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A round up of the top countryside, conservation, wildlife and forestry stories as chosen by the CJS Team.
New research shows that local housing targets are driven by
over-ambition rather than need. - CPRE The Campaign to Protect Rural England is today (16/11) calling for an
overhaul of the way local authorities set housing targets in order to
stop countryside being lost unnecessarily. Extensive research
commissioned by CPRE has shown that local authorities are in effect
being asked to base their plans on aspiration rather than need, which is
resulting in ever higher housing targets and the consequent, unnecessary
release of countryside for development – without resulting in an
increase in overall housebuilding. Among a large number of problems with how the targets are calculated,
the research found a lack of clear guidance in the process, a lack of
objectivity in the calculations, and a lack of concern for land
availability and environmental impacts. The research demonstrates
that the unrealistic targets are putting undue pressure on the
countryside. Setting targets far higher than what can be realistically
built just means that developers have more sites to choose from: as
static building rates show, higher targets do not mean faster delivery.
The disastrous consequence is that when these unrealistic targets are
not met, councils have to identify even more sites for housing, and ever
more countryside is released for more lucrative development while
brownfield sites go unused. To illustrate the unrealistic nature of the housing targets, CPRE has
analysed the local plans passed in the past two years that have
contained a new housing target. In those 54 local plans, the average
housing requirement is 30% above the Government’s household projections,
and 50% above the average build rate. Only seven of the 54 targets take
environmental factors into account . To ensure that we build the homes we actually need in the right
places, CPRE is calling for community surveys to play a far greater role
in determining true need; for available brownfield land to play a
leading role in developing targets; and for planning guidance to include
a clear definition of housing need that is designed to support those who
lack housing, and to ensure local plans specify what kind of homes will
meet this need. Read the report: CPRE, Set up to fail:
why housing targets based on flawed numbers threaten our countryside,
November 2015
Climate change: a hot topic for the UK's wildlife and public
- RSPB Climate change is therefore a factor in the 70 per cent decline in
kittiwake populations in the UK in recent decades.
Image:
Andy Hay A new report published today (16 November) by the RSPB shows that
Europe's wildlife is already being affected by climate change and these
effects will only intensify over the course of this century. The report, The Nature of Climate Change, reviews and compiles the
existing evidence and shows that some of Europe's best-loved wildlife,
from birds to bees, is already at risk from a changing climate and this
will increase over coming decades. Also, a new poll of the British public has also found that Britons
are more worried about climate impacts on UK wildlife than any other
aspect of climate change. Martin Harper, RSPB's Director of Conservation, said: "Climate change is the greatest long-term threat to people and wildlife. We are already seeing its impacts and, alongside other pressures on land and at sea, our wildlife is increasingly at risk." A recent survey commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence
Unit (ECIU) shows that 79 per cent of Britons are worried about climate
impacts on UK wildlife, making it a greater concern than flooding (72
per cent), heat waves (50 per cent), or increased variability and prices
of food (60 per cent). Richard Black, Director of ECIU, said: “It’s quite a surprising
finding because you’d think people would be more concerned about
potential impacts to their homes, their larders and their wallets. "Instead it shows that Britain’s long-standing love affair with
birds, flowers and animals shows no signs of abating, and that recent
studies demonstrating climate change impacts on animals such as puffins,
bumblebees and frogs have raised the alarm." This poll is supported by a similar one conducted by the National
Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI). Download the full report or summary
The nature of climate change (1.6Mb) This report presents the evidence that wildlife in the UK and beyond
is already facing a more challenging time due to the climate change that
has occurred; and that things are, for the most part, only likely to get
worse.
The nature of climate change - summary report (990Kb) This report presents the evidence that wildlife in the UK and beyond
is already facing a more challenging time due to the climate change that
has occurred; and that things are, for the most part, only likely to get
worse.
The verdict is in: Europe’s nature laws are fit for purpose
- BirdLife The first findings are out from the European Commission's review of
key European nature laws - and it says they deliver far more benefits
than they cost. A study carried out by international experts for the Commission has
published its initial findings of the
Fitness Check, or ‘REFIT’, process on the
Birds and Habitats Directives. It’s feared the laws, also
known as the Nature Directives, could be re-opened, merged or weakened
as part of President Jean Claude Juncker and vice-President Timmermans’
drive for ‘better regulation’. But the evaluation study, compiled
by a panel of technical experts, has found no reason for merging the
directives and says they are also coherent with other EU policies and
laws. Further, it spells out the huge benefits provided by the laws when
compared with how much they cost. The Natura 2000 network of protected
areas, which the laws are responsible for, costs an estimated 5.8
billion EUR per year, but generates benefits in ecosystem services
running to 200-300 billion EUR per year and a further 50-85 billion EUR
per year for local economies. Overall, the directives make positive
contributions to sustainable development and allow economic development
which is compatible with maintaining biodiversity. Ariel Brunner, BirdLife Europe Senior Head of Policy, said: “The
Fitness Check evidence is crystal clear - the Birds and Habitat
Directives are fit for purpose and there is no case for ‘merging and
modernising’ them. The evidence also clearly shows where the real
problems lie: poor and uneven enforcement, lack of funding and the
impact of perverse policies such as the CAP.” The 'Emerging Findings' report has been prepared by a consortium led
by Milieu Ltd, and also comprised of the Institute for European
Environmental Policy (IEЕР), ICF International and Ecosystems Ltd.
for the European Commission’s Directorate General Environment. It is
available to view here. A separate report on the public consultation on the Nature Directives is available to view here.
Confirmation of Bolton Fell and Walton Mosses Site of Special Scientific
Interest - Natural England Natural England has confirmed the extension to the boundaries of
Bolton Fell and Walton Mosses SSSI in Cumbria. The Board of Natural
England has given its approval to confirm the notification of Bolton
Fell and Walton Mosses Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in
Cumbria.
Bolton
Fell and Walton Mosses SSSI © David Hirst/Natural England
The decision was agreed by the Natural England Board meeting in open
session on 4 November 2015.
Bolton Fell and Walton Mosses SSSI in Cumbria covers a large area of
lowland raised peat bog - a nationally rare and threatened wildlife
habitat - of which nearly 95% of the original area has been lost or
significantly damaged in the United Kingdom. The site is of
national and international importance for the evidence of environmental
change recorded in its peat deposits, and for the range of rare wildlife
which the habitat can support, including:
Natural England’s Chairman, Andrew Sells, said: The evidence clearly
shows that the lowland peat bog habitat and associated vegetation give
this site real national importance and tremendous potential for further
restoration and enhancement. Natural England’s Board has agreed that
extending the boundary of the SSSI will make a significant difference
towards that aim. Cumbria’s peatbogs provide a unique historical environmental record,
an archaeological treasure-trove and have an important function as a
carbon store. Lowland raised peatbogs such as Bolton Fell Moss and
Walton Moss have formed over many thousands of years through the growth
and decay of sphagnum mosses, which are vital for the active formation
of peat.Lowland raised bogs can provide a haven for rare wildlife as
well as an important carbon store to help tackle climate change.
Designation will help to ensure the restoration of this internationally
important site.
Numbers of rare breeding bird fall in Scotland
- RSPB
Pair
of corncrakes among horsetails, Tiree, Scotland (image: Chris Gomersall,
RSPB) One of Scotland’s rarest breeding birds, the corncrake, has suffered
a poor season this year (2015) with numbers dropping by nearly a fifth. In an annual RSPB Scotland survey, the number of calling males (1)
recorded fell by 17 per cent compared to last year, with only 1,069
being counted. In 2014, there were 1,289 calling males counted - the
highest total in at least 45 years. The Isle of Tiree holds the most corncrakes with 333 calling males
counted in 2015. Nearly all parts of the country that corncrakes occupy
witnessed a drop in numbers this year, except for a few places like the
islands of Islay and Iona which both had a slight increase, and the Isle
of Mull which stayed the same. Corncrakes also suffered a decline in Scotland back in 2013 – with a
23 per cent drop compared with the previous year – but they did recover
in 2014. It is thought that the exceptionally cold, late springs in 2013
and 2015 is the reason behind the reduction in the number of males
calling.
A far from positive milestone for Circuit of Wales
- Gwent Wildlife Trust A new milestone for Circuit of Wales is set as Welsh Government give
final approval for the development on common land but is it the right
one for people and the environment? The simple answer is no. GWT join with many other organisations and individuals in firmly
opposing the development of the Circuit of Wales in Rassau, Ebbw Vale.
Over 200 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat will be completely destroyed.
The compensation offered by the developer is not equivalent to the value
of the wildlife that will be lost, and we have serious doubts as to the
success of their proposals for enhancing and creating new habitats. The
land of the proposed development would degrade and erode the natural
environment, increase CO2 emissions and ultimately damage our own
well-being as well as the environment. We understand that there is a need in the local area for jobs and
economic regeneration; we actively participate in this ourselves but we
have to hope that the job creation figures and financial benefits
outlined by the developer are accurate, given the substantial and
permanent environmental effects. Gemma Bodé, Living Landscape Manager for the Gwent Levels said, "We
are appalled at the decision by Welsh Government to move forward with
this development on common land, especially as the Planning Inspectorate
clearly acknowledged the hugely damaging effect the development will
have on the environment. We really hope that the socio-economic benefits
outlined by the developer are completely accurate and evidenced-based.
The decision to move ahead with the development in light of widespread
opposition sets a worrying precedent for how proposed developments on
common land are approved in the future."
Seal pup born at South Walney Nature Reserve for first time
- Cumbria Wildlife Trust The first ever grey seal pup born at South Walney Nature Reserve,
Walney Island, has been discovered by staff from Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
Seal
pup at South Walney Nature Reserve Despite seals using the protected beaches to haul out and rest at
Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s South Walney Nature Reserve for decades, there
has never before been a seal pup recorded on the island. Sally Tapp, one of the two Marine Trainees who discovered the seal
pup whilst conducting a seal survey, says: “This is an incredibly
exciting and unusual sight as the colony at South Walney Nature Reserve
has previously been thought to be a non-breeding colony. Usually, the
seals found here are older bulls no longer able to control a harem on
the breeding beaches and younger, sexually immature males and females,
so this is a wonderfully encouraging sight showing that seals are
thriving on Walney Island. The pup was approximately three to four
days old when we first spotted it. The mother is likely to be an
inexperienced, first-time Mum who regularly uses the beaches at South
Walney as a haul-out site and has come back to pup here. Unlike harbour
seal pups, grey seal pups are born with thick white fur and are not able
to swim very well at first. Therefore, the pup was almost certainly born
on the island.” During the 1970s and 80s seals were seen only singly around Walney
Island and gradually over time their numbers have increased with up to
100 individuals now on and around the island at certain times of the
year. The mother will stay with the pup for only a short time, feeding it
with fat-rich milk, until it is weaned and then she will leave both the
pup and the area. During this time, the pup will gradually moult its
thick white fur revealing its adult coat with its own individual
markings. After weaning, the pup may remain on the island for up to
another few weeks or so before it is ready to head out to sea to forage
for itself. Due to the young age of the seal, it is incredibly vulnerable to disturbance, which would cause the mother to abandon it and the pup to starve. For this reason, there is strictly no access to the area of the nature reserve.
New direction for UK energy policy - DECC Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd has set out her vision
for an energy system that puts consumers first, delivers more
competition, reduces the burden on bill-payers and ensures enough
electricity generation to power the nation.
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd has set out her vision
for an energy system that puts consumers first, delivers more
competition, reduces the burden on bill-payers and ensures enough
electricity generation to power the nation. Speaking at the Institution of Civil Engineers in London today
(18/11/15) the Energy Secretary revealed her policy priorities and her
strategy for putting them into action. Amber Rudd set out the challenges facing the country’s energy system,
saying: “We now have an electricity system where no form of power
generation, not even gas-fired power stations, can be built without
government intervention. And a legacy of ageing, often unreliable plant.
Perversely, even with the huge growth in renewables, our dependence on
coal - the dirtiest fossil fuel – hasn’t been reduced. Indeed a higher
proportion of our electricity came from coal in 2014 than in 1999. So
despite intervention we still haven’t found the right balance.”
Reaction from
Friends of the Earth -
Amber Rudd sends energy policy in wrong direction Reacting to Amber Rudd’s climate and energy speech, Friends of the Earth’s senior energy campaigner Simon Bullock said: “Amber Rudd is certainly taking UK energy policy in a new direction: unfortunately it’s backwards to the 20th century."
Reaction from
RSPB
Phasing out coal-fired power stations: welcome news The Government has announced plans today [Wednesday 18 November,
2015] to close all coal-fired power stations by 2025 and restrict their
use by 2023. Martin Harper is the RSPB Conservation Director. Reacting to the
announcement, he said: “Phasing out carbon-rich coal is a welcome step
on a journey towards a lower carbon economy and honours the tireless
efforts of those campaigners seeking to protect our planet from the
ravages of excessive climate change. But shifting to gas does not solve
the problem, and locks us in to reliance on other fossil fuels. Moving
rapidly to renewable energy and energy-efficiency measures should be the
aspiration of Government energy policy if we're to limit climate change
to a rise of 2C.
Success: the UK will phase out coal by 2025 -
WWF Today the UK Government has announced that it will phase out unabated
coal power by 2025. WWF-UK Chief Executive David Nussbaum said: "Today the UK Government
has become the first major economy to announce that it will phase out
coal from its power sector. This is particularly significant with only
days to go before the negotiations on a new international climate change
deal begin in Paris. By phasing out coal between 2023 and 2025 and the
government has recognised the serious environmental impacts of dirty
coal – and its potential to bust the UK's climate commitments.”
Fines for Stanage fly-tippers - Peak District
National Park Authority
Waste
dumped at Stanage Two Sheffield men who drove to the Peak District to dump waste have
been ordered to pay fines and costs of £735 each after pleading guilty
to fly-tipping. Chesterfield Magistrates' Court heard on November 16 that Zubair
Kahn, of Wostenholm Road, and Richard Mansell, of Rockingham Street,
dumped waste at Sheepwash Bank, Stanage Edge, in the Peak District. Prosecuting, Derbyshire Dales District Council stated that the pair
drove from Sheffield to commit the offence in an area that has the
highest level of environmental protection. But their van was seen
by an off-duty police officer who lives locally. Suspicious of
their intentions, he called a Peak District National Park ranger working
below Stanage Edge who tracked the van using binoculars. When the
vehicle stopped, the ranger called back the off-duty officer, who
immediately contacted police colleagues and drove to the scene,
challenging Kahn and Mansell as they unloaded kitchen units from a van.
Use your loaf to save British wildlife -
University of Reading Farmers can maintain high yields and boost nature by signing up to a
wildlife-friendly scheme, new research has found. A team of researchers, led by the Centre for Agri-Environmental
Research (CAER) at the University of Reading, found that farms signed up
to Conservation Grade's ‘Fair to Nature' farming scheme supported 20%
more species of butterflies , while still producing the same amount of
crops as conventional farms. Growers using organic methods had higher levels of biodiversity than
conventional farms - but wheat yields were significantly lower. Farmers who sign up to the non-organic Fair to Nature growing
protocol gain a premium price for their crops, in return for setting
aside and actively managing at least 10% of their land as wildlife
habitat. This must include at least 4% of farmland managed as pollen and
nectar-rich habitat for insects and 2% for growing food for wild birds. The Fair to Nature scheme offers a way for consumers to shop for more
nature-friendly products, without having to buy fully organic goods. Chloe Hardman, the University of Reading ecologist who led the
research, said: "Farmers have a difficult but vital job to do. They are
being asked to conserve wildlife while also feeding a rapidly growing
global population. "Organic farming can be great for wildlife, but if British farming
abandoned conventional methods and went organic, levels of food
production would fall and national self-sufficiency would plummet.
Our research suggests that looking after wildlife and feeding the world
are not incompatible goals." Read the paper here: Hardman, C. J.,
Harrison, D. P.G., Shaw, P. J., Nevard, T. D., Hughes, B., Potts, S. G.,
Norris, K. (2015),
Supporting local diversity of habitats and species on farmland: a
comparison of three wildlife-friendly schemes. Journal of Applied
Ecology. doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.12557
Tackling wildlife crime - Scottish Government Review group’s report recommends increases to wildlife crime
penalties. Scotland’s Environment Minister Aileen McLeod today (19/11) welcomed
the publication of a report examining the penalties available for
wildlife crime offences. The report, drawn up by a review group chaired by Professor Mark
Poustie, an Environmental Law expert at Strathclyde University, sets out
ten recommendations. As well as increases to the maximum available
penalties, the report also recommends greater use of alternative
penalties such as forfeiture, systematic use of impact statements in
court, new sentencing guidelines, and consolidation of wildlife
legislation. The report concludes that penalties for wildlife crimes have fallen
behind those for other types of environmental crime, and that fine
levels for many of these crimes have not kept pace with inflation. Dr McLeod, who is also Chair of the Partnership for Action Against
Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland, said: “Wildlife crime poses a real risk
to our natural heritage and has a detrimental effect on the people of
Scotland who want to enjoy seeing Scotland’s wildlife on their doorstep,
but also more widely to Scotland as a whole. It is vital that the
available penalties are an adequate deterrent and properly reflect the
impact these crimes can have on Scotland’s environment and wildlife
tourism industry. The Scottish Government has already taken action to
put an end to the illegal poisoning and killing of birds of prey, and I
will continue to take whatever steps are necessary to see an end to
these unacceptable activities, targeting our wildlife, which continue to
take place. This report is one of a number of actions taken by the
Scottish Government to tackle wildlife crime and ultimately provide
better protection for Scotland’s environment and wildlife. I will
carefully consider all the recommendations and will make a further
announcement on how we intend to take this work forward.” The full report can
be accessed on the Scottish Government website.
Image:
Mark Hamblin, RSPB RSPB Scotland Head of Investigations, Ian Thomson, said: “Scotland
has some of the best wildlife protection laws in Europe, but in our
opinion, these need to be effectively enforced and there need to be
meaningful sentences imposed on those convicted of wrong-doing. We need
to learn from the experiences in other similar countries where we are
aware that sanctions available to the courts act as a real deterrent. In
recent years, the penalties imposed by the courts, when prosecutions
have been successful, have been inconsistent for similar offences. They
have also largely failed to reflect the actual or potential conservation
impact of the offences, and whether the offending was carried out in the
course of employment, often with the aim of financial gain. We commend
the work of the Review Panel in producing a comprehensive report that
acknowledges and reflects many of the concerns we share. We
wholeheartedly support the recommendations made in this Review, and hope
that these are implemented in full by the Scottish Government.”
Reaction:
SCA response to the wildlife crime penalties review group report
- Scottish Countryside Alliance The Scottish Countryside Alliance has responded to the report of
wildlife crime penalities review group, commissioned by the Scottish
Government, which was published today. Jamie Stewart, director of the Scottish Countryside Alliance said:
“As an active member of PAW Scotland the Scottish Countryside Alliance
welcomes the wildlife crime penalties review group report and
particularly the ministerial comment acknowledging the reputation of
Scotland’s country sports sector and the work carried out to reduce
criminal act against wildlife. “Scotland has some of the best wildlife protection laws in Europe and
has a robust legal framework that protects birds of prey and their
nests, including vicarious liability provisions and the most recent
restrictions on the use of General Licences. We do not believe that the
introduction of emotive personal victim statements will aid consistency
of sentencing and therefore warrant inclusion in this type of crime.
Whilst we agree that the outdated, barbaric and criminal practices of a
few may put at risk the conservation status of some of our most
magnificent wildlife and must be eradicated, we must also address the
causes that drive individuals to such activities. When a species reaches
an imbalance and impacts on another the general rationale is to rectify
that imbalance; demonstrable in the Scottish Government’s thoughts on
deer control. The same rationale needs to be applied across species
allowing for fair access and application to the legal framework that
currently exists."
UK Government taken to court over unprotected wetlands
- Fish Legal, via Freshwater Habitats Trust Today WWF-UK, the Angling Trust and Fish Legal take the Government to
the High Court accusing it of dragging its feet over the protection of
England’s most precious rivers and wetlands. The Government legally committed to ensuring these sites were healthy
by 2015. The three organisations claim that ministers stifled action to
address harmful pollution from farms. David Nussbaum, Chief Executive, WWF-UK, said: “Places like Poole
Harbour in Dorset and the River Mease in the Midlands are among
England’s natural “crown jewels”. It is shameful that these places as
well as cherished species like the kingfisher, Atlantic salmon and
avocet have been put at long term risk due to ministerial interference.” In 2009, the Government publicly committed to using Water Protection
Zones (WPZs). They had previously been identified as the most
appropriate and cost effective solution to tacking agricultural
pollution affecting these specially protected sites alongside voluntary
steps by farmers. This decision was set in law after an extensive
consultation process. Investigations by WWF-UK, the Angling Trust and Fish Legal have
revealed that, in January 2011, Defra Ministers and the Environment
Agency decided to put the brakes on the use of WPZs, except as a ‘last
resort’. This was despite overwhelming evidence that other measures to
tackle the pollution problem would not be sufficient. The decision was
not made public and no WPZs have been put in place to tackle this
pollution. Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust & Fish Legal, said:
“We cannot let the UK regain its title as the dirty man of Europe –
urgent action must be taken. Salmon populations have declined by 40% in
the last 30 years, and agricultural pollution is one of the most
significant causes of this. “This is why, today, we are seeking the help of the Court to ensure
the Government takes the action that is needed to provide these special
places with the protection to which they are lawfully entitled.”
Keep Scotland Beautiful consultation reveals significant concern about
climate change Keep Scotland Beautiful presented Climate Change Minister, Aileen
McLeod, with a report containing the views of more than 800 people
across Scotland in advance of the United Nations Climate Change
Conference which takes place in Paris in December. Our consultation showed:
The document ‘Conversations About COP21 Summary Report’ concludes the
findings of an eight week consultation. During this period we worked to
increase the Scottish public’s engagement and participation in the
global conversation taking place on climate change and to share
information with the Scottish Government in advance of the Paris talks. Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Aileen
McLeod said: Further information and the document can be accessed online here. IUCN
and WWF announce new partnership to expand and strengthen protected
areas - IUCN IUCN and WWF have joined forces to enhance and promote the role of
protected and conserved areas in achieving sustainable development over
the next ten years. Under the new partnership, WWF and IUCN will:
“This partnership will help ensure that critical forests, wetlands
and marine habitats are protected for future generations," says Marco
Lambertini, Director General of WWF International.. "Stronger efforts to
create and maintain protected areas are crucial to achieving the new
Sustainable Development Goals and securing a climate resilient future.” The 10-year partnership aims to make the case for direct investment
in protected areas and protected area systems that demonstrate enhanced
conservation outcomes. The partnership will look at how challenges faced
by protected areas such as poaching, illegal logging and other
destructive activities can be addressed through new financing and
investment.
Massive fines for illegal tipping offences -
Environment Agency Three businessmen have been ordered to pay more than £262,000 in
fines, proceeds of crime payments and costs for illegally dumping more
than 60,000 tonnes of waste on two farms near Callington, Cornwall. The case was brought by the Environment Agency. Farmers David Stroud and Darren Pearce and waste haulier, Andrew
Duncan, who runs haulage company Dunchaul Limited, were caught following
a detailed investigation by the Environment Agency that revealed how
they had deposited tonnes of demolition and construction waste in the
Cornish countryside. Anyone who deposits waste on land needs to do so with the permission
of the Environment Agency and comply with the conditions of an
authorisation. When waste is transferred, there is a legal requirement
that it is accompanied by Waste Transfer Notes and that these are
correctly completed, distributed and retained by all the parties
involved. Truro Crown Court heard that as an experienced haulier,
Andrew Duncan and his company Dunchaul Limited would have been well
aware of these conditions. Between June 2010 and September 2012,
Stroud and Pearce were involved in the tipping of construction,
demolition waste and soil at two different farms near Callington in
Cornwall, operated by the two men. They were known locally as
‘Dunchaul’s tips.’ Nearly 66,000 tonnes of waste was deposited between
the two farms, and both were only eligible for 1,000 tonnes of sub-soil
and 5,000 tonnes of concrete, rubble and bricks. The waste deposited by
Dunchaul Ltd was sub-soil from development sites, therefore the 1,000
tonne limit applies. Judge Carr said legislation was there to ensure waste was deposited
in proper landfill sites but this case was ‘a long term avoidance of
rules and regulations’. Substantial amounts of waste went to two farms
which were paid to receive the waste. This was obviously done to
increase the profitability of the company over a significant period of
time and was well organised. Judge Carr added the only purpose for
Duncan was for financial gain through winning contracts by undercutting
legitimate hauliers. He wanted the fines to reflect there is no
profitability in illegal activity. Sophie Unsworth for the Environment Agency said: " Waste crime can
cause serious pollution to the environment, put communities at risk and
undermines legitimate business and the investment and economic growth
that goes with it. We take tough action against poor performing
companies and those who commit waste crime."
Mice to make homes in tennis balls at RSPB Dee Estuary thanks to local
club - RSPB
Harvest
mouse eating blackberries (image: Ben Andrew, RSPB) One of Europe’s smallest mammals has been given a helping hand by
staff at the RSPB’s Dee Estuary nature reserve – thanks to a kind
donation from a local tennis club. Since the discovery of an empty harvest mouse nest, found during
recent grass cutting, alerted reserve wardens to the fact these tiny
creatures are living on the Cheshire site, the team have been getting
creative with an unlikely source - old tennis balls - to help give
nature a home. Harvest mice are not common this far north, so the team were
interested to discover how many are living on the reserve and in which
areas. Being tiny and secretive creatures, it can be difficult to survey
their distribution, but thanks to an idea to use tennis balls as homes
for the mice, the reserve staff will next year be able to gain a better
idea. Alasdair Grubb, warden at the RSPB’s Dee Estuary nature reserve,
said: “Sadly harvest mice numbers are falling in the UK due to changing
farming practices and other pressures on our countryside, so we were
delighted to discover they had made a home at Burton Mere Wetlands and
were eager to find out how many and whereabouts they were living.
“Tennis balls might seem like an odd solution, but it’s actually a trick
that’s been used with balls from Wimbledon for years. As well as
allowing us a means of surveying the numbers, the tennis balls also
protect the mice from predation and bad weather, and provide extra homes
by giving them chance to nest in areas where there might be ample food,
but not quite the right conditions.”
Getting the best from our land - Scottish
Government Views sought on draft Land Use Strategy. A consultation has been launched on the future of land use, aimed at
getting the most from our land in an integrated and sustainable way. The consultation on the draft Land Use Strategy 2016 -2021 sets out a
range of policies and proposals including: how we manage our natural resources, including continued use of an
ecosystems approach to land use decisions; developing and implementing activities to promote climate friendly
farming and crofting; an exploration of the relationship between ownership, use and
management of land including consideration of the potential advantages
of a single policy statement about land; encouraging regional land use partnerships to bring a range of
interests together to consider land use at a local level Over the next ten weeks, all those with an interest in land use and
management, will be invited to make their views known. The land use strategy consultation runs until 29th January 2016 - more information on how to respond to the consultation is available here.
More support pledged for birds of prey -
Moorlands Association Leading land management and conservation organisations are stepping
up their efforts to boost bird of prey populations following
disappointing results from the Peak District Bird of Prey Initiative. The five-year project aimed to increase the breeding populations and
breeding success of raptors in the Dark Peak and surrounding areas but
the targets agreed by the five organisations involved have not been
achieved. The reasons for the declines are not fully understood and
probably vary for the different species, but important factors are
likely to include illegal persecution, disturbance and availability of
key prey.
The
organisations involved – the Peak District National Park, Moorland
Association, National Trust, Natural England and RSPB – set targets to
restore breeding populations of merlin, peregrine falcon and short-eared
owl in the Dark Peak to previous levels known within the last 25 years.
The target of 15 pairs of breeding peregrine in the Dark Peak has not
been achieved and in fact has declined from six pairs to four pairs
since 2012. For short-eared owl the numbers are more positive: 16
breeding pairs have been recorded but many more birds were recorded
hunting, so local experts consider this figure to be very conservative.
It is therefore unclear if the target of 25 breeding pairs has been met. For merlin the results show that the population is stable with around
18 breeding pairs in the Dark Peak. Whilst not meeting the Initiative’s
target of 32 breeding pairs, it is bucking the national trend of a
reported slow decline in merlin numbers. Encouragingly, the breeding
success has nearly doubled in the Dark Peak since 2012, from 32 to 58
chicks, from known nests and all were ringed and tagged with the help of
local gamekeepers. The Initiative is focusing on working more closely with landowners
and gamekeepers to stop illegal persecution, and is now looking to the
future with renewed commitment from the director of the Moorlands
Association and the new chief executive of the Peak District National
Park. Derbyshire Constabulary are also now part of the Initiative.
Scientific Publications Tollington, Simon, Turbé, Anne, Rabitsch, Wolfgang, Groombridge, Jim
J., Scalera, Riccardo, Essl, Franz, Roy, Helen & Shwartz, Assaf.
Making the EU legislation on invasive species a conservation success.
Conservation Letters. DOI:.1111/conl.12214
Petr Keil, David Storch & Walter Jetz. On the decline of biodiversity due to area loss. Nature Communications. doi:10.1038/ncomms9837 Hardman, C. J., Harrison, D. P.G., Shaw, P. J., Nevard, T. D.,
Hughes, B., Potts, S. G., Norris, K. (2015),
Supporting local diversity of habitats and species on farmland: a
comparison of three wildlife-friendly schemes. Journal of Applied
Ecology. doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.12557 Mickaël Henry, Nicolas Cerrutti, Pierrick Aupinel, Axel Decourtye,
Mélanie Gayrard, Jean-François Odoux, Aurélien Pissard, Charlotte Rüger,
Vincent Bretagnolle. Reconciling
laboratory and field assessments of neonicotinoid toxicity to honeybees.
Proc. R. Soc. B 2015 282 20152110; DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.2110.
Jordan Rebecca et al
Studying citizen science, adaptive management, and learning feedback as
a mechanism for improving conservation. Conservation Biology |
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