Samantha Whelan

A flock of six rare black-crowned night herons has arrived at Bolton-on-Swale Nature Reserve in North Yorkshire, with another bird seen at North Cave Wetlands near Hull. The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust says excessive heat and drying wetlands in mainland Europe are pushing the birds north in search of suitable habitat. While their arrival has delighted local birdwatchers, the trust warns that the trend reflects climate change, habitat loss and declining breeding conditions in the birds’ traditional southern European wetlands.

Six rare black-crowned night herons have moved to Bolton-on-Swale Nature Reserve in North Yorkshire, while another has returned to North Cave Wetlands near Hull. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust says heatwaves and drying wetlands in continental Europe are pushing the birds north, where they are beginning to colonise new habitats. Although their arrival brings excitement to local birdwatchers, the trust warns that the movement reflects serious climate-change-driven habitat loss and declining breeding conditions in southern Europe.

University of York student Rafe Colman-Chadwick ran 872 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End in six weeks, raising more than £10,000 for Brain Tumour Research in memory of his father, Damian, who died from glioblastoma when Rafe was 12. Despite a knee injury, tonsillitis and difficult weather, he finished ahead of his eight-week target. The charity says brain tumours receive only 1% of national cancer research funding and is campaigning for annual investment of £35m.

Two brothers from Harrogate were injured when a glass steam-room door shattered at the Green Nature Diamond Hotel in Turkey during a package holiday. After initially denying liability, Jet2Holidays agreed to pay the family £7,000 following a claim by Hudgell Solicitors and a 10-month wait for CCTV footage. The boys suffered cuts to their feet, legs and arms, and remained worried about using glass doors after the incident.

Two brothers from Harrogate were injured when a glass steam-room door shattered at the Green Nature Diamond Hotel in Turkey during a 2022 package holiday. After initially denying liability, Jet2Holidays agreed to pay the family £7,000 following a claim by Hudgell Solicitors and a 10-month wait for hotel CCTV footage. The children suffered cuts to their feet, legs and arms, and the family said the incident left them anxious about package holidays and glass doors.