Tag Archives: Non-native species in Britain

Invasive species in Britain, squirrels in Britain

Grey squirrel pie fad

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Gamekeeper Paul Parker with some dead Grey Squirrels

Grey squirrel pie continues to gain in popularity across the country. I enjoyed this comment in the Manchester Evening News, explaining the origin of the debate on what squirrel actually tastes like.

“Country squirrels live on a diet of sweet things like berries, unlike their urban cousins who will eat mostly anything found thrown on the streets. This diet can make their meat taste sweet, and if cooked right can have a taste between duck and lamb (without the greasy fat usually produced by both cooked animals). The squirrel I ate had a sweetish taste although not much meat for a feast! “

Image from Pest controller moves south to feed demand for squirrel pie

Birds of Britain, Invasive species in Britain, Mammals of Britain, squirrels in Britain, Woodland birds of Britain

Grey squirrels don’t threaten birds

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Grey squirrel

A new study has found, contrary to popular belief, that grey squirrels do not have a significant impact on the populations of many of England’s woodland bird species. Although there was some evidence that grey squirrels may locally suppress the populations of some speciest through their preying on bird eggs, they do not appear to cause the birds any widespread or lasting harm. BBC

Conservation issues in the UK, culling, Invasive species in Britain

Four new bird species added to pest list

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The government body Natural England have added four non-native species to the list of birds that can be shot without having to apply for an individual license: Ring-tailed parakeet, Monk parakeet, Canada goose and Egyptian goose.

The Ring-tailed parakeet, a conspicuous resident in the south of London, is often a scourge for farmers in its native terrain (ranging from Africa to the Himalayas), as large flocks wreak mass destruction on crops.  So far only a few isolated incidents of crop-damage have been reported in England, so its inclusion in the list would seem to be a precautionary move. There is also concern about the impact of this rapidly expanding species on native wildlife, particularly other tree hole-nesting birds, such as woodpeckers.

Any species on the general license list can only be culled with legitimate justification.

More in Independent and RSPB

Invasive species in Britain

How to catch and cook signal crayfish

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George Monbiot has put together this step-by-step guide with photos about how to catch and cook the dreaded red-clawed signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), a large, aggressive American species that has wiped out almost 95% of the native white-clawed species (Austropotamobius pallipes) since it was introduced to the country in the late 1970s. Read in the Guardian

Mammals of Britain

Wallabies on the Isle of Man

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WILD LIFE: Ballaugh Curraghs wallaby, photographed by Rob Evans

Although the famous Peak District wallabies were wiped out by harsh winters in the 1990s, there are still several wild populations of wallabies in the British Isles, the largest of which is probably today on the Isle of Man which is home to a breeding colony of around 100 red-necked wallabies. These Manx wallabies have steadily increased in numbers since a pair escaped from a Wildlife Park some years ago. Continue reading Wallabies on the Isle of Man →

spiders of Britain

Wasp spiders in Britain

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Wasp spiders ( Argiope bruennichi) are originally from Continental Europe andeprobably arrived in Britain from a Channel port in the 1920s. Since then they have been gradually spreading their domain across the south of England, reaching Cornwall and encircling London. The amorous practices of these spiders are interesting. The male waits on the threshold of the female’s web until she has shed her skin to become mature. He then takes advantage of the fact that the female’s jaws are soft to mate with her in safety. Many males, however, in their impatience misjudge things and are eaten while engaged in the act. Note, despite its threatening colouration this is not a dangerous species. The wasp-like appearance is probably to deter predators. In the very unlikely event of a bite the effects are likely to be mild swelling and itching at the site of the bite.

Invasive species in Britain

Piranha found in English river

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According to the Environment Agency, a dead piranha has been found in the River Torridge in Devon.  Nothing to panic about though. The EA said that the piranha had probably been placed in the river once the fish became too large for its tank and died because it could not tolerate the low temperatures. The Daily Telegraph

Invasive species in Britain, Mammals of Britain

Skunks breeding in England

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Experts believe that skunks could now be living and breeding in the English countryside. Specifically there are reports of skunks rummaging through rubbish and allotments near Coleford. The animals may have been released into the wild after being kept as pets when new legislation banned removing their scent gland in 2007 – dozens may have been released by owners afraid of being sprayed by their foul smell.  The Daily Telegraph

The story has come to light after a three-month-old female skunk, going by the name of Ozzy (above pic) was captured in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, and handed in to the Vale Wildlife Hospital in nearby Tewkesbury. Story in the Daily Express

Birds of Britain, Invasive species in Britain

Australian swans threaten native swans

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Australian black swans are spreading across Britain and threatening native white and mute swans. The birds have escaped from private collections and are now breeding at dozens of sites across the country. They are more aggressive, and they may “out compete” native swans for food and habitat in many areas. There may also be a problem of interbreeding. A BTO project found 500 reports of black swans, in at least 170 different locations around the UK.  The black swan is currently not on the British List of birds, compiled by the BTO because the population was not considered to be self-sustaining at the last review. This may now change in the light of the new information. The black swan occurs naturally in western, eastern and southeastern Australia, Tasmania, and southern New Guinea. The Indepedent

Flora of Britain, Invasive species in Britain

Jumping lice to fight knotfeed?

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In a plan to use one non-native species to combat another, DEFRA is considering releasing jumping lice to fight battle against Japanese knotweed. The non-native sap-sucking insect would be released under licence to tackle the weed, which causes serious damage to buildings, roads and railway lines; while driving out other plants; and eroding river banks. Knotweed was originally introduced as an ornamental plant the early 19th century. It now lives unfettered without predators in the countryside. The Indepedent

Japanese knotweed is often considered Britain’s most invasive plant species.DEFRA notes: “The species also causes problems in terms of flood management. It increases the risk of riverbank erosion when the dense growth of the plant dies back in the autumn exposing bare soil. It can also create a flooding hazard if the dead stems are washed into the streams and clog up the channel. A fragment of root as small as 0.8 grams can grow to form a new plant.”

Invasive species in Britain, Rivers of Britain

Plan to save British crayfish

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A £210,000 breeding programme has been started to save Britain’s rare native white-clawed crayfish. The species (Austropotamobius pallipes) is in danger of being wiped out by invasive American signal crayfish, which carry a disease, crayfish plague, which is fatal to the British species. The crayfish are being bred at secret locations in the south-west of England. American crayfish were introduced in the UK twenty years ago for farming. This has since led to the disappearance of almost 95% of the native species, which faces extinction from UK waters within 30 years unless new populations can be created in safe, uncontaminated waters. The Guardian

Invasive species in Britain, Rivers of Britain, Wild foods in Britain

Mitten crabs in the Thames

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Chinese mitten crabs are becoming increasingly common in the River Thames and other rivers in England, having arrived in ship’s ballast from Asia. Mitten crabs cause a great deal of damage by burrowing into and destroying fragile riverbanks. They prey on other species and compete with native animals such as crayfish. Continue reading Mitten crabs in the Thames →

Invasive species in Britain, spiders of Britain

The most venomous spider in Britain

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This title has been awarded to an invasive species, Steatoda nobilis, known as the Biting Spider or False Black Widow.  It first arrived in England around 1870 on a shipment of bananas from the Canary islands to Torquay. Its bite is likened to that of a Continue reading The most venomous spider in Britain →