Pine martens return to the Cotswolds
Pine marten numbers have been recovering steadily in Britain over recent years, but a new scheme in Gloucestershire has looked to expand their horizons.
Some 18 Scottish pine martens were 'secretly released' into the Forest of Dean, according to a local news report which dubs them 'nature's most adorable assassins'.
That reputation is well-founded. In a Country Life feature a few years ago, we described pine martens as 'enthusiastic omnivores' with deadly hunting skill — but also as 'creatures of rare grace', adding that 'even the droppings are said to smell rather like Parma violets.'
Full story (Gloucestershire Live) and find out more about pine martens (Country Life)
Target 'super-emitters' of methane to slow global warming, say experts
Cutting methane emissions is the simplest and quickest way to start tackling the environmental crisis, according to two new studies by Princeton University reported in the Environment Journal.
Despite relatively small amounts of the gas in the atmosphere compared to CO2, it accounts for about a quarter of man-made warming due to its potency as a greenhouse gas. Yet it seems that emissions might be cut relatively easily. A study in the USA found that 10% of natural gas wells are 'super-emitters' which account for three-quarters of methane emissions, while the other study — examining off-shore gas drilling in Britain — suggested that methane leaks are a much bigger problem than previously thought.
Fixing these problems could be quickly beneficial, according to Princeton professor Mark Zondlo, who explains that reducing methane 'will pay off quickly because the half-life of methane in the atmosphere is about a decade, and it wouldn’t take long for the current build-up to clear.’
Full story (Environment Journal)
Biggest iceberg in half a century breaks off east Antarctica
A gigantic iceberg, 1,636 square kilometres in size, broke off from the Amery ice shelf in east Antarctica on 26 September.
The calving occurred next to the 'loose tooth', a location that scientists had been watching because the ice appeared to be precariously attached.
It is the biggest iceberg produced by the Amery shelf since 1963-64.
'I am excited to see this calving event after all these years,' said Helen Amanda Fricker, a Scripps professor. 'We knew it would happen eventually, but just to keep us all on our toes, it is not exactly where we expected it to be.'
Experts say the calving is not linked to climate change, but could speed up further melting.
Charity urges public to rehome dogs after surge in 'designer' and 'handbag' breeds
The number of chihuahuas coming into the RSPCA's care has gone up by 700% in the last seven years, while the number of French bulldogs is up 236%, with Dachshunds up 600% and Pomeranians up by 440%.
It has also seen more popular crosses – such as cocker spaniels and poodles – arriving in its centres as inspectors shut down puppy farms and collect abandoned dogs and puppies.
The charity is urging the public to consider rehoming a dog rather than buying a puppy.
On this day...
On 2 October, 1927, Francis Matthews was born in York. The celebrated actor played Paul Temple in the BBC's television series of the same name, and voiced Captain Scarlet in Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons.
Livesaver retires after thousands of rescues
75-year-old George Parsonage has stepped down from his position as head of of the Glasgow Humane Society, which organises rescues on the River Clyde in Scotland.
In his time in charge of the society's motorboat, he has saved more than 1,500 people, earned an MBE for his efforts — and even went on to marry one woman he rescued from the water.
'I don't know any other form of life. I was born right here and I’ve been helping for nearly 70 years on the river,' said a modest Mr Parsonage of his impressive feat.
And finally... A goose on the loose
A taxi driver in Radford would have been forgiven for honking their horn when a goose smashed through a window and landed in the back of their cab.
Police joked the bird, which was subsequently checked by a vet, may have been trying to get to Nottingham's Goose Fair, or perhaps he was just having a goosey gander...
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Gaze over Cap Ferrat in this four-bedroom French villaIgnore the wind and the rain. Imagine yourself in this hillside home with some of the best views the Mediterranean can offer.
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The Airlander wants to save our skiesA new hybrid aircraft promises eco-friendly aviation. Designed and built in the UK, can it be the future of air travel?
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The brilliant tractor tribute to the NHS from a group of Warwickshire farmersPeople around Britain have been paying tribute to the efforts of our NHS workers at the time of the coronavirus pandemic — but few have been as creative and clever as this one.
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London's iconic red bus at risk and 6,000 year old chewing gum gives clues into our DNA historyCuts to industry subsidies and an increase in fares has left bus use at its lowest point ever, while DNA extracted from ancient 'chewing gum' allows scientists to decipher the genetic code of a Stone Age woman.
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90-million-year-old 'swimming dinosaur' skeleton found by dogs out walking in Somerset, and the nonchalant moths who don't bother fleeing enemiesA superbly intact dinosaur skeleton — described as being 'museum quality' — has been discovered on a beach in Somerset.
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Battle to ban 4x4s from the idyllic Lake District spot bequeathed by Beatrix Potter, eagle fights octopus and the 'snail's pace' climate talksThis morning we look at Little Langdale's fight for peace, reflect on the climate change talks in Madrid and discover the soundtrack for Brexit.
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Country Life Today: How Greta Thunberg shifted the dial on climate change — and the backlash shows just how muchThis morning we ponder whether Greta Thunberg is the Joan of Arc for the environmental movement, look at a key election — one from 19 years ago — and ponder the marvel of 'dad tidying'.
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Country Life Today: Great news for those who love our great country pubs — the years of decline are overThere is a great sign of health in the pub industry, we look back at Edward VIII's abdication message and fret about Greenland's melting ice.
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Country Life Today: Spain accused of being 'a deplorable choice' for UN climate conferenceA no-holds-barred assault on the Spanish fishing industry, Banksy raising awareness of the homeless and the woes of the Christmas jumper are in today's news round-up.
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Country Life Today: 'This is perhaps the ultimate wake-up call from the uncontrolled experiment humanity is unleashing on the world’s oceans'In today's round up, we examine why oxygen loss is putting oceans at risk, discover that action to cut air pollution brings almost immediate benefits to human health and find out which bird's arrival marks the start of winter in Gloucestershire.
