7 nature stories that happened this week
Chris Hitchings
BBC Springwatch Digital Team
Hello! Here's what has been happening this week.
1. A new organisation has been set up to save our species
A partnership between several of the UK's biggest nature organisations has been set up to try to save some of England's most endangered species. Back From The Brink will focus on saving at risk wildlife across England, pulling together some of the country's biggest conservation organisations in what Natural England has referred to as a "truly groundbreaking” project. Work has already started to secure the future of pine marten, black-tailed godwits and the UK's most threatened resident bird - the willow tit. You can find out more about Back From The Brink at its website.
2. Miracle for Miracle
After being rescued from under a one-tonne rock, Miracle the seal is said to be making a good recovery. The grey seal was originally found trapped under ballast at Aberavon beach near Port Talbot, Wales, and after being rescued she was moved by the RSPCA to its West Hatch wildlife centre near Taunton. It's hoped she'll be released back into the wild in the near future - get well soon Miracle!
3. If you go down to the woods today...
There's few things better in life than going to the forest, listening to the wind play in the trees, and simply enjoying the sights, smells and sounds of the woods. Its an idea that has been around for thousands of years, but only now are people capitalising on the trend as a form of relaxation – called Forest Bathing.
It's a subject we've talked about frequently on The Watches, and now people have been sharing their experiences with BBC Radio 5Live. From lowering blood pressure to helping with PTSD, forest bathing is said to be the cure for many ails. Want to know more, we wrote about the popularity of forest bathing earlier this year.
4. Buzz off: pesticides may be causing bees to loose their buzz
Pesticides could cause bumblebees to lose their buzz, according to a study by Stirling University researchers. They found that pesticide use, at doses similar to those used in agriculture, interfered with the type of vibrations bees produce while collecting pollen.
5. Former Team GB athlete reveals how nature has helped her recovery from injury
Tesni Ward had her career cut short by injury but the time away from training allowed her to develop into a professional wildlife photographer. She now captures photos of British wildlife instead of training for medals.
6. "Oscar, Tango, Tango, Echo, Romeo to Air Traffic Control" - Otter chaos at Scottish airport
Earlier this week Tiree Airport tweeted that an otter was captured running across the apron of its runway.
Sound said it looked as if it was sprainting to catch a flight, but the airport didn't say if the otter put a holt to flights...
(We'll stop with the puns now!)
7. And finally... escargatoire spotted on Islay
This collection of snails was photographed on the Scottish Island. It's believed they were aestivating - a process where by they conserve moisture by sealing themselves to a surface - a post in this case. Wondering what an escargatoire is? It's the collective noun for a group of snails – obviously!
