Wildlife
RSPB suspends sale of flat bird feeders
The RSPB has withdrawn flat bird feeders due to the concerns they may facilitate the transmission of illnesses such as trichomonosis, which has significantly impacted the greenfinch population.
Environment
Biodiversity eDNA study across forests in the UK
A comprehensive biodiversity study is being conducted by means of innovative eDNA Technology across 250,000 hectares of the UK’s forests to ascertain the condition of nature and the variety of wildlife in our forests.
Wildlife
Trichomonosis: Are our bird feeders up to scratch?
Could our feeding of wild birds, be aiding the spread of trichomonosis which has caused rapid decline of the British Greenfinch population and poses a threat to other beloved garden birds?
Report
Trichomonosis: Fatal disease causing rapid decline of our greenfinches
Not mentioned enough, trichomonosis is a fatal disease and the cause of the rapid decline of the British Greenfinch population and poses a serious threat to other, beloved garden birds.
Research
New study investigating routes of finch trichomonosis transmission in gardens
A new study is being conducted to improve understanding of finch trichomonosis transmission and mitigation measures for which public involvement is needed.
Wildlife
Defra reports overall decline in wild bird numbers
Worrying figures from Defra indicate that wild bird numbers in the UK are continuing to fall.
Wildlife
WWF: 73% decline average size of global wildlife populations between 1970 and 2020
The WWF’s Living Planet Report indicates severe decline in average size of monitored wildlife populations, due to human activity such as habitat destruction and climate change.
Wildlife
Breeding pair of White-tailed eagles confirmed in Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group and RSPB have confirmed that a pair of White-tailed eagles have bred in Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland for the first time in 150 years.
Wildlife
Alarm bells ring as the Big Butterfly Count 2024 reveals lowest numbers on record
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation has declared a national ‘Butterfly Emergency’, with results of the 2024 Big Butterfly Count showing a marked and hugely concerning decline in numbers.
Environment
March for Clean Water
Taking place in central London, the March for Clean Water aims to highlight the state of water and demand urgent government action to address the UK’s water pollution crisis.
Worth a read
Golf courses can help boost bees and butterflies
Golf courses across Sussex are trialling a rewilding initiative to help protect rare chalk grassland and encourage the growth of wildflowers.
Wildlife
Pioneering hedgehog monitoring programme
National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme is trialling a world-first combination of trail cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) to gauge robust hedgehog population estimates.
Research
Slugs: Citizen engagement and identification accuracy
New research study shows how effective citizen scientists are in accurately identifying species and gathering reliable ecological data.
Wildlife
Blackbird facing rapid decline
Experts believe blackbird numbers in Greater London and southern England have plummeted on account of the Usutu virus, first detected in UK in 2020
Wildlife
Trees for bees at Wakehurst
Wakehurst is using citizen science to help discover the trees most favoured by pollinators and how to make cities more pollinator-friendly.
Research
Native vegetation does not impact insect biodiversity in small urban gardens
Research in small urban gardens in the Netherlands found that insects were just as abundant in gardens planted with exotic plants as in those filled with native plants
Wildlife
Purple Emperor Butterflies at Knepp
The Knepp estate now hosts the UK’s largest population of the magnificent, elusive Purple Emperor butterfly.
Environment
RHS Wisley installs floating ecosystems
A floating ecosystem by Biomatrix Water has been installed at RHS Wisley to aid habitat creation, waterscaping, water quality and waste management
Wildlife
2024 Big Butterfly Count reopens in July
The Big Butterfly Count 2024 reopens on the 1st July ready for the main event, which runs between 12th July and 4th August.
Environment
Restore Nature Now march
Over 300 organisations will be attending the Restore Nature Now march, which takes place in Central London from 12 noon until 1pm on Saturday the 22nd of June.