Green Cities

[Hornbeam]

Green Cities is one of the programmes in the "Costing the Earth" series on Radio 4. Fascinating account of wildlife in London and how rich and varied it is in contrast with the countryside. Rare insects and invertebrates, peregrine falcons and redstarts and prize winning honey from a healthy bee population. Brown field sites under threat, but new green roofs to compensate. Attracting swifts to nest on Canary Wharf by playing CDs of their calls!!

Excellent programme. Broadcast at 9pm yesterday, but repeated today at 3pm on Radio 4. Well worth listening to online on your computer at your convenience. Go to BBC - Radio Homepage | and access from BBC Radio 4 webpage

[Paul mabbott]

Or is this an illusion - are there simply more people in London to find all the 'rarities'?

Originally Posted by Hornbeam

Green Cities is one of the programmes in the "Costing the Earth" series on Radio 4. Fascinating account of wildlife in London and how rich and varied it is in contrast with the countryside. Rare insects and invertebrates, peregrine falcons and redstarts and prize winning honey from a healthy bee population. Brown field sites under threat, but new green roofs to compensate.

[Kymba]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Or is this an illusion - are there simply more people in London to find all the 'rarities'?

Dont think its an Illusion
I moved to London 6 years ago from Devon and in the 5 years I lived there I saw a wider varity of wildlife then I ever saw growing up in the country.
It completely amazed me, I mean you talking about a densely populated area, with very little green space, Thousands of Buildings, cars and people and Pollution.
But thats why you see more, in the country most animals, Birds etc are lucky enough to still be able to live in their natural Habitat and mostly remain out of sight of most people.
In Londons and other built up areas, their habitat has mostly been destroyed and they have had to adapt and learn to live alongside us, Thus it means they are easy to see on a daily basis.
While this is nice for people to able to see all these animals, Birds etc.. It brings home how muchof their natural habitat we have destroyed in a very short time, and continue to destroy at an alarming rate.

[Hornbeam]

No Paul - it's not an illusion. Take bumble bees for instance - they are in serious decline. Where can they feed safely in the agro-chemical countryside? Sure they can get drunk on oil seed rape flowers for a brief period, but what then? Compare that with the long season of flowers in city gardens and parks and on brown field sites awaiting development. Same for honey bees and there is an interview with a prize winning beekeeper in Lambeth.

Set aside was a damp squid and will soon be overturned by the mania to grow even more rape for bio-fuels. Green cities are essential as the countryside becomes ever more hostile to wild life.