Social Nesting, sex and sacrifice
It is, if you have somehow not noticed, Valentine’s day, which means it is time to talk about love. When it comes to love, human beings can be rather boring. Chocolates, flowers, a nice restaurant — in the grand scheme of the animal kingdom, it is all rather vanilla. Helpfully, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has shared some information about how other species ‘get it on’. Informational purposes only. Do not attempt any of this at home.
If you are a male orb weaver spider, life is difficult. You are much smaller than the females, and yet biology drives you to mate with one. You approach her slowly, with delicate taps of the web to gauge interest. If this upsets her, you will be torn to pieces and eaten.
But if it doesn’t, you can mate with her. After which, you will be torn to pieces and eaten. Mother needs the nutrients for her offspring, which may number between dozens and hundreds of hatchlings. Bad luck chap.
You might wish for the sweet relief of death if you have been mating up to 100 times a day, which is apparently the upper limit for the jaguars Gishkopi (‘Brave’) and Ksuru (‘Lightning’). Currently under observation in the wild by WWF Peru, the pair courted for a week, which involved lots of roaring, growling and nasal snuffling. So far, no cubs have been seen, but we hold out hope.
Dolphins are similar to humans in lots of ways. When the time comes for the Amazon river dolphins to pair up, gifts are involved. Petrol-station carnations and a box of Cadbury Roses are replaced by sticks, rocks and, apparently a live turtle. I would like a turtle as a gift, but my partner won’t allow me to have one. I digress.
Slightly closer to home is the long-tailed tit. They behave just as sweetly as they look, the WWF reassures. After a period of socialising over winter, it is around today that they pair off to raise some young. Nests can take up to three weeks to make, and between 6-8 eggs are usually laid. When hatching time comes, it’s not just the parents who tend to the young, but neighbours and relatives too. As they say, it takes a whole village to raise a family.
New Library, same Hero
The many folks of London have been aware of the stellar establishment that is The Hero in Maida Vale for some time. It truly is one of London’s best pubs; David Ellis of The Standard said it might be the most beautiful in the world. Our head of digital content, Rosie Paterson, said: 'It's great. The seats are slightly too small so you wiggle around a lot, but there's a great atmosphere and the live music is really good fun/well chosen.'
Recently announced is the opening of The Library on the pub’s second floor, which aims to re-create ‘the timeless ambience of an old-world club’, with nice cocktails, vinyl DJs and plenty of good books. We’re excited to check it out.
Counting the birds
Keep your eyes peeled for a goldfinch on your morning or afternoon walk.
Now is the time to head outdoors and watch the birds, says the GWCT, as it the latest edition of the Big Farmland Bird Count is underway. Launched last week by Adam Henson, the initiative asks the public to help wildlife organisations track and analyse bird populations, so that they can understand which species need our help and where. After all, farmland bird populations have already declined by 63% in the past 50 years. For more information and to get involved, click here.
London's most cunning
When it comes to the perfect blend of town and country, perhaps few are better in their fields (excuse the pun) than Patrick Galbraith. He’s written a wonderful piece on the other animal that loves to inhabit both environs, the fox. Click the image to have a read.
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I've seen the light: How a dark and gloomy kitchen in the Scottish Borders was reconfigured for 21st century livingWhen a family home passed to a new generation, Guild Anderson was asked to create a kitchen suited to modern living.
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Once threatened with extinction, the peregrine falcon has made a remarkable comebackIn the latest instalment of Mark Cocker's 'Winging it' column, he looks at the peregrine, a bird of prey with astonishing speed and super strength.
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Once threatened with extinction, the peregrine falcon has made a remarkable comeback
In the latest instalment of Mark Cocker's 'Winging it' column, he looks at the peregrine, a bird of prey with astonishing speed and super strength.
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I lichen the look of you: A rare lichen-covered fingerpost that's been frozen in time and donated to the Natural History MuseumA fingerpost, covered in 12 different species of lichen, has been donated to the Natural History Museum by Exmoor National Park — but they had some trouble getting it there.
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Marcus Janssen: The man behind Schöffel on Chelsea Lifejackets, bagging a 'MacNab' and recognising the best of the British countrysideMarcus Janssen of Schöffel joins the Country Life podcast.
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Beyond Stonehenge: The ancient moorland megaliths and grand stone rings that you can enjoy without the tourist hordesWith their potent blend of wild looks and mystery, Britain’s ancient sites have an enduring magnetism — and there are far more of them than you might imagine.
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Chatsworth's winning £4 million Lottery ticket means it can restore beloved water featureThe Chatsworth House Trust will use the money from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore their Cascade — beloved by Alan Titchmarsh.
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Hope from the ashes: This new generation of ash trees is more resistant to diebackWhen ash dieback first arrived in Britain, in 2012, an emergency COBRA meeting was formed. The disease has since spread rampantly across the countryside, but there is still hope.
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Listen up puffins, peregrines and seal pups — Big Brother is watching youThe Wildlife Trusts have installed more than 25 video cameras around the country that live stream activity from barn owl nests to popular puffin sites.
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The golden eagle: One of the Great British public's favourite birds of prey — but devilishly tricky to identifyWe are often so keen to encounter this animal that ambition overrides the accuracy of our observations, writes Mark Cocker.
