Wildlife challenge: England’s lost and threatened species - West Midlands Region
15 March 2010
First ever audit of all of England’s lost and declining native species
Centuries of conservation records go under the microscope
Local lost species
Two birds, the twite and the marsh warbler are extinct in the region as breeding birds.
The twite will arrive as a summer visitor in Shropshire and in the region’s other moorlands, whilst the Marsh Warbler is now only an occasional summer visitor to Worcestershire’s river valleys.
The chalkhill blue and purple emperor butterflies are both now extinct in the region although still to be found in the South and East of England.
The Kentish glory moth, a spectacular day-flying species, is lost to its previous stronghold in Worcestershire, the West Midlands, and the whole of England.
The micro moth Lyonetia prunifoliella, was lost early in the 20th century; and the hister beetle, another West Midlands insect, was lost from England in the nineteenth century.
The moss Gyroweissia reflexa was only ever recorded in Nuneaton – from a quarry which is now a housing estate: an illustration of how development can contribute to losses if appropriate studies aren’t made.
The bog orchid is lost from its former Shropshire locations, but is still strong in Wales, the Lake District and Dorset
The various-leaved pondweed has a strong distribution in the East and North, but is lost in the West Midlands.
Rob Williams from Natural England in the West Midlands Region said:
“There are messages in this report for everyone, about how we value and care for our environment, its habitats and the species that live here with us.”
“Although it may be inevitable that we will lose some other species for a range of reasons, this report does not seek to apportion blame but rather to provide a factual record and in particular to deliver strong messages about what it is possible for us to do together as a society that values our wildlife for the benefits it gives to us all.”
“Environmental Stewardship Schemes in farming, pioneered over the past twenty years in England and administered by Natural England, have contributed greatly to rebuilding the habitats in our countryside on which so many species depend; although there is much more that remains to be achieved."
"Our work in getting neglected broadleaved woodlands into management will benefit many insects and bird species and there is a key lesson for all woodland managers, including conservation managers, about managing non-woodland habitats within areas of woodland.”
“And of course, in the West Midland Region, as elsewhere, there is a particular message about the potential impacts of development and we must continue to ensure that there are appropriate environmental assessments before development is undertaken”.
But it’s not all bad news locally. The polecat was driven back into remote and secret areas in Wales but is now starting to make a comeback in the West Midlands as attitudes change to its conservation; and in some places where appropriate measures have been put In place, we are starting to see an encouraging recovery in populations of some farmland birds.
Natural England launched this report, the most complete audit of hundreds of years of England’s wildlife winners and losers, to an audience of leading conservationists at the London Zoological Society.
'Lost life: England’s lost and threatened species' identifies nearly 500 animals and plants that have become extinct in England – practically all within the last two centuries. On top of this, nearly 1,000 native species have been given conservation priority status because of the severity of the threats facing them.
You can download a copy of the full report 'Lost life: England’s lost and threatened species'
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For press information or pictures contact: Judie Kellie on 01299 896 555/ 07973 744161 or Dean Gallen
Notes to editorsNatural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
