Good news for Lincolnshire shorebirds as council mulls crackdown on disturbance by jet-skiers

Jet-skis often cause panic among shorebirds feeding or roosting shorebirds on sandbanks

A CRACKDOWN is on the cards for jet-skiers who often strike fear into wildlife off the beach of Cleethorpes in the East of England. 

At next week's meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council's cabinet, members will be asked to rubber-stamp proposals for introduction of  an Open Space Protection Order.

Jet-skiing provides an adrenaline-rush for participants and makes an impressive spectacle - but the downsides are thought to be greater.

Paddleboarders and bathers have often reported near-misses, while the noise and speed of the skis causes mayhem to the globally-important roost of shorebirds, including curlews, godwits and plovers, on the south beach.

The proposed prohibition wording is:

"To prohibit the irresponsible use of Personal Water Craft (PWC) (including jet-skis) on and around the seafront that causes alarm, distress and harassment to others. 

"This may include but is not limited to the following: 

• The use of craft in a manner that poses a risk to the safety of people

• Risk of disturbance to wildlife

• The use of craft in a manner that has the potential to cause harassment, alarm and distress to any other beach or coast users, or residents (eg in the dedicated swim lanes, clearly marked out by buoys)."

A survey has revealed that 90 per cent of those who submitted replies would support such a measure.

New signage will be necessary, but, once installed, there is likely to be a zero tolerance approach to offenders - as from May - with on-the-spot penalties of £100.

According to a report seen by The Wryneck, similar action is on the cards for:

* Lighting of bonfires and barbecues on the beach or council-owned land

* Unauthorised vehicle parking on the pier slipwayand Brighton slipway

* Overnight camping/caravanning on all council land 

* Releasing of Chinese lanterns

* Using council land as at take-off/ landing point for paragliders, paramotors and hang gliders

There could also be some restrictions on where metal detecting, fishing and bait digging can be undertaken.    

The council council will debate the proposals next Wednesday. 

                                                              

From pigeons to parakeets - how Covid lockdown changed feeding habits of city-nesting peregrines

                                                                           

Peregrine, this bird on a Lincolnshire beach, reflects on its next meal of the day 

CITY-nesting peregrines adjusted their feeding behaviour during Covid lockdown according to a scientific paper published today.

Academics at universities in London and Bristol compared the prey of city birds with their rural counterparts to establish whether there had been any feeding changes during lockdown between the years 2020 and 2022.

It seems that there was little change in rural locations, but, in cities such as London, the falcons partly switched from feral pigeons to starlings and ring-necked parakeets.

The authors of the paper attribute this to a decline in the pigeon populations of cities because there were fewer people about to feed them scraps.

The paper, which is published in the British Ecological Society journal People and Nature, can be read in full at:

besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/pan3.10445     

                                              

Pintail, great white egret and great spotted woodpecker among latest victims of avian influenza

                                                                       

Handsome drake pintail on a water in Lincolnshire (but what is the bird behind it?)

UPDATED avian influenza research reveals infections in 152 wild birds across 16 species at 74 separate locations in Great Britain between January 4 and February 6 this year. 

This brings the total number of individual victims counted since October last year to 794.

The greatest number of findings continues to be among   waterbirds/waders (105), especially mute swans, and birds of prey (42), especially peregrines and tawny owls.

Pheasants are also increasingly being infected.

It is thought likely that smaller passerine birds are also falling victim, especially given the rising number of sparrowhawk deaths, but the data is very sparse, the only record being of pigeons and of a single great spotted woodpecker.  

Among the more uncommon species to have fallen victim (one instance apiece since January 4) to the fatal disease are: great white egret (pictured below), pintail, hen harrier( a bird in Scotland) and red-throated diver.

                                                             

A report from Defra states: "The increase in day length and ambient temperatures in the coming weeks will reduce survival of the HPAI H5N1 virus in Great Britain although circulation of virus in waterbirds may be maintained until their spring dispersal in early April.

" It remains to be seen what effect the gathering of seabirds to breeding colonies has on virus transmission in those species."

It continues: "Wild bird cases appear to be increasing in continental Europe in January with detections across much of central and eastern Europe and not just in north-western Europe as earlier in the winter.

"There is still an ongoing cluster of wild bird cases in north-east Italy. 

"The ongoing presence of HPAIV in wild birds in north-western Europe in early February is of little concern to Great Britain compared to four months ago as a potential source of infection for ducks, geese and swans migrating west to our shores because all of those birds arrived here at least a month ago."

The document goes on: "The overall infection pressure from wild birds on poultry  is undoubtedly still very high given the ongoing levels of wild bird detections and the high environmental viral load which will remain infectious for prolonged periods, particularly with the low temperatures in winter in Great Britain. 

"For these reasons, the national risk level for HPAI H5 in wild birds is maintained at very high level."

                                                               

Appeal to birders after Swarovski optics stolen from RSPB's Loch Leven visitor centre

BIRDERS have been asked to help in the quest to recover optical equipment stolen from an RSPB reserve in Scotland.

It is thought that the Swarowski binoculars and scopes, stolen earlier this month from the visitor centre at Loch Leven, near Kinross, may be offered for sale online.

Valued in total at about £33,000, they were not brand new but used either by staff as part of their observation duties or for hire to members of the public eager to view ospreys and other wildlife.

The burglary occurred at about 10pm on Friday February 10 and is being investigated by Perth CID.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police via 101, quoting incident number 3990 of February 10.

Alternatively, for those seeking anonymity, calls can be made to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.  

It is not known if the optics had been bought or gifted to the bird charity by the manufacturer.

Nor is it known whether they were  insured or have yet been replaced.

 

   

 

Why Environment Secretary does not support reintroduction of sea eagle, lynx and wolf

                                                                            

The minister - 'farmers have enough to worry about'

EXTRACT from speech made by Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey to the National Farmers Union conference on Wednesday:

Rarely does there need to be a conflict between conservation and the countryside, but I saw it first hand in Suffolk very early as an MP, in fact as a candidate, when there was a proposal to reintroduce the Sea Eagle.

Farmers were really worried about what this would do to their livestock, particularly given the extent of free range farming in that part of the country.

Now, while we have had some successful translocations and reintroduction of species, I do not want farmers constantly to have to worry about these issues.

We have got plenty to do with the habitats that need improving and expanding. 

Yes, we do want more breeding sites for our birds. Yes, we do want to make sure that raptors are not persecuted and that people who take them down are prosecuted.

I also welcome the focus from many police forces on illegal hare coursing. 

But I will not  be supporting reintroduction of species like lynx or wolves.

We just don’t need to. And we won’t do!

Did sudden cardiac arrest claim life of much-loved Lincoln Cathedral peregrine?

                                                 

Media, including the BBC, have picked up the report - and Bruce Hargrave's photo of the 'queen falcon' - from the Lincoln Peregrines pages on Facebook   

OLD age and heart failure are thought to have caused the death of a much-cherished peregrine falcon that is understood to have nested at Lincoln Cathedral for at least 15 years.

According to an eye witness, she “fell from the sky like a stone” while on a routine scan of the city for pigeons , starlings or other potential prey.

The bird is well known because she and various mates are said to have reared at least 35 chicks within the walls of the cathedral over the past decade and a half.

The ‘falcon queen’, as she was known, had  been a star of webcam and a focus of the Lincoln Peregrines Facebook page, part-administered by photographer Bruce Hargrave.

Following the discovery of her body outside the cathedral, she was inspected, but there was no indication of injury or bird flu, so it is assumed she died of heart failure.

She was probably at least 18 - a splendid age for a peregrine.

There was a suggestion that there her body should have been submitted for post mortem  or offered to a taxidermist for stuffing and mounting.

Instead it is understood that, with the permission of the diocesan authorities, she was buried without fuss or ceremony in the grounds of the cathedral.

Meanwhile, there is evidently no period of mourning within the peregrine world. 

Within days of the old falcon’s demise, she had been replaced by a fitter and stronger female which will doubtless mate and raise chicks with the surviving male.

More disturbance in prospect for marine wildlife but windfarm cabling problem needs to be fixed

The Hornsea One windfarm - 174 turbines in total 

A NOTE of concern has been sounded on the integrity of the cable network - specifically the foundations - linking Ørsted Hornsea One  windfarm, 75 miles off the Yorkshire Coast, to Horseshoe Point in Lincolnshire.

Recent investigations have revealed degradation of the existing Cable Protection System  associated with the foundations. 

The Danish company fears that unless there is extensive remedial work, there will be continuing degradation "resulting in significant power transmission loss, and requiring subsequent emergency cable repairs". 

According to a report seen by The Wryneck, the proposed works include "the placement of permanent rock and/or rock bag berms to stabilise cables ends". 

Assuming there are no environmental or other objections, the work is expected to start in spring or summer this year and will be completed over a period of 150 days within a five-year period.

Why such a long timeframe? Progress will depend on ease of rock transit and laying, weather downtime, currents and tidal states and any additional stabilisation challenges.

* All images courtsey of  Ørsted 

                                           

                                                

With just one rotation of its blades, a single turbine can supply sufficient electricity for a day for an average home

Whitehall thumbs-up for farmers to resume use of wildlife-harming chemical on sugar beet

                        

WHITEHALL has confirmed that farmers will be permitted to apply a neo-nicotinoid insecticide  to sugar beet crops during 2023 - despite evidence suggesting it has an adverse impact on wildlife, notably bees and other pollinating insects

Following pressure from farmers and the agro-chemical industry, Defra  has reversed its 2018 prohibition on the use of 'neonics'

The decision open the door for the product, Cruiser SB, which contains a 'neonic' insecticide known as thiamethoxam.

A statement issued last week reads: "After careful consideration of all the issues, the Government has decided to grant an application for emergency authorisation to allow the use of the product, Cruiser SB, for the treatment of sugar beet seed. 

"This is in recognition of the potential damage posed to the 2023 crop from damaging yellows virus (YV) which is carried by aphids."

The decision has been signed off by Defra minister Mark Spencer.

The statement says any such applications must be "limited and controlled".

Cruiser SB is manufactured by Syngenta, formerly Swiss-owned but now part of  Chem-China, a Chinese state-owned enterprise.

Syngenta has its UK base outside Market Rasen in Lincolnshire.

It is not known if neo-nicotinoids are also applied to crops in China.

Yes, go ahead and kill skylarks! Why is Natural England awarding licences for slaughter of fast-declining songbird?

Profuse strains of unpremeditated art - skylark in songflight 

WILDLIFE watchdog Natural England has defended its decision to grant licences for killing of skylarks and other songbirds.

Says NE's national delivery director, Stephanie Bird-Halton: "These licences allow falconers to fly trained birds of prey to hunt and kill quarry species that they would naturally prey upon in the wild.

"These include skylark, song thrush and meadow pipit."   

Also on the list of species for which licences to kill have been approved are: fieldfare, redwing, mistle thrush, starling, jay, lapwing and others.

No details have been divulged about the number of birds taken, nor how many falconers have been granted licences.

The locations of the killing have also been kept under wraps.

Ms Bird-Halton continues: "Licences are only issued when there is deemed to be no effect on the conservation status of the birds involved. 

"If the evidence points to the need for a change in policy, then we will provide appropriate advice to government."

Ms Bird-Halton insists the information has been released in line with NE's "commitment to transparency".

An alternative view is that it has been forced to come clean by the dogged Freedom of Information activities of  campaigner Jason Endfield.

In a tweet, he has expressed disappointment with NE's defence. "It's a poor response,"he says.

The songbird revelations are bound to cause a rumpus among birders, but it remains to be seen how the RSPB  responds - if at all, givens its inclination to shy away from controversy.

Ms Bird-Halton maintains that approximately half the licences we issue are for activities that support nature recovery, research and education. 

For example, this has included the trapping of red kites in order for them to be relocated "to help restore Spanish populations".

She continues: "Legislation sets out the limited purposes for which we may grant a licence to take, kill or disturb wildlife. 

"These include preserving public health and public safety or air safety, preventing spread of disease, and preventing serious damage to crops, livestock and, in some instances, property. 

"Licences are only issued if all relevant criteria are met following a review of the purpose of the application, alternatives and methods, and the scientific context relating to it."

She concludes: "I hope this provides useful context to our licensing work."

The board of Natural England includes former BTO chief executive Andy Clements and RSPB trustee Kerry Ten Kate, but it is not known whether they support the awarding of licences for killing of Red-listed species.  

The list is at:

https://bit.ly/3lIgY9u

* Jason Endfield's information-packed blog is at:

jasonendfield.com

                                                           

Quarry species - redwing (front) and mistle thrush 

The Wryneck says: Falconry is a cruel pursuit. It should no more have a place in civilised society than badger-baiting or hare-coursing. For red-listed songbirds such as skylarks to be among its victims is depressing almost beyond words. Ms Bird-Halton has been wheeled out to take the flak that will inevitably ensue, but the policy will surely have been endorsed at N.E. board level. It is time for the chair and chief executive  to stop hiding behind their staff. They need explain why they are granting consent for such disgusting activity in England’s green and (supposedly) pleasant fields.

Whitehall delays decision on 180-turbine windfarm project over worries of threat to precious seabirds

Puffin on cliff at Bempton

MOVES by energy giant Ørsted to extend its windfarm acreage off the East Coast have been stalled by concerns over the potential impact on razorbills, guillemots, puffins red-throated divers and other sea-dwelling birds.

The RSPB fears that installation by the Danish company of up to 180 more turbines proposed for its Hornsea Four project could hasten the decline of marine species to which turbines are like giant industrial 'scarecrows'.

The charity is particularly fearful of the likely impact on a breeding colony at Bempton, north of Bridlington, where it has one of its money-spinning reserves.

By way of mitigation, Ørsted, which provides many jobs in UK coastal towns, has offered to establish a nesting platform off Whitby, on the Yorkshire Coast, but these would probably only be of benefit to kittiwakes  - and there is no guarantee that they would take to them.

The conflict is causing a headache at Whitehall which has delayed granting consent for the development.

The Department of Energy has set the Danish company a deadline of midnight on March 9 to submit further seabird-safeguarding mitigation measures.

Secretary of State Grant Shapps is also seeking further input  from the Government's advisory body, Natural England.                                                              

Scarecrows in the sea? Wind turbines are thought to strike terror into marine birds 

Nominations sought by British Ornithologists' Union for vacancy on its Records Committee

A VACANCY has arisen on the British Ornithologists' Unon's Records Committee.

The Records Committee has been responsible for maintaining the British List - the official list of birds recorded in Great Britain - since 1882.

Says the BOU: "We are actively seeking nominations for one new member. 

"Criteria against which applicants will be assessed include knowledge of:

* Rarity record assessment

* Regional biological recording

* Bird identification

* Taxonomy

* Vagrancy patterns

* Captive bird trade

* Museum skins/collections

* Relevant publications

The Committee meets twice a year via Zoom."

Nominees do not have to be BOU members at the time of nomination, but will be asked to join the BOU as a condition of appointment to a committee.

An individual is only ever invited to serve on a BOU committee on merit. 

However, it says it strives for a 50:50 male:female ratio across its various committees

"In order to do this, we may on occasion prioritise applications of one gender over another for specific appointments.

"Likewise, we may also prioritise the appointment of nominations from minority groups so our committees better reflect the wider community we serve." 

Deadline for nominations is 28 February 2023.

More  details at:

https://bit.ly/3YqiY4R

Surely some mistake?

                                                 

Extract about Humber Estuary birdlife from  North East Lincolnshire Council visitor  guide (2022-23):

"The whole area is an important place for Larks, Snow Buntings, Reed Buntings, Yellow Hammers and flocks of Twite and Linnet to wade in the high tide to feed."

                                              

Awaiting the next high tide? Beach snow bunting looks forward to getting its feet wet 

Preliminary list of Global Birdfair 2023 exhibitors released by organiser Tim Appleton

                           

DATES have been set for Global Birdfair 2023.

Organiser Tim Appleton says it will take place at the Rutland Showground on the outskirts of Oakham over the weekend July 14-16.

Among those organisations and individuals which have already booked stand space are:

* by2 Holidays

* Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge

* Bellbird Tours

* Birds Chile

* British Birds

* Birdfinders

* Canopy Family, Panamá

* Chris Rose 

* Costa Rica Birding & Birdwatching Central America

* D Smith Glasscraft

* Fair Isle Observatory Trust

* Falklands Conservation

* Inala Tours

* Kate Cree Art

* Langur Eco Travels, Bhutan

* Richard Lewington, Artist

* Limosa Holidays and WildWings

* Livingstone African Safaris Ltd

* Manakin Nature Tours

* Mariposa Nature Tours

* Sarus Bird Tours

* The Bagh Wildlife Resorts

* Tropical Birding

* Venture Uganda

* Sandra Vick, Artist

* Wild Your Garden Ltd

* Wild Sounds and Books

* Wild Herz Ltd (Wild Herzegovina Birdwatching Holidays)

* Julie Wilson Sculptures

More details at: https://globalbirdfair.org/

                                    

                                                

Same venue as last year - the Rutland Showground

Visitors to last year's Lincolnshire Bird Club stand

                                                                   

2022: David Lindo hosts a Q&A panel with (from left) Mya Bambrick, Celina Chien, Kabir Kaul and Indy Greene

Always busy - the art marquee 

Seasonal shore warden sought to protect little terns and ringed plovers on Lincolnshire Coast

                                                                   

Ringed plovers - Gibraltar Point is now thought to be their only remaining breeding site on the Lincolnshire Coast 

 

A SEASONAL shorebird warden is being sought by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust to protect the county's last remaining little tern and ringed plover colonies on the county coast.

According to the job description, the key tasks are to:

A. Implement the shorebird protection scheme at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, near Skegness in Lincolnshire.

B. Carry out breeding shorebird nest protection, monitoring, recording, reporting and nightshift work when necessary.

C. Co-ordinate volunteers connected to the scheme.

D. Maintain project records for CMS and for the annual Natural England reporting scheme.

E. Gather Little Tern information from other Lincolnshire sites, neighbouring counties and assist with reporting to the national Little Tern group.

F. Provide information to the public and visiting groups.

G. Assist with the enforcement of byelaws.

H. Undertake health and safety work within the Trust’s General Policy on Health & Safety and in accordance with specific policies and codes of practice for sites, risk assessment, procedures and best practice as amended from time to time.

I. Undertake other reasonable duties to assist the reserve management team, in addition to the above duties.

This is a fixed term contract that will run from 1 April 2023 to 30 September 2023.

Pay is £19,110 pa pro-rata (on-site private accommodation is available).

Says the Trust: "This is an entry-level role for someone with a keen interest in birds and natural history.

"Some experience with conservation volunteering and breeding shorebirds is desirable. 

"We need somebody with a positive attitude who has a willingness to commit fully to a busy and challenging season. 

"This is an ideal role for somebody looking to start a career in nature conservation."

Closing date for applications is 10am on Monday 20 February 2023.

* There also vacancies at Gribraltar Point for three visitor centre assistants and a kitchen assistant. 

More details of these posts are at:

Jobs | Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (lincstrust.org.uk)

Unlucky 13: Defra reveals counties in UK where bird flu has been identified in mammals (including seals)

                                                    

Avian flu has been diagnosed in two foxes in Cornwall

DEFRA has released more information on cases of avian flu in mammals.

It is as follows:

2021 Aberdeenshire, Scotland H5N1 1 Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)

2021 Durham, England H5N1 1 Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

2022 Cheshire East, England H5N1 1 Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

2022 Highland, Scotland H5N1 1 Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina)

2022 Fife, Scotland H5N1 1 Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)

2022 Fife, Scotland H5N1 1 Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)

2022         Shetland Islands, Scotland  H5N1 1 Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)

2022 Orkney, Scotland H5N1 1 Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina)

2022 Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, Scotland H5N11 1 Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)

2022 Fife, Scotland H5N1 1 Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina)

2022 Cornwall, England H5N1 2 Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

2023 Powys, Wales H5N1 1 Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Retired major: Mistle thrush song puts me 'in mind of a hopeless karaoke contender'

 

THIS letter appeared earlier in the week in The Daily Telegraph.

In his book The Charm of Birds, published in 1927, former Foreign Secretary Viscount Grey of Fallodon is more complimentary.

"There is boldness and wildness as well as sweetness in the tone.

"On a windy day in January, the mistle thrush sings aloft and conspicuous.

"There is, it has been well said, 'weather in his song'.

Grey continues: "On a windy day early in the year, the 'stormcock' will mount his tree and there, in full exposure, proclaim by song that he is vigorous and glad.

"Every year, he deserves to be honourably and gratefully saluted." 

* Edward Grey: The Bird Listener is available, price £2, as an e-book via Kindle 

https://amzn.to/3HZaSur

BBC set to axe popular TV wildlife show in order to prune costs - unless petition prompts a re-think

 Four of the regular presenters - Chris Packham, Michaela Strachan, Iolo Williams  and Gillian Burke

 

A PETITION has been launched to save TV's Autumnwatch.

After 17 years, BBC  revealed yesterday has decided to pull the rug on the show for cost-cutting reasons. 

The decision has dismayed wildlife enthusiasts, and the petition has today been launched on Twitter. 

Sister programmes Springwatch and Winterwatch  are set  continue - at least for the time being.

Vandalised buildings on former theme park were too unsafe for bat-surveyors to enter says eco-report

Numerous bat roosting opportunities said to exist in doomed theme park buildings

SURVEYS of the bat populations at the former Pleasure Island theme park in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, could only be carried out partially because many of the buildings which house the creatures were too unsafe for humans to enter.

According to a report, the structures had been impacted by vandalism in 2020 - even more so when the surveyors returned last summer.

In some cases, the creatures may have been smoked out of their roosts by fire.

As a result, the ecologists were confined to monitoring - either in person or with gadgetry - the bats as they emerged from the buildings at dusk or foraging for flying insects as darkness deepened.

Species recorded included:

* Brown Long-eared

* Common Pipistrelle 

* Daubenton's 

* Nathusius' Pipistrelle 

* Noctule 

* Soprano Pipistrelle 

There was also a record of another bat which was unidentified.

The report says: "Numerous bat roosting opportunities are present within the site, both within the 23 former theme park buildings and the more mature trees, particularly those present on the southern boundary." 

Agents for the Lidl-led consortium seeking to redevelop the site claim that alternative habitats can be provided if, as intended, the buildings are demolished and the trees felled.

However, they will need to provide  reassurances not just to North East Lincolnshire Council planners but also to Natural England, the organisation which oversees the issue of licences when it comes to bat welfare.  

                                                     

All-of-a-flutter at Twitter. Who'd ever have thought the woodcock (and BTO) would make front page news!

Today's splash in the Daily Star 

The national media have certainly had a bit of fun with today's news output! 

Read all about it! Page 5 of The Daily Telegraph