Absurd little birds across the world lay their eggs in the nests of other species, leaving the hapless parents to raise a changeling at the expense of their own offspring. The majority are cuckoos – o

Nadia Shaikh seeks good company for a search-and-gorge to get her through the ruthless darkness of the winter months

THIS MONTH Barn owls

Jolly frock-coated robins, majestic geese and arboreal partridges make for both literal and symbolic centrepieces at Christmas, says Matthew Dennison, as he revels in the cultural history of the season’s feathered fowl and game

Winter may well be the most overlooked season of them all when it comes to appreciating nature’s joys. While it’s easy to take pleasure in the budding blooms of spring, summer’s resplendent blossoms a

the first month of the year is named after the Roman god Janus. He is often depicted with two heads – one for looking ahead, the other behind. He is also the god of doorways, beginnings, and the risin