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

Councils sink plans for ship-to-ship oil pump

Two councils have rejected plans to allow millions of tonnes of crude oil to be pumped between tankers in the Firth of Forth.

Scotsman.com

Japan dealt blow in bid to expand whaling

Japan’s aggressive attempts to tip the International Whaling Commission in favour of pro-whaling countries for the first time in almost 20 years suffered another blow on Wednesday when its proposal to dramatically raise the number of whales culled from the southern oceans was rejected.

FT.com
Greenpeace
Environmental News Network
BBC

Third likely fin whale sighting in June for Dublin

Hot on the heels of Jim Corbett's sighting on June 6th of a fin whale one mile east of Rockabill, came a spate of minke whale sightings quite close to the Dublin coast.

Irish Whale and Dolphin Group

Powerboat revellers chase terrified dolphin pod

Gangs of people in powerboats chased and nearly killed a pod of dolphins in the Westcountry.

this is Cornwall

Dolphin Days on the Irish Sea with Irish Ferries

Anyone travelling by ferry across the Irish Sea should bring a good pair of binoculars as a dolphin bonanza is there to be enjoyed.

Irish Whale and Dolphin Group


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

Nature's charms

Our six species of reptile comprise a trio each of lizard and snake. The common or viviparous lizard, the (legless) slowworm and the rare sand lizard represent the former and the latter are the piosonous adder or viper, the harmless grass snake and rare smooth snake.

North Devon Gazette

Defra's approach will 'backfire' on badgers

The National Beef Association has warned that farmers will resort to shooting badgers infected with bovine TB if the Government does not press ahead with a controlled cull.

this is Cornwall

Defra looks into the value of badgers

Defra's slow-moving investigation into badgers and bovine TB continues its progress, with a report from Reading University into people's attitudes towards badgers and management of their numbers

Country Life

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

Endangered bird back from brink

The population of one of the country's most endangered birds has doubled in parts of the Westcountry.

this is Cornwall

Partnership good for birds and watersports

A plan has been drawn up to prevent clashes between watersports enthusiasts and wildlife lovers concerned about the watersports' impact on one of the Westcountry's most important nature reserves for birds.

this is Cornwall

Wading bird chicks battle for survival against flood, cold, predators... and, of course, man

This is the season we find them flattened on the road – these tiny bundles of animated feathers, shepherded on our verges to find insect food.

The Cumberland News

Helping our wild birds

A Thursby farmer has come up with the novel idea of turning steel gateposts on his farm into homes for wild birds.

The Cumberland 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

Wild orchids have the flower power

Hundreds of wild orchids have been found in Warrington.

this is Cheshire

Domesday woods are rescued

A trust set up to protect and extend the ancient woods of Sadlers Wells has received £17,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

icCheshireOnline

Nature notes

The trees seem quiet and reposeful in midsummer, but the cycle of the year is gently moving on in them.

Times Online


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

Blair 'hypocritical' on green priorities

Tony Blair has been accused of "hypocrisy" over plans to back a move in the EU to downgrade the environment as a priority - behind growth and jobs.

Independent

Save the green belt, says Sir Max

On the eve of CPRE's Great Landscapes Week, the organisation's President Sir Max Hastings will warn that England's Green Belts are coming under unprecedented threat from sprawl.

CPRE

Naturenet
Countryside management and nature conservation
- here


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

Grounds for complaint

The common lands of England and Wales are in a mess. As many as one in 10 of our commons may have been lost since 1970, while many more are suffering from damage, neglect and encroachment.

The Guardian

Recognition for Dales environment schemes

Several environmentally friendly schemes in the Dales have won awards from Derbyshire County Council in recognition for the wildlife and conservation work they do.

Matlock Today

Life's a beach for students

Students from schools throughout North Devon were today enjoying the summer sunshine on the region’s beaches as part of a special study programme.

Scotsman.com

Wrekin 'taken off the market'

Shropshire's landmark hill The Wrekin has "effectively" been taken off the market, after a year which has seen two bids rejected because they were "nowhere near" its true value.

ShropshireStar.com

New website

A new webpage has been launched by Devon Wildlife Trust to help promote its recently-approved farm businesses.

this is Cornwall

Families have wild time at bug hunt

A wildlife day at the Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park saw hundreds enjoying the sunshine to learn more about nature.

News Shopper


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

Wildlife boom to be probed

Wildlife is said to be booming around Llanelli thanks to a cut in industrial pollution. Water voles are thriving at Machynys and fishermen have come across otters swimming from Gower across the estuary to Burry Port.

this is southwales

Wildlife in focus

Walkers searched for rare toads and birds during a pleasant stroll along the beach.

icNorthWales


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

SNH to consult Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve's local community

Representatives from the local community are to be asked for their views on Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve (NNR), as part of a new plan being drawn up by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Scottish Natural Heritage

New scheme opens up woodlands to community ownership

Communities across Scotland can buy publicly-owned forests without waiting for them to be put up for sale under a new scheme launched yesterday.

Scotsman.com

Forest land may soon be freed up for affordable rural housing

Thousands of hectares of forest land could soon be bought up by Scottish communities, freeing up land for much-needed affordable housing, it was announced yesterday.

this is north scotland

350 turn out for nature reserve Open Day

An estimated 350 people, mostly Shetlanders, turned out for a special open day held on the island of Noss on Saturday.

Scottish Natural Heritage


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

Jail me, says gas pipeline protester

A farmer has vowed to go to jail rather than let oil giant Shell build a pipeline through his land.

Irish Independent
The Papers Today

Litter horror as five tonnes of rubbish dumped in beauty spot

'This is the worst incident I've seen in this area,' said Community Warden Oliver Hosey, as he surveyed what only can be described as a horror scene in a scenic wooded area on Ballythomas Hill last week.

The Papers Today


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

Government pressed over CO2 emissions targets

The government should meet domestic emissions targets to encourage international action on climate change, according to a new report.

ePolitix.com
Telegraph

EU 'will meet Kyoto' despite rise

Greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union rose 1.3 percent in 2003 -- but the EU will still meet its Kyoto targets of reducing emissions, the bloc's environment agency said.

CNN.com

EU wants 20 pct cut in energy use by 2020

Europe should reduce its energy consumption by 20 percent by 2020 through more efficient technology, the EU executive Commission said Wednesday, helping cut dependency on oil and meet climate change targets.

Reuters

Bush may agree pollution plan if rivals also sign up

Tony Blair's hopes of persuading President Bush to adopt a wide-ranging plan of action on climate change were strengthened yesterday when Beijing announced that President Hu would attend the G8 summit in Scotland.

Times Online

Senate approves weaker, voluntary climate change plan

An ambitious bipartisan plan to slow U.S. greenhouse gases with an emissions trading program collapsed in the Senate Tuesday after a key Republican threw his support behind a weaker, voluntary plan.

Environmental News Network

Is Scotland set to get the big chill?

Temperatures in Scotland are set to plummet as a result of global warming, according to surprising new findings by Edinburgh scientists.

Scotsman.com
BBC

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


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

Survey blow for turbine farm

Mawr residents have shunned a 34-turbine wind farm project on the uplands area north of Swansea.

this is south wales

'Route map' for more eco turbines

More wind farms look like breezing into Wales according to a new blueprint for green energy. It says Wales has a capacity and a duty to do more in terms of renewable energy.

this is south wales

Opponents to renew fight to stop wind turbine

Opponents of a scheme to put a wind turbine on the Mendip Hills are re-launching their campaign after an appeal was lodged by the firm behind the project.

this is Bristol

Report focuses on wind power

Major developments in Yarmouth and Lowestoft are “vital” in generating up to £2bn for the East of England through the renewable energy industry, according to a report published last night.

EDP24

Foula self sufficiency gets closer

Britain’s most remote island community has moved one step closer to becoming self sufficient in electricity as more cash was granted for their planned renewable energy system yesterday (Tuesday).

The Shetland News

Wind turbines find favour in some parts of the country

I've a lot of sympathy for your article on wind farms - it's such a pity that a renewable energy source which could play a significant part in combating global warming is so surrounded by the muddy waters of profit and controversy.

icNewcastle

Cash for turbine project

An innovative wind turbine project has had the go-ahead to continue its work thanks to investment of over £400,000 from Advantage West Midlands.

icBirmingham

Biofuels 'far better for environment'

Biofuels made from British cereals and oilseeds produce significant carbon savings when compared to traditional fossil fuels, says a new report commissioned by the Home Grown Cereals Authority (HGCA).

this is Cornwall

County bids for radical fuel site

Kent is bidding for a United Nations fuel-from-crops complex that it is claimed would create hundreds of jobs.

BBC

N-waste burial site list revealed

The Government once considered burying nuclear waste near Carlisle and at 11 other locations in Cumbria and just over the Scottish border.

The Cumberland News


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

Extinction of frogs is catastrophic, scientists say

Before the arrival of Spanish colonizers some 500 years ago, Indians in what is now Ecuador dipped their arrowheads in venom extracted from the phantasmal poison frog to doom their victims to convulsive death, scientists believe.

Reuters

Hummingbirds get in a unique flap

Does a hummingbird fly like an insect or a bird? A bit like both, according to aerodynamic research.

news @ nature.com

New reserve for Houbaras

SEO/BirdLife (BirdLife in Spain) have purchased a 209 hectare reserve to protect the globally threatened Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata on Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.

Birdlife International

Longest pipeline is halted to save the lake and leopard

Work on the world’s longest oil pipeline has been suspended after scientists protested that it would cause severe ecological damage.

Times Online

Kenya reclaims famed game park from poachers

Michael Kipkeu sounds more like a soldier than a game warden when he talks about keeping watch over Kenya's biggest national park, Tsavo East.

Environmental News Network

G8 push for conservation-poverty link

Protection of the world’s best yet most vulnerable wildlife sites will be on the agenda of the next G8 meeting held in Edinburgh in July.

Birdlife International

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