Dominic Couzens

Discover the difference between hibernation, aestivation, torpor and denning, and which animals hibernate.

It has been announced that two white-tailed eagles – both of which were part of a reintroduction project – have been found dead in southern England.

Birds are the world’s greatest flyers - but how do they do it? 

August is a quiet month with most birds' energy being used to renew their feathers, but there's some strange behaviour in the garden and a summer glut to watch - both involve ants.

Warm days in March herald new arrivals and trigger the onset of egg-laying in some daring garden birds, which finely balance the advantages of getting started early against the risks of burning out.

February sees winter’s surviving birds on the move in search of food, while the fittest flaunt their superiority with courtship displays.

January brings the first signs of spring if you listen out you may hear the beginnings of the dawn chorus, but the drama of winter survival for birds continues to be played out on the bird table.

In July, the year's first broods have only just dispersed, but second attempts are already underway. For most garden birds this is nearly impossible, but some are better able to exploit this summer's bounty.

In June, parent birds encourage reluctant youngsters to leave the safety of the nest, while keen-eyed predators with their own hungry mouths to feed watch the newly fledged with anticipation, writes Dominic Couzens.

The birds keep a low profile this month as they settle down to the challenge of raising young. But should the weather turn, death is never far away. The late-arriving swifts have a clever solution, writes Dominic Couzens.