Birdwatchers are up in arms at the description of the new colour for cigarette packets as ‘the world’s ugliest colour’. Pantone 448 c is the colour which dominates the wardrobes of many UK birders – although not that of Lee G R Evans. Staff of clothing firms Country Innovation, Rohan and Paramo are reaching…
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Saturday cartoon by Ralph Underhill
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Bird populations experiencing austerity in UK countryside
Defra has published the annual data on bird population trends. Take a look at the graphs – everything is going to pot! In Defra’s own words, two reasons for taking notice of these trends are as follows: ‘Bird populations have long been considered to provide a good indication of the broad state of wildlife…
Conservative party manifesto
The 2010 Conservative Party manifesto was quite good on the environment but the 2015 version was pretty awful. How does this one shape up? Here are my thoughts on likes and gripes (restricted to the environmental issues): Good things: it’s a nice blue colour ‘The United Kingdom will lead the world in environmental protection. As…
Labour Party manifesto
Recent Labour Party manifestos have been disappointing on environmental issues. How does this one shape up? Here are my thoughts on likes and gripes (restricted to the environmental issues): Good things: ‘We will defend and extend existing environmental protections.’ – will we see anything similar in the Tory manifesto? I doubt it’. But The Greens…
Dukes
On Tuesday I drove from my home in east Northants to Manchester – via the South Downs at Heyshott. Not the most direct route, I know, but it was worth it. I spent the morning with Neil Hulme who is Butterfly Conservation’s Fritillaries for the Future officer. I was snapping up the chance to be…
Election comment 2 – the Corby constituency
I live in the Corby constituency – a marginal constituency which tends to change party when the government does. People who live in the top photo vote Labour (or UKIP). People who live in the bottom photo vote Tory (or UKIP). People who live in the small towns, that’s me, vote Tory or Labour or…
Have you ever had this experience?
Are you a birdwatcher? Has this ever happened to you…? You are out birdwatching and you say to your companion something like ‘I’m surprised we haven’t seen an X by now’ and almost immediately an X sings, calls or flies past. It even happens to me when I’m alone – I only have to think…
Report of shot Hen Harrier near Leadhills
According to the Carluke Gazette: About 5.15pm on May 4, Police Scotland received a report regarding a male who shot and killed a Hen Harrier, near to the B7040 from Leadhills to Elvanfoot. Inspector Martin Speirs is reported to have said: ‘A number of witnesses have come forward, and significant enquiry is underway. I urge…
Election comment 1
I wonder whether Emily Thornberry and Barry Gardiner have been on a media training course – if so, it’s certainly working. Back on 20 April Barry gave Adam Bolton a trouncing on SKY news and he had a really good go at Nick Robinson on the Today programme last week. And then Emily Thornberry puts…