Conker Nature Magazine | Autumn | The Autumn Wildlife Issue: September/October 2023 by Swanky Group

ILED -TA TO W O OPS ALL SW L SWO Y R GUL VICTO 8 2 GE PA

AUTUMN |

OCTOBER 2023

VOL XXVI ISSUE I

THE AUTUMNAL HARVEST WITH WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER ROBERT BOOTH

THE BATTLE OF ANTLERS this year’s rut

THE FALLEN LEAVES

A WILDFOWL WANDER

autumnal top picks

avian winter arrival

Inside cover: Photographer: Toni Heath Instagram: @cuttlebone.co.uk Website: www.cuttlebone.co.uk

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM 2

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

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

Connect with us! INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK TWITTER WEBSITE YOUTUBE ENQUIRES ADDRESS

@conkernaturemagazine @conkernaturemagazine @conkernaturemag www.conkernature.com @conkernature Info@conkernature.com Conker Nature, PO Box 9661, United Kingdom, BH1 9LY

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. Conker Nature Magazine should not, under any circumstance, be reproduced either partially or wholly in any form or means without prior consent with the publication. It should not be hired, resold, or otherwise disposed to in any means of trade more than the recommended retail price set. PUBLISHED BY SWANKY MEDIA GROUP LTD, © Conker Nature Magazine 2023

Online Store Available @swankygroupworldwide.shop

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM 3

CONTENTS 08

WILD OBSERVER LATEST STORIES AND NEWS IN THIS MONTH’S WILD OBSERVER FEATURE WE COVER THE TURN OF THE SEASON WITH PLENTY OF BIRDS ARRIVING ON OUR SHORES TO WATCH OUT FOR.

THE AUTUMNAL HARVEST A SELECTION OF AUTUMNAL COLOURS AND WILDLIFE FROM FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPHER, ROBERT BOOTH. ADDITIONALLY, YOU CAN CATCH ROBERT OVER ON OUR WEBSITE FEATURING ON OUR IN AN INTERVIEW, TALKING ABOUT THE FRONT COVER SHOT AND HIS OTHER FEATURED SHOTS IN DETAIL.

THE BATTLE OF ANTLERS IT’S THAT SPECIAL TIME OF THE YEAR YET AGAIN, MARKING AN IMPORTANT TIME IN THE NATURAL WORLD CALENDAR. WE ARE OF COURSE, TALKING ABOUT THE RUTTING SEASON. TAKING PLACE RIGHT NOW IS THE DISTANT SOUNDS OF BELLOWING AND ANTLERS CLASHING ALL THE ACTION IS AWAITING YOU!

WONDROUS NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER, OLESYA KHIZHKO SHARES HER SNAPS OF FOREST HABITATS IN THE AUTUMNAL SEASON FROM EUROPE.

SWALLOW-TAILED GULL SWOOPS IN A VICTORY ONE OF THE GALAPAGOS ARCHIPELAGO’S LESS CELEBRATED SPECIES, THE SWALLOW-TAILED GULL, DOMINATED THE WINNING ENTRIES TO GALAPAGOS CONSERVATION TRUST’S 2023 PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION, FEATURING IN ALL THREE OF THE TOP-RATED IMAGES.

THE RUT OF THE DAY

NATURE’S AUTUMN JEWELS

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

PHOTOGRAPHER CATHERINE BALDWIN SHARES HER EXPERIENCE OF THE OCTOBER 2022 RUT. THIS RUT COLLECTION WAS TAKEN WHEN CATHERINE TOOK A TRIP TO BRADGATE PARK IN LEICESTER.

PORCELAIN FUNGUS OUDEMANSIELLA MUEIDA, COMMONLY KNOWN AS PORCELAIN FUNGUS, IS A BASIDIOMYCETE FUNGUS OF THE FAMILY PHYSALACRIACEAE AND A SPECIES THAT IS NATIVE IN EUROPE

A COLLECTION OF AUTUMNAL JEWELS FROM BRAND AMBASSADOR AND FREQUENT FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHER, SCOTT DUFFIELD. FEATURING KEY AUTUMNAL WILDLIFE SPECIES.

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM 4

October 2023

AUTUMN: THE SEASON OF LATE MORNINGS & EARLY NIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHER SCOTT DUFFIELD JOINS US WITH HIS AUTUMN SHOTS - AUTUMN OFFERS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR WILDLIFE WATCHERS AS THE MORNINGS ARE LATE, THE NIGHTS ARE EARLY AND THE COLOURS ARE STUNNING.

CONKER NATURE CURATED PAGES WELCOME TO THE FIRST AUTUMN CURATED PAGES, BROUGHT TO YOU FROM THE CONKER NATURE TEAM, JUST IN TIME FOR THE AUTUMN AND WINTER SEASON. IN THIS MONTH’S FEATURE, WE ARE FOCUSING ON ONE SPECIAL LOCATION - SCOTLAND. WE’VE GOT EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR AN AMAZING AUTUMNAL TRIP TO ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN THE UK.

NORTHWEST MEMBERS OF 104 PACIFIC AVES PHOTOGRAPHER, BRUCE WAKE, SNAPS SOME SPECIAL SPECIES FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, MEMBERS OF THE AVES FAMILY.

108 GOPHERS ON TATYSHEV ISLAND

THESE BEAUTIFUL CREATURES ARE GOPHERS. THEY WERE TAKEN BY ME IN A PARK ON AN ISLAND ON THE YENISEI RIVER. TATYSHEV ISLAND IN KRASNOYARSK IS A GOPHER KINGDOM OF ABOUT 4,500 GOPHERS. GOPHERS HERE ARE NOT AFRAID OF PEOPLE AT ALL, THEY TAKE TREATS FROM HANDS AND CAN EVEN BE STROKED, THEY RUN TO A PERSON AND WAIT FOR A TASTY TREAT.

110 HEDGEHOG FAMILY

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD DIGITAL ISSUES For details on how to subscribe visit us www.swankygroup.com

PHOTOGRAPHER: DMITRY KHOLMOGOROV IG: @DAX_018

114 FLORALS OF NORTH EASTERN PA

PHOTOGRAPHER: COURTNEY STROUP INSTAGRAM: COURTNEYMSTROUP_NATURE PORTRAIT WORK INSTAGRAM: @ COURTNEYMSTROUP_

118 SELENGA RIVER REPUBLIC PHOTOGRAPHER: TATYANA ZLOBINA IG: @_NIKON_T WB: VK.COM/ID14802282

126 WILD WONDERS + YOUR LETTERS DISCOVER THIS MONTH’S WILD SHOW WATCH OUTS, WILD BOOK ROUND UP, AND THE CONKER NATURE NATURAL HISTORY SHOW OF THE MONTH. ALSO SEE YOUR LETTERS YOU HAVE SENT IN!

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM 5

Editor’s Letter

October 2023

Lucy Morris Editor-in-chief Welcome to an issue focusing on what is perhaps one of my favourite seasons of the year - the return of autumn! In this issue, we are delving into the wonders of autumn and autumnal wildlife behaviours.

DUNELM: CERAMIC MUSHROOM - £3

Photo by Boris Belchev

As you will see in this issue, autumn is one of the busiest times of the year for wildlife. For Red Deer, Fallow Deer, and Sika Deer across the UK it is time to obtain more offspring, this is known as the rutting season. Expect to see some fascinating and outstanding behaviours from bellowing, wallowing, to physical clashing of antlers - it’s action packed, and if you are wildlife photography mad, then it definitely requires a camera at the ready!

FABLE ENGLAND: PAINTED ENAMEL AND PEARL MUSHROOM NECKLACE - £27

J.J TEXTILE: OWL BLANKET - £117 FABLE ENGLAND: WOODLAND KIMONO - £90 TBCO: RECYCLED WOOL PICNIC BLANKET - £103

Along the shores, autumn is also a special and busy time along these wet and muddy areas. Keep an eye out for birds arriving to UK flocks in their thousands along estuaries and mudflats. You can find out all the types of species that visit the UK in autumn and winter in Conker Nature’s Wild Observer feature on page 8.

In this month’s Conker Nature Magazine Photography Feature we cover, for the first time, a very special wildlife photography awards show - The Galapagos Conservation Trust’s 2023 photography competition. This year, one of the Galapagos’ less celebrated species, the swallow-tailed gull, dominated the winning entries and swooped in to take that victory. You can find out all about the entries, categories, and the judges from page 38. Making a return for this year’s autumn to winter season, The Conker Nature Magazine Team has gotten together to bring you all the latest outdoor autumn trends for all ages, genders and styles. Turn to page 96 for the latest looks. In our regular Conker Nature Wild Wonders, we dive into the latest books, movies, and tv shows to watch out for. Featured in the natural world show of the month is the story of our earth. Life of On Our Planet is the spotlight this month, produced by Netflix and brought to you by Silverback Films and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television - catch our planet’s story on October 25th 2023. Find out more on page 127. To wrap up, the Conker Nature Magazine team looks forward to seeing you next time with a UK special habitat issue, one that is often busy, hidden away from daily human perspectives - the man-made urban habitats. We look forward to uncovering more wildlife next month. Until next time! WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

- £17 OLLAR RIB MATALA NC

Joining us on the front cover this month is wildlife photographer Robert Booth. He will be joining us on our website to talk about his photography journey, his story behind the front cover of the curious bank vole, and his ambitions and dreams for the future of his photography.

DOBBIES: AUTUMN WREATH -£29.99

N’S : ME S T AXX TKM N BOO W BRO £49.99

ELLA JAMES: HEDGEHOG IN TOADSTOOL HOUSE - £59 BARBOUR: KATRINE TARTAN LEATH - £79.95 FABLE ENGLAND: FOX AND MUSHROOM SADDLE BAG - £90

THE LOUNGE CO: TLC ROSE SOFA IN WOODLAND MOSS - £2499

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM 6

Fable England: Autumnal Brooches

WILD OBSERVER WHAT’S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW A WILDFOWL WANDER Autumn is the turn for the season. Berries starts hanging from the hedges and bushes, autumnal leaves start to fall and gather on the floor - there is no avoiding the turn, autumn is certainly on its way. Bringing a glorious and golden new season. Another change is happening at this time, making autumn one the most spectacular seasons - plenty of birds are arriving on our shores to watch out for. Autumn is one of the busiest times of year for UK wildlife. Many of our summer visitors have left or are beginning to leave for warmer climates, don’t despair, as we can expect to welcome and see many birding species leaving colder countries and climates for the warmer (in comparison) British winters. The species that migrate to the UK, mainly turn up in autumn and winter to avoid the most harsher and brutal winters in their homelands of the Arctic Circle and Scandinavia. These migratory species have spent the summer season raising their chicks, and as the temperature has dropped and the days grow shorter with the change of seasons approaching, these autumn and winter migrants travel to the UK for easier access to food and the milder weather. With an abundance of food and with a warmer climate across our estuaries and mudflats, most wading species head to our coastal habitats all over the UK. Here, in the rich mud, you can find some very special species. First on our list, is a short-legged and stocky wading bird - the Knot. You can spot these small birds by their dappled grey colour in the winter (robin orange-red in the summer). Knots fly into the UK straight into estuaries to feed in our mudflats over the winter. Knots migrate from the Canadian Islands that are also joined by Knots travelling from Siberia to migrate to South Africa. The second and third on our mudflats list are very commonly found along the coast line. Every year, winter-visiting dunlins (a very small bird with a slightly down-curved bill and a distinctive black belly patch.) They fly over from Scandinavia and Russia to the UK. Arriving in the autumn season, dunlins form huge flocks on mudflat estuaries before heading back their countries for spring. Finally, the last of our winter waders you’ll see along the coast is a very special species, the Black-tailed Godwit. These species are classed in the Schedule 1 category, meaning their UK conservation status is Red and population numbers are very low - with UK breeding pairs standing at fifty-three pairs at this current time.

In summer, Black-tailed godwits are bright with a orangey-brown chests and belly patches. In winter, are a greyish-brown colour. Black-tailed Godwits are often confused with Bar-tailed Godwits as they are both very similar. However, the Bar-tailed Godwits breed in the Arctic, whereas the Blacktailed Godwit is two different subspecies - one that are British that migrate to west Africa for the winter, and ones that are Icelandic that migrate to the UK for the winter season. Also along our shores, you cannot miss the gaggles of geese and swans. Spot species such as the Brent geese, barnacle geese, Bewick’s swans, Whooper Swans, pink-footed geese, and finally white-fronted geese. These species frequently take long migration journeys - flying as far away from Iceland, the Russian tundra, and the Canadian Arctic Isles. The longest swan record crossing the sea goes to the whooper swan, flying all the way from Iceland to the UK. The whooper swan has a huge wingspan of 2.5 metres, and can also fly up to speeds of 55mph! Finally don’t forget overwintering ducks in the ponds, lakes and other wetland habitats!

IN LAND VISITORS Further inland, we get a few winter arrivals visiting parks, gardens and inland nature reserves, winter visitors feed on seasonal berries, seeds and small mammals (in the case of owls). Arrivals include the Short-eared Owl, flying to the UK from Scandinavia, and is a crespuscular species meaning they hunt for food in the daylight. The can be seen if you head for moorlands, wetlands or open grassland habitats - just keep your eyes out for those bright yellowed eyes and speckled brown feathers in the trees. Small avian arrivals include that of the fieldfare, waxwings (which you could see thousands of) and redwings. Finally, don’t forget our own resident avian species will have their numbers boosted by the migrant visitors arriving from Europe - you could see an increase in robins, chaffinches and starling numbers, all down to the arrivals spending the winter months here in the UK.

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM |

THE AUTUMNAL HARVEST +

AUTUMNAL WILDLIFE Photos by: Robert Booth Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/rjb8267 Visit our website www.conkernature.com to find out more about Robert Booth, and his story behind-the-cover.

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 11

12 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

14 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 15

16 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 17

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 19

THE BATTLE OF ANTLERS Photographer: Toni Heath Website: www.cuttlebone.co.uk Instagram: @cuttlebone.co.uk

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 21

22 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 23

24 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 25

WONDROUS NATURE Photographer: Olesya Khizhko Instagram: @olesya_khi Pinterest: pin.it/31gLMQG

26 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 27

FEATURE - PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD

SWALLOW-TAILED GULL SWOOPS IN FOR VICTORY ONE OF THE GALAPAGOS ARCHIPELAGO’S LESS CELEBRATED SPECIES, THE SWALLOWTAILED GULL, DOMINATED THE WINNING ENTRIES TO GALAPAGOS CONSERVATION TRUST’S 2023 PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION, FEATURING IN ALL THREE OF THE TOP-RATED IMAGES. Words by Galapagos Conservation Trust Edited by Natalie Bennett and Lucy Morris Instagram: @lucymorriswild 1st Place overall + 1st place in Animals in Action © Claire Waring (Swallow-tailed gull and frigatebird, taken in North Seymour)

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 29

Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) is the only UK charity to focus exclusively on the conservation and sustainable development of the Galapagos Archipelago. We deliver programmes that fill gaps in scientific knowledge, fund local scientists, NGOs and community groups, and partner with Ecuadorian authorities. Galapagos Conservation Trust has been running the Galapagos Photography Competition since 2001. The overall winner this year was Claire Waring from the UK, with her dramatic shot of a swallow-tailed gull and a juvenile great frigatebird mid-fight. Frigatebirds exhibit a behaviour known as kleptoparasitism, harassing other seabirds and forcing them to regurgitate their recently caught food by grabbing their tail feathers and shaking them, then catching the regurgitated food before it enters the sea. The competition judges were impressed by the clarity and definition of this difficult shot to pull off, with BBC wildlife producer and director Jo Haley describing it as “full of energy and action”, while Galapagos naturalist guide Water Perez commented that the image “shows that paradise can turn into hell”. Second place in the competition overall was awarded to Martín Narváez’s image of a swallow-tailed gull tenderly sheltering her chick under one wing (pictured right), while third place went to Tim Karels for his remarkable close-up shot of a swallow-tailed gull. This year’s judges were award-winning writer, TV presenter and wildlife photographer, Mark Carwardine; Blue Planet III producer and director, Jo Haley; Galapagos naturalist guide and professional photographer, Walter Perez; and managing director of competition sponsor Mundy Adventures, Edwina Lonsdale. The categories this year were Animals in Action; Birds of Galapagos; Coastal and Marine; Landscape; Up Close and Personal; and Urban Life. There were over 400 photographs entered this year from nearly 20 different countries, and a selection of the best images will feature in GCT’s 2024 calendar. You can see the full collection of category winners and runnersup as well as the winners selected by the judges, there is also a ‘Public Choice’ category which you can vote for. Both of these is accessible online at www.galapagosconservation.org.uk. The 2024 Galapagos Photography Competition will open in autumn 2023. Meet the judges: Mark Carwardine - a zoologist, TV and radio presenter, wildlife photographer, best-selling author, wildlife tour operator and leader, lecturer, and magazine columnist. Jo Haley - has been making documentaries for 12 years, working on landmark wildlife programmes including Planet Earth 2, Dynasties and Seven Worlds: One Planet. Her next venture is the BBC’s forthcoming series Blue Planet III. Walter Perez - has been working in Galapagos as a naturalist guide for over 15 years. He is a certified photography instructor, a professional photographer and has published two books, Galapagos: Life in Motion and Two Together. Edwina Lonsdale - is co-owner and managing director of Mundy Adventures, a London-based travel agency specialising in small ship expedition cruises. Edwina’s distinguished 40-year career in travel has taken her to incredible wildlife destinations including the Galapagos Islands.

30 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

2ND

2nd place overall + 1st place in Birds of Galapagos © Martín Narváez (Swallow-tailed gull, in South Plaza)

1ST

CATEGORY: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Illustrate the intricacy or beauty of a plant, or the character and personality of an animal in its Galapagos habitat. Judges look for careful composition and the pin-sharp focus of close-up or macro photography.

TIM KARELS 3rd Place Overall 1st Place Up Close and Personal Swallow-tailed Gull Category: Up Close and Personal Genovesa Island

Genovesa Island, A horse-shoe shaped island located in the north-eastern region of the Galapagos Archipelago. WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 33

34 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

2nd

FRACIS GLASSUP 2nd Place Up Close and Personal Marine Iguana Category: Up Close and Personal San Cristóbal

San Cristóbal Island, also known as Chatham Island, is the easternmost island in the Galápagos archipelago

3rd

PAUL HEATLIE 3rd Place Up Close and Personal Hummingbird Month Category: Up Close and Personal Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is an island in Ecuador’s Galápagos National Park. Tortuga Bay attracts sea turtles and marine iguanas.

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 37

38 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

1st

CATEGORY: ANIMALS IN ACTION Demonstrate a particular aspect of a Galapagos animal’s natural behaviour. Judges look for unusual behaviours that are rarely seen, or a common behaviour depicted in an interesting and inspired way.

CLAIRE WARING 1st Place Overall 1st Place Animals In Action Swallow-tailed Gull + Frigatebird Category: Animals in Action North Seymour

North Seymour Island is a small island near Baltra Island in the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador.

2nd

TIM KARELS 2nd Place Animals In Action Galapagos Flycatcher Category: Animals in Action Floreana

Floreana Island is a southern island in Ecuador’s Galápagos Archipelago.

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 41

3rd

TOM SHLESINGER 3rd Place Animals In Action Galapagos sea lion Category: Animals in Action San Cristobal

42 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

San Cristóbal Island, also known as Chatham Island, is the easternmost island in the Galápagos archipelago

1st

CATEGORY: LANDSCAPE Highlight the natural beauty of the Galapagos landscape. With its volcanic highlands, sloping forests, rocky shores, cliffs, beaches, lagoons and lava flows, there are plenty of opportunities. Judges look for a breath-taking, unusual or awe-inspiring shot.

CHARLES SCHINNER 1st Place Landscape Lava Cactus Category: Landscape Santiago

Santiago Island is one of the Galápagos Islands. The island, which consists of two overlapping volcanoes.

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 45

2nd

CARLOS LUNA 2nd Place Landscapes Category: Landscapes San Cristobal

San Cristóbal Island, also known as Chatham Island, is the easternmost island in the Galápagos archipelago

46 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

3rd

ANDREAS HILLIGER 3rd Place Landscape Category: Landscape Santiago

Santiago Island is one of the Galápagos Islands. The island, which consists of two overlapping volcanoes.

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 47

Isabela Island is the largest of the Galápagos Islands, with an area of 4,586 km2 and a length of 100 km. By itself, it is larger than all the other islands in the chain combined and it has a little under 2000 permanent inhabitants. The island straddles the equator.

1st

CATEGORY: COASTAL + MARINE Celebrate the diversity of Galapagos marine life. Whether you want to dive under the water or stay dry ashore, this category gives you the opportunity to capture Galapagos’ incredible marine wildlife. Judges look for stunning or unusual shots that showcase the wonders of the Galapagos Marine Reserve.

DAN SHIPP 1st Place Coastal + Marine Marine Iguana Category: Coastal + Marine Isabela

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 49

Darwin Island is an isolated northern member of the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, the uppermost extent of an extinct volcano.

50 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

2nd

DAN SHIPP 2nd (Joint) Place Coastal + Marine Green Turtle Category: Coastal + Marine Isabela

2nd

TOM SHLESINGER 2nd (Joint) Place Coastal + Marine Hammerhead Shark Category: Coastal + Marine Darwin

1st

CATEGORY: URBAN LIFE The human population is growing in Galapagos, and its wildlife is learning to adapt. Your original image could capture locals going about their everyday life, bold animals exploiting the urban habitat or an unexpected scene in an urban setting.

CATHERINE LU 1st Place Urban Life Galapagos sea lion Category: Urban Life Isabela

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 53

2nd

SOFÍA GREEN 2nd Place Urban Life Galapagos sea lion Category: Urban Life Santa Cruz

54 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

Santa Cruz is an island in Ecuador’s Galápagos National Park. Tortuga Bay attracts sea turtles and marine iguanas.

CATEGORY: URBAN LIFE

3rd

The human population is growing in Galapagos, and its wildlife is learning to adapt. Your original image could capture locals going about their everyday life, bold animals exploiting the urban habitat or an unexpected scene in an urban setting.

BIRCAN HARPER 3rd (Joint) Place Urban Life Galapagos Sea Lion, injured with a fishing hook Category: Urban Life Santiago

CATEGORY: URBAN LIFE

3rd

TOM SHLESINGER 3rd (Joint) Place Urban Life Galapagos Sea Lion Category: Urban Life

56 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

Santiago Island is one of the Galápagos Islands. The island, which consists of two overlapping volcanoes.

2nd

CATEGORY: BIRDS OF GALAPAGOS The final category gives you the opportunity to celebrate the incredible diversity of bird species found in Galapagos. From blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants to mockingbirds and finches, we want you to showcase just how special the birds of Galapagos really are.

IAN HENDERSON GUERRA 2nd Place Birds of Galapagos Galapagos Rail Category: Birds of Galapagos

The Galapagos rail, also known as the Galapagos crake, is a small, secretive yet tame ground-living bird endemic to the Islands.

58 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

3rd

JACQUELINE BURKE 3rd Place Birds of Galapagos Great Blue Heron Category: Birds of Galapagos San Cristóbal

Santiago Island is one of the Galápagos Islands. The island, which consists of two overlapping volcanoes.

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 59

60 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

‘PELICANS IN THE BAY’ MARTIN NARVÁEZ Pelican Category: Runners Up The Galapagos Isles

‘OH BOOBIE IT’S LUNCH’ CHARLES SCHINNER Booby Category: Runners Up Isabela Isabela Island is the largest of the Galápagos Islands, with an area of 4,586 km2 and a length of 100 km. By itself, it is larger than all the other islands in the chain combined and it has a little under 2000 permanent inhabitants. The island straddles the equator.

‘NAP TIME’

SHIVA MEHTA Galapagos Sea Lion Category: Runners Up Isabela Isabela Island is the largest of the Galápagos Islands, with an area of 4,586 km2 and a length of 100 km. By itself, it is larger than all the other islands in the chain combined and it has a little under 2000 permanent inhabitants. The island straddles the equator.

‘DIVER AND HAMMERHEADS’ SOFÍA GREEN Hammerhead Shark Category: Runners Up Darwin Island Darwin Island is an isolated northern member of the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, the uppermost extent of an extinct volcano.

62 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

64 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

‘DINNER WITH FRIENDS’ DAN SHIPP Green Turtle Category: Runners Up San Cristobal San Cristóbal Island, also known as Chatham Island, is the easternmost island in the Galápagos archipelago

‘CONTENT AMONGST THE VEGETATION’ BEN HOWITT Giant Tortoise Category: Runners Up The Galapagos Isles

THE RUT OF THE DAY

I was having a stressful time at work and decided to take a trip to Bradgate Park in Leicester last October (2022) to be rewarded with one deer rut. I arrived at 7:30 in the morning because I heard that’s a potential time to catch rutting. To my surprise, I managed to capture/witness one deer rut that day between Fallow Deer. I started getting into photography during Lockdown, March 2020 starting off with photographing my garden birds and moved onto wildlife hides and deer parks etc. Photographer: Catherine Baldwin Instagram: @cat.b_2.0

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 67

68 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 71

NATURE’S AUTUMN JEWELS Photographer: Scott Duffield Instagram: scott.duffield.photography Facebook: www.facebook.com/Scott.duffield.photography Website: www.scottduffieldphotography.pixieset.com

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 73

74 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 75

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 77

78 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

Porcelain Fungus Oudemansiella mucida, commonly known as porcelain fungus, is a basidiomycete fungus of the family Physalacriaceae and native to Europe. Photographer: Uljana Kuchar Instagram: @juliwetter13

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 81

82 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 83

84 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 85

86 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

DISCOVER THE WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR - HIGHLY COMMENDED IMAGES FIND OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE

AT WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM Photo by ©Alex Mustard | Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Autumn: The season of late mornings & Early nights Photographer: Scott Duffield Instagram: scott.duffield.photography Facebook: www.facebook.com/Scott.duffield.photography Website: www.scottduffieldphotography.pixieset.com

Autumn offers a unique opportunity for wildlife watchers as the mornings are late, the nights are early and the colours are stunning. Due to the shorter days alot of wildlife’s scavangenging and hunting activities often run on in to daylight hours giving us the opportunity to witness more of nature’s beautiful spectacles with the stunning back drop of autumnal colours.

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 89

90 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 91

92 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 93

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 95

PHOTOGRAPHER: SCOTT DUFFIELD INSTAGRAM: @SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY

FATFACE: CANDICE CABLE CREW JUMPER IN IVORY - £58

LOCATION: SCOTLAND, UK SCOTLAND CAN FEEL CHILLY IN THE AUTUMN, IT CAN ALSO HAVE FREQUENT RAINSTORMS SO ALWAYS HAVE A COAT ON HAND. YOU WILL ALSO WANT TO OBTAIN A WARM JUMPER, JEANS AND STURDY SHOEWEAR SUCH AS BOOTS.

FABLE ENGLAND: PAINTED ENAMEL AND PEARL MUSHROOM NECKLACE - £27

FATFACE: KESWICK WIDE LEG CROP JEANS - £59

THE

DUNE LONDON: NAKITAS TAN LEATHER BELT - £40

FALLEN LEAVES The fallen leaves of forest give a complete autumnal feel. Here, in the UK, one of the most outstanding forest in the autumn is Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Full of rare Caledonian pine forest, and stunning scenery of Cairngorm mountains as well as views of Speyside.

IA OAD

R TA : B

T REGA OOF ERPR WAT

BARBOUR: KATRINE TARTEN LEATH - £79.95

ET JACK 0

- £10

FATFACE: ROMY BOOT - £79

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 97

LOCATION: SCOTLAND, UK

FATFACE: LS SANDY CHECK SHIRT - £49.50

SCOTLAND CAN FEEL CHILLY IN THE AUTUMN, IT CAN ALSO HAVE FREQUENT RAINSTORMS SO ALWAYS HAVE A COAT ON HAND. YOU WILL ALSO WANT TO OBTAIN A WARM JUMPER, JEANS AND STURDY SHOEWEAR SUCH AS BOOTS.

BARBOUR: ROKER SPORTS CAP - £24.95

BARBOUR: WINTERDALE GLOVES £39.95

THE

STAG AND RUT

CREW CLOTHING: CORLEIGH QUILTED GILET £120

End of September and beginning of October sees the turn of the season, with one remarkable event in the natural world’s calendar - the rutting season. You’ll need to be prepared for bellowing, cooler days and a lot of walking, maybe a ton of photos.

TKMAXX: MEN’S BROWN BOOTS £49.99

REGA TTA :

FARBA N

K - £7

Grab out your walking gear and camera and take a trek!

REGATTA : SAMARIS LITE WATERPROOF MID WALKING BOOTS - £120

TBCO: RECYCLED WOOL PICNIC BLANKET £103

98 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

PHOTOGRAPHER: DAN KNIGHT INSTAGRAM: @DANKNIGHTPHOTOGRAPHY

REGATTA: KIDS HIGHTON JACKET IV £75

100 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

FE FATFACE: X KNITT LICITY FO ED CREW - £28 REGATTA: KIDS BAYBELLA WATERPROOF JACKET - £60

SPLASH

IN THE PUDDLES

REX LONDON: WOODLAND CREATURES TEMPORARY TATTOOS - £1.50 REX LONDON: RUSTY THE FOX UMBRELLA - £9.95

FATFACE: LAND ROVER SHIRT - £14

As rain and leaves are falling, its time to get your wellies and coats on - autumn is here which means splashing in the muddy and wet puddles and exploring all the forests, leaves, trees and little mushrooms. REGATTA: KIDS HYDRATE VII 3-IN-1 WATERPROOF JACKET - £110

REX LONDON: WOODLAND DOCTOR CASES SET OF 3 £24.95

ELLA JAMES: HEDGEHOG IN TOADSTOOL HOUSE - £59

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 101

THE LOUNGE CO: G PLAN VINTAGE LIFESTYLE - CONNIE £1499

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 103

PACIFIC NORTHWEST MEMBERS OF AVES Photographer: Wake Bruce Instagram: @wakebrucephotos

104 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 105

106 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 107

GOPHERS ON TATYSHEV ISLAND, KRASNOYARSK. These beautiful creatures are gophers. They were taken by me in a park on an island on the Yenisei River. Tatyshev Island in Krasnoyarsk is a gopher kingdom of about 4,500 gophers. Gophers here are not afraid of people at all, they take treats from hands and can even be stroked, they run to a person and wait for a tasty treat. Photographer: Ermilova Anna IG: ermilova_anna_m WB: https://vk.com/ermilova_anna_m

108 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 109

HEDGEHOG FAMILY Behind our countryside home lives hedgehogs. This year they have 5 new hedgehog-lets. Photographer: Dmitry Kholmogorov IG: @dax_018

Hedgehog Family Photographer: Dmitry Kholmogorov Instagram: @dax_018

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 111

112 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 113

FLOR

-E H T R F NO

A P N R ASTE

ALS O Po

up Stro ney _nature p_ t r u : Co stroup trou yms pher ogra urtneym Courtne t o h o P :C :@ gram gram Insta rk Insta t wo rtrai

114 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 115

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 117

Selenga River Republic of Buryatia Photographer: Tatyana Zlobina IG: @_nikon_t WB: vk.com/id14802282

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 119

120 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 121

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 123

124 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 125

WILD WONDERS

Wild Book Watch Out

The Complete Language of Birds | Randi Minetor| Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc| pre-order £18.99 - release in September 2024. Expand your bird knowledge with this gorgeous encyclopedia of over 500 bird species around the world, unique for its inclusion of both their physical and mythological characteristics. If you’re a nature lover who thrives on bird videos and photography, go beyond the scope of standard field guides with this comprehensive reference. Each entry of The Complete Language of Birds provides not only the bird’s name and physical qualities, but also its history, symbolic meanings, and hidden properties from mythology, legends, and folklore. Within the pages of this colourful volume, you’ll find:

Wild Show Watch Out

Animals Up Close With Bertie Gregory | Disney Plus - Sept 2023 In the new National Geographic series ANIMALS UP CLOSE WITH BERTIE GREGORY, the filmmaker embarks on a new set of adventures to capture wildlife behaviours like never before. Armed with drones, state-of-the-art gimbal-mounted cameras and underwater tech, Bertie follows individual animals for weeks at a time, building up an intimate picture of their daily battles. He and his team travel to the most spectacular corners of our planet — Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, Botswana, Patagonia, Indonesia, and the Central African Republic — to take viewers deep into the natural world and showcase extraordinary animal lives. The six-part series will stream only on Disney+ on Sept. 13.

Beautiful illustrations and descriptions of common and unusual birds Notes on the surprising properties and powers of birds Discussions of the symbolism and mythological significance of each bird species Dive into an unusual dimension of historical and arcane knowledge with the study of birds. A collection of fun and interesting facts about birds gathered from science and culture, the stunning illustrations and lively descriptions make this an engaging guide you’ll return to again and again. Elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated, the Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy references on a range of intriguing topics, including dream interpretation, techniques for harnessing the power of dreams, flower meanings, and the stories behind signs and symbols. Also available in the series: Complete Book of Dreams, Complete Language of Flowers, Complete Language of Herbs, Signs & Symbols of the World, Complete Guide to Astrological Self-Care, and Complete Language of Food.

Wild Show Watch Out

Secret Safari: Into the Wild | Channel 4 - 2021 A six-part Channel 4 documentary series, this show highlights Ol Pejeta, Kenya’s vast wildlife conservancy, and viewers are shown the lives of the wild animals who live there - from elephants and hippos to lions, hyenas and ostriches. Watch as the lions seek out their next meal, a rhino looks for a mate, and a baboon hopes for a new family.

Randi Minetor is the author of more than 90 books, including her most recent, “Backyard Birding and Butterfly Gardening, 2nd ed.”, and “Death in the Everglades” in 2022, “Hiking the Catskills” in spring 2022, and “Birding New England,” “Death in Acadia National Park” and “Historic Rocky Mountain National Park” in 2021. She wrote “Death on Katahdin,” “Death on Mount Washington,” “Death in Zion National Park” and “Death in Glacier National Park” for Lyons Press, and “Hiking New York’s Lower Hudson Valley” for Falcon Guides. Upcoming books include the second editions of our “Best Easy Day Hikes” books for Buffalo, Syracuse, and Albany, the fifth edition of “Hiking New York,” and “Birding Texas,” all scheduled for spring 2024. She is currently at work on “The Complete Language of Birds” for Wellfleet Press (Quarto), for fall 2024.

WILD BOOK ROUND UP A YEAR OF GARDEN BEES + BUGS Batsford Ltd | £20 A fascinating journey into the secret life of insects, with QR codes to video and audio to bring the creatures to life. Just as birds have yearly rhythms, so do insects, bees, beetles and butterflies. Wildlife experts Dominic Couzens and Gail Ashton discover 52 minibeasts from around the world, every week of the year. These brilliant stories are complemented by wonderful, commissioned illustrations that bring out the beauty of the entomological world. A QR code for each entry takes you to a video or audio file to further explore the habits of these intriguing creatures. A book for any nature lover to reveal the true wonder of our insect neighbours.

AN IMMENSE WORLD Vintage Publishing | £10.99 Waterstones Non-Fiction Book of the Month for July 2023. This is our world, as you’ve never seen The Earth teems with sights and textures, sounds and vibrations, smells and tastes, electric and magnetic fields. But every animal is enclosed within its own unique sensory bubble, perceiving only a tiny sliver of this world. In an immense world, Ed Yong coaxes us beyond the confines of our own senses, welcoming us into previously unfathomable dimensions - the world as it is truly perceived by other animals. Showing us that in order to understand our world we don’t need to travel to other places; we need to see through other eyes.

EARTH Harper Collins | £25.00 A beautiful, full colour book to accompany the 5 part BBC TV series telling the most important story of all, the deep history of our own planet. With the trademark dramatic storytelling techniques of The Planets and The Universe, Andrew Cohen and Chris Packham narrate the biography of the Earth, revealing the most epic moments from its history, from the first seconds of its existence to the arrival of its most incredible inhabitants, us. But humans take a back seat for this story as the Earth takes centre stage.

NATURAL WORLD SHOW OF THE MONTH LIFE ON OUR PLANET By Silverback Films + Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television | Netflix | Premiers October 25th 2023. to life, framing the story of the planet’s history via its five mass extinction events thus far — and what that means for life today.

Words by Amanda Richards Follow Silverback Films: Instagram: @silverback_films Website: www.silverbackfilms.tv

‘F

our billion years. Millions of species. Five mass extinction events (and counting, but more on that later). It’s the story of Life on Our Planet, a stunning new series chronicling the ongoing rise and fall of lives on Earth, from the cataclysmic events that reshape our ecosystems to the creatures that survived (or didn’t) along the way. Because life always finds a way — but as this eight-part epic journey proves, the road from single-celled life-form to the biodiversity we know today was anything but drama free. Created by Silverback Films and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television, Life on Our Planet uses the latest in paleontology and graphics technology to bring long extinct creatures back

“By understanding our past, we can help shape our future,” Silverback series producer Keith Scholey told Netflix’s Queue. The sixth mass extinction we’re currently living through is the first one created by an animal, and also the first one that can be averted completely.” Narrated by Morgan Freeman, it’s the story of life’s epic battle to conquer and survive on planet Earth. Today there are 20 million species on our planet, yet what we see is just a snapshot in time – 99% of earth’s inhabitants are lost to our deep past.

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 127

YOUR LETTERS + GALLERY #conkernaturepotd Spotlight Image Female Kestrel Photographer: Jack Dodson Instagram: @settysphotography Website: www.settysphotography.com

128 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

The early birder catches the Sand Martin! Harriet Day Instagram: @harriet_day_wildpics12 Wildlife Photographer, BTO Bird Ringer, Book Publisher, Nature Writer / Blogger, Naturalist + Marine Medic. It’s been an interesting start to our summer months! After me and my friend Ian Unwin discovered a natural Sand martin colony, amongst the riverbanks of the river Don. We were able to see good numbers of breeding pairs foraging amongst the river and returning to their colonies, possibly to feed young in the nest. After closely monitoring them, we entered the site with permission for a closer look. I was very intrigued to learn that the colony had been there for at least 4 years. With no one previously monitoring the site or ringing it, I jumped at the chance to ask permission from the landowner at Hooton Lodge, Kilnhurst! Charlotte Buck was very interested in us ringing her site and was fantastic, allowing Sorby Brecks access to the private area of this nature-thriving site: Sunday the 25th of June 2023 Harriet Day, Kevin Bower, Lydia Fretwell-Smith, and Chris Corbin. Arriving at Hooton Lodge, at 4 am start was in order. We placed one mist net safely 1 meter in front of the sand martin colony, where 27 nesting holes were present. After not setting my expectations high, I was delighted with the results. In total we extracted, measured and ringed 22 birds except one! Due to this being already ringed, we happened to have a ringing recovery. Between us we carefully read the ring number out, to discover this adult Sand Martin was ringed previously by another ringing group! After patiently waiting for the recovery details from the BTO (British Trust of Ornithology) the results were amazing. So, it appeared that this Male Sand martin weighing 14.6 grams and a wing length of 107mm had travelled 77km from Donnington on Bain, Lincolnshire to Hooten Lodge Kilnhurst, Rotherham to breed. Lincolnshire bird ringer had ringed this little fellow in the nest in 2019, making it 4 years old! This is a fascinating result for our first visit, especially when statistics show the average life span is thought to be 2 years old. Personally, for me, this sums up the purpose of what bird ringing is all about. The data collected from the ringing session showed we caught and confidently sexed at least 10 males and 5 females with clear brood patches. It could be that we caught fewer females as opposed to males due to them potentially sat incubating their eggs in the colony. However, we did happen to catch 6 juvenile Sand Martins that had hatched this year from their first brood, in the colony at Kilnhurst. All the juveniles weighed between 12 grams and 13 grams; this was nearly equivalent to the adults’ weights, indicating a good source of food supply in the current area. We would like to carry out a ringing session in the early evening in September to compare our findings from the roost before they migrate back to Africa to spend their winter… Over all our efforts have rewarded us with positive data and thanks to everyone and Charlotte at Hooton Lodge for allowing us to continue ringing the site, it would be great to see the future outcome of these Riparias! (Sand Martins).

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 129

YOUR LETTERS + GALLERY Kabardino-Balkaria Photographer: Liudmila Evstratova Instagram: @ludmila_evstratova07

130 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 131

SELENGA RIVER REPUBLIC OF BURYATIA Photographer: Marc-Olivier Jodoin IG: @marcoliverjodoin WB: https://www.marco-wildlifephotographer.com

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 133

134 | WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM

WWW.CONKERNATURE.COM | 135

PHOTOGRAPHER: MARCO-OLIVER JODOIN INSTAGRAM: @MARCOLIVERJODOIN WEBSITE: WWW.MARCO-WILDLIFEPHOTOGRAPHER.COM