Bird Names

Published in Environment

Names in English and Croatian of birds commonly seen on Hvar, together with the scientific names. 

Pied wagtail, December 2015. Pied wagtail, December 2015. Photo Steve Jones

The Croatian Ornithological Society has a comprehensive list of bird names in Croatian and English, together with the scientific names.

Our listing comprises birds commonly seen in Croatia, especially in Dalmatia. We have given links for birds that have been mentioned in our nature reports. Birds which have been identified on Hvar at any time are marked with an asterisk - not all of them have been cited specifically in the birdwatch articles. First sightings in the year are underlined: in some cases the first appearance is identified through the bird's call, in which case the date is followed by an asterisk.

The video at the foot of the page is just one of the beautiful examples of birds and their calls available on Youtube. Another is 'Woodland birdsong: 16 glorious songbirds', uploaded by Nick Penny.

BTOvideo has a comprehensive collection of videos identifying and charting birds of all kinds. They have been researching British birds over many decades. Their most recent major work is a 'Bird Atlas', recording some 19 million birds, their habitats and activities in England and Ireland between 2007 and 2011.

Zlatko Torbašinović has created a beautiful resource of videos of Croatia's birds and birdsong, with bird names in Croatian, Latin and English.

In alphabetical order:

*Alpine swift - čiopa bijela - apus melba, tachymarptis melba. Video by bpofuk. Sightings: April 2018June 2017; April 2017; March 2017; September 2016.

*Bee-eater  - pčelarica -  merops apiaster. Video by Nat Geo WILD. Sightings: Summer 2018; April 2018July 2017; May 2017; August 2016; April 2016.

Bee-eaters near Jelsa. Photo Vivian Grisogono
Bee-eaters flying above their nesting ground just outside Jelsa. Photo: Vivian Grisogono

*Black redstart - mrka crvenrepka - phoenicurus ochruros. Video uploaded by The Nature Box. Sightings: October 2018; February 2018October - November 2017; February 2017; January 2017; March 2016; February 2016; January 2016; Autumn/winter 2015.

*Blackbird - crni kos - turdus merula. Video by Zlatko Torbašinović; Sightings: Summer 2018; April 2018; January 2018December 2017; May 2017; March 2017; February 2017; January 2017; February 2016; January 2016; early January 2016.

*Blackcap - crnokapa grmuša - sylvia atricapilla. Video: Blackcap bird song, uploaded by Sounds Majestic. Sightings: October 2018October 2017; September 2017; May 2017; March 2017; February 2017; January 2017; September 2016; March 2016; February 2016; January 2016. Autumn/winter 2015.

*Black-eared wheateater - primorska bjeloguza - oenanthe hispanica. Video by Ron Jackson. 2016.

*Black-headed bunting - crnoglava strnadica -  emberiza melanocephala. Video by Film studio "Aves". Sightings: May 2018May 2017. 2016

*Black-headed gull - riječni galeb - chroicocephalus ridibundus. Video by Zlatko Torbašinović. Sightings: January 2017; February 2016. January 2016.

*Black-necked grebe - crnovrati, crnogrli gnjurac - podiceps nigricollis. Sighting: January 2018.

*Black-winged stilt - vlastelica - himantopus himantopus. Video by Paul Dinning. Sightings: April 2016.

*Blue rock thrush - stjenjak modrokos - monticola solitarius. Video by Jose Francsico Calvo. Sightings:May 2017; March 2017; Autumn/winter 2015.

*Blue tit - plavetna sjenica - parus ceruleus. Video of song and alarm call uploaded by chainsawbeks. Sightings: December 2018; January 2018October 2017; January 2017; February 2016; January 2016; Autumn/winter 2015.

*Brambling - sjeverna zeba - fringilla montifringilla. Video by Gradimir Jovtchev. Sightings: January 2017; January 2016.

*Buzzard - škanjac - buteo buteo. Video by BTOvideo. Sightings: October 2018; March 2018; January 2018October 2017; February 2017; January 2017; August-September 2016; February 2016; January 2016; early January 2016; December 2015.

Carrion crow - sivo-crna vrana - corvus corone corone

*Chaffinch - zeba - fringilla coelebs gengleri. Video by Zlatko Torbašinović; Sightings: December 2018; October 2018; January 2018November 2017; October 2017; March 2017; February 2017; January 2017; April 2016; March 2016; February 2016; January 2016; early January 2016; Autumn/winter 2015.

*Chiffchaff - zviždak - phylloscopus collybita collybita. Sightings: March 2018*; April 2017; March 2016; February 2016.

*Cirl bunting - crnogrla strnadica - emberiza cirlus. Sightings: January 2018September 2017; May 2017; March 2017; February 2017; September 2016; March 2016; February 2016; Autumn/winter 2015.

*Collared dove - gugutka - streptopelia decaocto. Sightings: February 2017; February 2016.

*Common crane -  sivi ždral  - grus grus. Sighting: October 2018; March 2018; February 2018November 2016Video, cranes andmigration, from Belarus.  Video by Derek Julian. Video, identifying crow, rook and raven, by BTOvideo. 

*Cormorant - veliki vranac, kormoran - phalacrocorax carbo. Video, by Branimir Devilnightmare; Sightings: June 2017; January 2017; January 2016.

*Corn bunting - velika strnadica - emberiza calandra. Video by Ron Jackson. Sightings: Summer 2018May 2017; April 2017; March 2017; April 2016.

*Crane - ždral - grus grus. (see Common CraneVideo by BBC. Sightings: November 2016.

*Crow, hooded - siva vrana - corvus cornix. Video by Zlatko Torbašinović. Sightings: Autumn/winter 2017; February 2017; January 2017; February 2016; January 2016; early January 2016.

*Cuckoo - kukavica  - cuculus canorus. Video by Philip Parsons. Female cuckoo call, described by David Attenborough, BBC Radio 4. Sightings: Summer 2018; April 2018June 2017; May 2017; April 2017; March 2017; April 2016; April 2015.

*Curlew sandpiper - krivokljuni žalar - calidris ferruginea. Sightings: April 2017.

Dove - golubica - columba. Video by ESL and Poluar Culture. (See Rock Dove, Turtle Dove)

*Dunlin - žalar cirikavac - calidris alpina. Sightings: Summer 2018May 2017.

*Dunnock - sivi popić - prunella modularis. Video by Maurice Baker. Sightings: January 2018November 2017; February 2017; January 2017; March 2016. January 2016.

Eagle - orao - aquila

*Eagle owl (European) - buljina, sova ušara  - bubo bubo. Video uploaded by Wickedinsight. Sightings: April 2018February 2017; February 2016.  January 2016*; Autumn/winter 2015.

Eagle owl. Photo Steve Jones

*Egretbijela čaplja  -  egretta. Sighting: Summer 2018.

*Eurasian Wryneckvijoglav - jynx torquilla. April 2023*.

Falcon - sokol - falco

*Falcon, Red-footed - crvenonoga vjetruša - falco vespertinus. Sightings: April 2017.

*Fieldfare - drozd bravenjak - turdus pilaris Video by Maurice Baker; Fieldfare song by Sounds Majestic. Sightings: March 2017; February 2017; January 2017; January 2016.

*Firecrest - vatroglavi kraljić - regulus ignicapilla. Sightings: October 2017. 

Firecrest, Vrboska, October 2017. Photo: John Ball

*Garden warbler - siva grmuša - sylvia borin. Sightings: May 2017; August 2016.

*Garganey - patka pupčanica - spatula querquedula, anas querquedula. Sighting: March 2018

*Goldcrestzlatoglavi kraljić - regulus regulus. Sightings: October 2017.

Golden Eagle - suri orao -  aquila chrysaetos. Video by Paul Dinning

*Golden oriole - (zlatna) vuga - oriolus oriolus. Sightings: April 2018September 2017; July 2017; May 2017; August 2016; April 2016; May 2014.

Golden oriole. Photo Steve Jones

*Golden plover - troprsti zlatar - pluvialis apricaria. Sightings: March 2018; 2016; Autumn/winter 2015.

*Goldfinch - češljugar, gardelin, kamjolac, ciganče, štiglić - carduelis carduelis. Video by Film Studio "Aves". Video by Zlatko Torbašinović; Sightings: November 2018October 2017; January 2017; February 2016; January 2016.

*Goshawk - jastreb kokošar - family accipitridae. Sightings: August-September 2016.

*Great tit - velika sjenica - parus major newtoni. Video of call by Steve Hawkeye. Sightings: December 2018; January 2018November 2017; October 2017; March 2017; January 2017; March 2016; February 2016; January 2016; Autumn/winter 2015.

*Great White Egret - velika bijela čaplja - egretta alba. Sighting: December 2018.

*Green Sandpiper - crnokrila prutka - tringa ochropus. Sightings:  March 2017.

*Greenfinch - zelendur - carduelis chloris. Sightings: Summer 2018March 2017; September 2016; March 2016.

*Greenshank - krivokljuna prutka - tringa nebularia. Sightings: May 2017; April 2017.

*Grey heron - siva čaplja - ardea cinerea. Video by Luka Hercigonja, Sightings: January 2017; January 2016; Autumn/winter 2015.

*Grey plover - pijukavca -  pluvialis squatarola. Sighting: February 2018.

*Grey wagtail - gorska pastirica - motacilla cinerea. Sightings: October 2017; March 2017; January 2017; January 2016.

Grouse - divlja kokoška- family: phasianidae

*Gull (seagull) - galeb - most common species: larus

*Hawfinch - batokljun - coccothraustes coccothraustes. Video by Zlatko Torbašinović. Sightings: January 2018December 2017.

*Hen harriereja strnjarica - circus cyaneus. Sightings: March 2018; January 2018September 2017; April 2017; March 2017; February 2017; January 2017; January 2016.

*Heron - čaplja - family ardeidae. Sightings: March 2017; January 2017; January 2016; Autumn/winter 2015.

*Herring gull - srebrnasti galeb - larus argentatus. Sightings: 2016.

*Honey buzzard - škanjac osaš - pemis apivorus. Sightings: September 2017; August-September 2016.

*Hooded crow - siva vrana - corvus cornix. Video by Zlatko Torbašinović. Sightings: Autumn/winter 2017; September 2017; February 2017; January 2017; February 2016; January 2016; early January 2016.

*Hoopoe - pupavac - upupa epops. Sightings: September 2017; May 2017; April 2017; March 2017; September 2016; April 2016; March 2016.

Hoopoe. Photo Frank Verhart

*House martin - piljak - delichon urbica. Sightings: Summer 2018April 2017; September 2016.

*House sparrowvrabac - passer domesticus: Sightings: December 2018August-September 2017; January 2017; January 2016.

Hummingbird - kolibrić - family Trchilidae

*Icterine warbler - žuti voljić -  hippolais icterina. Sightings: September 2016.

Jay - šojka, kreštalica, kreja - garrulus glandarius. Video by Zlatko Torbašinović

*Kestrel - vjetruša - falco tinnunculus. Video by Zlatko Torbašinović. Sightings: October 2018; March 2018March 2017; April 2016.

*Kingfisher - vodomar, vodomar ribar - alcedo atthis. Sightings: October 2018; January 2018January 2017; December 2016; April 2016. January 2016.

*Lapwing (peewit) - vivak - vanellus vanellus. Sightings: October 2018; February 2018February 2017; February 2016.

*Lesser Grey Shrikesivi svračak - lanius minor. Sighting: May 2018.

*Linnet - juričica - carduelis cannabina. Video by BHVSa. Sightings: May 2017; April 2017; April 2016.

*Little ringed plover - kulik spljepčić - charadrius dubius. Sightings: May 2017; April 2017.

*Little egret - mala bijela čaplja -  egretta garzetta. Sightings: April 2017.

*Little stint - mali žalar - calidris minuta, erolia minuta. May 2017.

*Marsh harrier - eja močvarica - circus aeruginosus. Sightings: March 2018September 2017; August-September 2016.

*Meadow Pipit - livadska trepteljka  -  anthus pratensis. Sighting: December 2018

*Melodious warbler - kratkokrili voljić - hippolais polyglotta. Sightings: Summer 2018; 2016.

*Mistle thrush - drozd imelaš - turdus viscivorus. Video by slpanjkovic. Sightings: March 2017; February 2017; January 2017; December 2016; January 2016.

*Nightingale - slavuj - luscinia megarhynchos. Video by Zlatko Torbašinović. Sightings: Summer 2018; March 2018May 2017; April 2017; March 2017; June 2016; April 2016.

*Nightjar - leganj, noćna lasta - caprimulgus europaeus. Nghtjar call, video by 'Wild about images', photography Paul Bunyard. Sightings: May 2018*August 2017; April 2016; Autumn/winter 2015

Owl - sova - families: strigidae and tytonidae (see Scops Owl, Eagle Owl)

*Peregrine falconsivi sokol -  falco peregrinus. Sighting: January 2018.

*Pheasant - fazan - phasianus colchicus. Sightings: February 2017; February 2016.

*Pied Flycatchercrnoglava muharica - ficedula hypoleauca. Sighting: April 2023.

*Pied wagtail / white wagtail - bijela pastirica - motacilla alba. Sightings: October 2017; April 2017; February 2016; January 2016*.

*Pigeon - golub - family: columbidae

*Purple heron - čaplja danguba, crvena čaplja, čaplja mrka, zmijar ptica - ardea purpurea. Sightings: April 2018May 2017.

*Pygmy Cormorantmali vranac - microcarbo pygmaeus, phalacrocorax pygmeus. Sighting: summer 2018.

*Raven - gavran - corvus corax. Sightings: February 2017; February 2016.

*Red-backed shrike - rusi svračak - lanius collurio. Sightings: Summer 2018September 2017; July 2017; May 2017.

*Red-footed falcon - crvenonoga vjetruša - falco vespertinus. Sightings: April 2017.

* Redstart - šumska crvenrepka - phoenicurus phoenicurus. Sighting: March 2019.

*Redwing - mali drozd - turdus iliacus. Sightings: February 2017; February 2016.

*Reed bunting - močvarna strnadica - emberiza schoeniclus. Sightings: March 2017.

Ring-necked parakeet - papiga, papagaj mali aleksander (mala aleksandra) - psittacula krameri

*Robin - crvendač, čučka crvendać - erithacus rubecula. Video by Zlatko Torbašinović Sightings: October 2018; January 2018October 2017; March 2017; February 2017; January 2017; January 2016; Autumn/winter 2015.

Robin. Photo: Steve Jones

*Rock Bunting - strnadica cikavica - emberiza cia. Sightings: November 2017.

*Rock dove / feral pigeon - divlji golub - columba livia. Sightings: February 2017; February 2016.

* Roller (European Roller)zlatovrana - coracias garrulus. Sighting: May 2018.

*Ruff - pršljivac - philomachus pugnax Sighting: April 2017.

*Rose-Coloured Starlingružičasti čvorak - pastor roseus. Sighting: May 2018.

*Sand martin - bregunica - riparia riparia. sightings May 2018;: March 2017.

Sand Martin (photographed in April 2016 at Reculver Cliffs, UK, by John Ball)

*Sandpiper, Green - crnokrila prutka - tringa ochropus. Sightings: Summer 2018March 2017.

*Sandpiper, Wood - prutka migavica - tringa glareola. Sightings: May 2017; April 2017.

*Sardinian warbler - crnoglava grmuša - sylvia melanocephala. Sightings: January 2018March 2017.

*Scarce swallowtail - Sightings: April 2016;

*Scops owl - ćuk - otus scops. Sightings: March 2018July 2017; April 2017; March 2016.

*Serin - žutarica - serinus serinus. Sightings: October 2018October 2017; April 2017; March 2017; January 2017; September 2016; March 2016; February 2016; January 2016.

*Short-toed eagle - orao zmijar - circaetus gallicus. Sightings: September 2017; August-September 2016.

*Skylark - poljska ševa  -  alauda arvensis. Sighting: November 2018.

*Snipe - šljuka kokošica - gallinago gallinago. Sightings: February 2018.

*Spanish sparrow - španjolski vrabac - passer hispaniolensis. Sightings: May 2017.

*Sparrow (house sparrow) - vrabac - passer domesticus: Sightings: Summer 2018August-September 2017. January 2017; January 2016.

Sparrow enjoying the hospitality at Jelsa's Tarantela cafe, January 2016. Photo Vivian Grisogono

*Sparrowhawk - kobac -  accipiter nisus. Sightings: October 2018; March 2018; January 2018October 2017; September 2017; January 2017; December 2016; August-September 2016; March 2016; February 2016; January 2016.

*Spoonbill (Common) - žličarke - platalea leucorodia. Sightings: May 2017.

*Spotted flycatcher - siva muharica - muscicapa striata. Sightings: September 2017; May 2017.

*Squacco Heronžuta čaplja  - ardeola ralloides. Sighting: May 2018.

*Starling - čvorak - sturnus vulgaris. Sightings: October 2018October 2017; May 2017; March 2017; February 2017. February 2016.

*Stonechatcrnoglavi batić - saxicola rubicola. Sightings: January 2018October 2018October 2017; March 2017.

*Stork, white - bijela roda - ciconia ciconia. Sightings: Summer 2018September 2017.

*Subalpine warbler - bjelobrka grmuša - sylvia cantillans. Sightings: Summer 2018; April 2018April 2017; March 2017; March 2016.

*Swallow - lastavica - hirundo rustica. Sightings: October 2018; Summer 2018; February 2018; October 2017; September 2017; July 2017; April 2017; March 2017; September 2016; Summer 2016; March 2016.

Swallow. Photo Steve Jones

*Swift - crna čiopa - apus apus. Sightings: Summer 2018October 2018October 2017; April 2017; September 2016; April 2016; October 2015. Video: swift sounds.

*Tawny pipit - primorska trepteljka - anthus campestris. Sightings: October 2017; September 2017.

*Teal - kržulja, krkavac, krdža  - anas crecca. Sighting: Summer 2018; March 2018December 2018.

*Tree pipit - prugasta trepteljka - anthus trivialis: January 2017; January 2016.

*Turtle dove - grlica - streptopelia turtur. Sightings: April 2018July 2017; May 2017; April 2017.

*Wheatear, black-eared - mediteranska bjelka - oenanthe hispanica. Sightings: March 2017; September 2016; April 2016; March 2016.

Wheatear, northern - sivkasta bjeloguza, obična bjelka - oenanthe oenanthe. Sightings: October 2018September 2017;

*Whinchat - smeđoglavi batić - saxicola rubetra. Video, by Branimir Devilnightmare. Sightings: April 2018September 2017; April 2017; September 2016;

*Whitethroat - grmuša pjenica - sylvia communis. Sightings: April 2018May 2017; (2016, Split)

*Wigeon - plovka zviždarka, zviždarka - anas penelope. Sightings: March 2018February 2017; February 2016.

*Wood Sandpiper - prutka migavica - tringa glareola. Sightings: May 2017; April 2017.

*Wood Warbler - šumski zviždak - phylloscopus sibilatrix. Sightings: September 2017.

*Woodchat shrike - riđoglavi svračak - lanius senator. Sightings: Summer 2018May 2017; April 2016.

*Woodlark - ševa krunica - lullula arborea. Sightings: January 2018October 2017.

Woodpecker - djetlić - family: picidae

*Woodpecker, greater spotted - veći djetao- dendrocopos major.  Sighting: January 2018.Video by Zlatko Torbašinović

Woodpecker, lesser spotted - manje djetao - dendrocopos minor. Video by Zlatko Torbašinović

*Wood pigeon - golub grivnjaš -  columba palumbus. Sightings: February 2017; February 2016.

*Wren - palčić - troglodytes troglodytes. Sightings: January 2018November - December 2017; January 2017; January 2016; Autumn/winter 2015.

*Yellow-legged gull - sredozemni galeb -  larus michahellis: Sightings: January 2017; January 2016.

Yellow-legged gull - galeb klaukavac - larus cacchinans. Video by Zlatko Torbašinović.

*Yellow wagtail - žuta pastirica - motacilla flava. Sightings: October 2017; September 2017; April 2017; March 2017; Autumn/winter 2015.

Media

You are here: Home environment articles Bird Names

Eco Environment News feeds

  • Iran war has increased gas price, with effects on UK energy bills that could be avoided, Common Wealth says

    Household energy bills could be reduced by up to £203 a year by stopping expensive fossil gas setting the price of energy in the UK, according to a report.

    Under the existing system, gas – the most expensive form of electricity production in the UK system – set the price of energy 85% of the time in 2024 in the UK, even though it generates only about a quarter of Britain’s electricity.

    Continue reading...

  • Trillions of insects embark, largely unnoticed, on epic journeys every year across mountain ranges, deserts and seas, and it is only now, as their numbers suffer huge declines, that scientists are tracking their movements

    On a cloudless sunny day in October 1950, ornithologists Elizabeth and David Lack stood on a mountain pass in the Pyrenees and observed a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle – clouds of migrating insects.

    Up to 500 butterflies were fluttering past them every hour through the 2,200m-high Puerto de Bujaruelo mountain pass on the French-Spanish border. By mid-afternoon dragonflies were skimming through, outnumbering the butterflies by 10 to one. The spaces between were filled with thousands of tiny flies.

    Continue reading...

  • Exclusive: finding out who owns land will become simpler under plans to make the best use of green spaces and hit net zero targets

    Finding out who owns land in England is to become much simpler because a paywall will be lifted from large parts of the Land Registry, the government is to announce.

    A small number of landowners control the majority of land but finding out who owns what is difficult to piece together, even for government departments, owing to the way the Land Registry operates. Freeing up access will make it easier to determine ownership of key areas, such as river catchments, grouse moors and peatland.

    Continue reading...

  • Frome, Somerset: A small patch of land, leased by the council, will be the site of a new community project. And so we descend, ready to rewrite its future

    Who crawled along Snail’s Bottom? Who found beauty on Bonnyleigh Hill? Who measured Little Acre Farm? This small patch of Somerset – like everywhere else in Britain – is a storied landscape, every feature named and memorialised by mostly forgotten individuals. Our job over the next two hours is to take one such name, one such story, and overwrite it with something better.

    Over a level crossing, through a kissing gate and on to a public footpath running down sloping ground. I had only been told the local epithet for this banana-shaped paddock after we moved here, though my arm already understood its origin. A priapic stallion, its coat studded with burdock burrs like a peppered mackerel, had clamped its jaws around my humerus. “That’s bitey horse field,” people told me. Bitey no more, for the poor fly-grazing beast has left, and our ever-proactive town council has secured the land on a 99-year lease.

    Continue reading...

  • Perhaps the biggest surprise is that it tricks ants into moving its seeds with a scent that mimics their larvae

    Plants are superb at enticing animals to pollinate their flowers or carry off their seeds. But one plant co-opts an astonishing combination of fire, bees and ants to mastermind its reproduction.

    The South African Natal crocus, Apodolirion buchananii, has a gloriously bright white flower that emerges from the ground before its leaves appear in early spring. But the flower only blooms shortly after fire breaks out naturally in its native grasslands, leaving it standing like a beacon among the blackened grass to help lure bee pollinators, with an irresistible sweet scent that wafts through the air.

    Continue reading...

  • Exclusive: Fixing a leak can be simple and equivalent to closing a coal power station, making lack of action maddening, say analysts

    The world’s worst mega-leaks of the potent greenhouse gas methane in 2025 have been revealed by an analysis of satellite data.

    The super-polluting plumes from oil and gas facilities have a colossal heating impact on the climate but often result from poor maintenance and can be simple to fix. The assessment found dozens of mega-leaks, each having the same global heating impact as a coal-fired power station.

    Continue reading...

  • Our photojournalist explores the Cornish landmark on the eve of its anniversary and meets some of its staff, visitors, plants and creatures

    “Give me a sleeping bag and I’ll happily sleep here overnight,” says Kim Mackintosh as she wanders amid the vibrant flora of the Mediterranean biome at the Eden Project on the eve of the tourist attraction’s 25th anniversary.

    Loupe in hand, the leader of the biome’s horticulture team is marvelling at an array of plants that have recently come into bloom, tenderly examining the yellow furry buds of an Acacia glaucoptera before flogging a Grevillea flower to dispense its rich, honey-flavoured nectar.

    Kim Mackintosh inspects the ‘kangaroo paw’ of an Anigozanthos through her loupe. All photographs by Jonny Weeks

    Continue reading...

  • Puffins, guillemots and razorbills are being washed up dead or dying on Europe’s Atlantic coast in what scientists call a ‘wreck’

    Thousands of seabirds – mostly puffins, but also many guillemots and razorbills – are being washed up dead or dying on the Atlantic coasts of western Europe, in what scientists call a “wreck”.

    This year’s events, the consequence of a series of severe storms during the late autumn and winter, are the worst since 2014, when as many as 54,000 birds were found stranded. Of these, well over half – between 30,000 and 34,000 – were puffins.

    Continue reading...

  • Prof Kaveh Madani, winner of the Stockholm water prize, was accused of sabotage with his environmental work

    Eight years before he got the call telling him he had won the Stockholm water prize, Prof Kaveh Madani was being interrogated by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, accused of being a spy for the CIA, MI6 or the Mossad.

    Today he is in exile and on Wednesday won the world’s most prestigious water prize for combining “groundbreaking research on water management with policy, diplomacy and global outreach, often under personal risk and political complexity”.

    Continue reading...

  • As the hit travelogue about the worlds beneath us becomes a film, its maker takes us on a voyage through Las Vegas storm drains and the caves of Yucatán – via Goatchurch Cavern in the bowels of Somerset

    Just off the B3134 in Somerset is a portal to the underworld. The smaller of two openings to Goatchurch Cavern, it’s called the Tradesman’s Entrance – and through it I am squeezing. After tumbling on my bum over damp smooth rock, lacerating a jumpsuit in the process, I venture down and down, sometimes crawling, sometimes standing upright, trying to find footholds in the dark.

    I’m here with film-maker Robert Petit, so he can show me something of what he’s been experiencing for the past five years, on his way to making an endearingly poetic documentary film called Underland, which riffs on nature-writer Robert Macfarlane’s bestselling 2019 subterranean travelogue of the same name. We’re heading 100ft underground to the Boulder Chamber where, over sugary snacks, I will quiz him about his obsession.

    Continue reading...

Eco Health News feeds

Eco Nature News feeds