I suspect you've heard many of these moans from me before, but I have to reiterate that living out on one of the Scottish islands is not the best location if you wish to avail yourself of up to date technology, in fact straight forward, usually taken for granted technology can be equally as elusive! However, having got that rant off my chest I can announce that I have finally got a shining new telephone ( BT of course, made in China ) and my cyber connection with the world is intact and working effectively again, even on Halloween. No longer will I have to make a fifteen mile round journey, yes 15 miles minimum, to make a mobile phone call!! Other networks do better so enquiries are in hand! Whatever the bland remarks of politicians the communication revolution has not yet reached here in its entirety.
Right, what's on the go on this eve of Halloween? Well, the situation of the moment appears to be revolving around a report put out by Animal Aid which is giving the grouse shooting industry a lambasting. I've accessed a copy , but not yet read it, so doubtless comments can be made later on what seems to be a very information packed report.
So, sign off time and an evening to be spent attempting to catch up on several days of news and views, a bewitching prospect you might say!!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
A good day secured against the odds!! 20.10.2013.
Sadly the day proved to be a bit less than co-operative with heavy showers, mixed visibility, but the odd clear period as well. Met up with Chris and Tony Johnson from Bolton who, as previously the long serving leaders of the RSPB Bolton Members Group, I've known for quite a few years! As can be imagined, almost as much discussion took place as birdwatching, and certainly the world should now be in a better state given the various solutions put forward to certain problems!!!
Most of our day was spent around the RSPB reserve at Gruinart, but we first of all sought out the juvenile Red-backed Shrike, which has apparently been there several days but wasn't "pinned down" until Saturday. A rather fine bird, extremely active and which has adopted a well defined area as its own. Compared to what has been seen on the east coast of Britain in recent times this bird's appearance is a most welcome reflection of those arrivals!!!
Courtesy of James How, via Ian Brooke.
After more than our fill of this very co-operative bird we then spent some time overlooking the lagoons on the reserve itself. Teal numbers seem to have improved within the week and the flock was being repeatedly disturbed by a female Hen Harrier causing them to spend prolonged periods in flight. A single Black-tailed Godwit was also around as was a splendid showy pair of Gadwall that spent quite a period immediately in front of the hide. A few Wigeon and Shoveler were in evidence too.
As ever the spectacle provided by the geese was the main event of the morning, particularly when being spooked and rising en-masse over the nearby feeding fields along Gruinart Flats.
A trip along to Ardnave was accompanied throughout by quite heavy rain, but at least it was lunchtime. Two adult Mute Swans and 4 well grown cygnets plus three Goldeneye was all that was on offer. We decided to spend time around Loch Gorm, but the weather was against us, little or nothing seen, so we retired to a well known nearby tea house where company and cakes were in profusion ! Predictably, the weather improved at the very end of the afternoon but, as I made my way homewards, the sight of a large mixed feeding flock of Grey lag Geese, gulls and eight Whooper Swans was some compensation for what had been a slightly testing day!
Most of our day was spent around the RSPB reserve at Gruinart, but we first of all sought out the juvenile Red-backed Shrike, which has apparently been there several days but wasn't "pinned down" until Saturday. A rather fine bird, extremely active and which has adopted a well defined area as its own. Compared to what has been seen on the east coast of Britain in recent times this bird's appearance is a most welcome reflection of those arrivals!!!
Courtesy of James How, via Ian Brooke.
After more than our fill of this very co-operative bird we then spent some time overlooking the lagoons on the reserve itself. Teal numbers seem to have improved within the week and the flock was being repeatedly disturbed by a female Hen Harrier causing them to spend prolonged periods in flight. A single Black-tailed Godwit was also around as was a splendid showy pair of Gadwall that spent quite a period immediately in front of the hide. A few Wigeon and Shoveler were in evidence too.
As ever the spectacle provided by the geese was the main event of the morning, particularly when being spooked and rising en-masse over the nearby feeding fields along Gruinart Flats.
A trip along to Ardnave was accompanied throughout by quite heavy rain, but at least it was lunchtime. Two adult Mute Swans and 4 well grown cygnets plus three Goldeneye was all that was on offer. We decided to spend time around Loch Gorm, but the weather was against us, little or nothing seen, so we retired to a well known nearby tea house where company and cakes were in profusion ! Predictably, the weather improved at the very end of the afternoon but, as I made my way homewards, the sight of a large mixed feeding flock of Grey lag Geese, gulls and eight Whooper Swans was some compensation for what had been a slightly testing day!
Friday, October 18, 2013
Raptor persecution and Vicarious Liability.
On the 15th October the Law Commission put out an Interim Statement relating to the review it had carried out on wildlife legislation, Law Commission interim statement., which can be reached through this latter link. After extensive consultation with wildlife and countryside interests a summary of the exercise, findings and recommendations is now openly available for our scrutiny.
I must admit I always thought this much vaunted exercise might not deliver up to the expectations invested in it. RSPB admitted way back in February that its own future tactics would revolve around the exercise held by the Commission and doubtless have worked hard in the period since its launch to gain acceptance of key elements of law where they felt revision or inclusion was necessary, including Vicarious Liability. Although such an offence had entered Scottish Law, repeated attempts to gain its early adoption for England and Wales were rebuffed, including a direct statement of "non-intention" by the then DEFRA Minister, Richard Benyon in Parliament.
The Law Commission too have now rejected a call for it to enter into law in the commonly accepted form in which it was so often described, details of which can be found under Section 1.74 in the above statement. Instead they have put forward an alternative that will put the burden of proof on the prosecution which, in my humble opinion, is likely to lead nowhere. So, where do we go from here?
I confess to a feeling of frustration and disappointment, particularly with the declared public position currently adopted by RSPB. In the recent winter edition of its new magazine, Nature's Home, much is made of an article by Simon Barnes,a prominent journalist and writer, and his comments about raptor persecution. But it's all been said before! What's new given that similar strap lines were being pumped out thirty years ago and at regular intervals in between? In the same magazine an article examining the future of our uplands includes diffuse comments at best on actions that might emerge at some point. Now, I'm prepared to accept that the timing of the issue of this magazine and that of the Law Commission's statement didn't conveniently coincide. Indeed, one imagines that, in the light of the Commission's declared view about Vicarious Liability, there would have been different comments coming forward. But in the cold light of day, what is the Society now to do when it comes to raptor persecution and, in particular, addressing the loss of Hen Harrier as a breeding species in England brought about by intensive persecution in recent times? Is this situation something that must now be accepted as lost? Is there not an imperative, demanding of whatever financial resources are necessary, to ensure that the targeted activities which brought about the obvious reduction of Hen Harriers continues to be combated. Whilst I'm sure the RSPB agree, I personally believe that its options should now include more direct confrontation with the factions responsible as the time for progress via commentary ( or clowns! ) is now gone!
Courtesy of the Isle of Man Government via Alan Tilmouth and Flikr.
It seems to me that the thing which shouldn't happen is for a void to be allowed to embrace the current situation, in other words there is a need for swift, decisive action on how things might now move forward. Repeated rhetoric, fine words and appeals for an adherence to the law are unlikely to achieve much given unproductive attempts in the past. Similarly further exhaustive examination and analysis of "the problem", those held to be responsible and so on is now little more than cataloguing disaster. Alongside all this the grouse management industry itself, within which there is a constituency who are against persecution, has singularly failed to alter the activities of some of their members and , therefore, self regulation can also be consigned to the bin. The new recommendations by the Law Commission are unlikely to successfully act as a major deterrent in my view, which means additional action is required. I've no illusions that the RSPB will have more than a few ideas on this front about which it would be foolish to reveal details in public. However, from the many people I've spoken to I believe that a significant proportion of the membership would support more radical action than has been apparent in the immediate past. Indeed I suspect we would urge the Society to move forward in that respect, not as an element of a marathon, but in a full blown sprint, if I can paraphrase the Chief Executive!! This is a time to grasp the initiative to avoid others gaining confidence and developing ancillary topics around raptors that would assume the limelight and cause the issue of persecution of raptors to be sidelined.
The 15th October perhaps saw a campaign lost, but the battle is still to be resolved and none of us should lose heart in that respect. And remember, RSPB, indeed never forget, we're all behind you.
Whilst the Tory dominated Government currently appears to pay scant regard to E-petitions ( if that associated with the badger cull is anything to go by) , the number of signatures provides a measure of the amount of public concern that can be quoted subsequently and upon which questions can be raised. If you haven't already done so PLEASE sign the E-petition relating to the licencing of upland grouse moors and gamekeepers which can be found at the following link.
Licencing of upland grouse moors and gamekeepers
Thank you.
I must admit I always thought this much vaunted exercise might not deliver up to the expectations invested in it. RSPB admitted way back in February that its own future tactics would revolve around the exercise held by the Commission and doubtless have worked hard in the period since its launch to gain acceptance of key elements of law where they felt revision or inclusion was necessary, including Vicarious Liability. Although such an offence had entered Scottish Law, repeated attempts to gain its early adoption for England and Wales were rebuffed, including a direct statement of "non-intention" by the then DEFRA Minister, Richard Benyon in Parliament.
The Law Commission too have now rejected a call for it to enter into law in the commonly accepted form in which it was so often described, details of which can be found under Section 1.74 in the above statement. Instead they have put forward an alternative that will put the burden of proof on the prosecution which, in my humble opinion, is likely to lead nowhere. So, where do we go from here?
I confess to a feeling of frustration and disappointment, particularly with the declared public position currently adopted by RSPB. In the recent winter edition of its new magazine, Nature's Home, much is made of an article by Simon Barnes,a prominent journalist and writer, and his comments about raptor persecution. But it's all been said before! What's new given that similar strap lines were being pumped out thirty years ago and at regular intervals in between? In the same magazine an article examining the future of our uplands includes diffuse comments at best on actions that might emerge at some point. Now, I'm prepared to accept that the timing of the issue of this magazine and that of the Law Commission's statement didn't conveniently coincide. Indeed, one imagines that, in the light of the Commission's declared view about Vicarious Liability, there would have been different comments coming forward. But in the cold light of day, what is the Society now to do when it comes to raptor persecution and, in particular, addressing the loss of Hen Harrier as a breeding species in England brought about by intensive persecution in recent times? Is this situation something that must now be accepted as lost? Is there not an imperative, demanding of whatever financial resources are necessary, to ensure that the targeted activities which brought about the obvious reduction of Hen Harriers continues to be combated. Whilst I'm sure the RSPB agree, I personally believe that its options should now include more direct confrontation with the factions responsible as the time for progress via commentary ( or clowns! ) is now gone!
Courtesy of the Isle of Man Government via Alan Tilmouth and Flikr.
It seems to me that the thing which shouldn't happen is for a void to be allowed to embrace the current situation, in other words there is a need for swift, decisive action on how things might now move forward. Repeated rhetoric, fine words and appeals for an adherence to the law are unlikely to achieve much given unproductive attempts in the past. Similarly further exhaustive examination and analysis of "the problem", those held to be responsible and so on is now little more than cataloguing disaster. Alongside all this the grouse management industry itself, within which there is a constituency who are against persecution, has singularly failed to alter the activities of some of their members and , therefore, self regulation can also be consigned to the bin. The new recommendations by the Law Commission are unlikely to successfully act as a major deterrent in my view, which means additional action is required. I've no illusions that the RSPB will have more than a few ideas on this front about which it would be foolish to reveal details in public. However, from the many people I've spoken to I believe that a significant proportion of the membership would support more radical action than has been apparent in the immediate past. Indeed I suspect we would urge the Society to move forward in that respect, not as an element of a marathon, but in a full blown sprint, if I can paraphrase the Chief Executive!! This is a time to grasp the initiative to avoid others gaining confidence and developing ancillary topics around raptors that would assume the limelight and cause the issue of persecution of raptors to be sidelined.
The 15th October perhaps saw a campaign lost, but the battle is still to be resolved and none of us should lose heart in that respect. And remember, RSPB, indeed never forget, we're all behind you.
Whilst the Tory dominated Government currently appears to pay scant regard to E-petitions ( if that associated with the badger cull is anything to go by) , the number of signatures provides a measure of the amount of public concern that can be quoted subsequently and upon which questions can be raised. If you haven't already done so PLEASE sign the E-petition relating to the licencing of upland grouse moors and gamekeepers which can be found at the following link.
Licencing of upland grouse moors and gamekeepers
Thank you.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
And now for something different!
I spent last weekend in Glasgow with daughters 2 and 3!! Kath ( No.3 ) had been over on Islay for a week and Rachael ( No 2 ) is currently at Glasgow University studying Fashion Design and Management ( satin and sequins, darling! OMG , just wait for the grief! ) and we conspired to meet up before No 3 returned to Inverness and I returned to Islay. OK so far?
On Saturday we hit the town. I don't really know Glasgow but what I've seen makes it a special place. Whilst daughters 2 and 3 made forays into River Island, TopShop etc etc I spent my time standing dutifully outside such establishments looking after the bags and listening to the buskers of which there were several in the Centre. I loved it!!
Now , first amongst equals was the following!. CLANADONIA
Clanadonia web site
These guys are fantastic! Hairy Scots they might be, but they can appeal to the very depths of anyone's emotions through their music. Incidentally, this is the first time I've attempted/achieved an image transfer so excuse me if I've got the credits etc wrong. The above is CLADONIA, folks, please listen as they're tremendous!!
I have to confess that I love "the pipes and drums", I really do. This group takes the whole issue to another level. Imagine being on a battlefield in long times past, ever seen Braveheart, the film, well you're there. Confronted by this lot across the battlefield I'm not sure where I'd be, south of Doncaster I imagine and looking over my shoulder at that!! Those deep repetitive rhythms accompanied by the imperative strains of the pipes is not something you can ignore. Whilst I don't think the clip does them credit by all means listen to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foltCs5fh9I and look at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clanadonia/178425585707?refr=hl
In addition to all this and fabulous music they've an association with Islay Peat, a blended whisky linked to , you know where!! Peat has a particular association with me in a personal sense, a name of a sheep dog with whom my association was far too short. RIP my friend!
As you might imagine Saturday afternoon was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but well worth it! Thanks Clanadonia!
On Saturday we hit the town. I don't really know Glasgow but what I've seen makes it a special place. Whilst daughters 2 and 3 made forays into River Island, TopShop etc etc I spent my time standing dutifully outside such establishments looking after the bags and listening to the buskers of which there were several in the Centre. I loved it!!
Now , first amongst equals was the following!. CLANADONIA
Clanadonia web site
These guys are fantastic! Hairy Scots they might be, but they can appeal to the very depths of anyone's emotions through their music. Incidentally, this is the first time I've attempted/achieved an image transfer so excuse me if I've got the credits etc wrong. The above is CLADONIA, folks, please listen as they're tremendous!!
I have to confess that I love "the pipes and drums", I really do. This group takes the whole issue to another level. Imagine being on a battlefield in long times past, ever seen Braveheart, the film, well you're there. Confronted by this lot across the battlefield I'm not sure where I'd be, south of Doncaster I imagine and looking over my shoulder at that!! Those deep repetitive rhythms accompanied by the imperative strains of the pipes is not something you can ignore. Whilst I don't think the clip does them credit by all means listen to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foltCs5fh9I and look at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clanadonia/178425585707?refr=hl
In addition to all this and fabulous music they've an association with Islay Peat, a blended whisky linked to , you know where!! Peat has a particular association with me in a personal sense, a name of a sheep dog with whom my association was far too short. RIP my friend!
As you might imagine Saturday afternoon was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but well worth it! Thanks Clanadonia!
RSPB's "Nature's Home" arrives !
Way back, indeed when I was still working with the RSPB and as part of a management training course, I remember attending a session entitled Managing Change. Not everyone accommodates change easily or readily, in fact some people oppose any alteration to what might be an established position, whatever its kind. Such, I suspect, might be the situation that emerges with the RSPB's new magazine, "Nature's Home" replacing as it does its forebear, the much beloved Birds magazine. Now I have to declare that I first became aware of the Society when it was still ensconced at Eccleston Square in London!! I'm not saying I've been a member continuously since that time, but certainly for a significant proportion of it.
We all used to be all so dutiful and accepting in the old days ( sounds like an advert delivered by Alan Titchmarsh ), in fact I guess my only question in previous times would have been " Where is Sandy?". But the truth is the change to a HQ site or much loved item of constancy can inflame passions in some beyond belief! Now, admission time! I don't particularly warm to the presentation of RSPB in lower case on the logo ( and shan't use it either ! ). If you really want to see what my views are on the issues surrounding what the RSPB has decided to change , then read my Blog entries on 4th August and 18th September. As far as the new magazine title is concerned, then I worry a bit to be honest. It seems to me that the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds might logically choose to have a magazine title linked to its main raison d'etre. But the case has been put, and I accept it. The working objectives of the Society have widened ( considerably !) and a more broadly based wildlife magazine is the result. OK, I'm being dutiful. A minor criticism though is that I feel the cover is too cluttered.
Now I'll simply present another example and leave you to draw your own conclusions!!
I'm not a designer but I suspect the above image somehow conveys all the necessary messages without too much accompanying text.
Of course what really delivers on any organization's objectives is the contents. When the magazine arrived ( my mail arrives late afternoon ) I put on the kettle and then settled down to a comfortable session taking in the contents of this presumed threatening and newly emerged item. I was engrossed and read it from cover to cover.......my tea went cold! These are a few comments,
So, all in all the "change" wasn't as painful as anticipated. In fact ( Mark Ward, Editor. ) I've to admit I liked it, so job well done. There were a few issues relating to statements associated with uplands and raptors that I wasn't all that happy with, but I'll deal with those in a separate Blog. What did we all fear? A reduction in items to do with birds, I suppose, so there's no case to answer. The inclusion of items relating to other wildlife wasn't intrusive or cuckolded the main subject content we all look forward to. After all the huffing and puffing is over, what we've all to settle down to is, collectively, working towards making things better for wildlife which , as successive reports have outlined, is on its uppers and needs more and more support from us all.
We all used to be all so dutiful and accepting in the old days ( sounds like an advert delivered by Alan Titchmarsh ), in fact I guess my only question in previous times would have been " Where is Sandy?". But the truth is the change to a HQ site or much loved item of constancy can inflame passions in some beyond belief! Now, admission time! I don't particularly warm to the presentation of RSPB in lower case on the logo ( and shan't use it either ! ). If you really want to see what my views are on the issues surrounding what the RSPB has decided to change , then read my Blog entries on 4th August and 18th September. As far as the new magazine title is concerned, then I worry a bit to be honest. It seems to me that the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds might logically choose to have a magazine title linked to its main raison d'etre. But the case has been put, and I accept it. The working objectives of the Society have widened ( considerably !) and a more broadly based wildlife magazine is the result. OK, I'm being dutiful. A minor criticism though is that I feel the cover is too cluttered.
Now I'll simply present another example and leave you to draw your own conclusions!!
I'm not a designer but I suspect the above image somehow conveys all the necessary messages without too much accompanying text.
Of course what really delivers on any organization's objectives is the contents. When the magazine arrived ( my mail arrives late afternoon ) I put on the kettle and then settled down to a comfortable session taking in the contents of this presumed threatening and newly emerged item. I was engrossed and read it from cover to cover.......my tea went cold! These are a few comments,
- the Chief Executive's page needs beefing up. I expected more of a major announcement ( or even design emphasis ) on the direction the Society was going to take, but was disappointed. It's all a bit bland I'm afraid.
- I like the succession of "multi-features " on various pages which grabbed my attention
- I believe the wildlife crime section needs both more space and prominence. Not everyone reads or receives Legal Eagle and I believe this is a part of the Society's operation that a lot of people find fascinating.
- I find Martin Harpers Blog extremely useful, but I suspect only a relatively limited number of people read it. Is there room for a more expanded treatment of various conservation issues affecting the UK like the CAP revisions, but presented in lay terms?. The recent Law Commission Review might qualify coupled with a "where do we go from here".
- the Nature in Danger "The problem with Plastic" article was first class as was "The Wetland Wizard" in the RSPB People section.
- Like comments from others, the presence of very brief book reviews in juxtaposition with bird food adverts didn't really gel for me I'm afraid.
- Brilliant photos throughout as we've come to expect.
So, all in all the "change" wasn't as painful as anticipated. In fact ( Mark Ward, Editor. ) I've to admit I liked it, so job well done. There were a few issues relating to statements associated with uplands and raptors that I wasn't all that happy with, but I'll deal with those in a separate Blog. What did we all fear? A reduction in items to do with birds, I suppose, so there's no case to answer. The inclusion of items relating to other wildlife wasn't intrusive or cuckolded the main subject content we all look forward to. After all the huffing and puffing is over, what we've all to settle down to is, collectively, working towards making things better for wildlife which , as successive reports have outlined, is on its uppers and needs more and more support from us all.
Geese, yet again. 16.10.2013.
Compared to yesterday the weather had changed dramatically. A blustery SE wind, quite strong at times, cloudy conditions and temperatures decidedly colder than 24 hours previously!! Later it improved only to be followed by rain in late afternoon.
Another session at Gruinart saw much the same pattern occurring except that the White-tailed Eagle never turned up, at least during the morning. It was interesting to witness the fact that Barnacle Geese seem loathe to leave their roost early, in fact almost an hour after the first Grey lag Geese and Greenland White-fronted Geese had either left the area or moved to productive feeding spots locally. Quite a large roost locally of Jackdaw and Rook took to the air and towered above the reserve for a while before moving off to their preferred foraging areas. Again, as yesterday, a male Hen Harrier hunted over the grassland before effortlessly sailing off northwards towards Ardnave. Around that time a party of 15 Redwing "seeped" their way southwards, battling against the quite strong headwind.
Talking later to James How ( Senior Warden , RSPB Gruinart Reserve ) he made the point that the Barnacle Geese are not enjoying the presence of the various White-tailed Eagles visiting the head of the loch. Over the years, since protective wildlife legislation came into being and the reserve was first set up, disturbance from shooting has ceased and the geese have been used to a completely tranquil existent within their adopted winter quarters. Enter the new marauding upstarts that are not only big, but brutal too and quite capable of picking out some hapless individual, knocking it down in flight and treating it as prey. No wonder chaos ensues at the first sight of one of these more recent arrivals to the island!
Later, as I completed some slightly late WeBS counts ( sorry BTO! ) , various flocks of both Barnacle and Greenland White-fronted Geese could be seen on stubble fields around Loch Gorm. Also there were four Whooper Swans previous to them moving off southwards. I missed a view of a leucistic Barnacle Goose as I spoke to a colleague within which time the goose flock decided to fly off elsewhere. It will be interesting to confirm whether its the same bird that has been present in earlier winters. Further round the "circuit" two Greenland White-fronted Geese carried orange neck collars but never assumed a sufficiently convenient position enough to read the requisite letters involved! A Peregrine appeared out of nowhere and adroitly snapped up prey, one ( I believe ) of quite a number of Skylarks that were present in the stubble field.
As the weather closed in I called things to a stop having had yet another very rewarding day!
Another session at Gruinart saw much the same pattern occurring except that the White-tailed Eagle never turned up, at least during the morning. It was interesting to witness the fact that Barnacle Geese seem loathe to leave their roost early, in fact almost an hour after the first Grey lag Geese and Greenland White-fronted Geese had either left the area or moved to productive feeding spots locally. Quite a large roost locally of Jackdaw and Rook took to the air and towered above the reserve for a while before moving off to their preferred foraging areas. Again, as yesterday, a male Hen Harrier hunted over the grassland before effortlessly sailing off northwards towards Ardnave. Around that time a party of 15 Redwing "seeped" their way southwards, battling against the quite strong headwind.
Talking later to James How ( Senior Warden , RSPB Gruinart Reserve ) he made the point that the Barnacle Geese are not enjoying the presence of the various White-tailed Eagles visiting the head of the loch. Over the years, since protective wildlife legislation came into being and the reserve was first set up, disturbance from shooting has ceased and the geese have been used to a completely tranquil existent within their adopted winter quarters. Enter the new marauding upstarts that are not only big, but brutal too and quite capable of picking out some hapless individual, knocking it down in flight and treating it as prey. No wonder chaos ensues at the first sight of one of these more recent arrivals to the island!
Later, as I completed some slightly late WeBS counts ( sorry BTO! ) , various flocks of both Barnacle and Greenland White-fronted Geese could be seen on stubble fields around Loch Gorm. Also there were four Whooper Swans previous to them moving off southwards. I missed a view of a leucistic Barnacle Goose as I spoke to a colleague within which time the goose flock decided to fly off elsewhere. It will be interesting to confirm whether its the same bird that has been present in earlier winters. Further round the "circuit" two Greenland White-fronted Geese carried orange neck collars but never assumed a sufficiently convenient position enough to read the requisite letters involved! A Peregrine appeared out of nowhere and adroitly snapped up prey, one ( I believe ) of quite a number of Skylarks that were present in the stubble field.
As the weather closed in I called things to a stop having had yet another very rewarding day!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Geese, geese and more geese!
An absolutely glorious day spent mainly in the Loch Gruinart area. With obvious signs of autumn appearing from falling leaves, evenings drawing in , temperatures good but noticeably cooler at the extreme ends of the day too, today was nonetheless an example of the best the season can award. Early morning broke fine accompanied, even before first light , with the calls of countless Barnacle Geese at roost in the upper parts of the loch.
First to move out to their feeding grounds though were Grey lag Geese, departing with a cacophony of calling leaving others of their species feeding around the lagoons with lesser numbers of Greenland White-fronted Geese. Many thousands of Barnacle Geese were strung out down the loch with much "readjustment" to their massed distribution as they reacted to the presence of, firstly, a Common Buzzard and then an overflying Grey Heron. Gradually small numbers moved to nearby feeding areas, but the vast majority remained at roost , some until well past mid-morning.
I never tire of watching geese, even to the extent of looking at every passing skein despite having seen their departure point from the massed throngs out on the loch!!
First to move out to their feeding grounds though were Grey lag Geese, departing with a cacophony of calling leaving others of their species feeding around the lagoons with lesser numbers of Greenland White-fronted Geese. Many thousands of Barnacle Geese were strung out down the loch with much "readjustment" to their massed distribution as they reacted to the presence of, firstly, a Common Buzzard and then an overflying Grey Heron. Gradually small numbers moved to nearby feeding areas, but the vast majority remained at roost , some until well past mid-morning.
I never tire of watching geese, even to the extent of looking at every passing skein despite having seen their departure point from the massed throngs out on the loch!!
There's something about a collection of flying geese that is simply irresistible.
Eventually the whole situation was thrown into complete and deafening disarray by the arrival of an adult White-tailed Eagle that not only put the whole remaining roost of several thousand geese to flight , but flew through the middle of them as well. Confusion mixed with chaos! It then saw fit to sit out at the edge of the Merse for the rest of the morning, no doubt providing a level of malevolence sufficient to keep anxiety levels at a high threshold.
Most of the geese that arrive in October spend quite a time at first in the Gruinart area before gradually moving out after three weeks or so to exploit other feeding areas. With the arrival and presence of the eagle, large numbers of geese congregated on fields at the head of the loch , whilst others filtered back and remained on the exposed sands and mud of the loch itself. Throughout the time following their arrival the birds are ultra nervous and "spook" very easily but, with patience, it's possible to get close views of them.
Certainly a spectacle, an experience to place effort against and something not to be missed ! A great morning, oh , and the male and female Hen Harrier quartering the field below the viewing platform weren't bad either!!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
100's and then 1000's !
Some years ago I recollect a song with the title or first line " The day that the rain came down ". Well, the rain did come down at intervals with some pretty fierce showers sweeping through aided by the strong wind, but that was nothing compared to the arrival, as predicted, of our wintering geese.
Apparently birds had been heard on the move over Loch Indaal during the night of 8th/9th, but with strengthening northerly winds the real avian downpour began. As mentioned previously, the birds appear to have an uncanny ability to predict how they might use positively developing weather conditions in order to make their migration passage easier. Faster, much less energy used and, simply put, better than battling away into a head wind.
Numbers at the head of Loch Indaal ranged variously between 4-5000, with a core element resting out on the exposed mud or on the Merse , but with other birds more mobile. RSPB had counted over 31,000 on the Loch Gruinart Reserve, so at least 35,000 had arrived in a large advancing "cloud" from Iceland, which they use as a staging point. What a sight, what a noise! As ever, odd skeins of birds could be seen flying north, having overshot Islay and then adjusted their trajectory. The calls of these and other arriving birds are a great experience to take in , representing contact no doubt, but I suspect what could also be described as avian relief and joy, wind assisted or not. A good day!
Apparently birds had been heard on the move over Loch Indaal during the night of 8th/9th, but with strengthening northerly winds the real avian downpour began. As mentioned previously, the birds appear to have an uncanny ability to predict how they might use positively developing weather conditions in order to make their migration passage easier. Faster, much less energy used and, simply put, better than battling away into a head wind.
Numbers at the head of Loch Indaal ranged variously between 4-5000, with a core element resting out on the exposed mud or on the Merse , but with other birds more mobile. RSPB had counted over 31,000 on the Loch Gruinart Reserve, so at least 35,000 had arrived in a large advancing "cloud" from Iceland, which they use as a staging point. What a sight, what a noise! As ever, odd skeins of birds could be seen flying north, having overshot Islay and then adjusted their trajectory. The calls of these and other arriving birds are a great experience to take in , representing contact no doubt, but I suspect what could also be described as avian relief and joy, wind assisted or not. A good day!
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Wintering goose arrival imminent!
Although my recent efforts have more centred on getting to grips with numbers and behaviour of Grey lag Geese in residence linked to wider enquiries over northern Scotland relating to their control, ensuing days will see the arrival of our main wintering numbers of Barnacle Geese and Greenland White-fronted Geese.
Already very low numbers of both have trickled in and have enjoyed the wide open expanse of RSPB's Gruinart Reserve to themselves. Soon this situation will alter dramatically with many thousand birds set to arrive. The usual time is mid-October but weather can play its part in assisting their journey, a factor that they appear to be uncannily accurate in exploiting. Recently winds have been centred for several days in the east, although fairly light. On Thursday we are set to have moderate northerly winds, albeit for a day only, before the system turns into easterlies again. Whether or not this short window of opportunity will be used is anyone's guess, but an exciting prospect nonetheless. Even a "short hop" from Iceland with a tail wind is something to take benefit from if its available! Without going into the physics of it all, wind direction can change with altitude, so attempting to predict arrivals with what, in turn, is forecast at ground level is a bit of a lottery given that birds will take advantage of such conditions.
Seemingly undeterred by all this, groups and flocks of Light bellied Brent Geese have been moving through southwards to Ireland over the past days. Small fly through groups have been a regular feature and a flock of around 80-90 on the 6th ( Sunday ) at the head of Loch Indaal during early afternoon had left some three hours later. Similarly a slightly larger flock of around 120 was present there yesterday (7th) and no doubt have reached Ireland by now where the majority of them winter. In some ways these could be judged to be the earliest of arrivals or passage birds given the numbers involved, but infrequently numbers of Pink footed Geese can pass through even slightly earlier. From past experience this can often happen at night and I remember lying in bed on one occasion and hearing a flock move through ( no jokes, it was pitch black at the time as opposed to mid morning!!! ).
With the big arrivals is the possibility of rare geese being within the ranks of the vociferous throng of birds and so hopes are high for the presence of a Snow Goose or Lesser Canada Goose. Lets not forget the equally exciting prospect of Whooper Swans on passage, with their trumpeting calls echoing over the landscape. The north west part of Islay is a favourite place to watch out for them with birds often taking time out to rest, preen or feed on Loch Gorm before carrying on their journey to Ireland. Some remain for a while and are a feature of local stubble fields, although numbers dwindle as winter progresses.
So a time of anticipation and enjoyment, which I'm sure is expressed as much by the geese themselves on their arrival at their traditional gathering ground at the head of Loch Gruinart where they congregate for a few weeks before dispersing over the islands. The cacophony of the assembled throng is something to witness and enjoy each and every autumn, indeed when the geese move off in Spring the island always feels to be beset by an uncanny silence as their regular flights and calls throughout the winter are put on hold for a period of months. Shortly, that silence is to be broken and an extremely welcome backcloth it will be to the forthcoming winter period. Can't wait!!
Already very low numbers of both have trickled in and have enjoyed the wide open expanse of RSPB's Gruinart Reserve to themselves. Soon this situation will alter dramatically with many thousand birds set to arrive. The usual time is mid-October but weather can play its part in assisting their journey, a factor that they appear to be uncannily accurate in exploiting. Recently winds have been centred for several days in the east, although fairly light. On Thursday we are set to have moderate northerly winds, albeit for a day only, before the system turns into easterlies again. Whether or not this short window of opportunity will be used is anyone's guess, but an exciting prospect nonetheless. Even a "short hop" from Iceland with a tail wind is something to take benefit from if its available! Without going into the physics of it all, wind direction can change with altitude, so attempting to predict arrivals with what, in turn, is forecast at ground level is a bit of a lottery given that birds will take advantage of such conditions.
Seemingly undeterred by all this, groups and flocks of Light bellied Brent Geese have been moving through southwards to Ireland over the past days. Small fly through groups have been a regular feature and a flock of around 80-90 on the 6th ( Sunday ) at the head of Loch Indaal during early afternoon had left some three hours later. Similarly a slightly larger flock of around 120 was present there yesterday (7th) and no doubt have reached Ireland by now where the majority of them winter. In some ways these could be judged to be the earliest of arrivals or passage birds given the numbers involved, but infrequently numbers of Pink footed Geese can pass through even slightly earlier. From past experience this can often happen at night and I remember lying in bed on one occasion and hearing a flock move through ( no jokes, it was pitch black at the time as opposed to mid morning!!! ).
With the big arrivals is the possibility of rare geese being within the ranks of the vociferous throng of birds and so hopes are high for the presence of a Snow Goose or Lesser Canada Goose. Lets not forget the equally exciting prospect of Whooper Swans on passage, with their trumpeting calls echoing over the landscape. The north west part of Islay is a favourite place to watch out for them with birds often taking time out to rest, preen or feed on Loch Gorm before carrying on their journey to Ireland. Some remain for a while and are a feature of local stubble fields, although numbers dwindle as winter progresses.
So a time of anticipation and enjoyment, which I'm sure is expressed as much by the geese themselves on their arrival at their traditional gathering ground at the head of Loch Gruinart where they congregate for a few weeks before dispersing over the islands. The cacophony of the assembled throng is something to witness and enjoy each and every autumn, indeed when the geese move off in Spring the island always feels to be beset by an uncanny silence as their regular flights and calls throughout the winter are put on hold for a period of months. Shortly, that silence is to be broken and an extremely welcome backcloth it will be to the forthcoming winter period. Can't wait!!
Friday, October 4, 2013
Environment, wildlife and power!
For the past three weeks I've been linked in with the annual conferences of the three major political parties in the UK. It's nice to be back to normality!! There's much that could be written, commented on, condemned even, but this is not the location to pursue such tasks, with the exception of one and that is
" What appears to be the current stance of each Party on environmental and wildlife matters"
Well, you'd have to look pretty hard in those " policy store cupboards" to find much that would appease the concerns of the sort of people who I guess read this Blog. Indeed, you'd have to work hard and listen very carefully to pick up any statements even relating to such matters. That our countryside is increasingly seen as a commodity towards which no real commitment or empathy is extended is a worry. All parties seem hitched to the energy rail at present with references to "alternatives" being the order of the day and much pledging and in-fighting being apparent as to the most suitable way forward. I always worry when "environment" subsumes absolutely everything , including our natural heritage and its needs, as it always seems that such "surroundings" are taken for granted, are presumed to be somehow self-regulating whatever abuse we impose on them and that, preferably, all will be achieved without one iota of expenditure. The forthcoming consultation on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP ) changes in England, the allocation of subsidies and the effect these will have on our countryside for decades to come are something to follow closely!!
Setting aside the energy debates and references to climate change and fracking we were told by Nick Clegg ( LibDem leader ) that Natural England had been "saved" by David Heath (LibDem), but without any context surrounding the statement or explanation of what NE even does. Sadly I suspect most of the overall electorate wouldn't have a clue what the organization attempts to achieve or the strictures it operates under even when in existence. Ed Miliband ( Labour leader ) had nothing really to say on the environment ( other than linked to energy ! ) nor did any other Shadow Minister unless I missed something. A major worry here is the mention, as a part solution to the current housing crisis, the possibility of NEW TOWNS being created. Where, what size, and with what accompanying disruption one might ask?
And then we have the Tories. Well, I have to say that, in part, and on this occasion only, I was pleasantly surprised. Last Monday morning the Rt.Hon. Owen Paterson ( Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ) made a presentation in which there was more than a sprinkling of words like "wildlife", "biodiversity", "habitats" and the like. Whether or not, in the absence of anything similar previously, this was an attempt to show that the Tory Party had an environmental heart and was staving off criticisms levelled before in this respect, is hard to judge. I'm not a fan of said Minister, he's far too glib and overconfident for my liking and I'm never really convinced by his announcements. But on this occasion at least there had been an attempt to address issues about which many people have concerns. The downside is that he is firmly of the view that the environment and economic development are not mutually exclusive and that the solution to all ills in this scenario rests on the question of our adopting the practice of biodiversity offsetting. I can do no better than refer you to the excellent piece ( Giving nature a helping hand ) that Martin Harper ( Director of Conservation, RSPB ) put out on this subject on the 12th September on the RSPB's Community site, links to which appear not to be working at present. So, are we finally seeing some recognition of the needs of our natural heritage ( he pledged firmly to protect same ! ) or is it all window dressing? Time will tell, but I hope not, and have to say that said Minister's involvement at an RSPB Fringe Meeting was noteworthy. Whilst his convictions don't necessarily persuade me away from my current views, such have to be respected and continuing attempts made to achieve or ensure efforts to provide for our natural heritage are up to the mark. Suffice to say that, on this occasion, at least the subject had received a fair hearing.
Whilst I wouldn't normally stray into the following sort of territory, on this occasion I feel compelled to draw attention to a recent book that is controversial to say the least. Given it was raining for most of the day yesterday I spent my time ( and half of the night ! ) reading it.
Look at the reviews and , if you feel it's for you, then ensure you read it. Having read Alistair Campbell's diaries this, by contrast, has a more refreshing style and is an easier read. You may not enjoy the revelations, indeed you may begin to question the very system that allows approaches such as those described to flourish. Whilst a lot of the " Westminster family" work very, very hard for most of the time, it does leave you with a feeling that there's no wonder our natural heritage is not seen as a vote catcher. Power, exposure, profile, self achievement, all bubble to the surface alongside the very genuine efforts to make our world a better place to live in. But, is this the way to try and achieve it? Damian McBride will long be branded as an outsider and an exception to the rule. Really!! I think he's done a first class job of revealing how the system can operate and doubtless does operate more regularly than we suspect. Enjoy!
" What appears to be the current stance of each Party on environmental and wildlife matters"
Well, you'd have to look pretty hard in those " policy store cupboards" to find much that would appease the concerns of the sort of people who I guess read this Blog. Indeed, you'd have to work hard and listen very carefully to pick up any statements even relating to such matters. That our countryside is increasingly seen as a commodity towards which no real commitment or empathy is extended is a worry. All parties seem hitched to the energy rail at present with references to "alternatives" being the order of the day and much pledging and in-fighting being apparent as to the most suitable way forward. I always worry when "environment" subsumes absolutely everything , including our natural heritage and its needs, as it always seems that such "surroundings" are taken for granted, are presumed to be somehow self-regulating whatever abuse we impose on them and that, preferably, all will be achieved without one iota of expenditure. The forthcoming consultation on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP ) changes in England, the allocation of subsidies and the effect these will have on our countryside for decades to come are something to follow closely!!
Setting aside the energy debates and references to climate change and fracking we were told by Nick Clegg ( LibDem leader ) that Natural England had been "saved" by David Heath (LibDem), but without any context surrounding the statement or explanation of what NE even does. Sadly I suspect most of the overall electorate wouldn't have a clue what the organization attempts to achieve or the strictures it operates under even when in existence. Ed Miliband ( Labour leader ) had nothing really to say on the environment ( other than linked to energy ! ) nor did any other Shadow Minister unless I missed something. A major worry here is the mention, as a part solution to the current housing crisis, the possibility of NEW TOWNS being created. Where, what size, and with what accompanying disruption one might ask?
And then we have the Tories. Well, I have to say that, in part, and on this occasion only, I was pleasantly surprised. Last Monday morning the Rt.Hon. Owen Paterson ( Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ) made a presentation in which there was more than a sprinkling of words like "wildlife", "biodiversity", "habitats" and the like. Whether or not, in the absence of anything similar previously, this was an attempt to show that the Tory Party had an environmental heart and was staving off criticisms levelled before in this respect, is hard to judge. I'm not a fan of said Minister, he's far too glib and overconfident for my liking and I'm never really convinced by his announcements. But on this occasion at least there had been an attempt to address issues about which many people have concerns. The downside is that he is firmly of the view that the environment and economic development are not mutually exclusive and that the solution to all ills in this scenario rests on the question of our adopting the practice of biodiversity offsetting. I can do no better than refer you to the excellent piece ( Giving nature a helping hand ) that Martin Harper ( Director of Conservation, RSPB ) put out on this subject on the 12th September on the RSPB's Community site, links to which appear not to be working at present. So, are we finally seeing some recognition of the needs of our natural heritage ( he pledged firmly to protect same ! ) or is it all window dressing? Time will tell, but I hope not, and have to say that said Minister's involvement at an RSPB Fringe Meeting was noteworthy. Whilst his convictions don't necessarily persuade me away from my current views, such have to be respected and continuing attempts made to achieve or ensure efforts to provide for our natural heritage are up to the mark. Suffice to say that, on this occasion, at least the subject had received a fair hearing.
Whilst I wouldn't normally stray into the following sort of territory, on this occasion I feel compelled to draw attention to a recent book that is controversial to say the least. Given it was raining for most of the day yesterday I spent my time ( and half of the night ! ) reading it.
Look at the reviews and , if you feel it's for you, then ensure you read it. Having read Alistair Campbell's diaries this, by contrast, has a more refreshing style and is an easier read. You may not enjoy the revelations, indeed you may begin to question the very system that allows approaches such as those described to flourish. Whilst a lot of the " Westminster family" work very, very hard for most of the time, it does leave you with a feeling that there's no wonder our natural heritage is not seen as a vote catcher. Power, exposure, profile, self achievement, all bubble to the surface alongside the very genuine efforts to make our world a better place to live in. But, is this the way to try and achieve it? Damian McBride will long be branded as an outsider and an exception to the rule. Really!! I think he's done a first class job of revealing how the system can operate and doubtless does operate more regularly than we suspect. Enjoy!
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