The Evolving Nature of Conservation

In recent years, birding has stepped quietly into a brighter spotlight. Once associated primarily with solitary walks and well-thumbed field guides, it now exists within films, online platforms and global databases. Listers , a compelling and at times unexpectedly humorous film, follows two brothers immersed in the world of competitive birding. What unfolds is not simply a story about birds, but about rivalry, identity and the delicate balance between joy and judgement in a modern hobby shaped by metrics. Brotherhood in the Field At the centre of the film are two brothers whose shared love of birds began in childhood. Early mornings, borrowed binoculars and muddy boots formed the foundation of a lifelong bond. As adults, their approaches diverge, but their connection remains, as does a subtle, persistent competitiveness. One brother is analytical and methodical, driven by totals and targets. The other leans more towards instinct and experience, though he too is not immune to the pul...

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is widely heralded as a significant step forward for nature in England. Under the Environment Act 2021 and associated guidance, most new developments now legally must deliver at least a 10 per cent increase in biodiversity compared to what was there before. But, as with many well-intentioned policies, the details matter, and some of them reveal worrying loopholes or weaknesses. In its current form, BNG risks falling short of its promise unless its mechanisms are strengthened. What the Policy Actually Requires Under the statutory BNG regime, developers must use a standard biodiversity metric to calculate biodiversity units, based on the size, type, quality and location of habitats. Once they have this metric, they must plan how to deliver an uplift of at least 10%. If they can’t achieve that on the development site (“on-site”), they may deliver gains “off-site” (on different land) or, as a last resort, buy statutory biodiversity credits from the governmen...

When Politics Denies Physics When political leaders, most notably former U.S. President Donald Trump, dismiss climate change as a "con job," it is more than a soundbite, it is a signal that filters through economic systems, corporate boardrooms and international negotiations. Trump’s repeated rejections of climate science have emboldened fossil-fuel interests, undermined global agreements, and seeded scepticism in the public mind. The cost of that denial is now measurable in pounds, dollars, and human lives. This long-form investigation examines: (1) the mounting scientific and economic evidence of climate damage already incurred; (2) the ways in which corporate and political actors have obstructed meaningful action; and (3) the projected consequences if we continue down this path of denial. The facts are stark: delaying action multiplies costs. The Science: A Settled Question, an Escalating Problem The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has confirmed with high ...

Birdwatching, or birding , is a deceptively tranquil pursuit. Though commonly viewed as a quiet, observational hobby, it in fact hosts a broad array of human behaviours, personalities, and motivations. Beneath the surface of field guides and optics lies a complex ecosystem of social dynamics, psychological needs, and behavioural typologies. This article presents a clinical and evidence-based exploration of birder types, how they form, why they behave the way they do, and how the birding community can respond constructively. Importantly, while the focus is on birding, many of these patterns are observable in a wide range of hobbies and subcultures. Shared Psychological Drivers Birders often display certain common traits: A need for structure, order, or routine A desire to escape from modern stressors An affinity for categorisation, record-keeping, and goal setting A range of introversion–extraversion spectrums Though positive and benign in most cases, these drivers can give rise to diff...

  For the first time in more than two centuries, the red-billed Chough is once again circling the skies above Dover’s White Cliffs. But while headlines celebrate the bird’s apparent return to Kent, the story beneath the surface is far more complex. With no historical records to confirm the species ever thrived here and growing dependence on costly supplementary feeding, are we witnessing genuine ecological restoration, or simply a conservation campaign dressed in medieval symbolism? This is a tale where science, heritage, and myth collide. A Bird Drenched in Legend, Not Blood The chough’s return to Kent is often tied to the enduring legend of Saint Thomas Becket. According to popular folklore, a crow pecked at Becket’s blood after his murder inside Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 and was transformed, its beak and legs turned red, and it became the now-iconic Chough. The image of three red-legged birds eventually found its way onto Becket’s posthumous coat of arms, and later into Can...

Science in Action: Bold Fixes for the UK’s Conservation Crisis From drying peatlands that leak carbon to invasive species threatening native wildlife, the UK is facing a growing conservation emergency. But while the challenges are serious, science is not only providing practical solutions, it’s also unlocking fresh, bold approaches that go far beyond the usual fixes. Here's how cutting-edge ideas are already transforming UK landscapes, and what more we could be doing right now. Peatlands: Restoring the UK’s Ancient Carbon Stores The problem: Peatlands are some of the UK’s most important carbon sinks. But decades of drainage, erosion and degradation mean they’re now releasing greenhouse gases instead of storing them. Conventional solutions: Rewetting peat and blocking drainage ditches can help stabilise carbon stores and support biodiversity. However, these methods can take decades to show real impact. Innovative approaches: Active revegetation: Instead of waiting for plants to...