Council issues appeal to drone enthusiasts: 'Don't get too close to roosting or feeding shorebirds'

 

Irresponsible use of a drone over the rock armour off North Promenade, Cleethorpes, a favourite roosting spot for gulls and other birds

A COUNCIL has urged drone enthusiasts not to fly their devices over areas of  beach and saltmarsh where they may disturb wildlife - particularly birds.

Between next month and March, the  stretch of coastline between Cleethorpes and Humberston in northern Lincolnshire will provide feeding and roosting habitat for scores of thousands of  shorebirds, such as godwits, plovers and wild geese.

But they can be spooked by drones which they probably deem to be predators. 

North East Lincolnshire Council has today issued a statement which reads: "Forcing birds to take flight while  they are resting or  feeding is very disruptive - it can even affect breeding in the following season.

"Indeed, excessive disturbance can lead to exhaustion and death." 

Says NELC's portfolio holder for the environment, Cllr Henry Hudson: "Drones are becoming more and more popular as a means of getting literally a bird’s eye view of an event or a location.

"We have no objection to licensed drone use, but we do urge people to make sure they refrain from causing any unnecessary disturbance to our birds and wildlife., or accidents because of them."

NELC has published an advice leaflet at:  NELC-Use-of-Drones.docx

                                                        

Drone being flown over the fringes of the pools at Humberston Fitties 

Six years after the blaze, Fair Island Bird Observatory back in business with a brand new accommodation building

                                   

Artists at work on a mural of Fair Isle at the 2019 Birdfair

FAIR Isle Bird Observatory has re-opened for guests in  a brand new building.

Since late May, birders have been returning to probably Britain's hottest of hottest rarity hotspots.

The re-opening has come just over six years after an unexplained fire - which is believed to have started in the roof - destroyed the former observatory.

Plans are afoot for occasional live music performances, and it is understood that an application has also been submitted for a drinks licence.

During October, various discounts will be offered for those staying for a stay of longer than seven nights.

More information at: https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk

                                

Fair Isle lies between the Shetlands and the Orkneys (photo: Neil Farebrother via Wikimedia Commons)

Police seek information following damage to Sand Martin nesting bank at Northamptonshire reserve

                                                   

Shattered panel on one of the nesting banks

POLICE are appealing for information after one of two artificial Sand Martin nesting banks was severely damaged  at a  nature reserve in Rushden, Northamptonshire.

The banks had been installed three years ago by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trsut at a cost of £3,000 each. 

Last year, they were occupied  by Sand Martins for the first time.

It is understood that two nests were destroyed in the incident in which panels were broken and nesting tubes were thrown into the lake.

                                                    

Juvenile Sand Martin at rest

Says conservation manager for Northamptonshire Matt Johnson: "This is a very distressing incident for staff at the reserve and visitors who come here to enjoy wildlife. 

"Disturbing a bird nest is a wildlife crime and sets back our ambitions to create a healthy population of Sand Martins at the Nene Wetlands.

"As a wildlife charity, we are here to create space for nature and protect species so to have to deal with criminal behaviour and harm to birds in this way is quite shocking. 

"We hope those responsible will think very hard about what they've done and the loss of these beautiful birds.

"We will do our best to repair the bank but it will take time that we should be spending looking after the reserve."

PC Emerson Knights, of Northamptonshire police's rural crime team, comments: "Our team is dedicated to tackling wildlife crime and take reports like this very seriously.

"What happened to these nests was a mindless act of criminal damage that has harmed defenceless birds and caused a lot of upset for Trust staff and visitors. 

"We are appealing for anyone with information about this incident to contact us on 101, quoting incident reference 25000372274, or  Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."

                                                

One of the two nesting banks at the Rushden reserve

Stars of the reedbed - and stars of the saleroom! Bumper price achieved for Harrison painting of Marsh Harriers

 

This captivating painting of two Marsh Harriers in a watery habitat exceeded expectations when it went under the hammer at an auction held yesterday in Leyburn, North Yorkshire. Before the sale, auction house Tennants estimated that the study, by John Harrison (1898-1985), would achieve a  price of between  £300 and £500, but the bidding reached £1,300  before the hammer fell. The identity of the successful bidder has not been revealed, but his good taste is to be commended.  

Frank Rennie's new book will provide intriguing aspects on ecology of the Merlin - a 'magical raptor'

                                                                    

There is likely to be plenty of interest in Frank Rennie's  book about the Merlin when it is published in paperback by Pelagic on July 29. It takes a broad view of the species' ecology over its huge range, highlighting some intriguing variations in regional behaviour. The retail price of the paperback will be £30.

American ornithologist's study of Crossbills and Conifers to be published in UK next week

 

                                            

This  study of Crossbills and conifers is likely to be a prestigious and welcome addition to the bookshelf of many a birder. Author Craig Benkman is a distinguished ornithologist and an academic at the University of Wyoming. The book, is published in hardback at £65 by Pelagic Publishing. It is due out on Tuesday July 15.

What am I bid? Red Grouse and Spoonbill set to catch the eye at weekend art auction in Yorkshire

Painted in 1991, this mixed media study of Red Grouse over a burn by Richard Robjent (born 1937) is expected to fetch between  £200 and £300 when it goes under the hammer at a sale of British, European and Sporting Art on Saturday, July 12. In the same sale,, to be conducted by auction house Tennants at their premises in Leyburn, North Yorkshire is a study (below) of a Spoonbill by Raymond Watson (1935-1994) where the pre-sale guide price is  £300-£500.

Are they really public enemy number one? Mainstream media just won't leave 'seagulls' alone

 

Any chance to demonise Herring Gulls and Britain's seldom fails to jump to the bait. Above and below are two items - on  a photograph and one a news report - that appeared last week in The Daily Telegraph newspaper. 

Norfolk- based printer of annual county bird reports calls in administrators

 

                                      

A NORFOLK-based company which, over the years, has printed many annual county bird resorts has folded.

Swallowtail Print ran into difficulties during the Covid pandemic and has never managed to recover fully.

Attempts to find a buyer for the company, which is based in Drayton, near Norwich, proved unsuccessful and it entered administration on June 24.

One of the last contracts it fulfilled was the printing last month of the 2022 Lincolnshire Bird Report.

The administrators are Norwich-based McTear Williams & Wood.

Some 44 staff have been made redundant, but it is understood several have found work with another Norfolk-based printing company.