Conker Nature Magazine - October 2024: The Natural World Edition - The Autumnal Arrival Issue

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE OCTOBER 2024 MAIN ISSUE

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TOP PLACES FOR UK AUTUMN COLOURS

WALK THIS WAY Explore the Great Outdoors Travel

WILD WONDERS

THE ARRIVAL OF AUTUMN

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INSIDE COVER PIPISTRELLE BAT (PIPISTRELLUS PIPISTRELLUS) ECHO-LOCATING WHILE FLYING ON ATTIC OF HOUSE IN FRONT OF BRICK WALL IN DARKNESS. THIS SPECIES IS KNOWN FOR ROOSTING AND LIVING IN URBAN AREAS. AS PART OF THE THERE ARE NO ‘BAT POLICE’ ARTICLE ON PAGE 62.

PHOTOGRAPHER: CREATIVE NATURE NL.

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

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Editor-in-chief Lucy Morris Sally Marie Rosie Jones Tobias James Kararaina Bishara Darren Wynne Heather Wilkins Laura Woolley Isabelle Price Laszlo Balogh

Executive Editor Wildlife Editor Digital Editor Features Editor Photo/Sub Editor Photo Assistant Travel Editor Advertisement Director Logo Illustrator

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Conker Nature Magazine takes pride in ethical wildlife photography that prioritises the safety and welfare of wildlife and their environment. Conker Nature Magazine is committed to the correct representation of the natural world, away from the manipulation of media, and total honesty in our captioning. Photographers, please support us in providing all relevant information around the circumstance of the image and giving total clarity of where the image was taken (to include, but not just restricted to, use of bait, captivity or habituated animals).

Conker Nature Magazine will provide trusted, independent travel, wildlife, and gardening advice and information. Our aim is to allow access to (including, but not limited to, clothing, travel, accessories, tools and books) for a range of backgrounds and budgets. Within our travel sector, we are clear with the positives and negatives of a location we visit or recommend. The views that are expressed within Conker Nature Magazine are entirely the views of the authors, and not necessarily the views of the magazine, editorial team, or publisher. The editor-in-chief, the publisher, the contributors or the editorial team accepts no responsibility for advertisement errors, mistakes, omissions, or issues in any such advertisement feature.

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CONTENTS 08

Indiana Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India Shreyovi Mehta, India. Category: 10 Years and Under Runner Up

AUTUMN - MAKING THE MOST OF THE PERFECT LIGHT AND COLOURS PHOTOGRAPHER: SCOTT DUFFIELD IG: @SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY FB: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SCOTT. DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY WB: SCOTTDUFFIELDPHOTOGRAPHY. PIXIESET.COM

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WILD OBSERVER DISCOVER THE AUTUMNAL SEASON, WITH THE BEST WILDLIFE HAS TO OFFER FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.

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EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS: TRAVEL AUTUMN BRINGS ABOUT A NEW SENSE OF ADVENTURE, AND THIS MONTH WE WILL BE LOOKING AT ONE OF THE BEST TRAVEL DESTINATIONS OF AUTUMN - THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

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NALCHIK PARK ATAZHUKINSKIY PHOTOGRAPHER: LIUDMILA EVSTRATOVA IG:@LUDMILA_EVSTRATOVA07

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AUTUMNAL ADAPTATIONS AUTUMN, WITH ITS CRISP AIR AND SHORTENING DAYS, TRIGGERS A CASCADE OF FASCINATING ADAPTATIONS AMONG WILDLIFE.

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AT SUNSET PHOTOGRAPHER: VOLHA KAMENSKAYA IG: @LELEK333BOLEK

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WILDLIFE SHOWCASE THE KESTREL PHOTOGRAPHER:SCOTT DUFFIELD IG:@SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY FB: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SCOTT. DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY WB: SCOTTDUFFIELDPHOTOGRAPHY. PIXIESET.COM

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FIRST LOOK AT THE NEW WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR A ‘DANCING’ STOAT, A MOONLIGHT HUNTER AND A DAVID BOWIE SPIDER ARE JUST A FEW OF THE EXTRAORDINARY IMAGES FROM THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON’S WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION, NOW IN ITS SIXTIETH YEAR.

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

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THERE IS NO ‘BAT POLICE’ YOU MAY HAVE COME ACROSS AN ARTICLE IN THE SPECTATOR CALLED ‘BEWARE THE BAT POLICE’ PUBLISHED 3 AUGUST 2024. TWO PREMISES DRIVE THE ARTICLE’S NEGATIVE TONE: THAT ECOLOGICAL CONSULTANTS ARE POINTLESS AND THAT BATS ARE OVER-PROTECTED. HERE THE BAT CONSERVATION TRUST RESPOND TO THOSE IDEAS.

OCTOBER 2024

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SEASONAL GARDENING TIPS DOBBIES PREPARES FOR A BLOOMING COLOURFUL AUTUMN WITH CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

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WALK THIS WAY: INTO AUTUMN AUTUMN IS A SEASON THAT TRANSFORMS THE LANDSCAPE INTO A PALETTE OF VIBRANT COLOURS, OFFERING SOME OF THE MOST BREATH-TAKING WALKS IN THE WORLD. HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST AUTUMN WALKS THAT CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF THE SEASON

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THIS MONTH’S WILD WONDERS THIS MONTH WE COVER THE MUST-SEE WILD WONDERS ENTERTAINMENTS, FROM DAVID ATTENBOROUGH TO BIG CATS 24/7 ON BBC 2.

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ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHER: MARY SCRIBNER IG: @SIMPLYKHAOTIKPHOTOGRAPHY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SIMPLY KHAOTIK PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.SIMPLYKHAOTIK.COM

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NASA’S BOEING CREW STATUS WORDS BY NASA IG: @NASA EDITED BY JASON WILLIAMS | SPACE EDITOR IG: @CONKERNATUREMAGAZINE

THE BEAUTY OF SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHER: IRINA GRITSENKO IG:@LADY_IRINA80

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Wild Boar in Autumn ©Neil Burton via Getty Images

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IN AUGUST AFTER THE RAIN PHOTOGRAPHER: POLINA SHKLIAR IG:@POLINKA_SHKLIAR

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CONKER NATURE’S WILDLIFE & LIFESTYLE FAVOURITES THIS MONTH’S SEASONAL FAVOURITES FROM THE CONKER NATURE MAGAZINE TEAM.

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ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A SNAIL PHOTOGRAPHER: MAKSIM ZIANKEVICH IG:@MAKSIMICHKA

This Month’s Front Cover

AUTUMN - MAKING THE MOST OG THE PERFECT LIGHT AND COLOURS PHOTOGRAPHER: SCOTT DUFFIELD IG: @SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY FB: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY WB: SCOTTDUFFIELDPHOTOGRAPHY.PIXIESET.COM

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Editor’s Letter

October 2024 Wild fox sneaking on a meadow in the autumn sunrise ©Wild Media

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Lucy Morris Editor-in-chief

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Welcome to October’s “The Arrival of Autumn” Issue! We’re delighted to have you join us as we transition into this new season.

As crisp air settles in and leaves begin their vibrant transformation, we at Conker Nature Magazine embrace autumn with open arms.

This enchanting season brings a tapestry of warm colors, the comforting aromas of cinnamon and pumpkin spice, and the gentle rustle of fallen leaves underfoot. It’s a time when nature prepares for its annual slumber, yet paradoxically bursts with life and activity.

From busy squirrels gathering acorns to mesmerizing V-formations of migrating geese, autumn offers a wealth of natural wonders to observe and cherish. This time of year, I’m often out with my camera, visiting one of my favorite spots in the UK—Brownsea Island. This fascinating island teems with fauna and flora, including one of my favorite species—the red squirrel. In October, just before the island closes to the public, I head to my little spot in the woods to watch them forage. It’s one of my favorite pastimes, creating memories I’ll cherish forever.

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I also want to share with you the top 10 places for autumn colors in the UK. Each location is a spot that either I or the team at Conker Nature have visited in search of the most tranquil autumn scenery.

-The New Forest, Hampshire: Ancient woodlands with golden and russet hues.

-Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire: 2,500+ tree species FABLE ENGLAND: with spectacular autumn colours.

WOLF GARDEN PJS -Perthshire, Scotland: “Big Tree Country,” with forests in reds and -£75 golds.

-Stourhead, Wiltshire: Landscaped garden with vibrant foliage around a lake.

-Faskally Wood, Perthshire: Known for “Enchanted Forest” light show in autumn.

-Sheffield Park Garden, East Sussex: Four lakes reflect the fiery fall colours.

-Grizedale Forest, Lake District: Autumn views with the Lake Windermere backdrop.

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-Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey: Hillside exotic trees with autumn colours - Bedgebury National Pinetum, Kent: Diverse autumn colours among conifers.

- Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire: Historic grounds with majestic autumn scenary.

Next month, we look forward to welcoming you back for Conker Nature’s November Issue - The Urban Jungle Issue. In this issue, we delve into the fascinating world of wildlife that thrives within city environments.

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Photo Feature: Making the most of the perfect light and colours

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AUTUMN MAKING THE MOST OF THE PERFECT LIGHT AND COLOURS With the day light hours dwindling and the amazing colours of the trees Autumn is a perfect time of year to watch and photograph birds of prey, particularly Owls.

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Photo Feature: Making the most of the perfect light and colours

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WILD OBSERVER WHAT’S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW Words by Jason Maans Wildlife Editor IG: @conkernaturemagazine

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s the crisp autumn air settles in, October unfolds a vibrant tapestry of activity in the natural world. This enchanting month presents wildlife enthusiasts with a cornucopia of unique opportunities to witness fascinating animal behaviors and observe the intricate dance of seasonal transitions. From the rustle of fallen leaves to the calls of migrating birds, October’s wildlife spectacle is a feast for the senses.

This period of intense feeding is accompanied by other preparatory behaviors, such as den building and slowing of metabolic processes. Look for signs of animals fattening up, from plump hedgehogs foraging in gardens to bats swarming at dusk to catch insects before their winter torpor.

Autumn brings with it nature’s grand preparations. From foraging to hibernations, wildlife gets into gear in big ways;

This October, we turn our attention to the captivating wild boar (Sus scrofa), a species that truly comes into its element during the autumn months. These intelligent and adaptable creatures play a vital role in shaping forest ecosystems and offer a glimpse into the raw power and beauty of nature. Boars bring a flurry of autumn activity in October, exclusive traits for this season include;

Witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of large flocks of geese and other migratory birds as they embark on their epic journey southward. The skies come alive with their distinctive V-formations and melodious calls, signaling the changing of seasons. October provides a unique opportunity to observe various species, from majestic Canada geese to elegant sandhill cranes, as they navigate using celestial cues and Earth’s magnetic field. Listen for the haunting calls of nighttime migrants and watch for stopover sites where birds rest and refuel.

Immerse yourself in the primal drama of the deer rut. Observe majestic male deer engaging in impressive displays of strength and dominance, their antlers locked in fierce battles as they compete for mating rights in an age-old ritual. This annual spectacle showcases nature’s raw power and beauty, with bucks sparring, creating scent marks, and vocalizing through deep, guttural bellows. The air is thick with the musky scent of testosterone as these normally solitary creatures gather in open meadows and forest clearings.

Marvel at the industrious nature of squirrels as they scurry about with increased urgency. Watch these furry acrobats meticulously gather and store food for the impending winter, their cheeks bulging with acorns and their tails twitching with purpose. October sees these clever creatures at their busiest, burying nuts and seeds in countless hiding spots throughout their territory. Observe their remarkable spatial memory as they revisit cache sites and their clever tactics to outwit potential thieves.

Witness the fascinating process of pre-hibernation as animals like hedgehogs and bats enter a state of hyperphagia. Observe these creatures as they voraciously consume food, building up crucial fat reserves to sustain them through their long winter slumber.

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• In October, wild boars engage in an intense period of foraging, capitalizing on the autumn’s abundant harvest. Their highly sensitive snouts become powerful tools, expertly unearthing a diverse array of seasonal delicacies such as acorns, beechnuts, chestnuts, and fallen fruits. This heightened activity leaves distinctive signs across the forest floor, including areas of extensively disturbed soil and scattered leaf litter, providing nature enthusiasts with clear indicators of their presence and recent foraging behavior.

As the season progresses, wild boars significantly increase their mud-bathing activities. These elaborate wallowing sessions serve multiple crucial purposes: they help the boars regulate their body temperature during fluctuating autumn weather, provide an effective natural barrier against parasites and insects, and play a vital role in establishing their thick, protective winter coats.

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Wild Observer Feature

Wild Boar ©Viktor Cap via Getty Images

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Wild Observer Feature

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Observant wildlife watchers may spot these muddy depressions in the forest, often accompanied by mud-caked trees where boars have rubbed themselves clean.

As the season progresses, wild boars significantly increase their mud-bathing activities. These elaborate wallowing sessions serve multiple crucial purposes: they help the boars regulate their body temperature during fluctuating autumn weather, provide an effective natural barrier against parasites and insects, and play a vital role in establishing their thick, protective winter coats. Observant wildlife watchers may spot these muddy depressions in the forest, often accompanied by mud-caked trees where boars have rubbed themselves clean.

October sees wild boars moving in tightlyknit family groups known as sounders. These social units are typically led by experienced, mature sows and comprise this year’s offspring (piglets) and sometimes young adults from previous litters. This familial structure provides crucial protection and guidance for the younger members as they learn essential survival skills and foraging techniques. The intricate social bonds within these groups become particularly evident during this time of increased activity and preparation for the coming winter months.

As autumn progresses, the wild boar mating season, or rut, begins to unfold. Male boars, known as boars, undergo significant behavioral changes during this period. They become increasingly territorial and aggressive, engaging in fierce competitions to establish dominance hierarchies and secure mating rights.

These dramatic confrontations may involve vocalizations, physical displays, and even intense fights, providing wildlife observers with a raw and powerful spectacle of nature’s reproductive strategies in action. The forest resonates with the grunts, squeals, and clashing of tusks as boars vie for the attention of receptive sows.

When venturing out to observe these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat, keep in mind the following essential guidelines to ensure a safe and rewarding experience: - Embrace the twilight hours: Dawn and dusk offer the best opportunities for wild boar sightings, as these are the times when they are most active and visible.

- Become a nature detective: Sharpen your observation skills by looking for telltale signs of wild boar activity, such as distinctive hoof prints, areas of rooted-up soil, and trees with mud-caked bark where boars have rubbed themselves.

- Enhance your viewing experience: Equip yourself with quality binoculars or a spotting scope to get upclose views of wild boars and their behaviors without disturbing their natural activities.

October presents an unparalleled opportunity to witness the wild boar and a myriad of other wildlife species as they diligently prepare for the challenges of the approaching winter. This month offers a unique window into the intricate workings of nature, showcasing the remarkable adaptations and behaviours that animals employ to survive the harsh months ahead. From the frenzied foraging of wild boars to the meticulous food caching of squirrels, October’s wildlife spectacle is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the natural world.

As you embark on your autumn wildlife watching adventures, it is crucial to approach these experiences with a sense of reverence and responsibility. Always remember to observe wildlife from a respectful distance, refraining from any actions that might disturb or alter their natural behaviours. By practicing ethical wildlife watching, we not only ensure our own safety but also preserve the delicate balance of ecosystems that these animals inhabit.

Finally, responsible wildlife observation extends beyond the immediate encounter. It involves educating ourselves about the species we observe, understanding their ecological roles, and advocating for their conservation.

By fostering a deeper connection with nature through these autumn wildlife experiences, we can inspire a collective commitment to environmental stewardship.

This approach ensures that future generations will not only continue to enjoy and learn from the wonders of the natural world but will also inherit a planet where these magnificent creatures can thrive in their natural habitats for years to come.

Wild Boar in Autumn ©Neil Burton via Getty Images

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Explore The Great Outdoors: Travel Feature

Scottish Highland Cow ©Kzara Visual Photography

Words by Mia Wallace Travel and Wildlife Editor IG: @conkernaturemagazine

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s autumn paints the Scottish landscape in vibrant hues, October presents an ideal time to explore the great outdoors of this captivating country. From misty glens to rugged coastlines, Scotland offers a wealth of natural wonders for adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike.

October in Scotland is synonymous with breathtaking autumn (fall if you are American!) foliage. The Trossachs National Park, often called “the Highlands in miniature,” bursts into a spectacular display of golden yellows, deep reds, and rich oranges. Loch Lomond’s shores, fringed with ancient oak woodlands, provide a perfect backdrop for autumn hikes and photography. A must-visit if you plan to get an authentic Scottish outdoor experience.

Hiking in the Highlands is high on your list if you enjoy adventuring. The Scottish Highlands offer some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe, and October’s crisp air makes for perfect hiking conditions. The West Highland Way, stretching 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, showcases Scotland’s diverse landscapes, from lowland moors to the towering peaks of Glen Coe.

Explore the Great Outdoors: Travel ESCAPE TO NATURE’S WONDERLAND

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Away from the mainland greets the Isles.

The Isle of Skye (a destination associated with Outlander, thanks to the theme song), Skye takes you to otherworldly landscapes, is particularly enchanting in October. The Quiraing and Old Man of Storr offer challenging hikes with rewarding views. Meanwhile, the Isle of Mull provides opportunities for wildlife spotting, including red deer during their rutting season.

For those looking for a coastal escape, look no further. Scotland’s rugged coastline is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a diverse array of experiences for those seeking to connect with nature. The North Coast 500, a 516-mile scenic route that winds its way around the northern coast, presents a particularly captivating journey. This route, often dubbed Scotland’s answer to Route 66, showcases the country’s raw, untamed beauty in all its glory. In October, when the summer crowds have dissipated, the NC500 takes on a more tranquil atmosphere, allowing travelers to forge a more intimate connection with the wild Scottish shores.

Scotland is world-renowned for its wildlife watching experiences. From whale watching to deer rutting, there is very little Scotland has left to offer wildlife enthusiasts.

October presents an exceptional opportunity to observe and appreciate Scotland’s diverse fauna in their natural habitats. The Cairngorms National Park, a haven for native species, offers particularly rewarding experiences during this time of year. Visitors might be fortunate enough to spot the charismatic red squirrels, with their distinctive russet coats and tufted ears, as they scurry about gathering acorns and pine cones in preparation for the approaching winter months.

The park also resonates with one of nature’s most dramatic autumn spectacles - the deer rut. As twilight descends, the haunting, primeval roars of red deer stags echo through the glens, a testament to the raw power and majesty of these magnificent creatures as they compete for mates.

This annual event, occurring from late September through October, provides a unique chance to witness these usually elusive animals engaged in their age-old rituals.

Along Scotland’s extensive and varied coastline, another captivating wildlife display unfolds. Grey and common seals begin to congregate on secluded beaches and rocky outcrops, their numbers swelling as they prepare for the upcoming pupping season. These marine mammals, with their soulful eyes and sleek bodies, offer a touching glimpse into the cycle of life along Scotland’s shores. Patient observers might even catch sight of the first seal pups of the season, their fluffy white coats a stark contrast against the dark rocks and churning seas.

It is likely to now feel set to make Scotland your must-visit for outdoor adventure for October, with that here are some practical tips you may need for your adventure; Pack layers for versatility: Scottish weather is notoriously changeable, especially during the autumn months.

Bring a mix of warm and lightweight clothing to accommodate sudden temperature shifts and unexpected weather patterns. Consider including thermal base layers, fleece jackets, and waterproof outer shells to ensure comfort in various conditions.

A Cloud and Snow capped summit of Beinn Eighe in the Scottish Highlands. ©Duncan Andison via Getty Images

Book accommodations well in advance: While October is generally less crowded than the peak summer season, popular areas and unique lodgings can still fill up quickly. Research and reserve your accommodations early to secure the best options, whether you’re looking for cosy bed and breakfasts, rustic highland lodges, or city-centre hotels.

Plan activities around daylight hours: Days shorten rapidly in October, with sunset occurring earlier each day.

Check local sunrise and sunset times to optimize your outdoor adventures.

Consider starting your days earlier to make the most of available daylight, and plan indoor activities or cosy evenings for after dark.

Equip yourself for wet weather: Rain is a common feature of Scottish autumns, so come prepared with highquality waterproof gear. Invest in a reliable waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, and sturdy, water-resistant hiking boots. Don’t forget accessories like umbrellas and waterproof covers for backpacks to keep your belongings dry during explorations.

adventures. This season showcases Scotland’s natural beauty in transition, from golden forests to misty glens and rugged coasts. Whether hiking Munros, wandering ancient pine forests, or exploring coastal paths, October promises a sensory feast and deep connection with nature.

Crisp air, quieter trails, and possible Northern Lights sightings enhance the autumn exploration experience in this captivating country.

Brown Tawny Owl (Strix Aluco) looking out of a tree hole. ©Andy Works Photography via Getty Images

Exploring Scotland’s outdoors in October offers a unique blend of autumn colors and invigorating

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Nalchik park Atazhukinskiy PHOTOGRAPHER: LIUDMILA EVSTRATOVA IG:@LUDMILA_EVSTRATOVA07

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Photo Feature: Nalchik park Atazhukinskiy

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Photo Feature: Nalchik park Atazhukinskiy

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AUTUMNAL ADAPTATIONS Words by Simon Wallace Wildlife Editor IG: @conkernaturemagazine

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s the leaves begin their annual dance of transformation, painting the world in vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold, a remarkable spectacle unfolds in the animal kingdom. Autumn, with its crisp air and shortening days, triggers a cascade of fascinating adaptations among wildlife. From wardrobe changes that rival any fashion show to epic migrations that defy human imagination, the animal world showcases an incredible array of survival strategies.

Its a Sunday morning, and I’m walking across the New Forest in Southern England, heading towards one of its most popular spots—Bolderwood. Known for both its trees and Deer Sanctuary, Bolderwood is one of the best places to experience wildlife in the New Forest.

The Arboretum here is home to a variety of tree species, including ancient oaks, towering Douglas firs, and sweet chestnuts. What makes Bolderwood particularly special is its deer viewing platform, where you can often spot these majestic animals.

With multiple walking trails, it’s easy to explore this location and enjoy the stunning canopy above.

As I walk, I notice the August morning is slightly cooler than usual. I can feel autumn’s first whispers in the air. My thoughts turn to the changing season, and more specifically, to the fascinating adaptations our worldwide fauna undergo to survive not just autumn, but the crucial winter months ahead.

Wardrobe Changes: Nature’s Exquisite Fashion Show As autumn’s golden touch spreads across the land, many animals undergo a sartorial shift that’s nothing short of miraculous. Take, for instance, the Arctic fox – this clever creature trades its earthy brown summer attire for a luxurious white winter coat. This transformation serves a dual purpose, providing not only essential warmth against the biting cold but also seamless camouflage amidst the coming blanket of snow.

In a similar vein, the snowshoe hare embarks on its own fashion journey. Its fur gradually lightens in a bottom-up progression, starting from its namesake snowshoelike feet and moving upwards. This gradual change ensures the hare remains one step ahead of predators, blending perfectly with its ever-changing environment throughout the transition from autumn to winter.

Stocking Up: The Great Autumnal Feast and Preparation For a multitude of creatures, autumn represents a time of unprecedented abundance – and they’re certainly making the most of this seasonal cornucopia. Squirrels, those acrobatic denizens of our parks and forests, become particularly industrious during this period. With an energy that seems boundless, they scurry about, gathering and meticulously burying a vast array of nuts and seeds. This frenzied activity isn’t merely for immediate sustenance; it’s a crucial preparation for the lean winter months that loom on the horizon.

approximately 70,900 kilometers each year. To put this into perspective, it’s equivalent to circling the Earth nearly twice! How crazy is that!

Closer to home, our skies become temporary highways for other migratory birds. The familiar V-formations of geese and ducks grace our autumn skies, their honking calls a poignant reminder of the changing seasons as they make their way to warmer climes for the winter months. Be sure to head to the nearest wetland to meet all the wonderful visitors!

Slowing Down: The Subtle Art of Energy Conservation While some animals choose to face the cold head-on or embark on long journeys to avoid it, others opt for a different strategy altogether – one that involves slowing down and conserving energy.

The hedgehog, for instance, prepares for what can only be described as a long winter’s nap. These spiny mammals enter a fascinating state known as torpor, during which their body temperature drops significantly and their metabolism slows to a crawl. This remarkable adaptation allows them to conserve precious energy during the food-scarce winter months.

Bats, those mysterious creatures of the night, employ a similar strategy. They enter a state of hibernation, often clustering together in caves or hollow trees. This communal approach to winter survival serves a dual purpose – not only does it allow them to conserve energy individually, but by huddling together, they can share body heat, creating a cozy microclimate that helps them weather the coldest days of winter. Sounds like the best plan out of the lot!

Clever Adaptations: Nature’s Ingenious and Astounding Solutions Some autumnal adaptations in the animal kingdom are so remarkable that they seem to border on the realm of science fiction. Consider the wood frog, a creature that takes the concept of ‘chilling out’ to an entirely new level. As winter approaches, this amphibian produces a natural antifreeze within its blood.

This extraordinary substance allows the wood frog to survive being partially frozen during the harshest winter conditions, essentially putting itself into a state of cryogenic suspension until spring arrives. Even more astounding is the case of the woolly bear caterpillar. This fuzzy little creature produces a specialized substance known as a cryoprotectant. This remarkable chemical prevents the caterpillar’s cells from rupturing when frozen, enabling it to withstand temperatures as punishingly low as -90°F (-67.8°C). It’s nature’s way of ensuring that life finds a way, even in the most challenging conditions.

As we bear witness to these incredible autumnal adaptations, we can’t help but be struck by the resilience, ingenuity, and sheer tenacity of the natural world. From fashion changes that would put any runway to shame to extreme meal prep that outclasses even the most dedicated health enthusiasts, from epic journeys that make our longest trips seem like mere strolls to cozy hibernation strategies that redefine the concept of ‘sleeping in’, animals have developed an astonishing array of strategies to not just survive, but thrive in the face of changing seasons.

In a more dramatic display of autumnal appetite, bears enter an intriguing phase known as hyperphagia. During this time, these normally lumbering creatures become eating machines, consuming a staggering amount of food – up to 20,000 calories daily. This isn’t gluttony for its own sake, but rather a vital strategy to build up the fat reserves necessary for their long winter hibernation. It’s nature’s version of extreme meal prep, taken to a whole new level! I know I wish I could have that much meal prep!

On the Move: The Awe-Inspiring Great Migration As the mercury begins its steady descent, many birds embark on journeys that can only be described as epic.

Among these winged wanderers, the Arctic tern stands out as a true champion of endurance. This remarkable bird holds the record for the longest migration, undertaking an annual round trip that defies imagination. From the Arctic to the Antarctic and back again, the Arctic tern covers a mind-boggling distance of Thickening their fur: Foxes grow thicker fur to protect them from the colder weather | ©Wild Media Photography

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The Behaviours Feature These adaptations serve as a powerful testament to the enduring wonder and complexity of the natural world – a spectacle that never fails to inspire awe and admiration as autumn unfolds its resplendent golden tapestry across the land. In observing these marvels, we’re reminded of our own place within this intricate web of life, and the importance of preserving and protecting the delicate balance that allows such wonders to exist.

The next time you find yourself outdoors during the autumn season, take a moment to observe the wildlife around you with a keen eye. Consider the intricate and often hidden adaptations these creatures might be undergoing as they prepare for the changing season. From subtle changes in coat color to alterations in behavior, each animal has its own unique strategy for facing the challenges ahead. As you watch a squirrel frantically gathering acorns or notice the thickening fur of a passing deer, remember that you’re witnessing nature’s ingenuity in action. These adaptations, honed over countless generations, are a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the natural world. By taking the time to observe and appreciate these changes, you may find yourself developing a deeper connection to the rhythms of nature and a greater appreciation for the remarkable ways in which wildlife navigates the shifting seasons. Who knows? You might even spot some of the fascinating adaptations we’ve discussed in this article, right in your own backyard or local park. Nature’s marvels are all around us, waiting to be discovered by those who take the time to look.

These spiny mammals enter a fascinating state known as torpor, during which their body temperature drops significantly and their metabolism slows to a crawl | ©Kichigin Photography

Red Deer | ©Damian Kuzdak

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AT SUNSET PHOTOGRAPHER: VOLHA KAMENSKAYA IG: @LELEK333BOLEK

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Photo Feature: At Sunset

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Photo Feature: At Sunset

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Wildlife showcase

Kestrel PHOTOGRAPHER:SCOTT DUFFIELD IG:@SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY FB: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY WB: SCOTTDUFFIELDPHOTOGRAPHY.PIXIESET.COM

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Photo Feature: Wildlife Showcase - The Kestrel

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Photo Feature: Wildlife Showcase - The Kestrel

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Photo Feature: Wildlife Showcase - The Kestrel

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Photo Feature: Wildlife Showcase - The Kestrel

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©Jason Gulley, USA / Wildlife Photographer of The Year

Awards Feature: WPOTY 2024 - The Highly Commended

CELEBRATING SIXTY YEARS: FIRST LOOK AT THE NEW WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR EXHIBITION A ‘DANCING’ STOAT, A MOONLIGHT HUNTER AND A DAVID BOWIE SPIDER ARE JUST A FEW OF THE EXTRAORDINARY IMAGES FROM THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, LONDON’S WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION, NOW IN ITS SIXTIETH YEAR. Words by Wildlife Photographer of The Year Edited by Lucy Morris IG: @lucymorriswild, @conkernaturemagazine Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) Hunter Springs, Crystal River, Florida, USA Jason Gulley, United States. Category: Underwater Highly Commended

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Celebrating sixty years: First look at the new Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition

Stoat (Mustela erminea) Athose, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France Jose Manuel Grandío, Spain. Category: Mammals Highly Commended ©Manuel Grandío / Wildlife Photographer of the Year

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‘dancing’ stoat, a moonlight hunter and a David Bowie spider are just a few of the extraordinary images from the Natural History Museum, London’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, now in its sixtieth year.

The upcoming Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will showcase 100 photographs from around the world from 11 October 2024 in London. To mark the sixtieth anniversary, the Museum’s flagship exhibition will feature a timeline of key moments in the competition’s history.

The sixtieth competition attracted a record-breaking 59,228 entries from photographers of all ages and experience levels from 117 countries and territories. Entries were judged anonymously on their creativity, originality, and technical excellence by an international panel of industry experts.

The winners of each category, and the prestigious Grand Title and Young Grand Title awards, will be announced on 8 October 2024 at a ceremony hosted by wildlife TV presenters and conservationists Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin. This year we have introduced a new award in both the young and adult competitions, the Impact Award, to recognise a conservation success, a story of hope and/or positive change. The special prize forms part of the Natural History Museum’s vision of a future where both people and planet thrive.

Among the newly-released Highly Commended images is the first ever awarded smartphone image showing the successful completion of a mule deer doe’s circle of life

by Randy Robbins. William Fortescue witnessed the complex relationship of mating lions, Tommy Trenchard records the distressing moment a shark was hauled aboard a Spanish longliner in the Southern Atlantic Ocean, and in the 10 Years and Under category, an atmospheric image of a peafowl in Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, India, by Shreyovi Mehta.

Chair of the judging panel, Kathy Moran says, “In this selection you see species diversity, a range of behavior and conservation issues. These images represent the evolution of the competition through the years, from pure natural history to photography that fully embraces representation of the natural world - the beauty and the challenges. It is a powerful selection with which to kickstart a milestone anniversary.”

Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Museum says, “As we celebrate sixty years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year, we also celebrate the generations of visitors who have been inspired by the beauty and majesty of its images, and the millions of connections made with nature.

Over the decades, Wildlife Photographer of the Year has pushed the boundaries of wildlife photography as the competition evolved alongside technological advancements. But still today, the competition remains true to one of its founding objectives: ‘to enhance the prestige of wildlife photography in the hope that ultimately the awards would benefit animals by creating greater public interest in them and in that all-important topic – conservation.”

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he sixtieth edition of Wildlife Photographer of the Year opens at the Museum in South Kensington on Friday 11 October until Sunday 29 June 2025. The exhibition will also embark on a UK and international tour to inspire millions to appreciate and conserve the natural world.

The sixtieth Wildlife Photographer of the Year has been supported by Associate Donor The William Brake Foundation.

About the William Brake Foundation The William Brake Foundation has supported a wide-ranging variety of charities important to the family, over a number of years. Assistance, education and research are big factors in our decision making. Our longstanding support of the Natural History Museum reflects our faith in the scientific expertise unlocking answers to big issues facing the planet while offering a vast array of specimens from natural history in a wonderful inspiring environment.

Awards Feature: WPOTY 2024 - The Highly Commended

©Shreyovi Mehta, India / Wildlife Photographer of The Year

Indiana Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India Shreyovi Mehta, India. Category: 10 Years and Under Runner Up

Awards Feature: WPOTY 2024 - The Highly Commended

B E H A V I O U R : PORTRAYING MEMORABLE, UNUSUAL OR DRAMATIC BEHAVIOUR.

TWIST AND JUMP Stoat (Mustela erminea) Jose Manuel Grandío, Spain Taken in Athose, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France Category: Behaviour: Mammals Highly Commended Jose Manuel Grandío braves below-zero temperatures to witness a stoat jumping high into the air above the snow.

Winter is Jose’s favourite season for photography. When he spotted this stoat jumping mid-air on the last day of his trip, he saw this performance as an ‘expression of exuberance’ as the small mammal hurled itself about in a fresh fall of snow.

Scientists refer to this behaviour as dancing, although opinions are divided about what motivates it, from an attempt to confuse prey through to a parasitic infection. Stoats are usually active at night and prey on small mammals and birds.

Technical details: Nikon D500 + 500mm f4 lens; 1/6000 at f4; ISO 800 ©Manuel Grandio, Spain | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

DEADLY BITE Jaguar (Panthera onca) and Yacare Caiman (Caiman yacare) Ian Ford, UK Taken in Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil Category: Behaviour: Mammals Highly Commended Ian Ford documents the moment a jaguar delivers a fatal bite to a caiman in the Pantanal.

A call over the radio alerted Ian that a jaguar had been spotted prowling the banks of a São Lourenço River tributary. Kneeling in the boat, he was perfectly placed when the cat delivered the skull-crushing bite to the unsuspecting yacare caiman.

The South American Pantanal wetland supports the highest density of jaguars anywhere in the world. With prey being so abundant, there is no need to compete for food, and the usually solitary big cats have been seen fishing, travelling and playing together.

Technical details: Sony α1 + 400mm f2.8 lens; 1/800 at f4 (-1 e/v); ISO 400 ©Ian Ford, UK | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

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M A M M A L S MOONLIGHT HUNTER Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) Xingchao Zhu, China Taken in Hulun Buir, Inner Mongolia, China Category: Behaviour: Mammals Highly Commended Xingchao Zhu comes face to face with a Pallas’s cat as the moon sets.

Xingchao tracked a group of Pallas’s cats on the freezing plateau of Inner Mongolia for several days during the Chinese New Year in February 2023.

Shortly before dawn, Xingchao managed to make eye contact with this cat, just as it had caught a small bird.

The thick winter coats of Pallas’s cats help them survive at altitudes up to 5,000 metres (16,400 feet). They avoid larger predators by stealth, and it’s thought that their low, rounded ears allow them to peer over obstacles while remaining hidden.

Technical details: Nikon Z 9 + 800mm f6.3 lens; 1/160 at f6.3; ISO 1400 ©Xingchao Zhu, China | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

STORMY SCENE Lion (Panthera leo) Taken in Namiri Plains, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania William Fortescue, UK Category: Behaviour: Mammals Highly Commended William Fortescue uses a backdrop of storm clouds lit by the setting sun to show mating lions.

It was the rainy season when William visited the Serengeti National Park. He watched the lions mate several times before the female broke it off. It wasn’t until William viewed an enlarged image that he noticed the saliva trails and the explosion of insects from the male’s mane.

Lions can mate throughout the year, but synchronising the births of cubs increases the reproductive success of a pride. Female pride members display cooperative behaviours, including raising cubs together to ensure their survival into adulthood.

Tecnical Details: Nikon Z 9 + 70–200mm f2.8 lens; 1/1000 at f5; ISO 320 ©William Fortescue, UK | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

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behaviour: Invertebrates REVEALING THE MOST INTERESTING OR MEMORABLE BEHAVIOUR OF ANY OF THE MULTITUDE OF SMALLER ANIMALS WITHOUT BACKBONES – WHETHER ON LAND, IN THE AIR, OR IN WATER.

CENTRE OF ATTENTION Dawson’s burrowing bees (Amegilla dawsoni) Georgina Steytler, Australia Taken Near Carnarvon, Western Australia, Australia Category: Behaviour: Invertebrates Highly Commended Georgina Steytler observes a ball of male Dawson’s burrowing bees vying for access to a female.

Georgina has been studying these bees for a few years and knew she had to keep her distance. Lying on the hot, rocky, sun-baked ground with sand blowing in her face, her long lens enabled her to get the perfect image.

When female Dawson’s burrowing bees emerge in spring, they are surrounded by males competing to mate with them. After mating, the female bee will dig a new burrow filled with pollen and eggs, from which the hatched bees will emerge in spring.

Technical details: Nikon Z 8 + 800mm f6.3 lens + 1.4x teleconverter; 1/5000 at f11; ISO 640. ©Georgina Steytler, Australia | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

ZIGGY SPIDER David Bowie Spider (Heteropoda davidbowie) Lam Soon Tak, Malaysia Taken in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia Category: Behaviour: Invertebrates Highly Commended Lam Soon Tak spots a vibrantly coloured David Bowie spider carrying an egg sac.

Lam was exploring the highlands of Malaysia when he came across this spider.

Perched on broken branches beside a river, the bright white disc of eggs in the spider’s jaws and its orange body stood out against the lush green moss.

Found in Malaysia, Singapore and the Indonesian island of Sumatra, this spider was named in 2008 by arachnologist and Bowie fan Dr Peter Jäger. He thought the striking markings up to the spider’s head region resembled the make-up worn by the singer during the 1970s.

Technical details: Nikon Z 8 + 105mm f2.8 lens; 1/125 at f20; ISO 250; multiple flashes + DIY diffusers ©Lam Soon Tak | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

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natural artistry

Awards Feature: WPOTY 2024 Highly Commended

REFLECTING THE SIMPLE BEAUTY OR COMPLEX ARTISTRY OF NATURE. PHOTOGRAPHS CAN BE IN COLOUR OR BLACK AND WHITE, AND ALTHOUGH THEY MAY NOT MATCH THE CRITERIA OF OTHER CATEGORIES, THEY MUST REMAIN TRUE TO NATURE.

THE LAST RESTING PLACE Deer (Cervidae) Randy Robbins, USA Taken near Susanville, California, USA Category: Behaviour: Natural Artistry Highly Commended Randy Robbins is struck by the unusual beauty of the frosted form of this deer on the forest floor.

On an early winter’s morning, Randy was checking the trail cameras near his home when he found the body of this deer. He photographed this poignant moment using his smartphone before the ice could melt.

Technical details: Apple iPhone XR; 4.25mm built-in lens; 1/121 at f1.8 ©Randy Robbins, USA | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

behaviour: birds PORTRAYING MEMORABLE, UNUSUAL OR DRAMATIC BEHAVIOUR.

PRECIOUS ROCKS Jawdaw (Coloeus monedula) Samual Stone, UK Taken in Bushy Park, London, England, UK Category: Behaviour: Birds Highly Commended Samual Stone watches as a jackdaw brings stones to its nest.

Samual had been keeping an eye on the hole in the trunk of a half-fallen willow tree in London’s Bushy Park – he’d seen a pair of jackdaws visiting with their beaks full of hair taken from the coats of local deer.

Jackdaws are highly intelligent and adaptable. They build new nests each year, from all sorts of materials: twigs, branches, feathers, wool, moss, mud and animal dung. This pair kept adding rocks to theirs.

Technical details: Nikon D5500 + Sigma 150–600mm f5-6.3 lens; 1/500 at f6.3; ISO 800. ©Samual Stone, UK | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

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Awards Feature: WPOTY 2024 - Highly Commended

animals in their enviroment EVOKING ATMOSPHERE AND A SENSE OF PLACE - WITH THE HABITAT AS A MAJOR ELEMENT OF THE PICTURE – TO CONVEY HOW AN ANIMAL IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF ITS ENVIRONMENT.

GOING WITH THE FLOE Crabeater Seals (Lobodon carcinophagus) Tamara Stubbs, UK Taken in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica Category: Animals In Their Evironment Highly Commended Tamara Stubbs spots these crabeater seals taking a nap among the sea ice.

In a standout moment on her nine-week expedition in the Weddell Sea, Tamara noticed that seals had fallen asleep alongside the ship, with the tips of their nostrils at the water’s surface. These two had bobbed up so they could take a deeper breath.

There are around four million crabeater seals in the Antarctic. Although they are not considered endangered or under threat, the seals are protected by international conservation agreements. More research is needed to understand the impact of climate change and tourism on their populations.

Technical details: Sony α7R II + Canon 24–70mm f2.8 lens at 70mm; 1/320 at f7.1; ISO 100; polarising filter ©Tamara Stubbs and Atlantic Productions, UK | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Mussels (Mytilus edulis) Theo Bosboom, The Netherlands Taken in Praia da Ursa, Sintra, Portugal Category: Animals in Their Environment Highly Commended Theo Bosboom shows how mussels bind together to avoid being washed away from the shoreline.

Theo likes to take images of species that aren’t usually considered beautiful or important, to highlight their unappreciated significance. He took this image from above with a probe lens – a long, thin, macro wide-angle lens.

Mussels play an important role in creating dynamic ecosystems for other marine invertebrates such as crustaceans, worms and even small fish. They improve the water quality by filter-feeding, extracting plankton as well as bacteria and toxins, which prevents them from building up to dangerous levels.

Technical details: Canon EOS R5 + Laowa 24mm Periprobe lens; 0.6 sec at f32; ISO 200; focus stack of 9 images ©Theo Bosboom, The Netherlands | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

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OCEANS: THE BIGGER PICTURE REPORTING ON THE VITAL INFLUENCE AND IMPORTANCE OF MARINE ENVIRONMENTS FOR US OR THE PLANET. PHOTOGRAPHS CAN BE TAKEN ABOVE OR BELOW THE WATER. THEY SHOULD CONVEY A MESSAGE – SYMBOLIC OR ACTUAL – WHETHER SEAS AS RESERVOIRS OF EXTRAORDINARY PLENTY OR OCEANS AS DRIVERS OF CLIMATE AND WEATHER, OR AS EXAMPLES OF HUMAN EXPLOITATION, PROTECTION OR RESTORATION OF A MARINE ENVIRONMENT.

THE DISAPPEARING ICE CAP Thomas Vijayan, Canada Taken Svalbard, Norway Category: Oceans: The Bigger Picture Highly Commended Thomas Vijayan utilises his drone to show the epic scale of the Bråsvellbreen glacier.

Encapsulating the magnificence of the Austfonna ice cap required meticulous planning and favourable weather conditions. Thomas’s image, a stitched panorama of 26 individual frames, provides a spectacular summer view of meltwater plunging over the edge of the Bråsvellbreen glacier.

The Bråsvellbreen glacier is part of Austfonna, Europe’s third largest ice cap. This dome of ice is one of several that covers the land area of the Svalbard archipelago.

Some scientific models suggest that Svalbard’s glaciers could disappear completely within 400 years due to climate change.

Technical details: DJI Mavic Mini 2 + 24mm f2.8 lens; 26 individual exposures ©Thomas Vijayan, Canada | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

HOOKED Requiem Shark (Carcharhinus galapaguensis) Tommy Trenchard, South Africa Taken in International waters, South Atlantic Ocean Category: Oceans: The Bigger Picture Highly Commended Tommy Trenchard documents the bycatch of a requiem shark, its body arched in a final act of resistance.

Tommy was travelling on the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise. The ship’s research expedition aimed to document the bycatch or accidental capture of sharks by fishing boats targeting tuna and swordfish, and to highlight the lack of effective regulation of industrial-scale fishing in international waters.

Approximately 80 million sharks are taken from the world’s oceans every year.

Because of fishing, numbers of sharks worldwide have dropped since 1970.

Three quarters of all shark species are now at risk of extinction.

Technical details: Fujifilm X-T2 + 50–230mm f4.5–6.7 lens; 1/550 at f5.2; ISO 500. ©Tommy Trenchard, South Africa | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

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UNDER WATER

Awards Feature: WPOTY 2024 - Highly Commended

REVEALING LIFE UNDER WATER, WHETHER A MARINE OR FRESHWATER ENVIRONMENT. PHOTOGRAPHS CAN FOCUS ON ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR OR PORTRAY ANIMALS OR PLANTS AS PART OF PARTICULAR UNDERWATER ENVIRONMENTS AS CLEAR AS CRYSTAL Manatee ((Trichechus manatus latirostris) Hunter Springs, Crystal River, Florida, USA Jason Gulley, USA Category: Under Water Highly Commended Jason Gulley gazes through clear water at a manatee and a calf adrift among the eelgrass.

Jason has photographed many manatee mother-and-calf pairs. The expression on this calf’s face and the bubbles trailing from its flippers, combined with the hopeful backstory, have made it one of Jason’s favourite images.

Here in the Crystal River, an algal bloom caused by agricultural runoff led to a decline in the eelgrass beds that the manatees eat. The local community acted, restoring the habitat and improving water quality, resulting in more manatees than ever being recorded in the winter of 2022/2023.

Technical Details: Nikon Z 6 + 14–30mm f4 lens; 1/50 at f4; ISO 1000; Nauticam housing + WACP-2 wide-angle conversion port ©Jason Gulley | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

YOUNG WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR LEAVING THE NEST Tawny Owlets (Strix aluco) Taken in Maximiliansanlagen, Munich, Germany Sasha Jumanca, Germany/Romania Category: 10 Years and Under Highly Commended Sasha Jumanca finds two tawny owlets curiously watching people walking by.

Sasha had been watching these tawny owlets for several days in a park near his home.

He had seen tawny owls in the neighbourhood before but was surprised to discover these so close to the heart of the city.

Owlets leave the nest before they can fly, in a phase known as ‘branching’. They will jump, flutter and climb around branches of nearby trees for several weeks while begging for food from their parents, before they eventually fledge and fly away.

Technical Details: Nikon D7200 + 200–500mm f5.6 lens at 270mm; 1/500 at f6.3; ISO 2200 ©Sasha Jumanca | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) Taken in Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India Shreyovi Mehta, India Category: 10 Years and Under Runner-Up Shreyovi Mehta finds two Indian peafowl ‘looking perfect for a picture’.

Shreyovi was walking in the forest with her parents when she spotted this scene. She ran back to her dad, who was carrying the cameras, then got down on the ground to take her photograph from a low angle.

Renowned for its birdlife, Keoladeo attracts large numbers of water birds in winter.

Peafowl are year-round residents that roost in large trees. They rest in the shade during the day and are more active in open areas at dawn and dusk.

Canon EOS R5 + 100–500mm f4.5–7.1 lens; 1/800 at f10; ISO 1600 ©Shreyovi Mehta | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

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TS BA H S ITI BR

Q&A FROM THE BAT CONSERVATION TRUST

How many bat species are in the UK? We are lucky enough to have 18 species of

©left: Creative Nature Photography Pipistrelle Bat, via Getty Images ©Right: Creative Nature Photography Daubentons Bat, via Getty Images

bat in the UK, 17 of which are known to be breeding here - that’s almost a quarter of our mammal species.

Every summer, thousands of people venture out to experience the wonder of bats in their natural environment. Sadly, bat populations have suffered severe declines during the past century, but the Bat Conservation Trust and more than 80 local bat groups are working hard to help our bats hang on.

THERE IS NO ‘BAT POLICE’ Words by Bat Conservation Trust IG: @ batconservationtrust

Why Do Bats Matter?

Bats play an important role in many habitats around the world. In the UK, some bats are ‘indicator species’, because changes to these bat populations can indicate changes in aspects of biodiversity. Bats might suffer when there are declines in insect populations (because our bats feed on insects) or when

You may have come across an article in The Spectator called ‘Beware the bat police’ published 3 August 2024. Two premises drive the article’s negative tone: that ecological consultants are pointless and that bats are over-protected. Here the Bat Conservation Trust respond to those ideas.

habitats are destroyed or poorly managed (for example, some bats only live in large or old

What are the threats of bats?

In the UK, bat populations have declined considerably over the last century. Bats are still under threat from building and development work that affects roosts, loss of habitat, the severing of commuting routes by roads and threats in the home including cat attacks, flypaper and some chemical treatments of building materials. Other potential threats can include wind turbines and lighting if they are sited on key bat habitat on near roosts.

Where do bats live?

Bats do not make nests, but choose various places throughout the year to roost. Bats roost in houses, both new and old but some species prefer hollow trees, or caves. In buildings they often shelter behind hanging tiles and boarding or in roof spaces.

A

re bats over-protected?

woodlands).

I

t is true that “some UK bat populations have been stable or recovering since 1999”. But the UK’s 18 bat species all suffered severe historic declines before that baseline date, and they are all still recovering.

A major part of BCT’s work is to monitor bat species to provide data used by government and other organisations. We rely on the hard work of hundreds of citizen scientists and volunteers to get the data we need.

We monitor 11 bat species, and we are science-led when we say bats need protection. Out of the 11 mammals at risk of extinction in the UK, four are bats. And we now know that at least one species, the barbastelle, has declined by 99% over several hundred years.

Do wildlife laws prevent enough houses being built?

Our natural heritage does not need to be sacrificed to achieve economic growth. BCT welcomes the opportunity to have a constructive dialogue in order support the new government’s aim of a “strong economy and environment this country needs and deserves.”

Wildlife laws are often presented in the media as being unnecessary ‘red tape’ that prevents sensible development. But a 2019 cross-party Red Tape Initiative report on planning regulations highlighted that wildlife laws are not a hindrance to planning and development.

Rather, delays can happen due to how the planning process is implemented.

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Since then, BCT and many other organisations have worked to make the planning process easier while maintaining bat populations. BCT works closely with government, industry, developers, and other organisation to find solutions to any perceived clashes between wildlife and humans. Most developers want to do what’s best for the UK’s natural heritage.

The Our Shared Nature report published by the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) in January 2024 outlines how explicitly incorporating nature into planning can also improve the health and wellbeing for people. We share the TCPA call for a more strategic approach to building well located and designed affordable homes that are sustainable and nature friendly.

Ecological consultants and surveys The article mentions that more than one survey was needed to ascertain if bats were present. This isn’t as strange as was made out. It is true of many animals that use different locations by day and night, or in winter or summer. It is also true of humans - if you surveyed a load of office buildings at night you might assume no one uses them. And the case mentioned in the Spectator article bears this out: it did take the second survey to show two species of protected bats were present.

Of course, BCT doesn’t supervise, accredit or sanction ecological consultants. We do provide training and guidance. If anyone believes an ecological consultant they have hired has not done a good job, they can raise their concern with the appropriate professional body.

Gardening Feature: The Transitional Season

SEASONAL Tips GARDENING Dobbies prepares for a blooming colourful autumn with Chrysanthemums.

Words by Dobbies Garden Centre and Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton IG: @ dobbiesgardencentres Loved for their eye-catching flowers and versatility, Chrysanthemums are the perfect plant to inject instant colour into borders and containers this summer, with vibrant blooms that will last throughout autumn and help you extend the sunny season in your garden.

Up: Dobbies Chrysanthemums photography ©Stewart Attwood Photography Down: Dobbies Garden Centres Late Summer Doorway

with a peat-free multi purpose compost, and mulch well after planting to ensure water retention.

- Chrysanthemums will benefit from a sunny spot and regular waterings throughout the season, however, be careful not to overwater as they dislike waterlogged conditions.

- Removing faded flowers regularly helps to keep a display looking its best. It also encourages new buds to form, extending to overall display.

For more gardening tips and to browse Dobbies’ range of late summer and autumn plants, visit www.dobbies.com.

Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, Nigel Lawton explains why he thinks Chrysanthemums are expected to be a favourite among Dobbies customers this year. He says: “Chrysanthemums are always a popular plant in late summer as gardeners prepare their outdoor spaces for autumn.

However, this year we’re expecting them to appear in even more borders and containers as people shift away from neutral colour palettes and embrace maximalism and colour.

“After a particularly wet summer, gardeners haven’t been able to enjoy their outdoor spaces the way they usually do. Because of this, we’re anticipating colourful plants will be at the top of wishlists as people look to make the most of their gardens before cold weather sets in.

“Not only will Chrysanthemums provide a welcome boost of rich colour this autumn, because they’re hardy perennials, they’ll come back year after year if cared for properly.”

Nigel’s Chrysanthemum care tips - Chrysanthemums like a fertile but well-drained soil, so before planting, improve your soil

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Walk This Way Feature: The Autumnal Season

WALK THIS WAY: INTO AUTUMN Image: Fall Foliage of New England, USA. ©Gagliardi Photography Postcard: Sunrise over Sanjunoto Pagoda and Kiyomizu-Dera Temple in the Autumn Season, Kyoto. ©Nataliya Hora

Words by Joyce Willis Outdoor Adventure Editor IG: @conkernaturemagazine

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utumn is a season that transforms the landscape into a palette of vibrant colours, offering some of the most breath-taking walks in the world. Here are some of the best autumn walks that capture the essence of the season; The New England Foliage Tour, USA New England is renowned for its spectacular fall foliage. The region’s hardwood trees display a stunning array of reds, oranges, and yellows. Popular routes include the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire and the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts.

The Lake District, England The Lake District is a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers a magical autumn experience. Walkers can enjoy the reflections of colourful foliage in the lakes and the crisp, cool air.

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Routes like the Catbells and Helvellyn are particularly popular in the autumn season.

Kyoto, Japan Kyoto is famous for its ancient temples and gardens, which become even more enchanting in autumn. The city’s maple trees turn vivid shades of red and orange, providing a stunning backdrop for a leisurely walk through areas like Arashiyama and the Philosopher’s Path.

The Douro Valley, Portugal Known for its vineyards and terraced hillsides, the Douro Valley offers a unique autumn walk. As the grapevines turn golden, visitors can enjoy walking tours that include tastings of the region’s famous port wine.

The Canadian Rockies, Canada The Canadian Rockies provide a dramatic setting for an autumn walk.

Trails around Lake Louise and Moraine Lake offer stunning views of golden larches set against snow-capped

peaks and turquoise waters.

So, whether you’re walking through the vibrant forests of New England or the serene gardens of Kyoto, autumn offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature.

These walks showcase the best of the season, inviting you to immerse yourself in the beauty of autumn.

Have fun exporing!

THE LUNA BELL TENT

WILD WONDERS

The Life of Birds - Coming Soon HarperCollins Publishing | 10.99

By David Attenborough A fully updated new edition of David Attenborough’s bestselling classic. BIRDS. 11,000 species, the most widespread of all animals: on icebergs, in the Sahara or under the sea, at home in our gardens or flying for over a year at a time.

Earthbound, we can only look and listen, enjoying their lightness, freedom and richness of plumage and song.

David Attenborough has been watching and learning all his life. His classic book, now fully updated with the latest discoveries in ornithology, is a brilliant introduction to bird behaviours around the world: what they do and why they do it. He looks at each step in birds’ lives and the problems they have to solve: learning to fly; finding food; communicating; mating and caring for nests, eggs and young; migrating; facing dangers and surviving harsh conditions.

Wild Show Watch Out

David Attenborough: Ocean (Working Title) National Geographic and David Attenborough join forces on a documentry to spotlight the health of the world’s ocean.

National Geographic announced that it is partnering for the very first time with the world’s preeminent natural historian, Sir David Attenborough, on a feature-length documentary special about the health of the world’s oceans. Presented and authored by the 98-year-old broadcaster, DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: OCEAN (working title) will share with a global audience the story of how we can, and must, restore the glory of Earth’s vast, interconnected waters.

The film is being produced by Silverback with the backing of All3Media International, Ocean Ten Media, Minderoo Productions, National Geographic Society and Pristine Seas, Don Quixote ASBL and The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. In 2025, it will debut in theatres before premiering globally on National Geographic and streaming on Disney+.

After nearly a hundred years filming every aspect of the natural world, Attenborough delivers his most powerful message yet. In this feature-length special, he draws on his lifetime of knowledge and experience to take us on a journey of wonder through the planet’s most spectacular undersea habitats, revealing that we are currently living in the greatest age of ocean discovery, and showing beyond doubt that it is the most important place on Earth. While Attenborough exposes the biggest problems facing our ocean, his story is one of hope, and that in front of us is an opportunity for marine life to recover on a scale no one alive has ever seen before.

Sir David has no equal in helping others to learn and making it exciting. His curiosity and enjoyment are infectious. He shows the lifelong pleasure that birds around us offer, and how much we miss if unaware of them.

The Life of Birds: TV Series You can also watch The Life of Birds, A natural history of bird life narrated by David Attenborough on BBC Iplayer released in October of 1998, about the following episodes; Episode 1. To Fly or Not to Fly: Looking at the period when dinosaurs developed feathers and took to the air. Episode 2. The Mastery of Flight: Analysing how different species have evolved unique skills. Episode 3. The Insatiable Appetite: This edition focuses on the remarkable variety of feeding habits employed by birds.

Episode 4. Meat-eaters: David focuses on birds of prey, from meat-eating parrots to eagles that catch monkeys. Episode 5. Fishing for a Living: In this programme, a focus on the remarkable variety of aquatic birds. Episode 6. Signals and Songs: A look at the methods of communication that birds use.

Episode 7. Finding Partners: A look at mating rituals. Episode 8. The Demands of the Egg: David Attenborough examines how birds look after their eggs. Episode 9.

The Problem of Parenthood: David Attenborough looks at feeding practices and behavioural patterns. Episode 10. The Limits of Endurance: David Attenborough looks at birds living in harsh environments.

WILD BOOK ROUND UP Trelawny’s Cornwall Orion Publishing Co | £22

By Pretroc Trelawny It would be hard to think of a more thoroughly Cornish name than Petroc Trelawny. His first name is shared with one of Cornwall’s most celebrated saints, his second is the name of its unofficial national anthem.

But when a stranger challenges the Radio 3 presenter on his ancestry, he is inspired to return to the lands of his boyhood to rediscover the place where he grew up, and attempt to confirm if he still belongs there.

As he travels by road, rail and foot, he conjures marvellously vivid figures and scenes from memory, telling the stories of a loving family full of mysteries and a landscape still redolent of ‘Cornish otherness’.

England: A Natural History (pre-order) Transworld Publishers Ltd | £25

By John Lewis-Stempel Our countryside is iconic: a series of distinctive habitats that unite to create a landscape that is unique for the rich diversity of our flora and fauna. In England, his most magisterial book to date, John Lewis-Stempel explores each in turn, taking us from coast to moor, from downs to field, from the park to the village to create a vivid living portrait of our natural history.

In a stunning package, complete with decorated boards, endpapers, chapterheads and a map, England: A Natural History is the definitive volume on the English landscape and the capstone of John Lewis-Stempel’s nature writing.

The Accidental Garden Profile Bookd Limited | 12.99

By Richard Mabey We regard gardens as our personal dominions, where we can create whatever worlds we desire. But they are also occupied by myriads of other organisms, all with their own lives to lead. The conflict between these two power bases, Richard Mabey suggests, is a microcosm of what is happening in the larger world.

In this provocative book, rooted in the daily dramas of his own Norfolk garden, Mabey offers a different scenario, where nature becomes an equal partner, a ‘gardener’ itself. Against a background of disordered seasons he watches his ‘accidental’ garden reorganising itself. Ants sow cowslip seeds in the parched grass. Moorhens take to nesting in trees. The garden becomes a place of cultural and ecological fusion, and perhaps a metaphor for the troubled planet.

Entertainment Feature: This Month’s Wild Wonders

EDITORS PICK NATURAL WORLD TV SHOW BIG CATS 24/7 Produced & Broadcasted on BBC | Roger Webb & Tom Jarvis | Released 25th August 2024

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ollowing individual lions, cheetahs and leopards for six months, over two extreme seasons, Big Cats 24/7 shows their battle to survive in an increasingly challenging world.

In this new raw, unfiltered observational wildlife series, an elite camera team capture the dramatic lives of African big cats in the breath-taking Okavango Delta, Botswana. Wildlife Cinematographers Gordon Buchanan, Vianet Djenguet and Anna Dimitriadis join forces with the Natural History Film Unit, Botswana led by Brad Bestelink and his local camera team.

Following individual lions, cheetahs and leopards for six months, over two extreme seasons, this documentary shows their battle to survive in an increasingly challenging world. From unprecedented wildfire to flood and extreme drought, the cats and camera crew are tested to their limits. With extraordinary, unparalleled access, in an area unvisited by tourists, and the opportunity to film from the ground, the air and through the night, the Big Cat 24/7 team work together to follow the cats’ lives around the clock. Cat 24/7 team work together to follow the cats’ lives around the clock.

A linear story across six crucial months, the camera team form unique bonds with the cats, and each other.

Each episode follows a pivotal point in our cats’ lives, ending on a cliff-hanger. A revolution in low light camera technology means the series showcases previously unseen behaviour at night; cutting-edge drones keep track of the big cat’s movements like never before, and combining the raw endeavour of an expedition with premium natural history footage gives the show a contemporary new approach.

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Photo Feature: Atlantic Botantical Garden

Atlanta Botanical Garden PHOTOGRAPHER: MARY SCRIBNER IG: @SIMPLYKHAOTIKPHOTOGRAPHY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SIMPLY KHAOTIK PHOTOGRAPHY WWW.SIMPLYKHAOTIK.COM

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Photo Feature: Atlantic Botantical Garden

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Photo Feature: Atlantic Botantical Garden

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NASA’S BOEING CREW STATUS Words by NASA IG: @NASA Edited by Jason Williams | Space Editor IG: @conkernaturemagazine

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eing an astronaut has more challenges than your average 9-5 day job.

Recently, you might have heard that two of NASA’s astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni are stuck in space until February 2025.

Initially, the Boeing Crew were scheduled to be in space at the International Space Station for only 8 days, but things have changed drastically.

The astronauts arrived at the orbiting laboratory on June 6 aboard the Boeing Starliner after lifting off on June 5 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

During Starliner’s flight to the space station, engineers noticed some of the spacecraft’s thrusters did not perform as expected and several leaks in Starliner’s helium system also were observed. While the engineers work to resolve technical issues before Starliner’s return to Earth, the astronaut duo have been working with the Expedition 71 crew, that are already on the International Space Station, performing scientific research and maintenance activities.

It was then announced that NASA decided Butch and Suni will remain aboard the space station instead of returning with the Starliner spacecraft.

The agency’s commitment to safety drove the decision, and it allows NASA and Boeing to continue gathering Starliner performance data during its early September return, while also not accepting more risk than necessary for its crew. Butch and Suni now will integrate into the Expedition 71/72 crew and will return to Earth in February 2025 with the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.

You might have some questions about the mission and the astronauts themselves - Here’s everything you need to know: What is NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, and why is it necessary?

The astronauts arrived at the orbiting laboratory on June 6 aboard the Boeing Starliner after lifting off on June 5 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

What are the goals of the Crew Flight Test?

This flight test’s goal is to demonstrate Starliner’s ability to execute a six-month rotational mission to the space station. The test objectives were developed to support NASA’s certification process and gather the performance data needed to evaluate readiness ahead of long-duration flights.

What happened to Starliner?

During Starliner’s flight to the space station, some of the spacecraft’s thrusters did not perform as expected and several leaks in Starliner’s helium system were observed. Since then, NASA and Boeing have taken additional time to learn more about the spacecraft through in-flight and ground testing and extensive data analysis before making the best, safest decision on how and when to return the crew home. This analysis included processes and organizations established as a result of the space shuttle Columbia accident.

Why did NASA decide to return Starliner without astronauts aboard the spacecraft?

NASA made the decision following in-depth technical reviews covering Starliner’s propulsion

News Feature: NASA Boeing Update and helium systems and expected performance during return scenarios. Given the uncertainty around Starliner’s systems and NASA’s high performance and safety standards for human spaceflight, the agency could not accept more risk than necessary for Butch and Suni’s return.

NASA now is replanning its SpaceX Crew-9 mission by launching two crew members in late September instead of four. Butch and Suni will return to Earth after the regularly scheduled Crew-9 increment early next year.

Can Starliner fly without astronauts?

Yes, Starliner can undock and deorbit autonomously. Starliner undocked and returned on its own during Orbital Flight Test-2 in 2022, and it also performed a full entry and landing autonomously during the first Orbital Flight Test in 2019.

What now happens with Starliner?

NASA and Boeing will begin preparations for a Starliner return in early September without crew. During its return, the NASA-Boeing team will monitor the flight and collect additional performance data to improve the spacecraft for future flights.

Will Starliner be certified for future flights to the space station?

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program will carefully review all Starliner data collected during the mission to determine whether the system is ready for regular flights to and from the space station. If needed, the agency will also determine what additional elements may be required to meet NASA’s certification requirements.

If there’s an emergency aboard the space station, how will Butch and Suni get home?

The International Space Station crew and ground teams have completed the configuration of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft supportingCrew-8 to now serve as the emergency return spacecraft for Butch and Suni, if needed, until NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission arrives following its launch no earlier than Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Did NASA always plan to use SpaceX as a backup to bring Butch and Suni back?

The International Space Station crew and ground teams have completed the configuration of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft supportingCrew-8 to now serve as the emergency return spacecraft for Butch and Suni, if needed, until NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission arrives following its launch no earlier than Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Are Butch and Suni stuck aboard the space station?

No, Butch and Suni are safe aboard the space station working alongside the Expedition 71 crew conducting research and performing station maintenance. They also have been actively involved in Starliner testing and technical meetings.

How long will Butch and Suni stay aboard the space station?

Butch and Suni will remain aboard the station until late-February 2025. NASA is replanning the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission and will launch only two crew members instead of four in late September. Butch and Suni will return to Earth after the regularly scheduled Crew-9 increment.

Are Suni and Butch prepared for a longer stay?

Butch and Suni each have previously completed two long-duration stays aboard the station. NASA astronauts embark on missions fully aware of the various scenarios that may become reality. This mission is no different, and they understood the possibilities and unknowns, including being aboard station longer than planned.

Do the astronauts have what they need (e.g., food, clothing, oxygen, personal items, etc.)?

Yes. The space station is well-stocked with everything the crew needs, including food, water, clothing, and oxygen. Additionally, NASA and its space station partners frequently launch resupply missions carrying additional supplies and cargo. In August, a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft carrying 8,200 pounds of food, fuel, supplies, and science and a Progress resupply spacecraft carrying three tons of cargo arrived at the station.

NASA has additional resupply missions planned through the end of 2024 and beyond.

Can they talk to their family and friends?

Butch and Suni enjoy many of the same comforts we have here on Earth. They can email, call, and video conference with their family and friends when they have “free time” aboard the International Space Station.

There you have it, the astronauts are safe on the International Space Station, they are not alone, they have regular supplies, can talk to family and friends, and will return home early next year. In the meantime, they will offer vital expertise to the station.

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The beauty of summer PHOTOGRAPHER: IRINA GRITSENKO IG:@LADY_IRINA80

Photo Feature: The Beauty of Summer

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Photo Feature: The Beauty of Summer

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Photo Feature: In August After The Rain

In August after the rain PHOTOGRAPHER: POLINA SHKLIAR IG:@POLINKA_SHKLIAR

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Photo Feature: In August After The Rain

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Photo Feature: In August After The Rain

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Green Swedish Recycled Wool Throw - £64

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Editors Feature: Wildlife & Lifestyle Favourites

CONKER NATURE’S WILDLIFE & LIFESTYLE FAVOURITES

EXPLORE THE ENCHANTING WORLD OF AUTUMN WILDLIFE AND DISCOVER CURATED LIFESTYLE FAVOURITES INSPIRED BY THE SEASON’S NATURAL BEAUTY. FROM THE VIBRANT FOLIAGE OF DECIDUOUS FORESTS TO THE BUSTLING ACTIVITY OF ANIMALS PREPARING FOR WINTER, THE AUTUMNAL LANDSCAPE OFFERS ENDLESS WONDERS. DELVE INTO OUR SELECTION OF AUTUMNTHEMED PRODUCTS AND EXPERIENCES THAT CELEBRATE NATURE’S DIVERSITY AND CHARM DURING THIS TRANSITIONAL SEASON. WHETHER YOU’RE A SEASONED NATURE ENTHUSIAST OR SIMPLY CAPTIVATED BY THE CHANGING COLOURS, OUR CURATED FAVOURITES WILL BRING A TOUCH OF AUTUMN’S MAGIC INTO YOUR LIFE. 36

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1. FABLE ENGLAND: FABLE ENGLAND X NHM FLORAL ENGRAVINGS JUNGLE BOOK LARGE SQUARE SCARF - £50, 2. JOHN LEWIS: OLIVE GREEN ACID WASH PATCHWORK CABLE JUMPER - £85, 3. NATIONAL TRUST: GREEN BEANIE - £15, 4. NATIONAL TRUST: HAMPS JACKET - £190, 5. JOE BROWNS: SHIRT JUMPER BROWN - £55, 6. JOE BROWNS: ALEXIS FEATHER TRIM HAT -£49, 7. BARBOUR: FIELD VERTICAL QUILTED JACKET - £249, 8. MARKS AND SPENCER: BROWN BOOTS - £110, 9. LUCY SYLVESTER: OAK TREE NECKLACE - £140, 10. JOHN LEWIS: WOODRUSH NAY LAMBSWOOL BLEND ARGYLE TANK - £55, 11. JOHN LEWIS: ANYDAY ZINGZANG STRIPE CREW -£42, 12. ACCESSORIZE: WEBBING SHOULDER BAG TAN -£38, 13. JOE BROWNS: HERITAGE CHECK WAISTCOAT AND TROUSERS (SEPARATELY) - £48 AND £55, 14. FABLE ENGLAND: MUSHROOM EMBROIDERED BURGUNDY PASHMINA SCARF - £35,15. JOE BROWNS: CHUNKY SUEDE SHOE TAN - £65, 16. JOHN LEWIS: ANYDAY BROWN RELAXED PLEATED TROUSERS - £39, 17. JOHN LEWIS: ANYDAY BLACK MULTI STRIPE SHIRT - £35, 18. NATIONAL TRUST: ROSEMARY OVERHEAD - £65, 19. MONSOON: MUSHROOM PINK JUMPER - COMING SOON, 20. MARKS AND SPENCER: BROWN BELT - £19.50, 21. LUCY SYLVESTER: GOLD ACORN PENDANT - £5760, 22. JOHN LEWIS: TIMBERLAND BROWN 3 EYE HANDSEWN SHOES - £180, 23. MONSOON: KIDS WHITE CHECK SHIRT - £21.50, 24. JOANNA WOOD: PINE CONE FINIAL - £48, 25. MATALAN: HIGHLAND COW CUSHION - £8, 26. MATALAN: HIGHLAND COW DUVET SET - £11, 27. OKA: LAURENTIA MAPLE LEAF DISH - £60, 28. MELODY MASON: RUSTIC BROWN ACORN STORAGE POT ORNAMENT - £19.95, 29. GISELA GRAHAM LONDON: PUMPKIN SPICE SCENTED BOXED CANDLE POT - £12.99, 30. MATALAN: MUSHROOM SHAPED CANDLE - £7, 31. SOPHIE ALLPORT: WOODLAND FRIENDS MINI STONEWARE JUG - £13.50, 32. MOUNTAIN & MOLEHILL: HEDGEHOGS LAMPSHADE - £65, 33. COUNTRY MOUSE: SWEDISH ORANGE WOOL THROWS - £79, 34. SOPHIE ALLPORT: WOODLAND FRIENDS EMBROIDERED LINEN NAPKINS (SET OF 4) - £40, 35. LA REDOUTE UK: TERACOTTA FINISH WALL SHELF - £65, 36. ADAMS & MACK: HANDMADE WOODPECKER BRASS DOOR KNOCKER WITH AUTUMN WREATH - £137.

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once upon a time there was a snail PHOTOGRAPHER: MAKSIM ZIANKEVICH IG:@MAKSIMICHKA

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Photo Feature: Once Upon a Time There Was A Snail

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Photo Feature: Once Upon a Time There Was A Snail

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THE TROPICAL MOOD COLLECTION

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