Photo: Broads Authority
This Wednesday 13 July, a programme focused on the fen raft spider airs on BBC Radio 4 at 9pm.
Accompanied by arachnologist Helen Smith, Chris Watson has attempted to record the courtship behaviour of this declining species of spider, as well as – with the use of hydrophones – the soundscape of the fenland ditches they inhabit: an extraordinary world in which diving beetles, backswimmers and water boatman communicate to one another below the water surface. Further programme information is available here.
This comes as the last in a fascinating series – previous episodes of which have focused on Sami yoik, peregrine falcons and the rainforest canopy, and are available to listen to on demand here.
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Chris will present a sound piece on our stage at this year’s Good Life Experience, which takes place 16-18 September. More info/tickets.