INEWS reports England’s hen harrier population had its best year for nearly two decades, with 60 chicks fledged from 19 nests this summer. The raptor, which is present in bigger numbers in Scotland, is rare in England. But a concerted conservation drive, high numbers of voles for eating and good weather have resulted in the best breeding season since 2002, according to Natural England.
Hen Harrier photo by Deborah Freeman under creative commons.
The Telegraph reports if not kept under control, the box-tree moth could disrupt natural ecological balances irrevocably. It now infests most of Europe except a few Nordic regions and high mountainous areas. With climate change it may spread further.
Photos of box tree moth caterpillar by Frank Van Hevel and box tree moth by David Shrt, both under creative commons.
INEWS reports television explorer Steve Backshall has visited 111 countries in his adventure-filled life – but while many have moved him, there really is no place quite like his homeland. In the interview, Steve shares his love for UK landscapes and wildlife, and his concerns about climate change falling off the agenda during the pandemic.
The Telegraph reports summer is officially over, the Royal Horticultural Society has said, as autumn colours are being seen in their gardens and apples are ripe two weeks early. Many have noticed amber-hued leaves falling from the trees in the last weeks of summer, and the temperature has dropped from the giddy heights of the heatwave.
The early spring heat gave many types of fruit, including greengages and apples, a head start to the growing season, meaning that harvests have come early. Trees and shrubs are turning their leaves as they have been confused and stressed by the recent erratic weather, causing them to prepare for autumn earlier.
Photo by Jack Cousins under creative commons.
The Times reports the climbing plant has received the endorsement of the Royal Horticultural Society as the best to provide an architectural vest that keeps buildings cool in summer and warm in winter.
An experiment conducted by the society with the University of Reading suggested home owners should not be concerned about ivy harbouring damp, as the plant reduced relative humidity on warm winter days by 5.7 per cent.
Photo of ivy covered house by Karen under creative commons.