BBC Wildlife

EDITORIAL Tui De Roy/Silverback Films DON’T MISS NEXT ISSUE Editor Paul McGuinness Deputy Editor Jo Price kk A Perfect Planet – we take you behind the scenes Acting Deputy Editor Sarah McPherson of David Attenborough’s stunning new BBC series Acting Section Editor Catherine Smalley Production Editor Angharad Moran kk Border patrol – how the wall between Mexico and Art Editor Richard Eccleston the US is creating a great divide for wildlife Picture Editor Tom Gilks Group Digital Editor Carys Matthews kk Antarctica – head to Antarctica with David Lindo, Editorial and Digital Co-ordinator Megan Shersby as the Urban Birder steps into the deep freeze Editorial Consultant Ben Hoare FEBRUARY ISSUE ON SALE 14 JANUARY Contributors Benedict Blyth, Lisa Duerden, BBC Wildlife 101 Jenny Price, Wanda Sowry ADVERTISING Group Ad Manager, Lifestyle Laura Jones 0117 300 8509 Ad Manager Neil Lloyd 0117 300 8276 Brand Sales Executive Stefano Baldon 0117 300 8224 Brand Sales Executive Mia Dorrington 0117 300 8266 Brand Sales Executive Stephanie Hall 0117 300 8535 Classified Sales Executive Tom Howson 0117 300 8189 INSERTS Laurence Robertson 00353 876 902208 MARKETING Subscriptions Director Jacky Perales-Morris Digital Marketing Manager Mark Summerton Direct Marketing Manager Aimee Rhymer Direct Marketing Executive Thomas Bull Head of PR Dom Lobley LICENSING & SYNDICATION Rights Manager Emma Brunt 0117 300 8979; [email protected] Director of Licensing & Syndication Tim Hudson PRODUCTION Ad Co-ordinator Charles Thurlow Ad Designer Julia Young Production Director Sarah Powell Production Co-ordinator Katty Skardon PUBLISHING Managing Director Marie Davies; Publisher Andrew Davies; Promotions and Partnerships Manager Rosa Sherwood; Publishing Assistant Lara Von Weber; Group Managing Director Andy Marshall; CEO Tom Bureau BBC STUDIOS, UK PUBLISHING Chair, Editorial Review Boards Nicholas Brett; Managing Director, Consumer Products and Licensing Stephen Davies; Head of Publishing Mandy Thwaites; Compliance Manager Cameron McEwan; UK Publishing Co-ordinator Eva Abramik [email protected]; bbcstudios.com BBC Wildlife provides trusted, independent travel advice and information that has been gathered without fear or favour. We aim to provide options that cover a range of budgets and reveal the positive and negative points of the locations we visit. The views expressed in BBC Wildlife are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the magazine or its publisher. The publisher, editor and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services that may be advertised or referred to in this issue or for any errors, omissions, mis-statements or mistakes in any such advertisements or references. BBC Wildlife champions ethical wildlife photography that prioritises the welfare of animals and the environment. It is committed to the faithful representation of nature, free from excessive digital manipulation, and complete honesty in captioning. Photographers, please support us by disclosing all information – including, but not restricted to, use of bait, captive or habituated animals – about the circumstances under which your pictures were taken. Immediate Media Company Bristol is working to ensure that all of its paper is sourced from well-managed forests.This magazine is printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper. This magazine can be recycled, for use in newspapers and packaging. Please remove any gifts, samples or wrapping and dispose of it at your local collection point. Jan–Dec 19 total 29,144 BBC Wildlife Magazine is published by Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited under licence from BBC Studios. © Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited 2020. All rights reserved. No part of BBC Wildlife may be reproduced in any form or by any means either wholly or in part without prior written permission of the publisher. Not to be resold, lent, hired out or otherwise disposed of by way of trade at more than the recommended retail price (subject to VAT in the Republic of Ireland) or in mutilated condition. Printed by William Gibbons Ltd. January 2021

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Adventure Make a new year’s resolution that counts and explore the world with our top pick of global destinations. Your 2021 will be a year to remember with these wildlife adventures KENYA ￿ SCOTLA ￿ ND ￿ SC KENYA ￿ KE SCOTLAND NYA ￿ OTLAND ￿ EXPLORER KENYA ORCADIAN WILDLIFE We o er Kenya safari holidays to wildlife sanctuaries including Masai We’ve taken great pride in blending Orkney’s wildlife and culture for 18 Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli and Samburu Game Reserve. Beach years. We live here, and know our beautiful archipelago well, with its holidays to Mombasa, Diani, Malindi and Lamu. With the help of our 5,000 year-old monuments and seascapes. You’ll see around 90 over 12 years’ experience, you will be able to spot lions, elephants, species of birds, including seabirds, migrants and raptors. Please just cheetahs, rhinos and leopards on a safari holiday and enjoy arrive, and we will do all the rest! Small groups, 4* accommodation. sunbathing on Kenya’s beautiful beaches. explorerkenya.com orcadianwildlife.co.uk • 01856 831240 / 077 3000 4911 SWITZERLAN D ￿ SWITZE ￿ ICELAN RLAND ￿ SW ICELAND ￿ D LAND ￿ ICE ITZERLAND ￿ ARCTIC EXPOSURE SALVA FAUNA Photography adventure of a lifetime in Greenland. Small group of six Bearded Vulture, Wallcreeper, Alpine Ibex... come discover the Alps people with two experienced guides. This land-based expedition gives and many more fantastic destinations with Salva Fauna! We o er you the opportunity to search for polar bears, musk oxen, walruses, ethical wildlife tours in very small groups, guided by wildlife experts and other wildlife, icebergs and more. Includes boat and snowmobile and professional wildlife photographers. salvafauna.com excursions with local hunters. 2021 and 2022 dates available now! arcticexposure.is/high_arctic_expedition/

For more travel ideas visit www.DiscoverWildlife.com/Directory THE DIRECTORY AFRICA NO SINGLE To advertise here SUPPLEMENT contact SAFARIS Tom Howson on Tailormade and small group safaris to: 0117 300 8189 Botswana, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, India, Sri Lanka and Indian Ocean. W W W.T R AC K S S A FA R I S .C O.U K 01984 667420 ATOL and TTA bonded to give you 100% financial protection TRAVEL

THE DIRECTORY To advertise here, please email [email protected] UK '$ # $ %\" $& PHOTOGRAPHY !\" WORLDWIDE MADAGASCAR Wildlife & Marine Life Experts Lemurs, Golden Frogs & a New Rainforest Reserve A Pioneering Conservation Adventure (7 – 14 Oct, 2021 & 6 – 13 Oct, 2022) Madagascar Whale Shark Research & Photography Islands, Whales & Lemurs (14 – 21 Oct, 2021 & 13 – 20 Oct, 2022) Committed to Nature www.aqua-firma.co.uk Tel: 01428 620012 Image: Shutterstock For more ideas to help plan your next trip, check out the Travel Planner at www.discoverwildlife.com/holidays-days-out-page/travel-planner

For more travel ideas visit www.DiscoverWildlife.com/Directory THE DIRECTORY PRODUCTS Á ¯ vÁÜÎÒ µ¨ õÎÒ ¯» Î Ò ©Ü¯ Á ܯµ ¯ © øµ Ì Î ÁÎ 0 µ FÁ µ õ Ò ÁÜ Áæ One Monday morning the Managing DQG OD\\ RXW WKH GL IHUHQW FRPSRQHQWV 7KH HOHFWULFV DUH WDFNOHG D WHU D VKRUW Director of Siromer tractors walks including the main skid, exhaust, wheels, break, attaching the rear lights and then LQWR WKH R FH ZLWK D VPLOH DQG KDQGV battery, roll bar. With it all laid out It was the 8 electrical cables, the mechanics me a pair of red overalls. Louise Howard hard to imagine that in a few hours this showed me the diagrams of these and GHFODUHV WKDW LW LV WLPH WKDW , EXLOW P\\ UVW would be a shiny new tractor that I could again, a logical visual is given to help with tractor. I am more practised in handling the drive out of the workshop. The main skid the process. The three-point linkage is the busy stream of phone calls than building ZDV OL WHG RXW RI WKH FUDWH XVLQJ D IRUNOL W last of the main construction elements. This a compact tractor, but I accepted the but trolley jacks and axle stands can handle is the point when I will get an occasional challenge. The tractor in question is a 254, this task. It is worth remembering that the FDOO LQ WKH R FH IURP D FXVWRPHU PLG 25hp 3 cylinder tractor. tractors have already been assembled once build. They are always able to speak with in the factory north of Shanghai, run, tested a mechanic and talk through any queries. I was encouraged by the fact that no and then disassembled and crated for The tractor is now ready to be greased. one has ever not been able to build a shipment to Siromer HQ. Once the wheels Lubricants and coolants are added, and the 6LURPHU ODWSDFN WUDFWRU , KDYH EHHQ RQ WKH have been bolted on the rolling chassis GLHVHO WDQN LV OOHG XS 7KH PHFKDQLFV WKHQ receiving end of many victorious phone LV ORZHUHG GRZQ WR WKH ORRU LW LV DOUHDG\\ tighten every nut and bolt, especially the calls from Siromer customers who have starting to look like the tractors I know. RQHV , KDG WWHG completed the task and are keen to let us know about their experience and their We then got to work with the body Once the battery is connected and the completion time. Farmer Fred Sharman of work, the rear mud guards, the roll bar, the injection pump primed the mechanics Repps in Norfolk currently holds the record bonnet and engine cowling are all then JUDFLRXVO\\ JDYH PH WKH NH\\V IRU WKH UVW at an impressive 4 and a half hours. fitted. I can see how logical the assembly start up. Such a sense of achievement is, each part fitted seems to lead to the hearing the tractor that began life in a crate Knowing the team of mechanics that next and although the guys on the team URDU LQWR DFWLRQ $ WHU DOO WKH SUH GHOLYHU\\ would be helping me also made the whole have had lots of practise I can see how, inspection checks were carried out and the process feel more manageable, but I was with the help of the construction manual paperwork completed for me to take back amazed at how easy the build was. I have and an extra pair of hands a novice like WR WKH R FH , ZDV DEOH WR GULYH WKH WUDFWRU heard many times the sale line of ‘You can myself can put this together. With the out of the workshop. see it, build it, repair it and service it’ and it tractor really taking shape now it was was great to see how accurate this is. time for a break where I saw that Siromer I can see why so many people choose to tractors are built on fuel made from bacon build their own tractor, it gives you such a The estimated build time for a Siromer sandwiches and cups of tea! great working knowledge of the machine compact tractor is 10 hours and 10 and this is surely why Siromer have made it steps, but with the practised hands and FRPSDQ\\ SROLF\\ IRU DOO VWD I PHPEHUV WR JHW knowledge of the mechanics we knew it the chance to complete a build. But also, the would be much quicker. A comprehensive task of construction and the achievement manual is supplied to all Siromer customers of putting a tractor to work that you along with a basic tool box. The chaps in the built yourself is incredibly enjoyable. The workshop work fast as you'd imagine with challenge to construct this durable and all the experience they have, but slowed versatile tractor is there for you if you wish, down to explain the parts and the processes but our competent mechanics are on hand WKH\\ O\\ WKURXJK RUGLQDULO\\ 7KH\\ UHJXODUO\\ if you would rather receive the tractor fully build the crated tractors for the customers EXLOW R IHULQJ WKH EHVW RI ERWK ZRUOGV Q that would rather the tractor be built in our workshops and delivered ready to use. 7KH UVW VWHS ZDV WR XQSDFN WKH FUDWH For more information on the complete range of tractors and equipment visit æææ Ò¯ÎÁ» Î Á Ü or call 01253 799029

VIEWPOINT WILDLIFE CHAMPION FRANK GARDNER In our series about people with a passion for a species, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner reveals his love of the common cuckoo. Interview by Jo Price Why are you championing for wildlife to f lourish. In this era of the common cuckoo? social media, where fake news and conspiracy theories can take off like This is not just an iconic species of wildfire, it is more important than the British spring. It has a particular ever that accurate, impartial data is resonance for those of us old enough used to inform our decisions when to remember hearing their distinctive it comes to conservation. call each spring, without fail. Sadly, those calls have become so much rarer You’re president of the BTO, in England now. I last heard a cuckoo in a field on Thursley Common how has it advanced your in Surrey on an unseasonably cold day in April last year – so cold the understanding of ornithology? cuckoo may have been having second thoughts. The same male returns I am frankly in awe at the wealth with such regularity to the same spot that he has even been given a of expertise shown by the research nickname: ‘Colin’. He comes down from the trees to feast on mealy grubs, SCuckoos face teams. Questions that had been accompanied by redstarts, woodlarks lingering in the back of my mind, and whinchats. alternate routes bac many of the such as why have turtle doves Why have we lost so many to Africa for the become so rare, are now being cuckoos in the UK? winter. The western challenges answered. It’s partly habitat loss route, via Spain and and poaching on migration but also It’s exactly this question which the Sahara, is more encountered the increasing rarity of the seed- has prompted the British Trust for dangerous, with bearing plants on which they feed. Ornithology (BTO) to carry out its nearly 50 per cent by all birds recent research on cuckoos. What not making it, while Which species are at the top the research has shown is that after on migration.T of your birding wish list? cuckoos leave Britain, they take two the eastern route via It has to be the snowy owl. I was so Italy has a greater success rate. hopeful of seeing one in Iceland a few Cuckoos face many of the same years back but no luck. I may have to challenges and dangers encountered leave it until a trip to Canada, where by all birds on migration, namely they seem to be plentiful on both loss of habitat, exhaustion, sides of the country. starvation and trapping or poaching. But it seems only the cuckoos that FRANK GARDNER is security correspondent for Frank: Curious Films/BBC; cuckoo: David Tipling/naturepl.com; Chris: Gary Clewly summer in England take the the BBC, and the BTO’s president: bit.ly/bto- dangerous western cuckoo. Being Frank: The Frank Gardner Story is currently streaming on iPlayer. route, contributing to a The expert view 70 per cent decline in t eir numbers from 1995 to 2017. Scottish and Welsh Drought in Spain is the likely cause cuckoos tend to take the of survival di erences between eastern route and so survive cuckoos taking the two routes. But in greater numbers. cuckoos migrating via the western route may also be more severely a ected by ow would you like to conditions in the UK, as they seem to carry out ee the UK countryside more fattening before departure. It’s likely that managed for nature? the birds are born with a programme telling Ideally, this needs to be done based them which route to take, but we can’t rule out on sound scientific evidence and some social influences. monitoring, leaving sufficient space Chris Hewson, senior research ecologist, BTO 106 BBC Wildlife January 2021

The Best Birdwatching Optics since 1970 Traveller BGA ED Imagic IS DBA VHD+ Super-Compact HD 32mm series Innovative design and technology to Compact 42mm series featuring our Very designed to offer a serious alternative give you the freedom to accurately High Definition optical system. Unrivalled to premium brands at a competitive observe wildlife like never before. 10x30, quality, comfort and ergonomics. price. 8x32, 10x32 Prices from £329 12x30, New 14x30 Prices from £499 8x42, 10x42 Prices from £599 MM4 77 Fieldscopes MM4 Travelscopes Designed and manufactured in Japan the MM4 77 series Outstanding performance in a compact form, the MM4 is the delivers 80mm HD class performance in a body just 320mm natural choice for anyone wanting a high quality take-anywhere long and weighing only 1260g. 30 year guarantee. travelscope to accurately observe and record nature from a distance. Bodies (Str or 45°): MM4 77 GA ED £649 Bodies (Str or 45˚): MM4 50 GA ED £329, MM4 60 GA ED £429 Recommended eyepieces: Recommended eyepieces: SDLv3 12-36x/15-45x £349, SDLv3 18-54x £349, HDF T 18-54x £209 HDF T 12-36x/15-45x £209 www.opticron.co.uk 01582 726522 Opticron. Unit 21, Titan Court, Laporte Way, Luton, Beds, LU4 8EF UK Email: [email protected]

with the Canon PowerShot ZOOM With image stabilisation and USB charging, it is perfect for families enjoying outdoor activities or the casual wildlife enthusiast looking for a compact digital camera to view or capture a quick memory. Get close with this palm-sized 12MP, Full HD camera. With one lens boasting 100mm and 400mm1 plus a digitally extended 800mm, this tiny fully auto PowerShot is ideal for families who love outdoor adventures, wildlife and for casual birdwatchers. Features and benefits: • 3 Step Zoom Fast switch between 100mm, 400mm, 800mm1 focal lengths • Full HD movies Capture high quality movies in 30p/25p/24p • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth®2 Connect and share with ease 1 Magnification is 1.2x / 4.8x / 9.6x at 100/400/800mm respectively, the focal lengths mentioned here are 35mm equivalents, and the 800mm is 2x digital zoom of 400mm optical focal length. 2 Equipped with Bluetooth® low energy technology. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Canon Europe Ltd. is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners. Wi Fi® is a registered trademark of the Wi Fi Alliance.The Bluetooth® word, mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Canon Inc. is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.