Standing up for Nature
Tim writes: Skylarks inhabit a variety of grasslands from sand dunes to grassy moorlands but they were most characteristic of arable farmland. But from the late 1970s their numbers started to tumble when we switched from spring-sown to autumn-sown crops. This hit Skylarks in several ways, not least by removing their winter stubble feeding habitat. …
Hardly anybody wants grouse shooting to continue – or if they do then they can’t be bothered to exert themselves so much as to sign a petition to protect their interests, and hardly anybody wants it to be licensed (even though the RSPB has promoted this idea in its magazine). In contrast, a raggle taggle…
As suggested by the name this cabbage-relative has two flavours for the price of one, though the garlic comes across rather more strongly to my mind. The leaves are actually tasteless until they are crushed or, if you will, ‘tasted’. The chemical reactions producing the strong flavours only take place (as a defence mechanism) once…
Paul writes: Searching for insects is a bit like birding. I have a home patch, life list, year list, etc. I even get to look for Cuckoos. So it was great when I found this bumblebee last week. A lifer on my home patch! It’s a good record as well. Barbut’s Cuckoo Bee (Bombus…
The Forest of Bowland AONB is consulting on its next 5-year plan for 2019-24. They would like your views by a week today, 25 May. It’s easy to fill in the short consultation form – takes about 5 minutes. Have a look at their last plan with its images of Hen Harriers and talk of…
I did my two Breeding Bird Survey Square surveys a little while back. Both were carried out on gloriously sunny mornings and both were very enjoyable. There is a smug feeling of being virtuous that one gets from being up early for a purpose, and especially if that purpose is volunteering for the public good,…
Carol Day has worked for environmental NGOs, including The Wildlife Trusts and WWF, for over 25 years. She now works part-time as a Consultant Solicitor for Leigh Day and as a Legal Consultant for the RSPB. Carol was part of the Leigh Day team with whom I worked on our successful legal challenge to Natural…
The Labour animal welfare plan is a pretty good document. It is open for consultation until the end of the month – please send in some comments – I have! I welcomed the plan – which includes some conservation measures as well as primarily welfare measures. That’s good. But Labour does need a nature conservation…
The dates for Hen Harrier Day/Weekend are fixed for 11 and 12 August 2018. How Glorious! A few people have contacted me about events but I’m the wrong person to ask as it is Birders Against Wildlife Crime who have coordinated things for the last few years. Keep an eye on this website for…