Each year, Butterfly Conservation urges the public to venture outdoors and record their local lepidoptera populations with the Big Butterfly Count – a UK-wide survey aiming to assess the health of butterflies and day-flying moths. The count involves recording the number and species of butterflies in a chosen area for fifteen minutes and uploading results to their official website.
There are around 130 day-flying macro moths and 59 species of butterfly in the UK. These highly sensitive animals are key indicators of environmental health and play a crucial role in pollination across the country. The latest State of the UK Butterflies report, an assessment on British butterflies, found that the group has declined by 80% since the 1970s. The Big Butterfly Count allows the health and trends of these species to be assessed, improving our understanding of their conservation and threats.
This year’s count took place between Friday 12th July and Sunday 4th August, and the results from nationwide counts can be found on Butterfly Conservation’s interactive map. Over 140,000 counts were taken during this time, recording nearly 1,000,000 butterflies. Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus), Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Large White (Pieris brassicae), Small White (Pieris rapae) and Peacock (Aglais io) butterflies were the most recorded species across all data points, accounting for over 670,000 sightings.
This years count revealed the lowest numbers on record, and has led to the announcement of a nationwide ‘butterfly emergency’. On average, seven butterflies and day-flying moths were seen per count, half of last years average. This years count observed significant downward trends in the group, with around 81% of species showing declines, and 600,000 less butterflies recorded than last year (which equates to around a third of 2023’s total observations). 9,000 counts did not record any butterflies, which is the highest number recorded in the history of the count.
We participated in the Big Butterfly Count this year, and are excited to share our results below.
The National Trust has reached a significant nature target a year early. The charity strived to restore 25,000 hectares of crucial habitat across the UK by 2025, including peatland, woodland, wetland, meadow and saltmarsh, and succeeded in doing so in August this year. The restoration comes as a response to climate change and national conservation targets and seeks to expand meadows and woodland to create a connected network for wildlife.
Eighty Water Voles have been released to restore ancient landscapes in Cornwall. Considered ‘ecosystem engineers’ these mammals are known to positively impact soil health and plant diversity through grazing and enhanced nutrient transportation. The voles were released along the River Fowey to improve the surrounding wetland habitat created in 2022.Afurther 120 have been released near Megavissey, and more releases are planned for spring next year.
Three years of restoration work have seen the return of endangered birds in Hertfordshire.Work has come to a close on the Ashridge Estate, the largest woodland maintained by the National Trust – over 24 hectares have been restored by clearing dense areas of plantation, which has allowed more light to reach the ground through the canopy. Greater access to sunlight has improved biodiversity and the availability of food sources, andthe clearing will provide suitable conditions for many breeding birds, including Spotted Flycatchers which have been spotted on the estate after several years of absence.
Conservation
Conservationists are relocating Florida’s Queen Conches in a bid to support theirreproduction. This iconic mollusc has undergone significant declinesin recent years, accelerated by increasing ocean temperaturescausing lethargy and infertility for individuals residing in warmer, shallow waters. By relocating these gastropods to deeper, colder waters, researchers are providing new mating opportunities in a more suitable environment. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, this project is helping to ease reproductive pressures on this species.
In August, the UK government announced a goal to end all badger culls by the end of this parliamentary run. The newswas announced as part of a new scientifically–informed and evidence-based eradication strategy for bovine tuberculosis, which hopes to eradicate the disease by 2038. In the past decade, over 230,000 badgers and 278,000 cattle have been slaughtered, costing the taxpayer over £100m each year. Badgers will instead be vaccinated and released, and a dedicated task force will be formed to ramp up vaccination rates.
Wildlife
Five species of seabird have been added to the UK red list. Arctic Tern, Great Skua, Leach’s Storm Petrel, Common Gull and Great Black Backed Gull have joined the list of species most in need of conservation, followingpopulation declines due to a number ofpressures including climate change, habitat lossand unsustainable fishing. Over 30% of all British birds are currently on the list including Kittiwakes, Puffins and Arctic Skuas, among others.
Researchers have found promise in the medicinal plants used by critically endangered Western Lowland Gorillas in Gabon. The group studied the tropical plants eaten by gorillas in Moukalaba Doudou National Park and found four trees also used by localhealers. They are high in antioxidants and antimicrobials, and one tree is a promising candidate for tackling superbugs. All four species (Fromager trees, Fig Tree, African Teak and Giant Yellow Mulberry) show activity against a resistant strain of E. coliand contain chemicals with medicinal effects useful for treating a range of ailments.
Here in the UK, we have 11 species of grasshopper and 23 species of cricket (around ten of these being bush-crickets), both subfamilies belonging to the order Orthoptera. Although similar in appearance, the two can be separated by their antennae – grasshoppers have short, stout appendages and bush-crickets have longer, thinner antennae. Bush-crickets also have a larger body size than grasshoppers, growing up to 5cm in length, and females have a distinctive ovipositor used to lay eggs.
Here, we look at a few species of grasshoppers and bush-crickets found in the UK, detailing ways to ID them and where they can be found.
ID Notes: Up to 2.5cm in length. This grasshopper is usually a mottled brown colour, but can vary from brown to grey, orange and purple. It has barring on the sides, and a very hairy underside which is the most straightforward way to identify this species. It is winged and able to fly. Their song consists of short, single chirrups repeated at short intervals.
Distribution: Common and widespread throughout Britain. Common Field Grasshoppers can be seen from May to October on short vegetation in dry, warm days. They can be found in grassy areas including farmland, grassland, heathland, moorland, towns and gardens.
ID Notes: Up to 2.3cm in length. Meadow Grasshoppers are usually green in colour, with some individuals brown or pink-purple coloured (pictured above). The wings are often brown and are long in males, whereas female wings are short and do not reach the end of the abdomen. This species has distinctive black knees and a dark brown stripe running across the flank to the eye. They are similar in appearance to Common Field Grasshoppers, but lack a hairy underside, which can be used to distinguish them from one another. Their song is a burst of around ten chirrups, making a ‘rrr’ sound.
Distribution: Common and widespread throughout Britain. Meadow Grasshoppers can be seen from April to October in damp pastures with long grass. They can also be found in meadows, grassland, heathland and moorland.
Common Green Grasshopper (Omocestus viridulus)
Image by Billy Lindblom via Flickr
ID Notes: Up to 2.3cm in length. As the name suggests, this species is mostly green in colour, but males can also be olive brown. Lines on the shoulders are incurved and white or cream in colour. Common Green Grasshoppers are winged and can fly, but their wings do not exceed the body’s length. They produce a long, loud ticking song which can last for 20 seconds or more and is reminiscent of a fast-paced freewheeling bicycle.
Distribution: Common and widespread throughout Britain, although a little patchier in the lowlands. This species appears early in spring and can be seen from April to September. It can be found in coarse, moist grass in meadows, woodland rides, hillside pastures and farmland.
ID Notes: Up to 2cm in length. This small grasshopper is most easily identified by its antennae – males’ are club-tipped, and females’ have a thickened tip. The body has several colour variations including green, brown, grey and orange. Their song is a repetitive ‘zrr’ ‘zrr’ sound lasting around ten seconds before stopping abruptly.
Distribution: Widely distributed across the UK, but uncommon. Mottled Grasshoppers can be found from April to October in areas of dry, short grass with access to rocks or bare ground, including grasslands, heathland and old quarries.
ID Notes: Up to 1.7cm in length. This species is the UK’s only native, arboreal cricket. It has a slender, lime green body with a yellow-orange or brown strip running along its back. Both sexes are fully winged, with wings reaching the end of the abdomen. Females have a long, upturned ovipositor and males have a pair of shorter, rounded claspers. The males do not produce a song, but instead drum their hind legs on nearby leaves.
Distribution: Common, found in England and Wales. The Oak Bush Cricket is common in the midlands and the south but is absent further north. It can be found in the canopy of mature trees in woods, hedges, garden shrubs and other deciduous trees from June to November.
ID Notes: Up to 2.1cm in length. This species is typically reddish to dark brown, with occasional yellow green through the abdomen and a paler area along the top of the thorax. It has very small forewings and long, hair-like antennae. Females have a large, upcurved ovipositor.
Distribution: Fairly common in central and southern England and Wales, where it can be found in woodland, hedgerows, grassland, farmland, towns and gardens. It can often be spotted in large numbers around bramble patches, where they are basking in the sun.
Roesel’s Bush Cricket (Metrioptera roeselii)
Image by Charlie Jackson via Flickr
ID Notes: A short-winged and usually flightless species, Roesel’s Bush Crickets are typically dark brown or yellow in colour, sometimes tinged green. They have a green face, slightly orange legs and a cream-coloured margin to their thorax, with two or three yellow spots on the side. Their monotonous song is recognisable for its long, mechanical sound.
Distribution: Common, found mostly in the southeast of the UK, but currently expanding its range north and west. This species can be found from June to October in rough grassland, scrub, salt marshes and damp meadows.
ID Notes: This large bush-cricket can easily be distinguished by its size, growing up to 7cm long. It is a vibrant green with an orange-brown stripe running the length of its back. Their wings are typically longer than the abdomen, and females have a long, downward curved ovipositor. This species has a loud, long song which sounds like a high-pitched sewing machine running continuously.
Distribution: Common throughout south England and Wales. It can be found from May to October in scrub, woodland, grassland and heathland, with a preference for light, dry soils.
The first guide to the 261 species of orthopterans of Britain and western Europe ever published. Features stunning, detailed images and information on the distribution and identification criteria. Includes a CD with over 200 orthopteran songs to aid identification.
A photo-based identification guide covering 28 native breeding species of the UK. This guide is part of FSC’s AIDGAP series (Aids to Identification in Difficult Groups of Animals and Plants), providing accessible identification tools for naturalists over the age of sixteen.
If you look under logs, stones or through piles of leaf litter, you may find a Myriapod (a type of arthropod with many legs, related to insects and spiders). Although these misunderstood animals may strike fear in some, these invertebrates play a vital role in maintaining our ecosystems. One of their main roles lies in nutrient cycling, where they feed on organic matter and detritus, breaking materials down into a simpler form and thus releasing nutrition back into the soil. They also play an important role, both as predators and prey, in the ecosystem’s food chain and are often celebrated for their effectiveness as a natural biocontrol agent.
The UK has more than 50 species of centipede. This group are generally carnivorous and have around fifteen pairs of legs, with one pair present on each body segment. They have large forcipules, a pair of pincer-like, modified front legs that are used to inject venom into their prey. There are around 65 species of millipede in the UK, which can be distinguished by their shorter, more clubbed antennae, the absence of forcipules and their tendency to have two pairs of legs on most body segments.
Here, we look at a few species of centipede and millipede that can be found in the UK, detailing ways to ID them and where they can be found.
ID Notes: Also known as the Brown Centipede, Lithobius forficatus is one the largest centipede species in the UK, growing up to 3cm in length. They have long, thin segmented bodies that are a reddish-chestnut brown colour. Each segment has one pair of legs, with 15 pairs in total. They have long antennae and an elongated pair of back legs, giving the illusion of a second pair of antennae at the rear of the body. This species is best identified by thorned projections on the outer edges of the 9th, 11th and 13th segments.
Distribution: Very common and widespread across the UK. This species can be found year-round but is most numerous in spring and autumn. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodland, grassland and gardens, and will spend most of the day nesting in soil or sheltered areas under stones, bark or dead wood before emerging at night to hunt for prey.
ID Notes: Similar in colour to the Common Centipede, Lithobius microps is a ground-dwelling species that is usually chestnut brown in colour, although red and orange varieties can also be found. It is much smaller than its common cousin, reaching around 1cm in length, and its 15 pairs of legs are slightly shorter and paler than those of the Common Centipede.
Distribution: Fairly common in the south of Britain. This fast-moving species can be found year-round in gardens and bare soil in rotting wood and under rocks and stones.
ID Notes: Measuring up to 3cm in length, this small, yellow-brown centipede is easily distinguished by the banding on its legs – these alternate pale and dark, are usually brown in colour and are more obvious on the rear pairs. It has a dark band running centrally along its back and much larger jaws when compared to other Lithobius species.
Distribution: Widespread and common in the UK. It can be found year-round living under stones and decaying plant matter during the day, and is commonly found in garden compost heaps.
ID Notes: This millipede grows to around 2.5cm in length, with a width of 4mm. It has a long, flat body with around 20 body segments, each containing between one and two pairs of legs. It is orange-brown in colour and has numerous off-white coloured legs.
Distribution: Widespread and common in the UK. They can be found in almost any environment in which millipedes occur, with frequent sightings in woodland under dead wood and leaf litter.
ID Notes: Up to 3cm in length, this species is one of the largest millipedes found in Britain. It is thick and cylindrical in shape, usually dark brown to black in colour. It has orange coloured stripes running the length of its body on its back, but these can sometimes appear as a series of orange patches.
Distribution: Common and widespread throughout Britain and Ireland. The Striped Millipede can be found year-round in meadows, fields and woodland under leaf litter and logs. It is also known to climb on walls and trees to feed on algae and can be found during the day.
ID Notes: The White-legged Snake Millipede can grow to around 6cm in length. It is tubular-shaped with a shiny black body and contrasting white legs, of which there are around 100. Immature millipedes are brown, often with pale, longitudinal stripes down the back. It has a pointed telson (legless tail segment) at the end of its body.
Distribution: Common and widespread in the UK. This species can be found year-round in most habitats containing millipedes, including woodland and gardens, or areas with rocks or rotting vegetation to provide cover.
A comprehensive atlas of the 55 species of centipede in Britain and Ireland,.tThis guide provides species accounts, distribution maps and detailed colour photographs for easy identification.
Britain’s rarest plant has been rediscovered in Britain for the first time since 2009. Having been declared extinct after a 22 year absence, a single Ghost Orchid was recently discovered by Richard Bate who has spent the last 30 years searching for it, marking the end of the plant’s lengthy absence. The location of this rare specimen will remain concealed to protect the delicate flower from trampling and poaching, while scientists work to protect the orchid from natural predators and grazing animals.
DNA analysis is helping to eradicate the American Mink from East Anglia. This invasive species has been decimating Britain’s Water Vole and seabird populations since the 1970s, and authorities are now utilising DNA technology to manage their population. Using this key technology, the Waterlife Recovery Trust can estimate relatedness between individuals, identify how far animals may have travelled and pinpoint access routes to remove re-entry points, thus eradicating populations within the project area. The trust has successfully cleared East Anglia of this invasive species, and have seen no signs of mink reproduction in the core project area, resulting in a distinct increase in Water Vole presence.
The world’s fish stocks are in a worse state than previously thought. Research suggests that the scientific recommendations informing fisheries policy are too optimistic and that more global fish stocks have collapsed or are overfished than originally estimated. The study suggests that around a third of ‘maximally sustainably fished’ stocks are actually overfished, which can lead to phantom recoveries where declining stocks are thought to be recovering. The study calls for simpler, more conservative stock assessments and management that are quantified based on realistic models.
Wildlife
An RSPB survey has revealed a hotspot for a threatened species. Data collected from April to June across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire has found 420 breeding pairs of Redshank on the Humber Estuary, a hotspot for these threatened birds. With a total population of 22,000, this environment holds around 2% of the entire population and is now considered a highly important area for this species of conservation concern.
A network of wildlife charities is calling for the release of beavers across the UK. Following a successful summer of breeding, the trusts have seen an upsurge in kit sightings throughout the UK, sparking a call for further management and strategy surrounding the species. These organisations are calling for the government to produce reintroduction strategies to facilitate their return across the UK and are urging authorities to allow illegally released beavers to remain in their release sites, of which there are over 1,000 in Scotland.
Environment
Countryside river testing reveals pharmaceutical pollution across the UK. Researchers from the University of York tested 54 locations and revealed contamination at 52 sites, with the most common pollutants including antidepressants, antibiotics, antihistamines and diabetes treatments, among others. The study found that rivers in the Peak District were more polluted than samples taken in London, with a total of 29 active pharmaceuticals detected in the region. This discovery marks concerns for antibiotic resistance, human health and concern for the health of freshwater organisms residing in the waterway.
Alongside House Martins and Swallows, Swifts are losing suitable nesting habitat at an alarming rate. Through changes to roof design and structure, nesting sites are becoming increasingly rare. This has contributed to the widespread decline of this species which has seen them added to the UK Red list.
Swifts return to Britain and Ireland from April, following a lengthy flight from Africa. Before leaving in August, Swifts must mate, lay and incubate their eggs. Nest boxes provide Swift colonies with the perfect site to raise their young – boxes should ideally have a large internal cavity with an elongated entrance hole, either at the bottom or downward facing. Swift nest boxes should be placed under the eaves of a building, on walls at least five metres in height. Since these birds nest in colonies, multiple nest boxes or boxes on neighboring houses are ideal for attracting more Swifts.
Here, we look at a selection of nest boxes suitable for Swifts, highlighting the benefits of each design.
Key materials
Wooden nest boxes are preferred by many. This lightweight material is breathable and provides excellent insulation for nesting birds, helping to protect them from temperature extremes between seasons. Typically used for external boxes, harder wood types provide a fair level of robustness and longevity when at least 15mm thick and help to prevent predator access to the nest. The main drawback of wooden nests is the maintenance they require – they should be monitored to ensure the wood remains in good condition, and care taken in choosing wood treatments as many can be harmful to nesting birds.
WoodStone and Woodcrete are almost identical in composition, but Woodcrete is a patented material by Durisol. The material is made from a blend of wood and concrete to produce long-lasting, very durable boxes which can last for decades. It has good insulative properties and creates a thermally stable environment inside the box to shelter inhabitants from extreme temperatures. This material is offered for both built-in and mounted nest boxes but is more often used for built-in boxes due to its weight, which is heavier than wood or eco-plastic. WoodStone is typically more expensive than other materials and requires thoughtful design to improve ventilation to prevent the buildup of moisture in the nest.
Certain components of a bird box may be made with eco-, or regular, plastic. A low-cost option, plastic is more lightweight than Woodcrete, and provides more longevity than wood. This weather resistant material is easy to maintain and is often sourced from recycled plastics. Nest boxes featuring eco-plastic require careful design to mitigate issues with insulation and ventilation. This material is, however, less durable and provides little resistance to predators or extreme temperatures.
This built-in box provides Swifts with a thermally stable, secure nesting space. Woodstone is a durable, long-lasting material that is perfect for new builds.Because it is constructed to standard brick dimensions, this nest box can be rendered over to better blend into constructed walls.
This box provides nesting birds with ample nesting space in a single internal cavity. Woodstone material improves the thermal stability and longevity of the box, while maintaining breathability. This build-in box is also suitable for sparrows, Starlings and other small urban birds.
This built-in box from Unitura is designed to be mounted in eaves and soffits and features a sloped nesting board to allow for mounting at multiple angles. The box has one wood-concrete entrance for extra durability, and a durable plywood box for longevity. This nest box has two nesting bowls to encourage colony nesting.
Designed to be incorporated into new builds or renovated properties, this Swift brick comes in three colours to ensure discreet placement. Constructed from brick, this box will be durable and will last for many years.
Made with insulating concrete, this nesting box provides a long-lasting, discrete, internal nesting space for Swifts. It can last for decades in the right environment. This box can also be bought unfaced, allowing it to be rendered to match the building’s aesthetics.
This robust nest box is constructed entirely of woodstone, ensuring a long-lasting, enduring design and thermal stability throughout the year. A rear entrance provides easy access for cleaning, and a downward facing entrance hole discourages other small garden birds from occupying the nesting space.
This nest box has a single cavity for nesting Swifts and an elongated entrance hole. The wood–concrete material ensures a climactically stable, long-lasting environment for generations of Swifts and a sloped roof ensures adequate drainage.
This robust nest box provides a single compartment for nesting Swifts, with excellent insulation for stability in extreme temperatures. An oval entrance hole and sloping roofs help to exclude Starlings and encourage Swift settlement. Designed to be placed under eaves, the mounting plates and openings are on the sides to allow close-fitting insulation.
Available with left and right-hand side entrances, this box provides nesting Swifts with an underside entrance and landing ramp for easy access. The wood construction is naturally fungal and insect repellent and provides nesting birds with a well-insulated, stable environment.
A hybrid box designed to house both Swifts and bats, the Kiki nesting box provides a thermally-resistant environment suitable for both groups. The compartment that is allocated for Swift nesting has a forward-facing entrance. The durable, long-lasting design can have a lifespan up to 25 years.
Constructed with an upcycled material made from recycled waste insulation, this double-chambered swift box is 100% resistant to moisture and has a long lifespan of up to 25 years. It is lightweight and simple to construct, making it a worthy addition to an existing structure. The excellent thermal properties, and downward-facing entrance, make this an attractive nesting choice for visiting Swifts.
An unobtrusive nest box, the Manthorpe Swift Brick provides nesting birds with a long-lasting, secure nesting site. This nest box is designed to sit inside the insulation cavity of a building, helping to create a thermally stable environment. This brick is available in six colours to blend into existing brickwork.
This droppings board prevents the accumulation of droppings from Swift nest boxes around windows and doors. It can be easily assembled and installed using screws and is suitable for use beneath any nest box.
For more information on bird boxes and how to choose them, find our Buyers Guides here.
Modern infrastructure has come with a host of changes to roof design, which have impacted the availability of suitable nesting sites for a number of avian species. House Martins and Swallows have been particularly affected by these changes, and we can encourage their colonisation, nesting and breeding through the provision of artificial habitats.
These birds live in colonies of around five nests constructed using spring mud, but in drier springs this can be in short supply. Gathering building materials also requires significant energy expenditure for breeding birds, removing energy available for roosting and raising young. Nest boxes provide a ready–made habitat suitable for nesting without spring mud availability.
Swallows and House Martins require a cup or bowl-shaped nest, with a small, narrow entrance and are generally made of Woodcrete/WoodStone or hard wood. They are typically placed under the external eaves of a building to mimic natural nesting locations and are best placed on a sheltered side at a minimum height of 2m above the ground. Due to their natural nesting habits, House Martin and Swallow nests are designed to be wall mounted. These birds are highly sociable and prefer to nest in colonies, so consider mounting multiple nests to further support natural behaviour.
Here we look at a selection of nest boxes suitable for House Martins and Swallows, highlighting the benefits of each design.
Key materials
Wooden nest boxes are preferred by many. This lightweight material is breathable and provides excellent insulation for nesting birds, helping to protect them from temperature extremes between seasons. Typically used for external boxes, harder wood types provide a fair level of robustness and longevity when at least 15mm thick and help to prevent predator access to the nest. The main drawback of wooden nests is the maintenance they require – they should be monitored to ensure the wood remains in good condition, and care taken in choosing wood treatments as many can be harmful to nesting birds.
WoodStone and Woodcrete are almost identical in composition, but Woodcrete is a patented material by Durisol. The material is made from a blend of wood and concrete to produce long-lasting, very durable boxes which can last for decades. It has good insulative properties and creates a stable environment inside the box to shelter inhabitants from extreme temperatures. This material is offered for both built-in and mounted nest boxes but is more often used for built-in boxes due to its weight, which is heavier than wood or eco-plastic. WoodStone is typically more expensive than other materials and requires thoughtful design to improve ventilation to prevent the buildup of moisture in the nest.
Certain components of a bird box may be made with eco-, or regular, plastic. A low-cost option, plastic is more lightweight than Woodcrete, and provides more longevity than wood. This weather resistant material is easy to maintain and is often sourced from recycled plastics. Nest boxes featuring eco-plastic require careful design to mitigate issues with insulation and ventilation. This material is, however, less durable and provides little resistance to predators.
The nest bowl is made from wood concrete, ensuring long-lasting durability and a stable interior climate. The chipboard backing ensures easy, lightweight installation.
A WoodStone nesting box that ensures breathability, durability and temperature stability for nesting House Martins. The exterior grade plywood backing is lightweight making it easy to install, and is hard-wearing to ensure a long-lasting product.
Made with WoodStone, a mixture of FSC certified wood fibres and concrete, this House Martin nest features excellent durability and thermal properties to ensure temperature stability for nesting birds. The backing is also made with WoodStone to increase the durability of the overall unit. Double nest options are also available.
Constructed with Woodcrete, nesting birds will benefit from air permeability and weatherproofing with a low maintenance, long-lasting design. This nest cup is uniquely mounted on a durable backing plate and rails to simplify the installation and cleaning process. Also available in a semi-finished format, allowing House Martins to complete the nest themselves which encourages natural building behaviours.
A ceramic nest bowl mounted on a wooden backing plate. Ceramics provide a breathable nesting area with good thermal properties, whilst providing a plastic-free habitat for breeding birds.
The nest cup is made from a resin-concrete mixture, mounted onto a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) backing plate made from recycled plastic waste. A plastic roof and cup drainage holes ensure a dry nest throughout the season.
Made of a mixture of sawdust and cornstarch, this 3D printed nesting cup is fully biodegradable. The result is a durable, weather resistant habitat that is breathable, with adequate insulation for nesting birds.
This droppings board prevents the accumulation of droppings from Swallow and House Martin nest bowls around windows and doors. It can be quickly and easily assembled and installed using screws and is suitable for use beneath any House Martin or Swallow nest box.
For more information on bird boxes and how to choose them, find our Buyers Guides here.
Marine noise pollution is inhibiting the recruitment and settlement of oyster larvae. A study from the University of Adelaide has reported a disturbance in oyster uptake in conservation projects where acoustic technology is used to attract larvae to new settlement areas. These invertebrates use natural acoustic cues to dictate their settlement, as well as navigation, communication and predator avoidance, making them more vulnerable to changes in their soundscape. Noise pollution from shipping, construction and machinery is interfering with these acoustic cues and limiting the benefits of acoustic technology in attracting oysters to reef habitats.
Artificial light in urban areas is impacting herbivory on trees. A study in Beijing showed that tree leaves in urban environments are visibly less damaged than rural tree communities. The study found that trees exposed to greater levels of illuminance from streetlights concentrate their energy on defense by thickening their leaves and producing chemical compounds such as tannins. The results suggested that trees exposed to high levels of artificial light may extend their photosynthesis duration, thus resulting in these characteristics. Ramped up defences means that thickened leaves are inedible for invertebrates, which could have cascading effects on the rest of the food chain, leading to a harmful reduction of herbivorous insects and predatory species in urban areas.
Wildlife
A badger vaccination programme in Cornwall shows promise in helping to manage bovine tuberculosis (bTB). The farmer-led pilot was conducted over four years in Cornwall and involved mass vaccination of badgers across 12 farms with huge success – around 74% of local badgers received the vaccine, with the number of infected badgers falling from 16% to zero. With bTB highly destructive to farmers and their livelihoods, the disease results in tens of thousands of cattle being culled each year and, although large-scale assessment is needed to measure vaccination impact on disease rates in cows, this programme could substantiate calls for the government to further support community-led vaccination.
Brazil is moving forward with plans to turn the Pantanal into an industrial waterway. The world’s largest wetland, comprised of over 1,200 rivers and streams, is home to an astonishing level of diversity and supports a host of vulnerable and endangered species, including Jaguars and Giant Otters. This biologically-rich environment is at risk from the Hidrovia Project – a plan proposing to build ports, straighten river bends and dredge the Paraguay riverbed to establish a shipping route for crops such as sugar and soya beans. This development could bring about irreversible damage to the environment – disconnecting the river from its floodplain, shrinking wetland habitats and causing disruption to seasonal flood patterns – meaning extinction for many of the animals taking refuge there.
The largest outbreak of avian influenza is infecting hundreds of species across the world. H5N1, a highly contagious, deadly strain of bird flu, is threatening the world’s biodiversity after infecting 485 bird species and 48 mammal species, including Polar Bears and captive tigers. The virus broke out in Europe in 2020, where it spread to a further six continents through bird migratory pathways. This evolutionarily flexible pathogen is ravaging wild animal populations across the globe, decimating 40% of Peruvian pelicans, 17,000 Argentinian Elephant Seal pups, over 30,000 Sea Lions and 75% of breeding Great Skuas in Scotland, among others. With continuous adaptation, the virus is now able to spread directly between mammals, raising greater concerns for human health and wellbeing.
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) is set to begin the restoration of lost rainforests in Pembrokeshire. Historically, the west coast of Britain had large expanses of temperate rainforest that were gradually destroyed over hundreds of years. Only 1% of these habitats remain, and WTSWW wishes to return these areas to their former glory, improving habitats for wildlife in the area. Currently, the 146-acre land is designated for agriculture with nearly all fields grazed, but the Trust hopes to begin planting the first seeds in 2025, with visible growth in three years.
A continent-wide survey of Antarctica’s plant life has revealed growth in previously uncharted areas. This survey provides a baseline of lichens, mosses and algae, which will be used to monitor vegetation responses to climate change and inform conservation measures in the region. Researchers employed a European Space Agency satellite to sweep the area, and combined this data with field measurements. The survey has detected almost 45km2 of vegetation in the region, accounting for only 0.12% of Antarctica’s ice-free area, highlighting the importance of these environments.
In the latest work of the Poyser series, Rob Thomas brings us the definitive work on Europe’s storm-petrels. Meticulously researched by one of the world leading experts, this book follows European Storm-petrels, tracking their lives as they breed, migrate and overwinter. Rob shares the story of the group’sevolution, behaviour, ecology and adaptations, interspersed with charming personal anecdotes and observations.
Rob Thomas has been working at Cardiff University for over 20 years. He is a senior lecturer in Zoology who specialises in bird behaviour and ecology, and has been studying storm-petrels since he was 16. His work has taken him to Wales, Scotland, Portugal and the Faroes, where he studies storm-petrel breeding behaviour and long-distance migration journeys. He is the co-director of Eco-explore Community Interest Company and is a trustee of the Initiativefor Nature Conservation Cymru (INCC).
We recently had the opportunity to chat with Rob about what inspired him to write a book on storm-petrels, his favourite storm-petrel facts and more.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to write a book about Storm-petrels?
I’ve been birdwatching since I was a small boy – initially in the land-locked county of Breconshire in mid-Wales where I grew up, but as a teenager I started visiting the islands of west Wales and later Shetland, where I encountered storm-petrels for the first time. Since then, I have been fascinated by these remarkable little seabirds and the islands where they breed. Birdwatching led me into bird-ringing, and later into a career as a university researcher and lecturer, and storm-petrels have been the subject of much of my research and teaching work, including supervising various MSc and PhD projects on the behaviour, ecology and conservation of different storm-petrel species around the world. In recent years there has been an explosion of storm-petrel studies, partly due to advances in miniaturised tracking technology and the genetic methods that can be used to study storm-petrel diet and evolutionary relationships. Given the mass of new discoveries being made, together with renewed interest in the folklore, art and literature relating to storm-petrels, they became the natural subject for a new book about these truly remarkable seabirds.
White-faced Storm-petrel (Pelagodroma marina). Image by Ed Dunens via Flickr
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing these species, and how do you think we can work to minimise the impacts of this challenge in the future?
Seabirds are among the most threatened groups of birds globally, and storm-petrels themselves are vulnerable to a wide range of threats, including various forms of pollution (e.g. plastics, oil and other chemical pollutants, as well as light pollution), overfishing, and the looming impacts of rapid climate and oceanographic changes. For storm-petrels, perhaps the greatest threat of all comes from the arrival of non-native predators on their breeding islands; rats and cats have caused the local extinction of storm-petrels on numerous islands, as well as the likely global extinction of one species, the Guadalupe Storm-petrel. Fortunately, this threat can very effectively be addressed by the eradication of non-native predators, and this is steadily being carried out on seabird islands around the world, including in the UK and British Overseas Territories such as South Georgia. This is one of the most dramatically – and immediately – effective methods for helping storm-petrels that we have in the conservation toolbox.
There are often challenges with tagging storm-petrels due to their small stature. Are there any technological advances in surveying and research techniques that you would like to see employed and that would aid in tagging and monitoring them?
The miniaturisation of tracking technologies over recent years (geo-locators and GPS tags, as well as associated technologies such as accelerometers and depth-loggers) has led to a genuine revolution in our understanding of the behaviour and ecology of storm-petrels at sea. It is only in the last few years that GPS tags have become small enough to track birds as small as the smallest storm-petrels, including our own European Storm-petrel; the familiar species of the NE Atlantic (weighing approx. 25g), and we suddenly have a quite detailed understanding of where they go and what they do at sea. This tracking technology is now being deployed on some of the very rarest species (e.g. Monteiro’s storm-petrel of the Azores), to understand their conservation needs. One very exciting new development is the combination of tracking storm-petrels on their foraging trips at sea, with DNA analysis of the prey that storm-petrels deliver to their chicks, and remote-monitoring of behaviour in the nest burrow using miniaturised cameras and audio equipment – these can be used alongside more traditional methods, such as manual nest-checks and weighing of nestlings, to understand the factors on land and at sea that contribute to breeding success or failure.
European Storm-petrel. Image by Rob Thomas
I really enjoyed learning that the oldest European Storm-petrel recorded was estimated to be 40 years old, an astonishing age for such a small seabird. Do you have a favourite piece of information you discovered throughout researching and writing this book?
Yes! I have many favourite storm-petrel facts, including my provisional top five:1) storm-petrel chicks can hibernate (i.e. strategically reduce their body temperature and become torpid across multiple days) in order to save energy between food deliveries by their parents; 2) storm-petrels have the largest eggs relative to their body size (approx. 25-30% of the mother’s body mass) of any birds; 3) we still don’t know how many storm-petrel species there really are (the 28 formally-described species in the book is definitely an underestimate); 4) the New Zealand Storm-petrel was thought to be extinct for 176 years, until it was re-discovered in 2003 and happily seems to be thriving; and 5) the name ‘petrel’ may not refer to the disciple Peter walking on the waters of the Sea of Galilee as has often been stated, but may actually be derived from a much older old word ‘pet’, meaning ‘to break wind’ (yes, I am easily amused).
The world is currently facing a worrying decline in not only storm-petrel populations, but also many other seabird species worldwide. What would you say to people who might question the importance of safeguarding and conserving these animals
Most people have never heard of storm-petrels, let alone seen one. But this does not mean that storm-petrels are unimportant – they are perhaps more important that even I (a self-identifying storm-petrel fanatic) had assumed. Species do not need to be useful to humans to be an important part of the ecosystem that they inhabit; they are ecologically important in their own right, whether we are aware of them or not. Furthermore, storm-petrels reveal to us many of the ways in which our own activities as humans are impacting the natural world. Even storm-petrels, among the wildest of creatures, breeding in some of the most remote parts of our planet, are badly affected by our pollution, our entourage of non-native pets, livestock and plants, and they are highly sensitive biological indicators to the ongoing climatic and oceanographic impacts of our activities that are changing the composition of the planet’s atmosphere. For all of these reasons, it is important that we understand and act on the things that storm-petrels can tell us, or we ignore these messages at our peril.
Wilson’s Storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) Image by Ryan Mandelbaum via Flickr
Is there a species of storm-petrel that has so far eluded you, and which you would still love to see?
Oh yes, there are many! I have personally encountered only six or seven of the 28 or so storm-petrel species that are currently available (depending on how species are counted). I am hoping to spend the rest of my life occasionally meeting new storm-petrel species; two of my most-longed-for are the White-vented Storm-petrel (probably the smallest seabird in the world), and the Matsudaira’s Storm-petrel (one of the least-known and most-endangered of the storm-petrel species).
Finally, are you currently working on any other projects that you can tell us about?
Yes, an exciting new project involves working with local conservationists on the Faroe Islands (which host the largest colonies of European Storm-petrels) to understand the impacts (both positive and negative) of marine developments such as wind farms, fish farms and artificial lighting on these internationally important breeding colonies. Another very exciting new initiative is a collaborative project known as ‘Seaghosts’, led by Raül Ramos Garcia of the University of Barcelona in Spain, tracking the movements of different species of storm-petrels from breeding colonies across the North Atlantic, across their annual cycles. Seabirds ignore national boundaries, and such international collaborative projects are key to understanding threats and conservation solutions at a global scale.
Storm-petrels is published by Poyser Monographs and is available in harback and flexibound here.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is the leading charity seeking to protect and restore the diversity of the Scottish landscape and its species. Based in Edinburgh, this membership-based organisation has a key role in the conservation of over 90,000 species through practical work, campaigning, education and management in over 100 wildlife reserves.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust will be celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, marking the occasion with their storytelling campaign Words of the Wild. We recently spoke to Pete Haskell, Head of Communications and Engagement, on the work of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, its iconic projects and their goals moving forward.
Visitors on Handa Island Wildlife Reserve. Image by Pete Haskell, The Scottish Wildlife Trust
Could you give us a brief introduction to the Scottish Wildlife Trust and how it was formed?
Today, the Scottish Wildlife Trust is Scotland’s leading nature conservation charity, but it all began as a small group of passionate people in Edinburgh 60 years ago.
It was in 1964 that Sir Charles Connell, along with a handful of others, decided to establish an organisation whose focus was the protection of Scotland’s wildlife for the benefit of present and future generations. Despite being run on a shoestring budget, within a year the Trust had 400 members and a long list of volunteer members of Council that included several professors, a general, several prominent landowners, a museum curator, the presenter Tom Weir and representatives from the Forestry Commission and The Nature Conservancy.
By the end of 1966, the Trust had acquired its first three wildlife reserves, and its work has continued to grow in breadth and scale ever since.
Could you tell us about the aims of the Trust, and what kind of work you undertake?
The Trust’s vision is of a network of healthy, resilient ecosystems on land and sea, supporting Scotland’s wildlife and people – something we’ve been pursuing for our 60-year history with support from our members, partners and volunteers.
The Trust successfully champions the cause of wildlife through policy and campaigning work, demonstrates best practice through practical conservation and innovative partnerships, and inspires people and communities to take positive action through education and engagement activities. We also manage a network of over 100 wildlife reserves across Scotland, welcome visitors to our three visitor centres at Montrose Basin, Loch of the Lowes and Falls of Clyde, and are a member of the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement.
Community Engagement Work. Image by Pete Haskell, The Scottish Wildlife Trust
What have been the most iconic projects for the Trust over the years? And could you tell us about your biggest challenges and successes?
Where to start! As an organisation that covers all of Scotland and all of its wildlife, we’ve been involved in a huge variety of projects over the last six decades.
In the 1980s, we had a big focus on acid rain, organising an international conference that brought together a wide range of experts to discuss the major points of evidence around the issue and the damage it causes. This resulted in delegates agreeing a detailed resolution that called for the UK Government to take decisive and immediate action to combat acid rain.
In the 1990s, one of our major focuses was peatland restoration. As well as leading a peatland campaign that raised awareness of the importance of the habitat and its wildlife, we worked in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage (now NatureScot) to undertake one of the most comprehensive assessments of any habitat in Britain and published a peatland management handbook used by land managers across Europe.
In the 2000s, we started two of our most iconic species-focused projects. In 2008, we partnered with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland to lead the five-year Scottish Beaver Trial in Knapdale, a groundbreaking project that saw the first formal reintroduction of a mammal anywhere in the UK. And in 2009, we established Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels, a partnership project that continues to this day to protect our native Red Squirrel population.
The past decade or so has seen some of our most ambitious projects to date. Our Living Landscape initiatives in Coigach and Assynt, Cumbernauld and Edinburgh are working to deliver environmental, social and economic improvements on a landscape scale. Through our Living Seas project, we have created a network of snorkel trails across Scotland to encourage more people to experience the incredible marine life that Scotland’s seas are home to. And most recently we have been progressing our Riverwoods initiative which is set to accelerate the creation of woodland habitat along Scotland’s extensive river network.
Snorkellers. Image by Alexander Mustard for The Scottish Wildlife Trust.
What are your hopes for the future? How do you think the Trust’s goals will change past Strategy 2030?
Our firm hope is that we begin to see nature recovery on a national scale. We have 60 years of impactful conservation behind us, but nature is in a state of crisis, with one in nine Scottish species threatened with extinction. As our life support system, nature is vital to every one of us and it will take everyone – from decision makers to community groups – to help turn the tide on nature loss.
But even if we can get over that biggest of hurdles – where nature is no longer declining and starts on an upward trajectory – there is a huge amount to do. With the UK one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, the road to achieving our vision is a long one. There will inevitably be new challenges to overcome but the thing that unites the Trust – our staff, volunteers, members, donors and partners – is an unenduring passion and love for nature. They say you can have too much of a good thing, but when it comes to nature, that’s just not the case!
Sixty years of educating, campaigning and protecting nature is an incredible milestone. How will the Trust be celebrating this important anniversary?
Whilst there are many things going on across the Trust to celebrate our 60th anniversary, the major focus is our storytelling campaign, Words of the Wild. The campaign has three strands: a series of events focusing on the stories of some of our reserves; a new and very recently launched podcast series that will explore the stories of the Trust’s past, present and future; and a nature writing competition that encourages others to share their stories of Scotland’s wildlife and wild places in no more than 1,000 words. The competition has an adult and a junior category and is open until 31st August. There are some fantastic prizes for the winners, including some generously donated by NHBS, for which we are very grateful.
If readers would like to find out more about the Trust or enter the Words of the Wild competition, visit scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/
Grasshoppers of Britain and Western Europe
Orthoptera and Dermaptera
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is the leading charity seeking to protect and restore the diversity of the Scottish landscape and its species. Based in Edinburgh, this membership-based organisation has a key role in the conservation of over 90,000 species through practical work, campaigning, education and management in over 100 wildlife reserves.
