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In what experts have called a ‘surprising act of selflessness’, some wasp colonies lend their spare workers to babysit in neighbouring nests, a study has found. Researchers from the UK studied some 20,000 baby Neotropical paper wasps and their carers from 91 different colonies in Panama, including near the canal. Paper wasps are so-named for … Read more
Will YOU take on Prince Charles’s half-term nature challenge? Royal sets inquisitive youngsters six tasks from spotting birds to planting seeds during school break Prince of Wales has encouraged kids to search for ‘common shapes’ in nature Daily tasks will be set via Charles’ Clarence House Instagram page next week Charles said he was ‘frustrated’ at … Read more
When migrating birds get lost, they can ‘read’ the signature of the Earth’s magnetic field well enough to find their way once again, a study has revealed. Researchers from the UK exposed Eurasian reed warblers to a fake magnetic signature — thousands of miles from their usual path — to see how they would react. Despite … Read more
An outdoorsman is dedicating his time in lockdown to helping tackle mental health issues in the U.S by taking people on amazing adventures in nature. When the pandemic first struck, Tristan Hamm, based in Los Angeles, California, wanted to find ways to give hope to those strapped down in fear, worrying about what the future … Read more
Florals have always been a mainstay of our homes. They are reassuringly familiar, providing boldness through their colour and offering some much-needed cheer, given our habitually grey climate. But botanicals offer just as striking a look, whether immortalised in fabric, wallpaper, etched on glass, or woven into carpet, and the look is much more romantic. … Read more
Global increases in animal movement due to human activity have averaged 70 per cent in the last 40 years, a new study reveals. Researchers from the University of Sydney in Australia analysed 208 separate studies on 167 animal species published since the early 1980s to track animal movement. Animals looked at ranged from the sleepy … Read more
Heartbreaking images show herring gull struggling to fly with plastic bag wrapped around its feet and body over Cheshire nature reserve Distressing images were captured by a walker over Parkgate reserve in Cheshire Pictures show herring gull with plastic bag engulfing legs and most of its body RSPCA says it received an estimated 5,000 calls … Read more
Can digital sights and sounds of the countryside boost your mood? Study to investigate impact of ‘virtual nature experiences’ on wellbeing Volunteers listen to or watch different virtual natural environments for the study They then record their emotional reaction, thoughts and feelings while watching The goal is to understand whether virtual nature can also boost … Read more
Spitting cobra species first evolved the ability to spray venom from their fangs in order to defend themselves — rather than to attack prey — a study has found. Researchers from Wales found that instantly painful venoms these snakes spit was evolved from different components not once, but on three separate occasions. The venom — which … Read more
Bees are being kept awake at night by pesticides used to protect crops from insects — and this is lowering their survival rates, a study has warned. Researchers from Bristol warned that — just like us humans — the vital pollinators need a good night’s rest in order to function properly. However, exposure to so-called … Read more