Eric Brown

River contamination by cocaine residue, particularly benzoylecgonine, has been linked to unusual behaviour in wild salmon, which travelled substantially farther after exposure in research trials. The column also describes studies showing bees react differently to bitter and sugary drinks, a humpback whale’s record journey from Australia to Brazil, and holiday-related wildlife dangers, including a fatal cobra bite and shark attacks in Hurghada, Egypt.

Farmers face additional financial pressure following new RSPB guidance advising the public to stop feeding seeds and nuts to garden birds between May and October due to disease spread linked to unclean feeders. Research shows trichomonosis has severely reduced greenfinch and chaffinch populations, prompting the RSPB to withdraw certain feeders and issue detailed recommendations for cleaner, more sustainable bird-feeding practices. The changes threaten a significant revenue stream for farmers who supply bird food, compounding frustration already linked to recent taxation policies.