Britain's largest housebuilder Persimmon keen to encourage swifts and other wildlife (including hedgehogs)

                                          

Artist's impression of one of the swift-friendly houses proposed for Wykham Park, Banbury 

PLAUDITS to Britain's largest housebuilder Persimmon plc which seems to be warming to wildlife more by the day.

It has begun installing swift-nesting bricks  houses in some of its developments where swifts are known to fly in the skies above.

The most notable of these is Wykham Park in Banbury, Oxfordshire, where no fewer than 225 swiftbricks are to be installed in  237 houses.

Says the company's latest annual report: These will provide precious homes for an endangered summer-visiting bird."

It continues: "A further 36 nesting features are provided for other important bird and bat species welcoming them into the development. 

"In addition, hedgehog pathways have been sensitively designed into our scheme, ensuring they are able to roam freely between gardens and out into the wider countryside. 

"Our show home features these important assets, highlighting their value and creating an opportunity to  engage every visitor with iconic creatures. 

"At Banbury , these valuable biodiversity features and wildlife communities will be supported with feeding opportunities and movement corridors through provision of swales, meadow planting, tree planting, scrub and retained native hedgerows throughout the development."

At today's Persimmon annual meeting in York, a shareholder commended the company for its initiative and asked if this might be a forerunner of similar ventures at forthcoming developments elsewhere.

Back came the reply: "Our aim is for all our sites to contribute towards nature conservation. 

"This may be through measures such as swiftbricks or hedgehog highways and will be supported by nature-friendly planting schemes as part of our biodiversity strategy."

Quizzed whether the company had partnerships with the RSPB or county wildlife trusts, the response was that the company worked with "a wide range of conservation and nature organisations across the UK"

It says its link-up with the Bee Friendly Trust in Suffolk had won a bee-friendly award.

The Wryneck says: "This is very encouraging. In the past, large housebuilders have sometimes been cast as villains for swallowing up vast acreages of land previously used for growing cereal crops. But with intensive use of chemical poisons, much of these sites have long since lost most of their wildlife. Houses with well-planted gardens and nest-sites can soon become nature reserves in miniature. Persimmon have shown they are willing to do their bit. Now it is up to wildlife conservation organisations such as the RSPB to reach out with creative ideas and a willingness to work in tandem.    

Will they never move on? The red-top tabloid media just can't stop demonising herring gulls

THE report inside today's edition reads: "A giant seagull as big as a dog is leading a squad of flying goons terrorising shoppers for food."

It goes on to quote one onlooker as saying: "I've seen baked goods swiped out of people's hands.

"These have moved on from being skilled scavengers.

"Now, they are brutish bullies. . . "

Is this really the best that the Daily Star can do?

RSPB-supporting MP tells Commons colleagues where he had first date with woman who was to become his wife

 

James Wild MP - supporter of Plovers in Peril campaign

RSPB-supporting Conservative MP James Wild has revealed where he and the woman who was to become his wife had their first date.

It was in the grounds of London Zoo.

The 47-year-old, who has represented the North West Norfolk constituency since 1994, confided this nugget during yesterday's Commons debate on the work of the zoo.

He told colleagues: "As it happens, my first date with my wife was at London Zoo."

The debate proceeded thus:

Sir Chris Bryant (Lab): You animal!

James Wild (Con): "Check out my surname. 

"We had a lovely time, and obviously it paid off! 

"My wife and I were at the zoo a few weeks ago with one of her friends and her young twins, and its ability to inspire is incredible. 

"I watched those two little girls run off to look at the animals, and it was great. 

"When my wife and I went on our first date, which was some time ago, we were a bit concerned about the state of the facilities. 

"Some of the cages had signs to assure visitors that the animals were not in distress, even though they may have been pacing backwards and forwards. 

"There was an urgent need for modernisation, and when I went back a few weeks ago I noted that some of the enclosures had been improved. 

"I am thinking in particular of the penguin area which is now a great facility and one of my favourite parts of the zoo.

" A few Members have spoken about Guy the gorilla. 

"I understand that his tooth decay was caused by him being fed sweets by people visiting the zoo, so it is very important that only zookeepers should feed the animals. It is important to get that on the record.

Bob Blackman (Con): "Gorillas are herbivores, so they should only be fed by keepers, as my hon. Friend rightly says. 

"They should certainly not be fed sweets. Does he realise that gorillas share 98.4 per cent of their DNA with human beings? 

"They are very close to human beings. Just as tooth decay in humans is concerning, particularly among young children who eat sweets, the same thing applies to gorillas."

James Wild: "My hon. Friend makes a very interesting observation."

Sir Chris Bryant: "I bet Guy could get a dentist!"

Norwich-born Mr Wild (47) and his sweetheart, Natalie Evans (now a Conservative peer in the House of Lords), were married in 2010. 

A keen jogger and cyclist, the MP hopes to beat his marathon best time of 3hrs 36mins when he competes in tomorrow's London event, is in regular contact with the RSPB.

He supports the charity's Plovers in Peril project and shared the charity's outrage when four quad bikers put paid to any chances of ringed plovers nesting on Snettisham Beach in his constituency three years ago.

The previous year, he visited the RSPB's coastal reserve at Titchwell, also in his constituency, to help celebrate World Wetlands Day. 

A keen football fan, Mr Wild's two favourite teams both have birds as their nickname - Division One side Norwich City (Canaries) and non-league Kings Lynn (Linnets).                                                   

The reserve at Snettisham where quad bikers caused devastation to breeding ringed plovers

                                 

Ringed plovers - as ground-nesters they are highly vulnerable to disturbance 

Hedges are 'one of the happiest accidents in human history' says author of hard-hitting new book

                                               

WETLANDS, oceans and forests are often rightly celebrated for the richness of their wildlife - but what about the 'humble' hedgerow?

Whenever did it feature in a lavish David Attenborough TV spectacular?

This manifest oversight has prompted author and naturalist Christopher Hart to put things right with his excellent new book, Hedgelands - A Wild Wander around Britain's Greatest Habitat.

"Hedges are one of the happiest accidents in human history," he writes.

"The hedgerow remains a drastically underestimated ecological niche - its potential is constantly unrealised."

He continues: "From a bird's eye view - or a weasel's or a ground beetle's or a primroses - hedges are thickets offering perfect habitat, safety from many predators, temperature control on both excessive heat and cold, shelter from the wind and ample food in the form of nectar, pollen, fruit and nuts."

During his lively and witty narrative, Hart explores almost everything there is to know about hedgerows of various descriptions  and their significance in our history and culture.

Along the way, he takes a swipe at the agro-chemical industry, irresponsible hedge-flailing farmers and certain housebuilding companies (he names names) who, between them, have brought the demise of many a hedgerow or its inhabitants.

"Hedges need far more resolute legal protection than they currently enjoy," he writes. "Developers who break the rules should be prosecuted every time.

"But as with so many environmental crimes, if you destroy an ancient hedgerow you'll probably get away with it."

Birdwise, Hart puts in a word for such species as hawfinch, redwing, fieldfare, cirl bunting, yellowhammer, bullfinch, goldfinch and whitethroat who are all dependent  on hedgerow either as a feeding or nesting habitat or both.

Summing up the author states: "Preserving hedgerows - along with ancient woodlands and wetlands, grassland  and oceans - is always going to be the right thing to do."

"It is  always right to respect life on earth."

 Hedgelands - A Wild Wander around Britain's Greatest Habitat is published on Thursday April 18 by Chelsea Green at £20 in hardback.  Chelsea Green UK -

Don't mention the word 'cull' but RSPB is recruiting now for a 'venison project officer' at site in Lakeland

 

You can run but you can't hide!  'Venison provides exciting opportunity to involve new audiences,' says wildlife charity

WANTED by the RSPB! A 'venison project manager' to be based in one of the most beautiful parts of Britain - Lowther in Cumbria.

It is a three-year contract with a salary of up to £34,377 per annum.

Says the charity: "Deer are part of Cumbria’s natural ecosystem, but their numbers are high and in the absence of natural predators are preventing natural woodland expansion.

"We are therefore looking for a pioneering individual to support professional, compassionate and co-ordinated deer management. 

"The successful  candidate will need a toolbox of skills to work with partners to support deer management.

"The role will oversee processing of carcasses to provide venison products for sale locally, including business planning, routes to market and promotion of venison products.

"Venison should be a local and environmentally sustainable source of high quality protein. 

"At a time when people are becoming more conscious of their consumer habits, venison provides an exciting opportunity to involve new audiences in our habitat restoration vision." 

The RSPB says the successful candidate will be "a disciplined and self-motivated person willing to work in remote locations and in poor weather".

The individual will also "need to be physically fit and able to cover long distances on foot over difficult terrain".

The job advertisement does not use the term 'cull'. Nor is it known if  the chosen candidate will be required to pull the trigger. 

Interviews for the post will start on June 3.

For further information, contact:  Bill.kenmir@rspb.org.uk 

The Wryneck says: Why the need for the RSPB to be so mealy-mouthed? Why cannot it be straightforward and upfront? If it intends to cull deer in order to safeguard and enhance habitat for flycatchers, redstarts and wood warbler, that is a perfectly defensible policy. So why seek to disguise the activity as an initiative to promote venison as if it is some 'exciting' new culinary opportunity. The RSPB would surely retain greater respect if, instead of pussyfooting around issues, it looked them square in the eye.

The scary shoreline moment when ace wildlife photographer Steve Race thought he might be a gonna

                                             

Getting up close to the birds - photographer and raconteur Steve Race

A FRONTLINE British wildlife photographer has revealed a scary moment while snapping shoreline waders.

Because he favours sharing the same eyeline as his subjects, the  strategy of Steve Race is to lie motionless on the sand and wait for the incoming tide to drive the birds up to him.

Over the years, it has enabled him to secure fantastic close-up shots of the likes of oystercatcher, redshank, knot, sanderling and more.

But on one occasion, the strategy could have cost him his life.

With the incoming tide just yards away, he found himself temporarily paralysed in both legs by paresthesia, familiarly known as 'pins and needles'.

"It was not a pleasant experience," he told the April meeting of Grimsby and Cleethorpes RSPB group. "I couldn't move.

"With the tide coming in fast, I thought for a moment I was going to drown!"

Happily, Steve was able to use his elbows to crawl - carrying all his optical gear - to higher ground where feeling quickly returned to his legs.

Steve is a professional photographer and co-director with Richard Baines of  the firm, Yorkshire Coast Nature which runs birding holidays coasts,  mostly in his native county (he lives in Scarborough) but also elsewhere in Britain, with occasional forays overseas.

His presentation on the birds of Bempton and North Yorkshire was greatly enjoyed by the 50 or so attendees - not just because of the quality (and occasional quirkiness) of the photographs but also because his commentary was fast-paced and spiced with humour.

It was great to hear not just that, at least in the southern section of the North Sea, precious seabirds seem to have withstood the menace of avian flu, but also that minke whales and bottle nosed dolphins are now regularly being sighted from land.

There was some sentimentality - not just shots of seal pups and puffins but also amusing  video footage of two dipper chicks waiting (impatiently) to be fed by a parent. 

However, there were also reminders that nature is often not feathery and fluffy, but, in Tennyson's words, "red in tooth and claw".

Peregrines with bloodied prey featured in Steve's  presentation as did one gruesome shot of rival gannets pecking into each others' eyes.

"I’ve seen gannets' eyes burst and pop out," he declared. "On one occasion, two grappling gannets plunged from cliff to sea where one then drowned the other."

Steve also threw a mystery into his box of tricks. 

Purple sandpipers used annually to roost in significant numbers on  Scarborough’s east pier, but this past winter not one returned Why might that be?

For six years Steve was an education officer with the RSPB at Bempton.

Asked if there was a rat population at the cliffs, he confirmed this to be the case and that, in the past, their presence at the visitor centre has been a concern.

At night, the cliffs are also patrolled by stoats and weasels putting  incubating adults, eggs and chicks on the higher ledges at risk from predation.

From time to time, foxes have also been problematical, especially when, as has happened, they bite the heads off sleeping gannets.

Quizzed on whether the ever-increasing number of windfarms in the North Sea posed a threat to seabird colonies, he conceded there were likely to be casualties among gannets, especially if they  were sucked into the vortices of rotating turbine blades

What were the star birds of Steve's presentation? 

Dotterel, golden plover and great northern diver (overwintering in Scarborough harbour) all have their claim.

But Steve definitely had a soft spot for the black-browed albatross that proved such a magnet at Bempton in summer 2021 and 2022.

After giving Yorkshire a miss last summer Will 'Albert' return in 2024? Time will soon tell.

* More about Yorkshire Coast Nature at:

Yorkshire Coast Nature - Nature Tours, Workshops & Gallery

                                                                     

Life among the gannets - Steve offering photography tips to Ellie Harrison during shooting of  a sequence for BBC TV's Countryfile show 

                                                              

               

Is this stuffed fox cute, amusing and charming? Or is it unforgivably distasteful exploitation of wildlife?

 

Is this amusing or upsetting - or both? Somehow it is impossible not to feel unsettled by this anthropomorphic stuffed fox carrying a fox-hunting bugle. It is up for sale at an auction to be conducted by auction house Tennants at their saleroom in Leyburn, North Yorkshire on Wednesday April 17. The guide price is £600-£800. Also in the sale are a range of stuffed birds, some Victorian and some contemporary. They include an unusual robin with white markings in its plumage. The pre-sale estimate is that the hammer price will come down at between £180 and £280. 

House sparrow again top of the leaderboard in RSPB's annual January garden birdwatch

 

Male and female house sparrow (photo: RSPB)

JUST as last year, the House Sparrow is the bird most seen in British gardens - or it was in January this year.

That was when the RSPB carried out its popular annual bird county across the nation.

The Top Ten (with the number of individuals counted) are listed below: 

1 House Sparrow (1,442,300)

2 Blue Tit  (1,094,401)

3 Starling (879,006)

4 Woodpigeon (835,408)

5 Blackbird (708,004)

6 Robin (539,820)

7 Great Tit (523,638)

8 Goldfinch (478,740)

9 Magpie (446,678)

10 Long-tailed Tit  (383,166)

Also recorded, though less frequently, were the following 70 species:  

11 Chaffinch

12 Collared dove 

13 Jackdaw 

14 Feral pigeon 

15 Dunnock

16 Carrion crow 

17 Coal tit

18 Greenfinch 

19 Wren 

20 Great spotted woodpecker 

21 Nuthatch

22 Song thrush 

23 Common gull 

24 Ring-necked parakeet

25 Rook 

26 Pheasant 

27 Blackcap 

28 Tree sparrow 

29 Bullfinch 

30 Siskin 

31 Jay 

32 Pied wagtail 

33 Herring gull 

34 Redwing 

35 Red kite

36 Sparrowhawk 

37 Black-headed gull

38 Fieldfare 

39 Hooded crow 

40 Buzzard 

41 Mallard 

42 Goldcrest 

43 Moorhen 

44 Stock dove

45 Treecreeper 

46 Grey wagtail 

47 Green woodpecker 

48 Marsh tit

49 Mistle thrush 

50 Kestrel 

51 Grey heron 

52 Redpoll 

53 Raven 

54 Yellowhammer 

55 Lesser spotted woodpecker 

56 Brambling 

57 Reed bunting 

58 Chiffchaff

59 Barn owl 

60 Mute swan 

61 Willow tit

62 Red-legged partridge 

63 Tawny owl 

64 Linnet

65 Great black-backed gull 

66 Lesser black-backed gull 

67 Hawfinch 

68 Little owl 

69 Skylark 

70 Black redstart 

71 Waxwing

72 Meadow pipit 

73 Grey partridge

74 Lapwing 

75 Great crested grebe 

76 Corn bunting 

77 Tufted duck 

78 Gadwall 

79 Teal 

80 Wigeon 

The charity says a total of 9.7 million birds were counted during Big Garden Birdwatch 2024

More than 600,000 people submitted entries.

RSPB set to splash out £40,000 per annum on employing 'senior equality and diversity officer'?

                                                             

THE RSPB is the latest organisation intent on beefing up its approach to equality, anti-racism and diversity issues.

It is offering a salary of up to the equivalent of £39,267 per annum  for a part-time 'Senior Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist'.

The charity says the role will be  "to support staff and volunteers by providing advice and guidance, and to develop new ways of working to support senior leadership to embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) practices."

What has  this got to do with protecting birds? 

Responds a spokesperson: "To tackle the nature and climate emergency, we need to enable more people - and people of greater diversity - to act for nature. 

"At present,  conservation is one of the least diverse sectors in the UK, but we are committed  not only to improving our workplace and its culture, but also driving forward EDI including work specifically on anti-racism.

"It is our responsibility towards a sustainable future for people and nature together.

"People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. 

"We are particularly interested in receiving applications from individuals who identify as a person of colour and/or disabled.

"We are willing to discuss any additional support such individuals may need to complete their applications."

The initial contract is three days a week for one year, and the successful candidate can be home-based or work at one of the RSPB's regional offices  in Birmingham, London, Brighton, Newcastle, Lancaster, Exeter, Norwich or Sandy

This role requires occasional travel, but it is not essential to be able to drive.

The closing date for applications is April 14, and more details are available by contacting edi@rspb.org.uk 

Friend or foe? Birder-author Joe Shute reckons high time has come to rethink our relationship with the rat

 

Let's learn to respect rats - so says Joe Shute in his new book 

THE subject of the latest book by Sheffield-based birder-author Joe Shute is . . . the rat.

To be published on Friday of this week, Stowaway provides a cultural and social history of Rattus norvegicus, examining how one creature achieved total world domination and has inspired such love and loathing.

Rats are creatures which inspire fear and fascination in equal measure. Their lives are more closely entwined with humans than any other animal, but, according to Joe, they remain the most misunderstood of all species.

Rat fan - author Joe Shute

Says he: "No animal has been so determinedly targeted by humans, and still managed to survive and thrive in our midst. 

"No animal is so often derided as being vicious and cunning, but possesses such a rich and complex inner life."

In his extensive research, the author travelled the world from sub-Saharan Africa to the Rocky Mountains, visiting some of the most rodent-infested cities on earth both to unpick the myths about rats and to investigate the unexplored secrets of their own extraordinary lives.

In his fast-paced and entertaining narrative, Joe - a long-serving feature writer with The Daily Telegraph -  examines the way in which rats have shaped human history and meets cutting-edge researchers who have begun  harnessing the power of rat intelligence to achieve incredible results. 

He explores the hidden world they inhabit beneath our feet as well as their role in natural ecosystems. And through ownership of two pet rats (to which, posthumously, the book is dedicated), he discovers the close emotional bonds they form with humans when given the chance.

Ultimately, this is a book which questions what the lives of rats reveal to us about our own, and whether there might be a better way to live alongside our ancient "enemies" in the modern age.

Stowaway is published tomorrow (April 11) at £18.99 in hardback by Bloomsbury Publishing.

Wildlife safaris - with loan of Swarovski binoculars - proving to be major attraction at Balmoral Estate

Good chance of seeing range of special Scottish species in the hills of the famous Royal estate  

                                                      

BALMORAL Castle is definitely on to a winner with its two-hour nature safaris in the bird-rich grounds of the late Queen's favourite residence.

The twice-a-day treks aboard a Land Rover  are sold out for the rest of this month and well into spring.

Described as the Balmoral Expedition Tour, a ticket costs £350 ticket which covers  a maximum of six people.

Those on board are offered the loan of  binoculars manufactured by  Swarovski - one of the top brands in optics.

Says the Balmoral Castle website: "Through the manicured parkland and gardens in front of the castle, you travel through the estate to the old Caledonian pine forest, one of Scotland's most important habitats.

"After spending some time exploring this pristine area, we head out of the woods onto the open hillside.

"The views soon start to open up as we travel through the heather high up the flanks of Lochnagar, one of Scotland’s most famous mountains.

"Discover the intriguing life stories of the resident wildlife and learn about the conservation management that is currently underway to help protect some of the United Kingdom's rarest species.

"Although there are no guarantees, creatures regularly encountered include birds of prey, red squirrels, red deer, red grouse, black grouse, snow bunting and salmon.

"Swarovski binoculars are provided on the expedition tours. The outstanding quality of the binoculars allows you to get closer to the wildlife and landscapes of Balmoral.

"The tour then heads back to civilisation via the monuments and historical buildings of  Balmoral."

The ticket also allows admission to the grounds, gardens and the ballroom exhibition when they are open to the public. There is also a cafe and a gift shop at the castle.

Because of  the rarity of the species, the tour stays away from areas where capercaillies might nest, but there is always a chance that  a wandering bird might come into view.

On the occasions that she saw the bird, the Queen never failed to be entranced, and, like Prince Philip, she enthusiastically endorsed conservation initiatives on the estate. 

More information at: Balmoral Castle

Eagle's eye view of the famous castle and gardens

* Photos: Balmoral Castle website Balmoral Castle

Save the Tui! Star appearance for New Zealand bird in annual report of British company Rentokil Initial

 

New Zealand species stars in annual report of British company

IT is not often that photographs of wild birds feature in annual company reports, but perhaps Rentokil Initial have set a new trend.

This New Zealand bird - a Tui - graces page 32 of the current report.

It is one of the species that the New Zealand government is hoping to safeguard from the attention of introduced mammals such as stoats and rodents as part of its national Predator Free NZ campaign.

Rentokil Initial, a UK-based company with operations worldwide, has recently acquired four New Zealand businesses whose operatives are likely to be involved in the campaign.

* More about the Tui at: https://nzbirdsonline.org.nz

The logo of the national campaign features, inevitably, a Kiwi

The long wait continues - new Fair Isle observatory building unlikely to be ready for many months to come

                                                       

So near, yet so far. Lighthouse released this photograph last year to illustrate  how the £7.4-million project was progressing  

CONFIRMATION has come that the firm tasked with building a new bird observatory on  Fair Isle has entered administration.

Lighthouse/IDMH Ltd specialised in the  manufacture of modular buildings  from a factory in Sheffield.

The units for Fair Isle were transported by road to Grimsby, then by sea to Fair Isle.

Although the main structure of the bird observatory has been installed, Lighthouse experienced cashflow problems before the project could be completed.

Attempts to secure a buyer for the business and its assets failed, resulting in the appointment of Richard Goodall and Martyn Rickels of  business advisory firm FRP Advisory's Manchester offices  as joint administrators on March 22.

In response to the setback, the bird observatory management board has issued this statement: "We have to identify what works require to be completed and how we manage to carry these out.

"This process will take some time to undertake.

"Once finished, we shall review how we bring the rebuild to fruition after which we will  post an update."

During the regrettable hiatus ornithological surveys continue to be conducted by Alex Penn, Luke Marriner and Jonnie Fisk.

Sadly the demise of Lighthouse is reported to have cost the jobs of all 113 staff-members.

The joint administrators will seek both to secure returns for creditors and to support former employees' claims to the Redundancy Payments Service.

* Other high profile administrations handled by FRP Advisory include retailers Debenhams, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Peacocks and Laura Ashley  

Natural England warns of 'incineration' risk to wildfowl and waders if flare stacks are installed in Humber Estuary

Natural England fears that the Humber's wetland birds, such as these godwit, could be imperilled by proposed new 'green energy terminal'  

NATURAL England has sounded a note of alarm on a proposed new construction project in the Humber Estuary.

Ports giant ABP is keen to build and operate a 'liquid bulk green energy terminal' at Immingham.

This would import ammonia - probably from Saudia Arabia - which would then be processed to create hydrogen energy for various industrial uses, notably as a fuel for shipping, buses and other heavy vehicles.

But what particularly worries Natural England is the project may involve the installation  of flare stacks  (of the sort seen at offshore oil and gas rigs).

In a report, the wildlife watchdog states: "There is evidence that birds can be affected by such structures, sometimes with extreme consequences when large numbers are drawn to the flame and get incinerated." 

ABP's application does not state the number of flare stacks proposed, nor the likely dimensions of any flames.

                                              

For reasons unknown, birds - especially those on migration - can, very occasionally,  be fatally attracted to flares 

Natural England has other concerns about the scheme - for instance, the introduction of additional lighting into the estuary.

The report continues: "There is evidence to suggest that there can be benefits of lighting during hours of darkness for wintering wading birds in increasing the amount of foraging time available.

"However, it is a complex situation, and it is not yet known how artificial lighting during hours of darkness might affect the survival of wintering waders.

"Further assessment is necessary."

Natural England is also worried about disturbance and displacement of birds such as knot, dunlin, turnstone, curlew, redshank and particularly, given the the Humber is at the northern edge of the species' range, black-tailed godwit.

This is likely to be most evident during construction of the jetty when piling is required.

It says: "The loss of habitat may be considered small, but it will  still represent an appreciable  effect on the habitat. 

"A flight response is considered the most extreme 'disturbance event'. 

"Even before birds are driven to fly away, 'disturbance events' may still increase the stress response in a bird, for example by reducing the amount of time spent foraging or roosting or increasing the time spent scanning for threats."

Although ABP's ecologists say the birds will simply relocate to other parts of  the Humber, NE is unconvinced.

It states: "This assumption should not be relied upon, due to development pressures in these areas, and potential limitations for relocation within the surrounding area."

The full list of Humber-dwelling birds whose welfare Natural England is keen to safeguard is as follows:

• Avocet

• Bar-tailed godwit

• Black-tailed godwit

• Brent goose

• Curlew

• Dunlin

• Golden plover

• Goldeneye

• Greenshank

• Grey plover

• Knot

• Lapwing

• Mallard

• Oystercatcher

• Pochard

• Redshank

• Ringed plover

• Ruff

• Sanderling

However, it notes that there could also be an  impact on the following additional species that are thought occur on adjacent 'supporting habitat', also known as 'functionally linked land '(FLL).

• Scaup

• Shelduck

• Teal

• Turnstone

• Whimbrel

• Wigeon

• Green sandpiper

• Greylag goose

• Little egret

• Pink-footed goose

• Shoveler

• Crane

In its advice to ABP and to the Planning Inspectorate, which will determine the liquid bulk terminal application, Natural England further states  that consideration also needs to be given to potential impacts on the following species:  

• Hen harrier

• Marsh harrier

• Little tern

• Bittern

ABP's ecological consultants will seek to address the concerns at hearings to be held later this month.

* Industrial giants set to thrash out differences over project - see  Grimsby News

                                          

ABP's plan of the proposed terminal near Immingham

The Wryneck says: While such rigorous scrutiny is to be applauded, we think Natural England's concerns are overstated. Even on migration routes in the North Sea, the evidence of birds being incinerated by gas burn-off flare is scant. Meanwhile, NE has itself acknowledged that additional lighting can increase foraging and feeding time for birds. And if the majority of the construction, especially the piling, can be restricted to summer when most of the wetland birds are absent, any disturbance will be greatly minimised. It may be, too, that the development will end up being beneficial to birds in ways as yet unknown. We can never second-guess Mother Nature - she works in mysterious ways.

Tiny but scarce butterfly threatens to hold up controversial Lincolnshire salmon-farming project

Rich in wildlife, including migrant birds and butterflies - the site earmarked for the intensive salmon-breeding building 

A POPULAR birding spot on the East Coast could be spared development - at least temporarily - after it was identified as being the home of a scarce butterfly.

The former New Clee railways sidings on the edge of Cleethorpes in North East Lincolnshire is an extensive area of scrubland which has attracted such scarce species as red-backed shrike, bluethroat and black redstart as well as more common migrants.

But even though designated a site of Local Wildlife Interest, the local council granted planning consent for it to be developed  - almost in its entirety - as an expansive indoor salmon 'farm'.

However, it has since emerged  that the land, which is behind the Blundell Park of Grimsby Town FC, is home to a fast-declining butterfly - the 'wall' - a tiny orange creature with a wingspan of just 50mm (two inches).

North East Lincolnshire Council is mindful of its responsibility to safeguard ecology and biodiversity, so a condition has been imposed on the consent.

This states: "Prior to development commencing, an up-to-date survey for the Wall butterfly at the appropriate time of year for both larvae and adult life stages with a subsequent habitat improvement and mitigation strategy (including timings for works to be completed) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority."

The firm behind the salmon 'farm' scheme, Aquacultured Seafood Ltd, had hoped to start work on development in the first half of this year, but, given the importance of safeguarding the habitat of such a scarce butterfly, this may not now be possible.

                                     

Wall butterfly - small breeding colony on site earmarked for development

Spotlight on unusual Myrtle Warbler - American visitor that has made itself comfortable in an Ayrshire garden

 

Illustration from The Warblers of North America (1917) by Frank Chapman

One of the star birds of 2024 so far has undoubtedly been the Myrtle Warbler, a first winter male, that has been a long-staying resident in the garden of  Jimmy Crawford, a birder, in Kilwinning, Ayrshire. It is understood to be the first and only American warbler to have been recorded in Ayrshire. Jimmy has kindly been letting fellow-birders into his home to view the bird. In gratitude, some have contributed, via JustGiving, to North Ayrshire Cancer Care which has been treating his mother-in-law. Meanwhile, a scan through records of the species has revealed an article on its diet - Food of  the Myrtle Warbler (1901) written by Clarence Weed and Ned Dearborn.  Below is an extract.

It is only within a comparatively few years that the service rendered to agriculture by birds has been appreciated. 

It is becoming, however, to be more and more believed that the birds as a class are set over against the insects as a class to maintain a balance which shall prevent the latter from destroying plant life, both wild and cultivated. 

But the economic status of each species of bird has to be determined with precision before we can say that that particular species deserves protection and encouragement. 

Of all the members of the warbler tribe that are found in southern New Hampshire, either as summer residents or passing migrants, probably none excels the Myrtle or Yellow-rump Warbler  in abundance.

They are especially noticeable because, unlike most warblers, they  largely neglect the woods in favour of orchards and scrubby pastures.

They are hardy birds, wintering regularly as far north as Cape Cod.

Aududon says: "This species feeds on insects, is an expert fly catcher and a great devourer of caterpillars.

"During the winter, however, its principal food consists of berries of various kinds, especially those of the myrtle and pokeweed.

"They also feed on the seeds of various grasses."

"Nuttall’s account is in the same tenor. 

"Writing from Massachusetts, he says: 'Passing parties continue with us in gardens and woods till almost the close of November, feeding now almost exclusively on the myrtle-wax berry Myricacerifera as well as on those of the Virginia junipers.'

"This bird is called the Myrtle Warbler because of its fondness for the berries of the bayberry or waxberry myrtle, a small bush common along the Atlantic coast. 

"To determine the food value of these berries, Prof F. W. Morse kindly made an analysis of them which he reports as follows: 'The berries were extracted with hot alcohol and yielded a waxy matter.

"'After this treatment, there was left on the seeds a loose coating which could easily be rubbed off, leaving the smooth, hard seeds in about the state in which they are excreted by birds. 

"'This coating was removed by rubbing the seeds with a stiff brush over a fine- meshed sieve.

'"The waxy extract was greenish in colour and contained 1.06 per cent, protein. 

"'The loose coating was brown  and contained 13.2 per cent, protein.

"'Summing up, the total matter separated from the seeds amounted to 30.5 per cent of the whole of which over one half was wax.

"'The protein formed 5.7 per cent of the total matter removed or 1.75 per cent of the original seed.'"

* The article by Weed and Dearborn goes on to carry more detailed analysis of the stomachs of  Myrtle Warblers, revealing the presence not just of berries but also of caterpillars, spiders, flies, gnats, aphids and various other insects.