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

Our threatened friends in the Firth

It may seem implausible but the Moray Firth is home to the world's most northerly permanent pod of bottlenose dolphins - and perhaps the most important colony of the species in the UK.

Scotsman.com

Hooked lines may be the end of rare turtles

Costa Rica and more than 1 000 scientists from around the world will ask the United Nations on Monday to ban a form of industrial fishing they say menaces an endangered sea turtle and other marine creatures.

IOL

Killer whales give a show

Holidaymakers in John O'Groats yesterday got a rare close-up look at a family of killer whales.

this is north scotland

MSP attacks MOD radar use in west

Highlands and Islands MSP Rob Gibson has reacted angrily to reports that the Ministry of Defence will continue to use low frequency radar off the Hebrides next week, which has been linked to the stranding and death of whales and dolphins.

this is north scotland

Lawsuit: Reveal effects of military sonar on whales

A national conservation group filed suit Wednesday to force the government to reveal the extent to which ocean mammals worldwide have died as a result of massive sonic blasts from intense military search equipment.

CNN.com

Your ocean needs you!
Show your support for the marine bill campaign by signing The Wildlife Trusts’ marine petition online by clicking here.


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

Chance to help count county's glow-worms

Conservation campaigners are hoping to persuade people in Wiltshire to check out a new sort of nightlife in the next month or so.

this is bath

'Inbreeding threat' to bumblebees

Bumblebees could be facing extinction as inbreeding in colonies turns hard-working female bees into useless males, scientists have found.

BBC

Wildlife survey gathering information on region's snakes

A County Durham wildlife group is conducting a special survey in the region in a bid to protect some slippery recluses.

this is the North-east

Worm your way into Wildlife Trust's favour

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is inviting the public to go with the glow this summer and record sightings of the glow-worm.

this is Wiltshire

Pet threat to wildlife by terrapin from the deep

Killer terrapins as large as dinner plates have been spotted in Tottenham's tranquil Lea Navigation.

Barnet Times

Lost deer prompts warning to dog owners

An Eridge Green-based wildlife rescue team is urging dog walkers to take more control of their pets after a lost deer kid was brought into its care.

this is kent

More boar are sighted

More sightings of wild boar in the Forest have been reported. Police were called by a Symonds Yat East resident who reported seven or eight of the animals on the Gloucestershire bank of the Wye at the beauty spot.

The Forester

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


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

Want to sing 'bird karaoke'?

You can at a stroke transform an agreeable white noise into the soundtrack of the musical called “Life!”

Times Online

Bird conservation work recognised

A nature reserve near Driffield has been given an award for its bird conservation. The Tophill Low reserve, owned by Yorkshire Water, has been named the winner of a national award by the British Trust for Ornithology.

this is hull and east riding

Campaigners battle to save rare turtle dove

Conservation campaigners last night launched an appeal to save turtle doves from extinction in Wales.

icNorthWales

Birds poisoned by banned pesticide

Rare and spectacular birds of prey found dead near Haltwhistle had been poisoned by a banned pesticide, it has been revealed.

Hexham Courant


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

New plant code gets thumbs up

The Scottish Wildlife Trust has welcomed a new code of practice which is aimed at preventing the spread of invasive non-native species.

Country Life

Country diary

The mild smell of wild garlic drifted on the early morning breeze, long before the wood itself was entered. Overnight rain had freshened everything, enhancing scents, polishing the leaves.

The Guardian


National
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

Wildlife farming on the web

The British countryside will become a much ‘greener’ and richer place for wildlife due to major changes in the subsidies being paid to farmers.

Game Conservancy Trust

Go WILD in the garden

If you’ve ever dreamt of creating a wildlife haven in your back garden, then the reality might be closer than you think

News & Star

Naturenet
Countryside management and nature conservation
- here


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

Anglers hunt aggressive crayfish

Anglers are calling for volunteers to help them fight a predatory crayfish which is driving out native species.

BBC

Hopes high to make ex-line bloom

Designating an area of North Lincolnshire as a nature reserve could help some species of plants to grow again, conservationists have said.

this is scunthorpe

Nature reserve gets more land

Farmland the size of 25 football pitches will be included in the boundary of an Oxfordshire nature reserve thanks to a £243,000 boost.

this is Oxfordshire

Double win for Dales quarry

A quarry operating in one of the most sensitive areas of the Yorkshire Dales has won a double first prize in its efforts to encourage wildlife.

Yorkshire Dales News

Creating a better environment

Residents keen to go green and do their bit for the environment are being urged to get involved in a range of volunteering projects in the borough.

expressandstar.com

Nature group's £4,000 boost

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's Calne Watch Group for young people is celebrating receiving a £4,000 grant from the local network fund to set up a short way-marked route in Castlefield Park.

this is Wiltshire

Traditional crafts in the woods

Charcoal produced by Notts Wildlife Trust went on sale to members of the public recently.

this is nottingham


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

Fishermen reeling at absence of elvers

A lack of elvers and concerns over EU legislation have Lough Neagh's eel fishermen worried about the future.

Belfast Telegraph

NoI Wildlife sites 'protection' call

The government is facing fresh calls to do more to protect areas of wildlife in Northern Ireland amid claims dozens of rare species are being threatened.

The Papers Today

Extreme weather fronts on the way, survey forecasts

Ireland can expect a rise in extreme weather conditions, including heavy storms and flooding, in the coming decades, according to a major survey on climate change.

The Papers Today

Foreshore restored to required standard’ - Whelan

C W Shipping Limited has restored the foreshore area near Cahercon Pier, Kildysart to the required standard, following recent Circuit Court proceedings, according to a statement from the company.

The Papers Today

Euro MP defiant over agency threat to sue

Independent MEP Kathy Sinnott hit out at the Environmental Protection Agency today for threatending to sue her.

The Papers Today

Minister 'getting country a dirty image in Europe'

The State's poor environmental image within the EU is set to become even more tarnished because of Environment Minister Dick Roche's plan to "fast-track incinerators," Green party TD John Gormley said in the Dail yesterday.

The Papers Today


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

Off-road round-up

Police across Wales joined forces at the weekend to tackle illegal off-roaders who are damaging Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

icNorthWales

Farmers act now to help birds in winter

Farmers are helping birds survive the winter by planting seed crops.

icNorthWales

Polytunnels aid for A30 wildlife

Mysterious white polytunnels appearing in fields around the A30 at Castle-an-Dinas are reptile containers to help protect wildlife during the forthcoming A30 dualling works.

this is Cornwall

Filter's clear win

The water seeping down the hillside was crystal-clear: three days earlier it had been turgid and foul-smelling, the run-off from a farm-yard, home to 70 cattle.

icNorthWales

Time to drive out this blight

Hardly a day goes by when there is not a complaint from somewhere in South West Wales about illegal bike scrambling.

this is southwales


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

Assynt group buys estates in deal

A community group is to buy two Highland estates after securing the £2.9m price tag with hours to spare.

BBC
Scottish Executive
Scottish Natural Heritage

Oil giant vying for national award after helping to create woodland

A project to restore hundreds of acres of native woodland near Huntly has helped energy giants BP win the only Scottish nomination in a national awards final.

this is north scotland

Foresters seek comments on future of woodlands

Donside foresters are keen to get the grassroots view on the future management of some of the most scenic woodlands in the area.

this is north scotland

Go wild for wildlife

Anyone interested in the wildlife and landscape of Ayrshire is invited to events held by Scottish Natural Heritage in Irvine on Monday and Tuesday.

icAyrshire


Energy
Resources
DTI Renewable Energy British Wind Energy Association Greenpeace - Renewable Energies Irish Wind Energy Association Yes2Wind Country Guardian Impact of Wind Turbines on Birds Wind-Farm.org Windfarm News

Windfarm environment statement is questioned

Wildlife campaigners have called on Angus Council to look carefully at an environmental statement submitted by the firm behind a proposed £28million windfarm development.

this is north scotland

Whinash windfarm campaign has lift-off

Campaigners trying to stop the controversial Whinash windfarm going ahead say people were “shocked and surprised” by an experiment into the scheme.

Cumbria Online

Threat to windfarm protester

Conflict over a Skye windfarm proposal has flared again with a threatening phone call to a leading opponent suggesting he "leaves the island" for his own safety.

this is north scotland

Court rejects bid to launch challenge against windfarm

The High Court yesterday refused leave to bring a legal challenge to the proposed construction of a windfarm in "spectacularly beautiful" countryside.

Irish Independent

D-day for wind farm plan draws nearer

A decision on whether to grant planning permission for a wind farm at Grove could be given next month.

this is nottingham

'I support them all'

Despite North Lincolnshire already being earmarked for almost 90 wind turbines, at four different locations, the Scunthorpe Telegraph has learnt yet another windfarm is being proposed.

this is scunthorpe

Pit site plan for windfarm

Windfarms could be on the horizon for the area's mining sites as plans to create one at Harworth are set to be unveiled.

this is nottingham


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

Greenpeace demos at 4x4 dealers

Greenpeace activists have been taking part in a series of protests across the UK aimed at disrupting sales of four-by-four vehicles.

BBC

Signs of an earlier spring in the pond

Spring sprung earlier than ever in Worcestershire this year, according to a national television survey which asks people to report the first sign of the season.

this is Worcestershire

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

Changing planet revealed in atlas

An atlas of environmental change compiled by the United Nations reveals some of the dramatic transformations that are occurring to our planet.

BBC

The disappearing tiger

A century ago, 100,00 tigers roamed the world. Today it may be around 3,000. And poaching and official indifference mean that even India's premier reserve is not immune

Independent

Quite batty about bats

They've been called evil, bloodthirsty, blind and dangerous... but a concerned Durban group has their best interests at heart and has given them places of safety.

IOL

Fighting forest fires with cork in Portugal

WWF, together with the Reforestation Commision in Algarve, launched the first initiative to fight large-scale forest fires in Portugal.

WWF Newsroom

China invests heavily in western part environmental protection

The Chinese government has invested 110 billion yuan (About 13.3 billion US dollars) in the ecological environment protection in West China during the past five years, said Zhang Lijun, vice director of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) Friday.

Xinhua

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