DOCSLIB.ORG

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Summer 2020 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire Wild & Oxfordshire GREEN SHOOTS Time has come for wildlife’s revival 60 YEARS YOUNG! BBOWT celebrates its diamond jubilee SUMMER SPOTTING Bug’s eye view There’s a miniature jungle to be explored Wild Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire | Spring 2020 1 BBOWT at 60 ZWERVER/SHUTTERSTOCKRUDMER Six decades Welcome 10 fighting for wildlife Your wild summer Time for a new normal The best of the season’s wildlife, and Covid-19 has shaken our world. Like all charities, where to enjoy it on your local patch BBOWT has taken a financial hit, as our education and visitor centres had to close, losing us vital income. Our conservation work has also been impacted – you can RIC MELLIS RIC read more about this on page 6. Lockdown was tough on everyone, but with it came a seismic 8 Timeout change as more people fell under nature’s spell. The rumble of traffic Escape to the great outdoors quietened, flights were cancelled, the air cleared and we migrated to our gardens and parks. We started to walk and cycle, to live in the present. Many of us found solace in nature; wildlife undoubtedly Green shoots contributed to our physical and mental wellbeing as we reconnected New priorities post You are helping Bats are under increasing threat with the rhythms of the natural world. Personally, it not only helped me 14 Covid-19 from habitat loss. As a member cope but reminded me why I love this job so deeply. your support helps protect them Could this be the turning point, when humanity realises its utter – including very rare species such dependency on nature? Have our values shifted to a more balanced, as the Bechstein’s bat. Find out less frenetic pace of life? Let’s hope so! The bounce-back begins here what else your support means at and, like everyone, we expect a new normal to emerge. bbowt.org.uk/about Yet the battle for nature’s recovery and climate stability rages on. We will continue the local fight, playing our part in this global challenge. We’ve made the case for more ambition on nature’s recovery, and will of course do our utmost to protect precious wild places and the wildlife found within them (see page 14 for more on this). We look forward to welcoming back our army of volunteers and reopening our centres soon. In the meantime, thank you so much for sticking with us – the battle to safeguard the wildlife of our three SUMMER SPECTACLE counties would be lost without you. Swooping bats When you think about it, bats are mammals to be revered, not feared. The smallest UK species, the pipistrelles, weigh no more than a 2p piece and yet, like Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive every other bat it’s a masterpiece of design: capable of producing milk for its young, with on-board sonar and wafer-thin wings that unfold in an instant to enable it to agilely swish, swoop and glide with uncanny precision. There are 17 types of bats resident in the UK, and they all eat insects – the common pipistrelle can get through 500 an hour! They feed at night using echolocation, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust Get in touch pinging sound off their prey to work out where they are Wild Berks, Bucks & Oxon is the membership Wherever you are in the country your Wildlife Trust A large-print version of Wild Berks, before swooping in to nab them. At this time of year magazine for Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust is standing up for wildlife and wild places in your Bucks & Oxon (text only) is available feeding really picks up; it’s a race against time to fatten area and bringing people closer to nature. Contact 01865 775476, [email protected] on request. Call 01865 775476 or up before hibernating for winter. Membership 01865 788300, email [email protected] [email protected] Wild Berks, Bucks & Oxon brought to you by SEE THEM THIS SUMMER Address The Lodge, 1 Armstrong Road, Editor Ben Vanheems Finemere Wood The shadiest areas of the wood are UK Consultant Editor Sophie Stafford Enjoy the extended version of Littlemore, Oxford OX4 4XT roosting sites for rare Bechstein’s bats. Website www.bbowt.org.uk UK Consultant Designer Tina Smith Hobson Wild Berks, Bucks & Oxon online at Letcombe Valley Daubenton’s bats swoop low across President Steve Backshall Design Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Design Studio bbowt.org.uk/publications Bats like the common pipistrelle have the surface of the Letcombe Brook. Chair Joanna Simons Print CKN Print Ltd a busy schedule. They must feed as Chief Executive Estelle Bailey Cover Stephen Dalton/naturepl.com Loddon Nature Reserve Bats gorge on the rich insect much as possible to prepare for winter, life found at this flooded gravel pit. Registered Charity Number 204330 Company Registered Number 006800007 while mating also occurs in autumn. WildWild Berkshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire & &Oxfordshire Oxfordshire | Summer | Spring 2020 3 2 Wild Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire | Summer 2020 YOUR WILD SUMMER STAY CONNECTED Summertime’s easy living We’re going on a bug hunt Spend an afternoon Leave the trials and tribulations of modern life behind hunting for bugs. Look Enjoy even more from BBOWT under leaf litter, in the compost heap, among the Cool, calm and composted herbaceous perennials... Can’t get out as much as you’d like? Want to do more to help local wildlife? Or Woodlands offer a shady retreat on hot summer days. universe of fungi, beetles, worms and microorganisms simply craving more nature-themed nuggets? Here’s how to stay connected, Walk beneath their leafy boughs and a sense of calm convert autumn’s fallen leaves into a rich layer of Green shieldbug instantly descends. These are secret places, secluded humus, fuelling the food chain from the ground up. Often seen sunbathing in up-to-date and enjoy even more from your local Wildlife Trust refuges from the mad and busy world outside. late summer, this sap- Woodlands are blessed with their own very special ESCAPE THIS SUMMER sucking bug is sometimes wildlife. Woodpeckers drum their urgent staccato Dancersend with Pavis Woods Pavis Woods called the green stink bug Nature Notes What’s on? beats, making nests in the holes they painstakingly is home to old boundary beech trees and sunken because of the smell it Signup to Nature Notes, our regular free newsletter, to receive The situation regarding Covid-19 is rapidly evolving which, as excavate or, if lucky, find. Owls like the tawny owl add tracks, both centuries-old features of these secretes when disturbed. emails packed with feel-good activities that bring wildlife you can imagine, makes planning exceptionally hard! We hope to a further sense of mystery; their familiar ‘twit twoo’ remarkable woods. and wild places to you. resume our busy events programme as soon as it is practical and call is in fact two – the first part from the female, Bowdown Woods This ancient woodland has The lockdown has seen us share encouragement, wildlife safe to do so. the second the male’s reply. Then there’s the legion glorious views across the Kennet Valley. Watch sightings, and nature-based facts and fun guaranteed to The best way to stay up-to-date with the very latest situation of thrushes, warblers and tits seeking cover in the for basking butterflies like the white admiral in inspire and uplift. Featured topics is to sign up to Nature Notes, so you are among the first to be undergrowth or living high up in the canopy – a the clearing. include projects to ignite your informed when our events restart. You can also visit bbowt.org. refuge within the refuge. children’s interest in nature, advice uk/events for details of what’s on, when the time comes. We look RACHEL SCOPES RACHEL Marvel at the canopy above but take time to scan Go behind the scenes of our magnificent on how to enjoy garden wildlife forward to seeing you in person again very soon! the woodland floor. Its earthy smell Finemere Wood with volunteer warden Violet ground beetles and green-fingered gardening is the product of nature’s Charlotte Karmali’s regular blog: bbowt.org.uk/ These shiny black beetles tips, with inspiration for those composting miracle. Here a blog/charlotte-karmali are typically found under who don’t have a garden too. logs and stones by day. At There’s lots to read, watch GUY EDWARDES/2020VISION GUY night they hunt for slugs and listen to, including know- and other insects, making how from our team of experts Old school them superb garden allies. and enthusiasts, so you can Just 1.2% of the help wildlife and get involved country is covered in no matter what the restrictions ancient woodland. MELLIS RIC imposed by coronavirus. Sign up at bbowt.org.uk/newsletter MARGARET HOLLAND Field grasshopper Look and listen out on Social butterflies their gardens. These are joyful moments sunny days for the chirrup of During the lockdown we created a that people will hold dear long after the the males among the grass. range of online activities to encourage lockdown. They make their courting members to tune in to wildlife at You can catch up on anything you sound by rubbing their legs home – and help people find solace in missed and look forward to plenty against their wings. nature during these tough times. more fresh and engaging content by SHUTTERSTOCK Wildlife experts usually found following our social media channels leading school visits, events or talking and subscribing to the BBOWT YouTube Camp in the garden to visitors on reserves have turned channel, where you’ll also find our to leading online family wildlife popular wildlife gardening videos The lockdown saw many of us escape to the wilds BURKMAR RICHARD ID events, blogging about how to and podcasts.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Newsletter Index May 2021
    Wycombe Wildlife Group (WWG) newsletter index (Revised 26 May 2021) Wycombe Wildlife Group has produced a newsletter 3 times a year since the Group was formed, initially as Wycombe Urban Wildlife Group, in 1989. Copies of all the newsletters issued have been placed on this website to provide a record of the history of the Group and some of its achievements and failures in carrying out its planned objectives. This index includes reports and articles published in the newsletters containing material relating to wildlife species and their conservation, wildlife habitats and their management, as well as listing past activities such as walks, talks and visits. The list is divided into categories to make it easier to find items on particular subjects. Each item on the list shows the number of the newsletter in which it was published.By selecting the relevant issue number from the list of issued newsletters, you can view or, if necessary, download that issue. This index will be updated following the issue of each future newsletter, and amended to take account of any changes considered necessary following the receipt of comments and/or suggested changes from members. Index of WUWG/WWG newsletter items (Revised May 2021) Group activities 24 hour Wildlife Watch Marathon (Issues 5, 6 and 24) Chair Museum wildlife garden (Issue 8) Create a Hedgerow project (Issue 34) Creation of bat hibernaculum at Booker (Issue 6) Grange Farm and Terriers Farm - fauna and flora surveys (Issue 35) Hang on to hedgerows project (Issues 30-32) Hedgehog survey (Issues 5
    [Show full text]
  • Rare Plants Group 2009 Newsletter
    Ashmolean Natural History Society of Oxfordshire Rare Plants Group 2009 Newsletter Birthwort, Aristolochia clematitis Photo: Charles Hayward www.oxfordrareplants.org.uk INTRODUCTION It was such a relief not to have a desperately wet summer in 2009 as the last two were, and what a joy when Creeping Marshwort came popping up in sheets on Port Meadow after an absence of 18 months. Photo 1(left): 1 June 2009. Port Meadow showing the flood-water retreating and mud flats exposed. Photo: Camilla Lambrick Photo 2 (right): 1 June 2009. Southern part of Port Meadow, a former Creeping Marshwort area, now drying mud. Graham Scholey of the Environment Agency and Rebecca Tibbetts of Natural England assess the situation. Photo: Camilla Lambrick Alas Fen Violet is still in trouble at Otmoor – perhaps not dry and warm early enough for this very early species. The Fen Violet exercised us most during 2009 by way of a meeting with specialists from Plantlife and Northern Ireland, in a nation-wide discussion of radical actions notably for introduction on RSPB land. True Fox-sedge looks to be well set-up for the future now that extensive introductions by BBOWT have proved successful. Other plants seem to get on well by themselves – Birthwort (see front cover picture and report on page 4) seems to be proliferating in the ditches of a medieval nunnery just north of Oxford city. Progress continues towards the Oxfordshire Rare Plants Register; photographs are being amassed, and thanks to Ellen Lee’s masterly command of the records we now have some 4000 new records beginning to take form as eye-catching maps.
    [Show full text]
  • Butterfly Conservation Upper Thames Branch Silver-Washed Fritillary
    Butterfly Conservation Upper Thames Branch Silver-washed Fritillary Report 2006-7 Mick Campbell Many thanks to everyone who sent in sightings of Silver-washed Fritillary, in particular Chris Brown who monitored Crowsley Park Wood on a daily basis throughout the season, capturing the timing of different events, such as pairing and roosting habits of this beautiful butterfly. From the left: Silver-washed Fritillary male on bramble showing the distinctive black streaks of scent-scales near the middle of the forewing; female on buddleia; and the valezina form of the female (photos © Peter Hall, David Redhead & Tony Croft respectively) The Silver-washed Fritillary is a strong, fast flying woodland species, preferring mixed woodland with an open canopy, sunny glades and rides, with bramble as the favoured nectar source. They lay their eggs on oaks and rough-barked conifers where their foodplant of violet is present nearby. Interestingly, a report was also received from Jan Haseler in 2007 of a female appearing to oviposit on alder. Silver-washed Fritillary has been expanding its range in recent years and in the hot summer of 2006 it was particularly successful, with ‘wanderers’ turning up in 12 gardens, compared with 3 sightings in gardens during the 2007 season. First sighting Last sighting Number seen 2006 22-Jun-06 24-Aug-06 389 2007 17-Jun-07 07-Sept-07 306 As this species has a very long flight period, the peak emergence is difficult to pinpoint, but the maximum numbers are counted from about 11th July through to 10th August, with the first females being noted 2-3 weeks after the first male is sighted.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildberkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire
    Winter 2020 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire Wild & Oxfordshire FARMING FOR WILDLIFE The truly green revolution poised to speed nature’s recovery WHAT’S IN A NAME? The magical relationship between language and nature WINTER WILDLIFE Heroic hedges Discover the wildlife that thrives in our hedgerows Farming and wildlife HAMBLIN/2020VISION MARK Welcome 10 They are compatible! Your wild winter Ready for nature’s recovery The best of the season’s wildlife and The pandemic continues, but with talk of a ‘green where to enjoy it on your local patch recovery’ there could yet be a silver lining that puts people and the environment first. These are unprecedented times and with the RIC MELLIS RIC Agriculture and Environment Bills currently making their way back through Parliament, nature’s recovery now rests in the hands 3 Wintertime wonders of politicians. We have been fighting hard alongside other Wildlife Trusts Wildlife wows this winter to ensure that the bold promises made on securing a future for wildlife come to fruition. We continue to lobby for the best possible outcome. Thank you The Agriculture Bill could transform our countryside. BBOWT will We achieve more by working facilitate this truly green revolution at the local level, offering the as one. Your membership helps expertise and vision for a landscape rich in wildlife, for all to enjoy. In fact, fund vital conservation and we’ve already started and this autumn launched our new Land Advice campaign work that protects vulnerable birds. Discover what Service to help farmers and landowners manage their land in a more else we are achieving together nature-minded way.
    [Show full text]
  • Lowland Calcareous Grassland Habitat Action Plan
    Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Biodiversity Action Plan Lowland Calcareous Grassland Habitat Action Plan Lowland Calcareous Grassland Key associated species Chalk Carpet Moth Chalkhill Blue Chiltern Gentian Duke of Burgundy Early Gentian Glow Worm Green Hairstreak Hornet Robber Fly Horseshoe Vetch Juniper Linnet Meadow Clary Pasque Flower Roman Snail Silver-spotted Skipper Snail Abida secale Stone Curlew Striped Lychnis Moth Yellow Meadow Ant This habitat includes all semi-improved grassland and unimproved grassland occurring on shallow lime-rich soils normally underlain by chalk or limestone rocks. Calcareous grassland is associated with distinct topographic features such as escarpments or dry valley slopes and ancient earth works. Lowland calcareous grassland supports a very rich flora with many nationally rare and scarce species together with a diverse invertebrate fauna such as Chalkhill Blue and Duke of Burgundy butterflies. Scrub, such as Juniper and Box, is associated with calcareous grassland and contributes to local biodiversity. 1 Current status in the UK Biological status 1.1 Calcareous grassland is a rich grassland type in terms of the diversity of plant and invertebrate species supported. Many species are confined to calcareous grassland in the UK, including those that are on the northern edge of their European range. 1.2 Lowland calcareous grasslands are defined by the UK Biodiversity Group as the first nine communities in the National Vegetation Classification CG grouping. These communities are largely restricted to the warmer and drier climate of southern and eastern areas of the UK. 1.3 The amount of calcareous grassland has undergone a significant decline over the last 50 years. Although there are no detailed figures available for the UK as a whole, local statistics demonstrate the overall decline eg 50% lost in Dorset between the mid-1950s and the early 1990s, 25% lost in Sussex between 1966 and 1980.
    [Show full text]
  • The Post-Medieval Rural Landscape, C AD 1500–2000 by Anne Dodd and Trevor Rowley
    THE THAMES THROUGH TIME The Archaeology of the Gravel Terraces of the Upper and Middle Thames: The Thames Valley in the Medieval and Post-Medieval Periods AD 1000–2000 The Post-Medieval Rural Landscape AD 1500–2000 THE THAMES THROUGH TIME The Archaeology of the Gravel Terraces of the Upper and Middle Thames: The Thames Valley in the Medieval and Post-Medieval Periods AD 1000-2000 The post-medieval rural landscape, c AD 1500–2000 By Anne Dodd and Trevor Rowley INTRODUCTION Compared with previous periods, the study of the post-medieval rural landscape of the Thames Valley has received relatively little attention from archaeologists. Despite the increasing level of fieldwork and excavation across the region, there has been comparatively little synthesis, and the discourse remains tied to historical sources dominated by the Victoria County History series, the Agrarian History of England and Wales volumes, and more recently by the Historic County Atlases (see below). Nonetheless, the Thames Valley has a rich and distinctive regional character that developed tremendously from 1500 onwards. This chapter delves into these past 500 years to review the evidence for settlement and farming. It focusses on how the dominant medieval pattern of villages and open-field agriculture continued initially from the medieval period, through the dramatic changes brought about by Parliamentary enclosure and the Agricultural Revolution, and into the 20th century which witnessed new pressures from expanding urban centres, infrastructure and technology. THE PERIOD 1500–1650 by Anne Dodd Farmers As we have seen above, the late medieval period was one of adjustment to a new reality.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, 1942-65, from the Diaries of Charles Elton K
    Walking back in Time: Conservation in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, 1942-65, from the Diaries of Charles Elton K. J. Kirby . Summary The diaries of Charles Elton, a father of community ecology, give details of over 300 visits in the counties of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire between 1940 and 1965 (excluding those made to Wytham Woods near Oxford that are reported separately). The entries illustrate the changes that took place in the countryside in the post-war period; the idiosyncrasies of protected site selection at that time; and some of the management challenges that had to be overcome. Though inevitably a partial record they provide insights relevant to modern conservation. Modern conservationists should ensure that at least the equivalent record is passed on to future generations. Introduction Charles S. Elton, FRS, CBE (1900-1991) was one of the fathers of community ecology (Elton 1966) and the first editor of the Journal of Animal Ecology. He created and directed the Bureau of Animal Population from 1932 until his retirement in 1965 (Crowcroft 1991). The Bureau was absorbed into the Department of Zoology and Elton continued to have an office there for some years after his retirement. He was also a key figure in the early years of the Nature Conservancy which was set up in 1949, the forerunner of Natural England and the other statutory conservation agencies, and was involved in discussions on which sites should be become reserves or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Figure 1. Elton (in the middle, holding nets) with students in the 1950s. Elton lived in north Oxford and there is a commemoration plaque in the pavement in Park Town.
    [Show full text]
  • Open Access.Cdr
    The Chilterns stretches from the River Thames in What is Access Land? There is no new right to cycle or horse-ride (except on south Oxfordshire through Buckinghamshire and The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 gives people bridleways, restricted byways and byways crossing access Bedfordshire to Hitchin in Hertfordshire. It contains a right to walk and enjoy informal recreation on designated land), drive vehicles (except on byways open to all traffic or some of the finest countryside in the UK, which is open access land. These are places where you are allowed other legal routes crossing access land), camp, hang-glide, recognised by its designation as an Area of to walk, sightsee, picnic, bird-watch and run. paraglide, use a metal detector or light fires. Existing access Outstanding Natural Beauty. From quiet valleys to rights are unaffected; if for example you have always enjoyed dramatic viewpoints, leafy green woodlands to flower- Walking on this land is different to walking on public rights the right to cycle or ride in an area, this will continue. covered meadows, the Chilterns has beautiful of way as you don't have to stick to a defined line. You are countryside to enjoy. free to explore interesting features and can decide your When you see this symbol it shows you are own route. entering open access land. Dogs on Access Land Open Access Landscapes Rights on access land extend to walking with dogs. In the Chilterns there are two types of access land, However, dogs must be kept on a fixed lead of no more Registered Common Land (accounting for two thirds than 2 metres in length whenever livestock are present, of access land) and Chalk Downland.
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity and Planning in Buckinghamshire
    Biodiversity and Planning in Buckinghamshire Version 2. March 2014 Contents Section 1 1a About this guidance ......................................................................................................................3 WHO IS THIS Protecting and enhancing Buckinghamshire’s biodiversity ...............................3 How to use this guidance ................................................................................................3 GUIDANCE FOR? 1b Biodiversity in the planning process .......................................................................................4 This guidance should be helpful if 1c Information requirements ...........................................................................................................5 you are: Section 2 n a planning officer in either 2a Internationally and nationally designated sites ..................................................................6 policy or development 2b Legally protected species ............................................................................................................8 management; Section 3 n writing a Neighbourhood Plan; 3 Local sites and priority habitats and species ........................................................................11 3a Local Sites ..........................................................................................................................................12 n going to be submitting a 3b Irreplaceable Habitats ...................................................................................................................14
    [Show full text]
  • NRA Thames 255
    NRA Thames 255 NRA National Rivers Authority Thames Region TR44 River Thames (Buscot to Eynsham), W indr us h and Evenlode Catchment Review Final Report December 1994 RIVER THAMES (BUSCOT TO EYNSHAM), WINDRUSH AND EVENLODE CATCHMENT REVIEW CONTENTS: Section Piagp 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 2.0 CURRENT STATUS OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT 2 2.1 Overview 2 2.2 Key Statistics 2 2.3 Geology and Hydrogeology 2 2.4 Hydrology 5 2.5 Water Quality 9 2.6 Biology 11 2.7 Pollution Control 15 2.8 Pollution Prevention 16 2.9 Consented Discharges 16 2.10 Groundwater Quality 19 2.11 Water Resources 19 2.12 Flood Defence 21 2.13 Fisheries 22 2.14 Conservation 24 2.15 Landscape 27 2.16 Land Use Planning 27 2.17 Navigation and Recreation 28 3.0 CATCHMENT ISSUES 31 3.1 Introduction 31 3.2 Water Quality 31 3.3 Biology 31 3.4 Groundwater Quality 31 3.5 Water Resources 32 3.6 Flood Defence 33 3.7 Fisheries 33 3.8 Conservation 34 3.9 Landscape 34 3.10 Land Use Planning 34 3.11 Navigation and Recreation 35 3.12 Key Catchment Issues 36 4.0 RECENT AND CURRENT NRA ACTIVITES WITHIN THE 38 CATCHMENT (1989/95) 4.1 Water Quality 38 4.2 Biology 38 4.3 Pollution Prevention 38 4.4 Groundwater Quality 38 4.5 Water Resources 38 4.6 Flood Defence / Land Drainage 39 4.7 Fisheries 39 4.8 Conservation 40 4.9 Landscape 40 4.10 Land Use Planning 40 4.11 Navigation and Recreation 40 4.12 Multi Functional Activities 40 5.0 PLANNED NRA ACTIVITES WITHIN THE CATCHMENT 41 (1995/96 AND BEYOND) 5.1 Pollution Prevention 41 5.2 Groundwater Quality 41 5.3 Water Resources 41 5.4 Flood Defence 42 5.5 Fisheries 42 5.6 Conservation 42 5.7 Landscape 42 5.8 Land Use Planning 43 5.9 Navigation and Recreation 43 6.1 CONCLUSIONS 44 List of Tables: Table 1 Current GQA Classes in the Catchment 10 Table 2 Description of 5 River Ecosystem Classes 11 Table 3 Water Quality Objectives 12 Table 4 Maximum Volume of Consented Discharges over 5m3/d 17 Table 5 Number of Consented Discharges over 5m3/d 18 Table 6 Details of Licensed Ground/Surface Water Abstractions 21 exceeding lMl/day.
    [Show full text]
  • RSPB Newsletter Color.Indd
    RSPB Wokingham and Bracknell Local Group Spring newsletter The RSPB is the country’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. February 2018 Chairman’s Message – WHAT PRICE NATURE? The winter edition of BTO News, which birds in a coffee estimated plantation at is a quarterly news update from the $310 per hectare, (£223). Great tits predating British Trust for Ornithology, had an caterpillars in a Dutch orchard were found to article written by Tony Juniper which improve the apple harvest by 50%. The value caught my eye, writes Patrick Crowley. provided by animals such as bees, doing the pollination work that underpins a trillion He wrote that ‘the loss of natural habitats dollars’ worth of agricultural sales has been and species are generally regarded as valued at $190 billion per year, (£137.46 regrettable’, and is the ‘price of progress’ or billion). The GDP value derived from fish a ‘necessary cost of achieving economic stocks and associated industries are about growth’. But this presupposes that we $274 billion per year, (£196.79 billion). cannot (or should not?) put a price on our The wider value of the marine and coastal environment. However, there are an systems from storms, taking carbon dioxide increasing number of specialist studies that from the atmosphere and replenishing its reveal the huge economic value being oxygen levels has been put at $21 trillion, destroyed by policies geared to promoting (£15.08 trillion)! 2017 photographic winner economic activity. Those watching Blue Planet 2 recently on Our UK Wildlife competition winner For example, the cost of losing India’s BBC1, will have been horrified by the was select this year from eight vultures has been estimated at $34 billion amount of plastic that is going into our entrants, and again as previous (£24.42 billion), due to the public health costs oceans, and by the destruction of coral reefs years the standard of images were and controlling rabies infections.
    [Show full text]
  • Chilterns Conservation Board
    CONSERVATION BOARD 2011/2012 A N N U A L R E V I E W O F T H E Chilterns Conservation Board Caring for the Chilterns An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD t has been another very full year for Conservation being achieved. Developing the Cycleway has also enabled Board members and staff, with the looming threat of the Board to work more closely with many tourism Ithe proposed High Speed 2 (HS2) railway inevitably businesses which we welcome. dominating much of the workload. The Board is taking a leading role in exposing the weakness of the case for HS2 As for all in the public sector, the financial climate is and in providing evidence of the huge and irreversible challenging but the Board is, so far, coping well. We are impacts it would have on the Chilterns AONB. We have grateful for the continuing support of the local authorities great concerns about the validity of the Environmental in this area, which are of course suffering their own cuts. Impact Assessment for the railway which is being squeezed We are also delighted that over 25 parish and town councils into a very short timescale by HS2 Ltd. Engagement by have given financial support to the Board. Government and HS2 Ltd with local communities along the route in the Chilterns has not always been Our partnership with The Chiltern Society effective and the Board, along with many continues to be vital and a stimulus for others, has doubts about how seriously much constructive work to care for the local concerns will be taken.
    [Show full text]