1st January, 2026 -The Stats SHOULD Shock You

 

 Just so that everyone understands the ultimate death toll when given (1st January, 2026).

Very few people report dead animals -even pets seen dead are not reported. The response is still, after a decade of trying to explain: "It's a dead animal who cares?" and "Someone else will report it -my time is far too important to waste". More often the line "Well I see them dead on the road all the time when driving around Bristol"

Which means that the foxes and badgers that are reported -and it is still a case of hearing about most by accident- is not a true number.

Statistically: "It is impossible to provide a single, precise number for the actual estimate, as road death incidents are significantly underreported. However, a figure of 360 reported incidents suggests the actual number could range from approximately 1,000 to over 5,000, or potentially much higher, depending on the species and location. "

Bear that in mind.

Sunday Words

 Well, I must admit that I sadly expected some negative comments when it came to my writing about saving Bristol's green spaces as well as building in areas where we know badger setts and established fox dens are.

I did not expect so much of that kick back in 2025 to come from people on those groups.

I've studied wildlife in Bristol since a child and concentrated on it more in the last 50 years and when I write or say something to add to a group's argument against developing an area I do not expect a thank you just for the info to be used.

Bristol City Council hates me (I'm a "conservation and environmentalist") but it seems I get hated by people I am trying to help.

So, as of today: no more. Good luck with your campaigns.

Ps. Bristol City Council should be aware I am still watching them and what they do near setts and dens.

Poisons Are Indiscriminate

 

Nature Loses AGAIN Disappointing Outcome for Amendments 38 and 40 to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill

 

The CIEEM is The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management is the leading professional membership body representing and supporting ecologists and environmental managers in the UK, Ireland and abroad. (And, no, I am not involved in it. No one ever wants me involved with things 😂)

On 13th November 2025 

MPs have tonight voted on Lords’ amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill as it returned to the House of Commons.

CIEEM has been actively encouraging MPs to support Amendments 38 and 40, which sought to ensure that planning and infrastructure decisions protect nature and promote genuinely sustainable development.

Despite clear concerns raised by experts, communities and environmental professionals – most of whom were not consulted during the drafting of this Bill – the Government stood firm in rejecting both Amendments 38 and 40, urging MPs to vote against them.

On Amendment 38, there was a small concession from the Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook MP, who said: “I am minded to include chalk streams in the suite of national policies for decision making coming later this year.”

Amendment 40 was subsequently taken to a vote, which the Government won by 244 votes to 132. This is a disappointing outcome for nature.

We would like to thank the Peers in the House of Lords for their hard work in improving this Bill, and the MPs from across the political spectrum – particularly those from the party of government – who spoke up for common sense, nature and the public good.

There remains a possibility that Peers in the House of Lords will insist on reintroducing Amendment 40, especially given the large majority and cross-party support it received in the upper chamber. The Bill will return to the Lords on Monday 24 November 2025.

CIEEM continues to call for a planning system that works with nature, not against it.

Let Me Make It Clear

 I am not going to go into it in public yet but  people need to understand that badgers in Bristol, since the old Avon Badger Group folded in 1994, has been the work of Bristol Badger Group.

If you send maps and locations of badger setts in Bristol to an outside group you have no guarantee who will get access to that information.  I am the one getting the kick back from various official bodies for stopping development on badger sites. I do not expect a thank you since the priority are the badgers and their conservation.  

You either support BBG or a group with very little interest in local badgers and do not attempt to protect Bristol setts, log dead badgers in the City or treat/deal with sick and injured badgers. It is a bloody ludicrous situation that in many cases BBG gets to hear second or third hand about what is going on in the area it covers BECAUSE there is no support.

I have the option of closing the group and after that...good luck.

Badger Deaths and a Need For Post Mortems

 Sadly, the number of badgers killed on Bristol roads has risen.  In every case the culprits are drivers going too fast and hitting animals but not stopping or even reporting the incident. 

As of yesterday the total of (known) badger deaths stood at 82

Considering known fox deaths have gone well past 300 things could be worse but the main problem is getting people to actually report seeing dead badgers as to most people (and I have heard this many times over the years) it is a case of "IT was dead. Who's interested in that!" 

One thing that I really wanted to get organised are post mortems on badgers found dead as the assumption always has to be RTA -and in the past illegally killed badgers have been put on roadsides so people assume RTA rather than a crime.  With the suppression of the Fox Deaths Study by official bodies and my having been told that even if I suspect a disease I would never be allowed to submit a fox (that is how crazy things are) trying to submit a badger is impossible.  

In fact for several years -and I have this in emails- I was told that badgers could not undergo necropsy due to Health and Safety regulations and that turned out to be a lie. If anyone knows of  a pathologist in the Bristol area who might be willing to carry out necropsies on a voluntary basis please let me know.

Bristol Wildlife Rescue