February 12, 2025 • 34 mins
In this week’s Wildlife Matters Podcast, we explore the captivating and often unexpected methods by which wildlife seeks mates in a somewhat tongue-in-cheek way as love is in the Air for Saint Valentine's Day.
Prepare to be amazed as we unveil the intricate courtship rituals and remarkable behaviors. From the enchanting dances of avian suitors to the astonishing insect tactics, the animal kingdom never fails to surprise.
Step into nature with this week’s Mindful Moments and experience the tranquility of a winter wonderland. Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of falling snow and the subtle sounds of nature, a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Get ready to be intrigued by the latest wildlife and nature stories in this week's Wildlife Matters Nature news. From an extraordinary encounter with wildlife to an award-winning photographer and a hunt hound running amok in an Oxfordshire village, these topics will pique your interest and foster a deeper appreciation for the animal kingdom.
Takeaways:
- In this unique Valentine's edition, we explore the intricate courtship rituals of various wildlife species.
- The animal kingdom exhibits diverse mating strategies, ranging from elaborate dances to unexpected gifts.
- Mindful Moments will immerse listeners in the serene beauty of a winter wonderland.
- This week's Nature News highlights remarkable wildlife photography an incredible sighting off the Sussex coast, and a pack of Hunt Hounds run amok in a rural village
Links referenced in this episode:
- sussexdolphinproject.org
- wildlifephotographeroftheyear.com
- www.badgertrust.org.uk
- naturalhistorymuseum.com
- leagueagainstcruelsports.org
- www.wildlife-matters.org
Mentioned in this episode:
- Sussex Dolphin Project
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year
- Natural History Museum
- Badger Trust
- League Against Cruel Sports
- Wildlife Matters Organisation
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:26):
Hello and welcome to this weekweek's Wildlife Matters podcast.
And in this specialValentine's edition, we dive into
the fascinating and oftensurprising ways that wildlife seeks
out a mate.
From elaborate courtshipdances performed under the moonlight
to intriguing rituals thatspan the animal kingdom, we'll uncover
(00:50):
the incredible strategies andbehaviors that ensure that love blooms
in the wild.
And in this week's mindfulmoments, we invite you to join us
in a tranquil winter wonderland.
Feel the serene hush of the world.
Around us as we immerseourselves in soft and gentle falling
(01:12):
of snowflakes.
Listen to the crisp sounds ofwinter as we wander through the woodland
searching.
For snow signs of life.
We'll bring you along on thisexciting adventure in a future episode
where we'll reveal whichtracks we found that tell the stories
of the creatures that callthis frosty landscape home.
(01:32):
And in this week's WildlifeMatters, a nature news.
From award winning wildlifephotography to amazing wildlife encounters
and hunt hounds running riotin a small village, we have got the
highlights that are makingwaves in the natural world.
So let's head on over to thenews desk for this week's Wildlife
(01:55):
Matters Nature News.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Nature News.
(02:19):
As ever, we have our uniquetake on the very latest news about
wildlife and nature.
And today, we're starting witha super pod of dolphins that have
been seen off the Sussex coast.
Hundreds of dolphins have beenspotted in the sea off Sussex.
Jake Davison filmed a pod ofcommon dolphins swimming 10 miles
(02:43):
off the coast of Eastport.
He regularly documents hisfishing Trips on his YouTube channel,
but he said it's rare to seethis many dolphins together in the
Sussex waters.
Thea Taylor of the SussexDolphin Project told Wildlife Matters
that although we occasionallyreceive reports of superpods, this
(03:05):
video evidence allows us toshare this incredible spectacle more
wildly.
Superpods typically form whenthere is a high abundance of prey
in the area.
Jake reported seeing largeconcentrations of pelagic fish, which
are schooling in significantnumbers at this time of the year.
(03:27):
Unfortunately, pelagic fishare also targeted by.
The super trawlers currentlyfishing in and.
Around the area, putting thispod of dolphins directly in harm's
way.
Common dolphins can be foundall around the uk.
They are an offshore speciesthat often have come inshore to feed.
(03:50):
Common dolphins can beidentified by their distinctive color
pattern, which is often calledan hourglass.
They are fast swimmers, ableto reach speeds of up to 30 miles
an hour in the water.
And they frequently ride thebow waves of boats.
The Sussex Dolphin Projectprotects local dolphin species through
(04:13):
research, awareness and education.
To support its researchefforts, the organization encourages
anyone who spots dolphins totake a photo or video and to send
it along with the locationdetails to the Sussex Dolphin Project
via their website.
(04:33):
With this and recent whalesightings, the English Channel has
been alive with cetaceans thiswinter, which is so exciting and
you can be sure that WildlifeMatters will keep you updated with
all the latest sightings.
Our second story isphotographer Ian woods award winning
(04:56):
anti cull photograph of abadger looking at the Stop the Cull
logo, which has won the publicvote for Wildlife Photographer of
the Year.
The image captured by ian Woodwon first place in the People's Choice
Award.
It beats 25 shortlisted imagesat the Natural History Museum exhibition
(05:20):
this year.
76,000 votes were castworldwide to determine the winner.
The shortlist for the People'sChoice was selected from nearly 60,000
entries submitted to thisyear's Wildlife Photographer of the
Year competition.
A panel of internationalexperts chose the 100 winning images.
(05:43):
The museum's director, Dr.
Douglas Gur, told WildlifeMatters, ian's flawlessly timed image
offers a unique glimpse intonature's interaction with the human
world, underscoring theimportance of understanding urban
wildlife.
His exceptional photographreminds us that local nature and
(06:06):
wildlife, often just outsideour homes, can both inspire and captivate
us.
The winning photograph wastaken after residents of Saint Leonards
began leaving food scraps onthe pavement for some of the local
foxes.
Ian noticed that badgers froma nearby set were also coming to
(06:27):
forage one night when he saw abadger walking along the pavement
by his wall.
He set up a small hide at theedge of the road to capture the animal
as it reached for food.
The hide was illuminated onlyby a lamp post.
Winning the award has beentruly humbling, said Ian.
(06:48):
However, he emphasized thephotograph's darker side by advocating
for an end to badger cullingin the uk, a practice aimed at controlling
the spread of bovine tuberculosis.
Ian said, I live in rural Dorset.
Where I'm on a rewardingmission to enhance habitats for a
(07:08):
wide array of wildlife.
The badger coal, which isstill ongoing, has decimated their
numbers and I fear that unlessthe cull is stopped, we'll only see
badgers in urban settings inseveral parts of England.
I do hope this image willraise awareness about the damaging
effects of the badger coal andhelp push for change.
(07:33):
The 5 People's Choices imageswill be on display display online
and on the interactive boatingscreens in the Natural History Museum's
flagship exhibition, whichwill run until the end of June 2025
and our final story today isabout the Bicester and Wadden Chase
(07:53):
hunt hounds which ran riot inan Oxfordshire village.
The hunt has apologized afterhounds were filmed running through
a private garden and orchardco owned by former Labour Party leader
and current MP Ed Miliband.
Residents of Claydon nearBicester anonymously reported.
(08:16):
The incident to the LeagueAgainst Crawlsports.
The footage captured thehounds on private property on Mollington
Road, where Mr.
Miliband owns one of the three cottages.
A additionally doorbell camerafootage showed the hunt riding through
the village.
The hounds belonged to theBicester Hunt with Waddham Chase,
(08:38):
which confirmed that they wereconducting trail hunting activities
in the.
Area on the day of the incident.
Which they claim is in linewith the Hunting Act.
A spokesman for the hunt toldWildlife Matters, some hounds entered
the village after sp strayingfrom the scent laid for them to follow,
but our professional staffmembers retrieve them within minutes
(09:03):
if hounds deviate from theirintended trail.
We review our procedures andthat process is ongoing.
Our hounds participate inlawful trail hunting activities four
days a week throughout theseason and incidents of this nature
are incredibly rare.
(09:23):
In contrast, village residentsexpressed their shock, anger and
disgust at the hunt's behaviour.
Which they claimed wasinconsistent with their.
Assertion that they werefollowing a pre laid trail.
Some residents reported thatthe hunt trespassed on several properties
and areas, including a public park.
(09:46):
One resident who asked toremain anonymous.
Told Wildlife Matters it wasvery upsetting to see the hunt running
rampant like this.
It seemed as if they hadeither lost control of their dogs
or were hunting for wildanimals, which goes against their
claim of trail hunting.
It was terrifying to havehounds so close to our home where
(10:10):
we have cats.
Although not captured on filmduring the incident on Mollington
Road, residents also reportedseeing seeing a Muntjac deer fleeing
from the hunt towards a busy road.
And another resident witnesseda fox in Claydon Village trying to
escape from the hound.
Chris Luffingham, acting chiefexecutive at the League against Kruel
(10:33):
Sports, said this incidentshould not have occurred, especially
20 years after this so calledsport was supposedly banned.
The outrage expressed byresidents shows that hunts are not
wanted in rural communitiesand that has been this week's Wildlife
(10:54):
Matters Nature News.
Foreign.
(11:14):
Spectacle when snow blanketsthe south of England, transforming
familiar landscapes into aserene winter wonderland.
So when such an enchantingopportunity unfolds, it becomes the
perfect opportunity to venture.
Outdoors and observe thedelicate traces left by by animals
(11:36):
in the pristine white cover.
I was lucky to have thisexperience recently as I strolled
through the tranquil woodland,delicate snowflakes began to fall
once more.
Within moments, the lightflurry evolved into a heavy cascade,
propelled by a brisk,invigorating wind that whispered
(11:59):
through the branches.
The atmosphere was mesmerizing.
The world around me seemed toslip into a peaceful hush, each flake
contributing.
To a soft quilt of stillnessthat enveloped the earth.
Despite its quietitude, thisexperience was anything but silent.
(12:22):
Equipped with my recordingdevice, I captured.
The beautiful sounds of natureduring this.
Moment, eager to share theessence of this winter wonderland
with you on this week'sWildlife Matters Mindful moments.
(13:00):
It's.
(13:57):
I believe, that time spentimmersed in nature, no matter the
weather, is time well spent.
It has profound benefits foryour physical.
Mental and emotional wellbeing, allowing you.
To reconnect and groundyourself in the breathtaking tapestry
(14:17):
of the natural world.
Snowflakes gently settled onmy skin, filling me with elation
as I reveled in the refreshingchill that enveloped me.
It was an extraordinaryexperience and I.
Was fortunate to be the only one.
In the woods that morning.
However, I wasn't alone.
(14:38):
I shared the experience withthe intriguing wildlife that call
this serene landscape home,and I look forward to featuring their
stories on the WildlifeMatters podcast soon.
And now it's time for thisweek's Wildlife Matters main feature.
And we'd love all around usfor some Valentine's Day this Friday,
(15:02):
and I thought it would be agood time to take a somewhat tongue
in cheek look at theincredible ways that wildlife finds
its mate.
So brace yourself as we launchinto a hormone driven world on this
week's Wildlife Matters main beach.
(15:40):
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters main feature.
And as it's a Valentine's Dayspecial, we're looking at some of
the incredible ways thatwildlife finds love.
In today's world, where datingapps and swiping left or right have
(16:00):
taken over the romanticlandscape, finding the one has become
a top priority for many.
But did you know that humansare not the only ones who crave love
and companionship?
Many creatures in the naturalworld also.
Seek a partner and go to great.
(16:22):
Lengths to find one.
From faithful swans and wolvesto solitary pine martins and sexton
beetles that bury animalcarcasses, the animal kingdom is
full of fascinating tales oflove and mystery.
(16:42):
Take the Adder, for example.
When searching for a mate,they shed their skin to reveal a
shiny new coat and use theirtongue to woo their female counterparts.
The pine marten is a fiercelyterritorial animal that has only
a few days every year when thefemale is receptive to mating.
(17:06):
But the Sexton beetle reallytakes the cake regarding unique mating
habits.
You see, they use food, oftenin the form of dead animal carcasses,
to bond with their partners.
Within an hour of death, theywill locate a corpse, sometimes as
(17:28):
far as two miles away, buryit, strip away the fur or feathers
and douse it with anantibacterial secretion to slow down
the decomposition.
Talk about a dreadful way toshow your affection.
So whether it's staying withone partner for life or changing
(17:49):
partners, wildlife will go togreat lengths to ensure the continuation
of their species.
And who knew that the animalkingdom was so full of love and drama?
The world of wildlife has aunique approach to courtship.
There is no one size fits all approach.
(18:10):
What works best can differ foreach and every species.
So suppose you don't conformto the traditional idea of being
with only one partner.
Well, then, take heart.
In that case, you're in goodcompany with some of the most fascinating
creatures.
If you believe in magic, youcould try ornithromancy.
(18:33):
Predicting your future petpartner based on the first bird you
see on Valentine's Day.
If you see a sparrow, thatmight indicate that your future will
be with someone poor.
While spotting a goldfinchcould just mean you'll hit the jackpot
and meet a millionaire.
If a robin flies overhead,it's believed you'll end up with
(18:57):
a sailor.
Whilst a blackbird is said to predict.
That you will marry a vicar.
A flock of doves might suggesta long and happy marriage, but if
you spot an owl or awoodpecker, you're thought to be
destined to stay single forthe rest of your days.
For the brave hearted, thereis the tradition of heading to the
(19:21):
local graveyard at midnight onthe February 13th to conjure up a
ghostly vision of a person youwill go on to marry.
Now, this involves runningaround the church 12 times while
chanting a prescribed poem.
We're not going to share thatwith you today, but you can find
(19:43):
it.
And if you are feelingadventurous, why.
Not give it a try?
Roses are always a populargift on Valentine's Day.
And the color you receivecould hold some significance.
So if your partner presentsyou with a big bunch of roses on
Valentine's Day, what secretsmay they reveal?
(20:05):
Well, red roses symbolizeeternal love and passion, whilst
pink roses signify admirationand appreciation.
Perfect for the early days ofa relationship.
Yellow roses perfectly showfriendship and happiness, whilst
(20:25):
orange roses symbolise desireand enthusiasm.
And if you're looking forsomething genuinely enchanting, lilac
roses are said to representlove at first sight.
But roses aren't the only wayto predict your romantic future.
(20:46):
According to legend, twistingthe stem of an apple whilst reciting
the names of potential spousescan reveal the name of your future
partner.
And if you want to know howmany children you'll have, count
the seeds inside the apple.
People have also turned toherbs and spices for romantic guidance
(21:08):
for centuries.
For example, placing a sprigof fragrant.
Rosemary under your pillowmight reveal the identity of your
future spouse in your dream.
And if you want to know ifyour crush sent you that mysterious
Valentine's Day card, tryplacing a slip of paper with your
names under your pillow andreciting a poem.
(21:32):
So whether you're a hopelessromantic or a skeptic, these old
fashioned love traditions willpique your interest.
However you plan on spendingyour Valentine's Day maybe sipping
champagne with your sistersignificant other, or binge eating
chocolates in bed with your cat.
Some members of the animalkingdom are sacrificing their lives
(21:55):
in the name of love.
So let's look at some of theunusual ways that wildlife finds
love.
From kinky spider bondage todeath inducing.
Foreplay, Wildlife Mattersdives into the fascinating.
Fascinatingly depraved worldof animals.
(22:16):
Mating Rituals Humans aren'tthe only species that get a little
rough in the bedroom.
The mating ritual of thenursery spiders is downright kinky.
Before courting, the malepresents the female with the gift
of an insect wrapped in web.
(22:36):
But once his gift is accepted,things get a little more X rated.
The male nursery web spiderswill bond with their female partners
by tying the female's frontlegs with silken cords before mating.
This ritual, performed only bysome males, actually decreases the
(22:58):
chance of the female eatingthem right after they've mated.
Yes, this is a thing thatreally happens since first she would
have to free herself.
The bondage might also helpthe male get a second mating as the
female can't run off or eathim after their first encounter,
(23:18):
thus increasing his chances ofbecoming a father.
These cords are known as abridal veil.
Nursery web spiders aren't theonly species of spider that tie up
their partners though.
But there are perhaps the onlyspiders that may add pheromones to
the cord, which may make thefemale more interested in mating.
(23:42):
Male honeybees sacrifice theirlives for the chance of becoming
a dad.
They can mate with the queenbee an average of 7 to 10 times and
they do it in mid flightbefore their endophallus or penis
is finally ripped off of their body.
Ouch.
(24:02):
The endophallus stays insidethe queen bee.
Until the next male comesalong and.
Either is futile in hisattempted mating.
Or he will remove the previousmale's phallus so he can then mate
with the queen.
As for the previous male,well, he's.
Doomed when the endophallus istorn off.
(24:25):
The the male's abdomen ripsopen and.
He dies shortly after that.
Interestingly, but lessgruesome, queen honeybees have only
one mating flight.
Still, they may mate withseveral males during this time and
can store between 5 and 6million sperm within their spermacea.
(24:48):
Anglerfish take the phrasetill death do.
Us part to a whole new level.
Finding a mate in the deepocean can be challenging, especially
because males are much smallerthan females.
However, when a maleanglerfish finds a female, he bites
onto her and never lets go forthe rest of his life.
(25:13):
Talk about an inseparable bond.
He even becomes part of hercirculatory system and feeds on her
blood to survive.
But wait, there's more.
Most land snails arehermaphrodites, which means that
they have both male and femalesexual organs and can reproduce as
(25:34):
either.
Some species even have a love dart.
A calcium sword that they use to.
Stab other snails,transferring sperm, boosting secretions.
However, this love dart canreduce fertility in the long term
and cause severe injury oreven death.
(25:56):
Researchers have found thatstab snails only lived around 3/4
as long as those.
Who had not been penetratedwith a love dart or calcium sword,
and that.
They actually laid fewer eggs.
With such a high cost to thesnails, it's a wonder why they even
evolved these weapons.
(26:16):
But the love dart discouragesthe stabbed snail from mating with
anyone else, whether that'sbecause of the secretions or because
of the intense pain ensuringthe stabber that his genes will be
passed on to the offspring.
Male pufferfish are thealluring artists of the marine world.
(26:39):
They create intricate circularpatterns on the.
Sea floor to attract femalesby using.
Their fins and bodies to movesand and develop ridges.
They then decorate their nestswith pieces of shell and coral, hoping
to appeal to the aestheticdesires of a female pufferfish.
(26:59):
It takes the male seven to 10days to complete his unique nest.
If a female appears anddecides the design is pleasing, she
will lay her eggs in themiddle of the nest and then take
off.
Females will usually choosemales with the most intricate and
(27:20):
extensive nests, typicallycreated by the most vigorous males.
The process of male waterstriders is.
Known to be sexually immoral.
Amongst insects, female waterstriders have a genital shield which
functions as a chastity beltto prevent males from mating with
(27:41):
them until, of course, theyare ready.
However, some male waterstriders use coercion and threaten
females with death until theyconsent to mate with them.
Water striders move on watersurfaces due to the surface tension,
and they can sense predatorsor prey by vibrations in the water.
(28:03):
Nevertheless, some male waterstriders employ this tapping to attract
predators.
Then they will hop on thefemale's back and tap vigorously
on the water's surface.
Since the female is on thewater with the male on her back,
she is more vulnerable tobeing eaten by predators, and consequently,
(28:25):
the female gives in and opensher genital shield, allowing the
male to to mate with her.
After fertilization, the malewater strider cares for the eggs
until they hatch six days later.
And after hatching, the maleleaves to build a new nest, and he
will repeat the process allover again.
(28:49):
And finally, let's take a lookat St.
Valentine's Day origins and alittle bit of folklore.
Some believe it is in memoryof St Valentine's death.
Others say it was an attemptby the Christian church to Christianize
the pagan festival of Lupercalia.
Lupercalia was a Romanfertility festival held on February
(29:13):
15th.
It was dedicated to Faunus,the God of agriculture, and the founders
of Rome, Romulus and Remus.
During the festival, Romanpriests would gather at a sacred
cave where a she wolf wasbelieved to have cared for Romulus
and Remus.
(29:33):
They would then sacrifice agoat and use its hide to slap the
women, which was said to givethe crops in the fields more fertility
in the coming year.
And if that isn't weird enoughfor you, there's more.
Later in the day, all theyoung women in the city would put
their names into a big urn.
(29:54):
The city's bachelors wouldeach select a.
Name from the urn and the twowould be paired up for the year.
Was this the beginning ofpartner swapping?
During the Middle Ages, peoplein France and England believed that
February 14th marked thebeginning of the bird mating season.
This added to the idea thatValentine's Day should.
(30:17):
Should be a day for romance.
The English poet GeoffreyChaucer was the first to mention
St Valentine's Day as aromantic celebration in his poem
Parliament of Fools, where hewrote, for this was sent on St Valentine's
Day, when every fowl comeththere to choose his mate.
(30:40):
Valentine's greetings werepopular as far back as the Middle
Ages.
Although written Valentinesdidn't appear before 1400.
The oldest known valentinethat's still in existence today was
a poem written in 1415 byCharles, Duke of Orleans, to his
(31:01):
wife whilst he was imprisonedin the Tower of London following
his capture at the Battle of Agincourt.
The greeting is now part ofthe manuscript collection of the
British Library in London.
Several years later, KingHenry V is believed to have hired
a writer named John Lydgate tocompose a Valentine's note to Catherine
(31:25):
of Valois.
So there you have it.
Valentine's Day's history isfascinating, and that has been Wildlife
Matters.
Look at love in the wildlifeworld on Valentine's Day and remember
wild ones, love doesn't makethis world go around.
But all of you must be eightlegged sea creatures because you
(31:50):
occupy our hearts.
Well, isn't wildlife endlessly entertaining?
(32:12):
Each creature brings its ownunique quirks, captivating behaviors,
and even some surprisingromantic rituals that can certainly
be described as unconventional.
In the vast tapestry ofnature, some animals truly struggle
to find love and resort tosome remarkable, if sometimes strange,
(32:34):
methods of attracting a mate.
We would like to extend ourheartfelt gratitude to all of our
new subscribers on Substackand Patreon, as well as.
The many individuals engagingwith us on.
Social media who are now partof the Wildlife Matters community.
(32:55):
Your support means the worldto us.
As our audience grows and our engagement.
Deepens, so does our capacityto affect meaningful change for wildlife
and the environments they inhabit.
If you find enjoyment andvalue in the Wildlife Matters podcast,
(33:15):
then please share it with yourcolleagues, friends and family.
Your likes and shares play a crucial.
Role in helping fellowwildlife enthusiastic enthusiasts
discover us in this algorithmdriven digital landscape.
Looking ahead WildlifeMatters, we'll be venturing into
the enchanting woodlands toexplore one of our absolute favorite
(33:38):
trees, the hazel.
This remarkable tree is knownnot only for its stunning flexibility
and resilience, but also forproducing one of nature's most delightful
trees, the hazelnut.
It has countless benefits forwildlife whilst enriching the ecosystem
(33:59):
surrounding it.
Thank you for spending yourvaluable time with us today.
Your being here is genuinely appreciated.
Wildlife Matters will returnin two weeks, but until then, stay
safe, wild ones.
This is Wildlife Matterssigning off.
Hello and welcome to this weekweek's Wildlife Matters podcast.
And in this specialValentine's edition, we dive into
the fascinating and oftensurprising ways that wildlife seeks
out a mate.
From elaborate courtshipdances performed under the moonlight
to intriguing rituals thatspan the animal kingdom, we'll uncover
(00:50):
the incredible strategies andbehaviors that ensure that love blooms
in the wild.
And in this week's mindfulmoments, we invite you to join us
in a tranquil winter wonderland.
Feel the serene hush of the world.
Around us as we immerseourselves in soft and gentle falling
(01:12):
of snowflakes.
Listen to the crisp sounds ofwinter as we wander through the woodland
searching.
For snow signs of life.
We'll bring you along on thisexciting adventure in a future episode
where we'll reveal whichtracks we found that tell the stories
of the creatures that callthis frosty landscape home.
(01:32):
And in this week's WildlifeMatters, a nature news.
From award winning wildlifephotography to amazing wildlife encounters
and hunt hounds running riotin a small village, we have got the
highlights that are makingwaves in the natural world.
So let's head on over to thenews desk for this week's Wildlife
(01:55):
Matters Nature News.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Nature News.
(02:19):
As ever, we have our uniquetake on the very latest news about
wildlife and nature.
And today, we're starting witha super pod of dolphins that have
been seen off the Sussex coast.
Hundreds of dolphins have beenspotted in the sea off Sussex.
Jake Davison filmed a pod ofcommon dolphins swimming 10 miles
(02:43):
off the coast of Eastport.
He regularly documents hisfishing Trips on his YouTube channel,
but he said it's rare to seethis many dolphins together in the
Sussex waters.
Thea Taylor of the SussexDolphin Project told Wildlife Matters
that although we occasionallyreceive reports of superpods, this
(03:05):
video evidence allows us toshare this incredible spectacle more
wildly.
Superpods typically form whenthere is a high abundance of prey
in the area.
Jake reported seeing largeconcentrations of pelagic fish, which
are schooling in significantnumbers at this time of the year.
(03:27):
Unfortunately, pelagic fishare also targeted by.
The super trawlers currentlyfishing in and.
Around the area, putting thispod of dolphins directly in harm's
way.
Common dolphins can be foundall around the uk.
They are an offshore speciesthat often have come inshore to feed.
(03:50):
Common dolphins can beidentified by their distinctive color
pattern, which is often calledan hourglass.
They are fast swimmers, ableto reach speeds of up to 30 miles
an hour in the water.
And they frequently ride thebow waves of boats.
The Sussex Dolphin Projectprotects local dolphin species through
(04:13):
research, awareness and education.
To support its researchefforts, the organization encourages
anyone who spots dolphins totake a photo or video and to send
it along with the locationdetails to the Sussex Dolphin Project
via their website.
(04:33):
With this and recent whalesightings, the English Channel has
been alive with cetaceans thiswinter, which is so exciting and
you can be sure that WildlifeMatters will keep you updated with
all the latest sightings.
Our second story isphotographer Ian woods award winning
(04:56):
anti cull photograph of abadger looking at the Stop the Cull
logo, which has won the publicvote for Wildlife Photographer of
the Year.
The image captured by ian Woodwon first place in the People's Choice
Award.
It beats 25 shortlisted imagesat the Natural History Museum exhibition
(05:20):
this year.
76,000 votes were castworldwide to determine the winner.
The shortlist for the People'sChoice was selected from nearly 60,000
entries submitted to thisyear's Wildlife Photographer of the
Year competition.
A panel of internationalexperts chose the 100 winning images.
(05:43):
The museum's director, Dr.
Douglas Gur, told WildlifeMatters, ian's flawlessly timed image
offers a unique glimpse intonature's interaction with the human
world, underscoring theimportance of understanding urban
wildlife.
His exceptional photographreminds us that local nature and
(06:06):
wildlife, often just outsideour homes, can both inspire and captivate
us.
The winning photograph wastaken after residents of Saint Leonards
began leaving food scraps onthe pavement for some of the local
foxes.
Ian noticed that badgers froma nearby set were also coming to
(06:27):
forage one night when he saw abadger walking along the pavement
by his wall.
He set up a small hide at theedge of the road to capture the animal
as it reached for food.
The hide was illuminated onlyby a lamp post.
Winning the award has beentruly humbling, said Ian.
(06:48):
However, he emphasized thephotograph's darker side by advocating
for an end to badger cullingin the uk, a practice aimed at controlling
the spread of bovine tuberculosis.
Ian said, I live in rural Dorset.
Where I'm on a rewardingmission to enhance habitats for a
(07:08):
wide array of wildlife.
The badger coal, which isstill ongoing, has decimated their
numbers and I fear that unlessthe cull is stopped, we'll only see
badgers in urban settings inseveral parts of England.
I do hope this image willraise awareness about the damaging
effects of the badger coal andhelp push for change.
(07:33):
The 5 People's Choices imageswill be on display display online
and on the interactive boatingscreens in the Natural History Museum's
flagship exhibition, whichwill run until the end of June 2025
and our final story today isabout the Bicester and Wadden Chase
(07:53):
hunt hounds which ran riot inan Oxfordshire village.
The hunt has apologized afterhounds were filmed running through
a private garden and orchardco owned by former Labour Party leader
and current MP Ed Miliband.
Residents of Claydon nearBicester anonymously reported.
(08:16):
The incident to the LeagueAgainst Crawlsports.
The footage captured thehounds on private property on Mollington
Road, where Mr.
Miliband owns one of the three cottages.
A additionally doorbell camerafootage showed the hunt riding through
the village.
The hounds belonged to theBicester Hunt with Waddham Chase,
(08:38):
which confirmed that they wereconducting trail hunting activities
in the.
Area on the day of the incident.
Which they claim is in linewith the Hunting Act.
A spokesman for the hunt toldWildlife Matters, some hounds entered
the village after sp strayingfrom the scent laid for them to follow,
but our professional staffmembers retrieve them within minutes
(09:03):
if hounds deviate from theirintended trail.
We review our procedures andthat process is ongoing.
Our hounds participate inlawful trail hunting activities four
days a week throughout theseason and incidents of this nature
are incredibly rare.
(09:23):
In contrast, village residentsexpressed their shock, anger and
disgust at the hunt's behaviour.
Which they claimed wasinconsistent with their.
Assertion that they werefollowing a pre laid trail.
Some residents reported thatthe hunt trespassed on several properties
and areas, including a public park.
(09:46):
One resident who asked toremain anonymous.
Told Wildlife Matters it wasvery upsetting to see the hunt running
rampant like this.
It seemed as if they hadeither lost control of their dogs
or were hunting for wildanimals, which goes against their
claim of trail hunting.
It was terrifying to havehounds so close to our home where
(10:10):
we have cats.
Although not captured on filmduring the incident on Mollington
Road, residents also reportedseeing seeing a Muntjac deer fleeing
from the hunt towards a busy road.
And another resident witnesseda fox in Claydon Village trying to
escape from the hound.
Chris Luffingham, acting chiefexecutive at the League against Kruel
(10:33):
Sports, said this incidentshould not have occurred, especially
20 years after this so calledsport was supposedly banned.
The outrage expressed byresidents shows that hunts are not
wanted in rural communitiesand that has been this week's Wildlife
(10:54):
Matters Nature News.
Foreign.
(11:14):
Spectacle when snow blanketsthe south of England, transforming
familiar landscapes into aserene winter wonderland.
So when such an enchantingopportunity unfolds, it becomes the
perfect opportunity to venture.
Outdoors and observe thedelicate traces left by by animals
(11:36):
in the pristine white cover.
I was lucky to have thisexperience recently as I strolled
through the tranquil woodland,delicate snowflakes began to fall
once more.
Within moments, the lightflurry evolved into a heavy cascade,
propelled by a brisk,invigorating wind that whispered
(11:59):
through the branches.
The atmosphere was mesmerizing.
The world around me seemed toslip into a peaceful hush, each flake
contributing.
To a soft quilt of stillnessthat enveloped the earth.
Despite its quietitude, thisexperience was anything but silent.
(12:22):
Equipped with my recordingdevice, I captured.
The beautiful sounds of natureduring this.
Moment, eager to share theessence of this winter wonderland
with you on this week'sWildlife Matters Mindful moments.
(13:00):
It's.
(13:57):
I believe, that time spentimmersed in nature, no matter the
weather, is time well spent.
It has profound benefits foryour physical.
Mental and emotional wellbeing, allowing you.
To reconnect and groundyourself in the breathtaking tapestry
(14:17):
of the natural world.
Snowflakes gently settled onmy skin, filling me with elation
as I reveled in the refreshingchill that enveloped me.
It was an extraordinaryexperience and I.
Was fortunate to be the only one.
In the woods that morning.
However, I wasn't alone.
(14:38):
I shared the experience withthe intriguing wildlife that call
this serene landscape home,and I look forward to featuring their
stories on the WildlifeMatters podcast soon.
And now it's time for thisweek's Wildlife Matters main feature.
And we'd love all around usfor some Valentine's Day this Friday,
(15:02):
and I thought it would be agood time to take a somewhat tongue
in cheek look at theincredible ways that wildlife finds
its mate.
So brace yourself as we launchinto a hormone driven world on this
week's Wildlife Matters main beach.
(15:40):
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters main feature.
And as it's a Valentine's Dayspecial, we're looking at some of
the incredible ways thatwildlife finds love.
In today's world, where datingapps and swiping left or right have
(16:00):
taken over the romanticlandscape, finding the one has become
a top priority for many.
But did you know that humansare not the only ones who crave love
and companionship?
Many creatures in the naturalworld also.
Seek a partner and go to great.
(16:22):
Lengths to find one.
From faithful swans and wolvesto solitary pine martins and sexton
beetles that bury animalcarcasses, the animal kingdom is
full of fascinating tales oflove and mystery.
(16:42):
Take the Adder, for example.
When searching for a mate,they shed their skin to reveal a
shiny new coat and use theirtongue to woo their female counterparts.
The pine marten is a fiercelyterritorial animal that has only
a few days every year when thefemale is receptive to mating.
(17:06):
But the Sexton beetle reallytakes the cake regarding unique mating
habits.
You see, they use food, oftenin the form of dead animal carcasses,
to bond with their partners.
Within an hour of death, theywill locate a corpse, sometimes as
(17:28):
far as two miles away, buryit, strip away the fur or feathers
and douse it with anantibacterial secretion to slow down
the decomposition.
Talk about a dreadful way toshow your affection.
So whether it's staying withone partner for life or changing
(17:49):
partners, wildlife will go togreat lengths to ensure the continuation
of their species.
And who knew that the animalkingdom was so full of love and drama?
The world of wildlife has aunique approach to courtship.
There is no one size fits all approach.
(18:10):
What works best can differ foreach and every species.
So suppose you don't conformto the traditional idea of being
with only one partner.
Well, then, take heart.
In that case, you're in goodcompany with some of the most fascinating
creatures.
If you believe in magic, youcould try ornithromancy.
(18:33):
Predicting your future petpartner based on the first bird you
see on Valentine's Day.
If you see a sparrow, thatmight indicate that your future will
be with someone poor.
While spotting a goldfinchcould just mean you'll hit the jackpot
and meet a millionaire.
If a robin flies overhead,it's believed you'll end up with
(18:57):
a sailor.
Whilst a blackbird is said to predict.
That you will marry a vicar.
A flock of doves might suggesta long and happy marriage, but if
you spot an owl or awoodpecker, you're thought to be
destined to stay single forthe rest of your days.
For the brave hearted, thereis the tradition of heading to the
(19:21):
local graveyard at midnight onthe February 13th to conjure up a
ghostly vision of a person youwill go on to marry.
Now, this involves runningaround the church 12 times while
chanting a prescribed poem.
We're not going to share thatwith you today, but you can find
(19:43):
it.
And if you are feelingadventurous, why.
Not give it a try?
Roses are always a populargift on Valentine's Day.
And the color you receivecould hold some significance.
So if your partner presentsyou with a big bunch of roses on
Valentine's Day, what secretsmay they reveal?
(20:05):
Well, red roses symbolizeeternal love and passion, whilst
pink roses signify admirationand appreciation.
Perfect for the early days ofa relationship.
Yellow roses perfectly showfriendship and happiness, whilst
(20:25):
orange roses symbolise desireand enthusiasm.
And if you're looking forsomething genuinely enchanting, lilac
roses are said to representlove at first sight.
But roses aren't the only wayto predict your romantic future.
(20:46):
According to legend, twistingthe stem of an apple whilst reciting
the names of potential spousescan reveal the name of your future
partner.
And if you want to know howmany children you'll have, count
the seeds inside the apple.
People have also turned toherbs and spices for romantic guidance
(21:08):
for centuries.
For example, placing a sprigof fragrant.
Rosemary under your pillowmight reveal the identity of your
future spouse in your dream.
And if you want to know ifyour crush sent you that mysterious
Valentine's Day card, tryplacing a slip of paper with your
names under your pillow andreciting a poem.
(21:32):
So whether you're a hopelessromantic or a skeptic, these old
fashioned love traditions willpique your interest.
However you plan on spendingyour Valentine's Day maybe sipping
champagne with your sistersignificant other, or binge eating
chocolates in bed with your cat.
Some members of the animalkingdom are sacrificing their lives
(21:55):
in the name of love.
So let's look at some of theunusual ways that wildlife finds
love.
From kinky spider bondage todeath inducing.
Foreplay, Wildlife Mattersdives into the fascinating.
Fascinatingly depraved worldof animals.
(22:16):
Mating Rituals Humans aren'tthe only species that get a little
rough in the bedroom.
The mating ritual of thenursery spiders is downright kinky.
Before courting, the malepresents the female with the gift
of an insect wrapped in web.
(22:36):
But once his gift is accepted,things get a little more X rated.
The male nursery web spiderswill bond with their female partners
by tying the female's frontlegs with silken cords before mating.
This ritual, performed only bysome males, actually decreases the
(22:58):
chance of the female eatingthem right after they've mated.
Yes, this is a thing thatreally happens since first she would
have to free herself.
The bondage might also helpthe male get a second mating as the
female can't run off or eathim after their first encounter,
(23:18):
thus increasing his chances ofbecoming a father.
These cords are known as abridal veil.
Nursery web spiders aren't theonly species of spider that tie up
their partners though.
But there are perhaps the onlyspiders that may add pheromones to
the cord, which may make thefemale more interested in mating.
(23:42):
Male honeybees sacrifice theirlives for the chance of becoming
a dad.
They can mate with the queenbee an average of 7 to 10 times and
they do it in mid flightbefore their endophallus or penis
is finally ripped off of their body.
Ouch.
(24:02):
The endophallus stays insidethe queen bee.
Until the next male comesalong and.
Either is futile in hisattempted mating.
Or he will remove the previousmale's phallus so he can then mate
with the queen.
As for the previous male,well, he's.
Doomed when the endophallus istorn off.
(24:25):
The the male's abdomen ripsopen and.
He dies shortly after that.
Interestingly, but lessgruesome, queen honeybees have only
one mating flight.
Still, they may mate withseveral males during this time and
can store between 5 and 6million sperm within their spermacea.
(24:48):
Anglerfish take the phrasetill death do.
Us part to a whole new level.
Finding a mate in the deepocean can be challenging, especially
because males are much smallerthan females.
However, when a maleanglerfish finds a female, he bites
onto her and never lets go forthe rest of his life.
(25:13):
Talk about an inseparable bond.
He even becomes part of hercirculatory system and feeds on her
blood to survive.
But wait, there's more.
Most land snails arehermaphrodites, which means that
they have both male and femalesexual organs and can reproduce as
(25:34):
either.
Some species even have a love dart.
A calcium sword that they use to.
Stab other snails,transferring sperm, boosting secretions.
However, this love dart canreduce fertility in the long term
and cause severe injury oreven death.
(25:56):
Researchers have found thatstab snails only lived around 3/4
as long as those.
Who had not been penetratedwith a love dart or calcium sword,
and that.
They actually laid fewer eggs.
With such a high cost to thesnails, it's a wonder why they even
evolved these weapons.
(26:16):
But the love dart discouragesthe stabbed snail from mating with
anyone else, whether that'sbecause of the secretions or because
of the intense pain ensuringthe stabber that his genes will be
passed on to the offspring.
Male pufferfish are thealluring artists of the marine world.
(26:39):
They create intricate circularpatterns on the.
Sea floor to attract femalesby using.
Their fins and bodies to movesand and develop ridges.
They then decorate their nestswith pieces of shell and coral, hoping
to appeal to the aestheticdesires of a female pufferfish.
(26:59):
It takes the male seven to 10days to complete his unique nest.
If a female appears anddecides the design is pleasing, she
will lay her eggs in themiddle of the nest and then take
off.
Females will usually choosemales with the most intricate and
(27:20):
extensive nests, typicallycreated by the most vigorous males.
The process of male waterstriders is.
Known to be sexually immoral.
Amongst insects, female waterstriders have a genital shield which
functions as a chastity beltto prevent males from mating with
(27:41):
them until, of course, theyare ready.
However, some male waterstriders use coercion and threaten
females with death until theyconsent to mate with them.
Water striders move on watersurfaces due to the surface tension,
and they can sense predatorsor prey by vibrations in the water.
(28:03):
Nevertheless, some male waterstriders employ this tapping to attract
predators.
Then they will hop on thefemale's back and tap vigorously
on the water's surface.
Since the female is on thewater with the male on her back,
she is more vulnerable tobeing eaten by predators, and consequently,
(28:25):
the female gives in and opensher genital shield, allowing the
male to to mate with her.
After fertilization, the malewater strider cares for the eggs
until they hatch six days later.
And after hatching, the maleleaves to build a new nest, and he
will repeat the process allover again.
(28:49):
And finally, let's take a lookat St.
Valentine's Day origins and alittle bit of folklore.
Some believe it is in memoryof St Valentine's death.
Others say it was an attemptby the Christian church to Christianize
the pagan festival of Lupercalia.
Lupercalia was a Romanfertility festival held on February
(29:13):
15th.
It was dedicated to Faunus,the God of agriculture, and the founders
of Rome, Romulus and Remus.
During the festival, Romanpriests would gather at a sacred
cave where a she wolf wasbelieved to have cared for Romulus
and Remus.
(29:33):
They would then sacrifice agoat and use its hide to slap the
women, which was said to givethe crops in the fields more fertility
in the coming year.
And if that isn't weird enoughfor you, there's more.
Later in the day, all theyoung women in the city would put
their names into a big urn.
(29:54):
The city's bachelors wouldeach select a.
Name from the urn and the twowould be paired up for the year.
Was this the beginning ofpartner swapping?
During the Middle Ages, peoplein France and England believed that
February 14th marked thebeginning of the bird mating season.
This added to the idea thatValentine's Day should.
(30:17):
Should be a day for romance.
The English poet GeoffreyChaucer was the first to mention
St Valentine's Day as aromantic celebration in his poem
Parliament of Fools, where hewrote, for this was sent on St Valentine's
Day, when every fowl comeththere to choose his mate.
(30:40):
Valentine's greetings werepopular as far back as the Middle
Ages.
Although written Valentinesdidn't appear before 1400.
The oldest known valentinethat's still in existence today was
a poem written in 1415 byCharles, Duke of Orleans, to his
(31:01):
wife whilst he was imprisonedin the Tower of London following
his capture at the Battle of Agincourt.
The greeting is now part ofthe manuscript collection of the
British Library in London.
Several years later, KingHenry V is believed to have hired
a writer named John Lydgate tocompose a Valentine's note to Catherine
(31:25):
of Valois.
So there you have it.
Valentine's Day's history isfascinating, and that has been Wildlife
Matters.
Look at love in the wildlifeworld on Valentine's Day and remember
wild ones, love doesn't makethis world go around.
But all of you must be eightlegged sea creatures because you
(31:50):
occupy our hearts.
Well, isn't wildlife endlessly entertaining?
(32:12):
Each creature brings its ownunique quirks, captivating behaviors,
and even some surprisingromantic rituals that can certainly
be described as unconventional.
In the vast tapestry ofnature, some animals truly struggle
to find love and resort tosome remarkable, if sometimes strange,
(32:34):
methods of attracting a mate.
We would like to extend ourheartfelt gratitude to all of our
new subscribers on Substackand Patreon, as well as.
The many individuals engagingwith us on.
Social media who are now partof the Wildlife Matters community.
(32:55):
Your support means the worldto us.
As our audience grows and our engagement.
Deepens, so does our capacityto affect meaningful change for wildlife
and the environments they inhabit.
If you find enjoyment andvalue in the Wildlife Matters podcast,
(33:15):
then please share it with yourcolleagues, friends and family.
Your likes and shares play a crucial.
Role in helping fellowwildlife enthusiastic enthusiasts
discover us in this algorithmdriven digital landscape.
Looking ahead WildlifeMatters, we'll be venturing into
the enchanting woodlands toexplore one of our absolute favorite
(33:38):
trees, the hazel.
This remarkable tree is knownnot only for its stunning flexibility
and resilience, but also forproducing one of nature's most delightful
trees, the hazelnut.
It has countless benefits forwildlife whilst enriching the ecosystem
(33:59):
surrounding it.
Thank you for spending yourvaluable time with us today.
Your being here is genuinely appreciated.
Wildlife Matters will returnin two weeks, but until then, stay
safe, wild ones.
This is Wildlife Matterssigning off.
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