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 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

Report highlights water vole threat

A major new charity report published today has revealed the water vole is under serious threat of extinction despite changes in farming practice and monitoring.

Community Newswire
Yorkshire Post
BBC
'The State of Britain's Mammals'

Ring of bright water attracts otter family to Irvine area

A family of four otters have delighted wildlife experts by setting up home in Irvine.

icAyrshire

Island mink eradication - Phase 1 in its final year

The first phase of the eradication of the non-native predator, American mink, from the Western Isles is now well into its final year, and preparations are already underway to start the second phase.

Scottish Natural Heritage

Nature notes

Curious black flies are dancing about in the air over the paths in oak woods. Their astonishingly long legs dangle beneath them as they bounce up and down.

Times Online

Extremists 'intimidate huntsmen at home'

Anti-hunt extremists have adopted the tactics of animal rights extremists and visited the homes of suspected illegal huntsmen in an attempt to intimidate them, a leading police chief said yesterday.

Telegraph

Norfolk chef puts squirrel on the menu

A Norfolk chef is making a name for himself in the capital, cooking a rather different dish.

EDP24 News

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

Beaching of whales linked to climate

The mystery of why whales become beached may have been solved by a study of more than 600 strandings that reveals a link to the climate.

Telegraph

Lobster stocks boost

Fishermen in Cardigan have welcomed new efforts to increase lobster stocks. The South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee is to receive £336,816 over the next three years, and will buy an extra 24,000 female lobsters.

this is southwales
BBC

Public urged to report illegal netting in the Moray Firth as clamp down intensifies

Scottish Natural Heritage and the District Salmon Fishery Boards in the Moray Firth are urging members of the public to continue being vigilant about the use of illegal salmon nets in the area, and to report cases to the authorities.

Scottish Natural Heritage

Cellphone technology to track dolphins

South African researchers plan to collar dusky dolphins next month with a new tracking device that uses cell phone sim cards.

Reuters

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

Corncrake crusaders get to crex crex of the matter

The campaign to save the corncrake - a bird once common throughout Ireland, but now found at only a few key locations - continues this year.

Irish Independent

Consider skylarks in ELS plans

Arable farmers should consider including skylark plots in their Entry Level Scheme applications this month, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has advised.

FWi

Red kites' fame draws visitors from across the North Sea

The North-East's red kites are pulling in their first foreign tourists. A group from Holland is visiting Gateshead tomorrow to see the birds, which have been released in the Derwent Valley area as part of the Northern Kites project.

icNewcastle
BBC

Firm is fined £3k for wrecking bird nests

A Cumbrian construction company has been fined £3,000 for destroying wild bird habitats at one of its quarries.

Cumbria Online

Sea-bird viewing

Birdwatchers are being invited to take part in a seven-mile walk around one of the best sea-bird colonies in the country.

icNewcastle

How to hatch more females than males

In mammals, sperm from the male determines the sex of the offspring. In birds, however, it is the female's sex chromosome that determines offspring sex.

Cornell News


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

Volunteers battle for bluebell

More than 300 volunteers from across the south east are today gearing up to join Ground Force star Kirsty King in London for a battle to save the bluebell.

Community Newswire

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


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

New body to help rural areas

The government is to boost support for rural communities and ensure better protection and management of wildlife and habitats.

The Guardian

Walkers get more rights to roam on coast and country

A landscape agency that will open up more areas of countryside and coastline to walkers is to be established.

Times Online

Beckett pledges simpler services

The Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill announced in the Queen's Speech on Tues (May 17) will improve services, according to DEFRA secretary Margaret Beckett.

FWi

Will EU funding change help farms?

UK farming is facing its biggest overhaul for nearly 50 years with the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. But is it enough to pull the industry out of a decade of crisis?

BBC

Call to cultivate pesticide awareness of gardeners

As Brits take to their gardens this summer, the Environment Agency is calling on industry, retailers and local authorities to encourage responsible use and disposal of pesticides to reduce the risk to the environment.

Environment Agency

Naturenet
Countryside management and nature conservation
- here


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

Reaping the rewards

Cross-compliance may be the buzzword in the corridors at Defra at the moment but the concept of farming for the benefit of the environment is nothing new to Teesdale farmers Maurice and Kath Toward.

icNewcastle

Funds to help uncover wildlife heritage riches

Grants totalling £30,000 will be used to encourage more Cam people to discover and protect their wildlife heritage.

this is Gloucestershire

Volunteers tackle day of 'green action'

Dozens of volunteers from across Gloucestershire were today taking part in a single day of action to help boost the county’s wildlife as part of the Year of the Volunteer campaign.

Scotsman.com

Rangers offer nature and wildlife education scheme

Swindon Council's rangers team is encouraging schools and colleges to take part in its environment education programme.

this is Wiltshire

Take a look at wildlife

Warwickshire's wildlife can be seen through expert eyes at Ryton Pools Country Park over the next few weeks.

icCoventry

LEAF launches board initiative

Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) is offering farmers an opportunity to get hold of a series of sturdy information boards setting out to the public simply and clearly what they do and why they do it.

FWi

Bard on show for dene revival

The realisation of a dream to regenerate a County Durham coastal beauty spot is to be marked by a Shakespearean performance.

icNewcastle


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

Dumping on fragile sand dunes probed

An investigation has begin into illegal dumpers who have dug large holes into protected sand dunes to bury fridges, gas cylinders, mattresses, and other waste.

Irish Independent

New NI minister under fire over planning

Environmental and community pressure groups last night rounded on the new Environment Minister Lord Rooker over proposed changes in the planning service.

The Papers Today

Roche signs directive on illegal dumps

Minister for the Environment Dick Roche has told local authorities to be "more ambitious" in their prosecution of cases of environmental pollution.

The Papers Today

€500,000 water probe fails to find Cryptosporidium bug source

Despite spending half a million euro, Carlow County Council has yet to identify the source of the infection that has thrown Carlow's water system into chaos.

The Papers Today


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

Oats return to tempt birds back

Wildlife experts are stepping back in time to help boost the numbers of endangered birds on farmland in Powys.

BBC

Satellite tracks habitat changes

Space satellites could transform the way an environmental group gathers information about wildlife habitats across Wales.

BBC

Farmers' fears put to rest over right to roam

Only four per cent of the Pembrokeshire landscape will be opened up to the public under so called `right to roam' laws which come into force next week.

this is Pembrokeshire


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

Executive under pressure to extend park's boundaries

The Scottish Executive has come under renewed pressure to have Highland Perthshire included within Britain's largest national park.

this is north 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

Viscount drops windfarm bombshell

There was a shock development in the Whinash wind farm public inquiry yesterday when a letter was submitted by a member of a leading Cumbrian landowning family claiming that the development was on his land - and he would not have given his consent.

News & Star

Windfarm would end National Park hope

A controversial windfarm near Tebay could scupper the chances of the area between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales being designated as an extension of the National Parks.

News & Star

Professor Bellamy opposes windfarm

Opponents to the proposed Whinash Windfarm welcomed the sight of environmentalist Professor David Bellamy at the public inquiry as he warned "don't trash this beautiful bit of countryside".

this is the Lake District

Wind farm bid set to be rejected

The controversial proposal to erect three 81-metre high wind turbines on land just outside Okehampton is being recommended for refusal by West Devon planners.

Okehampton Today

Wind farm 'catastrophic' for isle

The environmental impact of the world's largest proposed onshore wind farm could be 30 times worse than expected, a peatland expert has warned.

BBC

Wind farm vision whips up a storm

Plans have been submitted for the creation of a wind farm featuring 100-metre-high turbines in the Lothians.

Scotsman.com

Scottish & Southern has wind in its sails

More progress would be made in achieving the government’s ambition to reduce the proportion of fossil fuels used in power generation if planning permissions were accelerated, says the boss of Scottish & Southern Energy, Britain’s number-two energy distributor.

Citywire

Climate change pushes N-power back on the agenda

Nuclear power has surged back onto the agenda as a solution for global warming as leaders of the world's richest nations try to draw up a blueprint for staving off climate disaster.

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

Blast over emissions findings

Angry North-east MSPs today attacked the Scottish Executive for lagging behind in the battle to cut greenhouse gases.

this is north scotland
BBC

Climate change conference

The Executive and Perth & Kinross Council will bring together leading academics, politicians, businesses and experts next month to share knowledge on the challenges posed by climate change.

Scottish Executive

Free advice helps SMEs cut 'greenhouse gases'

More than 40 firms in Wales have invested nearly £2m so far to cut their "greenhouse gas" emissions and their energy bills.

icWales

Climate change: risk and opportunity

British businesses are taking climate change very seriously, both as a potential commercial opportunity and a risk factor that could affect their markets, according to a survey published today.

The Guardian

Oxford gets funding boost for climate change research

Oxford University's climate change research centre has been allocated more than £3.5m in government funding over the next five years, the environment minister, Elliott Morley, announced this week.

The Guardian

Patriot games

National security is being used to fuel a US rethink on oil as traditional greens enlist some unlikely allies.

The Guardian

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

Death probe as black rhinos perish in Kenya

Four black rhinos have died in a private sanctuary in Kenya's Rift Valley province after they were transferred from Nairobi National Park, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said on Wednesday.

IOL

Pleistocene park underway: home for reborn mammoths?

During the last ice age northeastern Siberia remained a grassy refuge for scores of animals, including bison and woolly mammoths.

National Geographic News

Cash incentives needed to save rain forests

Developing nations should be paid to preserve tropical rain forests from the Amazon to Africa as part of a drive to slow deforestation and global warming, a Papua New Guinea delegate said on Tuesday.

Environmental News Network

US officials hook caviar poaching operation

Immigrants from Russia and the Ukraine have imported a worrying criminal trend into California: the poaching of freshwater sturgeon for caviar.

Telegraph

Aging sewer systems fouling Great Lakes

Sewage is fouling the Great Lakes and other waters in the region because many municipal waste treatment systems are failing to stop overflows, environmental groups said in a report Tuesday.

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