A new paper by RSPB and BTO researchers calls for the focus to shift from diagnosis to treatment of migrant bird declines. Birds that breed in Europe and winter in Africa have declined by more than 25% since 1980, though the reasons why remain unclear. Measures including tree planting and protection from hunting are likely...
According to the Met. Office, October was another exceptionally mild month; the fourth warmest in England since records began in 1884. The persistence of above average temperatures was particularly unusual. With measurable rain here on 16 days, rainfall was about average for the month but our sand-dune water-table rose by only 1 cm, presumably due to the soil water-deficit caused by the drought. “We still need a lot of rainfall to replenish our water resources” says the Met. Office.