The NHBS Moth Trap is a highly portable and lightweight resource for moth trapping, tested and approved by Butterfly Conservation.
It’s easy, flat-pack design features a collapsible frame made from lightweight panels covered in a light coloured nylon, which is easily assembled with Velcro. A single, stainless steel V frame holds the trap’s bulb carrier, secured with a single screw, and supports two top panels that prevent the moths escaping. The trap features a single 20W, shatter-resistant blacklight bulb (included) that is mains powered and is supplied with a 4.5m power lead connecting to a standard UK plug.
Fully assembled, the NHBS moth trap measures approximately 30cm wide x 30cm deep x 50cm tall and weighs around 2kg, making it significantly lighter and much more portable than many moth traps. For convenient transport and storage, it also comes with a carry bag housing all the components.
Learn how to quickly set up your Moth Trap with our video guide below!
Our Findings
NHBS colleagues Oli and Dan recently took our moth trap into their gardens and caught a beautiful range of species, including a Buff Tip, Peach Blossom and Scorched Carpet.
Additional Kits
Our moth trap is also available in two kits:
Moth Trap Starter Kit
The Starter Kit includes the trap and all its components, as well as three 60ml collecting pots, perfect for holding specimens, and a copy of the Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland to aid successful species identification.
Moth Trap with Inverter Kit
The NHBS Moth Trap with Inverter Kit comes with an inverter and waterproof battery enclosure, giving you the flexibility to use the trap in any location without having to rely on mains electricity.
Find out more and order your trap today at nhbs.com
If you have any questions about our Moth Trap or would like some advice on the right product for you then please contact us via email at customer.services@nhbs.com or phone on 01803 865913.
A mosquito-borne disease has spread to the UK and is now affecting wild bird populations. The deadly Usutu virus was first detected in southern Africa over half a century ago and spread to the UK in 2020. Blackbirds are specifically susceptible to the virus, with mass die-offs occurring as a result of the disease across Europe, and it has recently spread across the UK as far as Dorset and Cambridgeshire. Scientists are now monitoring the spread of the Usutu virus amid concerns that climate change may turn Europe into a breeding ground for its host species, mosquitoes, therefore exacerbating the reach of the disease.
Male blackbird (Turdus merula) perched on a branch by hedera.baltica, via flickr.
Scientists warn about numerous new threats affecting bee populations. A study from the University of Reading has highlighted that war zones, microplastic and air pollution are posing some of the greatest threats to our pollinators. An increase in worldwide conflict has forced countries to grow a smaller variety of agricultural crops, leaving pollinators without a diverse range of food sources throughout the year, whilst investigations into air pollution has revealed that is affecting the survival, reproduction and growth of our key pollinator species. Researchers also tested 315 honey bee colonies and found traces of microplastic contamination within most hives. Professor Simon Potts, the lead author of this report, stated that identifying these news threats and finding ways to protect pollinators early is the key to preventing further population decline.
Extinction risk
‘Vulnerable’ cockatoo species facing further habitat loss due to bushfires. Conservationists have warned that the planned burning of 13,000 hectares of forest in East Gippsland, Australia, may jeopardise declining Glossy Black Cockatoos populations. 64% of this species habitat was burned in the 2019-2020 black summer bushfires, resulting in the population becoming wholly dependent on the 48,000 hectares of unburnt coastal forest around Lake Tyers. Glossy Black Cockatoos feed almost exclusively on the cones of black sheoak trees, which are often subject to planned burning programmes. Australia’s biodiversity, wildlife, and habitat are currently under threat from bushfires, prompting ecologists and nature campaigners to highlight the urgent need for careful management, especially with Victoria’s cockatoo population now estimated at a mere 250.
Welsh Celtic rainforests under threat. A 2024 survey investigating the ecology of Welsh rainforests has revealed that only 22% of the temperate rainforests found in this area are in ‘good’ condition, with many others under threat due non-native species, storms and inappropriate grazing of livestock. These rare habitats are only found in isolated areas across the world, including the Woodland Trust’s Coed Felenrhyd near Gwynedd, however it is vital that the remaining 33,024 hectares of rainforest left in Wales are protected. Natural Resources Wales manage seven Celtic rainforest reserves in the Meirionnydd area, and have now stated that these ‘exceptionally important sites’ need conservation and landscape scale management to ensure their preservation.
Climate change
The worlds coastlines are still in danger even if climate targets are met. Even if the world achieves the ambitious goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, researchers project that sea levels are still likely to rise by several meters. New investigations into how ice sheets respond to future climate changes suggest that even with stabilized global warming, this rise may not slow down. A major concern is that melting could accelerate past a viable ‘tipping point’ due to intensified warming from human activity, though scientists are yet to pinpoint this critical threshold. The consequences for coastal communities would be catastrophic, as approximately 230 million people currently live within one meter of high tide lines.
NHBS is proud to celebrate its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of supporting those who work to understand, protect, and conserve the naturalenvironment.
History of NHBS
Founded by Bernard Mercer in 1985 as the Natural History Book Service, NHBS began as a mail-order supplier of ornithology books based in London. Our first catalogue was hand-crafted on a state-of-the-art electronic typewriter! Within two years, we evolved into a comprehensive natural history bookstore, committed to supplying all in-print literature on both natural history and science. Shortly after, we relocated to Totnes in Devon, and we have remained here on the edge of the River Dart ever since.
By the late 1980s, in response to customer demand, NHBS expanded its subject range to include habitat and species conservation, climate change, environmental assessment and more. In May 1995, we ventured online with the launch of our first website, and as digital communication grew, our website and email newsletters became increasingly important, leading to our final newspaper catalogue in 2005.
At the start of the new millennium, NHBS began expanding its range to include products such as bat detectors, trail cameras and moth traps,having recognised the growing demand for nature-based equipment. Today, we offer a comprehensive range of books and practical equipment for ecologists, researchers, educational professionals, and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
“Celebrating 40 years is a testament to the dedication and passion of our team and the unwavering support of our customers. We are committed to continuing our mission to provide the best resources and tools for those who strive to protect and understand our natural world.”
Bernard Mercer – Founder and owner
NHBS Around the World
NHBS’s global customer base has led to us sending products to even the most remote corners of the world.These include the Black River in Mauritius, Ascension Island, Benbecula in the Hebrides and Mount Athos in Greece.Our parcels have reached over 140 countries, supporting researchers, educators, and conservationists wherever they are based.
NHBS parcel distribution
The NHBS Mission
Since we began in the 1980s, our core purpose has been to support individuals and organisations working to understand, protect, and conserve the natural environment.
Forty years on, this continues to drive us, shaping our decisions and inspiring our ongoing work in the conservation world.
We’re have collaborated with a wide range of leading NGOs such as Butterfly Conservation, The Riverfly Partnership and Buglife, and to date, we have donated over £35,000 to support their vital work. In 1999 we also developed the Gratis Book Scheme, which was launched alongside the British Ecological Society and successfully delivered hundreds of books free of charge to students living in developing countries.
Thank you and Looking Ahead
As we reflect on the past 40 years, we’re grateful for our valued customers and the countless individuals and organisations we’ve had the privilege of supporting. We are proud to have forged close partnerships with many conservation organisations who share our values – the Mammal Society, Butterfly Conservation, Bat Conservation Trust and CIEEM, to name just a few, and we look forward to working together to better British conservation.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the future of NHBS and the continued pursuit to fulfil our mission to empower and support those working in conservation.
Thank you for being part of our journey and we look forward to the next 40 years!
The NHBS team
The NHBS team at our recent 40th anniversary celebration
Placed on the IUCN Red List in 2021, Swifts are now recognised as one of Britain’s most endangered bird species, having suffered a staggering population decline of around 60% in just 25 years. These incredible birds return to the same nesting site each year after migrating from a summer in Africa, however due to urban development and land use changes, their natural nesting sites are rapidly disappearing, which is accelerating their already concerning population decline.
Suzanne and RSPB Community Engagement Officer Roshni Parmar-Hill on installation day.
In 2024, over 40 residents of two neighbouring streets in Swinton, Salford decided to take action and create their own ‘Swift Street.’ This community-led project saw the creation and installation of over 100 specialist nest boxes, providing essential nesting spaces for their local swift colony. The Swift Street initiative is part of a wider effort to transform Manchester into a Swift City and ensure the long-term survival of these endangered birds.
In this blog, resident Suzanne Pendleton and RSPB Community Engagement Officer Roshni Parmar-Hill tell us about their journey to create the largest Swift Street in the north-west of England.
My Swift Street Experience – Suzanne Pendleton
My name is Suzanne Pendleton, and I am a mum to two girls, Molly and Tess. I have lived in Houghton Lane in Swinton, Salford with them and my hubby for 30 years, and have been involved in the Greater Manchester Swift Street initiative since August 2024.
During lockdown, I started to value spending more and more time in our little garden as so many people did, and whilst I was outside, I spotted a number of birds zooming around, screaming and flying over our house. At first I wasn’t quite sure what they were, so I asked my friend Kathleen and she enlightened me that they were Swifts! Swifts are migratory birds, so when summer ended they left Swinton and headed back to Africa, but every year I eagerly anticipate their return.
Over time, my understanding of this species grew, and I learnt of their declining population numbers – whilst also developing a stiff neck constantly looking up to the sky to watch their incredible manoeuvres! I am privileged to live in a friendly community on Houghton Lane, so I messaged our community group and asked if anyone knew about our Swift population, or where they may be nesting. Initially we were unsuccessful in locating their nesting sites, however we struck gold in Spring 2024 with the help of the Swift Mapper appand discovered we had four nest sites on Houghton Lane and its surrounding roads.
In this time, I’d also discovered that there was another small colony located less that 1/4 mile away, and a resident of this local road got in touch to tell us that Roshni from the RSPB had been to visit their colony and help establish their Swift Street – she then asked if we would be interested in developing our own Swift Street on Houghton Lane. I think we are so privileged that these incredible urban birds choose to nest on our lane, and as their nesting sites are often threatened by redevelopment, having the means to install boxes provides us with a wonderful opportunity to support them.
Residents Suzanne Pendleton and Kathleen Sides holding up the Swift boxes made by The Skills Company, Trafford.
This project has been a whole-community effort, superbly guided by the wonderful Roshni. With her incredible support and guidance, we used our community group to share the news of the development and launch of our own Swift Street, and we were overwhelmed by the local response. So many families were keen to support our Swift population, and we received requests for over 80 boxes. In January, we were blessed with some bright days, which allowed us to visit each home that had requested a Swift box and advise the families in selecting a suitable aspect and position for their box. As we chatted to more residents about the project I grew in confidence talking about Swifts, and increased my own knowledge too.
Roshni also gathered support from a local college who built our Swift boxes, whilst a local resident, Haldis, made our nest cups. Roshni and several Swift Ambassadors (volunteers who work alongside communities to raise awareness of Swifts and encourage positive action to protect them) then visited our Girl Guiding group to lead some Swift-themed activities which captivated the girls’ interest. They loved learning about the species and contributing to the project by painting our boxes with bird-friendly materials recommended by the RSPB. Saturday 8th March was our first installation day, and local roofer Ryan put up 25 boxes. Since then, we have now installed over 80 along the street, and we are ready for the first wave of our Swift populations to return!
Ryan Cawdron installing boxes on Houghton Lane.
It’s been an absolute honour to be involved in this project, and I feel so lucky that our community can do something practical to support our local Swifts.
RSPB Community Engagement Officer – Roshni Parmar-Hill
I’ve been so privileged to work alongside individuals as passionate and energetic as Suzanne whilst bringing the Swinton Swift Street project to life. This truly is a community endeavour – proving that, to misquote a famous phrase ‘it takes a village to save a Swift’. From Suzanne’s tireless recruitment of her neighbours’ support along her street, and the hard work of her Girl Guide pack painting and waterproofing the nest boxes, to the students of independent skills provider The SkillCentre in Trafford who constructed the boxes, it’s been a joy to see so many people pull together to take positive action for nature.
Swift boxes being carefully stored at Haldis Corry’s house (a Swift Champion who lives nearby)
The screaming calls of migratory Swifts are what first drew Suzanne to this species and fostered her connection. If we want to keep welcoming them back screeching overhead every summer, then they need our help now more than ever to create and protect safe nesting habitats. This incredible species travels a whopping 3400 miles to reach the UK from East Africa every year – crossing 25 countries over the course of 4 weeks in their journey to reach us. Swifts spend most of their time in the air – feeding, sleeping and even mating all whilst in flight! – only landing to nest, which is where Suzanne and her neighbours come in.
Swifts return to the exact same nesting spot every year, but increasingly these nesting sites have been hit by property renovations and the removal of old buildings. This has contributed to a 62% decline in Swift numbers between 1995 and 2020, and the species have now been added to the UK’s Red List of Birds, meaning its amongst our most endangered. However, with the installation of over 80 nest boxes on Suzanne’s street, we intend to grow another new urban Swift colony and build on wider ongoing work to develop Manchester into a Swift City. This project is supported by the expansion of our network of brilliant ‘Swift Champions’ who are leading the development of nesting sites at scale, manufacturing swift boxes and raising people’s awareness and engagement of the project and species through walks, talks and workshops.
Roshni and Seamus making Swift Egg cups on a cold January day.
As Suzanne and her neighbours now prepare for a special Swift Homecoming Street Party to officially declare it a Swift Street and welcome their bird’s home, all eyes will be fixed on the skies for a glimpse of the street’s feathered residents moving into their new addresses…
Orchidaceae, a family boasting over 28,000 species worldwide, are renowned for their intricate beauty and fascinating adaptations. These perennial plants exhibit a remarkable diversity of forms, even within species, with flowers featuring three sepals and three petals, one of which often forms a distinctive lower lip (the labellum) which is an important identification feature. They rely on diverse pollination methods, often involving intricate relationships with insects and fungi, and are highly specialised to survive in specific habitats.
The UK is home to 57 native orchid species, ranging from common meadow flowers to prized rarities. This blog explores a group of these British orchids and provides information on both their identifying characteristics and distribution in the UK.
Identification: Bird’s-nest Orchids are incredibly distinctive and are named for their unique root system that resembles a bird’s nest. They have no leaves, and do not have chlorophyll, so they rely on nutrients provided by mycorrhizal fungi in the soil.
The cylindrical spike grows up to 50cm in height and can carry up to 100 yellow-brown flowers that smell like honey. The sepals and upper petals are short and form a fan-shaped hood at the top of the flower. At the base is a broad, long lobe that is forked in the middle, and at the base of this lip is a shallow cup of nectar which is used to attract small insects for fertilisation.
Distribution: This species has a scattered distribution throughout the UK but is locally common in southern England and Northern Ireland. Bird’s-nest Orchids can be found in mature woodland, especially those with beech and Yew, in southern England and typically flower from early May to late June.
Identification: This distinctive orchid has two variations: early flowering and late flowering forms, which exhibit subtle differences in flower colour. This orchid is conical to cylindrical in shape and features densely packed, deep-purple flower buds. These flowers have dark purple-red sepals and pale petals, including a four lobed white lip with red-purple spots.
Early Flowering Form: Grows up to 10cm tall, with a closely packed flower spike bearing up to 50 small flowers. The sepals and upper petals form a tight, darkly coloured hood, which appears red-brown when the flowers first open and quickly fades as the bud matures. It has a long white lip with two rounded side lobes, and a bluntly forked central lobe. Early flowering forms have a strong, sweet scent and are pollinated by flies.
Late Flowering Form: Typically found between 8 and 15cm in height. Late flowering form flowers have shorter, blunter lobes and the red colouring on the hood remains strong even with maturity. The edges of the lip are usually flushed with colour, which can spread over the whole lip in some cases.
Distribution: Formerly widespread throughout the UK but has undergone declines in the north and midlands. It is now found in a few localities, mainly in southern England, on chalk and limestone grassland and meadows. Early flowering forms bloom mid May to mid June. Later flowering forms bloom late June to early August.
Identification: Greater Butterfly Orchids can grow up to 60cm in height. The plant consists of a tall spike of up to 40 greenish-white flowers in a loose cluster. The overall flower structure is similar to Lesser Butterfly Orchids and has ovate lateral sepals with a wavy edge like the wings of a butterfly. The upper sepal and petals form a broad, green-white hood and a long, translucent lip has a green tip. At the base of the stem, there are two large, shiny leaves that are blue green in colour and elliptical in shape.
Distribution: Widespread throughout the UK, but most common in southern England. Found in meadows, open scrub, grassland and ancient woodland on chalk grassland or calcareous soil. Flowers from late May to late July, where they emit a powerful scent at night and are pollinated by moths.
Identification: Up to 70cm in height, the spike is either pyramidal or cylindrical in shape and can host up to 70 flowers at a time, all various shades of pink, purple and on occasion, white.
The flowers are slightly scented and are pollinated by a range of insects but are particularly attractive to day-flying moths. They have a three lobed lip with a larger, more triangular central lobe that is marked with a pattern of dark pink spots and stripes. The lateral sepals are spreading, and dorsal sepals and upper petals form a loose hood at the top of the flower. All petals and sepals are marked with dark pink lines and dots. It has spotted, narrow basal leaves that form a rosette at ground level.
Distribution: One of the most common and widespread orchids in the UK, but is absent from much of Cornwall, Devon and northern Scotland. They can be found in a range of habitats, including woodland, dry grassland, wet meadows, marshes, man-made road verges and railway embankments. Common-spotted Orchids can be found in flower from mid-May to early August.
Identification: This species is named for the pyramid shape of its flower spike during early growth stages, before it matures into an elongated, cylindrical shape. The flower spike grows up to 60cm in height and is densely flowered with up to 100 flowers at a time. These can be pale pink, to reddish pink in colour and have a sweet vanilla-like scent. The lower lip is divided into three lobes, which can vary in shape, and the sepals and upper petals form a tight hood over the flower. Pyramidal Orchids have up to four grey-green, narrow basal leaves.
Distribution: Common and widespread in England and Wales. It can be found on grassland and sand dunes on chalk and limestone soils, and grows well on human-made habitats, including road verges and roundabouts.
Identification: These distinctive plants have a flower that resembles the body of a bumblebee – a pattern that has since lost significance in the UK, so this species relies on self-pollination.
It grows between 10-50cm in height, and each plant can develop up to seven good-sized flowers. At the base of the stem, there is a rosette of five to six grey green basal leaves – these sit at ground level and have two sheathing leaves that grow upwards on the stem. The distinctive, velvety lip has three lobes – the central section is slightly convex and the side lobes form two small humps. It is rich maroon to purple-brown in colour, with grey and pale-yellow markings. The three wing-like sepals are pink and have a central green vein. Upper petals are brown and cylindrical in shape, forming the antennae of the bee.
Distribution: Found throughout Britain, although scarce in Cornwall, north Devon and Scotland. Bee Orchids can be found on dry chalk and limestone grasslands, calcareous dunes and roadsides or waste ground. Flowers from early June to late July.
Identification: This fascinating species has evolved to resemble an insect in order to attract pollinators. Fly Orchids can grow up to 60cm in height and can bear up to 15 flowers on a spindly stem. The flower has a velvety texture and is dark purplish brown in colour with an iridescent blue band in the middle of the lip. The lip is long, with two short side lobes, and a central lobe that is notched at the bottom. At the base, there are two coloured patches that resemble eyes, with the same velvety texture. The flower has three sepals that are pointed, yellow green in colour and stiff. The thin upper petals are dark purple or brown and resemble antennae.
Fly Orchids typically have three to four dark green basal leaves, that are shiny on the surface and have blunt tips.
Distribution: Widespread throughout the UK, but populations are declining and are fairly scattered in northern England and north Wales due to habitat loss. Fly Orchids can be found in deciduous open woodland, open scrub, grassland, quarries and roadside banks on chalk and limestone soils, and flowers from May to early June.
Identification: A distinctive purple flower on a tall spike. Early Purple Orchids can grow up to 60cm in height, and are easily recognisable by their pink-purple flowers and spotted leaves. The flower spike is oval or cylindrical, carries up to fifty flowers at once on a dense cone-shaped cluster, and has darkly spotted, glossy basal leaves that form a rosette on the ground.
Their sepals spread upwards, and the lip is broad with three lobes and lightly crinkled edges. The centre of this broad lip is paler in colour, and features darker coloured spots over the surface. Upper petals and sepals form a hood at the top of the flower, which has a sweet honey-like scent, that quickly turns unpleasant (likened to tomcat urine) as the flower matures. Flowers do not produce nectar and are pollinated by a variety of bees.
Distribution: Early Purple Orchids can be found throughout the UK, with very scattered groups or complete absence in some regions due to habitat loss and agricultural management. These orchids are found mainly on chalk and limestone soils, in woodland, grassland, rocky cliffs, road verges and embankments. Flowers first appear in spring, typically from early April to early June.
Identification: Common Twayblades can be readily identified by a pair of broad, round or egg-shaped basal leaves that are flush to the ground. The hairy flower spike can grow up to 50cm in height and contains up to 100 clustered, green flowers that are likened to small people – the upper petals and sepals form a hood over a long, yellowish-green forked lip which resemble legs. They have a slightly musky scent and are pollinated by small insects including wasps, beetles and sawflies.
Distribution: Common and widely distributed throughout the UK. Common Twayblades can be found on grassland, deciduous woodland, dune slacks, road verges and chalky soils. Flowers from late April to early August.
A magnificent work combining close to 100 illustrative plates with over 1,000 colour photos to cover all orchid species, subspecies and varieties, as well as hybrids, at all stages of development.
Presents the first comprehensive overview of all named orchid taxa from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, covering etymology, flowering period, habitat, geographical distribution and more for each taxon.
With colour paintings covering 69 species, subspecies and hybrids, this 12-panel chart covers all the orchids that are likely to be seen in Great Britain (including the Channel Islands) and Ireland.
I recently had the opportunity to run a group workshop at the 2025 Biological Recorders Conference for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly – a fantastic day dedicated to celebrating the vital wildlife recording efforts in Cornwall. Held at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus, the event brought together a diverse group – from those just starting their wildlife observation journey to seasoned experts, all sharing a genuine passion for the county’s natural wonders. It was inspiring to network with fellow enthusiasts, and the range of workshops and insights into the latest projects was truly exciting.
This year’s focus, ‘Data for the Future: Recording Nature in a Changing World’ was particularly thought-provoking. The conference explored the recent shifts in recording methods, including the increasing adoption of structured monitoring, the exciting technology used in recording and the value of traditional techniques. It was a valuable day, and I’m looking forward to sharing some of my key takeaways from the event.
Key highlights
It was great to connect with so many people with unique and varied interests. I spent most of my morning meeting lots of likeminded people who are interested in biological recording, chatting all things equipment and answering lots of questions about the kit.Throughout the day, I attended some interesting talks from a number of researchers and organisations. My highlights are as follows:
Pollinator Responses to Urban Green Environments – Oliver Poole, University of Exeter
Oliver’s research focussed on planting green spaces, and whether green spaces are working for both pollinators and people. His research wanted to find out what delivers the most benefits to these groups, and interestingly, his results showed that a mix of native and ornamental plants had the best scores for pollinators and people.
Image by PapaPiper via Flickr
Sea Bass Monitoring, Robin Bradley
This talk centred on the work of a volunteer group, who record data on juvenile bass in the Fal, Helford and Camel estuaries to analyse the strength of each successive year class. Their valuable data has now been validated and added to a larger dataset that will contribute to work across Europe. I particularly enjoyed the wider message of this talk, which emphasised the importance and value of community and citizen science in the wildlife space.
Camel estuary by Rob Hodgkins via Flickr
Tor to Shore – Recording Opportunities, Dr Gwen Maggs
Another interesting talk discussing the Tor to Shore project, an expansive undertaking from Cornwall Wildlife Trust to create a Local Nature Recovery Network spanning across land and sea. The talk discussed the project, and the work on the Trust’s farm, linking to lowlands, an expanding sand dune system, and into the sea with seagrass and maerl habitats.
Data for the Future: Hardware in the Field
I had the opportunity to speak in a group workshop, where I demonstrated some wildlife recording kit and discussed the different types of hardware that can be used for a range of monitoring. It was great to demonstrate the capabilities of wildlife equipment and their applications in the field, and I was able to cover a wide range of monitoring including traditional methods, acoustics, telemetry, video and thermal imaging.
I started with a focus on traditional monitoring, before moving on to advancements in the sector and its technology across a range of habitats and environments. I covered a range of equipment, from bat detectors and camera traps to thermal imaging and our upcoming NEWTCAM. It was great to receive such interest in the kit, and with wildlife technology becoming more and more accessible, it is a great opportunity to share the latest technology to wildlife recorders in the South-west.
It was great to meet so many likeminded individuals interested in biological recording and I particularly enjoyed the emphasis, and appreciation of, citizen science and the value that community can bring to conservation. Overall, it was an inspiring day, and I look forward to attending next year’s conference!
Captive-bred axolotls have successfully adapted to the wild, offering hope for the future of this critically endangered species who have been on the verge of extinction for nearly two decades. In an attempt to trial their reintroduction, scientists have recently conducted a study involving the release and monitoring of 18 captive-bred axolotls into Lake Xochimilco and its neighbouring artificial wetland. Volunteers tracked their movements for roughly 40 days, and the results of this study have revealed that not only have all 18 individuals survived, but those that were recaptured for monitoring have gained weight, suggesting they have successfully adopted natural hunting behaviours. Whilst this study has revealed that species reintroduction is a viable option, ecologist Luis Zambrano has stated the team’s first priority is to improve habitat conditions for axolotl’s already living in the wild.
The only breeding pair of Ospey in southern England have laid four eggs for a second year running. The Osprey reintroduction programme began in Poole Harbour in 2017, and in 2022 female CJ7 and male 022 became the first nesting pair recorded on the south coast of England in 180 years. With the eggs expected to hatch at the end of the month, the Birds of Poole Harbour group have stated that a repeat of all four eggs successfully hatching would be a very promising outcome for their recolonisation, however every hatchling should be celebrated.
Science and Environment
A government grant from the Nature Restoration Fund is set to facilitate the eradication of American mink from the Outer Hebrides. Over 2,000 individuals have been captured since the Hebridean Mink Project began in 2001, and in 2018 it was thought that their population had been reduced to a level that was no longer functional. However, data has revealed that 20-30 mink are still trapped annually. The Scottish Government’s grant will enable the installation of more traps, ensuring the eradication of this invasive species from the islands and supporting the recovery of ground-nesting birds and other native wildlife.
American Mink Huron Wetland Management District South Dakota by USFWS Mountain-Prairie, via flickr.
Policy
Sandeel fishing ban remains in place in the North Sea. Sandeels are a vital source of food for a wide variety of the UK’s marine life and coastal sea birds, and in early 2024 English and Scottish authorities implemented trawling bans due to concerns about declining populations. The EU have now challenged this ban, arguing that the motion was ‘discriminatory,’ ‘disproportionate’ and could threaten commercial sandeel fishing in Denmark. Several key organisations including the RSPB and DEFRA have since advocated for the measure to remain in place, and judges have ruled that there is no legal obligation to reverse this order.
Sandeel in seabed by Crown Marine Scotland, via flickr.
Housing developers in England may be able to build on protected green spaces without needing to replace nature lost locally.The proposed Planning and Infrastructure bill could allow developers to pay into a fund for off-site habitat creation, potentially outside the local area, or even in a different county. While the Labour government aims to streamline development to meet housing targets, concerns are growing that this could harm poorer rural communities and lead to a “cash to trash nature” system, undermining local access to nature and potentially ignoring crucial environmental protection.
Pollution
UK is falling behind on its commitment to reduce microplastic pollution. Scientists have revealed that these pollutants continue to infiltrate our food sources, ecosystems and bodies. Researchers are now warning that the UK is falling behind both Europe and the US in the introduction of enforceable targets on microplastic in wastewater and drinking water. As a result of this, they are now encouraging ministers to develop a comprehensive approach to reduce plastic pollution, whilst also providing funding for vital research into safe microplastic exposure thresholds.
A bird table is a great way to provide supplementary food sources to local bird species, especially during harsh winter months, and offers a delightful window into the lives of our local birdlife. This added food source can have significant positive impacts on the overall health, condition, and breeding success of bird populations in the UK, but with this support comes the responsibility of ensuring a clean and healthy feeding environment. Feeders can quickly become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, encouraging the spread of diseases such as avian trichomoniasis and avian influenza, so it is important to understand how to keep them clean.
In this blog, we detail how to clean and maintain garden bird tables and feeders throughout the year, and highlight the importance of good hygiene for bird conservation in the UK.
Maintaining good bird table hygiene to mitigate the spread of disease is of growing importance. British birds are under significant pressure from habitat loss, land use change and increasing urbanisation across the country – and conditions like avian trichomoniasis, a contagious disease partly responsible for widespread declines of Greenfinches in the UK, can be easily spread through contaminated food dropped by infected birds. Proper bird table hygiene can not only mitigate the spread of disease, but can also minimise the attraction of pest species like mice and rats, which pose a risk to human health through the transmission of zoonotic diseases.
Disease prevention extends beyond simple cleaning – positioning bird tables away from perching or roosting areas minimizes contamination from falling debris or excess faeces, andprioritizing designs that attract smaller songbirds can also reduce the concentration of larger, messier species like pigeons. Replacing older tables, which typically have a lifespan of around five years, also ensures that damaged or difficult-to-clean surfaces don’t become persistent reservoirs for pathogens.
Daily maintenance is essential to prevent the accumulation of harmful bacteria and mould:
Dispose of any uneaten food on bird tables– seed mixes and mealworms in particular should be disposed of after 24 hours
Check over the suet balls or birdseed in your feeder to ensure that it is safe to eat
Thoroughly sweep the table surface or wipe over the feeder pegs to remove debris, droppings and loose food
Monthly
A monthly deep-clean is important to prevent disease transmission in your garden, especially during wetter, colder months:
Disassemble any removable parts for a separate, more thorough cleaning
Scrub each part with a stiff brush and a solution of soapy water or diluted bleach to eliminate harmful bacterial or fungal growth, ensuring that any cracks and crevices are thoroughly cleaned
Rinse all components with clean water to remove any residual cleaning agents
Allow the parts to air dry completely in the sun before reassembling and refilling with food
End of season
At the end of the season, a comprehensive ‘full service’ of your bird table or feeder should be undertaken:
Thoroughly inspect the table or feeder for damages and repairs – whether this be splintered wood,cracks and splits,or loose screws. Repair or replace as needed
Consider repainting or treating table wood with a wildlife-friendly, non-toxic wood preservative or paint to safeguard against weathering and decay
Ensuring your bird feeder is in a good state of repair minimises the risk of injury by garden birds and ensures that the table can be easily cleaned to minimise any bacterial or fungal growth.
Well-maintained bird tables and feeders can directly impact the health and well-being of our local avian populations. By implementing a routine of daily, monthly, and end-of-season cleaning, you can minimise the risk of disease transmission and provide a safe feeding environment for local birds.
For further reading on how to care for local birds in your garden, click here.
***** An epic history of taxonomy across three centuries
Linnaeus was not the only seventeenth-century scholar trying to get to grips with life’s diversity; French naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (Buffon hereafter) was another. Though the two men never met, their ideas did. Author Jason Roberts provides a biography of Linnaeus and Buffon, writing an epic history of their work and intellectual legacy. It has quickly become one of my favourite books this year for introducing me to a new scientific hero.
In the first two parts, Roberts charts the lives and works of Linnaeus and Buffon, alternating between the two as he goes. Having just reviewed The Man Who Organized Nature, I could not resist immediately checking his reference section. Broberg’s books is not amongst them, though he has consulted several other biographies Broberg recommended. His coverage of Linnaeus follows the major beats of his life but leaves out much of the extraneous details that Broberg provided, focusing on his taxonomical ideas. It quickly becomes apparent that Broberg was respectful, even mild, just reporting the facts of Linnaeus’s life but rarely passing judgment. Roberts has no such reservations, calling him out for his arrogance and immodesty. He also covers Linnaeus’s apostles who were sent on collecting expeditions to uncharted parts of the world with often fatal outcomes. True, they went willingly and were not the only ones to do so at the time, but they provided a number of harsh lessons. Roberts particularly holds Linnaeus’s feet to the fire regarding his scientific racism. “Later apologists have attempted to absolve Linnaeus of racism” (p. 180), but not Roberts. Sure, others would make the message more explicit and amplify it but modern race science “has a genealogy that can be traced directly to the pages of Systema Naturae” (p. 181).
In contrast, Buffon (1707–1788) emerges from this book in a far more positive light. Inheriting a fortune at age 10, by 1739 he was nominated as intendant of the Jardin du Roi, gaining both the ear and the financial support of King Louis XV. That was vital for the project that would dominate the rest of his life: Histoire Naturelle. Intended as an encyclopedia of all creation, he wrote 36 large and painstakingly detailed volumes, covering the mineral kingdom and part of the animal kingdom. Like Linnaeus, Buffon was a polymath and became captivated by life’s diversity, but that is where the resemblances end. I admit to knowing little about him before reading this book, but he was a fascinating character! He was the morally more upstanding person of the two, vocally opposing slavery and treating the women who crossed his path as equals. At home, “Buffon designed a life of maximum efficiency” (p. 64), having his valet wake him up at 5 AM every day (even if it meant being dragged out of bed) for a strictly scheduled day of writing in his spartan room, with breaks for meals and some socializing. It was a lifestyle he would stick to for the next 50(!) years, delighting in his “rigorous cultivation of solitary focus” (p. 66).
As if that quirk was not enough to endear Buffon to me, his thinking was decades if not centuries ahead of his time. In his writings, he speculated about extinction, common descent and the evolution of species, the cellular basis of life, the finitude of natural resources, and an impending epoch of humans. Roberts provides relevant context to explain the rhetorical safeguards Buffon employed to sidestep censors and is careful to avoid grand claims: we should be careful not to retrofit today’s knowledge to his hunches and speculation back then. He also disentangles the “thicket of significant linguistic differences between Buffon’s era and ours” (p. 199), pointing out that e.g. evolution as we understand it had not yet been coined. Even so, Darwin admitted that Buffon’s ideas were “laughably like mine” (p. xi).
Of relevance to the history of taxonomy, and the leitmotif of this book, is the rivalry between the ideas of these two men. Roberts captures the contrast beautifully early on: “To Linnaeus’s mind, nature was a noun. All species remained as created during Genesis, representing an unchanging tableau. To Buffon, nature was a verb, a swirl of constant change” (p. 7). Linnaeus, like most naturalists at the time, believed in the fixity of species; evolution and extinction implied that Creation was imperfect. Buffon believed that species evolved and went extinct, even if he did not yet know how. Their differences reflected a deep philosophical divide. Linnaeus believed in absolute universal truths, in Aristotelian essences, with species being real entities. Buffon, in contrast, considered systematics and species useful concepts but also flawed human constructs.
What elevated the book for me is that Roberts leaves himself a comfortable 110 pages in part 3 to describe what happened next and what the relevance of their ideas is to us today. The grand arc that he traces is that, after his death, Buffon’s ideas were quickly sidelined by Linnaeus’s adherents but over time have regained their significance. He takes you through the French Revolution and its aftermath, giving terribly interesting profiles of famous naturalists who embraced Buffon’s ideas to various degrees. He also discusses Britain’s lukewarm reception and then slow acceptance of Linnaeus’s ideas, with his collections ending up in England and leading to the founding of the Linnean Society of London. Simultaneously, Buffon influenced Darwin, Thomas Henry Huxley, and his grandson Julian Huxley who lived through the rise of genetics.
Today, Linnaeus’s taxonomical hierarchy has started to creak under the sheer magnitude of the planet’s biodiversity and has increasingly been abandoned, leaving just binomial nomenclature and a hierarchy of categorical ranks. Buffon’s observation, that life is like a web or network instead of a thread, seems more relevant than ever. Meanwhile, species concepts remain troublesome beasts, and some scholars propose we consider species “snapshots rather than static points”, which hews closer to Buffon’s idea they are “an entity of reason rather than a physical fact” (p. 352).
Though Roberts is not a science historian, he has done his homework, going back to source material wherever possible. He is not shy to judge both men by modern standards with Buffon emerging as the clear moral victor. He leaves ample space to discuss the aftermath and modern relevance of their ideas, which is a welcome stroke of brilliance. If you are new to the history of taxonomy, I have no hesitation in recommending that you start here; Broberg’s book is a more advanced text on a more circumscribed topic that will make for good follow-up reading.
***** A factual and nuanced picture, and a critical interrogation of previous portrayals
I read and compared this book to Andrea Wulf’s widely-read The Invention of Nature. Historian Andreas W. Daum shows that good things come in small packages and delivers a factual, nuanced, and admirably concise biography. Straight off the bat, you can tell that this will be a different book. At 208 pages and 13 × 21 cm, it is swallowed by Wulf’s book. Though both authors are German, as a historian actively researching Humboldt’s biography, Daum is just that bit more qualified. Originally published in German, Daum was actively involved in the book’s English translation, revising and expanding it in the process.
A more detailed comparison follows at the end as I first want to judge this book on its merits. Daum discusses Humboldt’s life in six chapters, giving equal attention to periods that were less glamorous than his American and Russian expeditions. A short interlude reflects on his scientific approach, while the book ends with a chronology, a very useful narrative guide to sources and further reading, endnotes, and a selected bibliography. Daum has a clear mission statement: to examine Humboldt’s life “through a refined biographical lens [that] avoids both mystification and vilification [and] to suggest a more nuanced interpretation, portraying a multifaceted Humboldt” (p. 3). Two aspects stood out to me.
First, throughout, Daum pushes back on previous portrayals of Humboldt. Wulf’s and Meinhardt’s book are characterised as “popular, heroic accounts” (p. 162) that portray Humboldt as “a singular intellect way ahead of his time” (p. 2). He adds a clear barb at Wulf’s address by writing that Humboldt did not invent nature. He equally objects to postcolonial criticism that casts Humboldt as a gentleman colonizer. Though a necessary corrective, it needs to be combined with a fair assessment of his progressive sides. Portrayals of Humboldt as a second Columbus are similarly scorned as simplistic colonial tropes that are simply not true: “Humboldt was not venturing into unknown territory. Nowhere was he the ‘first'” (p. 55). Daum furthermore distinguishes between Humboldtian science and Humboldt’s science. Humboldt’s call for systematic collection of geomagnetic and climatological data by networks of observatories, later pursued by both Russia and the UK, has been called an example of *Humboldtian* science by historian Susan Faye Cannon. Daum counters that this is a later, idealized archetype that “jettisoned his emphasis on the aesthetic” (p. 124). *Humboldt’s* science, in contrast, was far more tentative, trying to balance empirical science with one’s subjective experience of nature. He did not have it all figured out before or after his American expedition. To suggest otherwise is “a retrospective projection” (p. 52) that does not do him justice. Finally, though Humboldt is venerated in South America and he welcomed declarations of independence, he played no role in them, nor should be labelled the “father of Latin American independence” (p. 109).
Second is Daum’s nuanced picture of Humboldt. Take, for example, his political stance, or lack thereof. Though remembered for his liberal values and criticism of colonialism and slavery, he feared bloody violence, such as seen during the French Revolution and favoured more gradual reforms. When Prussia took the fight to Napoleon and occupied Paris in 1814, his brother Wilhelm supported the German cause while Alexander refused to, “souring relations between the two” (p. 105). Humboldt helped prevent the Paris Museum of Natural History from being looted and drew criticism back in Germany when lobbying for stolen German artworks to stay in Paris. He supported and found patronage for French and German scientists alike and, by refusing to pick sides, easily moved in different social circles. When he later returned to Berlin with its increasingly conservative political climate that curbed freedom of expression, he swam against the tide by offering free public lectures that became incredibly popular.
Daum gives a similarly nuanced picture of Humboldt’s way of working. Hearing of his grand plans for the American expedition, his brother was already concerned he would overreach. Indeed, he habitually bit off more than he could chew, always had multiple manuscripts on the go, and left a legacy of unfinished projects. Kosmos, the magnum opus he laboured on for the last two decades of his life, was not necessarily a resounding success, despite the high sales. Some contemporaries considered it challenging or requiring too much prior knowledge. Ironically, the proliferation of simplified versions and explainers meant that Humboldt succeeded, sort of, in popularizing science, though it “had taken on a momentum that the author could no longer control” (p. 142). Daum characterizes it as synopsis of material rather than a coherent synthesis, which buttresses his conclusion that Humboldt is remembered not for coming up with “a clearly defined theory that fundamentally changed scientific and social thinking”, but for leaving us with “myriad complex thoughts and incentives for further research” (p. 151).
Given the number of people who will have read Wulf’s The Invention of Nature, a comparison is in order. My one-liner is that Daum’s book is less fluff, more facts. The book’s brevity is partially achieved by omitting all the biographical material on other people that Wulf included and partially by mentioning rather than describing events in lively detail. This is particularly noticeable when it comes to Humboldt’s expeditions. Now, before you conclude that Daum’s book contains less material than Wulf’s, let me stop you there. For all its brevity, there are numerous details here not mentioned by Wulf. Beyond factoids, there are the above-mentioned aspects, attention for his lesser-known works, a more informed opinion on his sexuality, and many other things besides. In a mere 153 pages, Daum concisely offers a full yet nuanced picture of Humboldt’s life and work.
If you have already read The Invention of Nature, should you read this biography? Next to being a quick read, hopefully by now you are convinced Daum’s book is worth your time by offering a different perspective and much new information. I found reading them together an instructive and rewarding exercise. If you insist on me recommending just one book, answer me this: do you read history books to be informed or to be entertained? In the former case, choose Daum for a more scholarly take; in the latter, choose Wulf for an entertaining book that indulges in digressions. I hasten to add that I am talking shades of grey here: Daum prioritising the facts does not mean his book is boring, just as Wulf prioritising storytelling does not mean her book is inaccurate.
The NHBS Moth Trap is a highly portable and lightweight resource for moth trapping, tested and approved by Butterfly Conservation.
