Earlier this summer I submitted a Freedom of Information request to Natural England, asking for information on the causes of death, including post mortem reports, of all Hen Harrier nestlings (i.e.…

Natural England has finally published data for the 2026 Hen Harrier breeding season, showing yet again that Hen Harriers are not tolerated on most English grouse moors. Of 45 recorded breeding atte…

Natural England has finally published data for the 2026 Hen Harrier breeding season, showing yet again that Hen Harriers are not tolerated on most English grouse moors. Of 45 recorded breeding atte…

Citizen environmentalists create online platform that flags spills in real time and highlights repeatedly polluted spots

I hope by now that blog readers are aware of Defra’s Call for Evidence on gamebird rearing, releasing and shooting. The Call for Evidence was launched in September 2026, and closes on 1st Nov…

As the population recovers, they've been making test flights northward. Here's where to (possibly) see them.

A reply to Julian Glover, from someone who lives there

A new court date has been set for Raeshaw Estate’s judicial review of its latest General Licence restriction. In February this year, NatureScot imposed a three-year General Licence restrictio…

Evidence gathered at mountain migration routes has led to arrests and gun seizures, as conservation teams document the killing of passing birds.

Derbyshire Constabulary has issued an appeal for information (27 September 2026) following the discovery of a shot Red Kite in the Peak District National Park on or before 7th July 2026. RURAL CRIM…

Writer, teacher and naturalist who explored the effects of the natural world on neurodivergency

Further to reports of this year’s Hen Harrier breeding success on RSPB-managed moorland in Bowland, Lancashire (here) and on Geltsdale, Cumbria (here), there’s now confirmation of furth…

Lake Vyrnwy leads a successful breeding season across three reserves, with 17 young raised at five nests.

Exclusive: Levy that allows almost 16,000 houses to be built on Norfolk Broads will not cover cost of mitigating environmental damage, critics say

Following North Yorkshire Police’s appeal for information about the recent discovery of a Marsh Harrier with gunshot injuries found in the Westerdale area of the North York Moors National Par…

Press release from North Yorkshire Police (21 September 2026): Marsh Harrier found shot in North York Moors On 28 August 2026 a juvenile Marsh Harrier was found in the Westerdale area suffering fro…

Earlier this month, researcher, writer and campaigner Guy Shrubsole blogged about his latest examination of reported Pheasants numbers in England. Pheasant (photo by Ronnie Gilbert) As he’s d…

Press release from RSPB, 18 September 2026: CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM AS RECORD YEAR FOR HEN HARRIER CHICKS AT RSPB GELTSDALE Thirteen Hen Harrier chicks have successfully fledged at RSPB Geltsdale in Cumb…

A 36-year-old man has been detained over the deaths of eight vultures in Bulgaria, including a reintroduced Bearded Vulture days after his return from a 14,100-km journey across Europe.

Priestcliffe Lees, Derbyshire: What a sight – and sound – it was, this huge flock of juveniles, feeding as the wind thrashed the vegetation

Concerning news for falcons in the Arctic: a new study has linked warmer summers to fewer surviving young for both Gyrfalcons and Peregrine Falcons. But there’s a twist—the two species are reacting to...

Appeal for information issued by Police Scotland, 15 September 2026: APPEAL AFTER RED KITE CAUGHT IN ILLEGAL TRAP – STRATHDON, ABERDEENSHIRE Officers are appealing for information after a bir…

Biodiversity is linked to people’s diversity, and nature lends itself to people who are different, says author Joe Harkness

A Madrid startup has built an ice cube that turns blue, bitter and solid the instant a drink is spiked, trapping the drug as evidence for police.

Press release from Wildlife Poisoning Research UK (WPRUK), 7 September 2026: THE KILLING MUST STOP! SENEDD ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE ASKED TO RESTRICT EAGLE-KILLING POISONS Following on from the public…