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

Up to half of ocean species lost to overfishing

Half of all sea fish species have disappeared from the major fishing grounds of the world, according to a study that shows how ocean life has declined rapidly in the past 50 years.

Independent Online
The Guardian
IOL
Environmental News Network

A Blueprint for the Oceans: implications of two national commission reports for conservation practitioners

In the first comprehensive reviews since 1969, two high-level reports on the status of U.S. marine ecosystems and resources have been released ...

Conservation Biology

Arctic ocean depths teeming with life -- explorers

The remotest depths of the Arctic ocean are surprisingly full of life, including previously unknown species of jellyfish and worms, a scientific team which just finished exploring the area said on Friday.

Reuters


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

Experts puzzled at warblers' decline

Reports of the decline of a summer-visiting songbird in many parts of Britain are puzzling ornithologists.

this is north scotland

Gamekeeper denies shooting owl

A gamekeeper has appeared in court accused of shooting a protected bird of prey in Lanarkshire.

icRenfrewshire

Hen harriers hatch

Rare hen harrier chicks have hatched after two months of 24-hour surveillance on their nest.

Cumberland News

Rare bird gets spotters twitching

Bird-lovers in Herefordshire are keeping a close eye on a nest of bee-eaters, one of Europe's most colourful birds and a rare visitor to UK shores.

Hereford Journal

Farmer plays waiting game as rare birds turn field into nursery

An environmentally-minded Dales farmer has been playing a waiting game, putting off harvesting his final meadows to allow Yellow Wagtails to raise their young.

Government News Network


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

Cairngorms deer talks smooth out cull wrangle

The future of controversial deer management in the UK's largest national park was discussed yesterday.

this is north scotland

Seal recovers from wounds in isles sanctuary

A young grey seal is recovering from serious wounds after it was found with monofilament net wrapped around its neck on the Shetland isle of Mousa this week.

this is north scotland

Pro-hunt group lose court ruling

Pro-hunt campaigners have lost their second High Court challenge to the ban on hunting with dogs in England and Wales.

icScotland

Hedgehogs given a helping hand

This baby hedgehog is as light as a leaf and almost as small - so it was no surprise when she got blown out of her nest and into harms' way.

this is Gloucestershire

Modern insect extinctions, the neglected majority

Most extinctions estimated to have occurred in the historical past, or predicted to occur in the future, are of insects. Despite this, the study of insect extinctions has been neglected.

Conservation Biology

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

New life for ancient woodland

A Stretch of ancient West woodland looked to have been saved last night following a massive campaign.

this is Gloucestershire
icWales

Nature notes

The autumn fruits are maturing on the trees. Many wild cherries are already ripe and red, and blackbirds and thrushes are feeding on 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

Game management proves to be ‘nature’s gain’

A new conservation report called ‘Nature’s Gain’ has identified that if it were not for game management the British countryside would be a lot poorer and much wildlife habitat would have been lost to intensive, subsidised farming and forestry.

Game Conservancy Trust

Call to punish polluters with Asbos

Serving antisocial behaviour orders on businesses that pollute may be more effective than monetary fines, the government's environmental regulator claims in a report published today that names and shames persistent offenders.

The Guardian

Naturenet
Countryside management and nature conservation
- here


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

Another blow for Dibden Bay

It was described as one of the most environmentally sensitive sites in the UK.

this is Hampshire

Wetland scheme on shaky ground

Trouble was bubbling on the banks of a West river yesterday as a quiet community prepared to take on a conservation giant over controversial plans to deliberately flood acres of grassland on its doorstep.

this is Gloucestershire

More cash for conservation

A new £100,000 fund has been set up by the Government to help support conservation in East Devon.

this is Exeter

Illegal riders 'scare off' birds

The nests of a nationally scarce bird have been destroyed by off-road bikers, who have been riding illegally in a Nottinghamshire forest.

BBC

Wind farm visual impact 'minimal'

The company behind plans for a wind farm in Devon has said it will have no significant visual impact on nearby beauty spots.

BBC

In footsteps of very different wildlife

Take a walk along the north Suffolk coast and you would expect to see colonies of little terns, marsh harriers and maybe even a bittern.

EDP24

Rise of the cockchafers

There is no other voice better known in the kingdom of singing birds than the cuckoo.

this is kent


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

SF urges debate on GM crops

Sinn Fein has called for a serious debate before any genetically modified crops are grown in Ireland.

Belfast Telegraph

Shellfish tainted by toxic plankton bloom

A number of premier mussel and cockle beds in the south west, as well as large numbers of wild shellfish, have been affected by a mildly toxic plankton bloom

Irish Independent

Have your say to save our nature

Groups and individuals across Northern Ireland were today being encouraged to play their part in a major review of the way the province's environment is protected.

Belfast Telegraph

Rossport Five maintaining demands after Greens visit

Members of the Green Party visited the Rossport Five at Clover Hill Prison today. The Mayo men are entering their fifth week in jail.

BreakingNews.ie


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

Alarm raised over river spill

An investigation has been launched after industrial chemicals were found to be polluting the River Almond.

Scotsman.com

Giant dam for Loch Ness as power station gets go-ahead

Plans for a hydro-electric power station in the Highlands that will generate enough power for 37,000 homes have been given the go-ahead by the Scottish Executive.

Times Online

Itching to put a stop to Scottish midge hell

There are no midges in Portobello. At least not in the garden of Dr Alison Blackwell's home, and she, of all people, should know.

Scotsman.com


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

Successful bid for ancient wood

Campaigners trying to save Wales' largest remaining ancient wood have been celebrating after their £1.5m offer has been accepted.

BBC

Conservation passed through generations

All farmers are practical ecologists, says a finalist in this year's Royal Welsh environment awards.

icNorthWales

Plans for gas drilling off coast

An oil company has said it plans to drill for gas off the Pembrokeshire coast - the first commercial drilling off Wales for 11 years.

BBC


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

Scientists sound alarm on Arctic ice cap

Satellite data for the month of June shows Arctic sea ice may have shrunk to a record low for the month, raising concerns about climate change, coastal erosion, and changes to wildlife patterns.

CBC News

Climate pact: For good or bad?

On the surface, there's no conflict between the new Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate and the United Nations process which led to the Kyoto Protocol.

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

Urbanisation catches up to wildlife treasure

A giraffe nibbles lazily at an acacia tree. Buffalos graze on the plains. Tourists with binoculars scan for hippos in streams running down wooded hills.

IOL

What cost a species?

Shell's Sakhalin project has the very real risk to drive the Western Gray Whale towards extinction.

WWF-UK

Courting bird sings like a cricket

A bird that lives in the Ecuadorian rain forest attracts mates by striking its wing feathers together behind its back, researchers say.

news @ nature.com

Deer eats songbirds out of house and home

There may be an innocent-looking culprit behind the widespread demise of songbirds in North America and Europe - deer.

New 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