Journalist and healthcare campaigner was driving force behind patient safety initiative after death of 13-year-old daughterThe healthcare campaigner and journalist Merope Mills has been made a CBE in the king’s birthday honours list for services to patient safety.Mills, a senior editor at the Guardian, was a driving force behind the introduction of an initiative in England said to have potentially saved hundreds of lives. She has spent years campaigning for the introduction of Martha’s rule unde
Journalist and healthcare campaigner was driving force behind patient safety initiative after death of 13-year-old daughter
The healthcare campaigner and journalist Merope Mills has been made a CBE in the king’s birthday honours list for services to patient safety.
Mills, a senior editor at the Guardian, was a driving force behind the introduction of an initiative in England said to have potentially saved hundreds of lives. She has spent years campaigning for the introduction of Martha’s rule under which patients, relatives and staff can seek a second opinion if they have concerns about the care being provided.
EXCLUSIVE: Punchup Live, the creator-owned live entertainment platform from Danny Frenkel and Alex Dajani, has launched a native podcast product, with popular comedy pods Bein’ Ian with Jordan (hosted by Jordan Jensen and Ian Fidance) and Tuesdays with Stories (hosted by Mark Normand and Joe List) joining the service. The intention behind the launch is to allow comics to more […]
EXCLUSIVE: Punchup Live, the creator-owned live entertainment platform from Danny Frenkel and Alex Dajani, has launched a native podcast product, with popular comedy pods Bein’ Ian with Jordan (hosted by Jordan Jensen and Ian Fidance) and Tuesdays with Stories (hosted by Mark Normand and Joe List) joining the service. The intention behind the launch is to allow comics to more […]
“How about doing a moth survey at Sydenham?”
“A moss survey?” Asked Roberta Buchanan, local property steward for Sydenham River Nature Reserve, who didn’t quite hear me while we were walking outside.
“No, moths. Like a nocturnal equivalent to the butterfly survey. Who knows what we’ll find?”
It was 2023. I knew how unique the reserve was through my involvement with the annual butterfly and breeding bird surveys, and I suspected this oasis of biodiversity had fantastic potential for moths.
C
“A moss survey?” Asked Roberta Buchanan, local property steward for Sydenham River Nature Reserve, who didn’t quite hear me while we were walking outside.
“No, moths. Like a nocturnal equivalent to the butterfly survey. Who knows what we’ll find?”
It was 2023. I knew how unique the reserve was through my involvement with the annual butterfly and breeding bird surveys, and I suspected this oasis of biodiversity had fantastic potential for moths.
Compared to their diurnal counterparts, moths are relatively under-surveyed. Most species are nocturnal and inconspicuous, and documenting them requires specialized survey techniques – sheets and live traps baited with light or food. It also requires dedicated surveyors willing to stay up all night!
On the evening of June 24, 2024, a team of volunteers (Roberta Buchanan, Mark Buchanan, Paul Carter, Pete Chapman, Scott Connop, Deryl Nethercott, Dale Buchner, and myself) from Lambton Wildlife set up two light sheets and two traps across the Sydenham River Nature Reserve property. We documented hundreds of individual moths well into the night, and even more when we opened the traps the following morning. Then came the real fun: sorting through thousands of photos and identifying every moth.
Identifying all these moths is no trivial task. There are over 3,000 species of moths in Ontario, so field guides include only the most common species. Encountering moths that aren’t in the guide is common, and several groups of moths are notoriously hard to identify, even for experienced moth-ers. My approach is to photograph every moth, upload these photos to iNaturalist with my tentative ID, and wait for confirmation by a moth expert. For those who don’t know, iNaturalist is an online platform where you can post photos or recordings of an organism and crowdsource identifications from experts all over the world.
To keep track of the growing species list, I created an iNaturalist project which automatically consolidates all the moth observations from the property. The strength of this approach is that it stays current, as taxonomic changes and revised identifications will update the species list automatically. This makes it more reliable over time than a static checklist, which inevitably becomes outdated. As of 2026, we have documented 196 species of moth that first night, 13 of which are considered vulnerable at some level. After a second survey in May 2025, the total moth species count at Sydenham River Nature Reserve stands at 328, including 30 vulnerable species.
Fast forward to July 2025. I was checking my iNaturalist and saw there was a comment on one of my moth observations from the 2024 survey. Someone disagreed with my identification of what I believed to be a common white-fringed emerald, suggesting instead a species I hadn’t heard of – a Tuscarora emerald.
I quickly checked the range map, and my excitement spiked: this was a very rare moth, with only about fifty observations, all from the eastern United States – mostly localized populations in the Appalachians. If this was actually a Tuscarora emerald, it would likely represent the first record for Canada.
The identifier, Daniel Kluza (d_kluza on iNaturalist), a New Zealand-based biologist and iNaturalist taxonomy curator, pointed out a critical detail: our moth lacked the pure white spot on top of the abdomen which is present on the white-fringed emerald. This was a subtle difference, but potentially a decisive one. I needed a second opinion.
I reached out to Seabrooke Leckie, co-author of the Peterson Field Guide to Moths of Northeastern North America, and asked what she thought of it. Her response was unequivocal:
“I pulled out the Moths Of North America fascicle for this group to have a look at the official description of both species, Tuscarora and White-fringed, and I agree that this is Tuscarora. What a find!… Besides the presence/absence of the white spot at the base of the abdomen, the fascicle also says the white costa is very narrowly bordered inwardly by an apricot colour, and the AM and PM lines are wider than in White-fringed, both of which appear present here. There are no other eastern species that have both the white fringe and no markings on the abdomen.”
What makes this record especially meaningful is not just the rarity of Tuscarora emerald, but the way in which it was found. It was the result of methodical work by a team of volunteer community scientists, combined with the expertise of moth specialists. Not too long ago, access to such expertise was a significant roadblock, but it’s now easily facilitated through platforms such as iNaturalist.
We don’t know if this observation represents a previously overlooked population, a vagrant individual, or a northern range expansion driven by climate change. What is clear, however, is that protected places like Sydenham River Nature Reserve continue to demonstrate their conservation value in unexpected ways. When we take the time to look closely and collaboratively at under-surveyed groups like moths, we reveal hidden layers of biodiversity, uncovering the true richness of landscapes we thought we already knew.
I got a particular laugh out of this RWO, because I worked at a paper where they had mugshots of the staff on a bulletin board in the break room. It was handy, because you could learn the names of people in other departments who you ran into in only a superficial way.But it became […]
I got a particular laugh out of this RWO, because I worked at a paper where they had mugshots of the staff on a bulletin board in the break room. It was handy, because you could learn the names of people in other departments who you ran into in only a superficial way.But it became […]
So many of my favorite quotes hinge on the energizing, transformative beauty of spring. But Rilke’s words might be my favorite: “It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”
I always come back to poetry in moments of wanting—when I’m searching for language that can hold what I’m feeling. And in May, that feeling is unmistakable. The season has fully arrived: longer days, vibrant blooms, and warmer air that draws you out and keeps you there. There’s an alchemy to
So many of my favorite quotes hinge on the energizing, transformative beauty of spring. But Rilke’s words might be my favorite: “It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”
I always come back to poetry in moments of wanting—when I’m searching for language that can hold what I’m feeling. And in May, that feeling is unmistakable. The season has fully arrived: longer days, vibrant blooms, and warmer air that draws you out and keeps you there. There’s an alchemy to this time of year. Something shifts. I’m the same person, but I feel newly awake to my life, to my routines, and to all the small things that suddenly feel worth noticing again.
31 Things to Do in May to Welcome the Warmer Season
May, more than any other month, invites us to begin again. And with it comes the perfect opportunity to fill our days with things that feel as good as they are simple. Think of this as your invitation: 31 ways to lean into the season, romanticize your days, and make May feel truly yours.
Step Outside (and Stay Awhile)
May changes how you spend your time. The light lingers, the air softens, and suddenly your evenings stretch a little longer than planned. Even the smallest plans—a walk, a farmer’s market run, a last-minute picnic—start to feel like something more.
1. Plan a backyard garden party. String up lights, set a simple table, and let fresh blooms do the decorating. Start with a few easy outdoor dinner party menu ideas to set the tone.
2. Take a sunrise or sunset hike. Choose one golden hour this week and follow it.
3. Host an outdoor movie night. Blankets, snacks, and a projector are all you need.
4. Organize a neighborhood picnic. Keep it potluck-style and low effort—it’s the easiest way to build community.
5. Try a new water activity. Paddleboard, kayak, or just float (maybe my favorite?). May is your moment to jump in.
6. Play tennis! As a collegiate player, I’ll argue: it’s the best of the racquet sports. (Ping pong is a close second.)
7. Go on a wildflower walk. Bring a basket or a guidebook and make an afternoon of it.
8. Visit your local farmer’s market. Let what you find—strawberries, asparagus, herbs—shape your week’s menu. Make a note of the in-season produce and keep your sights set on filling your basket with exactly that.
Gather, Cook, Celebrate
This time of year lends itself to gathering. Meals move outside, ingredients feel fresher, and hosting becomes something you ease into rather than plan to perfection. A few thoughtful details go a long way.
9. Host a Mother’s Day brunch at home. Keep it simple, seasonal, and a little celebratory.
10. Try a new non-alcoholic drink. Start with NA recipes that feel just as festive as your favorite cocktail.
11. Set a signature Memorial Day table. Keep it relaxed but intentional—linen napkins, something seasonal in a vase, and a menu that feels easy to share. Get all the table-setting inspo you need.
12. Make a spring salad worth craving. Think crisp greens, herbs, something creamy, something crunchy. These are the kinds of salads you’ll come back to all season.
13. Pack a picnic and head to the park. Assign dishes, bring a blanket, and keep it casual.
14. Plan a Friday night al fresco dinner. A few friends, a simple table, and made-for-golden-hour recipes that don’t overcomplicate things.
15. Create a summer dessert board. Fresh fruit and bite-sized sweets are all you need.
16. Host a cookbook dinner club. Pick a book (these are Camille’s favorite cookbooks), assign recipes, and let the inspiration flow.
Refresh Your Space & Style
There’s a natural urge this time of year to shift your surroundings. Windows open, drawers get cleared, and small updates start to change how your home feels day to day. Even a single project can reset the tone.
17. Try a one-week home reset. Focus on one small area each day and let the progress build.
18. Make spring cleaning feel lighter. Set a timer, play music, and keep it moving. Decluttering these six areas of your home makes the task way less intimidating (and so much more joyful).
20. Build your warm-weather capsule wardrobe. Focus on pieces that feel easy, repeatable, and entirely you. Our style editor shares tips for curating your dream spring closet.
21. Create an outdoor nook. A chair, a throw, and a quiet corner can become your favorite place to just… be.
Focus on Feeling Better
May brings a softer sort of reset. Your energy returns, and it feels like there’s more room to check in with what you actually need. Small shifts tend to stick the most.
22. Spring clean your mind. Clear the mental clutter. This 7-day mental reset can create more clarity, focus, and ease in your day.
23. Start walking outside without your phone. Trust me on this: it’ll quickly become a habit you look forward to.
24. Book a massage or spa treatment—no occasion needed.
Some things this month are worth doing simply because they sound fun. A new show, a spontaneous plan, a change of scenery… These are small choices that shift your mood in ways you don’t overthink.
27. Start a new show and let yourself fully unwind into it. I’m loving season 2 of Your Friends and Neighbors. If you’re not into watching hours of Jon Hamm and James Marsden—I’m sorry, I can’t relate.
28. Visit a local gallery, pop-up, or art show. I’ve found that one of the simplest joys in life is to put yourself in the path of novelty. You never know what you might uncover or connect with.
29. Plan a Memorial Day weekend getaway. It doesn’t have to be far to feel like a reset.
30. Build your summer playlist. Something you’ll want to play on repeat all season long.
31. Make your summer bucket list. Write it down, return to it often, and see what unfolds. (Hint: revisit your vision board for an idea of what you want more of this season.)
This post was last updated on May 1, 2026, to include new insights.
Have you ever noticed that there are a fair amount of action heroes out there who share initials? Sure, folks have noted before just how many movie protagonists are named "Jack," but it's become common knowledge among fans of the action thriller that if you want to follow a tough-as-nails, highly intelligent, and capable military-trained protagonist, it's likely that the character will be another "J.R." Although the trend was truly established by the David Morrell novel First Blood, there are ot
Have you ever noticed that there are a fair amount of action heroes out there who share initials? Sure, folks have noted before just how many movie protagonists are named "Jack," but it's become common knowledge among fans of the action thriller that if you want to follow a tough-as-nails, highly intelligent, and capable military-trained protagonist, it's likely that the character will be another "J.R." Although the trend was truly established by the David Morrell novel First Blood, there are other "J.R.'s" of note beyond those from the military action thriller space.
Digital asset platform Artlist is launching Artlist TV, a streaming platform that appears to be exclusively populated by AI-generated shows.
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