Sense of Direction

The sense of direction is a fascinating and essential aspect of human and animal behaviour that involves the ability to orient oneself in space and navigate through the environment. Discover the science behind how different species, from insects to humans, find their way and establish spatial relationships, including the role of sensory inputs, memory, learning, and cognitive processes. Learn about the factors that affect the sense of direction, from genetics and age to culture and experience, and the impact of technology and environment on wayfinding. Explore the practical applications of the sense of direction research, from urban planning to medicine, and this knowledge’s ethical and social implications. Discover our resources and expert insights on the sense of direction and expand your understanding of this fascinating and complex topic.

The Common Toad: Bufo, bufo.bufo

Observations from the “Observer’s book of British wild animals” first published in 1938. It was compiled by W.J.Stoke. “I found this piece fascinating as it describes the navigational skills of Toads.  There are also other works that suggests that Newts operate in a similar way, making long journeys out of the water but not getting…

Cuckoo tracking

The Cuckoo is one of the migrants we know least about once it leaves the UK, however the BTO track, on their amazing site, the movements of five Cuckoos from breeding grounds in East Anglia to their winter quarters in Africa. http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking Cuckoo tracking what we’ve learnt so far: http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking/what-have-we-learnt  Latest Cuckoo tracking news: http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking/european-cuckoo-study…

Understanding the Sami people and how they navigated by our Deputy Editor Kerstin Williams

Editor’s comments: Please find this extract talking about the Sami, the ancient aborigine people of Northern Sweden, Finland etc.  We have sometimes called them Lapps see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sami_people This extract comes from a book about the ancient lifestyle of these people and has been translated by our Deputy Editor Kerstin Williams who is working with us to understand the Sami people…

Interview with Phil Atkinson of the BTO the British Trust for Ornithology

British Trust for Ornithology: www.bto.org/ Bird research charity in the United Kingdom. Research investigating the populations, movements and ecology of wild birds. You will see that we have links to this site in several places but under especially under “cuckoo tracking” in recent post and interesting sites. Phil Atkinson (Head of International Research) spoke to me…

BioNav RIN 13

The Royal Institute of Navigation Conference RIN 13 – Bionav – is the world’s leading Animal Navigation conference took place at the Royal Holloway College, University of London, Egham, Surrey, on 11-13 April 2013.  Leading scientists from all over the world participated and presented their work. All areas of animal navigation techniques were covered, including, in some…