the temptation to trim your hedges until September when chicks will have flown the nest. IN A TANGLE Beware of protecting crops, such as salads, peas and brassicas, with garden netting, which can be a real hazard to birds, hedgehogs and snakes. Instead, consider dangling old CDs to dissuade hungry birds. DROUGHT DEFENCE Sprinklers waste water but longer lawns lose less moisture, so set your mower to a higher cutting height to avoid the worse effects of drought.…

Absent from the UK for centuries but now increasing in number and range across mainland Europe, wolves have become a controversial topic. While some people would happily see the species reintroduced to Scotland, others worry about the impact it would have on livestock and farmers’ livelihoods. Here, Tom Heap travels to the French Alps and the Netherlands to talk to conservationists and farmers about their experiences and encounters with the lupine locals. “Wolves stalk our imaginations and roam through our literature,” Tom says. While fairy tales may have given wolves a bad name, Tom asks the question, “with the right tools and information, can wolves and farmers live together?”…

Woodlice require damp corners to survive, but their strategy for seeking them out is rather random. Should they find themselves somewhere too dry, they simply increase their rate of movement in any direction, which raises the odds they will stumble upon somewhere moister. In suitable habitats, they simply move less. Such a non-directional behavioural response to a stimulus is called a kinesis. It can be contrasted with a taxis, whereby an animal actively moves towards or away from a stimulus such as light.…

National survey Help ARC monitor UK species by taking part in the National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme. narrs.org.uk Froglife training Take a short course related to amphibians and reptiles at any level, from beginner to experienced naturalist. bit.ly/Froglifetraining Sefton volunteer From beach cleans to counting toads, register online and make a valuable contribution to this area’s coastline and countryside. bit.ly/Seftoncoast…

“Horse chestnuts are easily recognised and much loved. Sadly though, this species is under threat. It’s susceptible to fungal diseases, and a lot of horse chestnuts may also be seen turning brown early, often due to the larvae of the horse-chestnut leaf miner moth. If this wasn’t enough, horse chestnuts are cut down to make way for development or to reduce upkeep costs.” Karen Hornigold is a Woodland Trust conservation advisor. See the WT Tree Charter at bit.ly/2IgtsAq…