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A round up of the top countryside, conservation, wildlife and forestry stories as chosen by the CJS Team.
Bugs United Strategy 2014-2020 - Buglife. Established in 2002 Buglife has become the focus point for efforts to
save bug species from extinction and to halt the declines in bug
populations. Buglife is a world leader and the only European champion
for the conservation of all animals without backbones, from bees to
Earthworms and spiders to corals. Our track record is strong; including advising on habitat management;
transforming the conservation of neglected habitats; ‘Bugs United’ builds on our established reputation and base of
volunteers and supporters. While improving the status of wild bugs and
achieving the outcomes of this strategy will be very hard work, we know
we can make new friends for bugs and build momentum and capacity to
deliver a better future for them and for people, a future that achieves
our vision of “A wildlife - rich planet where species, including
invertebrates, thrive alongside people." Our Mission: Buglife’s aim is to stop the extinction of invertebrate
species and to achieve sustainable populations of invertebrates. We will accomplish our aim by protecting, improving and expanding
their habitats (homes) and strengthening the respect given to bug
species.
Download the full strategy document (PDF).
New team to drive forward Scottish Wildcat Action project
- SNH The new team to support conservation action for priority Scottish
wildcat populations has been unveiled. Jenny Bryce of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) said: “We are
delighted to unveil the new team who are tasked with co-ordinating work
to preserve Scottish wildcats. Our wildcats are important to Scotland’s
people, despite being rarely seen, and they are under threat as a
distinctive yet iconic species.” Dr Roo Campbell is the new project manager based at Scottish Natural
Heritage’s Great Glen House in Inverness. He brings with him significant
experience of carrying out research on the behaviour and ecology of
Scottish wildcats. He said “This project is the best chance for survival the Scottish
wildcat has ever seen. It is one of the biggest partner-led conservation
projects for any native species in Scotland, with more than 20 key
organisations involved, and I am delighted to lead such a highly skilled
team to take this project forward Scottish Wildcat Action is a five-year project which will focus on
the wildcat priority areas outlined in the national action plan and is
supported by Heritage Lottery Funding. The six wildcat priority areas comprise more than 64,000 hectares of
wildcat habitat Scottish Wildcat Action will work in the six priority wildcat areas
to reduce hybridisation and disease from feral and domestic cats,
accidental persecution, and impacts from development. Roo Campbell added: “We have five years to stop wildcats from
disappearing but we need to improve the fortunes for Scottish wildcats
in the long term. That means leaving a legacy by reducing the risks from
hybridisation and disease, and the chances of accidental harm from
predator control activities. Success depends on working with local
people to make a difference for the wildcats in their area. Together, we
can ensure that the Scottish wildcat survives not just over the next
five years but into the future.” The partners are delighted at the response from local people so far
and hope to be able to build on this now the team are in place. The team would be delighted to hear from people interested in getting
involved with the project or with reporting any sightings of wild-living
cats in the priority areas, whether feral domestic cats, hybrids or
wildcats. Read the Wildcat Conservation Plan in full (PDF)
Slaughter at sea? - National Trust for
Scotland Richard Luxmoore, the Trust’s Senior Nature Conservation Advisor
recently raised concerns about the disastrous consequences for seabird
populations resulting from a proposed network of wind turbines off the
east coast of Scotland. We have always taken the view that renewable energy developments
should be proportionate in scale and sensitive to the needs their
surrounding flora and fauna. We also believe that the process of
siting any new developments should be conducted through due process with
the utmost transparency. The conclusions were shocking: each year the proposed wind farms are
predicted to kill 1,169 gannets, 424 kittiwakes and 1,251 puffins.
The assessment also shows that over 25 years this rate of attrition will
reduce the breeding populations of these three species in the nearby
Forth Islands by 21 per cent, 24 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.
Not surprisingly, the government’s nature conservation adviser, Scottish
Natural Heritage, concluded that these losses were unacceptable.
However, by some obfuscating process of mental agility, Marine Scotland
has attempted to argue, through deep layers of bureaucratic jargon, that
this level of slaughter is acceptable. Many people in Scotland would
not agree, nor would the European Commission, which is charged with
overseeing European conservation measures. The point is that the Marine Scotland assessment and its outcomes
only came to light in the aftermath of the application process – we feel
the Trust in its role as a conservation charity is justified in raising
such concerns as they emerge and drawing public attention to the issues.
Rare species spotted in Antrim Hills - RSPB
Northern Ireland A rare beetle, though to be extinct in County Antrim, has been seen
in the Glenwherry area by the RSPB. Anne Guichard, who was surveying the land as part of a project to
protect the threatened curlew, couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw
a Carabus clatratus beetle scurrying around beneath her feet. Carabus clatratus is in decline all over western Europe as its
preferred habitat, natural bogs, swamps and mires, are increasingly
being drained for agriculture or mined for peat. It was formerly
widespread in Northern Ireland, but is now almost confined to bogs or
water-logged lakeshores in County Fermanagh, making it a priority
species in Northern Ireland. Ms Guichard commented: “The last accepted record of this beetle in
the county dates back to 1896, so I was shocked and delighted to see it
when I was out surveying. Luckily, I managed to snap a photo on my phone
and Roy Anderson, a local expert on invertebrate faunas and
conservation, confirmed the ID for me."
SNH position on possible applications to reintroduce lynx
- Scottish Natural Heritage Andrew Bachell, SNH’s Director of Policy & Advice, said: “The
Eurasian lynx has been extinct from the UK for about 1300 years and
releasing them into the wild in Scotland is unlawful without a licence
from SNH. We know, on the basis of experience, that reintroduction
projects are complex and need considerable planning to ensure national
and international guidelines are met. Scotland’s National Species
Reintroduction Forum is a world leader in how reintroductions are
determined and has produced the Scottish Code for Conservation
Translocations specifically designed to guide project development. We‘ve
already had a number of highly successful national reintroductions in
Scotland, including sea eagles and red kites, as well as more local
reintroductions such as the scarce woolly willow. There is also an
ongoing trial reintroduction of Eurasian beaver.” “If we received an application to reintroduce lynx, we would be
looking for the applicant to provide information on how the project
would address ecological issues such as habitat availability, as well as
the views of the public, livestock and land managers, the wider UK
perspective, and any socio-economic impacts. The views of the Scottish
Government would need to be taken into consideration. A significant
amount of evidence is required to support an application. “The Lynx Trust have requested a meeting with SNH to discuss how these conditions might be met.”
Bad news from Bowland blogs Martin Harper,
RSPB Conservation Director I’m afraid to be the bearer of extremely bad news regarding one of
our rarest birds of prey. I’ve just received confirmation that three
male hen harriers have disappeared from active nests in the Forest of
Bowland. The disappearances have happened over the last three weeks. At one
nest the male disappeared three weeks ago, with males at two other
active nests not being seen since last Thursday. Fortunately, a
juvenile male appeared at the first nest almost immediately and was
accepted by the female, so thankfully her eggs have been saved.
However, the other two nests have not been so lucky. In the absence of
males to provide them with food, the hungry females were forced to
abandon their eggs or face starvation, resulting in the failure of both
nests. Obviously it’s very early days and there will certainly be more to
come on this case. In the meantime, anyone who thinks they may have any
information relevant to the disappearance of these three harriers should
contact the local police. What’s been happening to our hen harriers? We mean to find out.
Suffolk coast to get new home for wetland wildlife - RSPB The RSPB has acquired 33 hectares of farmland adjacent to its Boyton
Marsh nature reserve in Suffolk, which it plans to turn into a new
‘extension’ to the existing wetland that will help to start creating a
network of homes for wildlife in the wider Suffolk landscape. Aaron Howe, Senior Site Manager for the RSPB’s South Suffolk Coast
Reserves, said, “This is great news for wildlife on the Suffolk Coast.
Boyton and Hollesley Marshes, along with Havergate Island, are
internationally important sites for wildlife. By enlarging areas under
nature conservation management we are working towards a more connected
landscape for nature in the Alde-Ore Estuary. This project won’t just
increase the area of high quality wetland habitat for species like
lapwing and avocet, it will also bring Boyton Marsh and Hollesley Marsh
a step closer together. Along with the successful project at Hollesley
Marshes this project will contribute to a vision of providing a network
of new wetlands to boost wildlife on the Suffolk Coast.”
Restoring
33 hectares of coastal grazing marsh next to existing Boyton Marsh
nature reserve will increase habitat for threatened birds like lapwing Image: Andy Hay The news comes just a year after the completion of another ambitious
WREN-funded wetland landscaping project transformed an area of grassland
at the RSPB’s Hollesley Marsh nature reserve, just down the coast, where
the creation of a new ‘scrape’- a shallow lagoon dotted with gently
sloping islands, literally made for wading birds- paid almost immediate
dividends for wildlife in the area.
Northern Powergrid project to improve North York Moors scenery -
North York Moors National Park Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for running the region's
electricity network, has started construction work on an £18 million
investment project which will improve the power network between Malton
and Whitby and enhance the famous North York Moors scenery. Work is underway to create a new, modern underground cable network to
improve the quality and reliability of electricity for thousands of
local people and remove overhead power lines and 108 existing tower
structures spanning some 20 kilometres. More than 60% of the work will take place within the North York Moors
Site of Special Scientific Interest and the removal of the existing
tower structures will help improve views across this already outstanding
area of natural beauty. The first stage of the project sees Northern Powergrid install 20
kilometres of underground cable along the A169 route through the North
York Moors National Park. Once complete the 108 towers will be carefully
dismantled and removed restoring the natural landscape. The route
crosses the North York Moors Special Interest Area and the North York
Moors Special Area of Conservation, which are specially protected sites
of European and National importance. This multi-million pound investment is part of a wider £3 billion
investment programme over the next eight years by the company; the scheme will significantly improve the
local electricity infrastructure, increasing reliability and enabling
Northern Powergrid to restore supplies faster should power cuts occur. Northern Powergrid, and its contractors (Interserve), recognise that
it will be taking place within an area of significant environmental
value and will work to protect the land throughout the work. To see the original press release from Northern Powergrid Click Here
Hedgehog Awareness Week 2015 Hedgehog Awareness Week runs from 3rd-9th May 2015 and hedgehoggy
events are being organised all around the country! Hedgehog Awareness Week is organised by the British Hedgehog
Preservation Society and takes place every year. It aims to
highlight the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them. This year efforts are focussed on gardeners – there is so much that
gardeners can do to help the hedgehog, very simple things like:
BHPS Chief Executive, Fay Vass, Said “There is so much the gardener
can do to help hedgehogs, and with hedgehog numbers in decline it is
more important now than ever..”
Scotland tops on European map - Scottish
Natural Heritage A new map of Scotland’s land and freshwater habitats, adopting the
European classification standard, has been unveiled by Scottish Natural
Heritage today (8/5/15). Based on best current information, the map is designed for use at
national and regional scales as an aid to managing land and freshwaters
in Scotland. Ed Mackey, SNH knowledge and information unit manager, said: “We now
have a consistent baseline for policy applications such as ecosystem
health assessment, natural capital accounting and habitat network
analysis. We are also on the way to filling in local-scale detail,
including mapping our most prized habitats of European importance: 51
habitats listed on Annex I of the Habitats Directive, including blanket
bog, oakwood and the flower-rich machair of the Western Isles – plus
eight in our surrounding seas. “The adoption of European standards means that the map can be
accessed and used by anyone, anywhere. This makes it easier to work
together, saves money, and helps Scotland to fulfil international
commitments to safeguard wildlife by 2020.” The map is publicly available to download from SNH
Natural
Spaces, subject to an Ordnance Survey Public Sector (Scotland) End
User Licence, and to view through Scotland’s Environment
Map View.
Trio of threatened breeding birds of prey vanish in unexplained
circumstances
Three
nesting male hen harriers have vanished in Lancashire in as many weeks
in unexplained circumstances.
Lancashire Police and the RSPB are appealing for any information that
could uncover the fate of these rare upland birds of prey. The RSPB is
also putting up a £10,000 reward for any information which leads to a
conviction. The first of the birds disappeared from its nest three weeks ago from
the United Utilities Bowland Estate and a further two males on active
nests have not been seen since last Thursday (30 April). In the case of the first nest, a young male arrived almost
immediately and took the place of the vanished bird, thereby securing
the safety of the eggs. The other two nests were not so fortunate;
in the absence of males to provide them with food, the females were
forced to abandon their eggs resulting in the failure of both nests. Hen harriers are England’s most threatened breeding bird of prey with
only four successful nests in the whole country last year, two of which
were on the United Utilities Bowland Estate. With the number of breeding
birds so low, the failure of the two nests will have a serious impact on
the hen harrier’s future in England. The disappearance of
the birds leaves just one active nest remaining in the Bowland Estate,
putting the future of hen harriers even further in jeopardy. RSPB and United Utilities staff and volunteers, who have been
monitoring the nests on the estate, are extremely concerned and upset by
the sadly expected disappearance of the birds. Lancashire Police are
investigating the matter. In most circumstances, it is very unusual for male hen harriers to
abandon an active nest; a 2008 government-commissioned report found
that it almost never happened in most places (note 2). However, the
report also revealed that nearly seven out of ten of the nesting
attempts which failed on grouse moors, did so following the
disappearance of an adult. Nesting males are not only the hen harriers that have gone missing in
the Bowland area in recent times. Last September, two young satellite
tagged birds stopped transmitting only weeks after fledging from nests
on the United Utilities Bowland Estate. Lorraine EllwoodRural Policing and Wildlife Co-ordinator,
said: Lancashire Police , “We are working very closely with the RSPB,
United Utilities and the private estates within Lancashire and were
hopeful for a successful breeding season. We are all disappointed
with what has happened but will continue to work together despite this
set back. ” Anyone with information about either of the birds should contact
Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or, alternatively, call the RSPB’s
confidential hotline on 0845 466 3636.
Three male hen harriers have vanished in Lancashire. Natural England is very concerned to hear of the missing male hen
harriers from Bowland in Lancashire. Given the perilous status of the
species, this represents a major setback for this year’s breeding
season. We will continue to offer our support to the police to find out
what has happened to these birds.
Power up for World Migratory Bird Day - Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust More of our homes are being powered in a bird-friendly way due to WWT
and its supporters. This weekend is World
Migratory Bird Day, which is urging people across the world to
embrace bird-friendly energy. WWT are showing how that can be done. At WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, we’re working with the local electricity company to research flight lines of birds and to hang deflectors at key points on power lines to reduce collisions – as per the photo. Early results suggest collisions could have halved. Big and red and hangs on power lines at Martin Mere to warn birds. The
spiral that is, not Tom Clare our wonderful warden…(image WWT)
Power lines are a major cause of death for migratory birds, with an
average of 100,000 collisions per year in the Africa-Eurasia region of
which around 10 per cent are electrocuted. Larger species like swans and
geese are particularly susceptible because they’re less able to swerve
quickly enough. Nearly a quarter of the world’s bird species are migratory and 317
migratory species are considered threatened or near threatened.
World Migratory Bird Day
aims to raise awareness of issues that affect these birds. The campaign is organised by two international wildlife treaties
administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – the
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
(CMS), and the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian
Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).
2015 general election result Friends of the Earth: Following the news that the Conservative Party has won a majority of seats in the 2015 General Election, statement from Friends of the Earth’s Chief Executive Andy Atkins BASC issued two statements: BASC identifies parliamentary majority in favour of shooting And
Scientific Publications Liu, Jun, Feng, Chao, Wang, Deli, Wang, Ling, Wilsey, Brian J. &
Zhong, Zhiwei.
Impacts of grazing by different large herbivores in grassland depend on
plant species diversity. Journal of Applied Ecology. DOI:
10.1111/1365-2664.12456 Inclán, Diego J., Cerretti, Pierfilippo, Gabriel, Doreen, Benton, Tim G., Sait, Steven M., Kunin, William E., Gillespie, Mark A.K. & Marini, Lorenzo. Organic farming enhances parasitoid diversity at the local and landscape scale. Journal of Applied Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12457
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