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Man with fishing rod taking photo of large catfish near riverbank under stone bridge on sunny day

Albi: 1.50-Metre Wels Catfish Spotted in the Tarn

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

By late morning, walkers along the banks of the Tarn in Albi sometimes slow down without quite knowing why. A...

Young person smelling pink flowers on a balcony with gardening tools and plants around.

Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’: the fragrant shrub replacing geranium window boxes

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

Many amateur gardeners have grown tired of seeing the same old geranium window boxes. They are looking for something that...

Golden retriever on a leash standing on a path with a map and green ball nearby on a sunny day.

Why varying your dog’s walks can boost their mood

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

At 7.30 am, the same gate opens, the same lead rattles, and the dog heads almost automatically towards the usual...

Person feeding a brown dog indoors near metal food bowls on a wooden floor by a sunlit window.

Human Stress Scent Makes Dogs Make ‘Pessimistic’ Decisions, Study Finds

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

Dogs can detect human stress, and fresh research indicates that its scent can produce a comparable emotional response in dogs,...

Hands planting a small potato in soil within a wooden raised garden bed outdoors.

Potato Planting Depth: The Right Depth for a Bigger Harvest

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

Many home gardeners fine-tune varieties, fertiliser and watering schedules, then wonder why their harvest is disappointing. Yet one crucial factor...

Capercaillie bird with fanned tail on mossy forest floor, next to binoculars, map, and wind turbines on distant hills.

Sixteen Norwegian Western Capercaillies in the Vosges: A Failed Second Chance

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

At first light, in a clearing in the Vosges, the silence can feel almost overwhelming. Yet, a few decades ago,...

Hands holding a pine cone among potted plants and gardening tools on a windowsill.

Pine Cone Trick for Houseplants in Winter

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

A seemingly ordinary find from the woods can make all the difference. The colder months put pressure not only on...

Person reading a book on a sofa with a cat walking nearby and a cup of tea on a wooden table.

Why a Cat Chooses a Favourite Person Who Seems Distant

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

In many households, a cat appears to pick an unexpected favourite, rather than the person who looks after it most....

Scientist in white coat touching hands with a young chimpanzee beside a tablet showing brain and sound wave images.

Chimpanzees Saying “Mama” May Reveal Neural Building Blocks for Speech

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

Old recordings of captive chimpanzees saying the word “mama” indicate that our nearest living relatives may, after all, possess the...

Woman pruning herbs in a vibrant garden with tomatoes, marigolds, and gardening tools on a sunny day

Oregano Companion Planting: The Best Vegetables, Herbs and Flowers

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

Many amateur gardeners tuck oregano away in a corner of the herb garden. However, anyone who deliberately combines this Mediterranean...

Man in waterproof gear examines floating aquatic plants near wooden boardwalk over calm wetland water.

90 Floating Islands Revive an Exhausted Marsh

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

Above the marsh, the thud of rotor blades drowned out almost everything else. In 2023, each pass of the helicopter...

Blackbird standing on soil in a raised garden bed near a garden trowel and hands holding an open notebook.

What a Blackbird in Your Garden Reveals About Your Soil

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

Before dawn, long before the street comes to life, a blackbird sometimes lands in precisely the same spot: beside the...

Young man gently hugging a golden retriever while holding a steaming cup of tea at an outdoor café.

Why Some People Prefer Their Dog's Company to Human Relationships

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

In France and elsewhere, some people find their dog's presence more soothing than certain human relationships. Published on 24 June...

Person using a garden fork to dig soil with a bucket of moss and a bag of compost on grass outdoors.

Three March Tips for a Moss-Free Lawn Without Chemicals

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

Many garden owners are alarmed in spring by yellow patches, puddles and thick cushions of moss in the lawn. The...

Person petting a tabby cat walking on a wooden floor near a scratching post and feather toy in sunlight.

Why Your Cat Rubs Against Your Legs: What It Really Means

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

When your cat rubs against your legs, you may naturally assume it is simply asking for a cuddle. Science, however,...

Whale shark with a mounted camera swims near a diver and a small boat in clear blue ocean water.

Whale sharks filmed feeding off Western Australia

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

Off Western Australia, researchers have captured close-up footage of whale sharks to gain a clearer understanding of how they feed....

Person planting seeds in a garden bed with colourful pansies in the foreground.

Action 39-Cent Flower Seed Packet for a Colourful Spring Garden

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

While many amateur gardeners still hesitate to spend money on costly plants, the retailer Action has launched an offer that...

Person lying in bed cuddling a golden retriever dog with a cat beside them, next to a table with a book and glass.

What sleeping with a dog or cat says about pet owners in Spain

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

In Spain, a very common habit among pet owners is prompting psychologists to examine our relationship with affection. Published on...

Person wearing gloves pruning budding tree branches with red secateurs in an orchard during early spring.

Pruning an Apple Tree in February for a Better Harvest

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

Many amateur gardeners sit back in late winter, convinced there is nothing to do in the orchard during February. That...

Elderly man wearing a hat gardening, planting colourful flowers in a brick-bordered flowerbed on a sunny day.

Gardeners used to sink tiles around flower beds: 50 years later, gardeners know why

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

On a spring morning, in a slightly aged garden, you may notice an odd line of roof tiles set upright...

Young man drinks mate tea on a balcony overlooking a street and birds flying at sunset.

Why Thousands of Birds Gather Above Argentine Cities at Dusk

Gareth Whitfield • October 5, 2026

At dusk, people in several Argentine cities find themselves looking upwards almost instinctively. Above the rooftops, thousands of birds create...