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

Call for action to protect endangered right whales

Following the recent death of another critically endangered North Atlantic right whale in New England, USA, a coalition of nine international animal and environmental protection organizations, including WDCS, have made an urgent appeal for the protection of these animals.

Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society

Esperanza explores little-known coral reef

We've set sail with the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) to explore one of the oldest and least understood habitats on Earth.

Greenpeace

New measures must be backed by cast-iron evidence, says Finnie

Any new measures to conserve cod in the North Sea must be backed up by firm evidence, Scotland's fisheries minister underlined today.

Fishupdate.com

Man-made ark charged with regrowing coral

It sounds like something from The Island of Dr Moreau, but scientists are using low-level electricity to regenerate coral destroyed in the high sea temperatures caused by El Niño in 1988.

Scotsman.com

Adopt-a-turtle and join MCS celebrations for World Turtle Day on 23rd May

Monday the 23rd May is World Turtle Day.

Marine Conservation Society

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

Why ministers aren't eager to reintroduce beavers to Scotland ...

Executive ministers are refusing to be rushed into approving a licence to reintroduce beavers into Scotland because of the potential dangers.

this is north scotland

Queen hornet finds cosy winter retreat

Winter is a hard time, especially if you happen to be an insect. The cold, dark days of winter offer little food and the cold could easily be the death of you unless you find adequate shelter.

this is Worcestershire

Does this solve the mystery of the `big cat'?

Has the riddle of the big cat been solved? A particularly large otter was found dead on the side of the road, and there is a suggestion that this could have been mistaken for a big cat.

this is Pembrokeshire

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

Roadside fields needed to help skylarks

The RSPB is appealing to farmers in north-west England with arable fields to join a simple but innovative scheme to help skylarks.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Found: the little-spotted woodpecker

Watching something that's disappearing is a curiously moving sensation. You feel you must focus on it as hard as you can, while you can, for you may not have the chance to see it again.

Independent

Up before dawn for an impromptu recital by the darling birds of May

It is my firm belief that being required to work during the month of May is a denial of basic human rights.

Times Online

Woodland birds under threat

First it was the decline of farmland birds, but now woodland birds are also in trouble - and more of a worry is that no one knows how to stop it.

EDP24

Protected bird habitat extended

An area of protected bird habitat in south Suffolk is being extended to help ensure the future of some species.

BBC

Rise with the larks

If getting up at dawn is your thing, bird-watching is the thing for you - otherwise there's plenty more activities on offer this weekend, from car boot sales to rocket science in Radstock.

this is bath


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

Tree-mendous turnaround

The Forestry Commission is pioneering a new woodland grant that for the first time actively encourages cattle to graze among the trees.

this is north scotland

Ice Age forest due for spruce up

A £2.2m project to restore a forest that was left behind after the last Ice Age is due to be launched.

BBC
National Assembly for Wales

Nature notes

Ash treesare now coming into full leaf, the last trees to do so.

Times Online


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

Bt11 gets thumbs-up from EFSA

European food safety advisers have declared that Syngenta's insect and herbicide resistant GM maize, Bt11, is suitable for cultivation in the EU, though it faces considerable delays before it is likely to be grown.

FWi

Water planning will clash with farming and wildlife, consultancy predicts

Water resource planning issues will clash with environmental legislation; dramatic increases in winter rainfall and even greater decreases in summer rainfall will force farmers to introduce wetlands and new water management techniques; and water shortages and hosepipe bans will become regular annual events.

edie news centre

Naturenet
Countryside management and nature conservation
- here


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

Have your say on Humber bridge lighting

Wildlife experts in the region are urging residents to take part in a consultation during the current two-week trial to light up the Humber Bridge.

this is scunthorpe

Boost for North of England wildlife

The north of England is a refuge for a diverse range of rare and important wildlife species and game and wildlife conservation charity, The Game Conservancy Trust directs considerable research efforts to ensure that the biodiversity of the uplands is maintained.

The Game Conservancy Trust

Marshland group aims to promote rural living

The future for both people and wildlife in a beautiful part of rural Worcestershire could be transformed by a new conservation trust.

this is Worcestershire

Simply the nest!

Hundreds of enthusiasts flocked to the grounds of one of west Wiltshire's most decorated landscapes to help boost the bird population.

this is Wiltshire

All that glitters was plastic rubbish in river

A team of volunteers from Marlborough College took advantage of the abnormally low levels in the River Kennet to give a stretch in the town centre a spring clean on Wednesday last week.

this is Wiltshire

Quarry queries and minibeasts

Families are being invited to a special wildlife watch event at Messingham Sand Quarry next Saturday.

this is scunthorpe

Wildlife weekend planned

Wildlife enthusiasts can attend two events at Far Ings Nature Reserve over the Bank Holiday weekend.

this is scunthorpe

Wildlife walk to spot birds

People are being given the chance to see rare woodland birds during a walk this Sunday.

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

Wildlife time bomb: birds and plants set to vanish

Almost 100 bird species and 120 types of plant face extinction unless urgent action is taken to stop the decline of Ireland’s wildlife, the National Heritage Council has warned.

Examiner
Irish Independent

New NI environment minister lobbied over planning

Northern Ireland's new environment Minister, Lord Rooker, received an early challenge this week from a coalition of leading environmental and community groups as they demanded the restoration of basic rights in the planning system and reforms to give greater equality between developers and the community.

The Papers Today


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

New 100-mile trail opens up Brecon Beacons

Walkers are celebrating the long-awaited launch of the Beacons Way in the Brecon Beacons National Park this weekend.

icWales

Mining hope for Bronze Age site

Mining for copper and zinc could return to Anglesey's Parys Mountain mine after an absence of almost 100 years.

BBC


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

'Aliens' alarm fish experts

Agencies with interests in Lochaber wild salmon stocks yesterday condemned the mysterious appearance of "alien fish" in a local loch.

Lochaber News

City wildlife reserve opens after revamp

A wildlife reserve in Glasgow has re-opened after £20,000-worth of improvements.

Evening Times


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

Wind farm plan prompts SNH concern for eagles

A proposed wind farm near Loch Ness would have an unacceptable impact on golden eagles, according to Scottish Natural Heritage which yesterday announced it was formally opposing the scheme.

Inverness Courier

‘Windfarm would have negative impact’

The planning inquiry into the Whinash windfarm development yesterday heard about the ‘overwhelming negative impact’ it would have on the landscape around Shap and Tebay.

News & Star

Windfarm will be blot on landscape

Building Britain's biggest windfarm on land near Tebay would create substantial visual and landscape impacts, compromising the natural beauty of the surrounding national parks, a public inquiry heard this week.

This Is The Lake District

Lowthers fall out over windfarm

An established Cumbrian family is embroiled in a dispute over plans to site a wind farm on their land.

The Cumberland News

Ireleth fears over new turbine bosses

A parish council has expressed concern after the operator of a local wind farm changed without notice.

North-west Evening Mail

Wind farms 'to alter Maltby skyline'

Maltby's skyline could be dramatically altered by the addition of wind farms, it was announced this week.

Dinnington Today

Windfarm opponents dismiss new report

Activists campaigning against windfarms in the Westcountry have dismissed as "nonsense" a new report that argues that wind power must be made to work to help tackle the problems of climate change.

this is Devon

Could this be the future?

Wind turbines could be set to spring up around Tewkesbury. Cheltenham-based environmentalist Jonathon Porritt says wind power is the only way to prevent the devastating effects of climate change.

this is Gloucestershire

A breath of fresh air

A lot of people think a lot of things about wind farms. They're ugly. They're pretty. A fascinating feat of engineering. A necessary evil for meeting the government target of cutting carbon emissions by 20% by 2010.

The Herald

Electricity from apples? Core, what a green idea

It is well known that if you drink too much of Prince William's favourite West Country tipple, it won't be long before the lights go out.

Gloucestershire Echo


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

Climate change could crowd middle of Europe-EEA

The middle of Europe could become crowded by "climate change refugees" escaping a thawing Arctic to the north and Mediterranean droughts to the south, the head of the European Environment Agency (EEA) said on Friday.

Reuters

Russian lake is left high and dry

As climate change goes, it was severe and it happened overnight.

The Guardian

Measuring the reality of climate change

Scientists have reported worrying signs that the vast ice sheet over Greenland is melting.

BBC

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

Endangered crocodiles found in Laos

A critically endangered species of harmless crocodile has been found in southern Laos, an international conservation organisation said on Friday.

IOL

Artificial breeding of endangered Bighead fish succeeds in NW China

Chinese aquatic experts have successfully bred 36,800 fries of Bighead fish, an endangered species endemic to the Tarim River in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

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