Latest news with #naturalists
The Guardian
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Young nature writers appeal to all ages
I agree with Simon Barley that the Other lives obituaries lift our spirits (Letters, 24 June). So too does the monthly Young country diary. It's so good to know there are such enthusiastic and observant naturalists – and excellent writers – in the generations to SabbaghDefford, Worcestershire In Dining across the divide (22 June), Julian, 57, finds himself moving 'right' as he gets older and pays more taxes. There is no inevitability about this: I am 64 and the more taxes I pay, the more I'm aware of inequality, and move TaylorYork 'The 50 hottest books to read now', ran the web headline on your summer reading roundup (21 June). Wouldn't the 50 coolest books be more appropriate?James NyeEast Cowes, Isle of Wight Having your nose in a book is not always a good idea, Adrian Chiles (25 June). In 2002 in a Barcelona station, my husband left me to look for the left-luggage. When he came back, he asked where his rucksack was. It was a very good EvansRuthin, Denbighshire The welfare bill was opposed by many voters: listening to MPs and making changes isn't a major 'U-turn' (Report, 26 June), it is democracy at KarlsenWhitstable, Kent Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Beastly Britain by Karen R Jones review – how animals shaped British identity
When newts go a-wooing, sometime in the spring, their signature move is the handstand. Girl newts cluster round to watch, while the boy newts flip on to their creepily human hands and shake their tails in the air. The waggiest newt is the winner, although the actual act of love is a strictly no-contact sport. The male deposits a packet of sperm on an underwater leaf for the female to collect and insert into her own reproductive tract. The whole business is best thought of, says Karen R Jones, as a 'sexually charged game of pass-the-parcel'. This kind of anthropomorphising often strikes naturalists as unscientific or even downright distasteful. But Jones is an environmental historian and her methodology allows, indeed impels, her to start from the principle that Britain's human and animal populations are culturally entwined. Consequently, we cannot 'see' a fox, hedgehog or newt without bringing to it a rich stew of presumptions and fantasy, drawn from childhood picturebooks, out-of-date encyclopedias and, in my case, the 1970s TV classic Tales of the Riverbank, in which small critters say funny things in the West Country burr of . This pre-knowing can have a radical impact on the chances of a particular species flourishing or going under. Take hedgehogs, which, Jones tells us in this beautifully written book, have been in Britain for the last 15m years. They witnessed the extinction of the woolly mammoth and saw the first humans arrive in Europe. It was at this point that they started to pick up a reputation for general malevolence. Bandit-like, hedgehogs were reputed to sneak into human settlements at night and steal poultry eggs (true) and suck the udders of sleeping cows (almost certainly false). Their ability to munch on toxic toads without getting sick (true) and willingness to ferry any witch who had lost her broomstick (surely very uncomfortable) confirmed that hedgehogs had gone over to the dark side. No wonder that killing them counted as a public service: the records of one Cheshire village show 8,585 hedgehogs destroyed over a 35-year period in the late 1600s. How different from today, when the hedgehog routinely tops those 'Britain's favourite animal' polls. Now we build shelters for them in our gardens and worry about how they will fare when crossing the road. This radical shift of opinion, says Jones, can be traced back to one hugely popular book, Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle. Mrs Tiggy-Winkle is an industrious washerwoman who keeps her neighbours, including Peter Rabbit and his signature blue coat, spick and span. The influence of Potter's 1905 classic has been so enduring that, when a charity was set up in 1983 to care for injured hedgehogs, it was obvious what its name should be. These days, Tiggywinkles is the largest wildlife hospital in the world. Beastly Britain is full of stories like this, which take an everyday animal – newt, hedgehog, pigeon, sheep, flea – and map out both its physical life (a matter of burrows, breeding cycles and flight paths) as well as its cultural traces, which concern legend, loathing and desire. Often these two kinds of knowing collide in startling ways. Take sheep, which are mostly seen as 'white noise in the countryside', bland and bleating and only good for counting yourself to sleep. In fact, Jones reveals, they are crackingly clever, able to recognise the faces of up to 50 of their sheep-friends, not to mention their human guardians. The revelations keep on coming. For instance, that we are still living among dinosaurs. The next time a pigeon swoops down to steal a chip, take a close look at its scaly, reptilian feet. They are the legacy of the Archaeopteryx, a winged dinosaur the size of a raven, with a bony tail, flight feathers and an ability to glide over short distances. Less persuasive, though even more intriguing, is the possibility that a pod of plesiosaurs still bobs off the Devon and Cornwall coast. How else to account for the string of sightings of a giant grey sea snake, with a long neck, snakey head and vicious tusks? The rational part of us knows that this sea monster is likely to be a basking shark or a giant piece of flotsam. Our dreaming part longs for it to be a remnant from ancient times, what Jones calls a 'proximate peculiar', that refuses to quite come into view. Beastly Britain by Karen R Jones is published by Yale (£20). To support the Guardian, order your copy at Delivery charges may apply.
Forbes
28-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
5 Unforgettable Natural Wonders To Explore Across Hawaiʻi Island
Hawaiʻi Island is the largest island in the United States. While each of the eight main Hawaiian islands are rife with natural beauty, the archipelago's youngest landmass offers plenty of room to roam, with more than 10,000 square kilometers of captivating landscapes to explore. During a trip, visitors can experience a diverse array of destinations all across the island, with black sand beaches, rushing waterfalls and lush rainforests all found within its boundaries—and each one plays host to a fascinating array of flora and fauna. From sea turtles to bats to a whole host of both native and introduced birds, these scenic natural wonders are perfect for a wildlife-filled foray into the pristine beauty of Hawaiʻi Island. The ʻiʻiwi is one of several endemic Hawaiian bird species that call Hakalau Forest National ... More Wildlife Refuge home. It may not be as easily accessible as other Hawaiʻi Island parks, but those who book a guided tour of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge will be richly rewarded with an opportunity to spot some of the region's most elusive avifauna. Federally protected since 1985, this crucial preserve has earned widespread recognition with naturalists thanks to its high-quality montane rainforest habitats, with a wealth of native birds, reptiles and insects flourishing within the region. The ʻakiapōlāʻau, Hawaiʻi ʻakepa and nēnē are just a few of the indigenous avian species that might make an appearance for birders, while one of the archipelago's few native mammals—the Hawaiian hoary bat—calls the park home as well. Hilo is the largest city on the island of Hawaiʻi. During a trip to Hilo, visitors can explore charming tourist destinations spanning from the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center to the downtown Liliʻuokalani Gardens—and to sweeten the deal, there's an oasis of tranquility just west of the city in the form of Wailuku River State Park. As the name implies, this scenic preserve offers magnificent views of the Wailuku River—the longest on the island—but the crown jewel of the park is most certainly Rainbow Falls. Standing at a height of roughly 24 meters, this eye-catching natural feature is named for its colorful display that can be seen by hikers on sunny mornings. Hawaiʻi is home to five different sea turtle species. Located in the southern reaches of the island, Punaluʻu Beach sets itself apart from other coastal destinations thanks to its jet-black sand, a visually-stunning feature that stems from the constant volcanic activity that occurs nearby. Upon arrival, visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the shoreline and bask in the beauty of the many palm trees, while tiny fish and crustaceans can be found thriving within its natural rock pools—but there's one animal in particular that draws visitors to Punaluʻu Beach in droves. Sea turtles are a common sight at the water's edge, with both green and hawksbill varieties found lounging along the sand from morning to dusk. Hawai'i Island is both the largest and youngest of the major Hawaiian islands. Downtown Kailua-Kona plays host to a wealth of eye-catching introduced animals like the common waxbill, saffron finch and yellow-billed cardinal, but for those in search of indigenous species, Honua'ula Forest Reserve is just a short drive away. There are close to 3,450 hectares of verdant forest to explore across the site, with vast swathes of wet ʻōhiʻa forest and mesic koa forest that are brimming with all sorts of native plants. During a hike, visitors can encounter endemic vegetation like the Kokia drynarioides, while visiting birders should keep their eyes peeled for the 'io, a fearsome hawk that's now confined solely to Hawaiʻi Island. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was established in 1916. While Hawaiʻi has long earned acclaim for its lush landscapes, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park offers a starkly different perspective on the archipelago, with craggy, sun-baked lava fields found all within its boundaries. There are plenty of hiking opportunities to be found within the park, with sites like the Nāhuku Lava Tube and Thurston Lava Tube providing a fascinating perspective on the physical composition of the island—and as an added bonus, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a top spot for birdwatching as well. During a stroll along the 1.9-kilometer Kīpukapuaulu loop trail, explorers can spot native species like the ʻiʻiwi and ʻapapane alongside colorful introduced birds like the common pheasant and warbling white-eye.
