CONKER NATURE MAGAZINE | WINTER | DECEMBER / JANUARY 2022-23 | SPECIAL EDITION

A Year In The

NATURAL WORLD A PHOTOGRAPHIC WONDER

With Conker Nature

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WILDLIFE

MAGAZINE

Inside Cover: 'Brand Ambassador of The Year 2022' Photographer: Scott Duffield Instagram: @scott.duffield.photography

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lucy Morris Instagram @lucymorriswild Email: lucyjane@conkernature.com

Sally Marie Darren Morris Isabelle Price Heather Wilkins Angela Mitchell Jaquelyn Rodgers Eric Jones Anna Clarke Laszlo Balogh Amelia Bazzone

Executive Editor Editor Junior Editor Advertising Director Photography Director Deputy Photo Editor Assistant Photo Editor Proofreader Contributor Logo Illustrator Digital Editor

With thanks to sources; Woodland Trust | RSPB | The Wildlife Trust

EDITORIAL OFFICE Wildlife photography, art, and written articles are welcomed, once images are submitted they become the property of Conker Nature Magazine; which will be used to promote the magazine if needed, not for any other purpose.

Please send images to submissions@conkernature.com Conker Nature Magazine is published

by Morris Media Publishing Group.

Follow us on Social media @conkernature

www.conkernature.com Email: info@conkernature.com Front Cover: From left to right: Nature's Array of Colours: Jessica Perry / IG: @jessp_photography_ Little inhabitants of the big world: Anna Remenyuk / IG: @shadow_anna Arrival of Autumn: Dan Knight / IG: @danknightphotos Yellowstone National Park: Mike Darter / IG: @jmdarter WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

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07 LETTER FROM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, LUCY MORRIS, INTRODUCES THE FIRST A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD 2022 SPECIAL MAGAZINE EDITION - AND GIVES THANKS TO THE CONTRIBUTORS OF CONKER NATURE IN 2022.

10 - 11 SPRING AWAKENS DISCOVER THE AWAKENING OF SPRING WILDLIFE, FROM FLORA BLOOMS AND FAUNA COMING OUT OF HIBERNATION. BROUGHT TO YOU BY CONKER NATURE.

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MEET BRITAIN'S AQUATIC SONGBIRD WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER, RICHARD CAMPION SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE AND GIVES ADVICE OF BRITAIN'S AQUATIC SONGBIRD - THE DIPPER

14 - 15 BOXING CHAMPIONS OF SPRING AWARD-WINNING WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER, ELISE THOMAS, WRITES ON HER FIRST EXPERIENCE PHOTOGRAPHING BOXING HARES IN THE SPRING SEASON.

16 - 17 DAFFODILS

18 - 19 WILD EYES GUIDE: THE PUFFIN THE CONKER NATURE TEAM BRINGS YOU THE SPRING SEASON'S MUST SPOT SPECIES - THE ATLANTIC PUFFIN.

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PHOTOGRAPHER: ELENA ESINA⁠/ IG: @ESINA_ELENA

DISCOVER A POEM EXTRACT OF THE WONDERS OF OUR 'DAFFODILS' WRITTEN BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.

GOODBYE, SPRING WE CLOSE UP THE REFLECTION OF SPRING WITH A POEM EXTRACT FROM 'GOODBYE, SPRING' WRITTEN BY JASBIR CHATTERJEE.

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24 - 25 SUMMERTIME BREEZES THE WARMTH AND DELIGHTS OF SUMMER WILDLIFE ARE HERE, FROM THE BEST EDIBLE SUMMER FRUITS AND PLANTS TO SUMMER ENDING GARDEN JOBS. BROUGHT TO YOU BY CONKER NATURE.

26 WALK THIS WAY: ACROSS WALES CHARLIE BINGHAM, MOUNTAIN PODCASTER, SHARES HER EXPERIENCE OF RAMBLING AROUND NORTH WALES WALKS.

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SAND MARTINS RETURN FOR SUMMER DISCOVER SAND MARTINS MIGRATORY BEHAVIOUR AND RETURN TO THE UK. PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT DUFFIELD.

28 - 29 REWILD OUR DREAMS YOUNG ARTIST AND POET, FREYA SALTER SHARES THE DREAMS OF REWILDING OF LONG-GONE SPECIES, AND WHAT THAT COULD LOOK IN BRITAIN.

30 - 31 WILD EYES GUIDE: THE PINE MARTEN

PHOTOGRAPHER: NAZ BHUIYA / IG: @NAZBHUIYA

THE CONKER NATURE TEAM BRINGS YOU THE SUMMER SEASON MUST SPOT AND ELUSIVE SPECIES - THE PINE MARTEN.

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32 - 33 BRINGING NATURE TO YOUR GARDEN BRAND AMBASSADOR, SCOTT DUFFIELD, DELVES INTO HIS EXPERIENCE OF BUILDING HIS OWN WILDLIFE-FILLED GARDEN AND POND STRUCTURE.

34 ALBERT THE ALBATROSS EMILY TAYLOR REFLECTS ON HER TIME AT BEMPTON CLIFFS, AND HER EXPERIENCE OF GETTING A GLIMPSE OF THE ELUSIVE, ALBERT THE ALBATROSS.

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SUMMER'S NATURE

JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF EASTERN SIBERIA

DISCOVER THE BREEDING BEHAVIOUR OF KINGFISHERS DURING THE SUMMER SEASON. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTHONY MULLIGAN.

LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER, KSENIA IVASHKO, DOCUMENTS HER LIVING IN THE HEART AND BEAUTY OF EASTERN SIBERIA.

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LEAVES RUSTLE

HELSINKI

AUTUMN LEAVES START FALLING, AND THE WEATHER STARTS TO COOL. THOSE CREATURES THAT HIBERNATE START TO THINK ABOUT THEIR SPOTS FOR A DEEP SLEEP. BROUGHT TO YOU BY CONKER NATURE.

PHOTOGRAPHER, JAQUELINE VANEK, SHARES WHAT THE EXPERIENCE OF SHOOTING IN HELSINKI, FINLAND FEELS LIKE FOR VISITORS.

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THE LONE STAG

CAIRNGORM RED SQUIRRELS

SCOTT DUFFIELD DOCUMENTS THE FEELING OF THE RUT WITH A LONE STAG, ON AN OPEN MOORLAND OF THE PEAK DISTRICT.

BRAND AMBASSADOR, DAN KNIGHT WRITES ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE PHOTOGRAPHING RED SQUIRRELS ON HIS ANNUAL TRIP TO THE CAIRNGORMS, SCOTLAND.

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FREEDOM OF THE FOX

MALLARD ON ICE BLUE LAKE

POET AND WRITER, EMILY TAYLOR, WRITES A MAGICAL STORY OF THE EXPERIENCE OF WAITING AND WATCHING A MAJESTIC ANIMAL, THE RED FOX.

DAN KNIGHT SHARES WRITES ON HIS TIME ACCIDENTLY COMING ACROSS A MALLARD ON THE ICE BLUE LAKE AT AMBLESIDE.

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WILD EYES GUIDE: THE RED SQUIRREL

WILD EYES GUIDE: THE SCOTTISH WILDCAT

THE CONKER NATURE TEAM BRINGS YOU THE AUTUMN SEASONS MOST ACTIVE RED-BUSHY TAILED - THE RED SQUIRREL.

THE CONKER NATURE TEAM BRINGS YOU THE WINTER SEASONS MUST SPOT AND MOST ELUSIVE AND RARE UK MAMMAL - THE SCOTTISH WILDCAT.

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FAREWELL TO AUTUMN POET, LUCY BURROWS, WRITES ON THE DYING OF AUTUMN, AS WE AWAIT FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE WINTER SEASON.

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WINTER A POEM EXTRACT FROM 'SUZIE BITNER WAS AFRAID OF THE DRAIN' BY BARBARA VANCE ON THE WINTERING SEASON.

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WINTERING WONDERS

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR: 2022

WINTER IS A QUIET TIME FOR A LOT OF WILDLIFE, BUT FOR SOME WINTER BRINGS MORE ACTIVITY, SCAVAGING FOR FOOD. BROUGHT TO YOU BY CONKER NATURE.

THIS YEAR CONKER NATURE IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE, THE WINNER, OF OUR FIRST ANNUAL AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR, GOES TO SCOTT DUFFIELD.

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PHOTOGRAPHER: SCOTT DUFFEILD / IG: @SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY

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PHOTOGRAPHER: LUCY MORRIS / IG: @LUCYMORRISWILD

Lucy Morris Conker Nature Editor-in-chief

LJM

It is with immense gratitude that myself and my team wrap up the last issue of 2022 on. What a wondrous year of wildlife it has been. This special edition is to celebrate that.

This issue is more than just a magazine, we decided as a team we wanted to create a special edition to celebrate all the seasons of the natural world with both photography contributions from across the world, as well as the wild eyes guide from the team of what species you can spot in that season.

We hope you enjoy delving into 'A Year In The Natural World'.

This year was our first full run of editions, and we couldn’t be more thankful to you, our readers, for the support you have shown Conker Nature Magazine this past year. We would like to pay a special thank you to our brand ambassadors, writing contributors, interviewees, and photographers for the amazing creative displays of the natural world you have offered this year. The team and I have loved working with every one of you, and we look forward to seeing what 2023 brings.

We are in the process of returning in 2023 with a bang - we have much to share with you in the new year. From events we will be covering throughout 2023, to our fresh new wildlife editorial calendar launch (you can find details on page 64), we look forward to announcing this and much more, very soon.

Additionally, this year, the Conker Nature Magazine team is delighted to announce, the winner, of our first annual ambassador of the year, goes to, Scott Duffield. Congratulations Scott! To read more of the announcement head over to page 63.

Our office is closed now from 16th December 2022 to January 4th, 2023, with our next issue being released on February 9th, 2023 to allow us to come out of hibernation mode of the long break. We look forward to bringing you Winter's Wonderland in February.

For now, the whole of the Conker Nature team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | SPRING

PHOTOGRAPHER: ELISE THOMAS / IG: @ELISETHOMASPHOTOS

SPRING AWAKENS Spring brings a bloom to life once again.

Across three months of spring, the country is slowly woken from its dormancy and gently coaxed back to life, like a chrysalis. As winter loosens her frozen grip and nature, thawing from her grasp, re-emerges to life.

March brings life slowly: the first of the signs being wildlife primroses and bluebells emerging from the woodland floor, drawing out hungry bees from their deep sleep of hibernation. High in the trees, the songs of birds begin to join the beginnings of the new lives. Listen out for the stirring song of the Skylark, a small brown bird, that is somewhat larger in size than a sparrow, but smaller than a starling. Its recent and dramatic population declines make it a Red List species. In other treetop activity, rooks have been busy for days, rebuilding their long-gone nests with bare twigs from the winter season.

By April, more birds have returned to the UK. Migrating from locations of warmer spells in search for a place to raise their young.

The end of April and early May marks the return of our glorious swifts. After a long flight back from their summer in Africa, these perky little birds will have one thing on their minds - to mate.

Swifts pair for life, rendezvousing at the same site each year for a little nest renovation before laying and incubating their eggs. (RSPB) April also brings a change to our flora.

Over a mere few weeks, the trees begin to shake off their blossom branches.

Blackthorn is almost always first , with wild cherry and hawthorn following in second and third quickly after.

Mammals in April being to arise from their deep hibernations. Hedgehogs, thin from the deep sleep, begin their nocturnal walks from garden to garden, scouring for their juicy earthworms and other delicious treats.

Come May, spring is well and truly arrived. Wildflowers converge on roadside verges with cow parsley and golden, tall buttercups.

©RSPB

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The spring has pale, sunny days that by night turns into frosty nights; gardeners sit and wait for the time to be right to start the growing season. Summer is just around the corner, ready to sow the seeds.

SPRING WILDLIFE GUIDE Our expert spring wildlife guide explains how to identify the season's best wildlife spectacles and best places to see.

Read a snippet of our website spring guide below Cuckoo flowers in ditches The small, delicate, soft-lilac blooms of cuckoo flower appear along ditches and other wet places at the end of March in southern Britain and can still be found in bloom until June in more northerly areas.

Wild daffodils on rivers A few fields and woods near the attractive town of Newent on the Gloucestershire-Herefordshire border are among the last strongholds of the native daffodil.

Find out more on our website at www.conkernature.com/discover

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PHOTOGRAPHY: STEVE N / GETTY IMAGES | ROSIE BROWN / IG: @ROSIEBROWNPHOTOGRAPHY|DEN J / GETTY IMAGES| YUSUKE IDE / GETTY IMAGES

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MEET THE AQUATIC SONGBIRD

PHOTOGRAPHED AND WORDS BY RICHARD CAMPION, MAY 2022 ISSUE

I grew up on the small island of Jersey, where rivers and much of their associated wildlife aren’t present. In fact, it wasn’t until I was 28 years old and made a visit to Devon to see family, that I had my very first dipper encounter. Fast forward 4 years, and I am now lucky enough to live right by the River Otter, where there is a healthy population of dippers, and I have therefore been able to spend a lot of time with these birds, getting to witness and learn different behaviours, which I believe is prudent to capturing natural images of wildlife. There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of getting close to these magnificent birds although I must pre-warn you, time spent watching dippers can become very addictive.

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A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | SPRING

BOXING CHAMPIONS OF SPRING

PHOTOGRAPHED AND WORDS BY ELISE THOMAS, MARCH ISSUE 2022

'I was out one day and I saw a strange behaviour from some local hares. I stood and watched for about 45 minutes, once I got home I immediately started to google what behaviour I saw. It was the 22nd of March, this was in the middle of the 'boxing season' for hares, so I set myself a challenge to photograph this boxing behaviour. At the time I only had my bridge camera for 3 days! After 4 hours of crawling through the fields I managed to get the shot I wanted! That’s when I realised how much I enjoyed it, the thrill of getting the photo you have worked hard for! It’s coming up to boxing season again and I can’t wait to set myself more photography challenges'. Says Elise.

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PHOTOGRAPHER: ELISE THOMAS / IG: @ELISETHOMASPHOTOS

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PHOTOGRAPHY: PHOTOGRAPHER: ELENA MATYUSHENKO / IG: @LEENA_SUOMI

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DAFFODILS I wandered lonely as a cloud, That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

Poem extract from DAFFODILS by William Wordsworth Photography: SPRING by Elena Matyushenko /IG: @leena_suomi

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Wild Eyes Guide The puffin Puffins are perhaps one of the world's favourite seabirds, and it's hard not to see why, with their infamous multi-coloured beaks as well as their black and white feathered wardrobe - this is their summer plumage, and is the one that is most instantly recognised.

Interestingly, what isn't as well known, is the lower classifications of the puffin family, there are actually three species of puffins throughout the world - the Atlantic puffin (the one seen in the UK and the Atlantic Ocean), the Tufted puffin (found throughout the North Pacific Ocean), and finally the Horned puffin (found across the North Pacific Ocean and the coasts of Alaska, Siberia, and British Columbia).

When is the best time to see puffins?

Puffins can be found throughout the UK. The puffins that reside in the UK spend winter out at the Atlantic sea (hence why they are named Atlantic puffins), so you would be best advised to book a trip in early spring or summer to see these.

Puffins arrive back in breeding colonies in the UK in April and leave mid-august.

Breeding colonies can be found on islands and at grassy and rocky cliff tops.

Where in the UK can I go to see puffins?

There are a number of organisations that offer trips, or island opportunities to see these fantastic birds.

England: RSPB Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire, Farne Islands in Northumberland, Flamborough Cliffs in Yorkshire.

Wales: RSPB South Stack, in Anglesey, Skomer in Pembrokeshire, Skokholm in Pembrokshire.

Scotland: RSPB North Hill in Orkney, RSPB Troup Head in Banff, RSPB Dunnet Head in Caithness, RSPB Noup Cliffs in Orkney, RSPB Mull of Galloway, RSPB Hoy in Orkney, RSPB Fowlsheugh in Aberdeenshire, RSPB Sumburgh Head in Shetland Isles, NNR Isle of May in outer Firth of Fourth, Wildlife Trust Handa Island in the Highlands.

Northern Ireland: RSPB Rathlin Island in Ballycastle.

Living for 25 years or more, the endearing little male returns to the same clifftop year after year to reunite with his mate. Puffin pairs will rear a single chick, a black fluffy “puffling”, taking it in turns to go out to fish beakfuls of sand eels.

© RSP

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PHOTOGRAPHER: LILY HARPER /IG: @LILYALICEHARPER

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A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | SPRING

GOODBYE, SPRING

The show is over, Spring is on its way out, Going away with its luggage Of withered flowers.

But don't fret.

Summer is already at our doorstep.

Let's give it a warm welcome, For each season Has its own colours and flavours.

Poem extract from GOODBYE, SPRING by Jasbir Chatterjee Illustration of PRIMROSE by rafiico studios

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A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | SUMMER

PHOTOGRAPHER: PAUL KRIER / GETTY IMAGES

SUMMERTIME BREEZES Summer starts in June, but the early month starts often cool. The last of the chill and wet afternoons linger on - but not for long.

Trees in June are laden with radiant new leaves, dazzling in the warming sun, bring a shade from leaves for the first time in month.

Woods in June are often filled with wonderous wildflowers. Look out for Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) at this time of year - this gorgeous, fragrant wildflower actually has editable blooms that can be used to bring a sweet and honeyed flavour to many dishes.

Petals from all types of rose, like Dog Rose (Rosa canina), are edible, and have a slightly fruity flavour that can be used to make syrups or jellies. Dog Rose can be found in hedges and scrub. It grows up to 3m with curved thorns.

The flowers (lime blossom) of lime trees have a sweet honey-like aroma and have been used as a food and medicine gather lime flowers in full bloom in June and July. You can add fresh flowers to salads or dry them and bake them into cakes and breads or use to make herbal teas.

July comes in, burning away June's slight coolness. July often surprises everyone with with her brightness and sudden occasional scorching days, not least the birds who take shelters in the hedges and turns in the birdbaths.

Our first of species on the bird feeder of July is the timid but gorgeous bullfinch.

Listen out for the 'peu' calling and the flash of pinky-red.

In July, there is one species in particular that must be on your wildlife spotting list - the hummingbird hawk-month. You'll often find them frequenting bedstraw and valerian, but they will be more than happy to visit phlox, honeysuckle, and buddleia too. Finally, July is a great time to see swifts, as young leave the nest and they begin to prepare for the long journey back to their winter grounds.

Keep your eyes on the skies towards the end of the month - Swift Awareness Week also takes place this month, running from the 2-10 of July.

By August, the fields are alive with the sounds and actions of combine

© RSPB

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harvesters. Farmers watch the skies and weather forecasts, hoping for a perfect 2 weeks to harvest. In the gardens, swifts have already left for Africa, but swallows and house martins liger a little longer, gathering in flocks before embarking on their long migration.

On the vegetable and flower plot, every plant seems to spring up at once, demanding attention before going to seed. Even on roadsides, blackberries and elderberries are ripe for harvesting you'll just have to beat the birds to it first, without causing any minor damage to yourself.

SUMMER ENDING JOBS Keep ponds topped up with rainwater.

Dead-head roses and other perennial plants to encourage them to keep flowering Trim back lady's mantle Allow lawns to grow slightly longer to tolerate hot weather Feed plants in pots regularly Trim evergreen hedges Water pots and hanging baskets

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PHOTOGRAPHY: JUSTINE GRECH / IG: @JRG._PHOTOGRAPHY | GERDI SCHAART / GETTY IMAGES | MARC ANDREU / GETTY IMAGES | GORAN H / GETTY IMAGES

A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | SUMMER

WALK THIS WAY: ACROSS WALES WORDS BY CHARLIE BINGHAM, JULY 2022 ISSUE "Last year, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to move to North Wales. I spent a lot of time here as a child and had some wonderful memories, so naturally, I jumped at the chance to spend an extended period of time here and share the experience with my two young children. North Wales is an area that attracts thousands of tourists each year, and it’s not surprising. Within a few miles, it is possible to experience both the dizzying heights of the mountain ranges, and the soft sand and clear blue seas of the Anglesey beaches. The beauty and the mystery of the landscape which seems to evolve and change every single day, from moody, dark and dangerous, to bright and welcoming, is an invitation to explore all that the region has to offer."

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SAND MARTINS RETURN FOR SUMMER

PHOTOS SCOTT DUFFIELD, JULY 2022 ISSUE

Sand martins are a part of the bird family of swallows and martins, also known as hirundines. Sand martins are the smallest species of the hirundines family. Their appearances consist of dark brown upper parts and dark wings that contrast with the pale white underparts, which are divided by a distinctive dark chest bar. Sand martins are migrants, in the winter they migrate to the warmer climate of Africa and return to the UK in the summer.

In the summer, Sand martins are found around rivers and water bodies - as they feed mainly over water. Sand martins are also found around mancreated gravel pits where sometimes artificial nest banks are installed. The European population of House martins has, unfortunately, during the past fifty years been in decline due to two occasions where a drought in the house martin's African wintering grounds brought the population crashing.

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A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | SUMMER

REWILD OUR DREAMS A rewilded landscape is where I drift off in my dreams, Where the mysterious echoes highlight the glowing moon beams, It's the place of Wolf's howling, Echoing the wild surrounding, The place where Moose clang their antlers together, Near the lake where the misty fog settles, Blanketing the trembling sound, that is what I would like to listen to forever.

Rippling the uncertain water, is the young Beaver's rough tail, Alerting others that there's danger near, The soft pads of Lynx illuminate my vision, the forgotten Large Tortoiseshell Butterfly, deciding flying away is a good decision, Salmon bolt out of the water, Taken by surprise from a White Tailed Eagle, as it swoops down to greet its next meal.

Tree saplings make a come back, As the crucial predators keep control of the deer, While the Wild Boar churn up the soil, Being Britain's ecological engineers, Hen harrier's remind me of the lands where they once danced in flight, and where the owls swopped beyond the starlight night.

I believe if we rewild our dreams then we can rewild the habitats once left behind, so nature can finally be intertwined with humankind.

Poem extract from REWILD OUR DREAMS by FREYA SALTER, aged 13 IG: @wildlife_drummer_girl

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PHOTOGRAPHER: MALI MAEDER / GETTY IMAGES

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PHOTOGRAPHER: DAVID O'BRIEN/ GETTY IMAGES

Wild Eyes Guide pine marten Pine martens (Martes martes) are a species in the family of Mustelidae. Pine martens are not to be confused with minks, weasels, or stoats. The Mustelidae family all look similar in appearance, but there are a few noticeable differences.

Stoats and weasels are much smaller than pine martens, with the mink being slightly smaller and having much darker fur.

Pine martens have often been thought to be largely confined to the north of the UK, but more recently conservationists have established that there is a population in the New Forest, southern England. This is incredible news and brings much hope that one day the distribution of pine martens will be nationwide.

The pine marten is a nocturnal species and is incredibly elusive, but if you are after a glimpse of the pine marten it may be enticed to join the bird table if it is full of peanuts.

What is on the menu for pine martens?

Pine martens are omnivorous and have a varied diet. Pine martens will mainly eat smaller mammals than them, such as voles and mice, but pine martens will hunt prey up to hare size. They will happily scavenge on carrion and also take birds and eggs if the opportunity is there. As pine martens are not entirely carnivorous, fruit and berries will also be readily eaten too. also on the menu, pine martens will also prey on grey squirrels - with evidence to suggest that with a pine marten population and presence they reduce the numbers of non-native rodents, which has a positive impact on the threatened red squirrel.

Did you know?

During the summer, around 30% of their diet may be made up of bilberries, turning their scats blue.

What are the pine marten's breeding behaviours?

Pine martens are a solitary species, only coming together in the summer season, to mate. A sign of the mating season is the sound of the cat-like 'yowls' that the pine marten makes in the summer.

Pine martens only produce one litter per year, hence the difficulty of getting population numbers up just by breeding, with cubs usually born around March or April time. After six weeks the cubs will venture out of their dens and will be fully developed at six months old. Pine martens will be mature enough to breed at 2-3 years old.

What habitats do pine martens live in?

Pine martens favour woodland habitats, with male pine martens requiring up to 200 hectares of woodland territory. Trees that are mature with cavities are important for these species, as it provides shelter to raise young and to rest.

Threats and conservation Pine martens are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

Organisations are also helping conservation effects. For example, the Woodland Trust is a part of the Pine Marten Recovery Project with Vincent Wildlife Trust. At Conker Nature our goal is to help promote awareness of these projects and bring the species back, widespread across the UK.

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A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | SUMMER A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | SUMMER

BRINGING NATURE TO YOUR GARDEN

BY SCOTT DUFFIELD, JUNE 2022 ISSUE

"There has never been a better time to give to nature and to give your local wildlife a helping hand than now. It may take a while, maybe even a year to establish and grow in and for wildlife to find it but once established it will provide everything needed for wildlife to thrive and as time goes on you could potentially end up with resident wildlife that never leaves your garden. After building my wildlife garden 5 years ago I now have a huge variety of wildlife visiting including the following, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Dunnocks, Robins, Chaffinch, Blackbirds, Collard doves, Wood pigeons, Sparrows, Blue tits, Great tits, Starlings, frogs, newts, Sparrowhawks, Great spotted woodpeckers, Lesser redpolls, Siskins, Yellow hammers and Grey Squirrels to name just a few. The majority of these visitors are also residents of my garden and nest yearly."

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ALBERT THE ALBATROSS

WORDS BY EMILY TAYLOR, AUGUST 2022 ISSUE

"The timing couldn't have been better - we'd planned a family holiday to Scarborough, staying less than half an hour’s drive from the RSPB Bempton Cliffs site. As most bird enthusiasts know, Bempton Cliffs is the site of many sightings of a famous Black-Browed Albatross. Albert the Albatross has been sighted in the Northern Hemisphere for years – incredibly for a breed only ever usually seen south of the equator, and even then sadly in much smaller numbers in recent years. They’re in such decline, that the RSPB has even launched ‘World Albatross Day’ to highlight their plight.

I had a funny feeling we may get lucky, a feeling which only increased when a staff member told us he was sitting out at sea at a spot he usually takes flight from. We almost ran to the spot – especially when we saw birders and photographers taking photos and excitedly staring out to sea. There he was – in flight – in all his glory. And was an extraordinary sight it was – flying among his gannet friends, soaring over the waves and around the cliff face with barely a flap of his wings, which span almost eight feet in total."

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PHOTOGRAPHER: ANDRE ANITA / GETTY IMAGES

A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | SUMMER

SUMMER'S NATURE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTONY MULLIGAN, AUGUST 2022 ISSUE

April until August is the prime time for spotting kingfishers as they start digging out their nests. Kingfishers become mature from breeding at one year old, they find a mate and pair-formation starts in February. If the pair have neighbouring territories, these will merge in the mating season.

Kingfishers are an interesting species when building nests. Both birds dig out the nest burrow into the soil of a low-stream bank. The pair choose a vertical bank clear of vegetation, since this provides some protection from being predated. The first clutch of 6-7 eggs is laid late in March or early in April. Both adults incubate the eggs, and the chicks hatch 19-21 days later. Each chick can eat 12-18 fish a day, and they are fed in rotation once a chick is fed, it moves to the back of the nest to digest its meal, causing the others to move forward.

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A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | AUTUMN

PHOTOGRAPHER: NIALL BELL /IG: @NATUREWITHNIALL

LEAVES RUSTLE September is usually a fine month, with the warm weather in August spilling into September. The wildlife and countryside gives its last final flourish of show full of butterflies and blooms. Our backyards are dazzling with colour.

Stonecrop (or sedums) or verbena keep our pollinators happy enough with the supply of nectar. The fruit trees meanwhile are ready to drop their delicious treasures. As the month draws to a close, however, there is no denying that the weather is changing cooler.

Those creatures that hibernate start to think about their spots for a deep sleep, but those who don't will forge around for the treats that autumn has to offer. This is a time to start harvesting those hedgerows that are full of rosehip, and blackberries - but don't forget the other delightful things on the menu such as crab apple, hazelnuts and seeds.

As October rolls around, there is one thing that many in the natural world associate with this spooky month - the macro world of fungi.

In the UK there are over 15,000 species on fungi. Neither animal or plant, the fungi are a particularly an interesting species. Look out the iconic toadstool of red and white spots of the wonderous fly agaric. Discover fascinating names such as the Chicken of the woods, pink ballerinas, scarlet elf cups, King Alfred's cakes, and blewits.

October is a time where many of our insects begin to slow down. Species such as bumblebee queens, ladybirds, and solitary bees begin to crawl into nooks and holes, waiting for the freeze that is just around the corner.

Over at the water bodies, damselfly and dragonfly nymphs - whom of which will grow to be leaping into the waters by the time of next summer - dive into settling at the bottom of the water, waiting out the freeze of winter, insulated by the warmth of water above their heads.

November brings around the final month of autumn. The dark and wet weather

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begins to move in. The most most worthy species of mention in November is that of the starling. Starlings form a wonderous acrobatic display - known as a murmuration - where thousands of individual starlings perform displays of swopping and diving in unison. There is no real explaination as to why the starlings display these behaviours, but the RSPB theorise it could be a number of reasons.

Grouping together offers safety in numbers – predators such as peregrine falcons find it hard to target one bird in the middle of a hypnotising flock of thousands.

They also gather to keep warm at night and to exchange information, such as good feeding areas.

They gather over their roosting site, and perform their wheeling stunts before they roost for the night.

The starlings then land in the newly stripped trees, thanks to the autumnal weather, getting ready for whatever winter has to throw at our wildlife.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: DAN KNIGHT /IG: @DANKNIGHTPHOTOS | STEF VAN VUUREN /IG: @STEFS_PHOTOGRAPHY | SCOTT DUFFIELD /IG: @SCOTT.DUFFIELD.PHOTOGRAPHY | JUSTINE GRECH /IG: @JRG._PHOTOGRAPHY

A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | AUTUMN

THE LONE STAG WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

THE LONE STAG

PHOTOS AND WORDS SCOTT DUFFIELD, NOVEMBER 2022 ISSUE

In the shot is one of my favourite shots of a Stag red deer that I was tracking across the open moorland of the Peak district on the Yorkshire & Derbyshire border. Also Featured in the shot is the stunning open moorland of the Peaks which is very photogenic in its own right.

This particular day was rather special for me as I have tracked numerous deer in various locations over the years but always seemed to be unlucky with the weather but after 2 hours of tracking the fog started to lift, the rain stopped and the deer started to slow down and graze. The stag pictured was very nervous as he was protecting a small herd of females, known as Hinds, from another stag that could be heard calling in the distance.

He was trying to herd them away towards the lowlands which made following him and taking his picture particularly difficult as he crossed the rough heather clad moorland that hid numerous rocks and trenches.

Whilst I love the way he is looking over his shoulder at me and the pose he is pulling I think the best feature for me is actually the framing of the stag with the wild unmanaged heather in the foreground and background.

This is mainly because it reminds me of the hard work I had to put in to capture the shot and, although it doesn't show it in the picture, red deer are actually extremely well camouflaged in this environment and can be difficult to spot.

Knowing the terrain that lay ahead of me and the distances I may have to travel I decided to pack light and only took the single set up which consisted of my go to camera and lens combo of a Canon 90D with a Canon 100-400mm L IS ii USM coupled to a Canon extender EF 1.4x iii.

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A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | AUTUMN

Freedom For The Fox Written by Emily Taylor Instagram: @capture_nature_emily_taylor As the long, dark, crisp winter nights start to descend Lighter nights will bring the return of my rust-coloured friend Spring is in the air, as I wait with excitement hoping to catch a fleeting glimpse of the vixen The sun starts to set, golden hour is upon us, as the sun starts to disappear, it’s your time to reappear My eyes dance across the lush grass fields, I give a whistle and I wait silently and kneel I hear a rustle and my long-awaited gaze meets yours Your eyes are innocent and yet you remain vigilant My burning desire to seek calm from my spirit animal and see you live in peace, free from harm, is only natural Why do we live in a world sometimes so complicated Stay clever, foxes, be free, for you are majestic and underestimated Marvel at moonlight, drink from the streams. Roam the woodland, chase butterflies, frolic and play, in this world it is your right to stay.

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NATURE'S ARRAY OF COLOURS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA PERRY, AUGUST 2022 ISSUE

"I am Jess, an amateur wildlife photographer starting photography just over a year ago, as I bought my first camera just after my 21st birthday. I have been passionate about building a career working with animals particularly wildlife my entire life. After leaving university studying Animal Science, I have shifted my focus on my wildlife photography and seeing where it takes me as it is something I enjoy.

I would say that wildlife photography has become a large part of my life due to the creativeness, as well as the voice it gives me to bring public awareness surrounding the conservation of wildlife and the toll human intervention has had on our natural world. Not only does my social media allow for this but it also serves as an educational outlet as wildlife images show behaviours and sightings that can be recorded so that we can learn more about species and the ecosystem around us."

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Wild Eyes Guide red squirrel The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a species that is a bouncing bundle of red fluffy-tailed energy. The red squirrel is one of two squirrel species in the UK - the other is the more widely known and seen grey squirrel.

Red squirrels are our only native squirrel species, and it has been thought that they have been around for about 10,000 years. To put that into perspective, that is around the last Ice Age, where thawing wood expanded into entire woodland habitats - perfect for our squirrel friends.

The red squirrel population did extremely well, until their futures changed when Britain entered the Victorian era. In the 1800s, grey squirrels were introduced to the UK from North America - causing a serious decline in red squirrel numbers - the reasons why we will cover later on.

What is on the menu for red squirrels?

It is no secret that all squirrels forage for nuts and seeds, and the red squirrel is no different.

Pine seeds are a particular favourite of our red-tailed friends, but they will also take hazelnuts, and the seeds of larch and spruce. They also won't be too particular about eating other sources such as fungi, lichen, fruits, tree shoots and even bark. Finally, now this is a rarity, but it has been known for some red squirrels to eat small birds or eggs.

What is red squirrels' breeding behaviour?

Before the mating begins, males will follow females in lengthy chases through trees and they have no fixed partners - they mate between February and March and again between June and July. Young is then born in a nest that is known as a 'drey'. Dreys are always located high in trees and made with twigs and lined with moss, leaves and other softer materials for the young.

Pregnancies usually last between 38 and 39 days and on average females produce three kittens per litter. Born blind with no hair or teeth, they are vulnerable to disease and attacks from carnivores and birds of prey. The mortality rate is as high as 50% in the first year of life. In a good year, there might be two litters.

Threats and conservation The red squirrel has had the most drastic population decline than any other mammal in the UK. The biggest reason behind the decline is the other residing squirrel in the UK , the American grey squirrel. American grey squirrels pose such a threat for two main reasons.

First is the competition for food. Grey squirrels have a higher population density, this results in a higher daily food intake from the habitats that both species reside. Grey squirrels can eat a bigger variety of foods at an earlier stage in their lives. For example, the red squirrel cannot eat the tannin that is in acorns, a plentiful and high energy resource that the greys favour - that the reds cannot eat until a much older age. Secondly to this, greys will also eat those foods that the reds can eat on top of the ones that they cannot. The outcome is unfortunately inevitable: the red squirrels gets starved out by the grey, in quite an unnecessary fashion at that too.

The second competition is of diseases. The American greys carry a disease of squirrel-pox, and sometimes are asymptomatic. Greys rarely die from this disease, but for reds it can be devastatingly fatal. An outbreak of squirrel pox can easily wipe out a small population - and to make the matters even more brutal, infected individuals can take two weeks to pass away, often starving to death as they cannot feed themselves, and the greys will diminish the stocks at the same time.

What can I do to help?

The best solution to help these red squirrels is to donate and help the charitable organisations that have made it their mission to improve if not entirely bring the species back to their former glories.

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PHOTOGRAPHER: NIALL BELL /IG: @NATUREWITHNIALL

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FAREWELL TO AUTUMN I watched the sun dance through the trees Leaping and dancing In the dying days of Autumn; Dodging the cold and damp of winter...

As he stole silently across the land, Seeking out her dying rays With sinewy fingers.

I saw a tree aflame with red and gold And as she danced upon it I saw the jewels of morning dew, Entwined in threads of silver...

Soon to be frozen.

I followed deer tracks on the earth, Softened by the drenching rain Into shady hollows...

Ferned and green Against the darkened canopy.

I watched my breath follow where she danced, Like smoke, twisting In the gathering wind.

And I bid farewell to her As she danced into the sunset...

Until Spring welcomes her home.

Poem extract from FAREWELL TO AUTUMN by Lucy Burrow Illustration of SNOWDROPS by Barvart

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A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | WINTER

PHOTOGRAPHER: MIKE DARTER /IG: @JMDARTER

WINTERING WONDERS December is the month of hibernation.

Badgers, dormice, and hedgehogs have cosied up in bed, and the earthworms have buried themselves further in the earth to give warm.

At this point, all deciduous trees are leafless and bare, revealing the famously known Christmas plant of mistletoe - full of waxy, grey-white berries and ovalended shaped leaves. Yet, there is another group of trees that seem to revel in the winter months, evergreen trees.

Yews become thick-coated, pines sit up straightened with strong branches ready to take the weight of the ice and snow that's almost here.

In the forest, the lack of vegetation allows a potential sighting of a very elusive mammal in Britain - the muntjac.

Not much bigger than a fox, with a characteristically hunched back, the muntjac is the UK's smallest deer species.

The muntjac was introduced from southeast China. Their minute size and a preference for hiding in dense undergrowth, makes muntjac often unseen. December can make a difference.

January rolls around with a more sleepy and less than happy feeling. Christmas is over and spring feels a long way off. In the garden, however, birds are taking flight and singing their chorus songs just in time for the annual RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch. Other January winter wonders include the emerging of snowdrops slowly growing through the frozen soil.

still in hibernation mode, the brown hare does not plan on sleeping. She begins her season of mating and breeding. She meets males and starts a game of chase that tests the endurance of the males that are able to follow her across farmlands. With any luck and success, the arrival of the little ones, just after six weeks, gives the signals that spring isn't going to take long to arrive.

Winter storms can bring an alien species, a jelly-like ocean drifter covers the shores. A interestingly named species known as the By-wind-sailor. Its characteristic sail gives the animal its name, 'by-the-wind-sailor'. The sail allows the 'sailor' to catch the wind and travel on ocean currents, using its stinging tentacles to prey on young fish and other small animals while it travels.

They are at the mercy of the winds and so are usually found washed up in their hundreds, or sometimes even thousands, after stormy winter weather.

February also brings the birth of another species - that of the European badger.

Female badgers, also known as sows, give birth between January and February. Cubs born now will take their first steps in 8 to 10 weeks time - during the full swing of spring.

Come February, while many animals are

©R

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In the bird world, every winter, fieldfares migrate on Britain from northern and eastern Europe to hunt the countryside for berries and earthworms. Other bird migrates include the great grey strike from Scandinavia, the grey-pink plumage of the waxwing, and finally the bramblings with a grey-blue head, warm orange breast, white belly and rump, and dark wings with orange bars.

SPB

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ELENA ESINA /IG: @ESINA_ELENA | VLADIMIR LELIKOV-KOUZMENKO / IG: @LORDKOUZMICH |JAQUELINE VANEK / IG: @JAQUELINEVANEK | GORDON ROACH⁠/ IG: @GORDONROACHPHOTOGRAPHY⁠

A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | WINTER

JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF EASTERN SIBERIA PHOTOGRAPHY BY KSENIA IVASHKO, JANUARY 2022 ISSUE "I have the happiness to live in the heart of Eastern Siberia - the city of Irkutsk. It is an old and beautiful city with a rich history. There are a lot of Orthodox churches in Irkutsk, and there is also picturesque nature, Lake Baikal, an abundance of rivers and endemic animals." Says Ksenia Ivashko

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

HELSINKI

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAQUELINE VANEK, JANUARY 2022 ISSUE

Visiting Helsinki in winter as a photographer means getting up very early, in case you want to take photos of the city during the day. Nights are 19 hours long, so you only have 5 hours of light left... actually optimal only 2-3, quite a challenge if you also find yourself with snowfall and wind. The COLD was minus 16 degree, the camera battery can fail you if you do not have a good one or protect it well enough. Even after a week, my hands were still dry from the cold wind that went straight through them after traveling with my camera in my hands constantly (without putting on the gloves because they bothered me when taking photos). I can really recommend wearing good layers when visiting Helsinki in winter and to bring warm shoes/boots and a good coat. Oh, and definitely don’t forget your scarf and hat, you really, really need them!

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A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | WINTER

CAIRNGORM RED SQUIRRELS

PHOTOS AND WORDS DAN KNIGHT, FEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE

"I have for as long as I can remember, had a passion for wildlife and the great outdoors. I was introduced to the world of wildlife by my grandparents, we would often sit at the lounge window with the binoculars watching the various birds that visited their feeding station. Fast forward a few years and I picked my Grandma’s Olympus bridge camera up and began snapping away and it hasn’t stopped since. I think I tend to admire the image more these days, however Alan McFadyen and Morten Hilmer are definitely up there with my favourite photographers.

It was incredible to finally photograph the Red Squirrels in a decent amount of snow. I’ve always only had a small dusting each time I’ve gone out for them. It was great watching them run around cashing away hazelnuts and chasing each other around the ground. I’ve had this particular image planned in my head for a few years now, I wanted to create a nice snowy minimalistic image that draws the viewer directly into the subject."

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

MALLARD ON ICE BLUE LAKE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAN KNIGHT, DECEMBER 2021 ISSUE

'My original plan was to photograph the Langdale Pikes at Elterwater, however as I arrived visibility was down to pretty much a few metres. With that I turned round and headed back to Ambleside where I was greeted with a crystal clear lake and some light mist surrounding it. Thankfully this mallard came close enough to grab a couple of images and frame her against a moored yacht.'

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Wild Eyes Guide

Scottish wildcat

The Scottish Wildcat (Felis silvestris) is unlike your average feline in the wild. The Scottish Wildcat is a small feline and has brown mottled fur and markings similar, but not exact, to that of our average domestic tabby. The cat's tail is blunt, distinctively thick with a black tip and rings.

The Scottish wildcat is the only native member of the Felis family that is still found in the wild of Britain. The wildcat is heavily protected and conservation organisations are working hard to bring this species' numbers up to the least of concern, green status - but more on that later.

What is on the menu for a Scottish Wildcat?

The Scottish wildcat, like the entire feline family, is carnivorous. The Scottish wildcat mainly feeds on small rodents such as voles and mice as well as rabbits. They will also take a variety of bird species and large hares.

They use their excellent hearing, sight, smell, and sensitive whiskers to be very skilled hunters.

Like all the feline family, they stalk their prey and will wait for the opportunity to strike. Wildcats are usually crepuscular ( this means they are active at dawn and dusk) but they may hunt during the day if they aren't disturbed.

What habitat does the Scottish wildcat live in?

The Scottish wildcat is only found in the Scottish Highlands. The Scottish wildcat has a preference for not usually occurring higher than 650 meters above sea level. The wildcat prefers the habitat of dense woodland cover.

What is the breeding behaviour of a Scottish wildcat?

The Scottish wildcat is a solitary species until the mating season when they become more sociable. The breeding season starts in January and lasts until March. In this period of time, males will search for females to mate with.

After mating with males, females will go through a gestation period of about two and a half months. Females will then produce a litter of between one to eight kittens.

Mothers will nurture their kittens up until they reach maturity and independence at about six months of age. The juveniles will leave their mothers to then form their own territories. Finally, the females will reach sexual maturity at a year old and males reach sexual maturity at nine months old.

Threats and conservation to Scottish Wildcats The Scottish Wildcat is one of the UK's rarest mammals. Around 200 years ago (to put this in perspective, this was around the time that Britain ceased trading slaves - in the Victorian era) A combination of habitat loss and hunting meant that they disappeared from England and Wales.

The greatest threat to the Scottish Wildcat now is hybridisation. Presently, many wildcats end up mating with feral domesticated cats. This is a problem as the breeding dilutes the wildcat's genes and means that the species' distinctive features will eventually be lost through the generations of hybrid breeding with domestic cats. Hybridisation also makes the identification and protection of true wildcats difficult.

With this, the number of true Scottish wildcats is extremely low, with some research estimates putting the number of only 35, or less than that left in the wild. Conservation researchers are working to support the Scottish Wildcat in a key way - by neutering domestic cats in key wildcat areas, as well as placing the Scottish wildcat in captive breeding programs.

Other threats faced by wildcats include road deaths, accidental killing in traps meant for other species, and diseases spread by feral cats. The lack of suitable woodland habitats is another problem threatening the species’ survival.

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

PHOTOGRAPHER: PETER CAIRNS / NATUREPL

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A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD | WINTER

WINTER When the geese are flying south And the sky is grey, my dears, Close your eyes and lift your nose; Listen with your careful ears.

Feel the winter coming on; Hear it in the crackling trees; Note the crisping, quivering wind Sharply snapping at their leaves.

Feel it on the windowpanes Chilly glass on fingertips Mark the biting of air, Heated breath on numbing lips.

Watch the nuthatch and the wren; They know it is time once more To abandon careful nests, As they've done each year before.

Let the frost rest on your face; Sense a shiver on your skin.

See how pretty nature is When she ushers winter in.

Poem extract SUZIE BITNER WAS AFRAID OF THE DRAIN by Barbara Vance Illustration by Barvart

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AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR: 2022

SCOTT DUFFIELD Photographer: Scott Duffield IG: scott.duffield.photography

WILDLIFE MAGAZINE

AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR This year, the Conker Nature Magazine team is delighted to announce, the winner, of our first annual ambassador of the year, goes to, Scott Duffield.

Here is a quick introduction from Scott, which was published in January 2021 in his interview; 'My name is Scott Duffield and I’m an avid lover of wildlife and the natural world, I love capturing wildlife and their habitats. I am a multi-regional Mechanical and electrical engineering supervisor as my main job and spend all my free time behind the camera.

I have always had an obsession with the natural world and how each plant or animal relies on another for its existence. I think my real passion for photography started after watching my all-time hero, Sir David Attenborough. As his nature programs evolved with time I became more and more concerned with how many species were becoming extinct or being put on the endangered list so I decided to start documenting via photographs all the different species I had seen on an outing. My photography also evolved over the years, from just documenting the species to trying to catch their emotions and natural behaviours in a single image.

To me, my photography is more than just an image, I see it as a recording of an emotional moment in time where I try to capture the feelings and emotions of both myself and the subject. When I look back at my photos I remember my exact emotions and feelings at the time I took them and the way I was trying to show the subject's mood.'

Scott has been with us since the launch of the program in January 2022 and is a shining example of what this program is about. We launched this program to give wildlife photographers a platform to explore wildlife photography and even a little photojournalism and education. Scott took this onboard, with his summer write-up of 'bringing nature to your garden', which was truly a wonderful piece. and we look forward to what 2023 holds for Scott Duffield.

Scott Duffield gives his statement '‘I am overwhelmed & immensely proud to be chosen as the Conker Nature ambassador of the year. It means a great deal to me to be chosen and fills me with pride in both my work and the magazine. The work Conker Nature does to highlight the beauty of our worlds natural beauty, wildlife and the issues & struggles it faces is amazing and I’m proud to be a part of it. Thank you to everyone who has supported the magazine and selected me as ambassador of the year."

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ANNUAL LETTER Lucy Morris Conker Nature Editor-in-chief

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PHOTOGRAPHER: JESSICA PERRY / IG: @JESSP_PHOTOGRAPHY_

Next Year....

February 2023

September 2023

WINTER WONDERLAND ON SALE 9 JANUARY

THE TREE OF LIFE ISSUE ON SALE 7 AUGUST

Grab your boots and your cameras, for this winter farewell we will be discovering winter wonders from across the world - and celebrating the nearing of spring.

March 2023 GARDEN ISSUE ON SALE 6 FEBRUARY Gardens will soon be a-buzzing with wildlife, but there is much work to be done. Start building your bug-hotels and placing cameras in those nestboxes because wildlife is soon to arrive.

We follow the branches back in time to the beginning.

From the ideas of two men that changed the way we think about evolutionary science, to the homo sapiens of today and how different our species can look in a million years’ time.

October 2023 AUTUMNAL BEHAVIOURS ON SALE 4 SEPTEMBER In this issue, we are showcasing the unique and wonderful autumnal behaviours displayed by wildlife - From why the leaves change their colours, to the deer rut spectacle of autumn. Discover the autumn season this month.

April 2023

November 2023

INTO THE FOREST ON SALE 6 MARCH

CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUE ON SALE 2 OCTOBER

Our forests have had a long, and oftentimes a troubled history. We are going back to forestry beginnings and discover the wildlife that reside there - in our into the forest discover edition.

It’s no secret that the world is suffering greatly with climate change. We will debating the various topics from the past of climate change, the COP conferences and case studies of today, and how climate change will effect our children’s futures.

June 2023

December / January 2023-24

REWILDING SPECIAL ISSUE ON SALE 5 MAY

A YEAR IN THE NATURAL WORLD ON SALE 6 NOVEMBER

An in-depth special issue discussing the importance of rewilding and conservation by featuring pioneering rewilding project, Knepp Estate, in South England, UK.

Discover the year of 2023 in Conker Nature’s A Year In The Natural World. In this issue, Conker Nature Editors will select the most unforgettable year photos throughout the spectacular seasons of 2023.

July / August 2023

February 2024

NATIONAL MARINE ISSUE ON SALE 5 JUNE

EARTH & SPACE ISSUE ON SALE 8 JANUARY

Discover and celebrate everything marine in this special issue. From the slow swish of seaweed, to the flash of a grey fin of the bottlenose dolphin - uncover the wonders beneath the waves, and understand the human impacts we have on our oceans.

Discover a world above our own, from the latest of NASA news to the beginning of the planet’s creation. Join us as we fly into space on the latest rocket technology from Europe Space Agency and America's NASA.

PHOTOGRAPHER - TOM ATKIN / @TJATKIN

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