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

UK Government's marine bill pledge welcomed

Environmental organisations, including WDCS, have welcomed the inclusion of a draft Marine Bill in the programme of legislation for the new session of Parliament, but called on the Government to move quickly to bring forward a full bill.

Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society

Great response from fishing industry

Following the publication of the new IWDG/BIM Boat Users Guide to Cetaceans in the Irish Skipper and Inshore Ireland, the IWDG have had an encouraging response from the fishing industry.

Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

Shoal destroying

If we don't act quickly bluefin tuna and other fish that feature heavily in our diet may soon be extinct.

The Guardian

Increase in 'dead zones' starving the world's seas

'Dead zones', where pollution has starved the sea of life-giving oxygen, are increasing at a devastating rate

Independent

Island boycott threat over sewage

The protest group Surfers Against Sewage is launching a campaign calling on tourists to boycott Guernsey.

BBC

Villagers fear sewage plan could harm fishing

Residents in coastal communities in the Mearns say plans to pump effluent into the North Sea near their homes must be altered.

this is north scotland

Two more whale species face cull

Australia is to lead a protest to the Japanese Government over plans to double the number of whales killed and to include two new species in its annual Antarctic cull.

Times Online

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 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

Nest find evidence of mouse's return

The first sign of a harvest mouse in Shropshire in nearly 30 years has been reported in the Church Stretton area.

ShropshireStar.com

Hundreds of hedgehogs rescued as bounties top £4,000

The last ‘hedgehog bounties’ were handed out to islanders in the Outer Hebrides yesterday, as a last-minute deadline day rush of rescued animals pushed the total amount paid out to £4,000.

Scotsman.com

Something must be done to save goats from cull

I am writing concerning the so-called Domesday goats of Exmoor. Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council is at the forefront of the campaign to cull the herd, although the brochures still urge visitors to come to see our goats.

this is southdevon

Warning on pesticides

Pesticide levels previously thought to be safe for pollinators may prove harmful to wild bee health, according to research published in Pest Management Science this month.

icWales

Bee mites suppress bee immunity, open door for viruses and bacteria

A non-native bee mite is causing the dramatic and sudden collapse of bee colonies across the country, but Penn State researchers believe they have found the combination of factors that triggers colony deaths which includes suppression of the bee immune system by the mites.

EurekAlert

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

Fury as drivers destroy orchids

Conservationists have accused contractors of vandalism after bluebells and orchids on a Cornish roadside were destroyed.

BBC

Ivy and holly

Ivy isn't a parasite. The main reason why hedera helix clings to tree trunks is simple. It needs support.

this is southdevon

Thousands cause rave woods damage

The prospect of raves being staged in the Kent countryside is being investigated by police after one event caused damage to ancient woodland.

BBC


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

Fined £3k for destroying birds' nests

A West Cumbrian construction company was today fined £3,000 for destroying wild bird habitats at one of their quarries.

times and star
BBC

Nature notes

Pomarine skuas have been passing along the British coasts on their way to the Arctic tundra where they will nest.

Times Online

'Exclusion zone' for rare birds

A 24-hour watch is to be set up to protect a rare pair of black-winged stilts which have started to breed.

BBC
this is Gloucestershire

Swallows stop the bulldozers rolling in

Contractors demolishing former council homes have been forced to stop their work after families said they were worried birds' nests were being destroyed.

Evening News 24


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

Queen's Speech 2005: Environment, food, and rural affairs

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is introducing a range of bills announced in the Queen's Speech.

ePolitix.com
Government News Network
BBC

Will government bill protect the countryside for all?

It is crucial that the Government's Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill announced in today's Queen's Speech, gives strong protection for the countryside and wildlife.

CPRE

Shambles' over EU payments to farmers

The deadline for new European Union farm payments passed yesterday with more than 40,000 farmers in England having not applied, the Rural Payments Agency said.

Telegraph

Environment Agency calls on Pharmaceuticals Industry to track antidepressant fluoxetine

The Environment Agency is asking manufacturers of the antidepressant fluoxetine to look at whether the chemical is finding its way into the environment and having an effect on wildlife.

Environment Agency

Small family farms 'may vanish'

Traditional family farms could soon disappear, National Farmers' Union President Tim Bennett has warned.

BBC

Naturenet
Countryside management and nature conservation
- here


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

Guided bus work sparks bird fears

Anti-guided bus campaigners have threatened to call police if council staff disturb nests while carrying out preliminary work on the controversial project.

CEN News

Wild horse herd returns to fens

Breeding groups of wild horses have been re-introduced to a nature reserve in after a 4,000 year absence.

BBC

Campaigners for right to roam await ruling on park land

The new right to roam laws have come up against their first major test case in a national park, on land bordering a celebrated waterfall walk.

The Guardian

A brief encounter with fantastic Mr Fox

A tree creeper, like a tiny mouse, scampers up the trunk of an enormous exotic fern ahead of me, before taking flight

this is cornwall

Discovering the world of local wildlife

Do you know a hazel tree from an oak tree? Can you identify a cased caddis fly?

this is southdevon

Environment Agency calls for more details in dock plan

Officers at the Environment Agency have objected to a planning application submitted by Able UK for Graythorp Dock in Hartlepool due to a lack of information.

Environment Agency

Take care on moorland areas say firemen

Westcountry firemen have issued a plea to people to be careful when visiting moorland areas.

this is southdevon


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

New scheme to save dolphins

The RSPCA has launched a project to protect porpoises and dolphins living along the Welsh coast.

this is southwales

Sex on the beach and romance in the rockpools

There may still be a nip in the air, but it takes a lot more than that to discourage some from romantic antics on the shore.

Countryside Council for Wales

Rare bird search

Volunteers are needed for a survey of one of the UK's most rarely-seen birds.

icWales

Danger to wildlife

Lakes in Llanelli's Millennium Coastal Park are becoming littered with discarded fishing tackle that is threatening wildlife.

this is southwales


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

Farmers advised not to dredge river

Farmers in the Aghancon Valley, Co Offaly, have been advised by the Office of Environmental Enforcement not to dredge a local river because of fears of contamination from potentially lethal wood preservatives from an adjoining sawmills.

The Papers Today

Anger over Irish salmon quotas

The Irish government has been criticised for allowing more salmon to be caught at sea than its advisers recommended.

BBC

Forest fire destroys 150 acres in Limerick

Over 150 acres of land have been destroyed by a forest fire in County Limerick. The blaze broke out shortly after nine o' clock last night on the Knockaderry road near Ballingarry in West Limerick.

UTV

Contamination of Blessington aquifer alleged

Residents of Blessington in Co Wicklow will attend a public meeting tonight to discuss concerns that an important underground water supply in the town may have been contaminated by illegal dumping.

The Papers Today


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

Public has its say on the management of Scotland's first national park

Management of Scotland’s first national park was thrown open to consultation yesterday, with an emphasis placed on conserving rare habitats and wildlife.

Scotsman.com

Loch Lomond is ready to fight back

Developers could soon be prevented from building large-scale projects such as golf courses and chalet parks in sensitive areas of Scotland's first national park under new plans outlined yesterday.

The Herald

Get to grassroots of nature at mass camp

Forestry Commission rangers are encouraging people to get to the grassroots of a woodland conservation scheme, by setting up camp on site.

this is north scotland
Forestry Commission


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

Angus windfarm site a 'stronghold' of red squirrels

Opponents of a proposed windfarm in Angus have attacked the developer's claims that it would have no significant effect on the local red squirrel population.

this is north scotland

Putting an irreplaceable wilderness in jeopardy

Dunmaglass Wind Farm News is the title of a brochure advertising the proposal by RES, the company whose proposal it is.

Inverness Courier

Anger at report which backs wind turbines

Anti-wind turbine activists have criticised a new Government-financed report which claims wind power is the "only truly sustainable" domestic source for generating electricity in the long term.

this is southdevon

Yes, but has he heard?

It was nice to see Peter Hain insists that adding the role of Northern Ireland Secretary to his duties will not stop him from considering the people of Wales and that he will be acting on the needs of his constituents.

this is southwales

High risk turbines

There is great concern that the dangers posed by wind turbines are being brushed under the carpet.

this is southwales

Windfarm woes force granite city firm to call in administrators

An Aberdeen offshore service firm facing court claims totalling more than £220,000 said yesterday it was going into administration.

this is north scotland

North windfarm developers accuse protesters of dirty tricks campaign

The company behind plans for a new windfarm in central Caithness is accusing protesters of using dirty tricks to sabotage the scheme.

this is north scotland

Reducing reliance on fossil fuels

Wind farms, like any form of development, can be emotive but it's a pity that those opposed to wind farms often, perhaps unknowingly, promote myths and inaccuracies to support their position.

Inverness Courier

Gamble in the desert

The rat's nest of pipes and columns snaking across the desert harbors a secret process that will use cobalt to turn natural gas into a powerful, clean-burning diesel fuel.

CNN.com

UK study sees biofuel yielding mixed green impact

Growing crops for biofuels in the UK would slash greenhouse gas emissions compared to producing and burning normal motor fuels, though it could have adverse effects on biodiversity, a study has found.

Reuters


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

Queen’s Speech ignores climate change

Today's Queen's Speech has been condemned by Friends of the Earth for ignoring climate change completely.

Friends of the Earth

U.N. seeks climate 'roadmap' beyond Kyoto

The world should work out a roadmap this year for extending the U.N. Kyoto protocol on global warming beyond 2012 even though many rich states are far from complying, the U.N.'s climate change chief said on Tuesday.

Reuters
New Scientist

China: Danger of melting Everest glaciers

Global warming is shrinking glaciers on the Tibet side of Mount Everest faster than ever, putting world water supplies at risk, Xinhua news agency said on Tuesday.

CNN.com

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

China's boom is bust for global environment, study warns

China's spectacular economic boom may be inflicting a terrible toll on the global environment, a new study warns.

National Geographic

Canada proposes to list 43 more species at risk

Peary caribou live in small herds on Canada's arctic islands. Found nowhere else on Earth, their population has collapsed because they can no longer get through the snow to reach their favorite food - lichens.

Environment News Service

Monkeys infect bushmeat hunters

The transfer of viruses from animals such as monkeys to human populations is a relatively common event, suggests a study of African hunters.

news @ nature.com

Park at world's southern tip recovers from fire

It took a month and 800 firefighters to put out an immense wildfire earlier this year in remote southern Chile's Torres del Paine national park, world renowned for its awe-inspiring granite spires and glaciers.

Reuters

Plant pest resistance boosted

An international team of researchers has developed a new technique for increasing pest resistance in transgenic crop plants, they report this week in PNAS.

The Scientist

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