News
Biodiversity and Planning in Buckinghamshire
The Biodiversity and Planning in Buckinghamshire Guidance Document has been produced by Berks Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Biodiversity Partnership.
The document contains
- A framework for the consideration of biodiversity in the planning process
- Summaries of relevant legislation and planning policies
- Maps showing designated sites in the county
- Maps indicating protected and priority species and priority habitats
- Maps showing Biodiversity Opportunity Areas and Green Infrastructure Networks
To see more information about the document and download it as a pdf file click on this link:
http://www.buckinghamshirepartnership.gov.uk/sites/partnership/bmkbp/biodiversity_and_planning.page
Painted Lady butterfly migration
Butterfly Conservation's 'Butterfly' magazine issues 102, autumn 2009 and 103, Spring 2010, report on the incredible influx of painted lady butterflies in the summer of 2009. On Saturday 30 May, around 20,000 butterflies were counted at 180 sites from west Cornwall to northern Skye, and it was estimated from these figures that probably 15 million were present in the country overall on that date.
The riddle of where the butterflies go over winter has also finally been resolved. In October repots came in from the Channel coasts of sightings of painted ladies heading out to sea towards continental Europe. Then reports were received of butterflies arriving back in the Mediterranean and North Africa. It seems that the butterflies use the position of the sun in the sky to navigate by, since the southern orientation of their flight disappeared when the butterflies were flying in overcast conditions.
Peat Problems
The wild plant conservation charity Plantlife highlights the problem of continuing peat extraction in the latest issue of their magazine (issue 56, spring 2010). Peatland landscapes and their specialist flora are still being irrevocably damaged by commercial peat extraction, yet a "recent survey by the Horticultural Trades Association revealed the two-thirds of garden owners were still unaware of the environmental issues concerned with peat extraction. And only 28% of the total market share for amateur gardeners has gone peat-free". Recent surveys by Natural England show that less than 1% of raised bogs remains in a pristine state, whereas more than 15% of the former extent of these bogs is still being extracted for horticultural peat. English Heritage estimates that 75% of all peatland archaeology - preserved bodies and ancient wooden trackways, for example - has been destroyed. Peat is also a great sink for carbon dioxide, one of the worst greenhouse gases, so we should be doing more to encourage its conservation and restoration rather than continuing to destroy it. So read the labels, ask questions of the garden centre if the labels are not clear, support the centres which grow in peat-free compost, and experiment with peat alternatives.
POSTAGE STAMPS
In 2007 Royal Mail started an annual series of Action for Species, in which each year they issue a set of 10 first class postage stamps illustrating endangered species. Postcards, First Day Covers, presentation packs and other items are also published.
The first series was of Birds, issued in September 2007, and the second of Insects, in April 2008. The third set, issued in May 2009, celebrated Plant species, which, although still endangered, are now showing signs of recovery. They include Round-headed Leek, Floating Water-plantain, Lady’s Slipper Orchid, Dwarf Milkwort, Marsh Saxifrage, Downy Woundwort, Upright Spurge, Plymouth Pear, Sea Knotgrass, and Deptford Pink.
An additional feature was a link to Kew Gardens, celebrating its 250th anniversary. A miniature sheet was also issued including four further stamps (two at first class and two at 90p) with four views of Kew Gardens. A 50p coin has been issued by the Royal Mint to commemorate the anniversary of Kew’s foundation.
For 2010 the subject is Mammals, featuring the Humpback Whale, the Scottish Wildcat, the Brown Long-eared Bat, the Polecat, the Sperm Whale, the Water Vole, the Greater Horseshoe Bat, the Otter, the Dormouse and the Hedgehog. As before they are issued in two rows of five stamps each, all at first class rate. Members may be interested to know that the Presentation Pack insert has been written by our old friend Pat Morris.
Royal Mail’s usual policy in issuing special stamps is to make them available for sale for one year only. Unusually, all sets are still available, although it is unlikely that they can be found at any local post office. Anyone interested in these items should contact:
Royal Mail
FREEPOST EH3647,
EDINBURGH
EH12 9PE
Telephone: 08457 641 641, or go to
(Personally, I wouldn't advise this - it is the worst website I have ever tried to order from! They say they intend to revise it - not before time!)
Every year the "British Philatelic Bulletin" runs a poll of their readers to find their favourite stamp of the year and the most popular set. Three points are awarded for the first choice, two for second and one for third. For 2007 the Birds set came an easy first, over 750 points more than the second favourite. Individual stamps from the set peaked at third and fourth positions (the Avocet and Osprey, respectively). The Red Kite was not far behind.
In 2007, for the first time, the poll was opened to Internet users, with slightly different results, but the Birds set still came third in popularity. Perhaps, since voters were international, it was not surprising that the first and second places went to The Beatles and Harry Potter sets!
In the past the natural history sets have also been very popular, winners being Flowers in 1987, The Linnean Society in 1988, Birds in 1989, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in 1996, Tree and Leaf in 2000, and the delightful Woodland Animals in 2004.
