The fast & the furious

The stag beetle’s intimidating appearance belies its vulnerability, says Claire Saul, as she discovers what we can do to help them survive

I t’s the summer solstice, and the mountains ...

With its impressive ‘antlers’ and suit of armour, one giant of the insect world may look intimidating, but it only wants to fight for survival

With returning swifts screaming across the rooftop and golden buttercup pollen gilding his Wellingtons as he strides across the cow meadow, John Lewis-Stempel marvels at the many pleasures of May

IT being the season for the painted purple ...

Fragrant and frothy, elder blossom is a highlight of May and June. The flat-topped flowerheads turn together to track the sun each day and attract a host of invertebrates, especially hoverflies and ti