New woodlands have been planted in the North Pennines thanks to the help of local communities. More than 200,000 native broadleaved trees – covering a total area the size of 400 football pitches - are set to grow, providing new habitat for wildlife and recreational spaces for visitors. The North Pennines Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership is behind the ‘Living … [Read more...] about 200,000 trees planted in North Pennines
Hectares
Lamb born with two distinct fleeces
An extremely rare and unique lamb with two distinct fleeces has been born in Cheshire. The two fleeces come from its grandmothers Swaledale heritage and its grandfathers, which is Bluefaced Leicester. Matt Bagley, sheep flock manager at Reaseheath College, said: " The lamb is the first of its type I have seen in my 25 years of working with sheep". Mr Bagley added: … [Read more...] about Lamb born with two distinct fleeces
Arctic Charr numbers increase in Ennerdale
Arctic Charr numbers have increased in Ennerdale Water thanks to a conservation project. Numbers of charr had dwindled to just a few hundred during the last couple of decades, from a population estimated around 11,000. The Wild Ennerdale Partnership, which is returning the valley to a more natural ecosystem, has worked on a number of measures to help improve conditions … [Read more...] about Arctic Charr numbers increase in Ennerdale
Red squirrel survey
The Forestry Commission has carried out the first ever full survey of the Red Squirrels at reserves in Cumbria. A total of 416 red squirrels were recorded during a 12-week period between May and August 2010, although individual squirrels could have been caught more than once. 75 traps were located within the reserves at Whinlatter Forest, Dodd Wood, Wythop and … [Read more...] about Red squirrel survey
Hay meadow survey
Recent years have seen a decline in traditional hay meadows by over 90% in the U.K. This decline has occurred due to changes in meadow management with ploughing, drainage, reseeding and the addition of fertilisers as primary factors. What is more this resource has become fragmented, isolated and is often found outside the current farming context in areas such as road … [Read more...] about Hay meadow survey