Bird flu has caused a “catastrophic” fall in the number of seabirds in the UK, a study of breeding sites by the RSPB has found. In some species the charity said bird flu had “completely reversed” previously positive trends. The number of gannet nests at Grassholm in Pembrokeshire – the main colony in Wales and […]
English seabird populations are in decline. Breeding populations have declined by at least 20-30% since the early 1990s and without intervention these internationally important seabird populations will continue to decline. The same can be said across the UK: the latest figures from the Seabirds Count (2015-2021) shows almost 62% of seabird species in decline across the UK […]
The UK government has vowed to end industrial sandeel fishing in English waters, a move conservationists say will be a “game changer” for saving the UK’s globally important seabird colonies. English waters of the North Sea will be closed for commercial sandeel fishing before the start of the season on 1 April. North Sea fishermen […]
The Scottish Government has opened a consultation on proposals to close fishing for sandeel in all Scottish waters to ensure the sustainability of the sandeel stock, as well as providing wider ecosystem benefits. In a letter to stakeholders the Scottish Government said: ‘Given the importance of sandeel to the wider ecosystem and the subsequent benefit […]
Wetlands along the east coast of England, from the Humber to the Thames, have successfully been added to the UK’s Tentative List of World Heritage sites. England’s east coast wetlands will be added to the UK’s Tentative List of World Heritage sites along with just five other new sites, the UK Government has announced. Inclusion […]
Wild Isles The RSPB, WWF and the Open University have been collaborating for more than three years on a major new BBC natural history series called Wild Isles, to be presented by Sir David Attenborough. Showcasing the beauty and diversity of the UK’s landscapes Wild Isles will show the wildlife and wild places of the […]
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has published a new report that sets out their view on how some of Defra’s agencies can and should work in order to recover nature in England. A blog written by Jess Chappell – RSPB England Senior Policy Officer – introduces the report and […]
A new RSPB report finds that the UK can continue to generate renewables at sea while also strengthening efforts to protect nature, creating mutual benefits that help tackle the climate and ecological crises. As reported in Edie, BusinessGreen [paywall], The National, and the RSPB’s own press release: Powering Healthy Seas explores how planners and decision-makers can […]