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CJS's pick of the countryside and wildlife news, updated weekdays.

The Daily News page is updated everyday including weekends.

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Myth Bust: Reports that Defra is proposing to cull buzzards

The Myth:  There have been recent reports that Defra is proposing to cull buzzards or is about to implement a new policy to control their numbers. 

The Truth:  Defra is absolutely not proposing to cull buzzards or any other raptors. 

We work on the basis of sound evidence.  This is why we want to find out the true extent of buzzards preying on young pheasants and how best to discourage birds that may cause damage to legitimate businesses.   This would be only in areas where there is a clear problem, using non-lethal methods including increasing protective cover for young pheasants with vegetation, diversionary feeding of buzzards, moving the birds elsewhere or destroying empty nests. The results of this scientific research will help guide our policy on this issue in the future. 

As the RSPB have said, the buzzard population has recovered wonderfully over the last few years, and we want to see this continue. 

Butterfly expanding northwards with warming temperatures and changed diet - Centre for Ecology & Hydology

Brown Argus butterfly (Photo by Ross Newham)

A new study involving scientists from the University of York, the NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) and Butterfly Conservation has shown how a butterfly has changed its diet, and consequently has expanded northwards rapidly in response to climate change.

The findings were published this week in the journal Science.

Historically, the Brown Argus butterfly (Aricia agestis) was largely restricted to a single plant species, the Common rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium). But the researchers found that warmer summers have allowed it to complete its life cycle by eating wild Geranium plants.  Because the Geraniums are widespread in the British countryside, this change in diet has allowed the butterfly to expand its range in Britain at a surprisingly rapid rate.

Over the past 20 years, the Brown Argus has spread northwards by around 79 kilometres and has become common in the countryside in much of southern England.  

Injured baby pine marten in recovery - SSPCA

A baby pine marten who fell from a tree in the Highlands and injured its back is now recovering in the Scottish SPCA's care.

We were called to rescue the ten-week-old female cub after a member of the public found her lying on the ground at a car park at Monadh Mor wet woods on the A835 between Tore and Dingwall.

Inspector Gill MacGregor collected the cold and wet cub and took her to a nearby vet practice to be examined before transporting her to our National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross, near Alloa, for further treatment and care. She has been named Martina.   Centre Manager Colin Seddon said, "Martina would have been extremely vulnerable to predators had she not been found as she was unable to move due to a slight back injury she has sustained by falling from a tree.  Thankfully her injury was not serious and she is responding to treatment well.  We plan to release Martina back into the wild when she is fully developed and able to fend for herself."

Celebrate safely this summer for animals' sake - RSPB on behalf of RSPB, RSPCA, MCS & NFU

 Image: Ben Hall

While celebrating this summer’s Jubilee and Olympics, the public should think twice before setting off fireworks, releasing balloons and lighting sky lanterns to ensure pets, wildlife and livestock aren’t frightened or even killed.

The call for restraint comes from a group of organisations concerned with animal welfare and wildlife conservation.  RSPB Cymru, RSPCA and the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), along with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and the Soil Association, say that supposedly innocent celebrations could cause more harm to animals at this time of year as it is in the middle of the breeding season.  The group is hoping to highlight the problems fireworks, balloons and sky lanterns, also known as Chinese lanterns, can cause and ask people to think about alternative ways to have fun this summer for the safety of animals.

Sean Christian, RSPB Cymru Head of Conservation, said: “As we gear up to celebrate the Jubilee and welcome the Olympics this summer, we need to remember that it’s a crucial time for wild birds and other animals that are right in the middle of the breeding season. Normally, fireworks displays happen in November, where they pose less of a threat to wildlife, but celebrations held this June and July could prove to be a lot more dangerous. Animals may abandon their young if they become unsettled by the loud noises or smoke close to where they’re sheltering, and if live fireworks come into contact with birds and other wildlife they can cause severe burns and injuries resulting in death. 

David Bowles, director of communications for the RSPCA, commented: "Fireworks, balloons and lanterns may seem like innocent ways to celebrate the Jubilee, but if used carelessly they can terrify, injure and kill all animals - wildlife, livestock and pets "

The Marine Conservation Society’s pollution campaigns officer, Emma Snowden, explains why the charity is lobbying for balloon and sky lantern releases to be classified as acts of littering:  “Balloons are not classed as litter under the Environment Protection Act as they are let go rather than dropped. Although some balloons are biodegradable, they may persist in the marine environment for up to four years.”

NFU Deputy President, Meurig Raymond added: “We know they can be spectacular, but lanterns can harm and even kill farm animals. They can also cause fires to crops, grassland on moors and bales of hay and straw. We hope everyone enjoys the Queen’s jubilee celebrations, but we are urging people not to set Chinese lanterns off.”

Orca watchers witness attack on white-beaked dolphins - Sea Watch foundation

Watchers looking out for orcas – killer whales – from Duncansby Head on the very north of mainland Scotland were stunned to witness an attack by a six strong pod on five white-beaked dolphins.

This week in May is usually a reliable time for seeing orcas, but on the first day of the watch, Saturday 19th , they saw none. Day Two, Sunday 20th, did not disappoint, and the attack was caught on camera

Sea Watch Sightings office Danielle Gibas says: “It is extremely rare to witness an event like this. Killer whales are collaborative hunters and many people will have seen them in action in wildlife documentaries filmed in other parts of the world. The fact that we can witness such behaviour from the UK coastline is a reminder of how important our coastal waters are for marine mammals.”

See the image in greater details here.

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Disclaimer: the views expressed in these news pages do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CJS.