The UK Pulse The Pulse of the UK

Scientists identify eight sound motifs behind birdsong diversity

Scientists in France analysed more than 100,000 songbirds and found eight basic sound motifs underlying global birdsong diversity.

3 min read

A European wren - a small, brown, speckled bird with a white chest appears to sing its heart out in the sunshine. It's beak is wide open with song and its short, squared off tail sticks upward as it perches on a log.

Public urged to avoid Cairngorms wildfire zone after flare-up

People are being told to stay away from the Cairngorms wildfire exclusion zone after a reported flare-up, as firefighters continue tackling the blaze into next week.

3 min read

Scorched earth after a wildfire in the Cairngorm National Park with pine trees, billowing smoke and mountains in the background.

Hofrennydd diffodd tân ar gael i gefnogi ymateb i dân Rhinogydd

Bydd hofrennydd diffodd tân arbenigol yn cael ei ddefnyddio ar y Rhinogydd i gefnogi ymateb i dân gwyllt sydd wedi bod yn llosgi ers tua 11 diwrnod.

1 min read

More than 20,000 flee France wildfires as southern Europe endures extreme heat

More than 20,000 people fled wildfires in France as extreme heat gripped southern Europe, with Spain forecast to top 44C and the Mediterranean hit by a marine heatwave.

7 min read

Bright orange fire burns in the background amid some trees as firefighters stand with a hose ready for action

Rain returns this weekend as parts of Wales enter drought

Rain is set to return this weekend to parts of the UK, but officials warn it will not be enough to halt worsening drought conditions in some areas.

3 min read

An urban heath singed straw-yellow by the hot, dry weather, with the London city skyline in the background

Disgwyl datganiad sychder wrth i lefelau afonydd Cymru ddisgyn

Mae rhai o afonydd Cymru'n agosáu at eu lefelau isaf ar gofnod, ac mae disgwyl datganiad o sychder wrth i'r wlad wynebu cyfnod hynod sych.

6 min read

River levels near record lows as Wales drought warning nears

River levels are nearing record lows across Wales, with NRW expected to announce environmental drought conditions as low rainfall, heat and drying waterways hit wildlife, farming and river ecosystems.

6 min read

The view from Nantglyn, Denbigshiren of an agricultural landscape covered with parched fields. There is a fence in the foreground, with dry hills in the background.

Research suggests most England sewage spills may be illegal

New analysis suggests most sewage spills into England's waterways over the past two years may have been illegal, with Prof Peter Hammond saying 86% occurred in normal weather.

5 min read

An metal pipe jutting out into a river discharges a brown liquid. There are bubbles on the surface of the river and on the banks is green grass and bracken. The sunlight is reflecting off the water

Rising heat is pushing Africa’s camels beyond their limits

Rising temperatures are causing heat stress, illness and deaths among camels in Ethiopia, Somalia and North Africa, threatening pastoral livelihoods across the Horn of Africa.

8 min read

A close-up of a camel on the left with what looks like pursed lips as it arrives at at watering point during a drought near the Kenya-Ethiopia border. To the right out of focus is another camel.

Republic of Ireland imposes hosepipe ban as Northern Ireland holds off

Uisce Éireann is bringing in a six-week nationwide hosepipe ban in the Republic of Ireland from Friday, while NI Water says it is not planning a similar move.

1 min read

A closeup image of a man's hand holding a yellow hosepipe. The hosepipe is spraying water on to an area of wild green plants.

No helicopters available as Welsh wildfire crisis plans activated

Welsh ministers have activated crisis management arrangements as wildfires continue across north and south Wales, with residents criticising the lack of helicopters and crews battling multiple blazes.

4 min read