1982 study of Rock Buntings - rarely seen in Britain - attracted plenty of interest at Salisbury art auction

Rock Buntings - the preferred habitat is dry mountainous area

                                                                      

WHAT prompted artist Mary Fedden OBE to choose Rock Buntings for this expressive painting she completed in 1982?

Bristol-born Fedden, who died aged 96  in 2012, was not especially noted as a bird artist.

Nor was 1982 one of the handful of years in which the species has been recorded in Britain.

So there must have been some other factor which brought Rock Buntings - a partially migratory inhabitant of Asia and Central Europe  - to her attention.

The question is prompted by the fact that this delightful study, measuring  22.4cm x 16.7cm,  went under the  hammer at the Woolley and Wallis art auction in Salisbury earlier this month.

Including the buyer's premium, it sold for £5,040, which was in line with the pre-sale estimate of £4,000 and £6,000.

A close friend of former TV news presenter Anna Ford, Fedden had a varied art career which included stage designs for Saddlers Wells and murals for the World War Two effort and then  for Charing Cross Hospital.

For most of her married life she lived on the banks of the River Thames in London where she shared a flat with Julian Trevelyan, also an artist. He died in 1988.

The first British records of Rock Buntings were the two netted by birdcatchers, in late October 1902, near Shoreham in Sussex, with another that was seen at Faversham, Kent, in mid-February 1905.

Subsequent records include birds seen in Pembrokeshire (August 1958), Spurn (February-March 1965), Bardsey (June, 1967) and Bolton Abbey (May 2011).                                                                         

Mary Fedden - a long and colourful life

Farewell to the swallows and the thrushes! Green light soon for developers to bulldoze local nature into oblivion

                                                 

Already in decline because of habitat lost to development, the Song Thrush will be even more vulnerable to latest Government proposals 

DEVELOPERS may soon be able to bulldoze wildlife habitat -  so  long as they are  willing to chip in towards 'enhancing' nature at another 'strategic' site.

This latest Government proposal - which will delight housebuilders - was announced as the weekend.

A statement from Whitehall says: "As we seek to turbo-charge housebuilding, developers will be able to pay into a Nature Restoration Fund as a quick and simple way of meeting their environmental obligations."

It goes on to claim that the proposed measure will "help to  halt and reverse the decline of species and natural habitats" by "driving nature recovery at a strategic, not site-by-site, scale". 

It insists: "These common-sense measures will create a ‘win-win’ for nature and the economy, accelerating economic and environmental growth." 

The statement has been signed off by Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner who says: "Getting Britain building means stripping away unnecessary barriers to growth to deliver the homes that we  need.

"For years, vital housing and infrastructure projects have been tied up in red tape leaving communities without the homes, infrastructure and jobs they need."

The extent to which Natural England supports these proposals is unclear, but chairman Tony Juniper is giving the Government the benefit of the doubt.

Says he: "We will continue to work with the Government to help deliver their plans

"We should consider the huge opportunities which can be unlocked through better strategic planning which considers environmental improvements, economic development and green spaces for public enjoyment on a landscape scale."

The Wryneck says: "Talking about 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'! This is a potentially calamitous proposal. Right-minded people don't want to lose their local song thrushes, skylarks and badgers  in favour of supporting some 'strategic' nature enhancement scheme at a remote site elsewhere. They want nature to thrive in and around the places - whether urban or rural - where they actually live. They want  it to be part of the fabric of  their communities. And who will hold the levers of control  at the so-called 'Nature Restoration Fund' (which, incidentally, will inevitably require its own costly secretariat)? Who will to decide what habitats can be forfeited and what 'strategic' habitats should be 'enhanced'? Hopefully not Natural England, a body notorious for its inability even to maintain its own sites of special scientific interest. Contrary to the Government 'line', there is not  a great deal wrong with the planning system as it exists at present. It is up to developers to design their projects in such a way as to safeguard habitat and wildlife (and, in fairness, some already do). Allowing them carte blanche to  buy their way out of their responsibilities will leave the country even more nature depleted than ever. 

Controversial report claims housebuilders are ignoring planning conditions designed to safeguard wildlife

                           

The cover of the report contrasts what has been pledged with what actually materialises 

SOME housebuilders are flouting planning conditions aimed at safeguarding birds and other wildlife - and local councils are turning a blind eye.

This is the conclusion of research carried out at  42 new housing estates across five local authorities.

It revealed that many ecological enhancements had simply not materialised.

As a result, the following were - and still are - missing:  

* 83 per cent of hedgehog highways

* 100 per cent of bug boxes

* 75 per cent of both bat and bird boxes.

When it comes to plant life, the results are equally grim, with 39 per cent of trees either dead or missing and 82 per cent of woodland edge seed mixes failing to materialise. 

Even the features that had been planted were not  always properly installed, rendering them effectively useless.

For instance, some 59 per cent  of wildflower grasslands were found to be sown incorrectly or otherwise damaged.

The research visits were conducted between June and August  this year by a team from  from the University of Sheffield.

Says Prof Malcolm Tait from the university's School of Geography and Planning: "The Government has just announced ambitious housing targets, on the assumption that the planning system can ensure harm to nature is mitigated. 

"But our research shows that housebuilders are not implementing their promises on  ecological enhancements to help nature.

"What we have revealed is a huge, systemic issue and an urgent need for the planning enforcement system to be given the resources it needs to protect wildlife from harm."

Prof Tait notes that, since 2010, local authority budgets have been subjected to cuts, and many enforcement teams are understaffed, leaving them unable to deal with anything but the most serious breaches of planning conditions.

He maintains that  there is often very little regulation of developer behaviour in installing measures for ecological mitigation and enhancement. 

It  appears that some companies may be gambling that no one will have time to check whether they have actually met the conditions of their planning permission or not. 

The report suggests that some developers seem to think wildlife consists of  " imaginary creatures that live only in documents or in spreadsheets" whereas the reality is that they are living, breathing beings and vulnerable to "a devastating change in land use".

It states: "People sometimes wrongly imagine imagining that, when development starts, wildlife happily decamps from one site to another equally favourable one close by. 

"While some creatures may escape destructive effects in this way, the reality is that many will simply perish. "

"Many such erasures, happening here and there across an area, can be a form of death by a thousand cuts, leading to the local extinction of a species.

"Multiply that picture at a regional, national, and international scale of development, and the implications for a much wider biodiversity crisis are obvious."

In the New Year, the research team is hoping to  produce a guide that explains how to evaluate new developments for their compliance with planning conditions and how to alert local authorities to breaches. 

The Sheffield University report was commissioned by the campaigning organisation, Wild Justice, whose directors are Ruth Tingay,  Mark Avery and Chris Packham.

County wildlife trust left 'devastated' by appeal inspector's approval for housing estate on bird-rich wildlife site

                                                                       

Fieldfare - one of the winter-visiting species that could be lost to Longridge 

AN appeal inspector's decision to allow a housing development on nature-rich habitat in Cheshire has dismayed Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

It appears to spell doom for the Longridge Local Wildlife Site which lies on the outskirts of Knutsford 

"We are devastated," says the trust's planning manager Dr Rachel Giles. "This site is amongst the most valuable and important sites in the county for wildlife.

"It is a mosaic of oak woodland, wildflower grassland, scrub and ponds. 

"It is a haven for wildlife with flocks of Redwing, Fieldfare and finches in the winter months and numerous red and amber listed breeding birds in summer including Song Thrush and Willow Warbler.

"Remarkably, there are also three species of newt, which is extremely unusual for Cheshire.  

Continues Dr Giles: "Yet the appeal inspector has decided that the benefits of a new housing development outweigh the harm to nature.

"The decision over Longridge could have wide-reaching implications by setting a precedent for other similarly damaging applications across the country."

Cheshire East Council refused the planning application  for up to 225 houses, but the developer, Dewscope Ltd, chose to appeal, and the council decision was overturned earlier this week.

In his report, appeal inspector M Ian Dyer, who carried out a site  visit before reaching his decision, concludes: "No irreplaceable habitat would be lost."

                                                   

               Above and below - some of the trees at threat as a result of                                                      planning inspector's Longridge decision

                                                  

Dancing with penguins - Chris Packham keen to celebrate the 'alluring magnificence' of Antarctica

                                                             

As if broadcasting and crusading to save the planet were not enough to keep him busy, Chris Packham has also been promoting his penguin photograph prints  that are now available (prices start at £125) from art dealers Taylor Jones & Son (01304 362671) of Deal in Kent. Says the celebrity naturalist: "I have been lucky to visit Antarctica several times.  I have always been entranced by the ice and  the way the light plays on both it and the snow.  The way it changes the form and texture of the landscape is so alluring. The last time I journeyed there, I created a set of images to celebrate this ice world's utter magnificence."

Chance to contribute to seabird research - but don't apply for these RSPB posts if you haven't got a head for heights!

Home to thousands of breeding seabirds in spring and summer - the steep cliffs of Flamborough 

TWO research assistants are being sought by the RSPB for short-term seabird-monitoring work during  spring next year at Flamborough and Filey on the Yorkshire Coast.

The job description states:

* Experience handling large birds (ideally seabirds) is essential

* Comfortable with working at height in cliff environments (no vertigo)

* Comfortable working long days and weekends (including early morning and late nights)  

* Experience working in a close-knit team (desirable) 

* Experience monitoring seabirds (desirable) 

* Experience tracking birds (ideally seabirds) and/or a good understanding of the process 

Similar posts are also being offered in North-east Scotland.

The salary is  the equivalent, depending on past experience, of  between £24,890 and £31,347 per annum.

The closing date for applications is January 12, 2025. 

The bidding ' wandered' ever higher - stunning oil painting sold for much more than expected at December art auction

This enchanting 2001 study by Keith Shackleton (1923-2015) of two Wandering Albatrosses bonding on Prion Island in the Antarctic attracted the attention of bidders at last week's art auction at the Salisbury salerooms of Woolley and Wallis. The 39.5cm x 44.8cm oil-on-board sold for £4,788 (including buyer's commission) - much higher than the pre-sale estimate of  £1,000 - £1,500. Also in the picture are what look like two Gannets, but Antarctica is outside their range so they may be Snowy Albatrosses, plus a Cape Petrel. 

Too many cooks treading on each other's toes? Does RSPB really need another bureaucrat on £43,000-plus?

                                                        

Overwintering avocets - the RSPB's emblem species - in northern Lincolnshire

 

SOMETIMES it's hard not to be mystified by at the convoluted ways of the RSPB.

One of the society's latest job vacancies  is for, wait for it  . . . "a  People Business Partner to work within the People Business Partnering function and wider People Directorate".

What does this mean? What does it involve? 

Here (take a deep breath) is the explanation:

"Reporting to the Head of People Business Partnering, this role will be a vital link between the People Business Partners, Human Resources Operations and Learning and Organisation Development teams."

It continues: "We are looking for somebody with knowledge of the Business Partner role whose skills will meet the flexible needs of the business, who is able to oversee the end-to-end delivery of work and someone who can work on multiple activities at a time. 

"The People Business Partner role aligns and works in partnership with the respective directorate/business area to add value through the provisions of a range of people initiatives and interventions linked to directorate and organisational objectives and priorities. 

"Working as part of the People Business Partnering team, the role will support ongoing transformational change by providing business insight, manage business and people risks and develop people solutions."

And there is more:

"This role will support the development and implementation of the Delivering our Strategy Sustainably work that underpins the RSPB wider business strategy and priorities.

"The core part of the role of a People Business Partner is the ability to develop effective working relationships that influence across a range of stakeholders up to Leadership and Executive level.  

"In addition, People Business Partners are expected to work collaboratively across functional areas and Directorates in the successful delivery of people services, initiatives, and outcomes.

"Through providing support to senior managers and leadership teams, People Business Partners play a key role in planning, developing, and identifying solutions that create value and ensure organisational and directorate level strategies are realised."

The salary? Between £43,095 and 346, 264 per annum.

The Wryneck says: Many, if not all, the RSPB's members will surely be bemused . What this gobbledegook  recruitment  ad indicates  is that the society's numerous work-from-home managers operate  in silos, sometimes silos within silos. Another manager is therefore being recruited to liaise with all of them in the hope of achieving at least some degree of co-operation  -  in everyday parlance, to get them all singing from the same hymn sheet. At a time when expenditure is outpacing income and nature reserves are being offloaded, yet another bureaucrat is the last thing the RSPB needs. With each passing week, the society seems to be digging itself  into an ever deeper hole. Chief executive Beccy Speight and new board chairman Sir Andrew Cahn need to get a grip - and they need to get it pronto.        

Eye-wateringly high price achieved for study of Egyptian Plovers at auction of modern art

                                                             

Bidding went through the roof for work by French artist

A STAR performer at an art auction earlier this week was a study of Egyptian Plovers - a species not believed yet to have been recorded in Britain (and, incidentally,  no longer present in Egypt).

The oil-on-canvas painting by French artist Simon Bussy (1870-1954) was expected to fetch between £6,000 and £8,000 at Wednesday's sale conducted by Woolley and Wallis at their premises in Salisbury in Wiltshire.

In the event, the sale price (including buyer's commission) for the 35.5cm  x 27.4cm work was a staggering £30,240.

Bygone birding: Scottish naturalist fed unusual 'delicacy' to eaglet in an eyrie - a banana skin

                                                               

Seton Gordon (1866-1977)  -  naturalist, photographer and author

From The Scotsman  newspaper - Saturday 25 January, 1913

Mr Seton Gordon recounted his experiences of stalking golden eagles, snow bunting , ptarmigan and other birds of the hill country in their haunts in the Highlands of Scotland to an audience in the Royal Institution.

He related the story of his frequent visits to an eyrie where he became on quite familiar terms with the eaglet  which took food from his hand and ate with relish a banana skin, and afterwards ate the paper bag which had contained the bananas. 

The favourite food eaglets, he said, was grouse  but he had known eaglets to feed exclusively on rabbits, while in other cases the diet had been varied by hares, squirrels and stoats. 

Wanted - two trappers to continue RSPB's controversial campaign to rid Orkney of non-native stoats

                                           

RSPB is determined to wipe out Orkney's stoat population (photo: Keven Law via Wikimedia Commons) 

THE RSPB is again recruiting for trappers in its campaign to rid Orkney of stoats.

It is offering salaries of between £29,200 to £31,347 per annum to two officers to carry out what is possibly one of the least pleasant jobs in the wildlife sector.

The society is either bolstering its present set-up with new staff or replacing individuals who have decided the slaughter of wild animals is not for them.

The job involves:

•    Checking, cleaning and rebaiting DOC200 kill traps across a network of over 7,000 traps on a regular cycle as part of a team. This will include removing and disposing of catches from traps 

•    Trap deployment and removal

•    Implementing trap and vehicle maintenance schedules

•    Ensuring that all necessary trap field and maintenance data are collected and captured into a database

•    Assisting in stoat monitoring

•    Engaging with landowners to maintain and secure land access agreements across the Orkney Mainland and linked isles

•    Other tasks appropriate to the project as required

Says the job description: "You will enjoy being outdoors and be able to perform a repetitive task to a consistently high standard. 

"You should also have experience of working with local communities in a collaborative and sensitive way because a key part of your role will be maintaining good relationships with landowners." 

The RSPB wants rid of the stoats, which are non-native to Orkney, because it deems them a threat to other wildlife such as nesting red-throated divers and short-eared owls.

It is  looking to conduct interviews for this position from 6th January 2025. 

For further information contact  Hannah.read@rspb.org.uk 

Saleroom success of driftwood sculpture of Nightjar must have had auction house purring with pleasure

Beautifully carved - this nightjar was understandably much admired 

A CARVED driftwood sculpture of a Nightjar attracted plenty of interest at an auction in Yorkshire.

It was expected to fetch between £100 and £150, but the bidding reached £380 before the hammer fell on the sleepy-eyed 36cm bird.

An even more spectacular saleroom performer was a glass-eyed carving of a Canada Goose which sold for £1,800 against a pre-sale guide price of  between £200 and £300.

The items were among contents of Bell Hall in Naburn, near York, which were sold by auction house Tennants of Leyburn.

Canada Geese are not generally much loved, but this carving was a saleroom star

Eric Morecambe's copy of The Observer's Book of Birds set to go under hammer in New Year auction

 

A WELL-THUMBED copy of The Observer's Book of Birds was  among the birdwatching books owned by comedian Eric Morecambe of Morecambe and Wise fame.

Now it  is among his modest collection of ornithological titles which is to be sold as a single Lot at auction in the New Year.

The 25 or so books also include Birds of South Vietnam and Birds of  Hawaii though it is not known if he visited either country.

Possibly of greater interest within the same Lot (number 402) is a four-page handwritten letter from another comedian-birdwatcher, Bill Oddie, who penned it while his pal was recuperating from one of several heart attacks.

The presale guide price for all is between £100 and £150. 

Morecambe (who died aged 58 in 1984) had a birdwatching buddy, Gordon Beningfield, who was an excellent  wildlife artist.

Individual Beningfield studies of a pair of Bullfinches, Snipe, Water Rail and a 'falcon' - each with a pre-sale estimate of  between £100 and £200 - are also included in the sale as is Morecambe's own 1966 oil-on-canvas depiction of a Robin in winter.

The  comedian's optical accessories for his hobby seem almost primitive by modern standards.

His binoculars (of unknown magnification) were a pair of vintage Deraisme of Paris, thought to have been manufactured by French company Jumelles.

However, no information has been given about the telescope and tripod.

The sale is  to be conducted by auction house Hansons at  their salesroom in Etwall in Derbyshire on January 10-11 next year.

Beningfield's study of a Water Rail

                                         

Eric Morecambe's French-manufactured binoculars and case. The pre-sale guide price is between £30 and £50

                                                              

Old-fashioned or what? The late comedian's telescope for which the guide price is between £50 and £70.

Winter Robin - as depicted by Eric Morecambe. The painting is expected to fetch between £30 and £50.

Another sketch by Beningfield - this time a Kingfisher

Chris Packham: "I should love to spend five minutes of my life as a Swallow."

 

Dynamic - artist Chris Packham says the aircraft were 'outgunned' by the Swallows 

DURING downtime from his broadcasting and campaigning activities, celebrity naturalist Chris Packham has been exercising his artistic skills - most notably with a study of Swallows and wartime Spitfire fighters. 

Says he: " I grew up obsessed with Spitfires - I made endless Airfix models of them. 

"They were originally called The Shrew but thankfully the name was changed for this beautiful aircraft. 

"However, they are 'outgunned' for me by the Swallows.

"I should love to spend five minutes of my life as a Swallow!

"Can you imagine being able to fly that fast and that well? 

"Anyway, I thought I would put the two together to celebrate these two passions of mine and chuck in a load of glitter to give them the shine and sparkle they deserve - I hope you love this print as much as I do"

The BBC Springwatch host's  work was  the result of hours of paper cutting to produce the original designs. 

He then scanned these into a computer and meticulously tidied up the paper edges before the file was then turned into a seamless digital print. 

The final step was to screenprint with glitter-and twinkle ink. 

Anyone interested in the artwork can contact Packham's agent Taylor-Jones & Son of Deal in Kent.

The broadcaster puts the finishing touches to his impressive creation

Firm market for ornithological and natural history titles at auction sale in Yorkshire

                                                           

A collection of  122 volumes in the prestigious Collins New Naturalist series has sold for £480 at a sale held by auction house Tennants of Leyburn in North Yorkshire. The pre-sale guide price was  between £300 and £500. At the same sale, the hammer came down at £300 on a set of Francis Morris' History of British Birds at the top end of the presale estimated of between £200 and £300.

Up to 20 White-tailed Eagles could be released on Exmoor as part of ambitious project to expand species' range

                                        

The Exmoor coastline is thought to provide excellent feeding and breeding habitat for White-tailed Eagles (photo: Roy Dennis Wildlife  Foundation)

UP to 20 young White-tailed Eagles could be released in Exmoor National Park over the next three years.

The initiative is planned by the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation as part of ongoing efforts to establish a population of the species on Britain's South Coast.

Says the Foundation's Zoe Smith: "We think that releasing a up to 20 birds over three years would help reinforce the English population by aiding the geographical expansion.

"Eagles from our established  Isle of Wight project have been frequent visitors to Exmoor over the past five years, and we know that many people have enjoyed seeing them." 

What about those scare stories about livestock predating livestock?

"This is a common fear," concedes Zoe. "But there has been no record of this since the Isle of Wight project began. 

"The birds prefer to hunt fish but will also eat birds (including gulls and corvids), small mammals and dead animals (carrion). 

"For young birds, carrion makes up a large proportion of their diet but, by their third year, White-tailed Eagles will have gravitated towards wetland sites, home to their preferred diet of fish." 

                                                 

Exmoor ahoy!

Exmoor National Park officials are supportive of the proposal but have been conducting a 'public perception survey' before giving the green light.

Says one, who prefers not to be named: "White-tailed Eagles formerly bred on the coast of Exmoor.

"The extensive areas of coastal woodland and abundant marine fish species, such as grey mullet, provide exceptional breeding habitat."

Forestry England, which has extensive interests in the area is supportive, but the prevailing views of farmers and landowners are not known.

No target date has been announced for the launch of the Exmoor project.

                                                     

   

Will long-term partnership with Mexican company help Dartford Warblers to set up home at RSPB's HQ reserve?

                                                             

RSPB is optimistic about the expanding reserve at its Bedfordshire HQ  

HOPES have been sounded that Dartford Warblers might become established at the reserve surrounding the RSPB's HQ in Sandy, Bedfordshire.

At present, the species is only an occasional visitor, but the society's new board chairman, Sir Andrew Cahn, believes that "one day it might actually colonise."

The reason for his optimism is that the  reserve is expanding by taking on spent-out sections of the neighbouring Sandy Heath quarry from the UK subsidiary of Cemex, a  Mexican-owned multinational company with interests in cement, concrete and other building products.

                                  

Dartford Warbler -  heathland specialist  

This week is the 15th anniversary of the partnership between the RSPB and Cemex UK.

Says Sir Andrew: "The nature reserve is doing really well.

"It continues to grow, and I am pleased to say that we will be there for the foreseeable future. 

"We have a long-term agreement with Cemex where we take on management of sections of the neighbouring quarry site as the company finishes with them. 

"All told it’s going to be the largest heathland restoration in the South-east."

Continues the chairman: "There have been breeding Nightjar in recent years and  the odd Dartford Warbler appearing (hopefully one day actually colonising)."

He adds: "The introduction of ponies for some of the year has helped with heathland maintenance."

They save money, so RSPB annual meetings are 'here to stay' says new chairman of the board

                                                       

Sir Andrew Cahn: Feedback to online meetings has been 'overwhelmingly positive' 

THE RSPB has ruled out a return to in-person AGMs.

Since Covid, the society held its annual meetings online, encouraging more viewer-participation but depriving members of the chance to meet and/or to chat to staff.

Unlike other organisations such as the National Trust - it has also opted not to make the event hybrid - in other words, both in-person and online.

Says its newly-appointed chairman Sir Andrew Cahn: "By the time the pandemic hit, numbers attending the in-person AGMs had declined.

"The lockdown restrictions gave us a chance to try a different model of event. 

"I appreciate it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but the feedback we have had from the majority of attending members (an increase on the numbers that attended the in-person event) has been overwhelmingly positive.

"And it’s also saving us money. 

"Could it be improved? Absolutely, and we will continue to evolve the format. 

"For example, I think that we could probably do more to use it to highlight our conservation successes and challenges.

"Furthermore, the Q&A section with board members could be longer and more in depth, but the online version is here to stay."

* Sir Andrew's  comments have come in response to an open letter posted on his blog by former RSPB conservation director Dr Mark Avery. 

Collision with blade of 125-metre high wind turbine in Galloway proves fatal for three-year-old Golden Eagle

                                                                   

Eagle officer john wright with the dead bird - photo: South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project

A GOLDEN Eagle has died after colliding with one of 12 turbines at the Windy Rig windfarm near  Carsphairn in Galloway.

The three-year-old male bird is thought to have had  its left wing sliced off after flying into a rotating blade on one of the 125-meter high turbines.

The incident came to light because  a satellite tag was attached. The prone bird, known as Sparky to researchers,  was 15 metres from the turbine.

The cause of  death was confirmed by the Veterinary Investigation Centre at Scotland’s Rural College  in Dumfries. 

A series of tests - toxicology, histopathology, virology, bacteriology and parasitology - revealed that  the bird had been in good condition.

The assessment concluded that the bird's  fatal injuries were "typical of those associated with a wind turbine strike".

Planning consent for the windfarm was approved by Dumfries and Galloway Council in November 2018 despite misgivings about potential impact not just on Golden Eagles but also on Peregrines, Merlins and Red Kites which are also recorded in the area.

According to a report Golden Eagles were being seen "fairly regularly".

RSPB Scotland, which was involved in the pre-decision discussions, was relaxed about the development, though it cautioned on the welfare of Black Grouse where there had been historic records of leks in the vicinity.

There were few objectors to the application though Glasgow Prestwick Airport sought measures to ensure that the turbines would not interfere with their surveillance radar, while the Mountaineering Council of Scotland protested about the impact on the scenery.

One local resident, Martin Temple, expressed concern that the preliminary ornithological survey had not covered a sufficiently wide area 

Had Sparky not been tagged, it is highly unlikely the bird's fate would have come to light.

The chairman of Dumfries and Galloway Raptor Study Group, Chris Rollie, comments: "Evidence  has suggested Golden Eagles tend to avoid windfarms, but, without satellite tagging, incidents of this nature are hard to detect."

"This reinforces the urgent need for decision-makers to work closely with wildlife conservation groups as further windfarm approvals are sought."

The tagging was carried out by the Moffatt-based South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project which is currently fundraising to secure survival in advance of a proposed name-change, next year, to  RUN (Restoring Upland Nature).

The windfarm became operational in 2022.

More details about the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project and its fundraising appeal are at: https://www.goldeneaglessouthofscotland.co.uk/

                                                      

The Wryneck says: Fatal bird strikes are said to be 'rare'. But it would surely be more accurate to describe them as 'rarely recorded'. Unless the victim has been satellite-tagged, collisions are unlikely to come to light. What happens, now, to Sparky? Perhaps his one-winged corpse should be preserved and mounted at some public place as a reminder that, whatever their benefits, turbines represent, alas, an abiding threat to flying birds.  

Opportunity beckons to study Nightjars, Woodlarks and Dartford Warblers - and to be paid for your research

At repose - a family of nightjars

THE RSPB is currently seeking to recruit four birders to study three key heathland species -  Nightjar, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler.

These are six-month posts that will run from early February 2005 to the end of July 2025.

The pay will be the equivalent of between £12, 445 and £13,160.

What is involved?

Says a society spokesperson: "These are research assistant posts which require experience of conducting fieldwork on lowland heathland, moorland and in conifer plantations, by 1km-square. 

"The post holders should have a good knowledge of the ecology of Nightjars, Woodlarks and Dartford Warblers and should be able to ensure the smooth running of the surveys by dealing diplomatically with all interested parties. 

"Fieldwork will involve long and unsociable hours in the field at priority sites and will be physically demanding over the contract period. 

"Extensive travel to different sites may also be required.

"Applicants must be able to regularly travel to, from and within remote locations not served by public transport. 

"If work from a home base is not possible the post holder will be responsible for finding their own accommodation, though the RSPB will be able to contribute towards costs.

"The precise locations have not been revealed, but they are mainly in southern England."

The surveys will follow the standard national survey methods for each species, with the following survey periods for each species: 

* Woodlark - mid February to late May (two visits to each square)

* Dartford Warbler - early April to late June (two  visits)

* Nightjar - June and July (two visits). 

The fieldwork will include a combination of early mornings, and survey work around dawn and dusk.

What qualifications are required?

Preferably the following:

* Expected to have a degree or equivalent experience.

* Demonstrable specialist knowledge in relevant taxonomic groups appropriate to the post.

Knowledge of conservation issues and scientific principles.

* Knowledge of, and adherence to, legal and practical requirements for ensuring own health and safety, sometimes in challenging field conditions.

* Demonstrable, specialist identification and practical field skills appropriate to the post.

* Ability to use own initiative to solve day-to-day problems in the field

* Ability to be self-motivated and work efficiently within a defined work plan.

* Practical scientific skills of a standard that provides the highest quality data

* Demonstrable experience of relevant research or survey techniques - desirable

* Skilled use of Microsoft Office - desirable

* Knowledge of conservation issues and practice, and conservation science - Desirable

The closing date for applications is December 3, and the RSPB is looking to conduct interviews for this position from  December 9 2024. 

For further information, contact andrew.stanbury@rspb.org.uk; fiona.burns@rspb.org.uk; or simon.wotton@rspb.org.uk.

* Illustrations: The Birds of Great Britain by John Gould

Dartford Warblers

                                               

Woodlarks

                                 

                                          

What impact - if any - will discharge of 'contaminated' chemical have on welfare of wildlife off Norfolk Coast?

At risk from contaminated chemical dumped in North Sea? A Great Northern Diver 

CONSERVATION groups have so far been silent on the dumping off the Norfolk Coast of a potentially harmful chemical.

The 20,000-tonne load of ammonium nitrate was reportedly en route from Kandalaksha in Russia to an unnamed African country when its carrier, the merchant ship, Ruby, sustained damage to propellor, rudder and hull.

Because some of the cargo was deemed to be 'contaminated', the vessel was turned away from potential repair havens on the coasts of Norway and Lithuania.

But, in Britain, Peel Ports agreed to allow temporary refuge  in Great Yarmouth's outer harbour  on October 28.

Thereafter, Ruby sailed out beyond 12 miles to international waters where, it has been claimed, much of the cargo was discharged into the North Sea.

Ammonium nitrate is commonly used a fertiliser on farmland, but its presence in the sea risks causing  harm to marine life at both ends of the food chain and all points in between.

At this time of year, the East Coast is home to hundreds of thousands of divers, grebes, waterfowl and shorebirds whose welfare may  have been put at risk.

No details have been released about the nature and extent of the 'contamination' of the chemical. 

The episode has prompted an  angry response from both Great Yarmouth Council and Norfolk County Council, neither of which believed the Ruby should have been allowed access to a British port.

But Peel Ports insist their staff are well qualified to handle hazardous materials, and their actions were  approved by both the Health and Safety Executive and the Department of Transport.

According to the DoT, ammonium nitrate is not a "persistent chemical"  and, in the sea,  will dissipate with no lasting impact.

It is understood the remainder of the cargo is this weekend being transferred to another vessel before being conveyed to its intended destination in Africa.

                                                                                       

Great Yamouth outer harbour - where the stricken ship is currently berthed (photo: Environment Agency via Wikimedia Commons) 

The Wryneck says: It is mystifying  that there has been not so much as a hint of concern about this episode from organisations such as Natural England, Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the RSPB. How can they stay silent when 'contaminated' chemicals are apparently discharged into such precious marine habitat? There are globally applicable  rules about 'distressed' cargoes and what can legally be dumped at sea. If they are not already doing so, the international maritime authorities should also investigate without delay.

Stuffed and unloved. Bearded tit went unsold at auction in North Yorkshire town. Who can surmise why?

          

This sad-looking Bearded Tit, mounted in a glass dome, went unsold at an auction staged yesterday by Tennants at their saleroom in Leyburn in North Yorkshire. Prior to the event, it was estimated that it would fetch between £80 and £120.