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The Guardian
19 minutes ago
- The Guardian
First Montagu's harrier chicks born in UK since 2019 take flight
A pair of Montagu's harriers have raised four chicks in an English wheat field, the first success for Britain's rarest breeding bird since 2019. The fledglings took their maiden flights this week after being closely monitored by the RSPB and the local farmer, with a protective wire-mesh fence installed around the nest to repel predators such as foxes. The location is being kept secret because it is private farmland, but also to enable the young birds to feed up and grow in strength without disturbance from overenthusiastic birders. The Montagu's harrier has long been a rare species in Britain but after a recent high of nine successful nests in 2011 its population has dwindled, with no fledging successes for six summers. The migratory raptor overwinters in sub-Saharan Africa before heading north to nest in Europe, often in arable fields. In recent decades its nests have been accidentally destroyed by agricultural intensification, such as mechanised harvesting and crop-spraying, as well as breeding birds struggling in wetter summers. In its remaining strongholds, such as France and Spain, many nests in cereal fields are protected from ground-nesting predators by installing temporary small metal fences around them. The pair were first spotted in May and closely monitored by a local volunteer and the RSPB, with a drone being used under licence to locate the nest. Once the youngsters hatched, the nest was protected with fencing earlier this month. Mark Thomas, species lead for Montagu's harriers at the RSPB and an expert in protecting vulnerable birds of prey, said: 'We are overjoyed that a pair have returned, they managed to find each other and through the close protection of a dedicated farmer and the RSPB have managed to raise four youngsters.' The farmer, who is not named to protect the location, said: 'It's fantastic to have these amazing birds on the farm and a just reward for the extensive conservation work we have been undertaking for decades.' Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion Adult harriers are often site-faithful, raising hopes they may return to the same spot next summer. Rings on the parent birds have revealed that the male is a long-lived bird from a British nest in 2015, while the female fledged from a French nest in 2023. Thomas added: 'This Anglo-French alliance could just be the springboard needed to save this species in Britain.'
BBC News
19 minutes ago
- BBC News
Borrow A Bucket founder 'saddened' by missing Jersey beach toys
The founder of a local beach toy borrowing service has said that items not being returned has caused her "great sadness" and she might have to end the Carson has called for islanders to check whether the toys have gone home with them and to ensure their children understand they are for borrowing Carson began the Borrow A Bucket boxes in 2022 to combat plastic waste at the beach and help children from low income families enjoy beach said the toys had been going missing at "a really quick pace" this summer, compared to other years when there had been few issues with the scheme. 'Horribly sad' Ms Carson said: "If we can't resolve this, then with great sadness we may need to make it the last year for our beach toy boxes."I would love for every islander that uses the box to feel responsible for it," she Carson said people should bin any broken toys and not use the boxes like bins, adding that volunteers had found used nappies and loose nails when cleaning the continued: "If Jersey is changing to be more like the UK, in so much as, people don't care about each other and community, then that's horribly sad." Ms Carson said this year had seen a high number of donations, which had been an "unprecedented success".One sponsor had donated more than 100 footballs but the toy boxes were now lying nearly empty, she boxes are located at 12 beaches, including West Park, Long Beach, St Brelade's Bay and Les are welcome to donate toys directly into the boxes, including balls, buckets and spades. Ms Carson asked that floatation toys and boogie boards were not left in the boxes for safety reasons.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Expert reveals surprising reason wasps are swarming your garden this summer – and how to get rid of them
EVERYONE has a spring in their step when the sun comes out. But warmer weather means more bugs - including wasps. 2 2 Pest control experts say this year has been particularly bad for the stinging insects with reports of 'monster' nests in homes and gardens. Homeowners are turning to homemade deterrents to keep pests at bay. But one expert says while these can work, the real issue could be how you're storing your outdoor items. Scott Evans, a storage expert from Pink Storage, says that poor storage habits in summer could be creating the perfect environment for wasps to nest, especially in garden sheds, cushion boxes and patio storage containers. Scott said: "We often think of storage as just a way to tidy up the garden, but for wasps, it's a ready-made hideout. "If you've left food smells, sugary drinks or damp cushions in a box that isn't sealed properly, you might as well put out a welcome sign for them." Soft, undisturbed materials combined with heat create ideal nesting conditions for wasps, the experts say, so patio cushion boxes and garden benches are often the worst offenders. Scott said: "Make sure cushions are completely dry before storing and, where possible, bag them in airtight liners before placing them in boxes. "Even a slightly open lid is all a queen wasp needs to move in." Sheds and garages are another hot spot, especially when clutter builds up and corners, left untouched for weeks. How to Keep Wasps, Bees, and Flies Out of Your Home with a 5p Onion Hack The expert explains: "People often chuck things in their shed after a BBQ or garden party and forget about them. "But wasps love dark, quiet spaces, and if there's a leftover drinks can or food packaging, they'll find it." It's not just large nests that cause problems, Scott says. Even small, early-stage nests can expand rapidly if left undisturbed, leading to swarms of angry insects within days. That's why regular checks and routine tidying are essential throughout the warmer months. You should also check around bin storage areas, especially if bins are kept near outdoor storage units or fence panels. Scott said: "Sweet spills or juice leaks can attract pests instantly, and if there's a nearby storage box or shed with easy access, that's where they'll go to build." Wasps become aggressive in late summer and become more than just a nuisance, just before they die off. So if you want to keep them out of your garden, you need to act fast, according to Scott. He added: "You don't have to spend a fortune on wasp sprays. "A bit of peppermint oil in corners or a garlic-and-water mix sprayed near boxes can act as a natural repellent. "But the key is prevention, and that starts with smart storage."
