A vital green wedge in a growing Somerset town will soon be extended through the creation of a new nature reserve. Wellington is currently separated from the neighbouring village of Rockwell Green through a series of green fields and public open spaces, running from Tonedale Mill to the A38....
Described as a “quiet corner of Cambridgeshire”, BBC Countryfile has named a nature reserve in the county one of the best places to go for a walk in England. One of the remaining parts of the ancient fenland, it’s a breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of the city....
Spurn Bird Observatory Trust (SBOT) and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) have announced that the 11th Spurn Migration Festival will be held at Spurn Bird Observatory on the East Yorkshire coast from 6-8 September 2024....
These results are from the Environment Agency testing in England only. Testing in Wales is carried out by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) - and by DEARA in NI and by SEPA in Scotland. I don’t think that they all publish their results at the same time though.
A protest has taken place at West Strand Beach in Portrush, County Antrim, calling for more “accountability, transparency and action” over sewage and wastewater being spilled into Northern Ireland’s waterways....
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a novel and complex biodiversity scheme without having all elements in place to ensure its long-term success....
The first national volunteer survey of litter found by Scottish rivers and waterways has revealed that plastic bottles were the most littered item, followed by plastic pieces, plastic snack packets, drinks cans and polystyrene pieces....
An 8-year-old schoolboy from West Belfast has stumbled upon a groundbreaking discovery – the first-ever water stick insect recorded in Northern Ireland....
Major pollutants affecting the Lake District’s iconic waters are continuing to decline across the region, but a combination of factors continue to impact the health of lake ecosystems, say scientists....
The Northern Ireland Executive is yet to make a decision on an environmental improvement plan that could help Lough Neagh, that its had since March....
A rare orchid with flowers resembling a naked man has been found in the garden of a Cambridge college. The plant was found by gardeners at St John’s College....
The still calm of graveyards invites visitors to think about the dead, but now the Church of England is asking people across the country to look for surprising signs of life within them....
Such is the dismal state of waterways, the news that United Utilities illegally pumped 10m litres of untreated sewage into England’s most famous lake was not especially surprising. As campaigner Matt Staniek points out, the Environment Agency permits the company to legally pour 13m litres of “treated” sewage into the lake...
Swallows, swifts and house martins were once a common sight over UK towns and cities, dextrously catching insects on the wing. But these spring and summer visitors are becoming increasingly rare, according to the definitive survey of the country’s birds....
The newly published Devon’s County Wildlife Sites Report [view the report here] is the work of Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon Biodiversity Records Centre and Devon County Council....
Alderney wildlife charity launches seawater survey (www.bbc.co.uk)
An Alderney wildlife charity is launching a survey to monitor the long-term health of seawater around the island....
Windermere water quality is 'totally unacceptable' (www.bbc.co.uk)
The water quality in England’s largest lake has been “totally unacceptable”, a government minister has acknowledged....
Slieve Donard: Signs of life after devastating mountain fire (www.bbc.co.uk)
Just over three years ago Slieve Donard, the highest peak in the Mournes, went up in flames....
Skipsea dig reveals medieval buildings and artefacts (www.bbc.co.uk)
Archaeologists excavating an early medieval site on the East Yorkshire coast said they have found buildings and objects of “national significance”....
Huge new nature reserve planned for growing Somerset town (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
A vital green wedge in a growing Somerset town will soon be extended through the creation of a new nature reserve. Wellington is currently separated from the neighbouring village of Rockwell Green through a series of green fields and public open spaces, running from Tonedale Mill to the A38....
The walk in rare fragment of ancient fenland named one of best in country (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
Described as a “quiet corner of Cambridgeshire”, BBC Countryfile has named a nature reserve in the county one of the best places to go for a walk in England. One of the remaining parts of the ancient fenland, it’s a breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of the city....
MigFest 2024 dates revealed (www.birdguides.com)
Spurn Bird Observatory Trust (SBOT) and the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) have announced that the 11th Spurn Migration Festival will be held at Spurn Bird Observatory on the East Yorkshire coast from 6-8 September 2024....
Thousands gather across UK to demand clean rivers, beaches and lakes (www.independent.co.uk)
Thousands of people across the UK gathered at beaches, rivers and lakes on Saturday to demand change in the country’s water pollution levels....
The 23 beaches and rivers that are too polluted to use, as bathing season begins (inews.co.uk)
At least 23 advisories are in place warning against bathing at beaches and rivers across England as the swimming season begins....
Westonbirt: Thousands of new trees planted in regrowth project (www.bbc.co.uk)
Thousands of trees have been planted in a new community woodland to replace trees lost to ash dieback....
Portrush beach: NI surfers call for end to sewage pollution (www.bbc.co.uk)
A protest has taken place at West Strand Beach in Portrush, County Antrim, calling for more “accountability, transparency and action” over sewage and wastewater being spilled into Northern Ireland’s waterways....
Risks to the long-term effectiveness of new biodiversity net gain scheme - NAO press release (www.nao.org.uk)
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a novel and complex biodiversity scheme without having all elements in place to ensure its long-term success....
Plastic items make up majority of litter in Scotland’s rivers and waterways (www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org)
The first national volunteer survey of litter found by Scottish rivers and waterways has revealed that plastic bottles were the most littered item, followed by plastic pieces, plastic snack packets, drinks cans and polystyrene pieces....
Access to gardens and citizen science helps encourage conservation among children, study shows (news.exeter.ac.uk)
Access to gardens and citizen science projects at school can help promote pro-conservation behaviour among pupils, a new study shows....
8-year-old discovers first water stick insect for Northern Ireland | Ulster Wildlife (www.ulsterwildlife.org)
An 8-year-old schoolboy from West Belfast has stumbled upon a groundbreaking discovery – the first-ever water stick insect recorded in Northern Ireland....
Study shows we can tackle pollution threats to the Lakes | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (www.ceh.ac.uk)
Major pollutants affecting the Lake District’s iconic waters are continuing to decline across the region, but a combination of factors continue to impact the health of lake ecosystems, say scientists....
Clean bill of health for tiny hazel dormice | The Zoological Society of London (www.zsl.org)
10 tiny rare hazel dormice have been given the all-clear by our wildlife vets, ahead of their release into the wild next month....
Sunset Survey Weekend - Bat Conservation Trust (www.bats.org.uk)
Are you looking for something to do with your friends and family in your local area this spring/summer/autumn?...
Executive decision holding up environmental plan that could help Lough Neagh (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
The Northern Ireland Executive is yet to make a decision on an environmental improvement plan that could help Lough Neagh, that its had since March....
Rare 'naked man' orchid found in Cambridge college garden (www.cambridge-news.co.uk)
A rare orchid with flowers resembling a naked man has been found in the garden of a Cambridge college. The plant was found by gardeners at St John’s College....
Looking for lichen: Church of England launches search for life on gravestones (www.theguardian.com)
The still calm of graveyards invites visitors to think about the dead, but now the Church of England is asking people across the country to look for surprising signs of life within them....
Our National Parks are being killed by reckless sewage dumps (inews.co.uk)
Such is the dismal state of waterways, the news that United Utilities illegally pumped 10m litres of untreated sewage into England’s most famous lake was not especially surprising. As campaigner Matt Staniek points out, the Environment Agency permits the company to legally pour 13m litres of “treated” sewage into the lake...
Swallow, swift and house martin populations have nearly halved, finds UK bird survey (www.theguardian.com)
Swallows, swifts and house martins were once a common sight over UK towns and cities, dextrously catching insects on the wing. But these spring and summer visitors are becoming increasingly rare, according to the definitive survey of the country’s birds....
Hundreds of wildlife sites vulnerable to neglect and destruction, report finds | Devon Wildlife Trust (www.devonwildlifetrust.org)
The newly published Devon’s County Wildlife Sites Report [view the report here] is the work of Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon Biodiversity Records Centre and Devon County Council....