A record number of beavers will be released into sites in England and Wales by wildlife trusts this year – 20 years after the semi-aquatic mammal first made a comeback.
Around 20 beavers will be reintroduced to five more counties in 2021, with the first of the releases taking place this week in Dorset when a male and female were let into an enclosed wetland, the Wildlife Trusts coalition of groups said.
Beavers were once native to Britain but were hunted to extinction in the 16th century for their fur, meat and scent glands, leading to the loss of the wetland habitat of lakes, mires and boggy places they were key to creating.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust column: Idle Valley Nature Reserve, Retford, is perfect spot for seeing wildlife in the winter Published: 07:00, 03 January 2021
The Idle Valley Nature Reserve, just outside Retford, provides a wealth of wildlife opportunities at any time of year but is particularly worth a visit in winter when interest is heightened by the arrival of huge flocks of ducks and other water birds,
writes Erin McDaid, of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
While birdwatchers visit all year around due to the range of habitats and its sheer scale, it is actually one of the most important areas in the East Midlands for over-wintering wildfowl and well worth a visit during the colder months.
A good time to look for a change of green scene, says Erin McDaid, of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
| Updated: 15:01, 16 December 2020
While Lockdown 2.0, as some have billed it, is now officially over, we all find ourselves locked in the various tier three restrictions for until at least December 16.
As a result, if we are planning to meet up with friends and family safely and within the rules then we will have to wrap up warm and do it in public spaces.
Kirton Woods. Photo: Tony Summers (43446840)
As we have seen since March, nature reserves, parks and other green spaces have become extremely important as places to meet up and as somewhere we can go to gather our thoughts and generate a bit of head space.