Latest news with #WoodlandTrust
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Internet Can't Cope With Unlikely Friendship Between Deer and Cat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The internet is obsessed with the "unlikely" friendship between a pet cat and wild deer. Sara Stephens, who posts to TikTok under the username @ckls1622, lives rurally and is surrounded by nature—including herds of deer who often pass by her property. One particular deer has taken a shine to Stephens' cat, and her TikTok account is filled with videos of the animals interacting in adorable ways. On June 26, Stephens shared a video which went viral as many viewers commented on the fact that animal species could get along so well, awarding the post close to 4 million likes. In the clip—adorably set to "Can't Help Falling in Love," originally performed by Elvis Presley—Stephens records the scene from her home, which has large glass doors and windows to showcase the stunning countryside view. And outside, her cat is sitting basking in the sun, looking completely relaxed, as he receives a bath from the deer. The doe licks the cat from top to bottom, and he raises his head happily. As Stephens zooms in, it becomes clear that the cat is sopping wet, having been thoroughly groomed by his companion. Stephens captioned the video: "Unlikely best friends." TikTok users were hugely moved, one writing: "Different animal species can et along but humans can't," and another agreeing: "Tell me animals are not better than us." Another laughed: "That cat is SOAKED lol," as another declared: "Cats are superior and the universe was made for them." "How does this relationship even start?" another asked. And as one described it: "Is that a lavender field with a wild deer licking an orange tabby cat? This is what dreams are made of." A screenshot from the video of the cat and the deer. A screenshot from the video of the cat and the deer. TikTok @ckls1622 Many commented on how, at the end of the video, the deer opened her mouth wide, with some worrying she was about to take a bite out of the cat, though being assured by other commenters that this was extremely unlikely. While deer are herbivores, on rare occasions they have been known to eat the tiny chicks of ground-nesting birds, likely when deer are unable to source all the nutrients they need from their normal diet, according to Woodland Trust. But in the case of this cat, it's clear he can hold his own against the herd, as Stephens' account shows him playing with, being groomed by, and curiously sniffing different deer that arrive on the property. Newsweek has contacted @ckls1622 via TikTok for comment on this story. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Woodland at Windermere Unesco site for sale after 300 years
A plot of ancient woodland on the shores of England's largest lake has gone up for sale for the first time in 300 32-acre (13-hectare) site at Windermere, in the Lake District's Unesco world heritage site, has been put on the market with a guide price of between £1m and £1.2m.H&H Land and Estate, the company marketing it, said the land was designated as ancient and semi-natural woodland, meaning there were restrictions on how it could be used.A spokesman said the land had a mix of broadleaf trees and open glades with a variety of waterfront flora and fauna. It sits on the eastern shore of the lake, under the summit of Gummer's How, near Newby Bridge. According to the Woodland Trust, ancient woods are areas of woodland that have been around since 1600 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 1750 in Scotland.H&H said it was the first time in more than 300 years that it was up for sale."It is impossible to overstate just how remarkable and a one-off this opportunity is," director Mark Barrow said. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on the cultural life of trees: we must protect our natural heritage
If the mindless felling of the Sycamore Gap tree has taught us anything, it is that there is no such thing as 'just a tree', as one of the perpetrators, Adam Carruthers, told the jury. 'It was almost as if someone had been murdered,' he said of the ensuing public outcry. For many it was. Animism runs deeply through our relationship with arboreal life. From Macbeth's prophetic Birnam Wood to the towering Ents in The Lord of the Rings, trees have long been personified in literature. And, from Constable's bucolic Suffolk to David Hockney's Yorkshire wold, they have helped shape Britain's artistic landscape. This cultural heritage is being celebrated by the Woodland Trust UK Tree of the Year 2025. The Sycamore Gap tree won in 2016. The shortlist, announced this week, brings together William Wordsworth and the Beatles, Virginia Woolf and Radiohead, all united by the trees they have helped put on the UK's cultural map. The Tree of Peace and Unity in County Antrim, where the Good Friday agreement was signed in 1998, also makes the list of 10 culturally remarkable trees. British history is written in its trees: the ancient Ankerwycke Yew at Runnymede, where Henry VIII is rumoured to have courted Anne Boleyn; the Royal Oak in Shropshire, which hid the future Charles II; and the Tolpuddle Martyrs Tree in Dorset. Like the rings in their trunks, over centuries trees become the keeper of stories. They also, of course, provide paper on which to read them. This is ingeniously encapsulated in The Future Library by the Scottish conceptual artist Katie Paterson. Starting with Margaret Atwood in 2014, each year a manuscript by a different novelist is buried in Oslo's Nordmarka forest. In 2114, 100 books will be published out of the 1,000 specially planted pine trees. In fairytales and crime fiction, forests signal danger, but they are also places of sanctuary and renewal, hence the ancient Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku or forest bathing. Peter Rabbit finds safety in a burrow at the bottom of a tree. They also promise adventure and character-building, as in Robin Hood and the ethos behind Scandinavian forest schools. We learn to anthropomorphise arboreal beings from an early age: Enid Blyton's Magic Faraway Tree and JK Rowling's Whomping Willow are characters in their own right. Trees have very human qualities: they can learn from past traumas, such as droughts, and they make good 'parents', allowing their seedlings just the right amount of sugar through their roots. But they cannot protect them from global heating and disease. New research has revealed that saplings in British woodlands have been dying at an alarming rate since 2000. As much as 70% of ancient woods in the UK have been lost or damaged in the last 100 years. After the destruction of the Sycamore Gap tree, and the 500-year old oak in Enfield near a Toby Carvery restaurant this year, the government has set out much-needed plans to give legal protection to older and culturally important trees in England. Our ancient woodlands are irreplaceable. We must protect them as they protect us. As Woodland Trust patron Judi Dench put it, our oldest trees 'are as much part of our heritage as any literature'. They should be cherished and celebrated. In the words of WH Auden: 'A culture is no better than its woods.'
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
UK's top 10 cheapest camping spots surrounded by nature - some cost less than £5
Camping can be a cheap way to get away, but prices can vary - here are the UK's top 10 cheapest spots. The summer holidays are fast approaching, so many families around the UK will be considering how to fill the long 6 weeks. Camping is an ideal, budget-friendly escape and promotes independence, enhances social skills, and fosters a connection with nature in kids. Moreover, it's a great way for families to create lasting memories. Greater Bristol Among the options in Bristol is the idyllic Dagger Wood Campsite, a 34-acre park nestled on a family farm in Clutton, just a stone's throw from Bristol. When you secure a spot here, 10% of the proceeds are donated to the Woodland Trust, contributing to the fight against climate change and the planting of over 30,000 trees each year. Bell tents are now available for one or two people – just £20 per night and already set up with a ground sheet and carpet – you just need to bring bedding and any other camping equipment required for your stay. Guests can soak up the verdant surroundings from seating areas or fire pits, participate in food foraging workshops, and engage in fitness bootcamp activities. Wild camping rates start at a mere £5 per adult per night and £3 per night for under 18's. Orkney Islands Hidden away on Scotland's Northeastern coast, the Orkney Islands boast intriguing attractions that will enthrall the entire family. Experience an eco-friendly sanctuary at Wheems Organic Farm Bothy and Campsite, tucked away on South Ronaldsay in Orkney, merely a quick five-minute drive from St. Margaret's Hope. The site is also committed to eco-friendly travel and upcycling – it features a bike shed for passing cyclists and a covered kitchen for campers to prepare meals. Their honesty shop stocks delightful organic produce, including fresh eggs and vegetables, and guests are invited to pick herbs and salad leaves from the garden. Prices kick off at £20 for two adults for one night +£3 per child. Caithness Caithness is a haven for budget-savvy explorers. With its wild coastlines, historic castles and enchanting moors, this Scottish region offers an unrivalled experience. The delightful Wick River Campsite provides pitches in a tranquil spot on the banks of the Wick River, just a stone's throw from Wick's array of shops, pubs and takeaways. This location also allows visitors to embark on wildlife-spotting boat trips, savour the Pulteney Distillery's offerings or take a refreshing plunge in the outdoor tidal pool. A tent pitch is £25 a night, which includes one person - with each additional occupant £2, children 9 and under go free. Worcestershire Nestled in the heart of England, Worcestershire entices visitors with its captivating countryside, historical sites, and cultural attractions. Among the available campsites is the remarkable Lickhill Manor Caravan Park. Set within 65 acres surrounding a seventeenth-century manor, this charming campsite is a short riverside amble from Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire's canal town. Prices for camping start at £15 per night. South Yorkshire South Yorkshire is a splendid spot brimming with many local attractions. Bursting with breathtaking scenery, vibrant communities, and a wealth of historical sites to explore, it's an ideal choice for a family getaway. For those seeking to immerse themselves in the tranquillity of the countryside, whether it's leisurely strolls or cycling down serene lanes, Broad Close Farm in South Yorkshire is a budget-friendly accommodation option. Nestled just outside the village of Silkstone, you can step (or cycle) directly into the woods or onto rural trails. Rates begin from £18 for a one-night stay for two adults.
The Independent
16-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
Elusive purple emperor butterfly sighted at National Trust estate
An elusive species of butterfly, which is the second largest in the UK, has been sighted at a National Trust estate. The purple emperor, with a wingspan of around 8cm, was sighted at Sheringham Park in Norfolk in June during a weekly survey to monitor butterfly populations over time. The National Trust said sightings at the estate had dwindled in recent years, but that it has now seen an increase – bringing renewed hope for the species. The purple emperor, second in size only to the swallowtail, was spotted in Norfolk in 2016 following a 50-year absence. Sheringham Park was believed to be the location of a breeding colony in 2018, but after a last sighting in 2021 things appeared to have 'gone quiet' until this summer. A purple emperor was discovered in a butterfly transect at the estate in June this year, and staff and volunteers have since reported further sightings. Male purple emperors have a stunning purple sheen on their upper wings, while females are typically brown with white markings. Despite their colourful appearance, they are elusive as they spend a large amount of time high up in the tree canopy. Butterfly enthusiasts have been known to try to lure males down from the canopy with banana skins and even shrimp paste, according to the Woodland Trust. Rob Coleman, of the National Trust's Sheringham Park, said: 'This a magnificent butterfly, second only in size to Norfolk's famous swallowtail. 'It was exciting to see the first one back at Sheringham Park in 2016, after it had been absent from the county for the best part of 50 years. 'At the time, some people were sceptical that a breeding colony had been established, but small numbers of sightings in the subsequent years supported this theory. 'However, things had gone quiet on the emperor front recently, and with our last sighting in 2021 and the establishment of populations elsewhere we thought 'His Majesty' had moved on. 'So, I was utterly delighted to see a handful of male purple emperors soaring again in an oak canopy on one of our weekly butterfly transect surveys.' The estate's ancient woodland, with oak and sallow trees, is vital for the purple emperor's lifecycle. Early indications from transects elsewhere in the country show numbers of purple emperors on track to potentially beat 2018, which was the last record year, the National Trust said. The conservation charity said that shifts in temperature and weather patterns can impact both the butterfly's breeding cycle and habitat suitability. Naturalist and nature writer Matthew Oates said: 'This is indeed proving to be a record purple emperor year. 'Hibernating larvae survived the winter very well, with unusually low predation rates. 'Then larval development was assisted by the fine spring. 'The weather was reasonable during the crucial pupation period, and now the butterflies are benefiting from fine midsummer weather. 'So, it's win, win, win, win – and all after a ghastly year for butterflies and other insects last year. Emperors are turning up all over the place, including in the Yare valley downstream of Norwich.' It is possible that rising temperatures could lead to this butterfly moving further north in the future, the National Trust said.
