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
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.
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.
CHASING’s range of underwater drones (also known as Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles – ROUVs) includes high-end consumer and heavy duty industrial-grade models. The drones capture high resolution underwater images and video, allowing unobtrusive, accessible monitoring, surveying or exploration of aquatic spaces. With technological applications ranging from reef monitoring and marine ecological assessments to aquacultural inspection and general exploration, these innovative devices are a powerful tool for efficient data collection and observation.
Underwater drones can alleviate health and safety concerns, save time, money, resources and the need for specialist personnel. By providing high-resolution imagery and precise manoeuvrability, this technology allows for the safe, efficient observation and sampling of aquatic environments whilst minimising harm or disturbance.
In this blog, we introduce you to CHASING’s underwater drones – the Gladius Mini S, the M2 S, M2 PRO and the M2 PRO MAX.
Consumer Models
Gladius Mini S
The Gladius Mini S is a highly portable consumer-grade drone for underwater exploration. Quick to deploy, with a maximum operating time of around four hours, the Gladius Mini S requires little preparation to get started and can be operated by one person– simply attach the tether, controller and accessories, and connect your mobile phone to the CHASING app. The Gladius can operate in temperatures between –10 and +45°C, and at depths up to 100m. High-quality video and still images are captured with the 4K image stabilised camera and powerful integrated lights, producing excellent underwater imagery. The Gladius Mini S has one mounting point, which can support accessories such as the grabber claw and underwater GoPro mount.
The Gladius Mini S is available in four packs: Standard pack with a 100m tether, Standard pack with a 200m tether, Flash pack containing grabber claw B and a 100m tether, and a Flash pack containing grabber claw B and a 200m tether.
An upper-end consumer-grade drone
100m max operating depth
Five thrusters
100m or 200m tether included (dependant on package)
One mounting point
We also recently tested the Gladius Mini S in Plymouth Sound, watch our short video to see it in action.
Industrial Models
Alongside the consumer model, there are a number of industrial-grade drones that are better suited for larger scale projects – the CHASING M2 S, M2 PRO and the M2 PRO MAX. The main advantage of these models is the use of interchangeable batteries, additional accessories and an increased tether length for longer sessions. Each industrial model benefits from a 4K camera, up to 4 hours run time, 150° field of view, e-reel compatibility, and powerful vectored thrusters allowing for precise movement. Here, we explore these models a little further, outlining the differences between each drone and their benefits.
Find a summary of the M2 series specifications below:
CHASING M2 S
Marking the first step up from consumer models, the CHASING M2 S benefits from eight thrusters for maximum stability and a high response speed. The unit features multiple accessory ports that are suitable for grabber arms, distance lock sonars, laser scalers and floodlights, as well as third-party accessories such as GoPro cameras. With the ability to swap batteries, and a greater range of compatible accessories, the M2 S is equipped for longer sessions with increased capabilities. An upgraded colour restoration algorithm improves the image transparency, clarity, colour, layering and noise on the M2 S, and live feed can be streamed onto multiple devices.
This model is available in three packages, each with varied tether lengths, accessories and spare parts.
An entry-level industrial drone
100m max operating depth
8 thrusters
200m tether included
One mounting point
More compatible accessories than consumer models*
*To view thefull range of compatible accessories please see the abovetable.
CHASING M2 PRO
The M2 PRO has an increased operating depth and is compatible with more accessories than previous models. It is the first model that is compatible with the Shore-based Power Supply System (SPSS), allowing for unrestricted power supply to enable 24/7 operation. It is also the first to accommodate the control console – a professional platform designed to control the drone, AC power, external lights and other accessories. The M2 PRO can operate at depths of 150m and is designed to house larger batteries to accommodate an increase in drone size and accessory power.
The M2 PRO is available in two packages: Professional and Advanced.
A mid-range industrial drone
150m max operating depth
8 thrusters
200m tether included
One mounting point
Compatible with the Shore-based Power Supply System and the control console
An increased range of compatible accessories
CHASING M2 PRO MAX
The M2 PRO MAX is the most advanced model in our CHASING range, presenting a top-of-the-line industrial drone for NGO’s, researchers, government bodies and enterprise users. This upper-level model has five mounting points to attach an assortment of around 20 compatible accessories, including water samplers, sonar and sediment samplers. Eight powerful thrusters propel this drone to depths of up to 200m with 360° movement. For improved image clarity, the M2 PRO MAX has offset LED’s, helping to solve interference by the reflection of matter in front of the camera lens.
The M2 Pro Max is available in two packages: Professional and Advanced.
Top-of-the-line industrial drone
200m max operating depth
Eight thrusters
200m tether included
Five mounting points
Compatible with the Shore-based Power Supply System and the control console
Over 20 compatible accessories
Applications
Underwater drones, or ROUVs, provide an alternative, accessible tool for ecological and scientific research. Their applications extend far beyond observation, enabling researchers to conduct detailed ecosystem health evaluations, monitor invasive or threatened species, and perform habitat inspections – all with the capability to collect samples for off-site analysis. From assessing the source of underwater pollution, to conducting biodiversity surveys, these drones provide high-resolution imagery and real-time data, facilitating well-evidenced conservation action. Their ability to perform targeted water and physical sampling allows for detailed analysis of aquatic environments, which can reveal insights into aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Outside of its ecological applications, this technology has potential in search and rescue operations, item recovery, hull and dock inspection and energy facility inspection.
Find the CHASING range and accessories on the NHBS website here. Check out our latest YouTube video of the Gladius Mini S in action here.
If you have any questions about our range 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 new exclusion zone has been established along the Anglesey coastline to protect vulnerable wildlife. The RSPB have been granted permission to safeguard the area, which serves as vital breeding ground for Choughs, and key habitat for Peregrine Falcons, rare British plants and lichens. The exclusion zone will remain in place until 15th September to minimise harm from recreational activities in the area, such as coasteering.
Kentish Glory Moth (rotated) by Michael Taylor via Flickr
The UK is set to introduce a Natural History GCSE, one of the first new GCSEs in a decade. Confirmed by the Education Minister on the 21st of March, the curriculum will cover both local and global environment, from local wildlife and habitat to global climate challenges and sustainability. Intended to foster an understanding and protection of nature, the new GCSE will be delivered nationwide, with a revised criteria to provide fieldwork opportunities to young people. The government will consult on the curriculum this year, ensuring relevance for both urban and rural students.
Glass eels will no longer be exported to Russia from British estuaries after a UK government ban. Defra refused a request to send millions of glass eels to a restocking project in Kaliningrad, ending a trade that saw roughly three million eels exported last year. The species, red-listed and down 95% since the 1980s, was previously shipped via a conservation loophole from the UK. Conservationists argue these eels should instead be used to replenish depleted English and Welsh rivers.
Labour has announced plans to ban deep-peat burning in England, in order to protect vital habitats, reduce carbon emissions, and safeguard wildlife. These plans target the practice of burning vegetation, which is often utilised to create habitat suitable for grouse hunting. Labour’s plans seek to tighten the existing legislation introduced by the previous Conservative government, expanding protected areas by 146,000 hectares. UK peatland is estimated to store 3.2 billion tonnes of carbon alone – intentional burning of peatland vegetation releases stored carbon and can harm wildlife residing in this habitat.
Brazil’s ‘Poison Bill’ has loosened restrictions on agrochemicals that are hazardous to human health and the environment. A dramatic surge in pesticide use has been observed within the Amazon – specifically, the use of mancozeb has increased by a staggering 5,600%, and atrazine by 575% in just over a decade, despite their bans in the EU. Experts warn that these relaxed controls will severely impact the Amazon’s biodiversity, posing heightened risks to Indigenous peoples, riverside communities, and small farmers exposed to these harmful substances.
This lavishly illustrated and comprehensive book marks the 150th volume in the renowned New Naturalist series, and details the wildlife, landscapes and natural history of Exmoor to reveal its incredible biodiversity. As someone actively involved with the environment of the South-West, the author provides the reader with a scholarly yet accessible volume on this abundant area.
Flemming Ulf-Hansen is an ecologist with nearly 37 years of experience working in wildlife conservation, primarily across Exmoor and Salisbury Plain. He is the founding chair of the Exmoor Mires Project and specializes in ecological restoration, with a host of expertise in grassland, woodland, and heathland management, as well as invasive species control. He joined the Nature Conservancy Council in 1988 and was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2010 to study habitat restoration.
We recently spoke to Flemming about Exmoor, where he explains why a book on this area was needed, how rewilding may benefit this vital landscape, what he’s currently working on and more.
Volume 27 of the New Naturalist series, the first to explore Dartmoor, was published over 70 years ago. Why do you feel that a title on Exmoor was important to produce?
Exmoor’s wildlife has been neglected in published work for over 40 years, with perhaps the exception of the battles over heathland ploughing. Since the 1953 Dartmoor title, we have had a second volume in 2009, by Ian Mercer. Exmoor is one of the three moorlands in southern England, the other being Bodmin Moor – and one that spans the upland-lowland boundary. But it has a special ingredient – the coast! Exmoor’s somewhat remote location on the north coast of Somerset and Devon means that its wildlife has had less attention. With only Minehead, Dulverton or Combe Martin close by, there is no great supply of recorders in major towns or cities. An additional goal has been to highlight unpublished or grey literature, ensuring that this valuable information is accessible and not overlooked.
Exmoor National Park supports a wide range of habitats: blanket bogs, dry heath, scrub and peatland to name just a few. Why is this landscape so vital and what is its ecological value in the UK?
The elements of a moorland landscape you highlighted were the main reason for the designation of the National Park. Its position as an upland massif on the western seaboard gives it a distinctiveness with a disposition of low- and higher-altitude communities, perhaps unique to southwest England. The western heaths can locally dominate the landscape, and the vibrant purple and yellow colours of flowering heathers and Western Gorse are a treat in early autumn which harbour Stonechat and Dartford Warbler. Well-developed mosaics and transitions between moorland and woodland are a feature and provide structure, shelter and rich foraging habitat for wildlife, including a home for some special species, like the Heath Fritillary butterfly.
The woods should also be highlighted. Their position on the west coast of the British Isles brings moisture and a mild climate associated with the Gulf Stream. For many fungi, bryophytes and ferns these are ideal conditions, and Exmoor’s lichens reach international importance. Large sheets of western mosses and liverworts carpeting rocky ground among abundant ferns are Exmoor’s equivalent of lowland Britain’s much-vaunted Bluebell woods. They have been recently identified as temperate rainforest, placing them in a wider context.
Exmoor is not typically known for its coastline – did the limited accessibility of this environment pose challenges in researching and writing Chapter 8?
It should be better known, as it is one of its high points! But yes, the steepness of the cliffs, including England’s highest at Great Hangman, combined with few rivers cutting down to the sea to allow safe access, has deterred much survey work. It has meant that, for example, cliffs are surveyed from a boat with binoculars. Spotting whitebeams is just about possible, but identifying rare or endemic members of the group is not. It was an ambition of mine – yet to be realised – to try and age cliff-edge Yews which were noted as far back as 1874 by the Midlands botanist Edwin Lees, at Combe Martin. The climbers who pioneered the Exmoor Traverse knew some of the locations well, the largest of which is probably at Wringapeak. They may well hold some surprises and form a reservoir of ancient trees and remnants of unspoilt natural woodland.
In the marine environment there is no doubt that severe tides have limited exploration. I have had to rely on old data or records from very scattered locations. There is just one place where the seashore or seabed can be reached, Glenthorne, in the 12 km stretch of remote coast between Gore Point and The Foreland on the Devon side.
Chapter 10 highlights the increasing popularity of ‘rewilding’ approaches, a prime example being the Knepp Estate in West Sussex. How do you think this method might benefit Exmoor, and what recommendations might you have for a rewilding approach?
Parts of Exmoor are of course deliciously wild, they are just not easy to see –the steep slopes and cliffs for instance. Of course, rewilding has in effect been happening on parts of Exmoor anyway, just not by design – I am thinking about originally open, marginal land transitioning to secondary woodland over the last 50–100 years.
To restore more wildlife to Exmoor, we will need to embrace fundamental ecosystem processes across larger areas of wilder, semi-natural habitats with more wetland and forest. The range of approaches is great, and we should not be too purist. In some areas active intervention may be needed, such as by introduction of beavers or other herbivores. In other areas we can adopt ‘agricultural rewilding’, which aims to restore ecosystem functions using lower-intensity human interventions, such as the management and harvest of livestock.
The Exmoor Nature Recovery Vision is an ambitious vision for a thriving, diverse landscape on Exmoor. What are the first steps to achieving this vision in your eyes, and how realistic do you think this vision is?
We can’t continue to spend time tinkering with the status quo. We need a step change and swift action. This won’t be possible with cuts in budgets of statutory bodies and the National Park Authority. For example, cuts in Natural England staff dealing with protected sites have been drastic and persistent. Projects relying on input of time have withered on the vine of neglect. Short-termism caused by short cycles of funding projects doesn’t help to achieve change in land management, which is a long-term game. Implementation is the key now, which requires partnership, appropriate tools and funding, and steadfast determination.
The vision is achievable but only with significant change in land away from the protected sites. These areas may not be perfect, but at least there are mechanisms in place to help. Exmoor’s farmed and enclosed land amounts to about 65% of the park, and much is agriculturally ‘improved’ land that has little wildlife interest. These areas could form a source of land for recovery, if the incentives and mechanisms are in place.
What are you working on next? Do you have any more writing projects lined up?
I have retired after nearly 37 years of working for the government’s wildlife body. I am going to tackle some tasks at home, as well as enjoy experiencing more nature by travelling a bit, before settling on another project.
Exmoor is available from our online bookstore here.
The BirdMic is a compact, directional parabolic microphone. Intended for bird calls, BirdMic allows users to listen, record and identify species on their smartphone in real time with the help of a bird identification app, such as Merlin Bird ID. It is self-powered, easy to use, and requires no previous experience to get started.
BirdMic Kit Includes:
Parabolic dish (25cm diameter)
Omnidirectional microphone
Audio interface (to connect your smartphone, camera or field recorder)
Headphones
Hand grip
Windshield
Flash shoe adapter
Various cables and adapters for smart phone connection
Extension tube to attach field recorder
Carrying bag
Ideal for the capture of bird song, BirdMic features a high sensitivity (-24dB), low noise (S/N 80dB) omnidirectional microphone to provide crisp recordings with excellent clarity. It is most suited to sounds above 1,500Hz, making it ideal for bird song.
The parabolic dish is made from durable ABS material and amplifies sound through collecting and focussing sound waves – waves bounce from the inner face of the dish and are directed onto the microphone at the centre, isolated and amplified and transmitted to a digital recording device.
Attaching directly to the parabolic dish, the audio interface allows the connection of a smartphone which can also be mounted via the included brackets. Once connected, simply open an automatic ID app, like Merlin, to record birds in real-time. Headphones can also be connected for live monitoring.
BirdMic in the field
Tomtook BirdMicalong the banks ofthe River Dart to test the performance of the microphoneand see how it compares tousing just a smartphone.
We simply set up the Birdmic, plugged in a smartphone and turned on the audio interface. With an overall diameter of 25cm and a weight of 1kg, the whole set up was extremelyeasy to transport.
Spectrogram of bird song captured with BirdMic using Merlin.
Our thoughts
We were really impressed with the BirdMic! It was very simple to assemble and use, and worked well to isolate and amplify bird sound in different conditions.
At just 1kg, it is very lightweight – the overall design makes this parabolic easy to walk around with, and its handy size and weight minimises arm strain when holding the microphone. The highly sensitive microphone worked well and was able to pick up bird song from a much greater distance than a smartphone. The directional microphone makes it ideal for homing in on a particular song, and allows the user to pinpoint the birds location. This also helps to eliminate any underlying noise in the background of the recording – for instance, water flow, wind or traffic noise.
We feel the Birdmic offers great value and is very easy to use. It is an entry-level parabolic that is ideal for a keen birdwatcher, or birding and naturalist groups looking to capture, listen to or record bird sound. As a lightweight, sturdy recorder, there is also significant potential for educational purposes, and it could be utilised in outdoor education clubs and classes to encourage an interest in nature by younger generations.
Find the BirdMic available exclusively on the NHBS website here. Our full range of sound recorders can be found here.
If you have any questions about our range 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.
In December, the Bat Conservation Trust published Bats and Large-Scale Housing Maintenance Projects, a guidance document focusing on how to take bats into account when managing extensive housing repairs and maintenance. Designed for property owners, ecologists, architects and Natural England, the document is the product of the combined efforts of a working group who reviewed evidence in nine large-scale case studies. BCT helda webinar to outline the content of this guidance on 27th February 2025.A recording of the webinar will be available to purchase soon – email training@bats.org.uk to register your interest in the recording when it is published, or visit learn.bats.org.uk .
Jan Collins has over 26 years of experience working and volunteering with bats. She has been the Head of Biodiversity at the Bat Conservation Trust for eleven years, following eleven years in ecological consultancy as a bat specialist. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Jan about the origins, production and implications of the recently published guidance.
Why did BCT decide to produce this guidance?
Evidence gathered from practitioners during the production of BCT’s Bat Survey Guidelines and CIEEM’s Bat Mitigation Guidelines highlighted that standard guidance documents for bat roost surveys and mitigation are not well-suited to large-scale housing maintenance projects where A) there is relatively limited potential for roosting bats, and B) where the principal focus is retention and repair, rather than demolition.
Additionally, our Wildlife Crime Project has assisted the police with several cases involving local authority maintenance carried out without due diligence for bats. At BCT, we are keen to see pragmatic solutions to protecting and conserving bats during property maintenance – and this guidance fits that bill!
Who was involved in the production of the guidance?
This guidance represents the combined efforts of a working group of practitioners from conservation, ecological consultancy, statutory nature conservation bodies and local authorities – their names are provided in the guidance document and their contribution is very highly valued by BCT. Each member of the group brought experience from a real-life, large-scale housing maintenance project in England, Scotland or Wales.
Image Credit: Unitura
If the working group discussed projects in Scotland and Wales, why is the guidance limited to England?
The original intention was for the guidance to be applicable across Britain and Ireland, however Natural England was the only Statutory Nature Conservation Body (SNCB) able to contribute to the working group and review the final product. Therefore, this first edition is applicable specifically to England, and only English case studies are used for illustrative purposes. The principles and approaches set out are likely to be transferable, with licensing as the main difference – but we hope that contributions will be made by NatureScot and Natural Resources Wales in the future.
Can you outline the types of projects that these guidelines apply to in more detail for our readers?
The guidance outlines a set of factors which make projects more suitable to be treated as a ‘large-scale housing maintenance project’. These are as follows:
Multiple properties of the same type, or a limited range of types, likely to have been constructed at the same time
Small groups of houses in terraces or blocks
Limited gardens attached to properties (or larger gardens but not maintained as green space)
Limited suitable bat habitat surrounding the estate; other adverse factors such as lighting
Small or cluttered roof voids (area, height and/or volume), or in such a condition or context that they are unlikely to support conditions for breeding by void-dwelling species
Majority of properties assessed as negligible or low suitability
The works concerned will allow reinstatement of roosting opportunities and, often, augmentation of these
Properties are under single ownership e.g. owned by local authority, housing association or other public body
It’s also worth saying that some higher suitability properties may be present, but these would require standard survey approaches outlined in the latest edition of BCT’s Bat Survey Guidelines.
Image Credit: Unitura
What else is covered in the guidance?
The guidance lays out some of the constraints when working on these types of projects – surveys are often constrained due to the vulnerability of residents or surveyors, or the practicality of gaining access for internal inspections. For this reason, pragmatic or creative approaches to surveys may be needed and some guidance on survey types/effort is offered. The key aims are to establish the roosting potential of properties and rule out the presence of maternity roosts.
Comment is also provided on appropriate licensing for this approach; the case studies presented were all licensed using Natural England’s Licensing Policy 4. Importantly, mitigation and compensation are covered, with an emphasis on ensuring bats are not harmed during works, any evidence of bats is recorded (see below) and access is retained for future roosting. Monitoring of outcomes is key to the approach and can allow methods to be adapted as a project progresses.
What are the two most important considerations when applying the guidance?
Early collaborative working between stakeholders is absolutely essential to establish what the project involves and what is likely to be appropriate regarding bat surveys and mitigation. Stakeholders include local authorities or other property owners, ecologists, Natural England and architects. This should be followed by close working with occupiers, contractors and other suppliers as the project progresses.
Monitoring is also essential to establish if the approach taken is suitable and how it can be iteratively adapted based on site-specific findings.
Image Credit: Patrick Palmen
BCT are hosting a webinar discussing the guidance in February. Can you tell us more about it?
The webinar ran on?27th February 2025. Speakers included myself (Jan Collins of BCT), Phil Bowater of Natural England and Daniel Best of Cura Terrae: Land and Nature Division (formerly Ecus Ltd.). Phil and Daniel both worked on the Sheffield case study that is presented in the guidance and between us we were able to answer questions from the attendees.
Senior wildlife equipment specialist, Johnny, attended the guidance webinar. Here’s what he had to say about the session –
‘On behalf of NHBS, I attended the Bats and Large-scale Housing Maintenance Projects Guidance webinar last month. The session was insightful, well-structured and demonstrated the impressive extent of work and collaboration that has gone into the new guidance. To remain at the forefront of conservation, it is important that we attend a wide range of webinars to expand our knowledge and maintain our expertise, and this recent webinar allowed me to significantly improve my understanding of the challenges involved in ensuring positive outcomes for protected species in large-scale housing maintenance projects.’
A recording of the presentations will be available on BCT’s e-learning platform soon. Email training@bats.org.uk to register your interest or visit learn.bats.org.uk to find out more.
Any final words?
I would like to say thank you to the working group – it was a pleasure working with you all, and you brought so much valuable experience to the table. Thanks also to BCT for supporting the production of the guidance.
Finally, thank you to the sponsors of the guidance, including NHBS, Cura Terrae, I & G Ecology, Amey, Ecolybrium, DCS Ecology, Pell Frischmann, Southampton City Council and Gateshead Council.
UK scientists have discovered a biological mechanism making plant roots more attractive to soil microbes. Through enhanced endosymbiosis, crops such as wheat and legumes are now able to scavenge nutrients more effectively from the environment with the help of soil microbes. This natural process reduces the reliance on synthetic fertilizers, which, when used excessively, can contribute to soil degradation, water pollution, and harmful algal blooms. This biological adaptation may result in crops requiring less artificialfertilisers, thus reducing the pressures of excess fertilizer use and opening the door for more environmentally friendly farming.
Spraying the plants in the crocus fields by International Labour Organization ILO, via flickr.
Conservation funding bias is depriving criticalspecies of vital support, a new study has shown. A recent study investigated over 14,500 projects spanning a 25-year period, analysingalmost $2bn of funding allocated across the globe. Of this, 82.9% of funding was allocated to vertebrates (with over 85% to birds and mammals), 6.6% was allocated to plants and invertebrates, and only 0.2% was designated for fungal and algal species. With a large majority of funds assigned tocharismatic megafauna, this bias leaves nearly 94% of threatened species with no support, limiting the opportunities for researchers and protective measures. Researchers have called for a revision of conservation funding awards to ensure a more rigorous, scientifically driven approach in order to address this funding imbalance.
The reappearance of Wild Boar in Dartmoor National Park, after centuries of absence, has raised concerns about ‘guerrilla rewilding’. Despite their potential for ecological regeneration through natural foraging behaviours, the boar’s presence, following sightings and a dog walker incident, has triggered debate. Natural England and the Wildlife Trusts are now working to understand the local population dynamics and provide guidance to mitigate human-wildlife interactions, while the overall impact of their presence continues to be evaluated.
The UK government has authorized nature groups to apply for licenses to release beavers into the wild. This decision formalises existing practices, which include both licensed enclosure releases and unauthorized reintroductions. With an estimated 500 wild beavers in England already contributing to habitat creation and flood mitigation, the first of these licensed releases are anticipated this autumn, aligning with broader nature restoration goals in the UK.
Climate Crisis
The UK has released its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), outlining its commitment to meeting international biodiversity targets by 2030. This plan serves as the UK’s response to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, acknowledging the critical reliance of human wellbeing on thriving ecosystems and the urgent need to address the global biodiversity crisis. The NBSAP emphasizes a shift towards a systemic approach tackle these challenges effectively. This publication marks a crucial first step in the UK’s pledge to protect at least 30% of its land and sea, reduce pollution, and ensure sustainable practices in agriculture, forestry, and industry by the year 2030.
Offering new insights into how they grow, learn and live, Pine Marten delves deep into the secretive behaviour of one of our rarest and most elusive mammals. Packed with stunning candid images and a library of behaviours and vocalisations, this groundbreaking book provides insight into Pine Marten social interactions, courtship, mating, nesting and kit rearing, feeding and diet, as well as their relationships with other wildlife.
Having spent several years watching and filming Pine Martens in the forests of Austria, Bavaria and Ireland, Dan Bagur has developed an in-depth understanding of their habits and behaviour. He has written or contributed to over 26 books on nature, and his wildlife photography, artwork and articles are published all over the world.
We had the opportunity to speak to Dan about Pine Marten, including his inspiration for the book, his hopes for the future of Pine Martens in the UK and more.
Can you start by sharing how you first came to work with Pine Martens, and what was the journey that led to the publication of this book?
Before answering, I was pleased when my publisher told me that you wanted to interview me. I’m a lifelong admirer of the NHBS. I used to get your catalogues delivered as a teenager back in the early 90s when you were still a mail-order book catalogue – I’ve bought and enjoyed many books from you over the years.
Back to your question. Yes. As a nature lover, I’ve always wanted a house surrounded by wildlife. When I moved to Ireland, it finally became a reality. The first time I viewed the house, I found a Pine Marten scat in the garden! It’s a dream for someone like me to be surrounded by these endangered mammals and I’ve been watching their behaviour ever since. Being so elusive, they represent a significant challenge to the wildlife photographer/filmmaker, it occurred to me that Pine Martens would be one of the toughest land mammals to study in the wild – observing them is so rewarding precisely because it’s so difficult. You must earn every new insight.
Direct observation is the best way to learn; the animals themselves are the primary source after all. It starts with interest but quickly becomes, well, the word that comes to mind whenever I think about exactly how to define it is joy. Joy can be very addictive. It’s hard to let go of that feeling. Being plugged directly into the Pine Martens and their daily lives is exciting.
A long field study enables you to get a much clearer picture of what’s really happening: you get to confirm and reconfirm your initial assumptions, connect to individuals and see their interactions and behaviour over an extended timescale. I’ve been observing wild Pine Martens for over five years now – I’ve spent many thousands of hours following, watching and photographing them. I’ve encountered many individuals and seen them climbing, courting, growling, chattering, hunting, feeding, fleeing, fighting and rearing their young. Every month I learned something new and understood them a little better. It’s a great help too that Pine Martens fit nicely around a full-time job – most of the action takes place at dawn and dusk, or during the night. I got drawn into their world. I often wonder what they’re doing while I’m not with them.
As Pine Marten populations slowly begin recovering, interest in them is growing and I thought that my observations could be of interest to other naturalists. Conservation relies heavily on public sentiment and if people don’t know about Pine Martens, they will be less likely to help them. Introducing this animal to others was something I felt I could do. Hopefully, after reading this book, the reader might offer Pine Martens their much needed support. I put the focus of the book on Pine Marten behaviour. It’s aimed at amateur naturalists or anyone who is interested in learning more about these incredible animals, and contains lots of new information and photographs that will be interesting to those who already know Pine Martens well.
What was the most surprising or exciting thing you learned in the process of writing Pine Marten?
I think it’s exciting that you can still go out into the woods and make new discoveries about British mammals. Although I studied biology at university, and have always worked in conservation related roles, I don’t work with Pine Martens professionally. That’s part of the magic of direct observation – anyone can do it. There are still many new discoveries out there just waiting to be made, all that’s required is consistency and patience.
I think the most surprising things are how vocal Pine Martens can be and how exciting each sighting still is – even after many years watching them. When they show up it’s always an ‘oh wow!’ moment. I still freeze with awe when I see one.
The most fascinating thing is their intelligence. Watching them solve problems and consider their next move, getting to know many individuals and seeing how unique each animal is – their personality and behaviour are highly individual. Often, I could tell who had visited simply by the signs they had left behind. They’re exceptionally charismatic animals. As I explain in the book, they’re also deeply connected with our historic wilderness landscapes, icons from our lost ancient wildwood.
This book has an impressive selection of imagery displaying a range of behaviours, interactions and life stages. How long did these images take to compile and what are some of your most effective strategies for spotting these elusive creatures?
Thanks. Yes, capturing Pine Marten behaviour isn’t easy. For every photo there were many failed attempts, you have to be comfortable in failure with Pine Martens. Over time, patience brings results and consistency is the key. The situation is made especially testing as it’s often at night and it can be very cold. You have to be willing to spend many thousands of hours sitting quietly in the woods and waiting for the occasional glimpse! For this reason, you have to really want to do it. You need to be passionate about understanding them.
I’ve taken over 10,000 photographs of Pine Martens over the last five years. Each year I understood a bit more about when and where I might see some new behaviour. Because they’re so elusive, learning to track them is essential. It’s vital that you wait as close to the right place as possible. It’s a waiting game – many quiet hours watching the forest, followed by a few seconds of heart racing panic as they emerge from the undergrowth and then quickly disappear again. Over time, it’s possible to build up a behavioural picture from many of these fleeting encounters. The harder something is, the greater that feeling of accomplishment.
Can you tell us more about your new discoveries in Pine Marten behaviour and biology?
I didn’t set out to discover anything new. Initially, I didn’t plan to write a book. I just wanted to watch them and understand as much as possible – I was curious about how they lived their lives and what they got up to. As previously mentioned, I’ve spent over five years sitting quietly and observing wild Pine Marten behaviour. It took many months before I even knew where to wait for them. I love being alone in nature, so even the downtime in the forest has its own magic. My efforts were rewarded much later when I realised that some of my findings were new discoveries, including a new understanding of the function of the famous Pine Marten wiggle, retromingency in Pine Martens, the true cause of the scat curl and the use of the marten maze. I don’t want to give too much away, but they are all described (along with many other aspects of Pine Marten behaviour) in this new book.
Chapter 5 has an extensive library of field recordings. Why did you feel this was important to include and can you tell us about the process of gathering these?
It’s important to record what you’re seeing while watching wild animals, if you don’t then you can’t share your findings with others. Over the last few years, I’ve built up a large collection of film footage, photographs and sound recordings. Few people have ever seen a wild Pine Marten, let alone heard one. Their calls are an important part of what makes them what they are. Pine Martens (like many other Mustelids) make a surprisingly diverse range of calls – they grunt, growl, purr and scream. I felt it was important to include these. They are quickly and easily accessed by scanning QR codes using your phone. I wanted the reader to get as close as possible to Pine Martens via this book.
I realised that the recordings I had built up were unique – the Pine Marten sound library in this book is the most comprehensive yet published. My recordings have been included in the British Library sound collection and have been published in the ground-breaking book Sound Identification of Terrestrial Mammals of Britain & Ireland by Pearce, Middleton, and Newson.
What does the future look like for Pine Martens in the UK? And how can we work to secure a brighter future for this species?
In short, hopeful but worrying! Sadly, much of this is our own doing. Urban sprawl and habitat loss are an obvious problem, climate change, biodiversity decline and a persecution driven genetic bottleneck add to these issues – among others. Apathy is also a big concern. We still prefer the comfort of fool’s paradise over the often-harsh difficulties of reality. We need to get our heads out of the sand – and fast! Reality will inevitably have consequences we are no longer able to hide from – not just for Pine Martens. As Tew et al stated in a 2024 paper on the future of UK woodland biodiversity, a ‘major cultural shift’ is urgently required.
Although it’s important to face our problems and act, it’s also important to remain positive. There is real cause for hope – important work is being done to help Pine Martens. A few of those making a huge difference are Johnny Birks, Jenny MacPherson, Stuart Edmunds and John Martin, but there are many others. When great people come together fantastic things can be accomplished. The UK and Ireland have plans to increase their much-depleted forest cover over the coming years, and Pine Martens are slowly coming back. There are ways we can all contribute by donating or volunteering. Even small acts, like rewilding our own gardens, can collectively have an impact. Writing in 1992, the acclaimed science writer Edward O Wilson stated that ‘The next century will, I believe, be the era of restoration in ecology’. I hope that he’s right – wouldn’t that be a fantastic thing to witness after the global habitat and biodiversity decline of recent years.
Finally, what’s next for you? Will there be more books in your future?
Yes, I hope so! I had a column on rock pool life in the local newspaper while I was at university and I’ve been writing in one form or another ever since. I’m always working on the next project. Writing forces you to read everything and really understand your subject deeply, and that brings its own reward.
I would like to do something with Puffins in the future. I’m inspired to continue spending time out in nature and see what else is waiting to be discovered. Whatever comes next, I will always be grateful for this time with the Pine Martens – so many wonderful memories and experiences. The Pine Martens will remain with me for the rest of my life. Once you get to know a family of Pine Martens there’s no going back. They’re incredible animals and we’re extremely lucky to have them living alongside us.
Pine Marten is available from the NHBS website here.
Flemming Ulf-Hansen is an ecologist with nearly 37 years of experience working in wildlife conservation, primarily across Exmoor and Salisbury Plain. He is the founding chair of the Exmoor Mires Project and specializes in ecological restoration, with a host of expertise in grassland, woodland, and heathland management, as well as invasive species control. He joined the Nature Conservancy Council in 1988 and was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2010 to study habitat restoration.
Jan Collins has over 26 years of experience working and volunteering with bats. She has been the Head of Biodiversity at the Bat Conservation Trust for eleven years, following eleven years in ecological consultancy as a bat specialist. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Jan about the origins, 
