Lifestyle Opinion

Environment Favourite Wildlife In addition to the general election there has recently been two more national polls. One to find the nation’s favourite birds, and one to do the same for wild flowers.

Environment Flowers on the Verge With the loss of nearly all of our flowery meadows over the last few decades roadside verges have become very important refuges for wildflowers.

Environment Chemicals in pesticides are adversely affecting many species The current ban on pesticides containing nicotine-like chemicals, or neonicotinoids has now taken on a wider significance.

Environment Threat to Nature Conservation Decades of progress in the protection of wildlife may be derailed by a review of the European Union's nature conservation legislation.

Lifestyle Opinion Nautilus Pinot Noir shows Marlborough region can do more than Sauvignon Blanc Richard Saxton samples a premium New Zealand Pinot Noir which shows the Marlborough region can do more than Sauvignon Blanc!

Environment The effect of artificial light on nature The world's artificial light has profound, but generally unquantified, effects on wildlife, especially airborne wildlife such as birds, bats and insects.

Environment Enjoy a daily free concert with the Dawn Chorus Nature's bounty takes many forms. In spring one of those is the exuberant and mellifluous outpouring of bird song in the few hours after sunrise.

Lifestyle Opinion Time to explore the range of wines made by Jean-Luc Colombo If you're keen to get more into wines from the Rhone Valley then explore the range of wines made by Jean-Luc Colombo.

West Bromwich West Bromwich neighbourhood nature Late afternoons have always echoed to the 'chuck, chuck, chuck' calls of the jackdaws as they fly low over the gardens, returning from their days foraging, to their cosy chimneys to roost.

Environment Can you enjoy local greenspace?The natural world is fundamental to our existence, and underpins all economic activity.

Environment Beavers living on a Devon river are allowed to stay Natural England has decreed that the beavers living on a Devon river can stay.

Lifestyle Opinion A little taste of Libiamo Help in finding authentic Italian wines is now at hand though in the form of Libiamo, a new online wine club which offers the rarest Italian wines sold within a community of experts and wine enthusiasts.

Environment Peter Shirley: Nature is nothing if not impatient This year the very mild weather leading up to New Year meant that many flowers were blooming over Christmas, and there was early bud burst on some shrubs and trees.

Environment National plan to reduce the grey squirrel population Policy and Action the Government is trying once more to reduce the grey squirrel population to protect both trees and red squirrels.

Environment Peter Shirley: Evergreen plants for the festive period Peter Shirley takes us through the evergreen plants that have played a part in winter celebrations for thousands of years.

Christmas Top wines for Christmas from national retailers Richard Saxton's selection of the top wines to go for this Christmas from national retailers.

Environment Peter Shirley: The funding roundabout in West Midlands parks When reduced budgets are imposed it is natural for councils to look first at cutting such discretionary activities, in order to protect those they are legally required to do.

Environment Improvements to the international protection for wildlife In distant Quito in Ecuador governments, including ours through the EU, have been meeting to improve international protection for wildlife.

Environment Clipping the RSPB's Wings The Sawley Hall shoot in Yorkshire claims that the RSPB does not apply enough of its substantial income to owning and managing nature reserves

Environment The 40,000 different insects in Britain help support all other life on earth The 40,000 different insects and their close relatives in Britain play a crucial role in supporting all other life on earth, including us

Environment Peter Shirley: Politicians obsessed with economy don't think about our wildlife We need healthy ecosystems and thriving populations of animals, insects and birds to provide food, clean air and water and an amenable climate.

Environment Peter Shirley: Britain's butterflies count Our butterflies seem to be recovering following the very wet summer of 2012, but long-term fortunes are still not good

Environment Peter Shirley: Ministers' parks and open spaces tax proposal Ministers have suggested that people living near parks, and whose houses increase in value because of this, should pay extra tax to contribute to the upkeep of the parks.

Lifestyle Opinion Richard Saxton on Folding Hill's "Orchard Block" Pinot Noir 2010 Richard Saxton sampleds Folding Hill's "Orchard Block" Pinot Noir 2010.

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Environment Million species threatened with extinction in decades to come According to a recent UN report a million species of plants, insects, birds and animals are threatened with extinction in the next few decades.

Repertory Theatre Birmingham Comment: Mapping a path through Birmingham's architectural history Mary Keating from Brutiful Birmingham suggests a new map charting some of the city's architectural forefathers might make a great gift

Brindleyplace Chef Richard Turner back in the kitchen at Maribel Richard Turner is back in the kitchen with the launch of Maribel, the latest addition to Birmingham’s thriving culinary scene

Regional Affairs Birmingham Civic Society appoints youngest ever chairman Amelia Ladbrook will take over the role later this year to champion campaign group's heritage work in the city

Birmingham Town Hall The Birmingham choir that's not very vocal about its many triumphs!Founded in the 1880s, Birmingham Choral Union is still going strong. Christopher Morley finds them in fine voices ahead a concert at St Paul’s in the Jewellery Quarter

Marks & Spencer M&S confirms Walsall store closure date High street retailer says it will shut up shop at The Saddlers Centre in August as part of wider reduction in portfolio of stores

Home Passengers told new trains with fewer standard seats 'have more room for standing'Upgrade to Chase Line into New Street has extra carriage - but it's First Class leaving commuters fuming

Regional Affairs Dozens attend protest against new order to tackle begging in Birmingham They say it would target and criminalise rough sleepers

Commercial Property How £110m House of Fraser revamp could rival Primark as new city shopping destination Owners Legal & General asked architects to come up for a new 'vision' for Rackhams in 2015

Jewellery Quarter Apartments plans after Jewellery Quarter property sale Cornwall House has been acquired by development group for resi conversion

Regional Affairs Roger Godsiff defends LGBT Anderton Park School equality comments after he's accused of 'chasing Muslim votes'Under-fire MP calls on protesters to suspend campaign amid calls to quit over comments