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…
Evolutionary ‘trap’ leading young sea turtles to ingest plastic, study says
Researchers find fragments in innards of species that have adapted to develop in open ocean, which has highly polluted areasYoung marine turtles are swallowing large quantities of plastic, with ocean pollution changing habitats that were once ideal for…
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…
Norfolk’s rediscovered ‘ghost ponds’ offer up trove of long-lost plants
Rewilding projects reveal rare species preserved in buried ancient wetlandsThe fertile land of Norfolk is home to a host of stately homes, rare wildlife and more ponds than any other county. Now, estates in the area are trying to hunt down ancient “gho…
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…
Baked barnacles, scorched cherries: the disastrous impact of heatwaves on plants and animals
More than a billion sea creatures across the Pacific north-west perished in this year’s heatwave. And it’s just a taste of what’s to comeWhen forecasts foreshadowed the Pacific north-west’s devastating heatwave at the end of June, marine biologist Chri…
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…