NATURAL ENGLAND SAYS ILLUMINATED 'TREE' COULD DISPLACE TURNSTONE AND OTHER SHOREBIRDS

Higher than The Angel of the North - artist's impression of the proposed replica palm tree

A WARNING has been sounded that a proposed seaside sculpture could scare off  uncommon shorebirds.


Grimsby-based North East Lincolnshire Council is keen to install an artificial  palm tree  - at 72 ft, taller than the Angel of the North - on the seafront in Cleethorpes.


The authority believes the ‘tree' - to be made from recycled materials gathered from the tideline - would  be a tourist attraction and help regenerate the resort.


But Natural England has reminded the council that, like all local authorities, it "has a duty to have regard to conserving biodiversity as part of its decision-making". 

It says the artwork - which would be illuminated and ‘may sway in the wind’ - risks displacing turnstone, redshank and other wading birds in a special  protection area.

Another factor is that a rock armour sea defence groyne may have enhanced the location as a feeding habitat - especially for rare species such as purple sandpipers.

                                       

This groyne may be favoured by purple sandpipers as well as turnstone

The nature watchdog is calling for a full habitat regulations assessment. before any decision to grant planning permission is made.


“If birds are disturbed, there could be a significant impact on the Humber Estuary site of special scientific interest," comments its regional spokesman, Liam O’Reilly.

Below: Turnstone feeding near the site of the proposed artwork

MORE VULNERABLE THAN EVER: RSPB 'S 'ALARM' OVER CONTINUING DECLINE OF CORNCRAKES

                                                                 

A species under increasing threat - the corncrake (photo: RSPB)

 

THE decline in corncrake numbers is continuing, according to RSPB Scotland.

It has put out a press statement with the disappointing news that, this summer, the number of calling males in ‘core areas’ was 870.

That’s down from 897 in summer last year.

Describing the figure as “alarmingly low”, the decrease has been more than 30 per cent  since the 2014 high of 1,282.

“While numbers in the Outer Hebrides have increased overall in 2019 compared to 2018, this has been offset by declines elsewhere, including overall across the Inner Hebrides.”

Says a spokesperson: “The persistent low numbers over the last five years show that corncrakes are struggling to recover, with their long-term survival as a breeding species in Scotland under threat. 

“At the moment, corncrakes are helped largely through agri-environment schemes whereby farmers and crofters are paid to ensure that there is good habitat for the birds. 

“The continuation of such agri-environment support for Scotland’s farmers and crofters is vital to ensure the corncrake’s survival in Scotland.

“It also benefits other species.”

RSPB Scotland is developing a new project which it hopes will help to  secure the future of these birds.

Saving Corncrakes through Advocacy, Land management and Education (SCALE) was awarded more than  £30,000 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in August 2018 to develop the project, ahead of applying for a full grant later this year.

If the application is successful, SCALE will focus on three key areas as follows:

• Advocating for government agri-environment schemes which are better for biodiverse wildlife including corncrakes
• Supporting crofters and farmers with funding, advice and practical support to farm in corncrake- friendly way
• Raising local and national awareness of these elusive birds through local events, ecotourism support, web pages, social media campaigns, films and podcasts and a touring exhibition.

Chris Bailey, Advisory Manager at RSPB Scotland, comments: “The “crex crex” call of a male corncrake used to be one of the sounds of summer across the UK.

“It is vital that it is not lost altogether from here. 

Corncrakes are a huge conservation priority in Scotland for RSPB Scotland, and for the Scottish Government under their Biodiversity Route Map.

“This year’s results highlight the essential support agricultural communities on Scottish islands provide to this rare and secretive bird by managing their land in a corncrake friendly way.

“They are the stronghold for this species and the support they receive must continue over the long-term if we’re to have a real chance at ensuring corncrakes continue to breed in Scotland every summer. 

“We hope that our SCALE project will be awarded the full grant to allow us to undertake such work to improve the fortunes of the species in the future.”

Corncrakes - relatives of moorhens and coots - were once found across the UK but changes in agricultural practices in the 19th and 20th centuries saw their range shrink to just a few places on Scottish islands and the north west coast.

The introduction of agri-environment schemes in the early 1990s helped their numbers increase but, even at the 2014 high, they remained a vulnerable species.

Corncrakes are elusive - more likely to be heard than seen.  

They spend our winter months in Africa, with a small number making the long migration each year to breed in a few isolated locations in Scotland.

RED LIGHTS FLASHING ON MASSIVE LOSS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS OVER LAST HALF-CENTURY

Migrant shorebirds such as sanderling are among those in decline

THE alarming worldwide collapse in bird populations has been underlined by a new report indicating that as many as three billion - almost 30 per cent - have been lost in North America since the 1970s.

The findings - which reflect those in Europe and other continents - raise fears that some species face the real prospect of extinction.

The report, which appears in Science, is based on research by Ken Rosenberg, of the Cornell University of Ornithology, and others.

They reached their conclusions after studying data collected by breeding bird surveys and counts across a range of almost 500 separate species including songbirds, waders and wildfowl.

Wetland birds have fared relatively well as have raptors (since a ban on the use of DDT), but, for other groups, it is a picture of decline.

Rosenberg and his colleagues report that grassland birds have declined by 53 per cent since 1970 - a loss of 700 million adults in  31 species such as including meadowlarks and northern bobwhites. 

Shorebirds such as sanderlings and plovers are down by about one-third.

Familiar birds that flock by the thousands in suburbs have not been exempt.

 "There's been an erosion of the numbers of common birds," Rosenberg says. 

Twelve groups, including sparrows, warblers, finches, and blackbirds, were particularly hard hit. 

Even introduced species that have thrived in North America, such as starlings and house sparrows, are losing ground.

The greatest decline has been in birds migrating up the eastern United States.

Habitat loss is thought mostly to be responsible for the collapse, but food depletion, agricultural pesticides, climate change, coastal development and other factors (even cats) have also contributed.

Says Rosenberg: "We want this to be the real wake-up call." 

Concurrent with the paper, a coalition of conservation groups has come up with policy recommendations and an action plan for citizens. 

Simple steps, such as keeping cats indoors or planting native plants, may help.

Ends Rosenberg: "I am not saying we can stop the decline of every bird species, but I am weirdly hopeful."

NEW REPORT SUGGESTS BANNED PESTICIDE PROBABLY DID HARM TO BIRDS AS WELL AS INSECTS

                                   

White crowned sparrow - migration slowdown

A FARM pesticide that was banned last year on fields in the UK and most of the rest of Europe was probably harming birds as well as insects. 

That's the conclusion of scientists at York and at Saskatchewan in Canada who carried out an experiment with white-crowned sparrows, then published their findings in this month's edition of Science magazine.

Birds that fed on seed sprayed with neonicotinoids  reduced both their further consumption  of food and their fat levels.

As a result, they delayed their migration by an average of 3.5 days while they sought to 'refuel' from other sources in order to build up their strength.

Although their exposure to the pesticide was sub-lethal, the migration delay is thought to have had carry-over effects that may have affected both reproduction and survival.

Neonicotinoids were banned after research indicated that they had a disorientating affect on bees which are important pollinators.

* Photo: Wolfgang Wander via Wikimedia Commons

RSPB CHIEF VOICES 'INTENSE FRUSTRATION' OVER POLITICAL INERTIA ON FATE OF WILDLIFE

                                                               

Fixing 'broken farming system is a prerequisite'

 THE RSPB's head of conversation, Martin Harper, has hit out at the continuing lack of progress in tackling the  UK's "ecological emergency."

"There is intense frustration that inadequate progress has been made to put in place tangible measures," he says in his latest blog.

"What is more, it now seems efforts over the past 12 months in progressing important legislation may go unrewarded.  

"The  prorogation of Parliament and the possibility of a General Election being called means that any legislation that has not completed its passage through both Houses will fall. " 

That means  the  relatively friendly wildlife-friendly Agriculture Bill will probably be no more.

Mr Harper was writing after the RSPB's annual Westminster parliamentary reception held on  September 3 for MPs and peers.

His blog  continues: "We need politicians to be at their best to find a way safely through the Brexit impasse, especially avoiding a No Deal Brexit which would create extreme jeopardy for the environment. 

" We need them to use their political voices for nature.

According to the RSPB chief, " fixing our broken food and farming system is a prerequisite to addressing the climate and environment emergency".

He says : "The Agriculture Bill was a first tentative step in the right direction, promising to redirect funding for farmers toward ‘public goods’, such as the conservation of wildlife, natural flood risk management and public access.

"Introduced in September 2018, under normal circumstances the bill should have received Royal Assent by now. 

"We should be talking about how to enact its provisions and mapping out a just transition to a new system. 

"But these are not normal circumstances.

"We are now faced with acute uncertainty, with no clarity on when an Agriculture Bill Mark Two will make it back to Parliament. 

"At a time when we need to be sending clear signals to the farming community that nature-friendly, agro-ecological farming is the future, this current mess couldn’t be more damaging.

"We can only hope  that the demise of the Agriculture Bill is merely a ‘bump in the road’. 

"Defra must now come back with an improved, more ambitious bill that matches the scale of the climate and environment emergency that we face.

"Anything less will be a disaster for many progressive farmers and the wildlife that depends upon them."

WILL ILLUMINATED PLASTIC PALM TREE POSE RISK TO NIGHT-MIGRATING SONGBIRDS?

Will illuminated fake palm tree prove hazardous to migrating song birds?

PLANS are afoot for a  22-metre high plastic palm tree to be installed on the seafront at Cleethorpes in North-east Lincolnshire.

The proposal has upset some birders who believe it would be more environmentally sensitive to plant real trees.

Because the artificial tree will be illuminated after dark, there are fears that the light will disorientate migrating warblers and other songbirds, possibly causing them to crash into it - with fatal consequences.

Says the council's deputy leader, Coun John Fenty: "Art can be controversial.

"Did you know that the Angel of the North was strongly opposed, but now is a much loved landmark?

"The objective of the overall project is to drive footfall along the prom which will have a positive impact on businesses and health and wellbeing."

He continues: "Public art can be Marmite - love it or hate it, it’s a talking point. 

"If The White Palm lures you down the prom. don’t forget to buy a stick of rock, or an ice cream, then it’s job done!”

MIGRATING SONGBIRDS PUT IN PERIL BY TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO DIED IN TWIN TOWERS ATROCITY

What could be more moving? But the beams confuse migrating warblers and other birds -  with potentially fatal consequences 

BIRDERS will be on special alert tonight - 9/11 - in New York's lower Manhattan district.

As part of the annual Tribute in Light commemoration of the terrorism attacks that brought down the Twin Towers, two blue beams will shine vertically into the sky.

Unfortunately, there has been a downside to the tribute which was established in 2002.

For unknown reasons, artificial light mesmerises many birds - especially fledgling seabirds and migrating songbirds - just as it does with moths.

Disoriented and exhausted birds are then at risk of crashing - with fatal consequences - into skyscrapers .

Birders, including members of New York Audubon Society, will be standing directly under the beams (which are visible from as far as 60 miles away). 

They have secured an agreement with the tribute organisers to turn off the lights (comprising dozens of 7,000-watt bulbs) for 20 minutes every time 1,000 or more birds are circling or one that is exhausted falls to the ground.

In artificial light, it is hard to identify birds, but, to help the process,  recordings will be made of their calls.

Species thought to be especially vulnerable include American  redstarts, ovenbirds, black-and-white warblers and northern parulas. 

The number of avian victims fluctuates from year to year according to the weather and phases of the moon.

In 2010, a new moon and cloudy skies yielded an estimated 10,000 birds caught through the night - the lights had to be shut down five times!

Photo credit:   Anthony Quintano/ Flickr via Wikimedia Creative Commons.

* For more on the phenomenon of migrating songbirds being mesmerised by artificial light, Lighthouse Birdwatcher is available, price £1, via Kindle Books.

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NATURAL ENGLAND CHIEF: IT WOULD BE A TRAGIC LOSS IF THIS MAJESTIC BIRD WERE TO DISAPPEAR

Hen harrier - a bird that "inspires and brings joy to many"

AN upbeat note has been sounded on this year's breeding success of hen harriers in England.

According to today's statement from Natural England, 15 pairs produced a total of 47 chicks  - up one on the previous highpoint of 46 set in 2006.

The positive result means the last two years have produced 81 fledged chicks, surpassing the total for the previous five years put together (55). 

The chicks have also hatched in a wider variety of areas this year, including  Northumberland, the Yorkshire Dales, Nidderdale, Derbyshire and Lancashire - leading to hopes that a corner has been turned in the restoration of the hen harrier population.

Natural England chairman Tony Juniper has welcomed the progress - but also sounded a note of caution.

Says he: "I should like to thank all of the organisations, staff and volunteers who have  helped to make this a better breeding season for one of England’s most iconic birds.

"While it is very welcome to see this improvement, we must remember that the hen harrier is still very far from where it should be as a breeding species in England, not least due to illegal persecution.

"I shall be working with Natural England colleagues to pursue all options for the recovery of this wonderful bird, a creature that inspires and brings joy to  many people. 

"It would be a tragic loss for our country, children and grandchildren if this majestic bird were to remain so scarce, or even disappear, in the future."

A wide range of organisations are said to have "come together to work in partnership" to make sure that the hen harrier chicks are well looked after and protected for the future. 

This collective effort has helped improve the communication and liaison between land managers.

The organisations and individuals include: Natural England, RSPB, Forestry Commission, the Moorland Association, United Utilities, the National Trust, Hawk and Owl Trust, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Northumberland National Park Authority, Peak District National Park Authority, Nidderdale & Forest of Bowland Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, local police forces, individual Estates and their keepers, farmers and a large number of volunteer raptor enthusiasts.

A high proportion of this year’s chicks have been fitted with satellite tags, which will allow Natural England to monitor the progress of the birds as they move away from their nest areas.

In February, Natural England published a study paper which analysed the findings of satellite tagging data collected over 10 years. 

The study revealed that young hen harriers in England suffer abnormally high mortality and the most likely cause is illegal killing.

Police Supt Nick Lyall, chairman of the raptor persecution priority delivery group, said: "This is welcome news, and I hope that through Operation Owl we can help to keep this new generation of hen harriers safe from persecution.

"I would encourage the public to be our eyes and ears on wildlife crime and make sure it is properly reported to local police forces for investigation.

Ian McPherson, Member Champion for the Natural Environment for the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: "At long last, there are grounds for cautious optimism with hen harriers again breeding successfully in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. 

"These are magnificent birds, ideally suited to the Dales, and their long absence has shamed us all.

Dr Adam Smith, of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, said: "More hen harriers, better distributed, has been our conservation goal for many years. 

"So the trend toward more harriers breeding successfully in the English uplands over the last two years is very encouraging. 

"We hope successful grouse moors managing a co-existence with harriers will become a regular part of our moorland management scene.

Amanda Anderson, Director of the Moorland Association, commented: "It has been a fantastic year for hen harriers with a year-on-year increase in both the geographical range of the nests and the type of land on which they have successfully fledged, most notably on privately owned grouse moors.

"The collaboration on the ground has been second to none. 

"There is a real commitment to restoring the population among those with rural and conservation interests at heart, and we believe that we are beginning to turn a corner.

According to the Natural England statement, 11 of the successful nests  on land managed for grouse shooting.

Six of the nests were " diversionary fed", the chicks being  offered supplementary food to the chicks after they  hatched.

This technique is said to have ensured both a better fledging rate and diverted the adult birds’ attention from taking grouse chicks.

Of three nests which failed  in Northumberland, two were lost to bad weather and the other was predated.

The Natural England statement continues: "The introduction of a trial brood management scheme in 2018 through which landowners volunteered to test new methods to help reduce parent bird predation on grouse chicks has been welcomed as a positive development in efforts to improve hen harrier numbers.

"Brood management is part of a scientific trial to find another mechanism to reduce predation of grouse chicks. 

"The hen harrier chicks have been released back into the locality from where they were collected once they were capable of fending for themselves."

* Photo credit: Isle of Man Government via Wikimedia Commons

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EX-CRICKETER IAN BOTHAM HITS OUT AT RSPB OVER CONTROVERSIAL ORKNEYS STOAT-CULL PROGRAMME

The former Test cricketer's hard hitting article in The Daily Telegraph

IAN Botham may have retired from playing cricket, but that has not stopped him bowling bouncers on issues about which he feels strongly.

In a punchy article in last Friday's edition of The Daily  Telegraph, he hit out at the RSPB over its expensive project which aims to wipe out the stoat population in The Orkneys. 

The Sandy-based bird charity describes its initiative as the  'Orkney Native Wildlife Project' - in reality a controversial stoat eradication programme whereby the creatures are killed by lethal trap.

Stoats are not native to the Orkneys, but, since their arrival nine years ago, they have multiplied.

Because they are strong swimmers - at least over short distances - they are capable of moving from island to island.

The RSPB wants rid of them because they largely feed on ground-nesting moorland, grassland and coastal birds and their eggs, plus the unique Orkney vole.

However, culling creatures on a huge scale sits uncomfortably with many - including members of the charity which has not been particularly upfront about the project.

It is understood that it has engaged the services of a New Zealand company which has supplied both the traps - 20,000 of them  - and the expertise.

Some £7-million is said to have been earmarked for the project, with most of the monies coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund (£3.5-million), The European Union (£2.6-million) and the remainder from Scottish Natural Heritage and the RSPB itself.

The cull has the backing of the Orkney Islands Council, and also, so it is claimed, the majority of residents.

However, Botham is staggered by the scale - and cost - of the project.

"Is this the same charity that kills animals only as 'a last resort'?" he demands.

It remains to be seen whether the RSPB will correspond to the cricketer's article or whether, instead, it will hope the controversy blows itself out.