Is the Government poised to make installation of Swift bricks mandatory for new housing developments?

                                              

After many months of prevarication, the Government is now calling for installation of Swift bricks to be a "requirement" of most new developments

CAMPAIGNERS for Swift bricks to be installed in new housing developments will take heart from a planning consultation document published this week by the Government.

The document acknowledges that the planning system needs to "provide clearer and more comprehensive expectations for how new development should contribute positively to the natural environment".

Sadly, its advice is mostly vague rather than specific.

It states: "New development should  include improvements for nature, using actions from Local Nature Recovery Strategies, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions."

But the encouraging note comes at the end where it states that development should "add features for wildlife - with a new requirement for Swift bricks".

The document is out for wider consulation, with contributions welcome from the public. 

More information at: National Planning Policy Framework: proposed reforms and other changes to the planning system - GOV.UK

Why did authorities wait three months before appealing for information on missing White-tailed Eagles?

Mystery over fate of three missing White-tailed Eagles

THE RSPB is offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction of anyone complicit in the disappearance of three White-tailed Eagles at locations in  North Wales, Hampshire and Scotland.

The offer coincides with press releases issued by the Roy Dennis Foundation and Forestry England - two organisations involved in reintroduction projects for these very special raptors.

But why the delay in releasing the information given that two incidents  occurred three months ago?

Incident 1: 

On 13 September, a satellite tag belonging to bird G615 was recovered in remote moorland. The tag had been removed with a sharp instrument before being hidden in an attempt to dispose of it. Searches in the area to try and locate the body of the bird have so far been unsuccessful. Dyfed Powys Police are investigating.

Incident 2:

On 26 September, a satellite tag belonging to bird G842 was recovered from the River Rother, near Petersfield. It had been removed from the bird using a sharp instrument. Searches in the area to try and locate the body of the bird have so far been unsuccessful. Sussex Police are investigating.

Incident 3:

Concerns are growing for bird G819 after its tag, which usually transmits the data daily,  stopped working. The last transmission was sent on 8 November in the Moorfoot Hills south of Edinburgh in the Southern Uplands. Police Scotland are investigating.

Ruth Tingay of Raptor Persecution UK comments: "There is no doubt that at least two of these eagles were the victims of illegal persecution, given the clear evidence that their satellite tags had been cut off and crude attempts were made to hide them. 

"Given the area in south Scotland where the third White-tailed Eagle has vanished, is a well-known persecution hotspot, it would not be a surprise to learn that that bird has also been killed illegally, most likely shot."

The Wryneck says: The RSPB's money is probably safe. If it had made its reward offer in September, there would have been more prospect of information coming forth. But now the crime trail has probably grown cold. And even if, at this late stage, infomation does come to light, what realistic chance of successful prosecution leading to a conviction? 

Rare shorebird visitor to coastal defence groyne put in peril by carelessly-discarded fishing line

It is well-camouflaged but the tiny sandpiper (about the size of a Starling) - and the fishing line - can clearly be seen

A STRETCH of fishing line thoughtlessly discarded by an angler this week put a rare shorebird at risk off the North Promenade in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire.

Purple Sandpipers breed in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions in summer, but they migrate south in winter.

In most years in Cleethorpes, one or two (or occasionally three) can sometimes be seen, when the tide is high,  pecking for insect prey on the wooden groynes, especially those north of the pier.

The well-camouflaged bird pictured above was hopping about, perilously close to fishing line. One hop in the wrong direction could have seen one or both legs being snagged - with unhappy consequences.

But the sandpiper avoided mishap and later flew to another groyne  to continue its quest for food

The fishing line has since been removed and disposed of in a safe place.

                              

The fishing line has now been removed and safely disposed of 

Report suggests that Grey Squirrels may be less inclined to feed on songbirds' eggs than is commonly supposed

                                                                       

Grey Squirrels frequently target seed and nut feeders but they may be less interested in eggs 

HOW serious a threat do Grey Squirrels pose to the eggs of nesting songbirds?

Possibly not as great as is often thought.

A report published this week on  the British Ornithologists' Union's website states that nest-camera research carried out at woodlands sites in Wales, Scotland and the Isle of Man  concluded that nest predation by squirrels was "negligible".

However, because it was evidently outside the scope of the survey, the researchers have no comment to make on their impact on nestlings.

The team's egg-predation work covered  2088 nests across a range of habitats (but few in farmland and urban sites).

The study looks at 609 separate incidents where 24 species'  eggs were predated.

It states: "Nest predation is the primary cause of nest failure across many bird species. 

"Interventions to support declining or threatened species frequently involve measures to reduce nest predation, through lethal control or non-lethal methods. 

"However, their efficacy relies on a robust understanding of predator identity. 

It continues: "Wader clutches were predominantly predated by mammals - primarily European Badger and Red Fox and, particularly on islands, European Hedgehog."

But it notes that sheep were occasionally the culprits.

It continues: "Passerine broods were taken by a wider range of predators, particularly avian predators, predominantly Eurasian Jay, Garrulus and raptors, but also reptiles." 

The report concludes: "Further work is required to expand understanding of nest predator identity so that, where appropriate for conservation, management strategies can be better informed."

Ambitious rewilding project aims to establish the White Stork as a breeding species in London's wetlands

                                                         

White Storks - is there a future for them in London? (photo: London Wildlife Trust)

COULD White Storks soon become nesting birds in London for the first time in more than 600 years?

Yes, if a rewilding project spearheaded by London Wildlife Trust pays off.

With the help of a £500,000 grant from the Mayor of London's Green Roots Fund, captive-bred chicks are due to be released in Eastbrookend Country Park, Romford, East London, in autumn next year.

It is hoped these birds will flourish in habitat alongside the park's two lakes  and go on to form the nucleus of  a breeding population - just like the Great Bustards on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire.

Enthuses Sam Davenport, Director of Nature Recovery at London Wildlife Trust: "Reintroducing iconic flagship species such as White Storks helps us all to imagine an ambitious future for nature recovery in the capital.

"The project will inspire communities to connect with nature and landowners to create more wetland habitats, in turn, benefiting other species. 

"In this way, reintroduction becomes a catalyst for wider ecological restoration, helping to build a greener, more resilient London for generations to come." 

It is understood that the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, is equally enthusiastic, but the scheme is not without controversy.

The site is in a deprived borough  of London, and there are many  residents who feel the money would be better spent on helping to alleviate poverty and other social ills.

* Elsewhere, sad news from Madrid is that about 400 White Storks have this month  been found dead alongside the Manzaranes river in Getafe, a southern suburb of Spain's capital. The corpses are being tested to establish if they have fallen victim to a virulent form of avian influenza.

Martin Parr - a brilliant photographer with a warm affection for the behaviour and 'plumage' of birders

                                                              

This image of birdwatchers at the RSPB's Rainham Marshes reserve in Kent is from the extensive portfolio of  the Magnum photographic agency. It is one of several that have been released to mark the recent sad death of  one of their members, Martin Parr, who was fascinated by birders, perhaps derived from chuldhood when his parents took him on birdwatching trips. He studied human behaviour and 'plumage' in much the same detailed way as twitchers view birds. His work is often characterised by warmth and gentle humour. Surrey-born Martin, who died aged 73 on December 6, is survived by his wife, Susie, his daugher, Ellen, and grandson, George. (More photographs at magnumphotos.com)

Bird paintings by Archibald Thorburn were star performers at London sale of British and European art

                                                                    

The Hoopoes

AN original painting of two Hoopoes by Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935)was a star lot at an auction held this week by Bonhams at their Knightsbridge saleroom.

A buyer was willing to pay £12,800 to secure the handsome study.

The high amount  shows the strong current market for work by the Scottish artist.

Later in the sale, his painting of a Merlin achieved £7,040.

Meanwhile, Thorburn's studies of a Spoonbill and a Herring Gull fetched £3,584 and £4,096 respectively.                                                

The Merlin