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Male extinction theory challenged
BBC Nature news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 19:39
A new study comparing chromosomes in humans and rhesus monkeys suggests genetic decay of the male sex chromosome has all but ended.
Categories: Nature
Time link to sudden cardiac death
BBC Nature news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 19:07
How the time of day can increase the risk of dying from an irregular heartbeat has been identified by researchers.
Categories: Nature
Wildlife reserve prepares for spring/summer arrivals
Wildfowl & Wetland Trust (WWT) news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 17:10
Preparation is underway for the breeding season out on WWT Washington’s wildlife reserve.
Reserve manager John Gowland said: “We have begun lowering the level of Wader Lake by gradually lifting the top sluice board, allowing the water to slowly drain into Spring Gill then out in to the River Wear.
“By releasing the water gradually during a mild spell of weather, we create a bountiful supply of extra food for wintering wildfowl. This is timed to coincide with the birds feeding up in readiness for their journeys back to their breeding grounds.
“As for the spring and summer breeding birds, we hope it won’t be long before they start to return to site. In recent years, avocets have arrived in mid-March, so with the water now draining to optimum spring/summer levels and Tern Island reappearing from the depths, will they soon be arriving back!?
“Bird life on Wader Lake looked fantastic today, with a host of wader and wildfowl species taking advantage of the freshly-exposed mud and grass.
“The grey heron colony now has at least five birds incubating eggs and a woodcock was flushed from the wet flash behind White Meadow scrub during morning fence check.”
Categories: Nature
Castle Espie Calls for learning Volunteers
Wildfowl & Wetland Trust (WWT) news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 17:09
As a charity, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust relies on the generous support of volunteers to help with conservation work and other daily tasks. WWT Castle Espie learning department require volunteers to assist with the design, delivery, and development of interactive fun activities for families and groups at their award winning visitor centre. This will involve weekend and holiday cover. Full training will be provided in what we know will be a rewarding experience for those interested in environmental education. So, If you have queries regarding any aspect of volunteering at WWT Castle Espie please contact John McCullough our Learning Manager/Volunteer Co-ordinator on (028) 9187 5974, email john.mccullough@wwt.org.uk or visit wwt.org.uk/visit-us/castle-espie/volunteer/.
Categories: Nature
VIDEO: Should false widow spiders worry us?
BBC Nature news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 14:49
Experts say they have seen an increase in the number of Britain's most dangerous spider, the false widow. But should it worry us?
Categories: Nature
VIDEO: Breakthrough in radio wave energy
BBC Nature news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 14:33
Researchers at the University of Bedfordshire believe they have found a way of harvesting power from radio waves.
Categories: Nature
Confessions of a climate gate-opener
BBC Nature news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 14:24
What do documents from climate sceptic group really tell us?
Categories: Nature
AUDIO: UK 'overtakes US' in physics
BBC Nature news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 12:15
Dr Beth Taylor of the Institute of Physics explains why Britain has overtaken the US in the field of physics research.
Categories: Nature
Path of tsunami debris mapped out
BBC Nature news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 11:38
A year on, modellers continue to provide daily forecasts of the likely spread of floating debris washed out into the Pacific by the Japanese Tohoku megatsunami.
Categories: Nature
VIDEO: Petition calls for cormorant cull
BBC Nature news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 10:45
A petition calling for more cormorants to be culled is being handed to the Fisheries Minister.
Categories: Nature
Nuclear space bomb 'quite likely'
BBC Nature news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 10:13
The government must take "more seriously" the threat of a nuclear weapon being exploded in space by a rogue state, MPs warn.
Categories: Nature
Humboldt squid's impressive dives
BBC Nature news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 09:48
Scientists tag Humboldt squid as they dive through very low-oxygen waters off the coast of California.
Categories: Nature
Ancient tracks are elephant herd
BBC Nature news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 09:18
Vast trails of seven-million-year-old fossilised footprints reveal the "social structure" of prehistoric elephants, say scientists.
Categories: Nature
Amphibian family first for India
BBC Nature news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 03:40
A new family of caecilians, the most enigmatic branch of the amphibians, has been discovered in northeastern India.
Categories: Nature
UK study reveals GPS jamming use
BBC Nature news - Wed, 22/02/2012 - 01:01
The illegal use of Global Positioning System (GPS) jammers in the UK is highlighted in a new study.
Categories: Nature
New West African oil discoveries
BBC Nature news - Tue, 21/02/2012 - 18:06
New oil finds off the coasts of Liberia and Sierra Leone raise hopes for rapid growth in the countries, still recovering from civil wars.
Categories: Nature
Farming rules are vital for wildlife, say conservationists
RSPB news - Tue, 21/02/2012 - 17:58
Regulation has a vital role in farming - that's the message from conservationists responding to Government proposals unveiled today
Categories: Nature
Chinese fossil forest unearthed
BBC Nature news - Tue, 21/02/2012 - 17:54
Researchers discover a forest in northern China that was preserved in volcanic ash following an eruption 300 million years ago.
Categories: Nature
Drought warning for wildlife
RSPB news - Tue, 21/02/2012 - 17:53
The RSPB is warning that if the drought situation continues, it could spell potential disaster for wildlife.
Categories: Nature
‘Turning Tides’ and ‘Nests’ Art Exhibition
Wildfowl & Wetland Trust (WWT) news - Tue, 21/02/2012 - 17:19
Castle Espie’s Art Gallery, Ireland’s only environmental art space, is hosting an exhibition which will bring Strangford lough to life. ‘Turn Tides and Nests’ is the inspired title of a joint exhibition by artists, Amanda Bradbury and local artist Jennifer Brown, which will take place from Saturday 3rd March 2pm to the 18th March April 2012.
The joint event brings two very different mediums and subjects into the frame. Amanda has worked as a professional artist since 1997, but was drawing and observing animals and wild places from a very young age. Amanda is particularly inspired by placing wildlife in their environment and has developed a number of styles ranging from realistic detailed studies to more abstract, inspired by light, colour and form of wild habitats. While working on the interpretative fit out at the new Castle Espie Centre over two years, Strangford Lough could not fail to inspire Amanda and this collection reflects the very essence of this stunning location and the wildlife it supports. This is Amanda’s third exhibition and she has worked on many individually commissioned paintings and illustrations internationally Amanda highlights, ‘I am looking forward to exhibiting ‘Turning Tides’ for the first time in Northern Ireland. The unique and beautiful landscape and wildlife of Strangford Lough captured my imagination during my time here. WWT
Castle Espie’s stunning views of the Lough makes it the perfect place to show my work’.
Jennifer Brown, a textile artist from Belfast. graduated from the University of Ulster with a BA (Hons) in Fine Craft Design. She creates intricate embroidered pieces of art using hand and machine embroidery. Jennifer highlights, “I love tactile uneven areas and shapes. My love for the work of artists Gustav Klimt and Friederich Hundertwasser is a constant source of inspiration. When starting to make a piece I find it evolves into the shape it
becomes through the subconscious imagination and I allow instinct to take over’. Jennifer’s exhibition will include a series of textile pots called ‘Nests’ and has been supported by the Arts Council (NI) SIAP Award.
Castle Espie Wetland Centre is open daily from 10am. Access to the car park, visitor centre, shop, Loughshore Café and the Art Gallery is free of charge. The centre is accessible for wheelchairs. Normal admission prices apply to the reserve. For further information on this exhibition, forthcoming events conservation campaigns and closing times please call 028 9187 4146 or visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @wwtcastleespie.
Become a WWT member when you visit and not only will you get your entrance fee refunded, but you can then enjoy great days out for a full 12 months for FREE. Our centre is open 364 days a year and with annual family membership only £66 for two adults and up to six children (or just £5.50 a month, plus a free book for joining by Direct Debit) it ‘pays for itself’ after just three visits. Members also receive an exclusive quarterly magazine, Waterlife, which keeps you up to date on what’s going on at all nine WWT UK
wetland centres and has information about WWT’s exciting conservation projects saving species from extinction and caring for important wetlands around the world. visit http://www.wwt.org.uk/become-a-member/ for details.
Categories: Nature
