One iconic tree: the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree hit the headlines in September 2023. In August this year, the tree was found to be sprouting, raising the hope that the tree will live on in situ. This is in addition to the 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ saplings which are due to be gifted to communities around the country
Choughs (Pyrrhocorax sp.) breed in Kent for the first time in two hundred years: this is an early success for the long-term project to return the birds to the Kent coastline.
EWG volunteers found eggs from the locally rare Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae) butterfly at three sites in the borough
Four Scottish Wildcat (Felis silvestris) kittens born: The species was on the verge of extinction in 2018, with no kittens being born in the wild for over five years.
Five wonderful Beavers (Castor fiber), living life in Paradise, featured in an award-winning documentary premiered in July
The UK’s largest spider, which can measure six to seven centimetres across, is thriving in the UK: the harmless Fen Raft Spider (Dolomedes plantarius) is back from the brink of extinction fifteen years ago. These large arachnids are semi-aquatic hunters that play an important role in maintaining the marsh ecosystems where they are found.
Forestry England announced that it would rewild eight thousand hectares over four forest locations. The four varied landscapes will see a bespoke mix of activities, aimed at restoring natural processes and increasing the diversity and abundance of wildlife.
Nine different birds of prey (raptors and owls) live in the borough; find out about them in Sean’s video.
More than ten thousand hectares of peatland in Scotland was restored. Peatlands make a vital contribution to reducing greenhouse gas as well as providing broader benefits for biodiversity and water management.
Eleven months of volunteer days at EWG’s very own nature reserve at Costons Lane – if you have never been before, come to our final (social) session of the year.
Twelve-year-old girl saves Cicada (Cicada montana) reintroduction project: A Slovenian child has volunteered to catch cicadas for release into the New Forest. Cicadas were last recorded at this location over 20 years ago.
Twelve days wild: If you are able, you could consider signing up to the Wildlife Trust’s initiative to do one wild thing from 25 Dec – 5th Jan.
Emily Gardner
Newsletter Editor
