RSPB IN PLEA TO THE PUBLIC: LET'S CREATE MANY MORE HOMES FOR SWIFTS!

A species in decline - swifts skimming over a rooftop (photo: RSPB)

THE RSPB is urging householders to consider proving nesting homes for swifts - the more, the better.

In its latest press release, the charity states states: "Swifts are in serious trouble here, with numbers down to less than half of what they were just 20 years ago. 

"Modern buildings lack the nooks and crannies they need, and swifts are struggling to find homes.

"There are special swift nestboxes available, and if you’re having a building constructed or renovated, there’s also the option of the ‘swiftbrick’. 

"This replaces a standard house brick and can easily be installed by a builder. 

"Swift boxes and swift bricks can work especially well when put up in groups as these birds like to be near other swifts."

"Having swifts as neighbours is enjoyed by many homeowners. 

"Recent research by University of Gloucestershire Masters student Sarah Roberts  showed that people welcome the birds living on the outside of their homes. 

"When asked whether they thought built-in boxes for birds such as swifts were a good idea, 61 per cent were positive and 36 per cent unconcerned about having them in their own homes.

"Local councils and developers also have the power to make an enormous difference. 

"Some housebuilders are already integrating swift homes into new buildings. 

"For example Barratt Developments  have added 200 on their Kingsbrook estate in Aylesbury and have plans to install many more around the country. 

"The Duchy of Cornwall has been putting built in swift homes into properties from Kent to Cornwall."

More  at:

https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/act-swiftly-to-save-incredible-bird/#ZrlrSU5jKFHg9Jhm.99

The Wryneck says: This is a welcome initiative, but the RSPB needs to use its clout to do much more - for instance, by coaxing (or badgering) other large housebuilders such as Bellway, Bovis, Galliford and Persimmon to follow the example of Barratts. It could also be much more dynamic in persuading the planning authorities of local councils to encourage swiftbrick installations as a means of enhancing biodiversity at proposed residential and other developments.

HERE THEY COME! CUCKOOS HAVE BEGUN THEIR LONG JOURNEY BACK TO BRITAIN

Summer is a-comin' in!

AN update on migrating cuckoos has  today been issued by the BTO which is satellite -tracking 13 individual birds on their return from Africa to Britain.

Says the trust's director of engagement, Ieuan Evans: "Over the last couple of weeks we have seen big movements as the birds leave their wintering grounds and begin their spring migration back to the UK.   

"They are currently in the process of moving out of their wintering areas in countries such as Angola and Congo into West Africa where they will stop off before crossing the Sahara.  

"Of the 13 Cuckoos we are tracking, six have made the 2,000 km (1,250 mile) journey west with five now in Ivory Coast and one further west in Guinea. 

"We hope to tag more birds this year but urgently need to secure sponsors who could cover the £3,000 cost of a tag." 

 More specific information has been provided on three particular birds as follows:

Carlton II - 15 March, 2019  

On 9 March we received a couple of locations that suggested that Victor was in Cameroon and just after 8am on 11 March we received a good quality location that proved this is the case. However, he isn’t in Cameroon, he is in eastern Ghana, close to the border with Ivory Coast. During the last few days he has flown almost 2,000km. 

The poor locations we received from Carlton II's tag a few days ago suggested that he was on the move. However, during the evening of 14 March, he popped up in Ivory Coast, close to the border with Guinea and south of the town of Blaneu. He is 2,267km (1,408 miles) from his last location in Cameroon.

Larry - 15 March, 2019

Having not heard from Larry for the last four weeks we were beginning to wonder what had happened to him; well now we know. During the evening of 14 March he popped up in Guinea, almost 3,000km (2,000 miles) from his last known location in Congo. He is now further west than any of our tagged Cuckoos and currently in the Guinea Highlands to the southest of the village of Boutoudou. He is now 5,000km (3,000 miles) from his breeding area in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire. He arrived back in the UK on 8 May in 2018 and on 4 May in 2017.

Victor - 11 March, 2019

On 9 March we received a couple of locations that suggested that Victor was in Cameroon and just after 8am on 11 March we received a good quality location that proved this is the case. However, he isn’t in Cameroon, he is in eastern Ghana, close to the border with Ivory Coast. During the last few days he has flown almost 2,000km.

  * Potential sponsors can email Ieuan at: Ieuan.evans@bto.org 

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HEDGEROWS AND FIELD MARGINS

                                                      

THE current state of our hedgerows and field margins come under the spotlight in a new book - The Ecology of Hedgerows and Field Margins.

Edited by farmland butterflies expert Prof John Dover, it assesses the significance within the British lowland landscape of the network of hedges, ditches and grass margins.

The work is likely to be of great interest to researchers and professionals in ecology, agriculture, wildlife conservation, natural history, landscape, environmental and land management.

The first part looks at current and historic management, the impact of pesticides, the decline in hedge stock and condition, and new approaches to hedge evaluation using remote sensing techniques.

The second section explores the pollination and biological pest control benefits provided by hedges and field margins and examines the ecology of some of the major groups that are found in hedgerows and field margins - birds, butterflies and moths, carabid beetles and mammals.

Among contributors are  Nick Sotherton, John Holland and Chris Stoate.

The book costs £39.99. It can be ordered wherever books are sold.

RSPB CHIEF HAPPY WITH NEW 'GREENER' THINKING FROM GOVERNMENT

Martin Harper - pleased with Chancellor's comments on biodiversity

A NOTE of "cautious optimism" has been sounded by RSPB conservation director Martin Harper on the Government's approach to safeguarding nature and enhancing biodiversity. 

In his latest  blog he has welcomed the comment made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, in yesterday's Spring Statement that there would be a global review of the economic benefits of biodiversity on the basis that “there is an economic as well as an environmental case for protecting the diversity of the natural world”.

Says Mr Harper: "The RSPB will do what it  can to engage with this review.

"I am confident that it will conclude that the natural environment contributes significantly to our economic prosperity."

Continues Mr Harper: "The Chancellor also announced an invitation for submission of  "creative ideas… on how the Government can safeguard the biodiversity found in the Overseas Territories”. 

"This is very welcome because these places are home to some of the UK’s most iconic environments and unique species.  

"The RSPB will be delighted to contribute  ideas and looks forward to engaging with this review.

"Thirdly, the Chancellor announced that he would support the Ascension Island Council, a small UK Overseas Territory in the tropical Atlantic, in its call to receive long-term funding in order to declare 100 per cent of the island's  rich waters a highly protected Ocean Sanctuary, with no fishing allowed. 

"This is fantastic news and gives the council the financial certainty they were looking for before they made a final decision on a marine protection area.

"It  means the island's council can now protect amazing ocean wildlife, including the second largest green turtle nesting site in the Atlantic, record-breaking marlin, threatened tuna, vulnerable sharks, and foraging grounds for  tropical seabirds."

.Mr Harper also welcomed the Chancellor's insistence that "the delivery of much-needed infrastructure and housing is not at the expense of vital biodiversity”.  

He added: "We are delighted that Mr Hammond has signalled his support for greater understanding of the value of and investment in nature."

FUNDS SOUGHT BY BTO FOR NEW RESEARCH INITIATIVE ON PLIGHT OF FAST-DECLINING FLYCATCHER

Spotted flycatchers have been lost to areas where they were once common

DESPITE their unspectacular grey-brown plumage, everyone loves spotted flycatchers. But this jaunty summer visitor is a species in serious decline. The breeding population fell   39 per cent between 1995 and 2016, part of a longer-term decline of 87 per cent since 1970. In the hope of reversing this trend, the BTO is intent on pioneering more research - specifically by launching a migration-tracking project for which it is seeking funds. Below is a statement issued earlier this month by the BTO.

One of our most treasured songbirds, the Spotted Flycatcher, is disappearing. 

Formerly considered a common garden nesting species, it  is now a bird that many people are willing to travel a long way to see. 

The results of our initial research indicate that more spotted flycatchers are dying during the first year of their lives,  and that this increased mortality is likely to be behind the population decline.

Our new appeal seeks to raise funds that will enable BTO scientists to use a combination of the latest tracking devices and the support of local volunteers to follow individual birds as they migrate away from their breeding sites. 

This will help us to identify their wintering grounds and the areas that the birds use as stop-over sites en route.

From this we can begin to uncover how events at different stages of the birds’ annual cycle could be impacting on their population.

The project aims to pinpoint why Spotted flycatchers are dying, so that we might stand a better chance of addressing the alarming declines that we have charted over the last 50 years.

* More information at:
https://www.bto.org/support-us/appeals/spotted-flycatcher-appeal

A TALE OF TWO WOODCOCK - THEIR CHOICE OF MIGRATION ROUTE WAS QUITE DIFFERENT

 

 DETAILS have been released by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust of the migration journeys of two woodcock individuals after having been GPS-tagged in Cornwall.

The  birds both migrated to Northern Russia and spent summer in the Republic of Karelia, close to Finland.

The journey pursued by one bird (see fuchsia-coloured route) shows almost identical spring and autumn migration.

By contrast,  Blue takes two very different paths. On its northward journey in spring,  it favoured a southerly route, flying around the Baltic Sea via Lithuania, Latvia and and Estonia.

On its passage to Britain in autumn,  the bird travelled to the north of the Baltic via Finland and Sweden, crossing the sea at the Aland Islands and the Danish island of Laeso.

In both spring and autumn, long sea crossings directly over the Baltic are avoided. 

Unusually, however, the final leg of Blue’s autumn migration sees the bird flying west from Denmark and entering Britain on the North Norfolk coast. 

Previous research by the GWCT has revealed satellite-tagged birds taking a more continental route, travelling through Germany and the Netherlands and crossing the Channel. 

Both Blue and Fuchsia began their autumn migration on the same day, October 24.

Did Blue’s northerly route or Fuchsia’s southerly route prove  more efficient?

It appears there’s not much in it - it took both of them six days exactly.

HUGE SADNESS AS FAIR ISLE BIRD OBSERVATORY IS DESTROYED BY MYSTERY BLAZE

Happily no casualties but priceless artwork and diaries are lost

Heartbreaking! Flames rip through the building (Photo: Susannah Parnaby)

THE birding community is this week still in disbelief at the weekend blaze that destroyed the observatory building at Fair Isle - probably Britain's most celebrated offshore destination for seeing rare migrants. It is only seven years since the £4-million building was opened.  It has not yet been established what caused Sunday's  fire which is understood to have started in the roof. Happily no one was in the building, but the warden and his family lost their home. On Monday, this statement was issued by the  observatory team.


We are extremely saddened to report that the entire building has suffered extreme damage from the fire and has been completely destroyed. 

Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway and at this time we don't want to speculate any further. 

We know that it was reported around 11.20 on Sunday morning (March 10). 

Thankfully, nobody was in the building at the time, and we are very pleased to confirm that David and Susannah Parnaby and their girls are safe. 

We would also like to confirm that the wealth of bird census data collected by the observatory since 1948 data is digitised and backed up safely. 

We have, however, lost items  that are irreplaceable, including original artwork by Richard Richardson, the hand-written diaries of  George Waterston, who founded the observatory in 1948, and personally-donated private libraries.

We should like to give our sincere thanks to all the fire crews and emergency services who worked tirelessly to try and save the building. 

This included the local Fair Isle fire crew who were joined by colleagues from Lerwick and Sandwick in Shetland.

We also thank the Maritime & Coastguard Agency Rescue helicopter and the crews of the RNLI lifeboat and the Shetland Islands cargo pilot boat for their assistance in transporting fire crew and equipment to the island. 

We are indebted to the Fair Isle Community (of just 55 people) for their continued support and particularly for taking care of David, Susannah, Grace and Freyja at this time of need.

We have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from across the globe - from Shetland, the birding community and beyond - with many folk asking for details of how they can donate. 

We have comprehensive insurance, so, at least at this time, we are not launching a major fundraising campaign. 

There will inevitably be elements where the full cost of the disaster will not be fully covered by insurance, and once the situation becomes clearer we may launch future appeals for help to replace specific items. 

However, if you would like to make a donation to help support the key work of Fair Isle Bird Observatory while we get back on our feet then that would be very much appreciated.

We will not be able to honour bookings for 2019 or 2020 and the refund of deposits will be processed in due course. 

There is limited accommodation elsewhere on the island.

 Our priority now is to support David and Susannah with a medium-term aim to continue with as much ornithological census and research work as is feasible in the circumstances. 

We are all still in a state of shock but are committed to rebuilding and continuing the important work of the bird observatory.

* The link to the donation page is at:
http://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/donations.html

NEW HOME FOR WETLAND BIRDS WILL NOT BE A VISITOR ATTRACTION INSISTS COUNCIL

Work taking shape on the new wetland bird site near Grimsby

A WETLAND bird mitigation site  being created at Stallingborough, near Grimsby in North-east Lincolnshire, will NOT be promoted as a visitor attraction in the same way as, say, Frampton Marsh, Titchwell, Slimbridge or Gibraltar Point.

That is  the emphatic message from Mike Sleight, ecology officer of North East Lincolnshire, the body which will be managing the site when contractors have finished work on the project - to be known as Cress Marsh - later this year.

"It's a gem of a site, but we won't be publicising it in any of our tourist literature," he told a meeting comprised of members of Lincolnshire Bird Club, the RSPB and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

"It is not a park - it is an area where we want waders, wildfowl and other birds to be able to feed, roost and nest undisturbed by the public."

To this end, even the gate to the designated car park will be kept locked except for special "events" such as escorted trips.

That said, a wooden bird hide has been built on a bank close to the centre of the site about a kilometre away from the car park and hopefully out of sight of prospective ne'er-do-wells.

Mike, who is set to retire at the end of August, is keen that dedicated birders, including LBC members, actively monitor Cress Marsh and record their sightings.

But rather than broadcasting the information, he would prefer it to be noted in a logbook within the hide and/or relayed to his colleague, Rachel Graham, who will be liaising with Natural England which will have oversight of the project.

It is from data supplied by volunteers that the two organisations will be able to assess whether the venture has proved  to be a success.

Cress Marsh covers an area of about 40 hectares, but it is set to grow by a further 50 per cent as the result of acquisition of neighbouring land, some by compulsory purchase.

Its creation is providing compensation for habitat loss as the result of other areas of land on the Humber Bank being designated for large-scale industrial development

Four other mitigation sites are also in the pipeline, these  being adjacent to an ABP holding area for import of cars, the Cristal factory, the Humber Power plant and the Novartis factory.

The meeting heard that these areas should all be viewable from the sea wall.

LBC has asked to be represented on the board that oversees all these mitigation initiatives, but so far no invitation has been forthcoming.

The board currently comprises professionals from North East Lincolnshire Council, North Lincolnshire Council, Natural England, the Environment Agency, the RSPB and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

Mike and Rachel fielded numerous questions both during and their presentation.

Once grassed (seeding will take place in September), the  banks will be grazed by 100 head of cattle.

There is no on-site electricity, but this may be achievable - possibly through installing solar panels on the hide. Also proposed is a webcam if  IT issues can be resolved.

Some of the edges to the lagoons and scrapes have been topped with shells or sand in the hope that this might encourage nesting activity from species such as ringed plovers and/or avocets.

Talks are ongoing with the power distribution companies in the hope that some of the overhead cables - which pose a collision risk - might be fitted with diverters or, better still, re-routed underground.

The footpath is currently being reinstated, but birders are welcome to view the site, though, in its incomplete state, don't expect to see anything special for a few more weeks. The best birds so far have been a flock of 60 lapwings and occasional skylarks.

What if a mega-rarity turns up and word gets out on social media, attracting hundreds of birders?

Mike and Rachel are aware of this possibility, but are hopeful of being able to manage any such situation.

However, they would prefer for the council - rather than Twitter - to be the first point of contact for the sake of the site's integrity.

Anyone wishing to provide voluntary assistance, for instance in supplying bird and wildlife records, is welcome to contact Rachel Graham at  Rachel.Graham@nelincs.gov.uk (01472 324267).

The meeting lasted about and hour, and the NELC duo were congratulated both for all their work towards creation of Cress Marsh and for taking the time to give such an informative presentation. 

Will the overhead power cables pose a bird collision risk?

                               

THE HEDGEROWS WHERE BIRDS ARE NOT WANTED

No place for whitethroats or other songbirds - the netting is installed

A BUILDING firm prompted outrage when it used netting to exclude songbirds from a hedgerow at a site in Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire (as featured in a blog last week), but the incident was far from being a one-off.

Indeed, a national firm, Enviroguard, identifies this activity as one of its services to its developers.

Says a page on its website: "If protected birds are nesting in hedgerows, (March - September) it is an offence to disturb their nests, nesting sites and habitat.

"Prior to the nesting season, hedgerows can be netted to deter birds from nesting in them.

"This is of particular interest when planning consent or land access consents to remove hedgerows have not been gained prior to the bird nesting season.

"Enviroguard have the capability to net hedgerows throughout the UK and have recently completed projects for National Grid.

"If you require hedgerow netting or advice, please contact Enviroguard with measurements, height, width and length and we will be happy to provide a costing."

A landscape without birds - what more depressing a sight

ORNITHOLOGIST TONY JUNIPER CONFIRMED AS NEW CHAIRMAN OF NATURAL ENGLAND

Being grilled at interview by a panel of MPs - Tony Juniper

ORNITHOLOGIST and campaigner Tony Juniper CBE has been confirmed as the new chairman of Natural England.

Announcing the decision, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: "Tony will bring great experience and passion to Natural England from a career dedicated to conservation."

He continued: "Natural England has a key part to play in the Government’s 25-year plan for the environment and in ensuring we  protect nature for future generations. 

"I look forward to working with Tony as he leads the organisation and ensures Natural England can continue delivering the Government’s environmental priorities."

 Mr Juniper commented: "Natural England’s vital role in defending and enhancing our nation’s natural environment has never been more important. 

"It is a real honour to have been appointed  new chairman, and   I look forward to working with the Natural England teams and many partners across the country in delivering the biggest possible positive impact.

"Natural England’s work is wide-ranging - from protecting our national nature reserves to advising farmers, from opening England’s new coastal path to ensuring greater public access to our wonderful natural areas.

"As chairman, my aim will be to celebrate, protect and deepen the impact of Natural England’s excellent work, not only for the sake of our wildlife and beautiful landscapes, but also for the huge benefits that our success brings for society.

The appointment is said to have been made on merit, with political activity having played no part in the selection process.

Mr Juniper, a former advisor to the Prince of Wales,  has confirmed he will not remain a member of the Green Party while he is chairman of Natural England.

He  will take up the role on the  April 23 after serving notice as executive director for advocacy and campaigns at the World Wildlife Fund and as president of Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.

Mr Juniper began his career working as an ornithologist with Birdlife International and subsequently worked, for many years, with Friends of the Earth.

He is a prolific author whose  many books including What has Nature Ever Done for Us?

In 2017, he was recognised for his services to conservation with a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

GOOD NEWS FOR WILDFLOWERS, BAD NEWS FOR BIRDS - ERADICATION BECKONS FOR LONG STRETCH OF LINCOLNSHIRE'S SEA BUCKTHORN

 

Sea buckthorn in Cleethorpes - most of it will be destroyed come winter

A HUGE project to eradicate hundreds of acres of sea buckthorn from the Lincolnshire Coast is due to be undertaken next winter.

It is part of an ongoing national UK-wide programme, funded by the National Lottery,  known as Dynamic Dunescape.

Natural England has decided that scrubland should be forfeited in favour of encouraging  a range of wild flowers that are currently unable to flourish because of lack of light and growing space. The project could also benefit creatures such as sand lizards and natterjack toads..

Controversially, it will also open up areas for dog walking and other recreations, such as motorcycle-scrambling,  by residents and holidaymakers alike. 

Another  downside is that important feeding, roosting and nesting  habitat will be lost to migrating and overwintering songbirds (including, warblers, chats and members of the thrush family).

In Lincolnshire, swathes of buckthorn will be removed from the long stretch from Cleethorpes to Chapel St Leonards.

North East Lincolnshire Council's ecology officer, Mike Sleight, briefly made reference to the initiative in a
talk to birders earlier today.

He noted that sea buckthorn was not a native sand dune plant.

It is understood that Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is giving guarded support to the scheme, but the position of the RSPB is awaiting clarification.

THE LINCOLNSHIRE HEDGEROW WHERE SONGBIRDS ARE PREVENTED FROM BUILDING THEIR NESTS

Songbirds not welcome - the controversial exclusion netting has been described as 'standard practice' by the developer 

BROADCASTERS Jeremy Vine and Chris Packham  have condemned a housebuilding firm for smothering  a North Lincolnshire hedgerow with netting in order to exclude birds.

Partner Construction have applied to build 40 houses off Coates Avenue in Winterton, near Scunthorpe.

The Spennymoor-based firm fears that if blackbirds, robins, wrens  or other species seek to build nests, the project will be held up by legislation designed to safeguard breeding birds.

But some birds have reportedly found a way into the netting and become trapped.

In an emotional tweet on his Twitter account, Jeremy Vine says: "This is how the human race ends.

"We cover hedges with nets.

"We get permission to build flats because there are no birds.

"Then we live in the flats and feel pleased that no birdsong wakes us in the morning.

"Then we die.

"Sometimes I hate us."

Meanwhile, Chris Packham has sounded similar outrage."This is so utterly abhorrent that I feel sick.

"What has become of us? What has become of the agencies who should protect life from this? If I were there, I’d rip those nets down."

The Lincolnshire case is far from unique. The practice of installing anti-wildlife measures has become increasingly prevalent at sites earmarked for development.

In other controversial cases, trees have been felled , ponds drained, wildflower meadows dug over and barns demolished lest they accommodate birds, bats or other creatures.

Partner Construction have defended their action, describing it as "standard industry  practice" and insisting the netting - now vandalised -  had been installed by a professional ecologist.

The ecology consultancy that has been engaged by Partner Construction is Leeds-based Brook Ecological.

In his preliminary appraisal of the site, staff member Christopher Shaw said nothing about any intention to install ant-bird netting but wrote: "The central hedgerow is likely to be used by low numbers of common garden and farmland birds during the nesting season whilst the arable fields may be of limited value to ground nesters such as skylarks. 

"However, the proximity to housing - and thus to cats - reduces its suitability for the latter."

Mr Shaw says loss of  hedgerow could be "mitigated through replacement planting along boundaries."

He also suggests the firm might consider installing nestboxes or creating bat crevice so as to ensure the housebuilding project does not have too much of an adverse impact on wildlife.

However, Partner has not said whether it will adopt this suggestion in the event its housebuilding applicaton is approved when it goes before North Lincolnshire Council's planning committee.

Parner, which since March last year has been a subsidiary of Fastflow Group (also based in the North-east), was formed in April 2011 since when its portfolio has grown to embrace the construction and aftercare of more than 80 developments throughout the country.

It also has a regional office in Derby which is understood to be where the controversial North Lincolnshire project is being processed.

States its website: "Our team is creative, enthusiastic, reliable and trustworthy, led by a board with more than 100 years' experience in construction and development.

"The quality of our product and track record are evidenced by an A1 rating awarded by both the NHBC and Premier Guarantee.

"There is a serious responsibility that comes with building new communities, a responsibility that is ever-present when we locate and develop our partnership schemes.

"We work closely in partnership with other bodies  to deliver housing solutions that leave a lasting and valuable legacy for all stakeholders."

It continues: " We are committed to improving communities.

"We want our developments to be lasting assets, both to the people who live in them and to their neighbourhoods."

The website makes no commitment to safeguarding or enhancing the natural environment for the benefit of birds, butterflies  and other wildlife.

The net-covered hedgerow is predominantly hawthorn, interspersed by elder, dog rose and bramble.

It is not yet known when North Lincolnshire Council will determine Partner's development application nor whether the episode involving the bird-deterrent netting is likely to influence the decision of planning committee members.

Struggling to escape - a blackbird is caught in the netting

Note: The controversy is featured tonight on BBC regional news programme Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000344f/look-north-east-yorkshire-and-lincolnshire-lunchtime-news-04032019