UK Nature and Environment
- www.theguardian.com Millions of tonnes of toxic sewage sludge spread on UK farmland every year
Exclusive: Experts call for stricter regulation as current rules set in 1989 require testing for only a few heavy metals
Millions of tonnes of treated sewage sludge is spread on farmland across the UK every year despite containing forever chemicals, microplastics and toxic waste, and experts say the outdated current regulations are not fit for purpose.
An investigation by the Guardian and Watershed has identified England’s sludge-spreading hotspots and shown where the practice could be damaging rivers.
Sludge – the solid matter left over after sewage treatment – is laden with Pfas “forever chemicals”, flame retardants, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and toxic waste from homes and industry. Water companies rebrand it as biosolids and give or sell it to farmers as a nutrient-rich fertiliser.
- www.bbc.co.uk Pitsford Reservoir project doubles number of uncommon plants
New ponds and management of existing ones are increasing plant species around Pitsford Reservoir.
Conservationists have said the number of uncommon plant species around a reservoir doubled in just two years thanks to a pond creation project.
The Freshwater Habitats Trust (FHT) also revealed wetland plant species across the whole landscape around Pitsford Reservoir in Northamptonshire were up by nearly a quarter.
A total of 22 new clean water ponds have been created and 10 existing ponds have been managed.
- www.bbc.co.uk Minke whales swim in Cardigan Bay alongside boat
Marine mammal experts are surprised to see three minke whales close to their boat.
Marine mammal experts surveying a special conservation area were taken by surprise when they encountered at least three minke whales last week.
New Quay, Ceredigion, is known for its bottlenose dolphins as one of only two semi-resident populations in the UK, but sightings of other species are much rarer.
Josh Pedley, of the Sea Watch Foundation, said: "The weather was perfect, with low winds creating a flat calm sea and this helped us get some stunning views and footage of one of the whales as they curiously approached our boat, passing directly underneath us on a couple of occasions."
- www.bbc.co.uk Needingworth Quarry's wetland project could be delayed until 2038
The operator of Needingworth Quarry requests an eight-year extension to turn the site into a wetland.
A project to create one of the UK's biggest wetland habitats at a quarry site could take eight years longer than planned.
Brice Aggregates, which operates Needingworth Quarry in Cambridgeshire, has asked for more time to excavate sand and gravel from the site.
The current planning permission for the quarry requires the site to be turned into a wetland habitat by 2030, which the company has asked to be extended to 2038.
- naturalresources.wales Natural Resources Wales / Trial Success for Grazing Goats
Trial Success for Grazing Goats
Conservation staff are celebrating the success of a trial at Stanner Rocks, Powys after grazing goats notably improved the habitat for two of Wales’ most at risk bryophytes.
The Welsh Marches project, part of Wales’ foremost conservation programme, Natur am Byth (NaB), has been working to safeguard colonies of Upright Apple-moss (Bartramia aprica) and Black Crystalwort (Riccia nigrella) since its inception in summer 2023 and was made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Stanner Rocks is the only place in the UK where both of these species grow and they were at risk of being wiped out completely due to an overgrowth of bramble and gorse making the area inhospitable.
