Category Archives: News

News

Half a million acres in Highlands to be ‘left to nature’

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The BBC report a major new project aims to rewild an area of more than 500,000 acres (202,343ha) in the Highlands. Over a period of 30 years, mountains, hills, glens and forests would be left to natural processes. The area could stretch from Loch Ness, across the central Highlands to Kintail on the north west Highlands coast.

Moray-based charity Trees for Life is working with Rewilding Europe, along with 20 landowners and six organisations on the project. The charity said the initiative followed three years of consultation and its work was continuing towards bring more landowners and communities on board. 

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Scientists investigate hundreds of guillemot deaths on UK coastline

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The Guardian, and The Indepdent report seabird carcasses discovered along Northumberland, North Yorkshire and Scottish shores, with many more found emaciated.

The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), which is investigating the cause of the deaths, said the majority of the birds were guillemots. Puffins and kittiwakes have also been affected, but on a smaller scale than guillemots and razorbills. 

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England’s rivers, lakes and streams ‘among worst in Europe’ amid concern over sewage and farm pollution

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River Wey photo by Malcolm Oakley under creative commons

The Independent reports every freshwater body in England currently fails chemical standards and only 16 per cent are classed as being “in good ecological health”, compared to 53 per cent on average across the EU, according to the Wildlife and Countryside Link, the largest environment and wildlife coalition in England, made up of 61 organisations. The report warns that the climate crisis is worsening conditions for England’s “already beleaguered waters”. 

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Climate change: Dragonflies spread north in warming world

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The BBC reports dragonflies are moving northwards across Britain and Ireland as temperatures rise. More than 40% of species have increased their distribution since 1970, while only about 10% have declined, according to a new report.

Experts from the British Dragonfly Society say it’s an indicator of the effects of climate change. There is concern over the loss of populations of insects due to factors such as pollution and habitat loss. 

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Rare angelshark filmed in Welsh waters ‘for first time’

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Angelshark photo by Philippe Guillaume under creative commons

The BBC reports an endangered shark has been filmed for the first time in Wales, showing they are breeding in UK waters, the Zoological Society of London has said. Footage of a juvenile angelshark, measuring just 30cm (11.8in), was filmed in Cardigan Bay.

Photographer and marine biologist, Jake Davies, said: “I’ve always kept an eye out for angelsharks during dives, having worked to better understand the species for the last four years. 

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Natural England announces proposed expansion of Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

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Leith Hill photo by Charles under creative commons

Natural England announced Thursday 24 June that the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is to be considered for boundary expansion. Securing this designation would allow the area to benefit from greater protections, so that more of England’s beautiful landscapes are safeguarded for future generations.

On the doorstep of London, an extension to the Surrey Hills AONB boundary would give greater access to the natural environment. This would help preserve its rural heritage, promote tranquillity and give more access to nature for the benefit of people’s health and well-being.  

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Sussex seabed set to be leased from Queen to create marine park

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Sky News reports the first-of-its-kind project will aim to help regenerate vital habitats, fight climate change and boost the economy. The area was once home to a vast kelp forest, stretching across 172 square kilometres, but 90% of it has been lost in recent decades.

The move could also be the first step in an even bigger project: the creation of a Sussex Bay marine park stretching along the entire coast of East Sussex and West Sussex.

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Sea eagles at Loch Lomond for first time in 100 years

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Sea eagle photo by yrjö jyske under creative commons

BBC News reports the eagles, the UK’s largest bird of prey, have since been observed searching for suitable nest sites, suggesting they intend to stay. It is believed that this is the first time sea eagles have settled at Loch Lomond since the early 20th Century.

Persecution and habitat changes led to their extinction across the UK some time soon after 1918. Their reintroduction to Scotland, first in the 1970s and again in the 1990s and early 2000s, has been a conservation success.