Upland forest and bog in Norway: essentially the same species found at home and not flammable!
Alister Clunas
@alcatorda.bsky.social
Bibliophile. Bird watcher, BTO qualified bird ringer. Love Scottish islands. Interested in seabirds. Lives in the Highlands of Scotland. 🏴
The young white-tailed eagles have returned to Exmoor for the first time in 200 years, with up to 20 more to follow over the next three years to help rebuild the area's wildlife.
This really does sum up how serious the situation was last weekend. The emergency firebreak dug out overnight half a mile from Nethy. Had this been needed, most of Abernethy Forest would have gone by then. They clearly thought this a possibility. The unthinkable…saved by the wind.
This is an easy and straightforward one to introduce as a starter for helping reduce #wildfire risk in some areas. The majority of wildfires are caused by gamekeepers when their 'managed' moorland heather burns get out of control, plus arson & accidents, many of which are the result of recklessness
The Guardian@theguardian.com · yesterdayCalls to ban disposable barbecues in England and Wales over wildfire risk
Great piece by Ben Goldsmith in one of the most important places for this debate to be heard. spectator.com/article/rewi...
Rewilding is the best defence against wildfires
Rewilding is not the cause of Britain's worsening upland wildfires. Increasingly, it looks like one of the most promising solutions.
spectator.com
Book review - Prelude to Murder: Revenge Killing on a Highland Sporting Estate raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/08/02/b...
Book review – Prelude to Murder: Revenge Killing on a Highland Sporting Estate
Earlier this year, retired Scottish gamekeeper David Campbell was found guilty of murdering his former colleague from the Edradynate Estate in Perthshire, Brian Low, in February…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
The study combines data from 149 field studies, in 27 countries across five continents to compare the impacts of plant diversity on natural pest predators across croplands, grasslands and forests. UKCEH's Ben Woodcock is among the co-authors. See our news: https://tinyurl.com/3mtyu6ft 2/2
Plant diversity boosts pests’ predators and reduces crop damage
The largest global assessment of its kind has shown that plant diversity increases populations of predators to suppress pests before they cause significant crop damage. The meta-analysis combines data from 149 field studies across five continents, with co-authors including Dr Ben Woodcock of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
tinyurl.com
It's time to take the fences down around #beaver enclosures... we need their help urgently. Any minor issues can be resolved but given the overwhelming and multiple benefits of free-living #beavers, let's get this done
Gary McFarlane@garym6942.bsky.social · 2d agoBeavers are helping to create wetland areas during dry and hot weather. The slow release of water creates both habitat refuge and water resilience. www.bbc.com/news/article... #environment #ecology #conservation #science #SciChat
To get the bigger picture, remember IT’S PRIVATE EYE WEEK! Experience the Eye as it’s meant to be seen… in print! New edition with subscribers from Wednesday - or you can make the epic voyage to your local shop.
There is 23% still to do. At the current rate of progress, it will take another 6 years to reach 80%. Subscriptions and licensing are the sole means by which this work is financed so please do consider taking out a subscription. Gift subscriptions are also available. 2/2 whoownsscotland.org.uk
Land Ownership Map | Who Owns Scotland
Who Owns Scotland map for visual overview of land ownership. For Academics, Property Professionals, Natural Resources, Windfarms, Film Location Scouts, Journalists
whoownsscotland.org.uk
It’s likely this argument will be used by those with a vested interest in continuing muirburn in Scotland. Rewetting is the answer!
Guy Shrubsole@guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 3d agoShooting interests & the rightwing press want to exploit the wildfires to reinstate moorland burning. But you don't fight fire with fire. You fight it with water. This wildfire in Wales' Elan Valley in May stopped abruptly when it reached re-wetted peat bogs: www.walesfarmer.co.uk/news/2614875...
Last week we shared a picture of a dry #Sphagnum. Well since then, it rained! Sphagnum is back 😎!! It just shows how good it is to have a widespread Sphagnum carpet #GreatNorthBog #SphagnumMonday #ClimateChange #Carbon
this idea must be re-visited by government & councils - perhaps by mayors under devolved powers ?
Bylines Network@bylinesnetwork.co.uk · last mo.As Britain swelters through another heatwave, few people will have heard that ministers have quietly dropped plans for solar carports. Cars cooler in summer. Shelter from the rain in winter. Clean electricity all year round. A missed opportunity? @eastangliabylines.co.uk
EXCLUSIVE: The boss of the energy giant behind plans to build a massive wind farm off Scotland’s west coast has been invited to visit one of the island communities it will impact 👇
Islanders invoke Local Hero in fight against '144 Eiffel Tower-sized wind turbines'
thenational.scot
You'll have seen BASC grandstanding about it's recent 'win' over Natural England in the High Court....but If you're wondering why BASC hasn't been v vocal about the specific consequences of that 'win' then read on... raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/08/03/m...
More information about BASC’s legal challenge on keeping gamebirds on Special Protection Areas prior to release
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about BASC’s grandstanding antics in response to a High Court ruling about the keeping of non-native gamebirds (Pheasants and Red-legged Partridges) on Special P…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
It's a biodiverse Coul Links - or a golf course yet again Coul Links is a beautiful and unique wildlife habitat in the Scottish Highlands. But it's threatened once again with development. Join me in urging Scottish Ministers to say no to this damaging application. action.rspb.org.uk/page/166270/...
Save Coul Links!
Your voice could help save this precious habitat from a new threat of development.
action.rspb.org.uk
After the driest July on record, drought has been declared across Wales. During extended heatwaves and drought, the risk of wildfires increases. Whether visiting the countryside, your local park, or a nature reserve, remember these top tips. #Wales #Drought #Wildfires #ClimateChange
New post on wildlifedetective.wordpress.com Prelude to Murder - revenge killing on a Highland Sporting Estate. New crime book by me and co-author Lindsey Hamilton.
If you want to know why sadistic gamekeeper David Campbell thought he could get away with murder, and why a local community had lived in fear of him for decades, this compelling account provides some answers. The warning signs were all there, in plain sight. raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/08/02/b...
Book review – Prelude to Murder: Revenge Killing on a Highland Sporting Estate
Earlier this year, retired Scottish gamekeeper David Campbell was found guilty of murdering his former colleague from the Edradynate Estate in Perthshire, Brian Low, in February…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
Adult female White-tailed Eagle G466 being mobbed by a Hobby this morning, viewed from the excellent @harbourbirds.bsky.social Summer Safari boat trip.
Natural England forced to admit 'Every White-tailed Eagle death in Dorset linked to rat poison'. #RaptorResearch raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/08/01/n...
Natural England forced to admit ‘Every White-tailed Eagle death in Dorset linked to rat poison’
Last week, the independent group Wildlife Poisoning Research UK (WPRUK) issued a press release confirming the poisoning of more White-tailed Eagles in Dorset, following the high profile poisoning o…
raptorpersecutionuk.org
Sunday book review: Bitter Honey by @jenniedurant.bsky.social Publisher: @princetonupress.bsky.social @islandpress.bsky.social Review: markavery.info/2026/08/02/s... 'It's a cracker!' Bee hives are driven thousands of miles across USA to provide pollination services. Not all plain sailing.
Sunday book review: Drifting North by @dominicmhinde.bsky.social Publisher: @manchesterup.bsky.social Review: markavery.info/2026/08/02/s... 'A very good read' #carbon #climate #renewables #coal #Uist #Shetland #Orkney #Lanark @wainwrightprize.bsky.social
Puffins are returning out to sea where they will spend the next 8 months. But we will continue biosecurity checks and surveillance to ensure that their islands stay rat-free for them to return to next year, and for this years chicks to breed on safely too when they return in around 4 years time.
As the UN Secretary General says, every new fossil fuel project approved today makes tomorrow’s heatwaves more dangerous & our world less secure. I hope Andy Burnham is listening. Caving in to the fossil fuel lobby as the planet burns would be unforgivable
Burnham risks first revolt as PM over apparent support for North Sea drilling
Labour MPs fear No 10 team lack up-to-date energy insight and don’t fully recognise voters’ climate concerns
theguardian.com
Manchester by election had miserable 25% turnout. Excuse - no publicity & summer holidays. Reality - 'regional' mayors only work with big WM names like Burnham. UK councils are almost 20 times bigger than EU average. We need normal local councils not directly elected regional mayors buildlocal.scot
