One Planet News: Amazing wildlife moments
Share your wildlife moments with us.
by Annette J Beveridge
We all have much-loved personal stories to tell when it comes to nature and I mean those unexpected or longed-for sightings which have a long-lasting impact.
As the editor of One Planet News, I thought I would share some of mine with you.
Many years ago, I was having a stroll around Garston Wood, an RSPB nature reserve in England. I had spent an hour or two bird watching and the sun was starting to set so I recall making my way back. Without warning, a badger emerged from the undergrowth stopping abruptly as it saw me.
I think we stayed without moving for about 10 or 20 seconds. I had an amazing view of its face and its fur and could see that it was watching me as much as I watched it. Slowly, the badger turned around and moved back into the undergrowth. It was only then that I realised I had been holding my breath.
Read more: The secret of bird song
The Badger Trust calls these animals a living symbol of the British countryside and yet, sadly, this beautiful species has long been targeted as a spreader of bovine TB and culls have been in place for many years. This has led to the loss of more than 230,000 animals. There is a petition here if you wish to sign.
Badgers belong to the mustelid family which includes ferrets, polecats, otters and pine martens.
Badgers live in mixed-sex groups in underground setts. There can be between four and eight animals, and those that live together are known as a clan. They are often seen foraging alone and that is where my chance encounter came in.
What a glorious moment and one I will treasure forever.
Read more: The evolution of jaw shape in lizards and snakes
On another occasion, I was living in a house nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees. It was the most beautiful and magical place for anyone who loves amazing views and being a part of nature.
One day, a neighbour shouted to me to come outside. I rushed out and looked up.
Circling high above me were 15 Griffon vultures. Wings stretched and soaring on thermals, it was an amazing sight. Even better, the vultures gradually lost height and were joined with even more. Now the sky formed a dot-to-dot pattern of soaring birds, never touching, just utilising the thermals while scanning the area below.
I lay down on the grass and watched them circle overhead and often wondered what they thought about me. This weird person lying there looking up at them.
What a moment.
The vultures had probably detected a carcass and there were a few farms nearby keeping sheep and cattle, so I can only assume one poor animal had died. But at that moment, I could only marvel at the sight of these vastly unappreciated birds soaring above me before they drifted across the hill behind the house
Read more: Want to help with a nature documentary?
To give you an idea of how impressive it was, Griffon vultures have an 8ft wingspan. These are large birds, some might say ugly, but to me, they are impressive and of course, essential to any healthy ecosystem. Griffon vultures may be scavengers but it is far better to clear up a carcass than to leave it rotting.
The nutrients stored within the flesh of the dead animal is recycled fairly quickly through Vulture waste.
With an efficient digestive system, Griffon vulture stomachs produce a highly acidic gastric fluid which can dissolve bones and kill dangerous pathogens. The birds have a rapid digestive system which helps them to maintain their health even if consuming a carcass that has been rotting for days.
I have so many other wildlife sightings that are so special to me but I would love to hear about your nature moments. Email us or make a comment on this newsletter.
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