From the end of this week, Britain's minister for wildlife is sending men to destroy the nests of wild buzzards by blasting them with shotguns.

Game shooting – the blasting of large numbers of pheasants and other birds out of the sky for enjoyment – has so far escaped the widespread opprobrium attached to fox hunting, largely because it takes place out of the public gaze. But that may be about to change.

He is meant to be the Government's wildlife champion. So why is Richard Benyon backing a plan to destroy the nests of protected birds of prey in the interests of pheasant shooters?

Conservationists have condemned plans that would allow buzzard nests to be destroyed and the birds of prey taken into captivity to protect pheasant shoots.

Warming climate may have enticed first pair of the Continental herons to mate in Britain

Justin Rose handed Darren Clarke a 6&4 drubbing at the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain yesterday.

Food miles

Wigan Warriors 18 St Helens 4

The planning system is failing to protect England's wildlife and natural areas, many of which are facing major declines, a report has warned.

The Peruvian government has declared a health alert along the country's northern coast and urged people to avoid long stretches of beach, as it investigates the mysterious deaths of hundreds of dolphins and pelicans.

The recent flooding has hit hundreds of nesting wading birds at nature reserves, the RSPB has said.

Some of California's top chefs are attempting to overturn a ban on the production and sale of foie gras, two months before it is due to come into effect.

Peru's oceanographic agency says it will investigate the deaths of hundreds of pelicans on northern beaches where nearly 900 dolphins were recently found dead.

Thousands of people donated money yesterday in memory of an "inspirational" 30-year-old woman who collapsed and died during the London Marathon.