These fragile ecosystems are where the impacts of the climate crisis are often felt first, say expertsThe Ebro delta appears to be in robust health, to a casual observer. There is water gurgling in the canals and irrigation channels, and what appears t…
Readers reply: how can you prevent dogs jumping at children? How should I respond when it happens?
The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical conceptsWhenever we go walking in the countryside with our three-year-old, dogs approach…
Prince Harry should settle bird-shooting mystery in memoirs, say campaigners
Wildlife campaigners hope Harry will shed light on the killing of two of Britain’s rarest birds over Sandringham in 2007Wildlife campaigners have called on Prince Harry to use his forthcoming memoirs to help solve a 14-year mystery about the killing of…
Professional dog walkers in London sound alarm over curbs on numbers of pets
Four-dog limit on Hampstead Heath means up to 700 animals could miss daily exerciseWhen drizzle engulfs the northern edge of Hampstead Heath, the only people to be seen are dog walkers.Alex Marchant prefers it this way. On sunny weekends, he and most o…
How climate crisis made my British butterfly hunt a race against time
The naturalist Stephen Moss finally achieved his aim to see all 61 of the UK’s butterfly species. But those that thrive on the margins could vanish as temperatures riseIt was a long walk up the steep, rocky path, on an unexpectedly warm day – but well…
From wild herbs to feral pigs: should we manage invasive species by eating them?
It’s been called ‘invasivorism’. Is it an environmentally friendly diet or a feel-good distraction?For three decades, Phil Mather has harvested olives from feral trees around South Australia. Mather, a landscape gardener, began hand-picking the fruit a…
One man dead after hundreds of stings from Arizona bee swarm
Two people required hospital treatment after being stungLarge open hive thought to weigh 100lb found nearbyOne man died and two people required hospital treatment after they were stung “hundreds of times” by swarming bees near Tucson, Arizona this week…
Young country diary: consider the dunnock, the sparrow in disguise
East Suffolk: This unique bird with a sweet song is often mistaken for others – but not by meConsider the dunnock. This gentle, soft and feathery bird flits about unnoticed, unseen, tidying away the leftover seeds of other greedy birds. It camouflages …
Decimated by famine, Florida’s manatees face an uncertain future
2021 is already the deadliest year on record for Florida manatees. Scientists and activists are scrambling to avert further disasterOn a bright morning in July, a crowd gathered on a boat ramp in St Augustine, Florida, awaiting the arrival of a young m…
Sexy secret life of basking sharks uncovered in Hebrides
Scientists record fin-to-fin contact in gentle giants, most likely part of courtship, for first timeFin-to-fin synchronised swimming, thought likely to be part of courtship, has been seen in groups of basking sharks for the first time. Video cameras at…