Our round-up of the funny, fascinating and unusual stories this fortnight

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

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

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

The latest winners of Bird Photographer of the Year were as stunning as ever. Jade Burrell writes about the contest and the overall winner as we showcase our favourites

Keepers at the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia have noticed a fashion trend spreading among groups of chimpanzees living there – sticking strands of grass in their ears or rectums, and just le