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Headlines from over the Christmas break 2017 (22/12/17 - 5/1/18) |
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A round up of the top countryside, conservation, wildlife and forestry stories as chosen by the CJS Team.
News from over the Christmas break Government news, announcements and policy
plus reaction
Farming for the next generation - defra Secretary of State Michael Gove sets out his vision on the future of
our farming industry at the Oxford Farming Conference 2018 Responses from Campaign for National Parks,
CPRE, Ramblers, Dorset Wildlife Trust, NFU, Confor
Campaign for National Parks hopeful over proposals for future of
environmental payments - Campaign for
National Parks Campaign for National Parks is hopeful that
today’s announcement from the Secretary of State for the
Environment, Michael Gove, that future payments of public money to
farmers, will incentivise environmentally friendly practices and usher
in positive enhancements for National Parks in England. In his comments at the Oxford Real Farming Conference today (4
January) (ORFC), which reflected his speech to the Oxford Farming
Conference (OFC), Mr Gove argued that the current Basic Payment Scheme
was unjust and inefficient and should be relaxed with funding that
rewarded land managers who were working hard to enhance our natural
environment. Campaign for National Parks supports the shift towards the use of
public money to reward the delivery of public goods. Mr Gove also
recognised the important role that upland farmers have played in keeping
rural communities alive.
Campaign for National Parks believes the upland landscapes in our
National Parks provide a significant contribution to the economy and in
shaping England’s iconic landscapes. However, current management
practices fall short in delivering the full spectrum of public benefits
that these areas can deliver. Fiona Howie, chief executive of Campaign for National Parks said “The
current system has largely failed to deliver the environmental
improvements our National Parks desperately need. We have been
consistently calling for a payments system based on the provision of
public money for public goods, so we welcome Mr Gove’s intention to
develop such an approach.
CPRE comment on post-Brexit agriculture subsidies
- CPRE CPRE welcomes Environment Secretary Michael Gove’s announcement today
(4 January) that the current subsidy regime for farmers, in which most
payments are related to the amount of land owned, will be replaced by a
scheme focused on public benefits and enhancing the countryside. CPRE made the case for this in our 2016 report
New Model Farming. Belinda Gordon, Head of Rural Policy at the Campaign to Protect Rural
England said:
Public access is a public good - Ramblers Today (4/1/18) we welcomed the recognition by Environment Secretary -
Michael Gove - of the need to invest in public access for the public
good post-Brexit, as part of the reform of agricultural payments. We hope that the Government ensures that new legislation also
enforces current landowner responsibilities to maintain access to
existing footpaths. Landowners who are recipients of public money must
demonstrate their compliance with their existing legal obligations
relating to path maintenance, to be eligible for payments from the
public purse.
"Simon says" - The future of farming and wildlife - "We stand on the
cusp of a revolution" - Dorset Wildlife Trust
blog by Chief Executive Simon Cripps
Confor welcomes Gove's fresh approach Stuart Goodall has reacted to Michael Gove's speech to the Oxford
Farming Conference on post-Brexit support for the UK's rural areas. Confor's Chief Executive said: “Confor welcomes Michael Gove’s
confirmation that, post-Brexit, we can do things differently, and
more sustainably, in our rural areas.
NFU welcomes commitment to British farming from Secretary of State
- National Farmers Union The NFU has welcomed a commitment to a national food policy and
recognition from the Secretary of State that food production is ‘at the
heart of all farming businesses’, announced at Oxford Farming Conference
today (4 January). The NFU has also welcomed a pledge for Defra to champion high-quality
British food at home and abroad. NFU President Meurig Raymond said that Michael Gove’s speech was a
positive signal for the farming industry. Mr Raymond said: "I was pleased to hear the Secretary of State
talking about the need to invest in technology, skills and rural
resilience - all of which he says are public goods. Michael Gove also
spoke about the importance of delivering benefits for the environment,
something that farmers already advocate and perform highly on. Mr Gove
was absolutely right to recognise the vital contribution that uplands
farmers have in maintaining their iconic landscape. Without the
productive, resilient and profitable farm businesses across the country,
we will not have the people to look after the natural environment. Linked but not in direct response:
Call for Government to support nature friendly farming policies
post-Brexit - National Trust A group of more than 100 farmers with a new vision for the future of
British agriculture is launching the Nature Friendly Farming Network
(NFFN) on Friday 5 January 2018, at the Real Farming Conference in
Oxford. The independent organisation is calling on the UK and devolved
governments to create a post-Brexit framework that will help farmers
restore British wildlife, reverse declines in soil quality and help
manage the impacts of climate change, at the same time as growing
affordable, healthy food. Leaving the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) necessitates a new
approach to British farming policy. The NFFN believes the UK should use
this opportunity to help farmers across the UK transition towards a
nature friendly future. Thousands of British farmers already use nature friendly farming
practices, but NFFN says that the scale of the decline in wildlife and
soil quality and the challenges presented by climate change mean that
this work needs to be scaled up rapidly with strong policy support. The NFFN aims to provide a political voice for the thousands of
farmers who are committed to managing their land for wildlife and public
service, as well as growing and providing food. Farmers can join the NFFN by visiting
www.nffn.org.uk, to read the high
level policy ask
click here. Also: Welcome to the Nature Friendly Farming Network writes Martin Harper, RSPB Conservation Director on his RSPB Community blog
MPs call for "latte levy" on coffee cups -
Environmental Audit Committee, UK Parliament The Environmental Audit Committee calls on the Government to
introduce a 25p latte levy on disposable coffee cups and for all coffee
cups to be recycled by 2023. The UK throws away 2.5 billion disposable
coffee cups Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Mary Creagh MP, said: "The UK
throws away 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups every year; enough to
circle the planet five and a half times. Almost none are recycled and
half a million a day are littered. Coffee cup producers and distributors
have not taken action to rectify this and Government has sat on its
hands. The UK’s coffee shop market is expanding rapidly, so we need to
kick start a revolution in recycling. We’re calling for action to reduce
the number of single use cups, promote reusable cups over disposable
cups and to recycle all coffee cups by 2023." The Committee has called on the Government to:
Read the interactive report summary
Read the conclusions and recommendations
Read the full report: Disposable Packaging: Coffee Cups Response:
CPRE welcomes coffee cup recommendations
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) welcomes today’s
(5/1/18) clear recommendation from the Environmental Audit Committee
(EAC) that the UK Government should continue to use economic measures to
reduce packaging and increase recycling. The EAC is recommending a 25p charge on disposable coffee cups in its
new report,
Disposable packaging: Coffee Cups, the second report following its
major inquiry into packaging. CPRE is very pleased with the depth of the inquiry and the strength
of the measures that the EAC has recommended. CPRE have long campaigned
for financial incentives, such as charges and deposits, to encourage
recycling and the reduction of litter and waste. As the success of the
5p charge for single-use plastic bags demonstrates, these are often the
most effective way to achieve large-scale changes in behaviour quickly. Another vital recommendation from the EAC is that packaging producers
should be made financially responsible for the packaging they produce.
Currently, packaging producers only pay for 10% of the cost of packaging
disposal and recycling, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for the
remaining 90%. The EAC urges the Government to adopt a fee structure
that rewards producers who design recyclable packaging and increase
charges on packaging that is difficult to recycle
More frequent cattle testing to boost fight against bovine TB
Grants for badger vaccination schemes and six-monthly testing in high
risk areas will help to prevent disease and catch it more quickly.
Bovine TB will be caught and stamped out more quickly in England’s
cattle herds under plans to strengthen testing in the highest-risk areas
of the country. Six monthly routine tests will be introduced for all herds in the
High Risk Area – mainly the South West and parts of the Midlands – with
annual tests preserved for herds that have gone five or more years
without disease, and farms accredited under the
Cattle Herd Certification Standards
(CHeCS) scheme, requiring tougher biosecurity measures to be
observed.
Grants to vaccinate badgers in the Edge Area of the country – the
‘buffer’ between the High Risk and Low Risk Areas – are also available
now for schemes to run next year. These moves are part of the government’s comprehensive 25-year plan
to eradicate bovine TB in England and come as
recent peer-reviewed research shows badger control in
Gloucestershire (58%) and Somerset (21%) – where culling began in 2013 –
has contributed to significant reductions in the disease in herds.
Results published today (21/12/17) also confirm that all 19 licensed
intensive badger control operations achieved the badger population
reductions needed to realise disease control benefits.
Bovine TB: Chief Veterinary Officer’s advice on the outcome of the 2017
badger culls - defra policy paper Chief Veterinary Officer’s advice on the outcome the badger culls in
parts of England in 2017. Download:
Chief Veterinary Officer’s advice on the outcome of the 2017 badger
culls Response:
Trust appalled that 20,000 badgers culled in 2017
- Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is appalled that almost 20,000 badgers have
been culled this year.
The shocking number was announced earlier today by the BBC. The
animals were culled in 19 counties including Cheshire, each badger sadly
killed as part of the Government plan to control the spread of bovine
TB. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the Wildlife Trusts across the UK are
strongly opposed to the badger cull. Killing badgers can lead to
increasing the spread of bovine TB. Jo Smith, Chief Executive at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said “With
figures like this being released, now more than ever we need to look at
more effective and ethical ways of controlling bovine TB. Derbyshire
Wildlife Trust has been leading the way for 5 years with a hugely
successful badger vaccination programme and we will continue to
vaccinate Derbyshire’s badgers and prove that vaccinating is more humane
and less costly to the UK Tax Payer than the cull. The Trust remains
steadfast that the focus for eliminating the disease should be on cattle
and their movements across the country. A vaccine for cattle remains a
top priority and we continue to call for the cull to end.” Whilst the cull figures are not welcomed, the Trust is pleased to
hear that DEFRA are making grants available once again to vaccinate
badgers against bovine TB in 2018. A fund worth £700,000 is
becoming available in the New Year for organisations who want to
vaccinate badgers. Under this scheme the Government will provide 50% of
the funds that are spent on vaccinating badgers. Wildlife news
Quarter of a billion flame shells find lights up Marine Protected Area
- Scottish Natural Heritage The world’s largest known colony of a brilliant but shy species of
shellfish has been discovered in a west coast Marine Protected Area
(MPA). An eye-watering quarter of a billion flame shells have been found
living in nests which have merged to form a huge 185 hectare bed at the
bottom of Loch Carron. Flame shells are small bivalve molluscs with
fiery orange tentacles. Flame shells spend most of their lives
completely hidden away inside nests, built from old shells, stones and
other materials around them and bound together with thin wiry threads.
The discovery was made during a joint Scottish Natural Heritage
(SNH), Marine Scotland (MS) and Heriot-Watt University (HWU) survey to
learn more about habitats in Loch Carron. The latest find further
highlights the global importance of Scotland for the species, following
on from a 2012 discovery in Loch Alsh of a colony of more than 100
million flame shells. Mike Cantlay, SNH’s Chair, said: "Scotland’s Seas clearly still have
many secrets left to tell. This is a remarkable discovery and I think we
should be proud that our rich waters are so important to flame shells,
and as our marine research and survey work continues to reveal, many
other wonderful species too.” Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “This is a fantastic
discovery which shows that the new Marine Protected Area is making an
even more valuable contribution to safeguarding these waters than we
first thought. “I am determined to protect Scotland’s rich marine environment as
this example shows the importance of considering how our seas are
conserved beyond the MPA network. We are continuing to work with SNH to
review the most vulnerable Priority Marine Features in our coastal
waters.”
NRW breakthrough in breeding endangered freshwater pearl mussel
- Natural Resources Wales Work to save a critically endangered mollusc in Wales has taken a big
step forward thanks to a pioneering programme by Natural Resources Wales
(NRW). Their population is no longer viable because they are all old and
there aren't many of them left. But a breeding programme at an NRW
hatchery means they are thriving beyond 6 months for the first time, due
to a new tub rearing technique using sediment and algae. This could
signal a breakthrough which could see populations of this ancient and
elusive mollusc revived in Welsh rivers. NRW’s captive breeding and re-introduction programme at its Cynrig
hatchery in Brecon aims to ensure the short to medium term survival of
this species. The first juvenile mussels have now been hatched. Only the Mawddach river catchment in the north and the Wye river
catchment in the south have any sizable populations of freshwater pearl
mussels - one of the longest living invertebrates. Land and Countryside Management
Forecasting coastal erosion - Scottish
Government Research to map the effects of climate change. The damage that climate change could cause to nearly one fifth of
Scotland’s coastline and the steps that could be taken to mitigate it
will be forecast in a new two year research project. The next phase of DynamicCoast.com will use the latest monitoring
techniques to map and categorise the resilience of the Scottish coast
and identify the links between erosion and flooding. The research, led by the Scottish Government and SNH and carried out
by the University of Glasgow launches in January 2018 and is funded by
CREW (Centre for Expertise in Water). It will focus on specific study
sites including Montrose Bay, St Andrews and Skara Brae to forecast
future change and erosional damage and also work with stakeholders like
local authorities, SEPA and Historic Environment Scotland to develop
plans to mitigate these effects. Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform
Roseanna Cunningham said: “Rising sea levels, increased coastal erosion
and flooding have caused substantial damage to our coastlines and
communities over the last few decades and the pace of erosion is
increasing. We need to take action now to adapt and adjust to these
changes. This research will forecast the extent of damage that could be
caused to our precious coastlines through the effects of climate change
and will work with communities, local authorities, transport agencies
and other planning bodies to develop plans to manage coastal change
before it’s too late.” Scottish Natural Heritage is managing
DynamicCoast.com. Environmental education and recreation
New professional standards for Forest School Trainers
- Forest Schools Association The inspirational process of Forest School has been developing over
the past twenty years in the UK, but there has been concern about the
variable quality of some Forest School Training. As a response to
this the Forest School Association has spent five years developing the
first set of nationally recognised professional standards for those
delivering Forest School Training. The Forest School Association
is the professional body setting professional standards and managing a
new Quality Assurance (QA) Scheme for Forest School Trainers. The Quality Assurance Scheme has been officially launched in
consultation with the Forest School Training community (over 50 members
of the GB Forest School Trainers Network). It was piloted during 2017,
resulting in 3 Trainers gaining FSA Registration and a further 5 going
on to gain full FSA Endorsement.
Gareth Wyn Davies, Chief Exec of the Forest School Association says
“People in the sector have been crying out for some professional
standards relating to trainers for years now and we are thrilled to be
at the point where we are launching this rigorous scheme. The
scheme will enable people looking to train as a Forest School Leader to
select their trainer with confidence.”
Outdoor Industry Microfibre Consortium confirms future plans
- Outdoor Industries Association The EOG has announced the latest initiatives being undertaken to
address the issues of microfibre pollution, as part of the ongoing
Outdoor Industry Microfibre Consortium project with biov8tion and the
University of Leeds. The Outdoor Industry Microfibre Consortium has confirmed that it is
to start work on an infographic and roadmap, alongside an applied
research project. Both are designed to facilitate a shared
understanding of the complex challenges presented by microfibres, and to
build knowledge of the factors that will play a role in finding viable
solutions for industry to implement. Microfibre pollution and its sources, fates, and effects present an
ongoing challenge for the textile and garment industries. Working with
research partners biov8tion and the University of Leeds, and alongside
major brands, the Microfibre Consortium aims to develop improved
knowledge of microfibre shedding and to work towards sustainable
solutions. Katy Stevens, sustainability project manager at the EOG comments: “We
have been delighted with the proactive and collaborative response of the
outdoor and clothing industries to tackle this issue head on and believe
that the new projects will undoubtedly contribute to scientific
understanding, communications, and the development of solutions.” Scientific Research, results & publications
Even wild mammals have regional dialects -
Cardiff University Researchers from Cardiff University’s Otter Project have discovered
that genetically distinct populations of wild otters from across the UK
have their own regional odours for communicating vital information to
each other. The findings could have implications for wild mammal
conservation efforts. The study, which profiled chemical secretions from the Eurasian
otter, suggests that genetically distinct populations of wild mammals
have different odour dialects, which may have been driven by
geographical separation. It also revealed that groups of otters with the
most distinctive odour profiles were the most genetically diverse. Dr Elizabeth Chadwick, from Cardiff University’s School of
Biosciences, said: “Many mammals have scent glands for leaving chemical
messages that provide identifying information regarding sex and age. Our
new research reveals that these odours might also reveal genetic
differences...” Dr Chadwick added: “Our findings raise some interesting questions. In
the same way that people from London may not understand some of the
verbal dialect of people from Cardiff, groups of otters with different
odour dialects may not be able to pick up identifying information from
each other. Without further research, it is unclear how the otters
interpret the chemical difference in secretions" Read the paper (open access)
Eleanor Freya Kean, Michael William Bruford, Isa-Rita M. Russo, Carsten
Theodor Müller & Elizabeth Anna Chadwick,
Odour
dialects among wild mammals. Scientific Reports 7,
Article number: 13593 (2017) doi:10.1038/s41598-017-12706-8
Britain's birds - winners and losers - BTO The 20th annual BirdTrends report from the British Trust for
Ornithology (BTO), just published, gives the latest information on the
winners and losers in the British countryside. The report highlights the
rapid and continuing decline of the Greenfinch, which has declined by
59% in the UK in just ten years, and raised a high level alert against
longer-term trends for the first time.
One species that is doing particularly well is the Chiffchaff, which is continuing to increase its breeding range and population. Record numbers of this small green warbler were caught by bird ringers on their constant effort ringing sites. This species is benefitting from warmer winters. Once a very rare sight in winter, it can increasingly be seen on sunny days in sheltered locations throughout the UK, particularly in the milder coastal areas and around inland waterbodies. The BirdTrends report covers 120 of Britain’s commonest and most
widespread birds, from Mute Swan to Corn Bunting, and it makes for
interesting reading. The data covered in the report were gathered by
thousands of volunteer ‘citizen scientists’ who each year record the
birds on their patch to track how well they are doing. Cite as: Massimino, D., Woodward, I.D., Hammond, M.J., Harris, S.J., Leech, D.I., Noble, D.G., Walker, R.H., Barimore, C., Dadam, D., Eglington, S.M., Marchant, J.H., Sullivan, M.J.P., Baillie, S.R. & Robinson, R.A. (2017) BirdTrends 2017: trends in numbers, breeding success and survival for UK breeding birds. Research Report 704. BTO, Thetford.
UK farmers offer hope for farmland birds -
RSPB New research, funded by Natural England and Defra, and published in
leading science and conservation journal Animal Conservation, used six
years of survey data to track changes in the abundance of birds on
farms.
The study involved over 60 farms under HLS agreements in three
English regions between 2008 and 2014. It revealed that 12 of the 17
priority farmland bird species showed a positive change in abundance,
going against the 56% decline in the number of farmland birds nationally
since 1970. The Farmland Bird Index, one of our most important measures of
biodiversity, increased by between 31% and 97% in different regions
under Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) during 2008-2014. The average
response of 17 priority bird species to HLS management was an increase
in abundance of 163% (i.e. bird numbers more than doubled). Results from farmers and land managers working on HLS
agri-environment schemes were compared with farms in the UK’s wider
farmed landscape. Results show farmers have the potential to deliver
large and rapid population increases in a number of struggling farmland
birds, such as skylark, starling and linnet, if they are given the
funding and support to manage their land in a wildlife-friendly way. Dr Will Peach, RSPB head of research delivery section said: “The UK has experienced a massive loss of farmland wildlife since the 1970s, and Defra’s Wild Bird Indicators published only last month shows this loss has continued during the last 5 years. Our latest study shows that when farmers are supported to adopt wildlife-friendly approaches, then bird life will rapidly bounce back. Many farmers are doing great things for wildlife, and without their efforts, the countryside would undoubtedly be in a much worse position. We have the knowledge and the tools to reverse farmland bird declines, what we need now is the political will to implement them more widely.”
UK honey: Study finds one in five samples contain neonicotinoids
- CEH One in five samples of UK honey were found to contain neonicotinoid
pesticide residues following the introduction of the EU-wide ban on the
use of neonicotinoid pesticide seed dressings on flowering crops. The low level residues of neonicotinoids found pose no risk to human
health. However, previous studies suggest that while such concentrations
are low, they could potentially have negative impacts on honeybee
populations.
Neonicotinoids were also found in around half of the honey samples
taken prior to the ban’s introduction. Whilst the percentage of samples
that tested positive after the ban was introduced had declined, the
persistence of such pesticide residues indicates the need for further
research. The new results are from a national survey conducted by scientists at
the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, published in the scientific journal
PLOS ONE this week. The researchers analysed 130 honey samples, provided by bee keepers
across Great Britain during 2014 and 2015, to assess the effectiveness
of the current EU-wide ban on neonicotinoid pesticide seed dressings on
flowering crops, such as oilseed rape – a policy that aims to reduce
exposure risk to honeybees and other pollinators. Lead author Dr Ben Woodcock said, “While the frequency of
neonicotinoid contaminated samples fell once the EU-ban was in place,
our data suggest that these pesticides remain prevalent in the farming
environment.” The concentrations of neonicotinoids in honey were found to have
declined between May to September during 2015. The researchers also
found a positive association between neonicotinoid concentrations in
honey and the amount of oilseed rape grown in the vicinity of the hive. Dr Woodcock said, “Honey samples collected earlier in the year, when
oilseed rape is in flower, were more likely to contain neonicotinoid
residues than samples collected in late summer when bees feed on other
flowers” Full paper reference: Woodcock B A, Ridding L, Freeman S N, Pereira M
G, Sleep D, Redhead J, et al. (2018)
Neonicotinoid residues in UK honey despite European Union moratorium.
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0189681 (open access)
Trees' spring awakening is becoming less and less sensitive to altitude
differences - WSL In the Swiss Alps, the time lag between leafing of trees at high and
low altitudes has shortened dramatically since the 1960s due to climate
warming. This was the finding of a study published in PNAS and conducted
by the WSL and the University of Neuchâtel in collaboration with the
EPFL and the universities of Antwerp and Beijing. Led by biologist Yann Vitasse, three researchers analysed more than
20,000 observations recorded in Switzerland since 1960 by volunteers and
collected by MeteoSwiss. The records in question covered the dates on
which leaves or needles appeared on four forest species: beech, spruce,
larch and hazel. Five decades of citizen science bear fruit "These forest species are among the most widespread in Switzerland,
especially in mountainous areas. They provide a representative overview
of the staggered start to spring along altitudinal gradients", says Yann
Vitasse. "The observations recorded by volunteers across the country are
enabling the researchers to detect some 'big picture' changes. As data,
they are invaluable for better anticipating the consequences of global
warming." The results of this study also highlight one such consequence: a
general tendency for leaves to start emerging earlier. This earlier
leafing has been taking place faster at high altitudes, thereby reducing
the time lag between the date of leaf-out at the top and bottom of a
mountain. Back in the early 1960s, the time lag in leafing was roughly 5
weeks per 1,000 m of altitude difference, whereas now it is no more than
3 weeks. The researchers noted that the time lag decreases in particular
after a warm winter. Scientific Publications Etienne Toffin, Edith Gabriel, Marceau Louis, Jean-Louis Deneubourg,
Jean-Claude Grégoire
B. Nussberger, M. Currat, C.S. Quilodran, N. Ponta, L.F. Keller,
Range expansion as an explanation for introgression in European wildcats,
Biological Conservation, Volume 218, February 2018, Pages 49-56, ISSN
0006-3207, DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.12.009. and finally something to cheer everyone on a
grey January day:
Heart-warming moment seal pup is returned to Wales’ oceans
- RSPCA Cymru A seal pup rescued by the RSPCA in West Wales has been returned to
the wild after a period of rehabilitation in the charity’s care. Stunning video
footage shows the moment RSPCA staff returned the pup to the wild,
on Friday December 8, after two-months of care at wildlife facilities in
Hastings. The release took place on a beach adjacent to the RNLI’s
Horton and Port Eynon Lifeboat Station, in the Gower. RSPCA Cymru has – in recent months – dealt with a “very challenging”
period in terms of seal rescues, with dozens brought into the charity’s
care in need of support, including in the aftermath of the recent
Ophelia and Brian storms. The male pup was rescued by the RSPCA
after being found at Quay Parade in Aberaeron in early August,
underweight, wounded and high-up on the beach some distance from the
water. The pup was fed zoolyte – a special type of food to help him
recover – before being transferred to RSPCA Mallydams Wood, where he was
rehabilitated by specialist staff. RSPCA animal collection officer (ACO) Ellie West said: “Returning seal pups like this to the wild is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. The poor pup had been through a difficult time, and was found alone, underweight and injured in Aberaeron. However, after a period of care at our specialist centre in Hastings, he was brought back to Wales, and returned safely back to the wild – happy and healthy – in the Gower."
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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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Badgers,
(photo: Elliott Neep , via Derbyshire Wildlife Trust)
A
flame shell on a shallow water maerl bed in outer Loch Carron (image:
SNH)
Chiffchaff
by Amy Lewis
Yellowhammer
singing (Image: RSPB)
Honey
comb (image: CEH)
