Bird of prey persecution crimewave during lockdown The RSPB has received a surge in reports of birds of prey being illegally killed since lockdown began The majority of incidents have been on or close to sporting estates managed for game bird shooting The public are being asked to stay vigilant and report crimes against birds of prey The RSPB’s Investigations Unit has been…
BLOG POSTS
Press release – the Beaver Trust
Over 60 Leading Wildlife and Conservation NGOs Support Faster Beaver Restoration More than 60 leading conservation, wildlife and nature organisations have come together to support an appeal by Beaver Trust to speed up the restoration of beavers to Britain. “The loss of beavers from our natural environment has coincided with a dramatic decline of the…
Bird song (48) – Wood Warbler
This bird’s song is sublimely evocative for me. Hearing it, anywhere, even sitting here at my computer, takes me immediately back to the Welsh oakwood on the RSPB Dinas nature reserve. Yes there are Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, Tree Pipits there but the song of the Wood Warbler is wonderful. And the bird, if you can…
The latest fully-funded crowdfunder for Wild Justice
This week, Wild Justice’s third crowdfunder was fully funded, even in these difficult times. Our first challenge of the Natural England general licences (see the Jay above) was successful and much of the money raised for that has contributed to the Natural Resources Wales challenge (see Jackdaw above). We are awaiting news from the Court…
A traditional Spring thing
This is Jack by the Hedge or Garlic Mustard growing in my garden – like a weed some would say! But I love it. It’s quite pretty but it is also one of the food plants for Orange Tip butterflies (Milkmaids, Lady’s Smock or Cuckoo Flower is another). So every Spring, I look at the…
RSPB press release – Swifts
Swift numbers plunged 58% between 1995 and 2018 They are the fastest bird in level flight and rarely if ever touch the ground as they eat, sleep and mate on the wing The RSPB is calling on the public to help record where swifts are nesting to help us understand where the best places are…
Bird surveys under COVID 19
Advice from the BTO: Not straightforward is it? That’s what it’s like running an international bird survey with different administrations taking slightly different lines on travel etc. Still, you might expect a global pandemic to have some major impacts and this isn’t one of them! Restrictions in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland will have to…
Press release – Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
We welcome the decision of the court today that ruled against the NFU’s legal challenge of the UK Government over not allowing the badger cull to come to Derbyshire. The NFU legal challenge over the decision by the government not to allow a badger cull in Derbyshire has reached its conclusion today and has ruled…
The life scientific with Prof Debbie Pain
This programme is quite fun – my friend Debbie Pain talks about lead poisoning, saving Asian vultures and the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Although I’m sure there is even more to come, the examples demonstrate how Debbie has already had a career packed with both scientific and conservation achievement. It’s well worth a listen. And it provides…
My first BBS visit
Travelling a couple of miles by car for a 6km walk is the furthest I’ve been for weeks. But we are in mid-May and the May is out in flower, and this is the time for the first visit to Breeding Bird Survey squares. I can see why the BTO hasn’t yet updated its guidance…