European dippers are making the news lately, including science news in Wales.^1-3

These riparian habitat birds are indicators⁴ of freshwater stream quality, as noted below. Scientists study them to learn how badly freshwater streams are polluted—such as by non-biodegradable (non-decaying, indigestible) plastic waste products.^2,3

Scientists recently discovered evidence that large theropods were possibly guilty of cannibalism.¹

Various water-striding insects use small body sizes, long legs, and fine hairs on their feet to skate on the surfaces of ponds and streams. But life on the open ocean presents tougher challenges than landlocked waterways. Waves, fishes, salt, and birds should spell disaster for such small striders.

About 3,000 years ago, the Bible taught that the “wonders in the deep” are the “works of the Lord.”¹ Now that truth has been illustrated with even greater depth by the documented sighting of a super-deep-sea octopus—about 21,000 feet deep at the ocean’s bottom, to be specific.^2,3

One particular common cuckoo will soon complete a mammoth migration through both Africa and Asia—a migration that is anything but common.