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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'Monolithic, multi-layered and quite, quite magnificent. This was love at first bite': Tom Parker Bowles on his lifelong love affair with lasagneAn upwardly mobile spaghetti Bolognese, lasagne al forno, with oozing béchamel and layered meaty magnificence, is a bona fide comfort classic, declares Tom Parker Bowles.
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Country houses, cream teas and Baywatch: Country Life Quiz of the Day, April 24, 2025Thursday's Quiz of the Day asks exactly how popular Baywatch became.
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In all its glory: One of Britain’s most striking moth species could be making a comebackThe Kentish glory moth has been absent from England and Wales for around 50 years.
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The birds of urban paradise: How to get twitching without leaving the cityYou don't need to leave the concrete jungle to spot some rare and interesting birds. Here's a handy guide to birdspotting in Britain's towns and cities.
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Food with a pinch of salt: The crops we can harvest from the seaFilling, rewarding and nutritious, vegetables and plants grown in saline environments — whether by accident or design — have plenty of potential. Illustration by Alan Baker.
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White-tailed eagles could soon soar free in southern EnglandNatural England is considering licensing the release of the raptors in Exmoor National Park — and the threat to pets and livestock is considered to be low.
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Britain's whale boom and and the predator that's far scarier than a great white shark, with wildlife cinematographer Dan AbbottThe wildlife cinematographer Dan Abbott joins us on the Country Life Podcast.
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'They are inclined to bite and spray acid to protect territory': Meet the feisty red wood ant -
The King wants YOU: His Majesty's call-to-arms for under-35s across BritainThe King’s Foundation has launched its ‘35 under 35’ initiative — a UK-wide search for ‘the next generation of exceptional makers and changemakers’ who want to work holistically with Nature.
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'A big opportunity for a small, crowded and beautiful country': Fiona Reynolds on how the Land Use Framework can make Britain betterThe Government’s Land Use Framework should be viewed as an opportunity to be smarter with our land, but conflicts need to be resolved along the way says Fiona Reynolds, chair of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission.
