LOST Life, a new report from Natural England, the Government’s conservation agency, suggesting that species are continuing to decline brought a mixed response from other organisations.

The Country Land and Business Association claimed the authors should concentrate on the real world of the present - not hark back down the centuries to historic extinctions.

However, the Lost Life report does confirm what most conservation groups have been saying for some years - that despite all the agri-environment schemes and voluntary initiatives biodiversity (the range of species in the UK) is still in decline.

Matt Shardlow, chief executive of Buglife, said the report provided further confirmation that “we are in the midst of an extinction crisis... happening here in England under our very noses”.

He said: “Because it takes 30 years or more for small animals to be declared extinct the report underestimates the number of species of beetles, flies, bees and other insects and invertebrates that are becoming extinct. “We estimate that in the last 40 years between 500 and 1,000 species of invertebrates have become extinct but have yet to be declared as such.”

n THE GREENER Fram group – set up primarily to encourage people in the Framlingham area to cut carbon emissions – is hosting a series of talks this afternoon .

The event, Future Visions: A World Beyond Oil, is being held at the Thomas Mills High School between 1pm and 6pm. Speakers include David Strachan, an award-winning investigative journalist and documentary film-maker who specializes in business and energy. Tickets cost �4 and �3 (concessions) and will be available on the door.

n THE THETFORD-based British Trust for Ornithology is to carry out a detailed study of birds which nest in gardens.

It needs householders all over the country to contribute information on which species are nesting in their own gardens. For a free wall chart and survey pack, call the BTO on 01842–750050, email nestingneighbours@bto.org or write to Garden Nesting Survey, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU. Alternatively, visit www.bto.org/gns for more information.