Swan Lake

As the COVID-19 lockdown continues, I’ve become increasingly excited by the abundance of wildlife on my doorstep. As I finally have the time, I’ve been getting outside every day for at least a few hours to see what I can spot. Some of the birds and wildfowl that I see frequently in one of my favourite areas, where there are multiple man-made lakes, are: a pair mute swans, a pair of great cormorants, Canada geese, greylag geese, Egyptian geese, eurasian coots, moorhens, great crested grebes, mallards, tufted ducks and grey herons.

To most people, spring means wildlife baby season. I’m not sure I know anyone who wouldn’t feel a spark of joy at seeing a wobbly fawn finding its legs, or fluffy chicks trailing their parents. I was definitely excited when some of the local greylag and Canada geese hatched some adorable goslings. However, until I spent a significant amount of time observing individuals I didn’t quite realise how difficult it is for them to successfully raise their young.

While the local pair of swans is not usually successful in hatching cygnets, the male is extremely territorial and is determined to clear the lake of any threats or competition for resources. For hours yesterday, I witnessed a battle of wills between this male swan and two pairs of Canada goose parents (each with only three remaining chicks, with seven cumulatively already having been lost to the swan). The swan expended valuable energy taking flight to chase the geese off of the lake. I’ll not soon forget the booming whistle of its powerful wingbeats as it soared across the water. The gander (male goose) seemed fearless and took the brunt of the beating from the swan, attempting to lead it away from the goslings. The entire time, the geese communicated with each other. However, the swan was relentless. Each time I thought exhaustion would cause him to stop for a while, he kept going. Both species were determined to protect the next generation.

Having returned today, no goslings seem to remain and the adult geese have taken the opportunity to move to another, safer lake. It seems as though the swan was successful in his persistence this year. As stressful as it was to watch, it was fascinating to observe the dynamics between a native and an invasive species that occupy similar niches. I certainly gained a newfound respect for all wildfowl parents inhabiting the area, having witnessed the tenacity in which they defend their mates and young.

Geese are not the only species that face difficulties when raising their young here. In previous years, the swans have lost cygnets to red foxes when traversing over land to reach the other lakes. Other threats to smaller species’ young, such as eurasian coots, are pike and grey herons.

Triumphant Invaders

The River Misbourne, England (April 2020)

Many established species we consider native due to our familiarity with them have in fact been introduced by humans, and have over time evaded our control. As a result invasive species can cause both ecological and economical harm. From a conservation standpoint, it becomes essential to control the spread of invasive species lest they decimate native species essential to the ecological integrity of an ecosystem. During the COVID-19 lockdown I’ve taken the opportunity to consider the invasive species that I see regularly, if not daily.

Since childhood, my favourite flower has been the English/common bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). There’s something quintessentially British about a woodland carpeted by a sea of purple. Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), while beautiful, are not indigenous to Great Britain. Through rapid spreading and hybridisation between the two species, the threat against native bluebells continues to grow. Controlling the spread of these flowers in gardens (especially those bordering woodlands) is essential to the survival of our beloved native bluebells.

Another, perhaps more widely known invasive species is the North American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). They are such a staple in our daily lives and gardens that it is difficult to believe an entirely different species used to dominate this niche in most of the UK. Brought to Great Britain in the Victorian Era, these quirky mammals quickly outcompeted the smaller and beloved red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris), our only native squirrel species. Their range in the UK has drastically reduced, primarily due to disease transmission and food competition with grey squirrels, and other stressors such as habitat loss. Scotland remains the last stronghold of the red squirrel and conservation efforts are ongoing to ensure the future of this incredible species.

Another invasive species I see occasionally where I live is the Muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi), introduced to Great Britain from China and Taiwan. These now common and very successful deer, while adorable, can seriously impact woodlands due to their grazing habits by preventing tree regeneration, therefore affecting native flora and fauna. While there are six species of deer found in Britain only two, roe deer and red deer, are truly native.

Worldwide, invasive species are thriving due to man-made decisions. Many of them, such as the lionfish, the zebra mussel and the Kudzu plant, have few or no natural predators in their new environment, allowing their populations to spiral out of control, severely impacting native species. It can be really interesting to look up the situation in your area and to see how you can help!

Climate Chaos

Kyneton, Victoria, Australia (February 2014) Samsung PL120

It has been absolutely devastating to witness Australia being ravaged by wildfires from afar. While I only visited the country on one occasion for a few months, its wildness and the kindness of the people I met left a lasting impression. On the week this photograph was taken we had been warned of bushfires in the surrounding area and that there was a chance we might be evacuated. I remember having to take a bus back to Melbourne because the fires had melted the train tracks. Driving past the scorched, blackened earth alerted me to the threat these fires posed for both wildlife and local communities. While fires are needed to a certain degree for regeneration, the current situation is a stark reminder of how we are changing natural processes. I can’t imagine living through something like what so many Australians are currently experiencing.

Over one billion animals (including many species of endemic plants, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles which are less often considered) are estimated to have perished in these fires so far. Despite the selfless people risking and losing their lives on the ground to help as many individuals as possible, this event will have a lasting impact. Not only is the fire bringing destruction to Australia, but the resulting smoke has reached New Zealand and has been linked to quickening glacial melting.

Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent. Now is the time to act. We can all do our part to help lower emissions and to fight for a brighter (and less hot) future. If you have the means and want to help, please look into donating to the many organisations and volunteer firefighters that are helping to combat the fires and to help the country recover from this catastrophe.

With such a distressing start to the new decade it can seen hopeless. It certainly is not. It has been incredible to see so many people come together in solidarity in aid and in fighting for environmental policy change. Use your voice to raise awareness and to educate, vote for those who will help rather than further harm Earth, reduce your personal carbon footprint, consider how your daily and lifestyle decisions contribute to this global problem and please donate if you can. We are in this together and our actions will make a difference. I am trying to overcome my heartbreak for Australia by using this ongoing weather event to further fuel my own determination to fight for a future with clearer and cooler skies.

Keep Rivers Clean

River Colne, England (June 2019) iPhone 7

Rivers exist on every continent. Some are tranquil and silent, some are ferocious and frightening. Over time they have sculpted landscapes. They transfer nutrients all around the world. They have given rise to and sustained some of the biggest cities in the world. Rivers are also hubs of biodiversity, nurseries, hunting grounds, and much, much more for both aquatic and terrestrial species.

Pollution of rivers worldwide is continuously growing and causing devastating consequences. From the fashion industry, to farming, to road runoff, we are slowly poisoning the world’s fresh water supply. We demand too much from it and do not give enough back in return. While plastic waste can be spotted floating along many rivers, not all pollutants are visible to the human eye, such as the infiltration of contaminated groundwater into a river. Some pollutants damage or kill silently, when the pollution level has become so great that nature’s resilience is no longer enough. We must appreciate and preserve our most essential life force: water.

Mythical Creatures of the Amazon

The Napo River, Peru (March 2017)

Surrounded by lapping, murky water not much can be seen beneath the surface. That is until a bulbous pink head attached to narrow snout sticks up out of the water and is gone in a second. Then, a few metres away, another flash of pink, shiny skin pokes through the surface. A few seconds later these strange creatures seem to emerge from all directions, playing with each other in the water. Glimpses of a ridged back here and a tail there are just enough to piece together that these are not mythical creatures or water unicorns, but specially adapted freshwater dolphins, specifically Amazon River dolphins, or boto dolphins. 

This is an experience I will never forget. I first heard of the mysterious pink river dolphin in primary school. I couldn’t quite believe that such a thing existed. No one seemed to know much about them or if they truly existed. Over the succeeding years, I saw little more about them for someone so curious about the natural world. For such an incredibly unique species, this now astounds me.

This species is notoriously difficult to observe, in part due to their shyness. Amazon River dolphins have varying amounts of pink and grey skin, with the adults usually being more pink. One theory for this colouration is that it helps the dolphins remain camouflaged in sediment-rich waters. This, combined with adaptations like echolocation and a lack of fused vertebrae in their necks, make these dolphins the perfect hunters to thrive in the Amazon River. 

Bad Reputation

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania (July 2017)

Unfortunately, some of the most impressive and hardy of species are also some of the most overlooked. Scavengers such as hyenas and vultures are some of my favourite African species. While they may not be conventionally beautiful or ‘cute,’ they are impressively resilient and play vital roles in maintaining balance in their ecosystems.

The spotted hyena is an incredibly tenacious animal that is unfairly criticised, in part due to their portrayal in popular media. This is an intelligent, social and matriarchal species that lives in groups called clans. To conserve energy, they steal carcasses off other predators or scavenge when the opportunity arises; however, they are also exceptional hunters. Their ability to communicate combined with an up to 1,000 pound per square inch bite force makes for a formidable predator.

Perhaps even more maligned are the 11 African vulture species. They are instrumental in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Their corrosive stomach acid allows them to digest rotting carcasses infected with disease (such as rabies), thus preventing them spreading to other, more vulnerable species. Worldwide, both Old World and New World vultures are being decimated and if they are to be given a fighting chance we must change the dialogue surrounding them.

Vantage Point

The River Misbourne, England (May 2019)

There are so many ways in which human development can harm both native and migrating species. The millions of migrating birds killed in the United States every year from colliding with windows are an example of this. However, many species have a remarkable ability to adapt to their changing surroundings. This grey heron, Europe’s largest species of heron, is a regular where I live. Even though the grey heron is thought of by many as a fish-snatching pest, this bird is ethereal and helps maintain balance in its ecosystem.

I certainly did not expect to see this elegant bird walking along a roof. Its movements are slow and calculating, and it always seems to know when I am observing it. After the heron slowly made its way to the edge of the roof and tilted its head down, I realised it had a direct view over the river and that it must be watching for prey. The one surviving fish in my pond has learnt to outsmart it after gradually saying goodbye to all its pond mates, so the heron has to focus its efforts on the river. I always get a surge of excitement when I witness a behaviour I haven’t seen before.

The Last Lions

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania (June 2017)

When I look at a lioness, I realise how perfectly in tune she is with her environment. She may sleep up to 20 hours a day, but awake she can sprint up to 50mph, leap thirty feet, take down prey much larger than herself, see perfectly well in darkness, and produce a roar that can stretch five miles. Despite the fact that she is extremely well adapted to her environment, our species has decimated hers by over forty percent in just two decades. There are now fewer than 20,000 lions left in Africa. Although this may seem like a large number, the rate at which this species is declining is shocking.

When I saw this female reunited with her pride after narrowly escaping an altercation with an protective elephant cow and her calf, it was clear that lions form complex group relationships. As soon as the cubs spotted her approaching the excitement stirring amongst the group was palpable, and when they reunited it was touching to say the least.

A Handful

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA (May 2018)

For days, we looked for and failed to find any of the famed re-introduced Yellowstone wolves. When we were told where we could find them, we raced to the Lamar Valley. On the way, we did not expect to see three black bear cubs rustling through some bushes along the roadside. While their huge mother searched for a meal nearby, her three boisterous cubs entertained themselves. Whenever the cubs couldn’t see their mother and cried out for her, she ran right up to reassure them. She definitely had her hands full. The cubs decided to find the largest pine tree they could to practice climbing. When the first two clambered up, the third cried out, cautious. The two waited for their sibling before they all began playing in the trees together.

I didn’t end up making it to the Lamar Valley that day, nor did I see any wolves, but this unexpected memory will certainly be one to remember.

The Comeback

Zoo Atlanta, GA, USA (April 2018)

There are few birds more recognisable than the symbol of wild North America, the bald eagle. This species is an example of successful conservation practices. During the 20th century America’s emblem and most beloved bird species was facing a terrible demise due to insecticides (DDT), shooting, and habitat and prey loss. Now, following specific legislation changes in order to save the species, bald eagles are bouncing back.

This is Sequoia, a very handsome advocate for his species at Zoo Atlanta in Georgia. In Sequoia’s case, an irrevocably damaged wing hinders him from flying, so he would unfortunately be unable to hunt and survive in the wild.

Zanzibar's Disappearing Wild

Zanzibar, Tanzania (July 2017)

If you get the chance to escape the sound of tourists combing Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park with their selfie sticks, you may stumble across a beautiful, calm scene of an endangered mother Zanzibar red colobus monkey snoozing while nursing her infant. She may grant you the opportunity to sit with them (at a respectful distance away) for a while. Her baby may keep a curious eye on you. You may look around and notice that the forest is decreasing inch by inch, and this incredible species that evolved to thrive here is facing a very uncertain future.

The Zanzibar red colobus is a severely fragmented primate species endemic to Unguja Island, Zanzibar. This means that they are native to no other place, and that if they are eradicated from this island, their prospects are not good. Human encroachment on the forest, deforestation for a multitude of purposes, and the bushmeat trade are largely to blame for their decline. Those living within protected areas like Jozani tend to face less threats than those that live amongst humans. The Zanzibar red colobus monkey, like so many others facing the same fate, is a species that is worth saving.

A Glimpse into the Past

Cockburn Town Fossil Reef, San Salvador Island, The Bahamas (March 2018)

This fossilised brain coral is just one small part of a large, diverse fossilised Pleistocene reef (~125,000 yrs). Comparing this ancient reef to the local, “living” patch reefs put everything into perspective. None of the reefs I saw had more than ~10% of life (most ~2-5%). Much of the coral that was still alive was on its last legs, infected by disease or fungus, and covered in plastic debris. Coral species have survived countless stressors and changes over millions of years, but they are not surviving humans. If enough people make small daily changes, it can make a BIG difference in preventing further decline.