At this time of year, skeins of clamorous pinkfooted geese are a familiar sight and sound over many British estuaries. This is a watercolour study (35.5cm x 51.5cm) by Rodger McPhail (born 1953) of a scene at at an unknown location. It is expected to fetch between £250 and £400 when it goes under the hammer in a sale of British, European and Sporting Art to be held by auction house Tennants of Leyburn, Yorkshire on November 11.
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| John Gorst (United Utilities), Rory Stewart and Lee Schofield (RSPB) - Lee later described the posed picture as "awkward" |
"A YEAR into the job I felt isolated and embattled - I grew increasingly convinced that everyone was against us."
Thus writes RSPB warden Lee Schofield in Wild Fell, his no-holds-barred account of his work to establish a wildlife reserve at Haweswater in the Lake District.
Much of the hostility came from long-established sheep-farming families suspicious that ancient traditions might be under threat from meddling we-know-best environmentalists from down south.
But what really the RSPB man hit hardest was when, after initial support, the constituency's Conservative MP Rory Stewart seemed to change his tune.
In an article, the MP - later to be a challenger for the Conservative Party leadership - wrote: "The valley was owned by United Utilities, the water company, and the tenant was now the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
"I was shown the adjoining land by officers from UU and the RSPB.
"Both men were in neat hiking gear: fit, smiling - I might have taken them for canoe instructors.
"They wanted to show me how they had managed the land, in a way that increased biodiversity, decreased flooding and increased carbon capture.
"They employed a contractor, on a one year annual contract, to look after their sheep and land.
"I suggested that densely-cropped green lawns - alongside the wilder fells - had, for almost two thousand years, been one of the beauties of the Lake District.
"A man on a one-year contract was not the same as a small family sheep farm, with generations of occupation and security of tenure.
"Small family farms were links to the past: the last traces of our indigenous population.
"I argued that, if the Lake District became a wilderness reserve occupied by professionals from elsewhere, we would have lost something very precious.
"And, rather than bringing professionals in from other parts of Britain, we should be running training courses for local farmers to do the same job."
In Wild Fell, the RSPB warden hits back: "Not only did Rory reinvent our conversation but it also felt like he was poking fun at us.
"He referred to my United Utilities colleague and me as being dressed like canoe instructors, a reference that was pitched perfectly to accentuate a sense of rural tribalism where conservationists are characterised as being distinct from farmers and to make it clear on which side Rory's allegiances lay."
He continues: "In a very rural constituency, a bit of RSPB and United Utilities bashing might strengthen his support with what he clearly viewed as the most important part of his electorate: the farmers and not people like me
"I grew increasingly convinced that everyone was against us.
"The million-plus members of the RSPB were surely on our side, but it didn't feel like any of them were making their support known."
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| Lee Schofield's book is published in paperback at £10.99 |
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| Rory Stewart does not mention his encounter with Lee Schofield in his new book but refers to in a blog on his website, www.rorystewart.co.uk |
The Wryneck says: It is puzzling that Lee Schofield should be so super-sensitive about the MP's article. To be described as being "fit, smiling and in hiking gear" is surely a compliment rather than "poking fun". And Rory Stewart is right - terms such as 'biodiversity', 'sustainability' and 'carbon capture' are probably even more sterile to the farmer in the uplands than they are to the man in the street. There is little doubt that Lee Schofield and the RSPB are doing a fantastic job at Haweswater, but a little humility would not come amiss. Contrary to what they might think, it is unlikely that they have all the answers. Instead of engaging in stand-offs with the farmers, Lee and the RSPB should extend the hand of friendship. A readiness to listen and to learn would be a start.
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| What's on the the other side of the library window? Could it be . . ? |
HALLOWE'EN can be a nervy time - especially after dark- at the BTO's head office in Thetford, Norfolk.
The Nunnery is said to be a haunted building where mugs and other items jump about on shelves, and various squeaks, thuds and scratches are sometimes to be heard.
According to one report, the remains of long-deceased nuns were inadvertently unearthed when a new floor was laid in the 12th Century chapel.
Curiously, though, the only 'ghost' is not female. 'It' is a phantom male butler.
Between 1994-96, David Lindo, the Urban Birder, worked as head of membership at the BTO, and was slightly unnerved by the tales he heard.
In a conversation with longtime BTO employee and head of communications Mike Toms, David said: "I was a little bit scared.
"Nothing untoward happened to me, but when you come from London to work in the countryside, it's understandable to be a little apprehensive - especially if you're fed stories of certain nightly scenarios.
"It's like that film, Zombies, as soon as the light started to fade, I jumped into my car and was away!"
In response, Mike Toms conceded that the chapel had a certain 'ambience' but insisted: "I've never felt threatened.
"On the contrary, there is a welcoming feeling -The Nunnery is a wonderful place to work."
* David Lindo's conversation with Mike Toms can be viewed on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAQqQJna7Dw&t=2563s
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| Nothing to fear! These fearless birders took part in last month's BTO Young Leaders course. But to be on the safe side, it was held not at The Nunnery but a guaranteed spook-free site in the New Forest. |
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| Could the capercaillie be restored to the Dalnacardoch Estate which lies between Blair Atholl and Dalwhinnie? |
This oil tanker moored off the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales may have brought with it the great-tailed grackle that is currently proving a magnet for twitchers. The good ship, Antarctic, arrived here earlier in the week from the port of Corpus Christi in Texas where grackles - not known as long-distance migrants - are common visitors to bird feeders.
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| One of Britain's few breeding sites of spotted crakes |
A FULL-time warden is being sought by the RSPB to manage two of its reserves in the Cairngorms.
Insh Marshes, near Kingussie, is said to be Britain’s largest floodplain mire.
In winter, it normally hosts numerous whooper swans and other wetland birds, with crested tits occasionally putting in an appearance in the perimeter woodlands. Hen harriers are also regularly seen.
In summer, the reserve attracts breeding waders, including spotted crakes, and songbirds such as wood warblers and redstarts. Visiting raptors include both eagle species and ospreys.
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| Insh Marshes - a world of boggy wonders |
Responsibilities of whoever lands the job will also also include supervising a small team of enthusiasts and oversight of the Ballinlaggan reserve, a smaller site, which is not generally publicised by the RSPB.
The post carries a salary in the region of £28,331 to £30,415 per annum.
More details are available from the RSPB, and the deadline for applications is November 19, 2023.
The job description is below:
About the Role
As one of the Wardens, you will be an essential part of a small team delivering the Insh Marshes and Ballinlaggan management plans, as well as supporting our ambitious Cairngorms Connect restoration programme for the river and floodplain.
The main focus of the role is to take responsibility for implementing the reserve management plans, including habitat and grazing management, to deliver the ecological objectives on the wetland, woodland and grasslands.
In addition, you will undertake and oversee species and habitat survey and monitoring work on site, including annual monitoring of the breeding and wintering wader and wildfowl population and other RSPB priority species, such as Aspen Hoverfly, Dark Bordered Beauty Moth, Water Vole, and Beavers.
The role will also involve oversight trial grazing with an RSPB-owned and managed herd of Konik ponies.
The post-holder will be jointly responsible for the management of the wardening team and volunteers (non-residential and residential) to ensure the delivery of work programmes. This includes ensuring that they are trained and appropriately equipped to work safely.
As Warden, you will ensure high standards of Health and Safety and legal compliance are maintained across the reserve, including the safe use and maintenance of the reserve machinery and equipment used to undertake reserve management.
Additional activities will include:
What we need from you?
We are looking for someone experienced in wetland management with strong ecological knowledge and good practical skills who can deliver to a high standard. You will be organised, resilient, and self-motivated, able to take on almost anything a day on the reserve can throw at you. The work programme at Insh Marshes can be complex and demanding.
You must be a strong team player who collaborates closely with other members of the Insh Marshes Team. You'll have plenty of energy and a willingness to learn and develop as part of your role.
The role will involve remote working, and you must enjoy working outdoors in all weather, as this is Scotland.
Essential knowledge, skills and experience:
Desirable qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience
Additional information:
This role will involve lone working and working in remote locations. This role will also require occasional weekend, early morning and evening working so will need someone who is able to be flexible.
This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 4th December 2023. For further information please contact karen.birkby@rspb.org.uk
As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.
We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.
This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
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| Ospreys, hen harriers and eagles (of two species) are regularly to be seen |
