Noise from ships stresses whales nearby, researchers have shown. Ships’ propellers emit sound in the same frequency range that some whales use for communicating, and previous studies have shown the whales change their calling patterns in noisy places. Now, researchers have measured stress hormones in whale faeces, and found they rose with the density of […]
Ladybird decline driven by ‘invading’ harlequin
Ladybirds native to the UK and other European countries are declining fast as the invasive harlequin species spreads, scientists have shown. Researchers found that seven out of the eight native British species they studied have declined, with issues also identified in Belgium and Switzerland. The harlequin is an Asian species brought in for pest control, […]
SeaWorld sued over ‘enslaved’ killer whales
Five killer whales have been named as plaintiffs in a lawsuit which argues they deserve the same constitutional protection from slavery as humans. A US judge is considering a complaint by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ (Peta) against SeaWorld. It is reportedly the first time a US court has heard legal arguments over […]
Coalition Against Duck Shooting
After 25 years of facing the duck hunters of Victoria, Australia, The Coalition Against Duck Shooting, led by Laurie Levy, return to the waters of Lake Buloke in March of 2011. Volunteers journey from around Australia during the hunting season to protect and rescue injured waterbirds, as well as document and expose the illegal slaughter […]
I can’t believe it. The book’s wrong again.
I was once deep in the Libyan desert visiting a government farm when four common crane flew up out of a field. Not again. It was just like the Dartford warblers I saw at Yefren reservoir, north-west Libya, weeks before. The trusted book which everyone uses for guidance doesn’t have crane wintering within 800 kilometres […]
Roseate Spoonbill: Iconic Florida Wading Bird
The Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) is a rather bizarre wading bird of Florida and Central and South America. This heron-sized member of the Ibis family (Threskiamithidae) is easily recognized by it’s pink plumage and spatulate bill. Most often found swishing it’s bill from side to side as it wades in shallow pond edges and drainage […]
First assessment of Endangered Northern Rockhopper Penguins since 2011 oil spill
Almost a year since thousands of endangered penguins’ lives were threatened by an oil spill on Nightingale Island – part of Tristan da Cunha, a UK Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic – a survey to assess the birds’ population has taken place. The bulk carrier, MS Oliva, ran aground on 16 March last year, […]
Newfoundland Photo Trip
I returned from a splendid three week trip to a place that is affectionately referred to as “The Rock” in August 2011. After a few weeks driving around the beautiful province of Newfoundland I can see why as the rocky geology and rugged coastlines aptly earn their nickname. The landscape also creates perfect habitat for […]