Good week for

Expectant ewes

As are sheep farmers everywhere, the Blenheim estate in Oxfordshire is entreating walkers to keep their dogs under control near sheep; its flock of 1,000 Scotch mules begin lambing this week

Green racetracks

Racecourses are joining the national effort to plant 700 trees to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Cheltenham, Aintree and Musselburgh are among the 23 racecourses that have already signed up to The Queen’s Green Canopy

Riverbank revelations

Reel Life columnist David Profumo’s fishing memoir, The Lightning Thread, has been voted book of the year at the Classic Angling annual awards. One judge commented: ‘This is the finest fishing book I’ve ever read’

Green gold

The Royal Mint, in partnership with Quintet Private Bank, has introduced 100% recycled gold bars in an exchange-traded commodity (ETC). The Royal Mint Physical Gold ETC will be the world’s first gold ETC or exchange-traded fund backed by recycled gold bars

Booming noises

The bittern, a rare and well camouflaged member of the heron family, had a record-breaking year in 2021, according to RSPB figures; 228 booming males were counted