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


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

UK eels show highest levels of fire retardent toxic chemicals in European study

Today, a Greenpeace study shoews how toxic man-made chemicals are contaminating the European eel population

Greenpeace

Badger baiters blamed for brutal killings

Badger baiters are being blamed for the "barbaric" deaths of a family of three badgers found near Abergavenny yesterday.

This Is Gwent

Woodland haven for winged wonders

Experts have discovered a butterfly ''hotspot'' in a Cheshire woodland.

ManchesterOnline

Released beavers can stay in their new home

A colony of beavers at the centre of a public relations controversy will be allowed to stay in their new home.

this is Gloucestershire

Hog in the limelight

Spiny Norman, rejoice. Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, give seemly thanks. Sonic, whizz round for sheer joy. Your day is come at last. The true worth of the hedgehog has finally been recognised.

Independent Online
this is Cornwall


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

Rare bird lands on Distant Shores

A rarely spotted bird has got twitchers in a flap after calling off for an unexpected winter break in Northumberland.

Northumberland Today

Rare birds set to scupper proposal for 28 new homes

Two of the rare trio of birds whose presence threatens a Crowthorne development are still classed as highly endangered, according to government figures.

icBerkshire

Bird populations hit by climate changes

New research by The University of Sheffield has shown major oil spills and a changing climate have had a far greater impact on British sea bird populations than previously thought.

Sheffield Today

Seabirds are starving

Seabirds have another threat to contend with on top of avian flu. Record autumn temperatures are forcing schools of fish off the Tendring coast to swim north in search of cooler waters.

this is Essex

One of our harriers is missing

The search is on to track down one of England's rarest birds of prey and people in the north of England could have vital information about its whereabouts, says the RSPB.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Wildlife expert says control flu scare at source

Experts praised President George W. Bush on Wednesday for taking what they called an overdue step in asking for $7.1 billion to prepare for a feared avian influenza pandemic, but said it missed out on several important fronts.

Reuters


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

A branch of history

A group of trees thought to be up to 1,000 years old have been put under the spotlight by a leading expert.

icTeesside

Clay quarry decision on hold for visit

A decision on controversial plans to opencast clay from an ancient woodland near a picture postcard Barnsley village has been delayed so councillors can take a close look at the site.

Sheffield Today

Axe falls on tree planting scheme

A planting scheme which has led to 200,000 trees and hedges being grown in Guernsey, is being axed.

BBC

Views sought on tree project

Residents in Caia Park are being invited to branch out in their community.

icNorthWales

Nature notes

When the sun comes out after the showers, countryside and town are lit up with yellow and green.

Times Online

"What does it take to save a wildflower from extinction? Every county loses a wild plant every year. Just by joining Plantlife, you can help stop this loss." Rachel de Thame
Join here


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

Lack of food means it's a lonely life for the dolphin

Dolphins in the Moray Firth are spending less time socialising because of a scarcity of food.

Scotsman.com

New species found in Fiji's Great Sea Reef, WWF survey reveals

The first ever comprehensive survey of Fiji’s largely uncharted Great Sea Reef, the world’s third longest barrier reef, has revealed a staggering array of life, including a new species of reef fish.

WWF

The global voice for the protection of whales, dolphins and their environment
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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 environmentjob.co.uk

Commission authorises import of 1507 maize for use in animal feed

The European Commission has authorised the placing on the market of the genetically modified maize 1507. The authorisation covers the import and processing of this GMO, including its use in animal feed.

EUROPA - Rapid

WWF embarks on major new campaign

Conservation group WWF has launched its biggest-ever marketing campaign this week, focusing on the issues of climate change and deforestation.

Green Consumer Guide

£1 million grant for new National Centre for Statistical Ecology

The new National Centre for Statistical Ecology (NCSE), a pioneering project linking research in the universities of Kent, Cambridge and St Andrews, has received a foundation grant of £1,101,447 from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

University of Kent


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

Over one thousand farmers sign up to new green scheme across the East Midlands

More than one thousand farmers and landowners across the East Midlands have now joined Defra's new green farming scheme, Environmental Stewardship, according to the latest figures from the Rural Development Service.

Government News Network

Climate change sparks hedge trimming rethink

Hedge trimming in South Staffs has had to be re-timed to fit in with the change in egg laying days, due to climate change, parish councillors heard at their recent meeting in Brewood.

icWolverhampton

From wasteland to woodland

Lovers of the countryside can help bring woodland to their doorstep by getting involved with conservationists who are keen to transform a piece of wasteland.

Wimbledon Guardian

Reserve access is all above board

Visitors to an east Devon nature reserve will be able to access the site more easily because of new boardwalks.

BBC

Dam builders

Wildlife fans are being urged to help build a series of dams at Seven Acres Local Nature Reserve to benefit amphibian creatures.

This Is Lancashire

Wild about youth cash

Young people in Stockton and Middlesbrough will be going wild with the help of a £23,000 environmental grant.

icTeesside

Shimmery shades of morning

On a cold early morning, the faint sun shines on the pale trunk of the silver birch and shimmers on the small green leaves flecked with gold.

this is Gloucestershire

Volunteering England works to promote volunteering as a powerful force for change, both for those who volunteer and for the wider community.


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

Blaskets plan in ‘jeopardy’

An €8.5 million plan to make the Great Blasket island a national historic park is in “grave jeopardy” following the refusal of An Bord Pleanála to give planning permission for a café, the biggest landowner on the island warned yesterday.

Examiner

Pipeline to be taken apart as anger now directed at PEGG

The Pro Erris Gas Group's (PEGG) proposal to postpone the dismantling of the unauthorised pipeline at Rossport has been turned down but the controversy it generated prevails.

Western People

RSPB praises draft Planning Reform Bill

The RSPB is extremely pleased with the draft Planning Reform Order that was published last week.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Clarification on woodland welcomed

UUP Assembly Agriculture spokesman Tom Elliott says DARD's clarification on Single Farm Payment (SFP) entitlements for those planting trees on their land is a welcome move.

Farming Life

Welcomed home with a barrage of gunshot

This has been one of the mildest autumns I can remember. The cold will come soon enough, and with it will come ducks from the north.

Connaught Telegraph

An Taisce - 'The Store House, or Treasury' - is the most influential environmental body in Ireland.
Join here


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

Is the county up for grabs?

The departures committee of Carmarthenshire Council has a big decision to make - whether or not to endorse the planning committee's approval of a 700-acre wind factory development at Blaengwen Farm, Pencader.

this is southwales

Dredging 'doom' for peninsula

Gower could be destroyed by sand dredging, AMs have been told. It was named Britain's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 49 years ago, giving it extra protection.

this is southwales

Wildlife ideas

Town councillors in Pwllheli have been invited to submit ideas to the recently formed Cronfa Natur Gwynedd Fund, aimed at working with land managers and other interested parties to conserve wildlife.

icNorthWales

‘10,000 years on the Mosses’ Slideshow

The Countryside Council for Wales and English Nature are to host a pair of free illustrated talks in towns around Fenn’s, Whixall & Bettisfield Mosses National Nature Reserve, which lies near Whitchurch and Wrexham.

Countryside Council for Wales


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

Windfarm inquiry told of 'serious' noise levels

The inquiry into a windfarm scheme in the Mearns has heard claims that the noise generated by the development would reduce residents' quality of life.

this is north scotland

Fife gets funding for five wildlife gardens thanks to Lottery millions

SWT has won £50,000 towards the creation of five wildlife gardens in Fife through STV’s on-air competition The People’s Millions.

Scottish Wildlife Trust

SEPA Reports its Green Performance

Installing solar power panels to reduce battery usage and replacing energy-sapping IT equipment with multi-functional units are just two measures Scotland’s green watchdog has introduced in a bid to reduce its environmental footprint.

SEPA


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

EU seeks talks, not targets at UN climate meeting

A U.N. climate change summit is not expected to agree new targets for the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions when it convenes later this month in Canada, the European Union's environment chief said on Thursday.

Reuters

Environmentalists tell PM: don't abandon global warming fight

Environmental campaigners demanded that Tony Blair clarify his comments on global warming last night after the prime minister appeared to signal a shift away from a target-based approach to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The Guardian

World leaders agree to harness clean energy

The world's leading economic powers and emerging countries have agreed to use clean energy technology to combat climate change at a meeting in London, host Britain said on Wednesday.

IOL

Arctic tundra 'all but wiped out by 2100' say scientists

Global warming could give the phrase "Arctic weather" new meaning by the end of this century - 25 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than it is now, resulting in most of the world's tundra being wiped out, according to research from the US Energy Department.

Scotsman.com

Left behind on climate change, too

As if he didn't have troubles enough, George Bush faces rebellion at home over his approach to climate change.

New Statesman

Climate change linked to rise in malaria, asthma

Climate change may promote the spread of deadly diseases like malaria and asthma in both rich and poor countries by increasing the range of parasitic insects and whipping up dust from storms, a new report says.

Environmental News Network

Teenagers turn up the heat on climate change

Teenagers from far and wide flocked to the heart of London last week to take part in the second annual RSPB Phoenix conference.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

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


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

Cape Verde's fragile paradise on the brink

Loggerhead turtles flock to Cape Verde's quiet, white beaches to lay their eggs but the tranquillity that draws them may be under threat as the West African islands try to lure more sun-seekers.

Environmental News Network

Australia's Greater Alpine Park proposal stalls on grazing conflict

multi-million dollar, three year Commonwealth government plan to create a Greater Alpine National Park spanning the states of Victoria and New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory has run into trouble because the government wants to permit cattle grazing in portions of the park.

Environment News Service

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Daily wildlife and environment news from the British Isles