|
A round up of the top countryside, conservation, wildlife and forestry stories as chosen by the CJS Team.
New interactive maps from CPRE reveal England’s darkest and most
light-polluted skies - CPRE
Northumberland enjoys the very darkest skies,
while light from London, the North West, major roads and stadiums
particularly blights our view of the stars The most detailed ever
satellite maps of England’s dark skies are today released by the
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). Produced by consultants LUC,
they enable users to search by postcode, and provide a more detailed and
up-to-date analysis of England’s skies compared with the global atlas of
light pollution released this week. The interactive maps were produced with satellite images captured at
1.30 am throughout September 2015. They show that the Isles of Scilly,
West Devon and Eden in Cumbria are England’s darkest districts, and that
the very darkest spot in England, out of more than 2.25million pixels,
is a secluded hillside on the East Kielder Moors in Northumberland. CPRE’s interactive maps also give us an unprecedented level of
understanding into where light pollution is most invasive. Nineteen of
the brightest 20 skies are above London boroughs, while Manchester is
the only non-London district in the top 20. As a region, London is at
least nine times brighter than any other except the North West. Nationwide, the maps show that just 22% of England is untouched by
light pollution, and that 53% of our darkest skies are over National
Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Northumberland National
Park enjoys 96% pristine night skies, while the South Downs, granted
Dark Sky Reserve status in May 2016, is London’s closest expanse of dark
skies. This research comes at a time of increasing awareness of the harmful
effects light pollution can have on the health of people and wildlife.
That these skies were monitored at 1.30 am illustrates just how long
into the night England’s lights continue to shine. Local councils were estimated to spend £613 million on street
lighting in 2014-15, and the lights can account for between 15-30% of a
council’s carbon emissions. The research shows that motorways, trunk
roads and business districts are significant contributors to light
pollution.
Natural History Museum garden redesign could consign species to history
- Buglife Buglife is objecting to planning permission requested by the Natural
History Museum to rip out and remodel the important ecological gardens
on site due to the potential impact on rare and endangered
invertebrates. There are 15 species of conservation concern noted within
the gardens which could become locally extinct if the redevelopment goes
ahead. The at risk species include: Acinia corniculata, a picture
winged fly that is classed as endangered, as is the Ladybird
Clitostethus arcuatus, Anobium nitidum, a beetle found at fewer
than 10 sites in the UK and Lucanus cervus, the iconic Stag beetle which
is listed as a priority species on Section 41 of the Natural Environment
and Rural Communities Act and on Annex II of the Habitats Directive. Craig Macadam, Buglife’s Conservation Director commented. “The
gardens currently provide vital habitat for species struggling to exist
in other places and acting as a ‘stepping stone’ for wildlife allowing
them to move and disperse through urban green space and the wider
landscape. Its loss could have a disproportionally large impact on
populations of rare and endangered invertebrates. “
Smartphone addicts significantly more anxious than nature lovers,
according to pioneering research - Wildlife
Trusts Smartphone addicts are more anxious and have lower self-esteem than
nature lovers, new research by the University of Derby has revealed. A team of researchers carried out a survey to study people’s phone
use and their connection to nature. And the study, which is
believed to be the first of its kind, has revealed people who are in
touch with nature use their phone half as much each day, have
significantly higher self-esteem, are significantly more conscientious,
emotionally stable and open to new experiences. Lead researcher Dr Miles Richardson, Head of Psychology at the
University of Derby, said: “Technology is often cited as a reason for
our disconnection from the natural world but smartphones are here to
stay. Nature connectedness isn't about going back to some halcyon
days where we lived in harmony with nature. It's about realising our
place in a wider ecology here and now. Technology must play a role in
that and smartphones are clearly powerful and engaging tools. The study
showed that those more connected to their phones had a latent interest
in nature through taking photos of it. Smartphones can foster that
interest as we showed with our three good things in nature research –
where people prompted to note down the good things in nature each day
for five days showed a sustained increase in connection with nature.
Technology can help deliver nature into people's everyday lives, helping
them realise their place in the wider natural world.” The survey was completed online and used scales to measure people’s
phone use, connection to nature and personality and self-esteem.
Participants also completed an anxiety questionnaire. It revealed
that people who were more connected with nature used their phone
significantly less (two hours 15 minutes a day compared to four hours
eight minutes), took 87% fewer selfies and took 320% more pictures of
nature. It showed that people who used their phones more were 33% more
anxious and had a greater relationship with their phones than nature.
Eggs mean fresh hope for spoon-billed sandpipers – Wildfowl &
Wetland Trust One of the world’s rarest birds has a new hope: it’s laid eggs in
captivity for the first time.
Seven
eggs have been laid so far by two spoon-billed sandpipers at the
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) in Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, UK. The
flock was established in 2011 as a back-up in case conservationists run
out of time to save the wild population from extinction and is the only
one in the world.
In the wild, only around 200 breeding pairs are left on the Asia
Pacific coast, following declines of up to 25% each year. The Slimbridge
flock has a further seven potential breeding pairs. Each spoon-billed sandpiper usually lays four tiny eggs in each
clutch. They weigh 32g in total, more than the mother’s entire
bodyweight, and they take her almost a week to lay. WWT will have to
wait for the embryos to develop before they can find out how many of the
eggs might be viable. WWT Head of Conservation Breeding Nigel Jarrett said: “For the last
two years – ever since all the spoonies came into maturity – we’ve been
doing everything short of playing Barry White to get these birds in the
mood for love. And for two years we’ve come up scratching our heads and
feeling a bit deflated. So when we found the first egg last week we
almost couldn’t believe it. We’ve had two mums busy laying and the
significance of it is only just starting to hit home. These are some of
the rarest birds in the world and because of their unique
characteristics – their little spoon shaped bill and the incredible
migration that they make each year – they are much loved by many people.
I’m so glad for all of them that we’re on the road to breeding spoonie
chicks in captivity, which is really the ultimate insurance policy for
the species in the wild.”
Hedgehogs prove elusive but foxes parade loud and proud - RSPB
The RSPB is calling on Londoners to get involved in Giving Nature a
Home this summer by doing at least one thing for wildlife in their
garden or outdoor space after new data revealed further declines in
sightings of some of our most familiar and favourite garden species. Results from the wildlife survey showed only 6 per cent of London
residents see hedgehogs in their gardens at least once a month, almost
20 percent lower than the already declining national average. There were
13 percent fewer sightings nationally than were recorded in 2014.
Droughts across Europe affect British trees most
- University of Stirling
One
beech tree population in South Wales scientists have found is already
suffering from the effects of drought (University of Stirling) Environmental scientists from the University of Stirling have found
beech forests across western Europe are increasingly at risk from
drought – with areas of southern England worst affected. In a new €1.4 million study, part-funded by NERC, researchers
examined tree ring data from across Western Europe to help uncover the
extent to which the growth of beech forests is being impacted by changes
in climate. Results publishing in Global Change Biology show beech trees located
at the centre of the region where the species grows, in this case
southern England, were least resistant to drought compared to forests
located elsewhere in Europe. Alistair Jump, Professor of Plant Ecology at the University and lead
author, said: “Beech trees across Europe are extremely vulnerable to the
effects of drought. These long dry spells cause sudden and widespread
reduced growth within the species. We might expect beech forests in
hotter and drier regions of Europe, such as southern France and Spain,
to be most at risk. However, we have found that the south of the UK -
the very centre of the area where the species grows - is most badly
affected.”
Red kite persecution "nothing short of disgraceful" after another bird
found dead - North Yorkshire Police Police have described the persecution of red kites as "totally
unacceptable", after another bird was found shot. On Monday, a member of the public found a dead adult red kite at
Timble Ings, between Harrogate and Skipton. It was taken to a vet to be
examined and x-rayed. A number of shot gun pellets were found in it, and
this appears to have been the cause of its death.
New Chiltern haunt for rare Phantom Hoverfly
- National Trust The chance sighting of a globally rare hoverfly in the Chiltern Hills
has satisfied a lifelong ambition for one National Trust insect expert.
The Phantom Hoverfly was spotted near Ivinghoe Beacon on the National
Trust’s Ashridge Estate by the conservation charity’s expert
entomologist, Peter Brash. It is believed to be the first recorded sighting of the red-listed
hoverfly species in the Chilterns. Across England, there are
approximately 1-2 recorded sightings of the rare insect every year. Peter Brash of the National Trust’s Biological Survey Team captured
beautiful close up images of the hoverfly whilst surveying for wildlife
at Ashridge last week. The Biological Survey team undertakes regular
monitoring of wildlife on National Trust estates.
Rare birds make a home and history at RSPB Scotland nature reserve
- RSPB Scotland First breeding record for little gulls in Scotland and only sixth for
Britain
The world’s smallest species of gull has been confirmed to be nesting
in Scotland for the first time, it was announced today (16/6). The photos of the birds’ nest containing an egg makes this the first
confirmed breeding record for little gulls in Scotland and only the
sixth from across Britain since at least the 1970s with the most recent
record from Norfolk in 2007. There’s no confirmed record of little gulls successfully raising
chicks in Britain, so all eyes will be on this pair. It’s hoped that
their choice of nesting area at RSPB Scotland’s Loch of Strathbeg nature
reserve will help them as the pair have set up home on the tern nesting
island. Along with the protection provided by the island being inside a
fence, RSPB Scotland staff will mount a 24 hour watch and use cameras to
protect these rare birds. Richard Humpidge, RSPB Scotland Sites Manager, said: “We’re really
excited to have these smashing little birds nesting on the reserve. A
few years back, we did a lot of work on our tern nesting island
reshaping it and adding 10 tons of shingle and shelters as well as
installing a fence around the edge of the pool to prevent access for
ground predators. It’s been a great success: four years ago there were
just 10 pairs of common terns and they failed to raise any chicks, the
next year there were 60 pairs and this year we have 130 pairs and their
eggs are just starting to hatch. It’s great that the little gulls are
using the same area and we hope that it will also give them the
protection they need to raise chicks when their eggs hatch shortly.”
Woodland Area, Planting and Restocking -
Forestry Commission The latest National Statistics on Woodland Area, Planting &
Restocking produced by the Forestry Commission were released on 16 June
2016 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics
Authority. The First Release contains provisional statistics for the year to
March 2016 on:
The main findings are:
Download the report (PDF)
Reaction:
Lowest tree planting figures in England in a generation - Deforestation
likely? - Woodland Trust The Trust’s Austin Brady, Director of Conservation and External
Affairs said: “These figures are all the more shocking against the
backdrop of the growing evidence of the importance of trees and woods in
tackling air pollution, improving water quality and offering scope to
deliver natural flood management, not to mention what they offer for
wildlife and their productive potential for the rural economy. Something
is drastically wrong with the way woodland planting is being supported
across the various government departments that share responsibility for
trees and woods. On top of poor planting rates, woodland losses,
and weak protection of ancient woods mean in England, deforestation is
highly likely, with some areas of woodland felled or destroyed and not
replanted. Despite repeated requests; there is little government effort
to accurately quantify the cumulative losses of woodland resulting from
planning, infrastructure, tree disease and intensive land use.” Open
spaces and national parks at risk - Open
Spaces Society Public funding is being cut and our green spaces exploited to fill
the gap. Our general secretary, Kate Ashbrook, considers the threat to
our open spaces and national parks. In London, communities fight motor racing in Battersea Park, and
festivals on Acton Green, Clapham Common and Finsbury Park—among
countless battles. But we have a new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who has made welcome
manifesto pledges to ‘strengthen protections for open spaces within the
London Plan’ and to ‘open up more walking routes around London’—and many
others. He should outlaw the commercial abuse of London’s open spaces
for a start. It’s not just London of course. Last year Surrey County Council
decided to ‘achieve a self-funded countryside estate’ by 2021, slashing
its payment to Surrey Wildlife Trust (which manages Surrey’s estate) by
more than ten per cent (£100,000) a year. And now the national parks, our most precious landscapes, are cashing
in. The 15 UK park authorities have launched the
National Parks Partnerships; its aim is to enable businesses to
engage with them ‘to enhance the quality and utility of the parks now
and for future generations’. Some hopes. Businesses will want their profits from the scheme
through Disneyfication and crassly inappropriate sponsorships.
Furthermore, the park authorities will be competing for money from the
same pot as the voluntary, campaigning, park societies, such as our
members the Dartmoor Preservation Association and Friends of the Lake
District, who could suffer as a result. The English parks had a funding-reprieve, thanks to the brilliant
‘Stop the Cuts’ action led by the Campaign for National Parks. But the
Welsh parks remain at serious risk. This ‘partnership’ must not give
governments an excuse further to reduce cash for national parks.
New behaviour seen in rare wading birds -
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust A ménage-a-trois between breeding black-tailed godwits has been
witnessed for the first time ever by staff at the Wildfowl & Wetlands
Trust (WWT) in Norfolk.
Staff monitoring the rare birds at WWT’s Welney reserve, one of only
two places in the UK where they breed, report a male working closely
with two females to jointly raise a brood of chicks on the reserve. The adults are being very careful to shelter the chicks so it’s not
yet been possible to count them. If there are more than four, the usual
number for a single female, that would indicate that he bred with both
females rather than one acting as nanny to the other’s brood. In either case, it’s thought to be the first record of collaborative
breeding in the normally monogamous black-tailed godwits. Experts think
it could be a reaction to the very low numbers left in the UK. Louise Clewley, warden at WWT Welney, said: “It’s already been an
exciting breeding season. Two pairs of godwits have hatched broods on
part of the reserve known as Lady Fen, and then I spotted this unusual
family arrangement. We can’t yet be sure of the story behind these
three birds, and we may never know, but if it’s working then more power
to them. Incredibly, these few breeding birds at Welney make up six
percent of the entire UK population, so it’s crucial that they, and we,
do all we can to ensure they successfully rear a new generation each
summer.”
Record number of stone-curlews nesting on Suffolk Coast
- RSPB The stone-curlew stars of BBC Springwatch may have had a tough time
of it at Minsmere this month, but landowners continue to secure the
future of one of the UK’s rarest breeding birds as chicks successfully
hatch in their UK stronghold of the Brecks and a record number of
breeding pairs is recorded on the Suffolk Coast.
Stone-curlews
are doing well on the Suffolk Coast and in the Brecks this year
(Image: Chris Knights, RSPB) The mild winter saw stone-curlews – migratory birds that escape the
colder months by traveling to North Africa – arriving back from their
Mediterranean wintering grounds in February, earlier than usual, but a
cold snap in the spring delayed the start of nesting and the first nest
wasn’t located until mid-April. To date, of the 112 nesting stone-curlew pairs the RSPB is monitoring
in the Brecks so far this year 65 have successfully hatched chicks,
which will soon by flying. Meanwhile, 10 of the Suffolk Coast’s record
15 breeding pairs this year are at Minsmere, with many also already
raising chicks. Tim Cowan, RSPBBreckland Stone Curlew Project Officer, said: “Thanks
to farmers and landowners in the area, we have been able to create the
very special conditions that stone curlews need to nest successfully,
and its working! We’ve been delighted to see lots of chicks around over
the past few weeks, and monitoring suggests they are doing well.
We are not quite sure what the impact of recent wet weather might be for
our chicks, but fingers crossed they’ll weather the storms and more
clement times ahead will give them the best chance of making it to
adulthood. Without nest protection and the diligent efforts of farmers
and landowners in the Brecks, the species may well have become extinct
here by the turn of the century. It is fantastic to witness the
dedication and pride that landowners, estate managers and gamekeepers
take in conserving the stone-curlew and other Brecks wildlife, now and
for future generations to enjoy.”
Scientific Publications Franz Rebele, Cornelia Lehmann,
Twenty years of woodland establishment through natural succession on a
sandy landfill site in Berlin, Germany, Urban Forestry & Urban
Greening, ISSN 1618-8667, DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2016.06.006. Åsa Ode Sang, Igor Knez, Bengt Gunnarsson, Marcus Hedblom, The effects of naturalness, gender, and age on how urban green space is perceived and used, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, ISSN 1618-8667, DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2016.06.008. Hiddink, J. G. et al (2016)
Bottom trawling affects fish condition through changes in the ratio of
prey availability to density of competitors. Journal of Applied
Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12697
|
|
CJS is not responsible for content of external sites. Details believed correct but given without prejudice. Disclaimer: the views expressed in these news pages do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CJS. |