Meet Britain’s sleepiest and most charming little creature HIDDEN WYCOMBE
Christmas special: 12 Days of Wildlife Wild Times
School nature with highlights of winter species Photography
Dive into our Christmas nature crossword BONUS
James Young Head of Science & Chemistry Interview
The birds of summer have flown, and the earth sleeps under a blanket of snow Our grounds are greyer, the air is biting cold We retreat to the warmth of the indoors, escaping the elements, the bleak and beautiful natural world
Here’s a Christmas gift with the wonders of the wild. Now go - be boldopen your door to nature
Editor-in-Chief
Fiona L
You’re likely to spot a partridge this December, but unlikely in a pear tree In the UK, we have two species of partridge: grey partridge and red-legged partridge. Both favour farmland, where they scurry across fields and along the bottom of hedgerows. Partridges are often found in a small group known as a covey.
Unlike grey squirrels, red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are native to the UK. Though they have adorable ear tufts all year, these become longer and more fluffy in winter after the autumn moult. Once widespread, red squirrels are now a rare sight across most of the UK, thriving mainly in places like Scotland and the Isle of Wight You’d be very lucky to spot three!
Turtle doves migrate to sub-Saharan Africa to spend their winter there, but their close relatives stay in the UK. Collared doves (Streptopelia decaocto) are commonly found all year round, and you may spot them without leaving your home In winter, listen out for their cooing calls
The robin (Erithacus rubecula) is among the few birds in the UK to regularly sing all winter It’s a festive favourite, featuring in plenty of Christmas decorations. While its melodious song is delightful to our ears, its purpose is far more serious. In winter, both male and female robins sing to defend their feeding territory, warning rival robins to stay away or face a fight
In the hive, honeybees (Apis mellifera) huddle together around their queen to keep her warm. By vibrating their wings, they generate heat to keep the hive cozy. They are fuelled by the honey they produced during the warmer months. On rare warmer days in winter, honeybees may leave the hive briefly to forage for winter flowers
In the winter, stoats (Mustela erminea) living in colder climates may turn almost completely white, save for a black tip to the tail. This is known as ‘ermine’ and the fur becomes extra dense to help them stay warm. They are found throughout the UK, although those that live in warmer parts may not change colour at all It has a distinctive bounding gait, arching its back as it dashes through fields hunting for voles and rabbits
Our swan population grows as two migratory species join our resident mute swans. Around 20,000 whooper swans flock to the UK from Iceland. They can be identified by their loud trumpeting calls which earned them the name whooper Bewick’s swans also arrive for the winter, though in fewer numbers They are slightly smaller than whooper swans, with less yellow on the beak.
Thousands of starlings gather together to perform one of nature’s most magical spectacles. In winter, starlings roost in flocks for warmth and safety, often in reed-beds. At dusk, they gather in huge numbers to swirl and dance in synchrony, known as a murmuration Then, suddenly, they will drop down to roost and the show is over
As Santa’s reindeer, deer have long been associated with the magic of Christmas There are six species of deer found in the UK Red deer and roe deer are native, with stags often carrying their impressive antlers through winter These antlers are shed in late winter to early spring, regrowing in time for next autumn
Brown hares were introduced to the British Isles most likely by the Romans, and they have naturalised here. As steppe animals, they are remarkably resilient, evolved to survive extremes of weather with little or no shelter In Scotland, the mountain hare turns its brown coat to white to blend in with the snowy terrain.
At least 28 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises have been spotted in UK waters. The most commonly spotted whale is the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata).
While summer is prime whale-watching season, the winter months can be rewarding too. The rarer humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) can be sporadically seen at any time of year, but it is most frequently observed during the winter in southern regions like the Isles of Scilly according to the Wildlife Trust.
Whales use echo-location to navigate, find prey, breed and socialise Their communication is low frequency and can travel thousands of miles!
Whales are semi-hemispheric sleepers, meaning one half of their brain sleeps at a time, while the other half stays awake.
Spotting a seal colony is one of Britain's great wildlife spectacles There are two species that live in the UK: the harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and grey seal (Halichoerus grypus). Seals can be found all along the UK coast, but the Norfolk coast is a popular breeding ground, plus several sites in Cornwall and the Scottish coast. Winter is pupping season for grey seals, so now is the perfect time to see seal mothers and pups napping on beaches, sand banks and rocky outcrops
Britain’s grey seals represent just under half the world's population and 95% of the European population!
One particular issue climate change has created is a water shortage. During the spring, in particular the crucial months of April and May where freshly planted crops require watering, there is often a drought in the villages near the Himalayas. This is due to the snowpacks becoming smaller and receding further up the mountains, so there is no steady source of water However, the weather has also become more extreme, and so in the summer months there are often flash floods, a stark comparison to the droughts during spring.
The innovative solution of ice stupas, artificial glaciers, has proven successful in helping the situation. By channelling river water downstream through underground pipes under the frost later, water can be diverted to where it is most needed, for example on the edges of an agricultural field. The final section of the pipe raises vertically, and, due to water pressure, the water spurts upwards like a fountain This is mainly done in September, where there is an abundance of river water that would otherwise be wasted, as there is little agricultural activity at that time.
In winter, when the temperature reaches below-freezing levels, the water freezes into a pyramid shape. Then, during spring, as temperatures start to increase and water is most valuable, the man-made glacier starts to melt These ice stupas can release millions of litres of water each year, and there are future hopes to plant trees around each to bring vegetation back to otherwise arid areas
Snowflakes are fascinating natural phenomena They are formed from ice crystals and are known for their unique and intricate patterns There are several categories of snowflakes, each distinct in shape and formation:
Stellar Dendrites
These are the classic snowflake shapes that most people imagine, with six symmetrical branches that radiate outward
Capped Columns
This type of snowflake starts as a column and develops into a capped column when plates form on each end of the column, giving it a capped appearance
Plates
These snowflakes are flat and have a hexagonal structure. They are often simple in design, with less intricate branching than stellar dendrites
Spatial Dendrites
A more complex form of dendrites, these snowflakes have an additional layer of branches, creating a more 3D appearance.
Of all the mammals, foxes are the ones which have the largest land distribution (apart from humans), ranging from the Arctic to cities They tend to be solitary animals, unless it is summer, where the parents will raise the children together in small family groups called skulks until they are independent in autumn.
There are many different types, ranging from the most common red fox to the small fennec fox native to the deserts of North Africa During winter, the biggest challenge for red foxes is not the cold, as they simply curl up in the open and keep warm with their thick winter coats; instead, it is to find food, where their sharp hearing comes in handy – a red fox can hear a mouse squeaking as far away as the length of a football field!
Needles
These snowflakes are long and thin, resembling tiny needles They typically form at slightly warmer temperatures compared to other types, around -6ºC
Columns
These appear as six-sided columns and can be hollow or solid. They often form when the temperature is around -5ºC
Rimed Snowflakes
These occur when supercooled water droplets freeze onto the surface of a snowflake, creating a frosty or rimed appearance
Each type of snowflake forms under specific atmospheric conditions, and their formation is influenced by factors such as humidity and air temperature.
Did you know?
Foxes can make over 40 different noises They have whiskers on their legs which are sensitive to changes in the environment and help them navigate
“Honeybee under a microscope ” , Fiona L, ink on paper in the pointillist style, 2021
L
While winter may seem desolate and lifeless, bees stay active all year round and need flowers to help them survive these cold months. The UK is home to one honeybee species, 25 species of bumblebee and more than 250 species of solitary bees, all having their own particular flower preferences.
Flowers have two rewards for bees: nectar and pollen Nectar contains energy-rich carbohydrates that power bees for flight - only honeybees use nectar to make honey. Pollen is a rich source of protein and it is collected to take back to the hive or nest. There, bees store it in cells to feed the growing larvae
Here is a selection of flowers you can plant to give bees a nectar-rich feast, even on the coldest days of winter
This delightful semi-evergreen shrub bears fragrant, creamy-white flowers that are followed by matte red berries The two-lipped flowers with long stamens are accessible for most bees, including the bufftailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) which is becoming more active over winter in southern UK cities. New nests are being set up in early winter, with a supply of fuel needed by workers all winter
Others to try:
Mahonia (Mahonia spp )
Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
Hellebores (e.g. Helleborus foetidus)
Others to try:
Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
Hazel (Corylus avellana)
Clematis cirrhosa
Viburnum tinus
(Erica carnea)
Winter heathers are bee-friendly and bring a splash of colour to gardens. Heathers are best grown in acidic soils, although they tolerate neutral conditions. Small bellshaped flowers bloom from evergreen shoots, and nectar is produced in nectaries down in the deepest part of the flower. Honeybees are particular fans of heathers and heaths, which give them a sweet reward during mild spells this month.
Fiona L
Imagine a creature so small and charming it seems like it leapt straight out of a fairytale Meet the hazel dormouse - with beguiling black eyes, a long fluffy tail, and soft caramel fur, this might be the cutest rodent you’ll ever see.
Hazel dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) are elusive - they live nestled high in trees, only stirring under the cover of night. Made famous by Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, they are known for their love of sleep (yes, they even snore!).
Hazel dormice are arboreal mammals, spending most of its life up in the trees. Their gingery-brown fur helps them blend in with the leaves and branches, helping them avoid predators like foxes and tawny owls They adore hazelnuts (hence their name), as well as berries and insects
In winter, dormice will hibernate in logs or leaves at the base of trees or just beneath the ground to avoid the winter cold. Hibernation can last from October to April! If food is scarce outside of hibernation season, they save energy by dropping their body temperature and going into a deep sleep called ‘torpor’. In fact, dormice can spend nearly threequarters of the year asleep!
SirJohnTenniel
The hazel dormouse is small enough to snuggle up in your palm Newborn babies are the size of raisins!
The hazel dormouse is an ancient, native species It has been present in Britain since at least the last Ice Age, more than 10,000 years ago In Victorian times, they were so prolific that school children would trade them in the playground. Beatrix Potter also kept a hazel dormouse (Xarifa) as a pet
As a key indicator species, a thriving dormice population shows there’s good animal and plant diversity too. Yet despite their endearing appearance, they’ve experienced a catastrophic decline. They are currently classified as ‘Vulnerable’, although experts believe dormice are at greater risk of extinction and should be classified as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.
According to the wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), the population of hazel dormice has declined by 70% since 2000, largely due to habitat loss, poor woodland management, and climate change. It’s thought that dormice have become locally extinct from 20 English counties since Victorian times. Ian White, Dormouse & Training Officer at PTES says, “If the decline continues at the same rate, in another 30 years dormouse dormouse populations will have fallen by 94% since 2000, which we simply cannot let happen.”
To help bring back these animals, a UK-wide reintroduction scheme has released over 1,112 hazel dormice into 25 different woodlands in 13 counties since 1993 This has allowed dormice to return to 6 English counties where they had previously been lost PTES also launched the Dormouse Footprint Tunnel Survey in 2022 to begin surveying non-woodland habitats and offer training for woodland management
Conservation efforts to protect their habitats and address climate change give us cause for hope. There are also many ways you can help hazel dormice. Check out the PTES website for action ideas: ptes.org/help-hazel-dormice.
If you ever do spot a hazel dormouse, consider it a rare glimpse into one of our most endearing small mammals.
Why is snow white if water is clear?
Snow is the accumulation of millions of snowflakes, which are tiny ice crystals. When light hits snow on the ground, it gets reflected and scattered in so many different directions that no single wavelength is consistently absorbed or reflected. All that bouncing back and forth of light waves means that most of the white light will reflect back as white light, so we see snow as white.
How do ducks not get frozen feet?
Ducks and many other waterbirds have a counter-current heat exchange system in their feet. This allows warm arterial blood and cold blood pass by closely together as it’s pumped around, reducing the temperature of the feet and also keeping it mobile. As a result, the ducks’ feet and ice become closer in temperature, which reduces heat loss and the risk of frostbite.
Why’s the air so dry in winter?
When temperatures drop, air’s ability to hold moisture decreases Indoor heating also dries out the air even more as any remaining moisture evaporates. Breathing dry air can make your nose and throat feel parched, so remember to stay hydrated!
Is it true that eating snow can make you more dehydrated?
Yes! Snow is a solid that must be melted into water, so your body needs to heat and melt the snow once eaten. This requires extra energy, so you continue to lose more water than you are taking in, leaving you more dehydrated than hydrated If snow is your only option, melt it before consuming to prevent further dehydration and avoid hypothermia It’s also best to stay away from snow that’s not pure white as it may contain bacteria that make you sicker than dehydration. Once the snow is melted and purified, it can be a good source of hydration in an emergency
How do migrating birds know where to go?
Bird migration has evolved over long periods of time Navigation is often hardwired and guided by environmental cues like temperature changes or day length. Many follow physical landmarks such as mountains, rivers or coastlines Others take a more direct route, even if this means crossing dangerous stretches of desert or sea. Many migrating birds stick to the same path, while some may choose a different route to take advantage of different weather patterns and food sources.
How long have you been at Wycombe Abbey?
This is my second year. I started in September last year.
What’s your favourite season here?
My favourite season is probably autumn Early autumn, when there’s quite a diverse range of fiery colours in the leaves and there’s a little bit of a cold snap, but nothing too unpleasant. I just think the trees look great with all the orange, and when the leaves fall down, the ground is nice and crunchy I’m less keen when it gets a bit damper. I like the dry start of autumn when it looks nice.
Favourite spot in the school grounds?
I quite like the lake when I walk from the car. I actually really like the big tree near Walpole Walking past, I always notice it It’s one of those things that’s clearly so old, and I like the fact it’s there in the grounds.
Do you have any outdoor hobbies?
I do I have a dog that I take walking I quite like to go out and run with my dog in the woods so that’s one of my favourite outdoor hobbies. The dog is a Sproodle, which is half Springer-Spaniel and half Poodle - quite intelligent and full of energy
What do you like to do in winter?
In winter, it’s cold so I don’t walk as much. I tend to semi-hibernate. I try to sleep more and probably eat more than I should I do try to get out when it’s dry in winter - walking the dog and sometimes running.
What are your favourite natural phenomena?
I love the idea of the aurora borealis, so the northern lights That’s one of my bucket list things to do - to travel really far north and see them firsthand. They were sort of visible in the UK a few weeks ago. I didn’t go outside because when I see them, I want to see them properly
After that, it’s the more everyday things. I find the variety of fungi incredible, particularly mushrooms in the woods - from weird fluted shapes and things that look like zombie fingers growing on the backside of a log to tiered platforms that extend from the side of a tree I don’t know the names of all the different species, but the variety is quite staggering.
Can you recommend any nature-related books, films, or documentaries?
Most documentaries narrated by David Attenborough are pretty good. I’ve recently read a book called Other Minds which is about cephalopods and octopuses (or octopi) It’s quite interesting, sort of half philosophy and half biology. I did enjoy it, though I don’t really read that many natural world books. I think Bill Bryson’s The Body is linked to that. I also remember reading a book called Oxygen, which is all about the role oxygen has played in the expansion of life. I would put Oxygen on my list to recommend.
If you could travel to any natural wonder in the world, where would you go?
I’d really like to go to Australia and see the corals, because they’re unique and fundamentally natural. I think that would be amazing.
I’m lucky enough to have actually been to the Galápagos and seen the diversity of wildlife there. I saw the birds that helped Darwin with his understanding of natural selection Seeing the Barrier Reef in person would be another really incredible experience.
Fiona L
Designed by Fiona L
4. Tusked Arctic mammal (6)
7. Christmas bird (5)
8. Horns like branches (7)
10. Cold swirl (8)
11. Partly frozen rain (5)
13. Hung where you can't see (9)
15. Sweet spice bark (8)
17. Leader of the sleigh (7)
19. Polar swallow (4)
21. Alpine phantom cat (4)
22. Sea dog (4)
24. Winter weasel (6)
1. Red-berried evergreen (3)
2. Christmas tree (3)
3. Evergreen spice (5)
5. Celestial glow (6)
6. Red festive plant (10)
9. Pull Santa's sleigh (8)
12. Yuletide greenery (5)
14. Frozen plain (6)
16. Ice spike (7)
18. Rain pellets (4)
20. Arctic floater (4)
23. White blanket (4)
Email: nature.wycombe@gmail.com