Good stuff
Five-star luxury for pollinators at the Erddig estate
A rather grand new home for local pollinators of the National Trust’s Erddig hall…
Environment
Wildlife Trusts Great Big Nature Survey is live
The UK’s largest people and nature survey run by the Wildlife Trusts seeks to understand how public opinion on surrounding nature is changing over time.
Wildlife
Latest Breeding Bird Survey reveals severe Swift, Curlew and Turtle Dove declines
The latest Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) revealed healthy Red Kite and Nuthatch populations, but also severe declines for birds such as Swift, Turtle Dove and Curlew.
Wildlife
Making bird feeding safer for wild birds
When it comes to supplementary feeding and the use of bird feeders, what exactly are we doing?
Dick Woods
Wildlife
Hedgehog conservation initiaves
To mark the upcoming Hedgehog Awareness Week (5th – 11th May), thedirt.news sheds light on the various conservation campaigns and initiatives working to halt their decline.
Health
New compulsory bird registration rules
Regardless of the size of the flock, Defra has announced compulsory registration requirements for all bird keepers to combat avian influenza outbreaks.
Wildlife
Further insect declines highlighted in 2023 Bugs Matter citizen science survey
The Bugs Matter Survey report reveals that the abundance of flying insects sampled on vehicle number plates has fallen by a staggering 78% since 2004.
Wildlife
Dutch National Bee Count
Similar to our equivalent Big Butterfly Count, the people of the Netherlands are counting bees to help assess the health and prevalence of wild bee populations in the country.
Wildlife
Often misunderstood, bats are essential for the environment
Despite their maligned reputation, bats carry out important work and contribute to the health of our ecosystem.
Wildlife
Oxford wood’s Great Tits are adapting their breeding to climate change
Research conducted in Wytham Woods near Oxford suggests that great tits (Parus major) have been able to manage the effects of climate change.
Wildlife
‘Say No to Neonics’ petition: Seedball & the Wildlife Trusts call for support to safeguard British Wildlife
The wildflower company, Seedball has teamed up with the Wildlife Trusts to increase awareness about the impacts of neonicotinoids on wildlife, especially bee populations.
Wildlife
UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme: 2023 results
Results from the 2023 annual UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) reveal a ‘mixed picture’ for butterflies, with some species thriving whilst others continued their concerning declines.
Wildlife
Impact domestic cats on wildlife
U.S. researchers draw up comprehensive list of what domestic cat prey, identifying more than 2000 species, including endangered ones
Research
Solar farms can boost pollinator habitats & diversity
A five-year U.S. based study published in Environmental Research Letters reveals that solar farms can be hotspots for wildlife if seeded with wildflowers.
Marketing
Peckish Wildbird habitat seed
New campaign by wild bird food brand, Peckish to inspire the public to make gardens a haven for birds by growing them a home.
Wildlife
Bees need food earlier than ‘pollinator planting’ provides
New research from the Universities of Oxford and Exeter reveals that plant species recommended as ‘pollinator friendly’ begin flowering up to a month too late to effectively contribute to bee conservation.
Wildlife
Earthworms: the engineers of ecosystems
Earthworms are among the most important soil dwelling invertebrates and their activity impacts plant development and crop yield.
Wildlife
New platform for keen wildlife friendly businesses & gardeners
This week saw the launch of The Wildlife Garden Directory, a cunning platform to link keen wildlife gardeners and professionals in their quest to create and maintain a wildlife garden.
Wildlife
Red squirrel conservation in Scotland granted £1m
A grant of £1,052,796 has been awarded by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund to support the restoration of red squirrel habitats across the country.
Worth a read
The slug retrospective
Intriguing article by RHS entomologist Dr Hayley Jones, shedding light on the little-known benefits slugs to (garden) ecosystems.