Science Alert
Catch up on the latest science news, from space and technology to life and environmental research- all the discoveries shaping our world today.
Updated: 1 hour 13 min ago
Butterflies Rebound After Restoration: Ex-wheat farm records 5,290 in 2026; rare species appear
Halnaker Hill Farm in West Sussex has experienced a remarkable surge in butterfly populations thanks to dedicated habitat restoration initiatives. In the spring of 2026, surveys noted 5,290 butterflies representing 28 different species, including some that are quite rare. This ecological project has fostered a rich variety of habitats that not only attract butterflies but also support bird life and other insects.
Australia’s critically endangered honeyeaters recovered their lost song through live tutoring
Researchers at Taronga Zoo examined how captive-bred regent honeyeaters could learn traditional wild songs. The decline in the wild population led to a loss of song culture among these birds. Live tutoring in small groups proved to be the most effective method for learning traditional songs. Over three breeding seasons, 42% of the male zoo population successfully mimicked the original wild songs.
New Study Of Westminster Sarcophagus: Roman coffin holds medieval abbot; identity still debated
Excavations at Westminster Abbey have unveiled a medieval abbot's remains within an ancient Roman coffin, dated to the time between AD 987 and 1052. Notable candidates for the identity of this abbot include Ælfwig and Wulfnoth, who once steered the Westminster Benedictine monastery. The coffin, rich in history, has been preserved and examined since its 19th-century discovery, and today, visitors can appreciate its elaborate inscriptions.
