Experts call for restrictions on pet flea treatments that harm UK songbirds Chemicals known to affect brains of common garden birds, and to kill unborn chicks, found in most feather samples Conservationists have called for restrictions on pet flea treatments after research found songbird feathers widely contaminated with substances that can damage the birds’ brains and kill unborn chicks. Almost every feather sample tested from five common species of UK garden birds contained either permethrin, imidacloprid or fipronil – all insecticides that are banned for agricultural use but still common in pet tick and flea treatments. Continue reading...

Experts call for restrictions on pet flea treatments that harm UK songbirds

What a silly response. Why are the company so worried about producing simple, healthy food? Does it threaten their profit margins? I brought up children on a tiny budget, we ate very well and they were healthy and happy. It's not rocket science, or brain surgery...

Some people are incapable of feeling shame. I'm thinking of Gove and Coffey in particular.

That's not going to win you any votes Steve. Outside the Labour party people understand that there's a difference between being anti semitic and condemning the Israeli state for the disgusting way they have treated Palestinian people for decades. You must try harder.

Well...with everything Israel is doing they are having to work really hard to distract us all that cruelty and horror

You may laugh but this old man with NPD and possibly dementia has access to nuclear weapons😵‍💫

Ooooof! His Imperial Majesty has paid us a visit 🙂 A pristine, simply stunning ♂️ Emperor in the garden this afternoon.
@linnetincley.bsky.social
#cleymothobs
#norfolkmoths
#teammoth

My daughter is about to graduate as an ecologist. She has a passion for soil invertebrates. I'm so pleased that she has people like you in her tribe. Excellent article; thanks.

And a display of ignorance. People don't seem to understand that there are rarely simple solutions, we are working in a global environment and we can't please all the people all the time.

Agreed but who would want to be a politician today...especially women?

My daughters are facing repayment of £80K student loans, an increased tax burden to support an aging population, unaffordable house prices, rising rent and pension ages likely to be in 70s. About time politicians thought of their generation.

All parties need to get together and spell out precisely what will happen to the NHS if Reform wins. Tell economically insecure people exactly how much healthcare insurance costs and the fact that they will no longer have access to a range of expensive treatments/drugs without it.

There are plenty of police available to be used to quash demonstrations around Palestine, as evidenced yesterday. My daughter said there were hundreds in Trafalgar Square despite all the demonstrators being peaceful.

This gorse and the ground around it has been building in insect intensity for a couple of years. Positively fizzing in the weak sunlight today. Andrena cineraria, nomada lathburiana, various bumbles, hoverflies, bee flies, a sight to behold. @ianbeavis.bsky.social @flygirlnhm.bsky.social

Daughter says they are being treated as if they are some sort of violent offenders - vans and cars everywhere and hundreds of police. Shame on you Labour and the Met

My daughter just sent me a photo with the caption "so this is where all London's police are!" Absolutely nuts

I thought that Tammy Grey-Thompson insisting everyone, including men, have a pregnancy test was a new low for the Lords. Time to get rid...we are supposed to be a democracy, and it's the twenty first century.

This and the governments refusal to mandate swift bricks. Stupidity.

This is on my 'to visit' list when I'm passing Tiverton. Where is the office to fetch the keys please?

I've never seen them in the wild so was thinking of a trip to Oxford. Do you think they will be out for the next week? Thanks for the post.

So sorry for your loss Catherine. Let's hope democracy prevails and we get the choice to end our lives with a little help in a place and at a time of our choosing. Sending love

I wonder if you were the same as a child. My youngest was obsessed with 'miniatures', including plants. She is now just about to graduate as an ecologist and has a passion for soil invertebrates. When others are looking at a view she is up close to something with a magnifyer! Thanks for your posts

A small sedge warbler perches delicately on a cluster of green seed heads, its warm brown and buff plumage streaked with darker markings. A pale eyebrow stripe highlights its alert eye as it faces right, beak slightly pointed forward. The bird’s body is balanced lightly among the stems, with soft natural light bringing out feather detail against a smooth, muted background.

Good morning. The #BirdOfTheDay theme today is #Warblers any bird that’s a Warbler. The alt is #RareEncounters birds you have captured least in your camera roll. Good luck. 🤞 I’ve gone with this Sedge Warbler. #birds #photography #ECK

I no longer use the BBC news website, I'm sure their journalists are brilliant but whoever is in charge of ordering what news is seen must have an agenda.

That would be unfair on other graduates who work just as hard but are in professions which will never pay as well.

Because it is one of the problems during progression for newly qualified doctors - not enough training positions to specialise. Streeting offered to create more roles as part of pay/conditions package. Because they are striking all offers are withdrawn. Doctors have a problem with the BMA leadership

I come from a family of medics and my daughter is an OT and unfortunately I am very frequently a patient so I have insight into roles, demands and the aggression from patients and their families. My beef is with the BMA

Unable to sign as I have to sign up to emails. I never do this. Good luck anyway!

Is it possible to credit the government (I'm not a Labour voter) with this step? Perhaps make some realistic suggestions about where the funding is to come from? I am very supportive of the Greens but your economic plans need serious attention

Of course it is and an extra 1000 training positions were being created. I don't like Streeting but there's no magic wand and he does seem to be attempting to improve trainee doctors lot. It takes time.