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Headlines from week beginning 10 October 2016 |
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A round up of the top countryside, conservation, wildlife and forestry stories as chosen by the CJS Team.
Mystery of butterfly disaster summer Common butterflies saw their numbers collapse over
the summer despite the UK experiencing weather conditions that usually
help them to thrive, results from the Big Butterfly Count have revealed.
The majority of butterfly species studied as part
of the scheme saw their populations fall with some producing their worst
numbers since the Big Butterfly Count scheme began. Widespread
species such as the Gatekeeper, Comma and Small Copper experienced their
worst summers in the project’s history and were down 40%, 46% and 30%
respectively compared to last year. The Small Tortoiseshell saw a
47% drop in numbers and Peacock slumped by 42% with both species
recording their second worst years. Numbers of the colourful Peacock
have now dropped from an average of 3.6 individuals per count in 2013 to
just 0.5 per Count in 2016, a six-fold decrease over three years.
Participants also saw the lowest number of butterflies per count since
the scheme began with an average of just 12 butterflies spotted. These figures were even lower than those
experienced during the cold and wet disaster summer of 2012 – the worst
year on record for UK butterflies. These falls come despite the
summer of 2016 being warmer than average and relatively dry – conditions
butterflies typically depend upon in order to successfully breed and
feed. Reasons why butterflies have struggled despite
favourable summer weather conditions are as yet unclear. Big Butterfly Count 2016 – top 10 species
ranking Large White: 62,890 seen Small White: 61,955 Meadow Brown: 57,281 Gatekeeper: 47,597 Ringlet: 26,968 Red Admiral: 26,568 Peacock: 18,508 Green-veined White: 16,879 Small Tortoiseshell: 12,335 Speckled Wood:10,271
Scotland’s own tube map for walkers and cyclists
– Scottish Natural Heritage A new tube-style map, showing paths where walkers
and cyclists can link up routes throughout Scotland, has been published
by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). With just a quick look, users can see both
existing routes across Scotland and planned routes which will link to
even more paths, cities and places of interest in the future. Walkers
and cyclists can also easily see that, for example, they can journey
off-road on paths from Mull of Galloway to Inverness via Glasgow, from
Berwick-on-Tweed to Dundee via Edinburgh, and from Helensburgh to St
Andrews via Linlithgow. There are even canoe trails to view.
The map is part of National Walking and Cycling
Network’s (NWCN’s) ambitious programme of work to connect Scotland’s
paths across the country. SNH’s key partners in the project are Scottish
Canals and Sustrans, working closely with local authorities and route
managers. Right now, there are about 6400 kilometres of
trails for walking, cycling, horse-riding and canoeing across Scotland.
This includes Scotland's Great Trails, the National Cycling Network &
The Scottish Canals Network. NWCN plans to extend this network by 1750
kilometres through 50 separate projects over the next 20 years, by
creating new routes and joining up the missing links. SNH chairman, Ian Ross, said: “Our walking and
cycling tube map is an easy way to start planning your next journey –
whether it’s a trip between two towns or a week-long cycling or walking
holiday. Scotland is such a wonderful place to walk and cycle. It’s easy
to take for granted how many paths we already have in so many beautiful
areas, and I’m thrilled that we’ll have even more paths to enjoy in the
coming years.” The tube map, as well as more information about the National Walking and Cycling Network, is available online here.
What is the UK’s favourite mammal? –
Mammal Society Society of Biology Launches Poll to Find the
Favourite UK Mammal A total of 101 mammal species can be found in and
around the UK. Some of these species have suffered serious declines and
require increased conservation effort. Find out more about the ten species chosen here. And cast your vote here.
Multi-agency response to Kerosene oil spill in Carmarthenshire
– Natural Resources Wales
We're working with partners to investigate an oil
spill in a Carmarthenshire stream to minimise the impact on people and
the environment. UPDATE 1700hrs 10 October 2016: Multi-agency
response to Kerosene oil spill in Carmarthenshire continues Work continued over the weekend to recover the oil
spill that occurred in Nant y Caws, Carmarthenshire last week. A
substantial amount of oil has already been recovered from Nant Pibwr by
Valero’s specialist contractors. They will continue to remove the oil
over the next few days. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is working closely
with partners to manage the response to the incident, to investigate how
the incident happened, and prepare plans to remediate the site.
NRW has also assessed the impact on the local environment. Although the
local impact to ecology and fish population is significant, the quick
response to contain the spill has resulted in no impact downstream on
the River Tywi at the moment.
South Downs project wins prestigious national award – South Downs National Park / Campaign for National Parks The Arun and Rother Connections project in the
South Downs National Park has won the Campaign for National Parks 2016
‘Park Protector Award’. Caroline Quentin, Campaign for National Parks’
president judged the award and said: “How fantastic to see a project
that is not only making a huge difference to the South Downs right now,
but is also inspiring everyone to become a conservationist, safeguarding
the future of this wonderful area.” Over 1,100 local volunteers have helped to restore
a rage of wetland habitats including floodplain meadows, fen, wet heath,
wet woodland and saved three kilometres of globally rare chalk streams.
It has also created over 250,000m2 of open water habitat for vulnerable
birds and wetland species. One of the goals of the project has been to
involve as many people as possible ‘citizen scientists’, protecting this
precious part of the South Downs. Local residents have created rain
gardens designed to reduce flood risks and provide a habitat for
pollinators. Individuals living in the river catchment have also used an
app developed by the project to easily record the plants and wildlife
they have seen in their green spaces.
Funding boost is welcome news for water voles in west London
– London Wildlife Trust The endangered water vole, Britain’s fastest
disappearing mammal, is getting a helping hand at Frays Farm Meadows in
North Uxbridge.A £25,000 grant from Veolia Environment Trust will allow
London Wildlife Trust, which manages this nationally important nature
reserve, to carry out important access and conservation work that will
benefit water vole and other wildlife in the Meadows.
Frays Farm Meadows is one of the finest examples
of rare wet grazing meadows in Greater London, providing a home for a
range of wildlife species including; snipe, water vole, harvest mouse,
dragonflies and even glow worms. The grant will allow the Trust to clear
encroaching scrub and bring Sussex cattle onto previously inaccessible
parts of the reserve, where they will chomp away on the more dominant
plant species. This will allow rarer plants and wild flowers to become
established, such as marsh forget-me-not, ragged robin and kingcup. The Sussex cattle, mainly red in colour with an
off-white tail switch, are well known for their excellent temperament
and placid nature and are already being used in other areas of Frays
Farm Meadows. Alongside the grazing cattle, the Trust will be
clearing scrub from the freshwater ditches that wind across the reserve.
The ditches provide a perfect home for water vole, which live in burrows
in the banks of the ditches and the nearby Fray’s River and the River
Colne, feeding on grasses and other plants that grow nearby. Work is scheduled to start in November, with the
support of specialist contractors as well as local volunteers, who help
the Trust look after the Meadows and other nature reserves in the area.
Access to the nature reserve remains free to the public.
Largest Trees in the UK discovered at Plas Tan y Bwlch
– Snowdonia National Park Following a recent survey by the Tree Register of
the British Isles (TROBI) it has been confirmed that some of the biggest
trees in Britain are growing in the grounds and gardens of Plas Tan y
Bwlch in Maentwrog, Snowdonia. On a recent TROBI (Tree Register of the British
Isles) visit to Plas Tan y Bwlch, dendrologist Dr. Owen Johnson, noted
that the trees at Plas Tan y Bwlch have several exceptional
characteristics. In all, it has four UK champion trees, 9 Welsh
champions, plus a further 16 Gwynedd champions.
One of the UK Champions is an enormous Red Cedar
which comes originally from Japan, the Cryptomeria japonica. It forms
part of a series of trees and it is very unusual to have a series of the
same trees of the same age and provenance in the same place. The
collection at Plas is the best of the largest tress of their kind in
Britain. Among the largest trees of their kind in Britain that can be
seen here also are a Japanese Red Cedar, a Golden-leaved Lawson Cypress,
a Sawara Cypress and a Variegated Holly Olive Tree. The Welsh Champion
trees include a Downy Birch, a Katsura Tree, a Sawara Cypress, Japanese
Red Cedar, Pocket Handkerchief Tree, Oriental Spruce, Chinese
Rhododendron, Smith’s Rhododendron and Silver Lime. Dr Johnson said "The woods at Plas Tan y Bwlch
probably have the best series of Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedars)
of any estate in Britain. Below Llyn Mair a small Victorian pinetum now
contains three 'champion trees' growing almost side-by-side. There is
also an attractive range of trees in the main garden, including a
Davidia (Dove Tree) unsurpassed from its crown-size and beauty." Welcoming the news, Head of Business at Plas,
Andrew Oughton, said, “We have long been aware of the magnificence of
the trees at Plas, but had no idea so many of them were the biggest of
their kind."
Families will go wild for play at new site in the New Forest
– New Forest National Park The New Forest is receiving its first permanent
wild play site to help children discover and connect with nature.
Whether it is den building, balancing on logs or
tracing animal tracks, woods are wonderful places for children to
explore the great outdoors. However the number of children playing in wild
spaces has more than halved in a generation, with only 10 per cent
playing in natural spaces such as woodlands and heaths. Opening in spring 2017, The Holbury Manor Park and
Warren Copse wild play site, situated just outside Holbury, will be a
space for children and families to explore the outdoors all year round.
The scheme is supported by a multi-million pound landscape partnership
scheme called Our Past, Our Future, which is funded by the Heritage
Lottery Fund and led by the New Forest National Park Authority with 10
key partners. New Forest National Park Authority Wild Play
Officer Claire Pearce said: ‘Not only will the site benefit children’s
health, it will provide a place for families to connect with nature and
develop a desire to protect and preserve the local environment.’ New Forest Land Advice Service Project Co-ordinator Tom Murphy, said: ‘Warren Copse had become an example of unmanaged and neglected woodland, with the overgrown tree canopy creating problems for local wildlife.
Impact of pesticide on bumblebees revealed by taking experiments into
the field – Imperial College London A study in which free-foraging bee colonies were
placed in the field has shown that pesticide exposure can affect colony
development. A class of pesticides called neonicotinoids have
faced scrutiny in recent years for potentially contributing to bee
declines. If bees decline then many plants will go un-pollinated,
including important crops we rely on for food. However, the extent to which neonicotinoids are to
blame is not fully understood, and three neonicotinoids are currently
under restriction within the EU while more evidence is gathered. To date studies looking at the effect of
neonicotinoids on bees have either been in the lab, or in the field
where colonies are placed next to treated crops. However, lab studies
are often unrealistic, and field studies are difficult to control,
meaning other factors in the environment could play a role in any
changes to the colony. Now, in a study that balances the pros and
cons of these two approaches, a team led by researchers from Imperial
College London have developed a way of housing colonies in the field.
This allowed them to control pesticide exposure and closely monitor
colony activity and development. Unlike some previous studies they did not find any
large effect on bee foraging behaviour following neonicotinoid exposure.
However, they did find evidence that the colony produced a lower number
of new queens and males, which underpins colony success. Senior author Dr Richard Gill from the Department
of Life Sciences at Imperial said: “Neonicotinoids found in the
environment are unlikely to directly kill individual foraging bees, but
when exposure is relatively persistent and combined with other stressors
associated with land use change, they could have detrimental effects at
the colony level.” Access the paper:
Arce, A. N., David, T. I., Randall, E. L., Ramos Rodrigues, A., Colgan,
T. J., Wurm, Y. and Gill, R. J. (2016),
Impact of controlled neonicotinoid exposure on bumblebees in a realistic
field setting. J Appl Ecol. doi:10.1111/1365-2664.12792
Sea eagle numbers predicted to climb in Scotland new Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) report
predicts that the number of white-tailed eagles, also known as sea
eagles, is likely to be around 221 pairs by 2025 with potential for a
much larger population by 2040. There have been three release phases to
re-establish the eagles, which went extinct in 1917. Two releases
occurred on the west coast of Scotland from 1975-85 (Rum) and from
1993-98 (Wester Ross), and one on the east coast (Fife) from 2007-12.
There were 106 pairs of white-tailed eagles in Scotland in 2015.
The report, authored by researchers at RSPB's
Centre for Conservation Science, modelled a range of scenarios to
predict the potential size of the sea eagle population, including
scenarios with no limits on population growth. Other scenarios included
the limits of the carrying capacity of the land (suitable habitat, food
and nest sites) or other factors such as potential increased mortality.
The estimate of 221 pairs by 2025 figure is considered a realistic
figure. Over the longer term, the modelling predicted the population
could potentially reach 889-1,005 pairs by 2040; however, the top end of
the population range is unlikely to be reached, because it does not take
into account the carrying capacity of the land and other factors. These
values do not include juvenile birds, which typically do not pair up and
breed until they are five or six years old. Andrew Bachell, SNH’s Director of Policy & Advice,
said: “The future of the white-tailed eagle looks stable and the
population is growing well. Many people and organisations have
contributed to this success and we should be proud of it. We know some
farmers and crofters have serious concerns about the impact of sea
eagles on their livestock with some experiencing losses. We are working
with NFU Scotland, local stakeholders and others to thoroughly
understand the part sea eagles play in livestock losses, and we’re
committed to working together to find solutions to allow sea eagles and
livestock farmers to co-exist.” The report, an important output from the 2014
joint statement of intent between SNH and NFU Scotland, will be used to
inform future conservation actions for the species. It highlights the
need to re-double efforts to work together with a range of land
managers, particularly in farming and forestry and other interests, to
mediate potential conflicts that may arise. Access the report:
SNH Commissioned Report 898: Population and future range modelling of
reintroduced Scottish white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla)
Tracking Basking Sharks in the Sea of the Hebrides
– Marine Conservation Society We have teamed up with Dr Matthew Witt at the
University of Exeter to attach state-of-the-art satellite transmitters
to basking sharks in the proposed Sea of the Hebrides Marine Protected
Area. This exciting project builds on an ongoing
tracking study with Scottish Natural Heritage to explore basking shark
behaviours. Basking Shark Watch sightings as well other research and
surveys mean we do understand something of the life of these massive
marine creatures, enough in fact to already support the scientific case
for the proposed MPA. Now, by following these three tagged baskers,
we’ll collect even more information which will further persuade the
Scottish Government why creating the Sea of Hebrides Marine Protected
Area is a no brainer for basking sharks. Matthew tagged the sharks on the 6th September
2016 while they fed on plankton at the sea surface in the Gunna Sound
near Coll and Tiree. Little is understood about the seasonal movements
of our largest fish, and how they are affected by the changes in
plankton. This project is starting to reveal some of those mysteries,
and now you can track the sharks here live, and experience scientific
discovery first hand!
National Wildlife Crime Unit Celebrates 10th Anniversary
- NWCU The 16th October 2016 marks 10 years since the
National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) was officially launched. The NWCU is
a stand-alone Police Unit dedicated to tackling wildlife crime. Historically, police response to wildlife crime
investigation has been varied. Some forces provided an excellent
service, whilst the service provided by others ranged from adequate to
non-existent. Criminals that targeted wildlife did not stick to one
force area, some even travelled the globe profiting from illegal trade
in wildlife. It was clear that there was a lack of co-ordination and
guidance for the police officers who dealt with wildlife crime. In 2002 under the guidance of the then North Wales
Chief Constable, Richard Brunstrom, who was also the ACPO lead for
wildlife crime, the Wildlife Crime Intelligence Unit (WCIU) was set up
within the National Crime Intelligence Service (NCIS). becoming the
National Wildlife Crime Unit in 2006. Not only would it fulfil its role
as an intelligence cell, but it would provide experienced investigators
to support wildlife crime investigations. The new unit was also set up
with analytical capability. Importantly, as a stand-alone police unit,
it has no agenda outside of policing so the support the NWCU provides is
totally impartial. The NWCU is now firmly established as part of UK
Policing and its long-term funding has been agreed until at least 2020.
Since its launch the NWCU has also become established on the global
stage and regularly works with law enforcement agencies from around the
world. Head of Unit, Chief Inspector Martin Sims said:
“There have been many challenges along the way, but the fact that the
NWCU’s long-term future has been secured is recognition of the unit’s
value. The NWCU is a small but very effective team which has made a huge
difference in the fight against wildlife crime. It has been recognised
both at home and abroad. I would like to praise the expertise and
dedication of NWCU members, past and present – without such dedication
the unit may not have survived. I would also like to thank all agencies
and NGO’s who lobbied for the future of the unit before the Government’s
last spending review. I believe this helped portray the benefit of a
dedicated police unit to tackle wildlife crime”.
New County for
the Willow Emerald – British Dragonfly
Association The Willow Emerald Damselfly, which had only been
recorded on 3 occasions in the UK before 2009, was found in Tattenhoe
Valley Park, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire on the 28th September 2016,
marking the spread of the species ever further westwards.
Following a massive boom in records in 2009, the
Willow Emerald Damselfly has spread incredibly quickly, with new
counties added to the list of breeding localities on a yearly basis. In
2016 alone the species has newly colonised Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire
and Northamptonshire with the recent find in Buckinghamshire the fourth
new county for the species this year. The find was made by young naturalist, Harry
Appleyard, who saw both males and females and even witnessed oviposition
(egg-laying) behaviour (photo right). The species has since been found
at further ponds on the same site. Harry says: 'This is easily the most
exciting wildlife find I've had in the local area to date.'
NFU Council's bold vision for post-Brexit farming
– National Farmers Union Council supports a bold, ambitious vision for
British food and farming post-Brexit; one that ensures farm businesses
are central to a dynamic food chain and deliver a countryside that works
for everyone. Over the past eight weeks the views of thousands
of members on the future of farming have been gathered through
questionnaires and a series of meetings nationwide. NFU Council, the
organisation’s governing body, reviewed the results of the work to date
and supported the next steps to develop a comprehensive framework. This
will form the basis of those initial talks with government, at all
levels, to ensure the country builds a progressive, profitable and
competitive future for British farming post-Brexit. A detailed policy paper will now be developed for
publication early next year. NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “It has been
encouraging to see the high level of interest among our farmer and
grower members over the summer at this unique opportunity to help shape
the future of our industry. Members of Council have taken these views on
board and are keen to capitalise on opportunities as well as meet the
challenges presented post-Brexit. The overwhelming view from our
membership is that we need a bold and ambitious vision for the industry
shared by government that delivers improved health, wealth and
environment for the British people. This vision will be vital in helping
to produce the raw ingredients for a dynamic food and drink industry,
one that underpins the £108bn contribution to the UK economy and the 3.9
million jobs for people working in food and farming. What’s at stake
here clearly needs to remain at the front of this debate – protecting
the environment alongside having access to safe, affordable, traceable
home-grown food and for that we need to have competitive, profitable and
progressive farming.
CPRE welcomes NFU statement on the future of UK farming This week the National Farmers' Union
(NFU) released a statement on its vision for the future of UK farming
post-Brexit. Belinda Gordon, head of government and rural
affairs at the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) commented: “CPRE
welcomes the statement from the NFU, following the consultation with
their members, that we need a farming sector that “delivers improved
health, wealth and environment for the British people.” This, as well as
the call for an ambitious vision, echoes the message in CPRE’s New Model
Farming Report that farming is vital for delivering so many benefits for
the public beyond just food, yet the current system, focused on ever
increasing production, is not working effectively for the environment,
for farmers or for rural communities. "The NFU is right in identifying
that the key is “protecting the environment alongside having access to
safe, affordable, traceable home-grown food and for that we need to have
competitive, profitable and progressive farming.” But we also need to
recognise that a profitable farming system that is truly efficient over
the long–term relies on many environmental assets, such as healthy
soils, water availability and pollinators.
New-for-Britain bee discovered at Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park
– The Land Trust A bee species has been spotted for the first time
breeding in Britain. The bee was found during a survey of Greenwich
Peninsula Ecology Park in south east London.
First found in Britain by Natural History Museum
scientist David Notton, the bee is using bee nest boxes provided at the
Land Trust site, which is managed on a day-to-day basis by The
Conservation Volunteers. The species, Hoplitis adunca, is more commonly
found in continental Europe and does not pose a threat to other British
pollinators. Notton thinks it is unlikely to become widespread
in Britain: “It’s at the limit of its temperature range here, and is
restricted by its reliance on pollen from a specific plant called
Viper’s Bugloss. But it’s a great example of how important urban green
spaces are for giving pollinators a home and that putting bee nesting
boxes in gardens and parks can help support pollinators too.” The Ecology Park is a good habitat for the bee,
with a warm micro-climate, a large quantity of its preferred flower,
Viper’s Bugloss, and mud and dead wood to make nests from.
Scottish Land Commission, key land reform body to bring around 20 new
jobs to Inverness - Scottish
Government Scottish Land Commission, including five Land
Commissioners, the Tenant Farming Commissioner and support staff, will
be based in Inverness, Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham will
announce. The new Scottish Land Commission is a key part of
the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016. It will review law and policy, and
make recommendations to the Scottish Government on matters relating to
Scotland's land. The Tenant Farming Commissioner will also be part of
the Scottish Land Commission, and will develop codes of practice and
provide support to the tenant farming sector. Ms Cunningham said “Land reform is a journey and
we are determined to ensure all of the people of Scotland can benefit
from our land. The Land Reform Scotland (Act) was a significant
milestone and delivered a number of important changes. The legislation
paved the way for setting up a new Scottish Land Commission which will
help to ensure that we continue to progress with land reform and I am
delighted to confirm it will be based in Inverness. This will provide
approximately 20 new jobs in the area while providing a base that is
easily accessible for all parts of Scotland. The city location
symbolises that land reform is no longer an exclusively rural issue – we
want to see people in our towns and cities reap the benefits of land
reform too. The Commission will have an important role reviewing policy
and legislation, help to influence future developments relating the
ownership of Scotland’s land and how we ensure communities across
Scotland realise their potential.”
Conservation 21: Natural England’s conservation strategy for the 21st
century – Natural England Corporate
report How Natural England will work to protect England’s
nature and landscapes for people to enjoy and the ecosystem services
they provide. The government’s ambition is for England to be a
great place to live, with a healthy natural environment on land and at
sea that benefits people and the economy. This strategy sets out Natural
England’s thinking about what we need to do differently and how we need
to work with others, to better deliver this shared ambition. The strategy’s 3 guiding principles are to:
Download the report:
Conservation 21: Natural England’s conservation strategy for the 21st
century (PDF)
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CJS is not responsible for content of external sites. Details believed correct but given without prejudice. Disclaimer: the views expressed in these news pages do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CJS. |
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Peacock
butterfly, image: James O'Neill, Butterfly Conservation
Cyclists
using Sustrans Route 75, Oban to Fort William (©Lorne Gill/SNH)
Kerosene
oil spill in Carmarthenshire
Water
vole by Tom Marshall
Red
Cedar (image: Snowdonia National Park)
Wild
Play Walk (image: New Forest National Park)
Sea
Eagle in flight (Copyright Lorne Gill/SNH.
Female
Willow Emerald Damselfly ovipositing (image: BDS)
Viper's
Bugloss Mason Bee
