Author: mwn_admin

Chris Packham, Ruth Tingay and Mark Avery (Wild Justice) believe that driven grouse shooting is bad for people, the environment and wildlife. People; and think grouse shooting is economically insignificant when contrasted with other real and potential uses of the UK’s extensive uplands.

If you feel the same, there is a petition here for people to sign, that is very close to the 100,000 signatures to be considered for debate in the House of Commons.

This isn’t the first attempt to get a petition like this through, and if you’re interested in a deeper read about the impact of this ‘sport’ then you can look at some of the written evidence that was previously submitted.

Join online this Earth Day (Tuesday, 22 April) for the Hull & East Yorkshire Mayoral Climate and Nature Hustings where candidates for the new role of Combined Authority Mayor will discuss their priorities for the community. This is an opportunity for residents to hear directly from candidates and learn about their plans for the future of the region with the additional budget and powers this role will bring.

Attendees can find out more about their local Friends of the Earth group and read the Regional Climate Action Plan with the national Friends of the Earth team by following this link: https://www.hfoe.org.uk/whats-on/mayoral-hustings

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to engage with the candidates and make an informed decision on election day.

Whoever voters choose, whoever wins will need an action plan. Register on Eventbrite for the event!

Get your free ticket and be part of the conversation! The event is supported by The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the RSPB.

Just a reminder that the Walking for Health East Riding is continuing in 2025! It starts from Molescroft Pavillion, lasts an hour and runs every Tuesday at 10am in all weathers!

Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Every year, hundreds of thousands of nature lovers take part, helping to build a picture of how garden birds are faring.

This RSPB event takes place from the 24th-26th January, and for more information how you can take part, and see some headline figures from the 2024 event, head over to the RSPB website.

To understand why this is so important, there’s some excellent coverage in The Guardian.

If you’re a birder, twitcher, or just have an interest in avian biodiversity, did you know there was a local RSPB Group for Hull & District? Representing the RSPB in the Hull area, the Hull & District Local Group has an active programme of indoor and outdoor meetings, including weekend trips, and welcomes non-members to its meetings.

Indoor meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from September to April. Outdoor meetings run throughout the year. Meetings start at 7.30pm. Entry charges are £3 for local group members and £3.50 for non-members.

For more information on the group please see their RSPB website details!

Field Studies Council is working in partnership with the Royal Society of Biology to bring you the Signs of Spring survey 2025. Signs of Spring is a survey asking members of the public to record ten signs of spring across the UK.

They would love people to get involved by looking out for any of the ten indicator species or events that herald spring, and when you see one, record it using their short survey. For more information on the survey, click here. And to submit a sighting if you already know what inidcators they are using, click here! (Hint, bluebells are one!)

Our friends at Beverley Urban Gardeners are having an interesting event with Doug Stuart. For details see the flyer below!

You may remember the Bioblitz that was run on St Mary’s Cemetary earlier in the year, well the Guardian today has a lovely summary of the work that took part across the UK on behalf of our friends at Caring for God’s Acre. Read the full story, and peek into some fascinating biodiversity living in our churchyards! Article is here.

The Freshwater Habitats Trust has announced the start of the 2025 PondNet Spawn Survey, continuing its critical work monitoring Common Frog and Common Toad breeding patterns across the United Kingdom. This citizen science initiative, which began in 2012, has become an essential tool for understanding amphibian populations and identifying crucial breeding sites.

Following a record-breaking 2024 season with over 2,000 documented sightings, the survey continues to provide valuable data for national conservation efforts. The information collected contributes to the Record Pool, the UK’s primary herpetofauna database, supporting both local and national conservation strategies.

The survey’s significance extends beyond simple population tracking. Data collected helps identify Priority Ponds, which receive special conservation status based on their ecological value, particularly when Common Toads are present. These long-term datasets are proving invaluable for wildlife conservation planning and habitat protection.

Participants can submit sightings from any location – private gardens, community spaces, or wild areas. The survey typically sees its first recordings in the South West, with early breeding activity often documented before the new year.

Those interested in participating can find submission guidelines and view existing records through the Freshwater Habitats Trust website. Participants are encouraged to share their findings on social media using #SpawnSurvey.