On Monday 3 September 2018 at the Chadwick Lecture Theatre, University of Liverpool, Cleo Small, Head of the BirdLife International Marine Programme was the opening speaker of the three-day 14th International Seabird Group Conference. Her presentation showcased the work of the BirdLife International Marine Programme which includes the Albatross Task Force, the European Seabird Task Force,...
Rob Duffy: Notes from the Drought
Little did anyone expect, on May 2nd, that with the mid afternoon temperature at a bracing 12 degrees and a healthy dollop of some 7.5 mms of rain, we would be soon regarding the latter with some nostalgia and the former as an uncomfortable memory Temperatures rose steeply that week up to the torrid Bank...
Dr Phil Smith: Wildlife Notes August 2018
In this driest and hottest summer since 1976, the blessed relief of at least some rain on 12 August days helped to temper the worst effects. However, the damage and costs to the country became increasingly evident, with agriculture reporting production losses of 50% or more. Not to worry, rather than celebrating desperately needed rainfall,...
Freshfield Dune Heath: Rhacognathus punctatus
Another interesting discovery at Freshfield by Dr Phil Smith. This Shieldbug (Rhacognathus punctatus the Heather Shieldbug) is otherwise unknown from locations in South Lancashire (VC59). As a whole there are only 200 records for the UK (NBN Atlas 09.08.2018). The only other records for our area are from Coastal Surveys carried out by the natural history staff...