H a b i t a t - Daily wildlife and environment news from the British Isles


Marine
Resources
British Marine Life Study Society JNCC Fisheries Marine Conservation Society Marine Life Information Network for Britain and Ireland Shark Trust The European Register of Marine Species The UK Coastal Zone

It's a good year for right whale calving

This is one of the best years in recent memory for right whale calving, with 28 mother-calf pairs sighted so far, government biologists say.

Environmental News Network

Hilton group have a whale of a walk

Children from Hilton had a whale of a time when they walked six miles to support their favourite mammals.

Highland News

Cancer hope from the ocean bed

Scientists are developing a powerful new cancer drug thanks to groundbreaking work cloning DNA from animals found deep in the sea.

Scotsman.com


Birds
Resources
British Trust for Ornithology Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Birds Directive BirdGuides Bird News JNCC - Birds Natura 2000 Birds by Species Breeding Birds in the Wider Countryside Black Grouse UK Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust BirdLife International Fat Birder

Look up at the sky. Is it a sparrer? Is it a pigeon? Nah, it's super-peregrine

Peregrine. The very name is wild, wandering, untamed.

Times Online

Feather report

The last blackbirds are singing. We shall not hear that lazy crooning that seems the essence of long, summer evenings until one of them begins again in the dawn next February.

Times Online

Peregrine chicks orphaned after suspected poisoning

Devon and Cornwall police are investigating the apparent poisoning of peregrine falcons in south Devon, which has made orphans of two chicks.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
this is Cornwall

Nesting birds cleared away

Furious residents are demanding answers after builders cleared away two acres of undergrowth, used by nesting birds – more than a month ahead of schedule.

Peterborough Today


Animals
Resources
Mammal Society Mammals Trust UK The Deer Commission for Scotland Scottish Big Cat Trust Scottish Badgers International Otter Survival Fund Bat Conservation Trust National Federation of Badger Groups Froglife Herpetological Groups of Britain & Ireland Butterfly Conservation Butterflies of Ireland Spiders of NW-Europe British Dragonfly Society Buglife

"We set mammal traps and moth traps, and caught shrews, bank voles and impressive-looking moths"

It was worth it just for the wildlife at Skomer Island.

Telegraph

Beetle alert on potatoes

A Colorado beetle is believed to have been spotted in Notts, raising fears for the county's potatoes and crops.

this is Nottingham

Rabid bat warning

Cumbrian walkers are being warned to avoid handling sick and injured bats they might find on canal and riverbanks following the discovery of one of the creatures carrying a strain of rabies.

This Is The Lake District

Latest findings on bat lyssavirus in Scotland

Scientists looking for signs of the rabies-like European Bat Lyssavirus in Scotland’s population of Daubenton’s bats have, for the second year, found no live infection, but have detected evidence of past exposure.

Scottish Natural Heritage

Snakes get taste of freedom at last

Bosses at a Norfolk wildlife centre have released more than 20 snakes back into the wild after nursing the hatchlings over the winter months.

Norwich Evening News 24

Ladybird wars – coming soon to a field near you

When you're walking in your garden, fields or local woodland keep an eye out for ladybirds - you could help save one of our best known and affectionately held insects.

The Papers Today

The harlequin ladybird is the most invasive ladybird on Earth.
Now it's in Britain.
Help monitor its spread here


Plants
Resources
The British Lichen Society The Woodland Trust Botanical Society of the British Isles Plantlife Flora locale Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Heritage Trees of Scotland The Postcode Plants Database Forestry Commission

How an African scientist is helping to protect endangered species

Moctar Sacande, 43, is fighting for the survival of the plants and trees that are essential for the daily needs of millions living in sub-Saharan Africa.

Times Online

Trees can protect climate, say experts

A 15-year strategy championing the use of trees to tackle climate change and poor health was launched yesterday.

this is the North-east

Wales home to UK's tallest tree

A fir which towers over Lake Vyrnwy has been named the tallest tree in Wales and the joint tallest tree in Britain.

BBC

Nature notes

Railway embankments are ablaze with the fresh blossoms of rosebay willowherb.

Times Online


Climate
Resources
Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research Southampton Oceanography Centre Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Natural Environment Research Council UK Climate Impacts Programme Impacts of Climate Change on Wildlife ENN Special Reports: Climate Change Global Warming: Early warning signs

US gives way on carbon pollution

A historic deal on climate change which would see the US sign up to cut greenhouse gas emissions was last night emerging after a day of frantic negotiations ahead of the G8 summit.

The Observer
Reuters

G8 climate cools as Bush lays down law on global warming

An almighty row between the G8 leaders over how best to arrest global warming is expected at Gleneagles this week.

Scotland on Sunday

Nations agree to cuts in ozone-depleting pesticide

A group of 189 developed nations, including the United States, have agreed to cut use of a pesticide that depletes the ozone layer.

Environmental News Network

First hydrogen plane tested in US

A US company says it has successfully completed test flights of a potentially environment-friendly aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen.

BBC

Help produce a forecast of the climate in the 21st century, using your computer -
here


National/Europe
Resources
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Natural Environment Research Council Minerals and Nature Conservation Forum The Wildlife Trusts Wildlife and Countryside Link British Naturalists' Association EnvironmentJobs

Hell or high water

When the heavens opened over London last week, there was one man standing in the downpour on the House of Commons terrace uttering hallelujahs to his sodden colleagues.

The Observer

Shambles of green flagship scheme

Farmers' leaders are furious about the latest example of “total incompetence” by Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett's department in introducing a new “green” farming scheme.

the Business

An EU without farm aid? City folk better beware

Jean René Pelluau, a dairy farmer here in the rolling hills north of the Loire Valley, has a message for all the city folk who oppose agricultural subsidies: Buy a machete to hack through the thickets that will overrun the countryside when farmers go out of business.

International Herald Tribune

Naturenet
Countryside management and nature conservation
- here


England
Resources
English Nature Countryside Agency Environment Agency Campaign for the Protection of Rural England

Help save ponds

Conservationists are asking for help in recording the numbers of field ponds.

this is Leicestershire

From wasteland to wildlife

Green-fingered youngsters at a Rowley Regis primary school have been getting to grips with an area of wasteland ruined by yobs.

this is the Black Country

David Bellamy sees dream come true at marsh

Conservationist David Bellamy said the restoration of wetland on a Longdon farm was a dream come true.

this is Worcestershire

Bitterns could be booming again in fens

One of the rarest birds in Britain could be persuaded to set up home in a fenland nature reserve, thanks to a grant of more than £500,000.

CEN News

Woodland strategy gets to root of problem

Forestry bosses have unveiled new plans for how trees can help to reduce flooding, tackle the effects of climate change and improve public health into the bargain.

Yorkshire Today

See blaze of colour at hidden treasure

Wyre Forest District Council's Ranger Service looks after some 10 nature reserves around the district.

this is Worcestershire

Crematorium to come back as nature centre

A former crematorium could be converted into a new natural history centre for the city, according to a report.

this is Hull


Ireland
Resources
Environment & Heritage Service (Northern Ireland) Northern Ireland Biodiversity Group National Parks and Wildlife Service Ireland's Environment All-Ireland review of introduced species

Corrib threat to Shell sell-off

Shell's plan to sell 50 petrol stations in Ireland could be stalled by protesters in Co Mayo.

Times Online

Shell pipeline compensation package totalled €190,000

The 28 landowners who consented to the Shell Corrib gas pipeline passing through their land were given a compensation package understood to total €190,000.

The Post

Tweed updates Executive on action programme

UFU President Campbell Tweed told the Unions Executive Committee meeting this week that negotiations have continued between Government and the EU Commission about the content of a possible Action Programme for the EU Nitrates Directive.

Farming Life


Scotland
Resources
Scottish Natural Heritage Scottish Environment Protection Agency Scottish Biodiversity Group Scotland's National Nature Reserves John Muir Trust Scottish Environment News Scottish Wildlife Trust Red Squirrels In South Scotland

Minister in pledge to review scheme as MSP complains that paperwork is too complex

Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie has pledged to review the complex paperwork surrounding Scotland's new land management contract scheme.

this is north scotland

Clash over Buchan forest race-track

Residents have vowed to fight plans to build an off-road race track in the heart of rural Buchan.

this is north scotland

Spin-off benefits for rural areas from green energy projects

Scotland's farmers have much to gain from renewable energy projects.

this is north scotland


Wales
Resources
Welsh Assembly Countryside Council for Wales Wales Biodiversity Partnership Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales Environment Agency (Wales)

Group stepping up campaign to stop wind farm scheme

Campaigners are stepping up their fight to stop a wind farm being sited on Betws Mountain.

this is southwales

Gower on radio

The spectacular coast of Gower will feature in a Radio 4 programme this month. At 9pm on July 11, Wild Blue Britain visits the peninsula and explores the scenery and wildlife.

this is southwales


Global
Resources
IUCN - World Conservation Union Convention on Biological Diversity WWF - The global environment network World Land Trust

Marshland restoration in Spain’s Doñana National Park

Hundreds of hectares of agricultural land will be restored to original marshlands in Spain’s celebrated Doñana national park following a recent decision by the park's scientific board.

WWF Newsroom

Severe floods kill endangered Asiatic lion

The rare Asiatic lion population in India faces new dangers from floods and epidemic, as illustrated by the death of an endangered lion in India's western Gujarat state, a news report said on Sunday.

IOL

Rare plant tries for a comeback in the wild

A rare plant once thought to be extinct may thrive in the wild again if a series of experimental plantings literally bear fruit.

The Ledger

Noxious alien weed flourishing in south

One biologist compares the persistent green weed to "The Blob," the title character in the 1950s sci-fi classic flick that grows and grows and consumes everything in its path.

Environmental News Network

The World Land Trust is a conservation charity that has helped purchase and protect over 300,000 acres of rainforest and other threatened wildlife habitats worldwide. You can help us save even more - here

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Daily wildlife and environment news from the British Isles