'Clouds of Painted Ladies' spotted in bumper year for butterflies
The results of this summer's Big Butterfly Count are in — and the numbers are a hugely-welcome shot in the arm for butterfly fans in Britain.
There was a huge rise in many different species, with peacock butterflies up 235% on last year, marbled whites up 264% and red admirals up 138%. The under-threat small tortoiseshell enjoyed its best summer in five years, with around 70,000 spotted.
The biggest winners of all, however, were the painted lady butterflies. 30 times more emerged than normal this year, with over half a million recorded. That's 30 times more than normal, in an emergence described as a 'once-in-a-decade' event.
Butterfly conservationist Dr Zoe Randle told the BBC that there were 'clouds of painted ladies' to be seen — great news not just for the butterflies themselves, but also for the hedgehogs and dragonflies which rely upon them as a food source.
Reintroduction of ponds could bring ancient seeds back to life
A team of conservationists and University College London are working to restore Britain's ponds.
They hope the project will help encourage wildlife, such as the great crested newt, bees, hoverflies and dragonflies.
It is also anticipated that the reintroduction of ponds will regerminate seeds that have lied dormant for hundreds of years, thanks to the warmth and light the new surroundings will bring.
Research reveals ancient man drank milk
Researchers taking samples from Neolithic remains from British sites have discovered the earliest evidence of milk consumption in humans.
The team, led by archaeologists at the University of York, took dental plaque samples from seven individuals who lived around 6,000 years ago.
The remains from all three sites showed the presence of milk proteins from cows, sheep or goats, suggesting people were exploiting multiple species for dairy products.
On this day...
Daniel Defoe was born in London on 13 September, 1660. The British novelist's most famous work, Robinson Crusoe, is second only to the Bible in its number of translations.
Badger cull is extended to 11 new areas across England
The badger cull brought in to try and quell the rise in bovine TB has been expanded to 11 new areas in England, including Bristol, Cheshire, Devon, Cornwall, Staffordshire, Dorset, Herefordshire and Wiltshire.
Natural England has approved the extension as part of government efforts to control tuberculosis in cattle, but those opposed to the cull say the practice is 'ineffective and inhumane'.
The government agency has also authorised licence holders to resume operations in 29 existing areas.
77-year-old British woman is oldest person to sail around world
Jeanne Socrates, 77, has become the oldest person to sail around the world, non-stop and unassisted.
The former maths teacher from Hampshire took 320 days to complete her voyage, landing in Victoria, Canada, earlier this month.
'If you have your health, then live your life. These chances aren’t there for ever,' she said.
And finally... Feline in need of a break?
If you've ever felt guilty for leaving your feline friend at a cattery, reserving them a room at Essex's Lawlor Cat Hotel should put your mind at rest.
https://www.facebook.com/lawlorcathotel/videos/1547234921973298/
The luxurious setting boats 23 suites, featuring floor to ceiling windows, plush sofas and beds. Plus there's an impressive menu offering monk fish, tiger prawns and even beluga caviar.
If your kitty is in need of a makeover, the hotel spa lists a range of grooming services, including dematting and clips. And for those based further afield, a limo service can ferry your cat to and from the countryside accommodation, with 24-hour CCTV giving you complete peace of mind. Purrfect.
The little tern has just enjoyed its most successful season in almost 30 years
The little tern has been in serious decline, but 2019 has seen a welcome boost for the species.
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Game, set, match: 12 of the world’s most beautiful tennis courtsFrom Italy to Indonesia, when it comes to hotel amenities, a picturesque tennis court will always trump a 24-hour gym. So, before you book your next holiday, take a look at our pick of the 12 best.
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Five frankly enormous mansions, including one with its own private swimming lake, as seen in Country LifeSometimes bigger really is better.
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The brilliant tractor tribute to the NHS from a group of Warwickshire farmersPeople around Britain have been paying tribute to the efforts of our NHS workers at the time of the coronavirus pandemic — but few have been as creative and clever as this one.
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London's iconic red bus at risk and 6,000 year old chewing gum gives clues into our DNA historyCuts to industry subsidies and an increase in fares has left bus use at its lowest point ever, while DNA extracted from ancient 'chewing gum' allows scientists to decipher the genetic code of a Stone Age woman.
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90-million-year-old 'swimming dinosaur' skeleton found by dogs out walking in Somerset, and the nonchalant moths who don't bother fleeing enemiesA superbly intact dinosaur skeleton — described as being 'museum quality' — has been discovered on a beach in Somerset.
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Battle to ban 4x4s from the idyllic Lake District spot bequeathed by Beatrix Potter, eagle fights octopus and the 'snail's pace' climate talksThis morning we look at Little Langdale's fight for peace, reflect on the climate change talks in Madrid and discover the soundtrack for Brexit.
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Country Life Today: How Greta Thunberg shifted the dial on climate change — and the backlash shows just how muchThis morning we ponder whether Greta Thunberg is the Joan of Arc for the environmental movement, look at a key election — one from 19 years ago — and ponder the marvel of 'dad tidying'.
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Country Life Today: Great news for those who love our great country pubs — the years of decline are overThere is a great sign of health in the pub industry, we look back at Edward VIII's abdication message and fret about Greenland's melting ice.
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Country Life Today: Spain accused of being 'a deplorable choice' for UN climate conferenceA no-holds-barred assault on the Spanish fishing industry, Banksy raising awareness of the homeless and the woes of the Christmas jumper are in today's news round-up.
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Country Life Today: 'This is perhaps the ultimate wake-up call from the uncontrolled experiment humanity is unleashing on the world’s oceans'In today's round up, we examine why oxygen loss is putting oceans at risk, discover that action to cut air pollution brings almost immediate benefits to human health and find out which bird's arrival marks the start of winter in Gloucestershire.
