The great white egret, a species of heron, has nested for the first time in Britain, according to wildlife organisations. The nest site, at Shapwick Heath, in Somerset, is being monitored by staff and volunteers from Natural England, the RSPB and Somerset Ornithological Society. Activity on the site strongly suggests that the birds may already have young, however … [Read more...] about Great white egret nests in Somerset, UK
Sightings
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
Mammals on roads survey
July sees the start of a nationwide survey of mammal sightings along single-carriageway roads. The survey is organised by the People's Trust for Endangered Species. The first survey was in 2001. The survey takes place during July, August and September. To date, over half a million kilometres of road have been surveyed, and changes in counts of species such as … [Read more...] about Mammals on roads survey
Raccoon filmed wild in the UK
Wildlife Trust cameras have captured the first raccoon ever filmed in the North East of England. The North American mammal was photographed and filmed in a garden in County Durham by cameras operated as part of the North East Wildlife Trusts WildPlaces project. The owners of the house, who are not being identified, are members of Durham Wildlife Trust, and contacted the … [Read more...] about Raccoon filmed wild in the UK
Rare ladybird spotted in Sutherland, Scotland
A species of ladybird which thrives on heather moorland has been spotted on land belonging to the John Muir Trust, a wild land conservation charity. The sighting of the Hieroglyphic ladybird is the most northerly ever recorded. John Muir Trust Wild Land Ranger Don O’ Driscoll spotted the insect near Loch na Gainimh on the Trust’s Sandwood estate, in Sutherland, … [Read more...] about Rare ladybird spotted in Sutherland, Scotland