UK Countryside in a Mess

With 40 million fewer birds today than in 1966 (Report, 29 April), the UK is one of the most nature-deprived countries in the world. Nature is falling silent, and the impact on our environment, culture, health and happiness should not be underestimated [...] nature is in crisis. It hasn’t been prioritised in political decision-making, and now we are paying the price.

So, the historical environment is being metal detected (collected) away, and the natural environment reflects the same trend (though not through collectors, bird-egging is now illegal). But they are both the result of the same trend, government neglect and social complicity.