RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
Championing invertebrates: The Ugly Bug Ball Garden
Showcasing invertebrates, Sparsholt College and the Royal Entomological Society design the ‘Ugly Bug Ball’ garden for RHS Chelsea
Wildlife
Fewer slugs expected this spring, says the RHS
After a bumper year for slugs in 2024, the Royal Horticultural Society entomology team are anticipating far fewer slugs in gardens this spring.
Wildlife
2024: The worst year for bumblebees recorded
The 2025 BeeWalk Annual Report revealed that 2024 was the worst year for bumblebees since records began, with numbers declining by 22.5% compared to the 2010-2023 average.
Wildlife
Review of safety assessment for pet flea treatments proposed, amid biodiversity concerns
Government supports proposed review of the environmental risk assessment of veterinary drugs after research by the University of Sussex found harmful chemicals from flea treatments in bird nests.’
Wildlife
RSPB petition calls for more investment in nature-friendly farming
With 70% of UK land used for farming, this sector is key to the UK’s nature’s recovery, any cut in the budget, says the RSPB would be a disaster for nature and farming.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
An RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden to help prevent gardens from falling silent
UK Charity SongBird Survival to debut at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, highlighting the urgent plight of our nation’s songbirds.
Wildlife
Pet treatment chemicals cause rise in bird mortality
New research by the University of Sussex has found high levels of harmful chemicals from pet flea treatment in bird’s nests, which is leading to an increased mortality rate of chicks.
Wildlife
Emergency use of neonicotinoid pesticide outlawed
Pesticide emergency authorisation for Cruiser SB, a neonicotinoid pesticide, will not be granted in England in 2025 to protect butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
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The RSPB has withdrawn flat bird feeders due to the concerns they may facilitate the transmission of illnesses such as trichomonosis, which has significantly impacted the greenfinch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.
