Latest news with #StateofNature
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners urged to plant 6 flowers that feed birds all summer long
Bird-lovers will be delighted to discover that these flowering plants will keep birds coming back to your garden as they provide them with nourishment and shelter If you're a fan of these feathery creatures, experts have shared the top flowers you need to plant to keep birds flitting about in your garden. Birds are delightful creatures, filled with personality and unique behaviours that make them fascinating to observe. What's more, they also play a pivotal role in your garden's eco-system, as they contribute to key processes like pollination and seed dispersal. One of the best ways to encourage them to your home is by growing plants that provide them with food and nesting materials. Plus, given that bird numbers are dwindling in the UK, this is more important than ever. According to government data, bird species across the UK have declined by 2% between 2018 and 2023. One of the biggest causes of this are modern farmland practices according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Bird's (RSPB) State of Nature report 2023, which is largely due to the use of fertilisers and pesticides, which impact bird's food supply. Luckily, garden design expert Calum Maddock at has shared the six flowers you need to plant to make your home extra appealing for birds. Sunflowers Sunflowers are a summer favourite, as they instantly brighten up any space with their broad yellow leaves. The good news is that they also attract birds. According to Calum: 'The many seeds packed at the centre of the flower heads provide nourishment that is rich in oil throughout the autumn for seed-eating birds such as finches and nuthatches.' Honeysuckle As well as providing berries, honeysuckles are a great source of shelter for small birds like thrushes, warblers, and finches. They will also attract insects during the summer months, providing a further food source for birds. Rowan Rowans are known to produce masses of creamy white flowers that entice birds. Calum advised: 'Depending on the species, you can expect your rowan tree to bear berries from late July through to November.' Hawthorn Hawthorn is a flowering shrub which produces berries that attract birds such as blackbirds, redwings, fieldfares and starlings. Plus, Calum adds that the leaves will also attract caterpillars, which are 'an excellent food source' for baby birds during spring. Ivy Calum shared: 'Ivy is another plant which doubles up as a fantastic source of both food and shelter. The blackberries which appear in winter provide much-needed food for a range of birds, such as thrushes, starlings, jays, finches, and blackbirds.' Holly Holly berries will keep birds satisfied during winter, as they are enjoyed by birds such as song thrushes, blackbirds, and redwings. Calum added: 'Just make sure that you plant a female plant and a male plant close together, as only the female produces berries, but the male is needed for pollination.'
Western Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Senedd members demand action on nature loss in Wales
Llŷr Gruffydd, who chairs the Senedd's climate change committee, criticised the pace of change with biodiversity targets 'unlikely to be in place much before 2029'. Leading a debate on May 7, the Plaid Cymru politician said it is difficult to reconcile the time frame with Welsh Government claims that addressing nature loss is a priority. The committee's inquiry heard Wales is 'nowhere near' the key international '30 by 30' target of protecting 30 per cent of land and sea for nature by 2030. Mr Gruffydd said: 'Work to scope out the targets started over two years ago. It seems inconceivable that it will take another four years.' The Senedd's climate change committee called for a more ambitious timeframe in its report , a recommendation that was rejected by Welsh ministers. 'The Welsh Government said this would be simply impossible to do,' said Mr Gruffydd, pointing to similar UK and Scottish Government proposals taking around a year. He warned the 2023 'State of Nature' report showed Wales' biodiversity, and wider environment, continuing to decline and degrade. 'That report details the devastating scale of nature loss across the country,' he said. 'Welsh wildlife has decreased on average by 20 per cent since 1994 and one in six Welsh species are under threat of extinction.' Mr Gruffydd acknowledged the Welsh Government was quick to sign up to global biodiversity targets and declare nature loss as a priority. 'But, to use an old adage, actions speak louder than words,' he said. Mr Gruffydd raised concerns about the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 having 'little material impact' on reversing the decline in biodiversity – a finding echoed by an Audit Wales report . Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell warned: 'I'm concerned that our society and the world has become used to the destruction. That's the frightening reality.'
South Wales Guardian
09-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Senedd members demand action on nature loss in Wales
Llŷr Gruffydd, who chairs the Senedd's climate change committee, criticised the pace of change with biodiversity targets 'unlikely to be in place much before 2029'. Leading a debate on May 7, the Plaid Cymru politician said it is difficult to reconcile the time frame with Welsh Government claims that addressing nature loss is a priority. The committee's inquiry heard Wales is 'nowhere near' the key international '30 by 30' target of protecting 30 per cent of land and sea for nature by 2030. Mr Gruffydd said: 'Work to scope out the targets started over two years ago. It seems inconceivable that it will take another four years.' The Senedd's climate change committee called for a more ambitious timeframe in its report, a recommendation that was rejected by Welsh ministers. 'The Welsh Government said this would be simply impossible to do,' said Mr Gruffydd, pointing to similar UK and Scottish Government proposals taking around a year. He warned the 2023 'State of Nature' report showed Wales' biodiversity, and wider environment, continuing to decline and degrade. 'That report details the devastating scale of nature loss across the country,' he said. 'Welsh wildlife has decreased on average by 20 per cent since 1994 and one in six Welsh species are under threat of extinction.' Mr Gruffydd acknowledged the Welsh Government was quick to sign up to global biodiversity targets and declare nature loss as a priority. 'But, to use an old adage, actions speak louder than words,' he said. Mr Gruffydd raised concerns about the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 having 'little material impact' on reversing the decline in biodiversity – a finding echoed by an Audit Wales report. Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell warned: 'I'm concerned that our society and the world has become used to the destruction. That's the frightening reality.' The Welsh Government rejected six of the committee's 30 recommendations in its formal response to the report, with the remainder accepted in full or in principle.
South Wales Argus
09-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Senedd members demand action on nature loss in Wales
Llŷr Gruffydd, who chairs the Senedd's climate change committee, criticised the pace of change with biodiversity targets 'unlikely to be in place much before 2029'. Leading a debate on May 7, the Plaid Cymru politician said it is difficult to reconcile the time frame with Welsh Government claims that addressing nature loss is a priority. The committee's inquiry heard Wales is 'nowhere near' the key international '30 by 30' target of protecting 30 per cent of land and sea for nature by 2030. Mr Gruffydd said: 'Work to scope out the targets started over two years ago. It seems inconceivable that it will take another four years.' The Senedd's climate change committee called for a more ambitious timeframe in its report , a recommendation that was rejected by Welsh ministers. 'The Welsh Government said this would be simply impossible to do,' said Mr Gruffydd, pointing to similar UK and Scottish Government proposals taking around a year. He warned the 2023 'State of Nature' report showed Wales' biodiversity, and wider environment, continuing to decline and degrade. 'That report details the devastating scale of nature loss across the country,' he said. 'Welsh wildlife has decreased on average by 20 per cent since 1994 and one in six Welsh species are under threat of extinction.' Mr Gruffydd acknowledged the Welsh Government was quick to sign up to global biodiversity targets and declare nature loss as a priority. 'But, to use an old adage, actions speak louder than words,' he said. Mr Gruffydd raised concerns about the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 having 'little material impact' on reversing the decline in biodiversity – a finding echoed by an Audit Wales report . Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell warned: 'I'm concerned that our society and the world has become used to the destruction. That's the frightening reality.'
