The week the "environment" died ( or potentially so!).

Throughout everyone's lives particular dates emerge that stay with us all through the years. Personal matters rank highly, but these can sit alongside dates of significant events which take place, be they the outbreak of a war, the death of a monarch or, indeed, man's landing on the moon. Sadly , it seems to me that, as a conservationist, this last week could go down as that when the self-claimed Greenest Government finally turned its back on both commitments and realities to the environment that are emerging which will have immense influences on our future countryside and wildlife. Dramatic, unreasonable, unfair even! Well, possibly, but this is how it feels and such conclusions arising amongst the electorate are concerns which any Government should address. The fact is, it doesn't feel such is happening, indeed, successive indicators appear to reinforce such feelings of despair.

We recently saw some very positive proposals emerge relating to forestry, but can we really believe such reflected the Government sincere commitments?  Think about it and what was proposed previously and the reaction which emerged. No , the Government undoubtedly listened, but determined, in its own political interests, that it couldn't afford to alienate so many reasonable people given an election arising in 2015. A reprieve for our national woodlands, but so there should have been, indeed the initial proposals should never have arisen!

Last week saw the Government's Triennial Review consultation closing in which the future of Natural England now rests. But given the organization's objectives had been "amended" last year better to reflect the needs of commercial development and, successively, its budgets reduced, could such an organization ever be at the top of its game? Additionally, when attempting to operate within such strictures, it hardly helps when the Chancellor is forever intoning the need to relax environmental regulation and the Prime Minister is extolling the need for a review of European Environmental Regulations. Not the utterances to draw confidence from.  The "sensible money" would seem to be indicating that Natural England will be absorbed into the Environment Agency , but we shall see. What does shine through is that there is no level of interest or real empathy with environmental matters in their own right. Oh yes, but there's the Countryside Alliance some would say. But is real interest or empathy a product of treating the countryside as a playground, if you own a horse or a gun that is, or an area ripe for commercial exploitation or as a larder?  What of the countryside in its own right, wherein it provides spiritual uplift via its landscapes and plays host to our ever receding native wildlife ?  Conservatism and the retention of all things worthwhile no longer seem to gel together!

At a more local level we hear shocking stories of some local authorities considering abolishing ranger services and axing countryside initiatives due to the need to respond to the swingeing budget reductions imposed by Central Government. Sadly, environmental schemes are always an immediate target in such circumstances, but one hopes good reason will prevail. It has to be said that the benefits to health and well-being never appear to be factored in to such decisions, which most likely arise from an examination of sterile balance sheets. Whilst I am not against cost cutting or sensible economies, the incompetent performances of past and current administrations in their budgets leave something to be desired. Expensive "white elephants" ,such as those emerging from the recent reviews on defence procurement, would cover the commitments to the environment several times over and yet the continuing presence within the Exchequer's balance sheet for such initiatives, eventually swept off at the stroke of a pen, ensured that essential maintenance or enhancement to the very fabric of the pleasant land we were endeavouring to protect was simply not possible.  OK, well maybe a little over the top, but it is the feeling one is left with and that within any budget debates "the environment" is almost debarred from consideration!  In summary, do we want to preside over an environment whose condition has deteriorated to that exhibiting the lowest common denominator of biodiversity and quality or do we want to live in vibrant and uplifting circumstances?

And then comes the much vaunted talks on the EU Budget!  Well, I think we have a real problem with the outcome, verging on a potential disaster, when linked to the demonstrated lack of interest from our Green Government. We have to face reality and accept that the UK embraced intensive farming in the recent past to an over-enthusiastic degree, which has resulted in the decimation of the wildlife and botanical diversity in such areas.  Now we can debate and analyse it until the cows come home, quite literally, but what emerges is that, if we wish to rectify those excesses of the past to any reasonable degree , we need to take action now. Given the requisite budget that would otherwise have provided the funding has been reduced by 11 billion Euros and given that there has been a mandate given to allow Member States to reallocate what remains in conservation funds towards affected agricultural subsidies, the net result is that the potential for assisting wildlife conservation on farmland is much the poorer. Whether this production obsessed Government will be interested in seeking out alternative means of assisting such initiatives will be a test for the future. At the present time one imagines the concerns of the Secretary of State are equine in nature and that we may have to wait for some little time before our questions are answered, if , indeed, there was any prospect in the first place!!

Illegal shorebird trapping in China.

News has emerged about migratory shorebirds being trapped for the meat industry in China. Apparently this illegal trapping is done by using mist nets and there are reports of the practice being on the increase. Conservationists have reported such activities to the Chinese Authorities but no action has resulted. A call is now being made , via a petition to the Government of the Peoples' Republic in China, for such activities to be brought to an end. This can be signed by following the link below,
End illegal shorebird trapping in China.

Whilst the promoted concern relates to Spoon-billed Sandpiper, no figures or data are presented to back up the claim and, therefore, the activity must be viewed as a potential threat to this endangered species as opposed to an activity which is currently decimating its numbers! With only around 100 known breeding pairs in the world there is clearly a justification for eliminating any activity which poses a threat, either now or in the future. Perhaps these activities need to be viewed in the wider context of the threat they pose to any species of shorebird. With various coastal habitats having been lost in  south east Asia, focussed activities that are concentrated on sites remaining which shorebirds utilise are of major concern. Having seen the intensity of the inshore fishing activity in the coastal waters through which one passes to visit Happy Island I have no doubt as to the efficiency with which the current shorebird trapping enterprises will be carried out and, therefore, their potential effects!!.

Given the UK's initiatives linked to the Spoon-billed Sandpiper I would urge everyone to sign the above petition, not least to offer some protection in future to the many species of shorebirds which pass along China's coastline.

The realities of bird conservation.

This is a book everyone should read, be they already an ardent conservationist or, equally, perhaps more importantly, if they have no particular sympathies with wildlife or environmentalism. There are a number of reasons why I personally enjoyed it so much. I worked for the RSPB for much of the period within which the narrative takes place, I admit to sharing the same opinions presented within the book and I also know the author!! Such being the case I suppose it's hardly likely I would find fault with its contents ( I don't! ), indeed it's slightly embarrassing to admit I agree with virtually all which is said in its 300 or so pages. I'd actually go a step further and suggest that its title should be a necessary reference source within every current academic conservation and environmental course due to its pragmatic style and up to date treatment. Additionally it would behove many whose managerial duties and responsibilities touch on the above subject areas to read it,  indeed,and in particular, it could be considered a compulsory text for those within Government, DEFRA and Planning Authority staff  and many within the agricultural industry!!

So why such unqualified support?

The reader will soon find that the pragmatic and logical approach taken towards some pretty hefty issues is consistent and is combined with a writing style that is light and entertaining, educational and presents summarized information which leads the reader to a better understanding of the various subjects under examination. I certainly appreciated certain matters better than I had done previously and I'd worked within "the industry"! Such success is not an easy one to achieve within a "factual book", but is something the author repeats with admirable ease.

Much of this is accomplished by the issues being set out in a personal context that ensures the "journey", which also embraces the beginnings of the author's interest in natural history, coupled with his more critical involvements in later years, is recounted in a very direct way.  There's humour too. The stories linked to the Reverend Gilbert White's research on bats and the observed activities, by the author, of biologically enthusiastic Bee-eaters on the Camargue are just two amongst many which made me smile. But there is much, much more which is equally as entertaining within the book. Aspects of contemporary conservation "history", cameo stories of personalities who themselves have played major parts within both research and policy advocation undertaken over the years and explanations related to the outcomes of various practical initiatives applied to different conservation challenges are all presented in an informative and engaging way.

In short this is a book that must  be read as widely as possible. As an extremely well constructed foundation dealing with the challenges confronting conservation, and the choices and approaches we might apply to them, this is a "blueprint" that should steer our thoughts and actions for some time to come.

On a more light hearted note I have also to mention the following!! I purchased my copy of the book last year, but then had two-three months with eye trouble within which time I did little or no serious reading. Throughout that time I had left the book out on a table as a reminder that I must return to it at an early stage. As you can see the book's cover carries a superimposed photograph of Mark Avery himself. During the whole of that time I was conscious of a gaze which followed me when passing, as if in mild rebuke for being ignored, but it served as an additional reminder that I should read it at the earliest opportunity!!  Well, it's been worth the wait and I've also every intention of reading it again at some point such is the overwhelming value of its contents. A real pleasure, a great read  and something I have no compunction in recommending to everyone, particularly birders. The various subjects presented in separate chapters, themselves replete with endless examples relevant to the case being considered, serve to illustrate why we should all find time to       " Fight for birds", a mission that the book more than successfully achieves.

"Fighting for Birds  -  25 years in nature conservation"    Mark Avery.
Pelagic Publishing   www.pelagicpublishing.com
ISBN 978-1- 907807-29-9.  (Pbk ).
  

Back to (early? ) reality.

After succeeding days of dealing with the aftermath of returning from a period of being away, today provided some opportunity to see what was happening around home.  Sometimes, in winter, its a question of determining what is not around , as opposed to what is present. Suddenly that can change in Spring ( which comes upon us very often earlier than is supposed ), but that was not really confirmed today!

The moors around were virtually devoid of birds, with only a couple of exceptions. A distant silhouette proved to be a single Curlew sitting out on a knoll, but with no calls signalling its arrival, presence or departure. Strange that flocks are present on both Lochs Indaal and Gruinart and certain fields adjacent to them, and yet clearly this individual felt the need to visit (?) a local area.  Also noticeable were a couple of Herring Gulls patrolling over the open ground, a feature which progressively becomes more obvious as Spring advances.

Other than that.....not a lot!! A flock of Fieldfare, by numbers the ones which have been around for a while, periodically either fed on the ground or perched up on overhead telephone wires. A single Starling also perched up and gave out of its varied song. Absent was any sign of Stonechats, which I think almost exclusively high tail it down to more coastal spots during the height of winter and derive a living from a slightly less demanding habitat. So, no awards for diversity or biomass on this occasion!!!

Return to base. 2.2.2013.

Overnight had seen some snow, which I  presumed had then melted and coated the car screen etc in ice. After clearing all that away , I set off around 0800 hours. Quite quickly conditions improved and it was an enjoyable journey back northwards up the A1, westwards over the A66,  and then northwards up to Glasgow, over the mountains at Arrochar and on over the western parts of Argyll to the ferry terminal at Kenncraig. Two hours or so on the ferry, made more tolerable by conversations about birds and conservation with Malcolm Ogilvie, before the final hours drive to home from Port Ellen.  In all a thirteen hour plus day, but without incident and actually quite enjoyable given the consistent conditions. Long journeys never really produce bird sightings to any degree , but a skein of Pink-footed Geese in the area of the Solway broke the monotony. The ferry journey was completed in darkness and provided no opportunity to look for divers or sea birds.

Despite the recent bad weather on Islay, there was no damage or problems and even the bins were still in position, which was a surprise!!

Icelandic in all but origin. 1.2.2013

Following a further busy day I decided I'd use my final "free" day in visiting the coast. The Iceland Gull present at Barmston on the east coast of Yorkshire considered to be the form,  kumlieni, seemed an opportunity too good to miss, so early morning saw me headed in that direction. It took a while before I saw this vagrant from NE Canada and, whilst I agreed it looked more robust and heavier billed than the nominate form, I never actually saw it down on the ground. It appeared  flew around for a while and then disappeared on three occasions and gave more than rewarding views.

During this time period of almost three hours a noticeable movement of 300-400 Herring Gull took place southwards down the coast. Odd Red-throated divers moved off the coast and odd parties of Dunlin and some Sanderling were in evidence. Later I moved to Hornsea and spent some time at The Mere looking through the large numbers of waterbirds which were present. all in all , a good day!

Taking account of the predicted weather which was developing I'd changed my plans such that I would now be travelling back to Islay tomorrow, as opposed to in three days time when forecasts suggested things were likely to be a bit "robust".!!!  It's best to be flexible living in my part of the world.

A long vigil. 30.1.2013.

After a necessary day on the 29th committed to business, I set off early today straight to Spurn again, intent on seeing the Richard's Pipit. However I first of all took a few photographs given the suitable weather conditions. The tide was low and the huge expanse of mud exposed on Humberside providing a vast feeding area for innumerable waders.

This shows the huge enclosed "sweep" of the Spurn Peninsula away around to its tip where the lighthouse and cottages of the lifeboat crew are located. A couple of bait diggers can be seen setting out to a selected area way out on the exposed mudflats. The history of Spurn is fascinating, with successive peninsulas having existed throughout history. I always thought, many years ago, that I would probably see the current peninsula being permanently breached. That situation has been close , is still close and doubtless is poised to happen at some near future point!  What must be appreciated is that the east coast of Yorkshire comprises, along its southern extension, an exposure of boulder clay, which is eroded away so easily by heavy seas. Moving down the peninsula from Kilnsea one meets , at what might be described as the widest point, the old Blue Bell Hotel. On its external wall nowadays are two plaques, which pay testament to the changes which have taken place in that they depict the distance of the building from the sea.

So, over the period 1847 to 1994, over two metres a year has been lost, more in some years than in others.
A scary concept if you live on the very edge of the coast!! When first I went to Spurn, and just along from the Blue Bell, was Kilnsea Cliff, which has since been lost in entirety!!

So following this interlude I then went up to the Kilnsea Wetlands only to discover that "the bird", in the form of Richard's Pipit, had been seen at 0840 hours , but had then flown off. Typical!!  So, I settled in for a potentially long wait within which time there was precious little else to challenge or entertain. The main excitement was a squall within a period of rising winds that must have topped 60 mph, rocked the hide, forced water in through every joint and caused the passing heavy rain showers to be horizontal and look like misty snow!! All in all I stayed there for five hours!! I took a break at the end of the afternoon and returned after a half hour or so. Imagine my surprise when, within the next half hour, the bird flew closely past the hide, gave tremendous views for a couple of minutes or so and then disappeared!!  A lesson in application and discipline if you want to be a nerd, but a reality in being frozen and stiff if you're human!! I'll leave you to decide!

Close encounters with a Spoonbill. 28.1.2013.

Whilst the morning was taken up with some formal commitments the afternoon saw me at the coast north of Spurn Head doing a bit of sea watching. It was rather quiet, although a few Red-throated Divers were moving around along a coastal stretch that is a traditional wintering area. I decided to go down to Spurn itself, take a few photographs at leisure and look for the Spoonbill that was frequenting the Kilnsea Wetlands area.
Spurn has a very special place in my memories, my heart even if we want to get sentimental, as it was the first real place that my serious birding "took off" after Wath Ings, now the Old Moor RSPB Reserve, where I received tutelage and friendship from figures such as Dave Standring, Alan Archer, Colin Bower, Mike Clegg, Malcolm Rhymer and David Ashurst. My first holiday at Spurn was, I think, towards the end of the 1950's when Geoff Aynsley and myself had a couple of weeks there at the end of August one year. Fellow kindred spirits were Charlie Winn and Ken Hardcastle, but we were all  "presided over" by one, Lt.Col, H.G.Brownlow, who used to take up residence there for weeks at a time. His passion was bird ringing and his habit was to recruit volunteers for either "long" or "semi-long" drives down towards the Warren heligoland trap. I don't think I ever endured a "long" drive, "semi longs" were extensive enough and sometimes only resulted in a couple of unfortunate Willow Warblers despite the effort!! His pronouncement, on one occasion, that we were all good chaps, but he wouldn't have recruited any of us as subalterns said it all!! And it goes on for probably a couple of decades, memories galore, some absolutely priceless!

Anyway, after some general birding, resulting in not too much, I went up to Kilnsea Wetlands. Imagine my surprise when , in walking to the hide overlooking the wetland area, I turned a corner on the access track and there was the Spoonbill. A great view , but I did wonder about a bird that was so tolerant.

The bird was obviously weak but, nonetheless, was able to fly past me for a few metres. I later learned, sadly, that it had been found dead on the day following, no doubt a victim of the harsh weather and the limited resources available at a site which has only relatively recently been developed. A great shame!

Later that evening I also learned ( Grrh!! ) that a Richard's Pipit had been seen at the same site , but had moved off early in the morning towards Sammy's Point on Humberside.

Time to move on . 27.1.2013.

Given Matthew had to return to work on the 28th I'd elected to spend some time on my own in East Yorkshire where there are endless good sites for birdwatching. By now the snow had virtually disappeared and access to all sites was easy.


After leaving  Matthew and Rose's flat in Sheffield I decided to take a trip down memory lane and visit several sites in the Penistone area where I used to live. In truth I didn't see very much that was of particular interest, but the visits rekindled particular memories that , in themselves, were enjoyable. With the upland reservoirs having just lost their ice covering only the most hardy remnants of the previously present Mallard and Tufted Ducks were in evidence. One area I visited ( Whitley Common ) brought back many memories. In times past it had held breeding Common Snipe, Redshank, Curlew and Mallard and surrounding fields attracted spring flocks of Golden Plover and the almost annual small trip of Dotterel, although one spring saw in excess of twenty.. On occasions the area was the location of wintering Short-eared Owls, with larger roosts present in times of passage. Due to some stupid decision by the Barnsley Planning Authority permission was granted for an area to be "landscaped " and for it to be the permanent site for a model aircraft club. The birds, of course, disappeared and the area, admittedly still in use, reduced to the single common denominator of usage that could have been accommodated at any number of sites. Given its location on the Pennines flanks the usage of the now flattened grassed-over area is limited due to weather, but the loss of wildlife is permanent. Such is progress we are told!  However, I was amazed to find that in a number of fields to the south various "new generation" wind turbines had been erected, the sort that are very large and only one per field is the order of the day! I do hope the model aircraft never stray off course!

Of more interest to me were Little Owls! Whilst their short -eared cousins would never return, along with the Dotterel, I wondered how the local pair of these small owls was faring. I certainly didn't see any, either at a favourite barn or within the crevices of a much used stone wall. Whilst I concede the blades of these huge units would undoubtedly allow the passage of Little Owls below their scything arcs, would the very presence of this "disturbance" effect  cause birds to abandon even traditional sites?  A case of a disturbance effect, as opposed to an interference effect. I haven't the answer, although I somehow guess, somewhat sadly, that it would. Certainly I shall be overjoyed on some future occasion to find them in residence, but the point still troubles me that such effects are not something we can easily examine or determine and yet the outcome could be quite drastic. For such a past  rough area to have been promoted to one with "relevant usage", but no longer carrying any of the intrinsic wildlife value it was capable of sustaining, and proven to sustain previously, is perhaps one of the more damning lessons of our land use policies and the utter inadequacy of the planning system, in terms of the retention of wildlife value, and the people who preside over it.

After completing a call at a supermarket for routine stores for the week ahead I travelled to my base near Hull and made plans for the following days.

Elusive Waxwings. 26.1.2013.

Although 2-3" of snow had fallen overnight there was a very slow thaw in evidence and various breaks in what had been days of leaden skies.

Picking up on local information we visited various locations in Sheffield where Waxwings had been seen in the early morning , but with no success. We decided to go to the RSPB Old Moor Reserve, check additional areas on the way and, as a final fall back position, hope that the birds that had been seen regularly in that area were still about. In short, all birds had moved and even a couple of optimistic visits to new housing developments, and their pristine landscaped areas awash with Cotoneaster, failed to secure success.

Instead we finally fell back on what the reserve had to offer and thoroughly enjoyed the outcome. The feeding station was teeming with birds and it was a pleasure to see Woodpigeon, Stock Dove and Collared Dove feeding together along with birds like Bullfinch, Brambling, Tree Sparrow and Willow Tit. A quite lengthy walk along the nearby Pennine Way, which overlooks the reserve, and then continues past Bolton Ings,  was invigorating if its bird species were few in number. An enjoyable afternoon and well worth the effort.  Almost too soon the temperature began to fall and we contemplated a return, resigned to the fact that Waxwings would only show themselves when the appropriate occasion arose!!