Latest news with #ChrisHamilton
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
The tarantula invasion has begun – here's where you'll need to watch your step
Tens of thousands of tarantulas are starting to make their way above ground, in search of fuzzy love. But while that sounds like an arachnophobe's worst nightmare, scientists say it's not as scary as you might think. The annual mating season for the world's largest spiders is already under way in the Southwest, as high spring temperatures and moisture drive the hungry creatures out of their underground burrows. Texas is in full-flung mating season, the Austin American-Statesman reports, with tarantulas popping up in South Texas grasslands and deserts. 'It's kind of shocking to people that may have never experienced it because most have not seen a tarantula before — even if they have lived in that area most of their life (they're pretty secretive),' University of Idaho Associate Professor Dr. Chris Hamilton told The Independent. Starting in October and through November, California, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico can also expect an influx of eight-legged friends. In Colorado, where tarantulas are a major attraction, the municipality of La Junta tells people to try to see them an hour before dusk during mid-September to October around the Comanche National Grassland. Sometimes people catch them trekking across roads and highways. 'We've counted as many as 50 [tarantulas] in an hour and a half. That's pretty substantial,' Lyn Neve, a National Forest Service employee, told Denver 7 last year. But while you might see a so-called 'clutter' of tarantulas in these states, particularly near grasslands, it won't come close to the Fifties cult film 'Tarantula.' which saw a house-sized arachnid terrorize an Arizona town. Of the 29 tarantula species in the U.S., most only reach around 4.5 inches in diameter. And those who appear above ground are normally males as female tarantulas are 'basically homebodies,' says the National Park Service. Males may live as many as 10 years, but females can live for up to a quarter of a century. For the males, the journey to find a mate is no picnic. While they typically only travel about a mile to a female's burrow in that time many are eaten by snakes, owls or foxes, or run over by cars. Others will die of exhaustion or the inability to shed their skin. 'It makes me feel bad for the little dudes,' Cristi Painter, a wildlife biologist with the National Forest Service, also told Denver 7. 'You know, he just wants a girlfriend and hopefully one that doesn't eat him. And if she doesn't, he's going to die anyway.' If you do want to see the spiders, the best time to see them in summer is in the middle of the night. But, just don't get too close: Tarantulas are not known to bite, but it doesn't mean that they can't. Their bite is comparable to a bee sting which usually only has a mild effect on humans, although some people may have a more severe allergic reaction. 'They can be grumpy when handled roughly, but if they bite, it's typically from being provoked,' Wizzie Brown, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomology specialist, explained in a statement. 'So, look at them and appreciate them because they are beneficial. But people shouldn't handle tarantulas in the wild.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
The tarantula invasion has begun! Here's where you'll need to watch your step
Tens of thousands of tarantulas are starting to make their way above ground, in search of fuzzy love. But while that sounds like an arachnophobe's worst nightmare, scientists say it's not as scary as you might think. The annual mating season for the world's largest spiders is already under way in the Southwest, as high spring temperatures and moisture drive the hungry creatures out of their underground burrows. Texas is in full-flung mating season, the Austin American-Statesman reports, with tarantulas popping up in South Texas grasslands and deserts. 'It's kind of shocking to people that may have never experienced it because most have not seen a tarantula before — even if they have lived in that area most of their life (they're pretty secretive),' University of Idaho Associate Professor Dr. Chris Hamilton told The Independent. Starting in October and through November, California, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico can also expect an influx of eight-legged friends. In Colorado, where tarantulas are a major attraction, the municipality of La Junta tells people to try to see them an hour before dusk during mid-September to October around the Comanche National Grassland. Sometimes people catch them trekking across roads and highways. 'We've counted as many as 50 [tarantulas] in an hour and a half. That's pretty substantial,' Lyn Neve, a National Forest Service employee, told Denver 7 last year. But while you might see a so-called 'clutter' of tarantulas in these states, particularly near grasslands, it won't come close to the Fifties cult film 'Tarantula.' which saw a house-sized arachnid terrorize an Arizona town. Of the 29 tarantula species in the U.S., most only reach around 4.5 inches in diameter. And those who appear above ground are normally males as female tarantulas are 'basically homebodies,' says the National Park Service. Males may live as many as 10 years, but females can live for up to a quarter of a century. For the males, the journey to find a mate is no picnic. While they typically only travel about a mile to a female's burrow in that time many are eaten by snakes, owls or foxes, or run over by cars. Others will die of exhaustion or the inability to shed their skin. 'It makes me feel bad for the little dudes,' Cristi Painter, a wildlife biologist with the National Forest Service, also told Denver 7. 'You know, he just wants a girlfriend and hopefully one that doesn't eat him. And if she doesn't, he's going to die anyway.' If you do want to see the spiders, the best time to see them in summer is in the middle of the night. But, just don't get too close: Tarantulas are not known to bite, but it doesn't mean that they can't. Their bite is comparable to a bee sting which usually only has a mild effect on humans, although some people may have a more severe allergic reaction. 'They can be grumpy when handled roughly, but if they bite, it's typically from being provoked,' Wizzie Brown, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomology specialist, explained in a statement. 'So, look at them and appreciate them because they are beneficial. But people shouldn't handle tarantulas in the wild.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Dunfermline Athletic v Stirling Albion
Update: Date: 90'+5 Title: Post Content: Match ends, Dunfermline Athletic 2, Stirling Albion 0. Update: Date: 90'+5 Title: Full Time Content: Second Half ends, Dunfermline Athletic 2, Stirling Albion 0. Update: Date: 90'+4 Title: Post Content: Goal! Dunfermline Athletic 2, Stirling Albion 0. Rory Macleod (Dunfermline Athletic) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner. Update: Date: 90'+3 Title: Post Content: Penalty Dunfermline Athletic. Chris Hamilton draws a foul in the penalty area. Update: Date: 90'+3 Title: Post Content: Penalty conceded by Callum Crane (Stirling Albion) after a foul in the penalty area. Update: Date: 90'+1 Title: Post Content: Corner,Dunfermline Athletic. Conceded by Kyle Banner. Update: Date: 90'+1 Title: Post Content: Keith Bray (Dunfermline Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Update: Date: 90'+1 Title: Post Content: Foul by Ross Cunningham (Stirling Albion). Update: Date: 90' Title: Post Content: Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. Update: Date: 86' Title: Booking Content: Callum Crane (Stirling Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Update: Date: 86' Title: Post Content: Kane Ritchie-Hosler (Dunfermline Athletic) wins a free kick on the right wing. Update: Date: 86' Title: Post Content: Foul by Callum Crane (Stirling Albion). Update: Date: 85' Title: Booking Content: Kane Thomson (Stirling Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Update: Date: 85' Title: Post Content: Kieran Ngwenya (Dunfermline Athletic) wins a free kick on the left wing. Update: Date: 85' Title: Post Content: Foul by Kane Thomson (Stirling Albion). Update: Date: 84' Title: Post Content: Attempt missed. Kane Ritchie-Hosler (Dunfermline Athletic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Update: Date: 82' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, Dunfermline Athletic. Kieran Ngwenya replaces Ewan Otoo. Update: Date: 82' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, Dunfermline Athletic. Chris Hamilton replaces Connor Young. Update: Date: 80' Title: Booking Content: Kyle Banner (Stirling Albion) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Update: Date: 80' Title: Post Content: John Tod (Dunfermline Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Bagshot residents angry at traffic light upgrade diversion
Residents in a Surrey village are "up in arms" and concerned for the safety of their children over temporary roadworks to replace a set of traffic Highways has been upgrading the lights on the A30 at the junction with Yaverland Drive, in Bagshot Matters residents' association said the diversion now in place until 30 June was dangerous and would cause County Council (SCC) said the diversion route would still allow traffic to flow along the A30 and thanked residents for their patience while the "essential work" was carried out. A one-way system has been put in place from the entrance of Yaverland Drive around to Church Drive can only be accessed by northbound traffic and there is no right-turn entry for southbound road should be followed around to Church Road to join the northbound carriageway of the Hamilton, founder of Bagshot Matters, said: "All our members are up in arms, they're distressed because they didn't receive notification."Of 1,011 members, only 13 report having seen a letter that Surrey County Council claims to have issued about a week ago."Three weeks is a long time, especially for people taking their children to and from school, people trying to get to work, people expecting deliveries, and for the church which may have funerals during the course of this." Mary Wilson, a resident and local Scout leader, said: "My concern is the safety of the children being dropped off and collected for Scouts and other youth clubs."With the extra traffic coming up and down these roads it could cause problems with the children coming in and out of their meeting places."She said she was also worried about pets and children playing outside during periods of increased Matt Furniss, cabinet member for highways, transport and economic growth at SCC, said the works were part of a £300m project to improve the county's roads and pavements."Local residents received a letter outlining the works and diversion routes at the end of May," he said."New, clearer advanced warning signs are also now in situ and we are reminding residents and others travelling in the area via our Surrey Highways social media channels."We thank residents for their patience while we carry out these essential works and apologise for any inconvenience caused."
The Courier
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Dunfermline Athletic poised to agree new deal with midfielder as 3 youngsters sign extensions
Dunfermline are poised to agree a new deal with midfielder Chris Hamilton. The former Hearts youngster was one of six players the Pars announced they were in dialogue with following the end of the season. The 23-year-old was joined by Victor Wanyama, Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Josh Cooper, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen and Lewis McCann in having discussions with the East End Park outfit. And it is understood the two parties are close to an agreement in Hamilton's case. The Scotland U/21 cap has proven a committed and versatile performer for Dunfermline since joining in 2022 following a successful loan stint from Hearts at Arbroath. A boyhood Pars fan, he has racked up 119 appearances for the club he supported. That includes in six of Neil Lennon's seven games in charge. With Dunfermline holding an option to extend Chilokoa-Mullen's contract, he is also expected to be part of the Pars squad next term, whilst the likely re-signing of Cooper would be popular with supporters. Meanwhile, Dunfermline have announced that three more promising youngsters have put pen to paper on new contracts. The news follows the deal for Lucas Fyfe. Jake Sutherland, the younger brother of Pars striker Taylor, as well as Liam Hoggan and Ewan McLeod have committed their futures to the East End Park club. Sutherland, 18, finished top scorer on loan at Cowdenbeath this season with 16 goals in 29 appearances. He has agreed a two-year extension, whilst Hoggan, 18, and McLeod, 19, have both signed on for one more year. The trio caught the eye of watching first-team manager Lennon as they helped the club win the SPFL Reserve Cup with victory over Kilmarnock last month. 'I'm very delighted,' said Sutherland. 'It's great to sign a new deal after being an apprentice; it's the one you want. 'So, I'm delighted to sign a two-year deal. 'Of course, the ambition for myself is to be playing first-team football here. If not, going out at a higher level on loan. 'I'll see where pre-season takes me. I'll hopefully do well there and make a couple of appearances. 'It was very good at Cowdenbeath. It was a wee bit rocky to being with; I wasn't playing as much. 'But as soon as I started playing and scoring goals, I got 90 minutes most games and I kicked on playing men's football. It was really good. 'You just want to be playing minutes and if you're scoring it's a bonus. It's about improving and getting better.'
