H a b i t a t - Blue for the world, green for the land, red for the living
Bee orchid
Plants
Resources
What a bloomer!
One of Wales' rarest and most beautiful flowers has been mowed down by council highways staff - despite pleas from experts for it to be saved.
Precious orchids stolen from conservation area
A variety of one of the rarest orchids grown in Britain has been stolen from a conservation area in Wirral.
Save English oaks
They are the alien species of the English woodland that have been blamed for destroying the natural beauty of our countryside. But from today the conifers' days are numbered.
Focus on grass for the future
The future of grassland will come under the spotlight next week as scientists from around the world gather to discuss development of new grass varieties that meet the complex needs of farming in the 21st century.
Dead Peregrine
Birds
Resources
Poison fear over missing falcons
Police in south Devon are investigating the disappearance of a pair of adult peregrine falcons who are believed to have been killed.
The high-flier
A peregrine falcon chick is making a killing in Canary Wharf.
Storm ends rare bird garden visit
A rare visiting bird has disappeared from a garden in Gwynedd, after Tuesday night's thunderstorms.
On-line help for bird-lovers
The British Trust for Ornithology, the country's leading body for ornithological research, has come up with an on-line advice guide for the millions of ordinary people - and their children - who take a keen but amateur interest in the subject.
Nature notes
Young blue tits and great tits are now fully grown though they can still be distinguished by their yellow cheeks.
Hedgehog
Animals
Resources
Survey highlights hedgehog plight
A major new charity survey published today has revealed hedgehog numbers across the UK are falling, particularly in the east of the country.
Beetle away to spot shy insect
Nature lovers have made a fresh appeal to find one of Britain's most endangered insects. The iridescent green noble chafer beetle is due to start emerging from old fruit trees.
Rare bug found at five new sites
A rare threatened beetle has been found in at least five new sites in East Anglia thanks to the public.
Blidworth man goes on trial for badger baiting
Blidworth man Stephen Tucker has gone on trial this week accused of digging a badger sett with his pet terrier.
If you've seen me, do tell Dan
When the bin lids go crashing around in the middle of the night, do you get up to look? And does the garbage gourmet in your garden ever turn out to be a fox?

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

Marine
Resources
Oceans in trouble as acid levels rise
Corals and plankton are at risk of being destroyed by the rising acidity of the world's oceans as the waters absorb carbon dioxide from the air, British scientists have warned.
Councillor in Minch plea
Highland Council's environmental protection spokesman has called for tighter regulation by the Government of aging cargo ships which sail in UK and European coastal waters.
Island fishing ban plan rejected
A proposed ban on fishing around an island off the Pembrokeshire coast that divided conservationists and fishermen has been rejected.
Sleep-deprived moms can learn from mammals
Sleep-deprived mothers of newborn babies should spare a thought for bottlenose dolphins and killer whales.
Climate
Resources
Clearing smoke may trigger global warming rise
Global warming looks set to be much worse than previously forecast, according to new research. Ironically, the crucial evidence is how little warming there has been so far.
Global warming issue key, Blair
Tony Blair has said climate change is the most serious threat to the globe and any solution must involve the US.
'Vague' targets on climate change
The Scottish Executive is to set its own climate change targets for devolved areas such as transport, First Minister Jack McConnell has announced.
Dune fields threaten southern Africa
Vast desert dune fields, stripped of vegetation, will spread across southern Africa as a result of climate change, with drastic social, agricultural and economic consequences, a study warns today.
Help produce a forecast of the climate in the 21st century, using your computer -
here
National/Europe
Resources
Power to the people
Nuclear power is being promoted as the answer to both climate change and the quest for energy. But it is neither.
Environmental quality in spatial planning
The Government’s principal advisors on environmental matters - English Nature, the Countryside Agency, Environment Agency and English Heritage - have launched joint guidance to help regional and local authority planners deliver environmental quality through the Government’s reformed land-use planning system.
Memoranda of Understanding extend partnership between Aggregates and QPA and English Nature
English Nature and the Quarry Products Association (QPA) have this week signed a series of Memoranda of Understanding which signify a major advance in the two organisations’ ongoing collaborative work in enhancing biodiversity and geodiversity.

Naturenet
Countryside management and nature conservation
- here

England
Resources
Wetland fen welcomes Lottery cash
The first major re-created wetland fen will be able to expand and attract more visitors with a new centre, thanks to a £546,500 grant.
Flood defence 'will disrupt park wildlife'
Protected wildlife could be under threat from a £10 million scheme to prevent flooding in Edgware, it was claimed this week.
Wind farm plans for coastline
Renewable energy could be used in local homes after two companies showed an interest in siting wind farms in two locations off the coast of Thanet.
Environment Agency solves fish death mystery
The Environment Agency has discovered why hundreds of fish died in Foxcotte Lake in Andover last month.
Bid to tackle biker danger to wildlife
Bikers who have been churning up a Canvey wildlife oasis may soon be stopped in their tracks.
Decision on AONB moves a step closer
A decision on whether the Forest should be recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty could be made early next year.
Dumpsite scrapped
Controversial plans to sink hazardous waste deep under a rare habitat in Teesside have been scrapped.
Barmy Bellamy bounces by
Environmentalist and TV personality David Bellamy helped wildlife enthusiasts celebrate the restoration of a major wetland.
Why common is special
The Government yesterday vowed that common land in England and Wales, and the rights of commoners, will get better protection from developers under new legislation.
Ireland
Resources
Shell-shocked five jailed for obstructing new gas pipeline
Five men were jailed indefinitely yesterday when they refused to stop breaching a court order restraining the obstruction of works for construction of the Corrib gas pipeline through some of their lands at Rossport, Co Mayo.
Protester says ruling an 'act of treason'
A retired teacher, one of the men jailed for obstructing the construction of a gas pipeline in Co Mayo, is adamant he is doing the right thing.
Falcons' revival 'soaring high'
The peregrine falcon had all but disappeared from Northern Ireland, a casualty of pesticide poisoning.
Bio pellets fuel new energy business hopes
A new £8m bio fuel plant is up and running in Fermanagh, it has emerged.
Looking under Northern Ireland
A massive aerial survey of the whole of Northern Ireland is due to begin as part of a three year project to record what the ground is made from.
Ecologist blow up at McAleese over ‘lethal’ balloons
An environmental group has written to President Mary McAleese, seeking assurances she will no longer attend ceremonies at which balloons are released.
Scotland
Resources
Turbulence over turbines
Such is the depth of anger over the proposals to build two major windfarms in the Western Isles that 5,648 people - more than a quarter of the electorate - felt compelled to lodge objections.
System to be streamlined for planning
Ministers yesterday unveiled a radical overhaul of Scotland's planning system, designed to speed up decisions.
Multi-million pound 'clean energy' plan
Plans are being drawn up for a new multi-million pound “clean energy” project which would be a world first, it was disclosed today.
Guide to Wild Scotland
A guide to Scotland's key wildlife attractions was published today. Visitscotland and Wild Scotland (the National Association of Wildlife Operators) have teamed up with leading conservation agencies to produce a full colour brochure and website highlighting around 250 attractions.
Council closes in on 'green' strategy
The Highlands was a step closer yesterday to knowing the full extent of its role in future green energy production.
Wales
Resources
Modern fencing blamed for hedgehog decline
Modern fencing and garden decking may to be blame for a huge fall in the number of hedgehogs living in Wales.
Capture the perfect shot of Skomer’s marine world
Visitors are invited to enter the first Skomer Marine Nature Reserve photographic competition to capture images of the life and landscape at its best.
Row over beauty spot renovation
A row has broken out in Ceredigion over a controversial project to convert a private lake into a fishing venue for anglers.
Global
Resources
Police apprehend 'butcher' of Indian tigers
Police on Thursday arrested India's most-wanted poacher, ending a nationwide hunt for the suspect who is accused of butchering all the tigers in a prestigious wildlife sanctuary.
Gaza settlers stoke ecological fears over beach villas
Standing on a sand dune, his hand shading his eyes from the bright glare of the Mediterranean sun, park ranger Yair Farjun prepares for battle as he surveys Israel's last untouched coastal reserve.
Canada's mosquito capital seeks more dragonflies
A Canadian city, besieged by voracious mosquitoes each summer, is trying to boost its dragonfly ranks amid hopes the larger flying insect will eat up the smaller blood-sucking pest.
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