BYGONE BIRDING (3): PUGNACIOUS HOUSE SPARROWS SENT RATS SCURRYING FOR SAFETY

From The Zoologist, Vol 16, 1858

Note on sparrows attacking rats

While sitting at breakfast one day, in the latter part of last December, my attention was drawn to some ten or twelve house sparrows which were fluttering about in a strange manner on the roof of an adjacent stable at a particular spot where a water-gutter joined the roof. 

I presently observed a large rat emerge from the gutter on to the roof, when it was fiercely attacked by all the sparrows, which surrounded it, drove it down the roof, and appeared to have entirely got the mastery over it.

But suddenly it made its escape by rushing down a waterpipe which led from the roof into a drain at the foot of the stable. 

The sparrows then resumed their post at the spot where this rat had first appeared, and very soon a second rat came out on to the roof, at the same place where the other one had first shown itself.

The second rat was attacked by the sparrows even more fiercely than the first, and it was not without two severe struggles and one vain attempt that it succeeded in gaining the same pipe in which its predecessor had taken refuge.

The sparrows appeared much disconcerted at the escape of their enemy. 

The above was communicated to me (in substance) by Mr G.W. Guymer, who is an intelligent and trustworthy person in this parish. 

J.H.Gurney MP
Catton,
Norfolk. 

February 23, 1858.

ESCAPED RAPTOR SIGHTED HIGH IN THE TREES OF NORTH- EAST LINCOLNSHIRE VILLAGE

Surveying its surroundings - the escaped raptor

ANYONE lost a Harris hawk?
This escapee was spotted in tall trees  in the North-east Lincolnshire village of Humberston, near Cleethorpes,  at lunchtime today.
The bird was being mobbed by two magpies, one of which approached close enough to aim a peck - at which point the huge raptor flew off to another tree, terrifying a group of perched woodpigeons which scattered from the branches in panic.
The Harris  hawk is a native of North America and  one of the most popular birds of prey among UK falconers.

BYGONE BIRDING (1): 'FAIR EXCHANGE IS NO ROBBERY'

Great spotted woodpecker - eggs laid in vain

Letters published in the January, 1869, edition of The Zoologist


Nidification of Woodpecker

On the 8th of May last, knowing a woodpecker's nest, I enlarged the hole by cutting sufficiently to admit my arm, hoping to find eggs, but was disappointed. 

Two days after, on passing the spot and seeing the bird fly out of its hole, I put my hand in and found to my surprise two eggs. 

These I took, and, acting on the principle of " exchange is no robbery," substituted blackbird's eggs. 

This exchange went on for the next three days.

 On the 15th, however, I found the blackbird's eggs, together with one of their own (laid that morning), turned out and broken. 

Nevertheless, next morning I took another egg from the nest, and not having one with me for substitution, I left the nest empty. 

On the 21st I got four more, having taken in all eleven, not including the one broken. 

G.W.P. Moor
Great Healings
Suffolk

November 13, 1868. 

***

Great Black Woodpecker in Leadenhall Market

I am indebted to Mr. Gatcombe who has been successful in obtaining some of our rarest birds in the London markets) for an unskinned specimen of the great black woodpecker, obtained by him in Leadenhall on the 6th of November.

Mr. Gatcombe supposes it was from Sweden as it came with some capercaillie, but the dealer who had it said that it was consigned
to him from Hull. 

The stomach was remarkably thin, and contained (as Mr. Cordeaux, who examined it, informs me) nothing but turpentine and insect remains.  

J. H. Gurney, Jun. 

***

Great Black Woodpecker 

I lately received, through the kindness of Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun. the stomach of this bird to dissect. 

This stomach, the muscular coat of which was very thin, smelt very strongly of turpentine, and contained a dark, thick, oily fluid, which I believe was almost pure turpentine. 

It was well filled with insects, all of one sort: they are probably the larvae of the snake-fly  or some closely-allied species. 

John Cordeaux
Great Cotes
Ulceby,
Lincolnshire

November 18, 1868. 

***

Great Black Woodpecker in Hampshire

I have  just received a letter stating that a great black woodpecker (male) was shot a few days since, at Benstead, in Hampshire. 

My informant (Smithers) had the bird in his hand before it was skinned. 

I am none the more certain, however, that it was shot at the place mentioned for T have known many instances of rare British birds being sent to our markets in the flesh, and from the markets sent into the country for the purpose of deceiving the unwary. 

Still the statement may be true, and I will leave no stone unturned to ascertain if such be the case. 

John Gould

* Anyone visiting Leadenhall Market so frequently as I do (being compelled twice a day to pass the entrance) will admire the unquestionable honesty of the dealers as demonstrated by the excessive paucity of the records of rarities source. It is marvellous how very small is the amount of records of rarities purchased in that great mart of Continental and British ornithology. 

Edward Newman
Editor

AMERICAN WARBLER REMOVED FROM ENDANGERED LIST AS NUMBERS RECOVER

Still vulnerable but the Kirtland's warbler has bounced back from near-extinction (photo supplied by ABC)

A BIRD which came close to extinction is now recovering.

According to a statement released today by the American Bird Conservancy, the Kirtland’s Warbler has been removed from its list of  endangered species by the US Federal Government.

Says ABC: "During the 1970s and 1980s, the warbler was on the brink of extinction, numbering fewer than 200 pairs. 

"But with help from the Endangered Species Act, and the efforts of government and non-profit partners, the Kirtland's Warbler fought back, increasing its numbers more than ten-fold.

"As we consider the loss of almost 30 percent of North America’s birds during the last 50 years, this is a remarkable achievement. "

However, this beautiful warbler remains a conservation-dependent species and one of the rarest migratory birds in the Americas. 

Adds the ABC: "If we fail to protect and manage habitat and to combat threats, it is sure to  slide right back toward extinction."

POOR BREEDING SEASON FOR GREY PARTRIDGES

Grey partridges struggled in June (photo: GWCT)

IT has been a disappointing  breeding season for a rapidly-declining farmland bird - the grey partridge.

This is the discouraging annual autumn count data coming out of the  Partridge Count Scheme and the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Even in areas that are managed for grey partridges (those that ensure abundant habitat for nesting and brood-rearing as well as seasonal predator control), the number of chicks produced is below average.

In areas of the country without management for grey partridges, the situation is likely to have been worse.

It is likely that the low number of young is related to a lack of chick-food insects, in combination with intense rainfall and cold temperatures in June. 

The GWCT is urging caution from those who shoot partridges for sport.

It describes the situation as "serious" thought not  as bad as the devastating summer of 2012.

Says one of its senior scientists, Dr Julie Ewald: “In order to shoot sustainably, it is important to know what numbers of birds you have on the ground.”

“Many coveys seen this year have few young and are being joined by barren pairs or single adult birds, making the covey size appear closer to normal.  

"Make sure you spend time identifying both young and old in a covey, to ensure you don’t overestimate the number of chicks produced.”

The  trust  advise that  grey partridges should not be shot if there are  fewer than 20 birds per 250 acres 

Head of advisory services Dr Roger Draycott comments: “While it has been a disappointing year for grey partridge breeding success, given the right conditions, numbers can bounce back quickly.

Roger Draycott - hoping for a bounceback

"A cautious approach to shooting this autumn will benefit greys in the long-run.”

Farmers and land managers are being urged to give wild partridges extra food this winter and next spring to make sure they start the next breeding season in the best possible condition.

They are also being encouraged to provide  plenty of cover at the edges of fields for birds to hide in during the late winter and early spring as they can suffer losses of over 50 per cent when cover is in short supply.

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

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

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


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


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


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

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

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

                                       

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

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


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

Below: Turnstone feeding near the site of the proposed artwork

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

                                                                 

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

 

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

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

That’s down from 897 in summer last year.

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

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

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

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

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

“It also benefits other species.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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