H a b i t a t - Blue for the world, green for the land, red for the living
Manx shearwater
Birds
Resources
Experts fear rats are threatening rare birds
The world's second-largest colony of Manx shearwater seabirds could be under threat from rats in the Inner Hebrides.
Owl patrol
Two birdwatchers joined four cops and a police helicopter in a manhunt after an owl was shot dead, a court heard yesterday.
Turtle doves are our sound of summer, if they avoid Malta's guns
I have been listening to the voice of the turtle, and it has been glorious.
'Drought haven' for rare birds
North Lincolnshire wildlife reserves are set to provide a safe haven for rare wetland birds, if the south continues to dry out through climate change.
Do not disturb ... rare birds nesting
Anyone who disturbs a rare colony of birds at a North Lincolnshire reserve could face a fine of up to £5,000 or even a prison sentence, wildlife experts have warned.
Feather report
I have just been to a secret site in South Wales to see some honey buzzards.
Bird of prey revisits our region
A small bird of prey was seen around our village allotments by Tony Collinson, a retired school-teacher, and by other enthusiastic allotment holders.
Giant squid
Marine
Resources
Gruesome habits of the giant squid
Enshrined in myth as ferocious beasts that upturned boats to munch on sailors, giant squid could have a diet that is even less palatable in reality: Architeuthis dux may indulge in cannibalism.
Chance to go shark spotting
Members of Avon and Somerset wildlife trusts are being given the chance to set search for sharks around the coast of Britain.
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.
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 ...
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.
Animals
Resources
Hunting act upheld as lawful
The Countryside Alliance's latest challenges to the Hunting Act at the High Court have failed, as the CA vows to fight on.
Help boost robberflies' slim chance of survival
The town of Kidderminster is very fortunate in that it has some wonderful wildlife.
Doom and gloom, yes, but you can help lift it
Wildlife groups are sometime accused of being too negative and of crying wolf or at least exaggerating claims of damage and destruction in the natural world in a bid to generate support.

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

Plants
Resources
Woodland tribute to Trafalgar warriors
The men from Moray who fought alongside Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar are to have a wood planted in their honour.
New life for ancient woodland
A Stretch of ancient West woodland looked to have been saved last night following a massive campaign.
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.
National/Europe
Resources
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.
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.

Naturenet
Countryside management and nature conservation
- here

England
Resources
Farmer puts haymaking on hold, strictly for birds
Farmer John Hirst has delayed harvesting meadows in Yorkshire to allow yellow wagtails, one of Britain's most endangered birds, to raise their young.
Wise move sees owls on the rise
Conservationists are delighted with the success of a project to increase the number of barn owls in East Yorkshire.
Yob attacks kill wildlife
Yobs have started several blazes at a Dudley nature reserve killing wildlife and destroying the geologically-rich landscape.
£50,000 to transform churchyard
A project to turn a neglected Oxford graveyard into a haven for wildlife is getting a lease of life with the award of a £50,000 English Heritage grant.
Funding crisis forces wildlife centre to close
A woodland education centre that was recently visited by the Princess Royal is to be closed to schools and groups because of a lack funding.
Protect this special place
Whether it is because of the impact on the open countryside, wildlife, archaeology or the area's literary connections, thousands of people are opposed to the plans for a development at Coate.
Heathland surprises
A series of special events is being held tomorrow to encourage people to visit the heathland areas of the region.
Ireland
Resources
Pipe protests are costing fuel giant €100,000 a day
Protests over the laying of a controversial pipeline in Co Mayo are costing oil giant Shell €100,000 a day, the company claimed yesterday.
Hawk-eyed patrol deters landfill pests
A local council in Northern Ireland has come up with an innovative way to keep winged pests at bay: scaring them off with airborne predators.
Scotland
Resources
Inquiry over polluted river
An inquiry has been launched after industrial chemicals were found to be polluting a West Lothian waterway.
Alarm raised over river spill
An investigation has been launched after industrial chemicals were found to be polluting the River Almond.
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.
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.
Wales
Resources
Rare fish rescue scheme extended
Measures to protect a rare fish from possible extinction by moving its eggs from one north Wales lake to another will continue for the next two years.
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.
Conservation passed through generations
All farmers are practical ecologists, says a finalist in this year's Royal Welsh environment awards.
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.
Climate
Resources
Message is clear: aviation must help fight climate change
The European Commission took one step closer to including aviation in the EU emissions trading scheme this week as it published the results of a two-month consultation on limiting the sector's impact on climate change.
What they said about ... ... the new climate change pact
A non-binding agreement between the United States, Japan, Australia, China, India and South Korea to develop clean energy technologies met with criticism that "it could be a ploy to undo the Kyoto pact"
Help produce a forecast of the climate in the 21st century, using your computer -
here
Global
Resources
Birds devastate crops in Nigeria
A plague of hungry quela quela birds has devastated up to 70% of farmers' crops in northern Nigeria.
New hope for Great Green Macaw
The Ecuadorian Minister of the Environment has signed a decree putting into effect a conservation strategy for the Great Green Macaw Ara ambigua.
Corn niblets could save America from its oil dependency
In the rolling corn-lands of Nebraska, the breadbasket of America, there is an old saying that you will have a good harvest if the blades are "knee high by the fourth of July".
Planting trees may create deserts
Planting trees can create deserts, lower water tables and drain rivers, rather than filling them, claims a new report supported by the UK government.
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