Articles in ‘Uncategorized’

Hare coursing on the rise

October 17th, 2009

The BBC reports that the illegal sport of hare coursing is on the rise in certain parts of England. Coursing was banned by the 2004 Hunting Act to protect the endangered brown hare. BBC

Saving the Red Squirrel

October 1st, 2009

Research into the pox being spread by the resistant grey squirrel, which is decimating the vulnerable red squirrel population, is underway in Liverpool University. Dead red squirrels with antibodies to the virus have been found in the National Trust woods at Formby, giving hope that a vaccine or controlled breeding programme can save the species. The work is urgent, as grey squirrels are now expanding into Scotland, despite all attempts at creating buffer zones and cullingGuardian

Wildlife boat trips in Wales

September 28th, 2009

Sealife Adventure, associated with Sea Trust (part of the Wales Wildlife Trust), run trips off the Pembrokeshire coast to the islands of Grassholm, and its impressive gannet colony, Skomer, with its puffins and guillemots, and Skokholm, famous for its population of Manx shearwater. There are large numbers of Grey seals in the area, and the chance of watching dolphins as they race the boat.  More information

Isle of Man nature

September 22nd, 2009
Nature - Series 3: 6. Calf of Man

BBC radio 4 has a couple of rather nice documentaries on the Isle of Man on demand at the moment. The first one pays a visit to the Calf of Man, a  rugged island to the south of the Isle of Man to look at Manx Shearwaters. The second is on the plan by the The Isle of Man government to designate an area of their coastline as a marine nature reserve, protecting invaluable habitats and species. Enjoy.

Manuka honey from Cornwall

July 29th, 2009

Manuka Honey

Tregothnan Manuka honey is the only Manuka honey in the world produced outside of New Zealand. A pot will set you back from £55.00-£75.oo. Very small quantities of Manuka Honey are being produced from the original Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium)  plantations at the Tregothnan Home Estate. Visit

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Wild camping in Britain

June 27th, 2009

If you really want to feel you’re in the great outdoors, you should try wild camping. It’s more exciting, it’s free and you really feel part of the countryside. It is generally only legal in England and Wales with the prior permission of the landowner, though in most cases, if you ask nicely you probably won’t be refuesed.
Follow these rules: keep out of sight and away from livestock, do not build open fires, do not camp in large groups, respect the environment, stay for one night only, and follow the wild camper’s mantra: “pitch late, leave early.”
While you should also follow the above rules, things are easier in Scotland. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 makes wild camping legal in most cases as long as practised away from homes and roads.

The Guardian has this excellent article on wild camping. It gives recommendations, in addition to much of Scotland, for Dartmoor, The Berwyn mountains, North Wales, South Downs and The North Pennines.
The Guardian

For Scotland see: the Scottish Outdoor Access Code