Standing up for Nature
I’m reading two books at the moment, both by authors I like and admire for their work so far. And both authors are short-listed for the Wainwright Prize for Global Conservation which will announce its winner (of a £5000 prize) on 9 September. The first of my two current reads is Life Changing by Helen…
I am the author of The Book of Trespass, a polemic that investigates the historic roots of our forced exclusion from nature, and argues why we need to reconnect. I am incredibly grateful to Mark for the opportunity to write to you, and would like to give you a view behind the scenes of our…
Call for fresh approach as Scotland’s beaver killing season begins The future of Scotland’s fragile population of wild beavers is at risk as this year’s beaver killing season begins, says the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, a coalition of 24 leading environmental charities, countryside access organisations, businesses and community groups. Scotland’s baby beavers are officially seen as no…
Diverse group call for long-term plan for England’s beavers Government asked to allow wild beaver populations to remain and expand naturally in England Beavers should be recognised as native and given appropriate legal status Robust national management framework with funding and local support is required Licensed releases including from enclosures should be planned on suitable…
Myathropa florea is often known as the Batman Hoverfly, which is self explanatory if you look at the pattern on its thorax. Some are more marked than others, this is a particularly bright one. Size can vary, with a wing length between 7mm and 12mm. It’s quite a common hoverfly which occurs throughout the UK…
I grew up in Somerset where Buzzards were reasonably common but are now much more numerous, but I’ve spent most of the last 40 years living in the East Midlands and seen Buzzards becoming commoner and commoner sights in the skies here. Buzzards are fairly common across most of lowland Britain nowadays but holes still…
Tim writes: this is a Long-eared Owl carrying a Short-tailed Vole back to its hungry brood that were calling constantly from nearby trees. The male provisions the female while she incubates and when the young are small. But when the young are old enough to “branch” (leave the nest and clamber about in the branches),…
This week of the year has become a busy one in my life in recent years. The run up to Hen Harrier Day, the day itself, the Inglorious 12th and the aftermath of that day create a fair amount of activity. So, how have things gone? Not much grouse shooting this year? There are lots…
There aren’t many LibDems in the House of Commons these days but this response from Tim Farron suggests that we’d be better off if there were a few more. Not only is it a clearly personal response but it also demonstrates real understanding of the issues and has committed to getting in touch with DEFRA…