tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11008187684193498002024-03-13T23:11:34.603-07:00Stewart AbbottAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-8608574689433289202016-11-25T07:12:00.000-08:002016-11-25T07:12:17.352-08:00My Hen Harrier Day 2016<div style="text-align: justify;">
My Hen Harrier Day 2016 started in Bristol on 12th March after a conversation with Mark Avery.</div>
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I asked if he had heard anything about plans for Hen Harrier Day 2016 and where it would be.</div>
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Mark wasn't sure but had heard that a large event was being talked about down south. I remember being disappointed at the time, thinking that moving the main event away from the heart of the country & the centre of the problem was a mistake. Mark suggested I talk to BAWC, (Birders Against Wildlife Crime) that was it really, I never gave it another thought.</div>
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Then in late April I met up with Mark, Ruth Tingay & the Wilde family for a picnic with Henry. Hen Harrier Day was mentioned again and I said how disappointed I was about not having an event in the Peak District. After some encouragement I said I would contact Phil at BAWC to see if they would like me to make plans for #HHDay2016 in the Peak. Then on the way home I began to question whether I could actually pull it off given the success of the Derwent Valley & Goyt Valley events in previous years. I also wondered if people would turn up without the drawer of Chris Packham as a speaker. This turned out to be a ridiculous worry as I soon realised that, as wonderful as Chris is, it's the Hen Harrier that is the true reason people turn out all over the country for HHDays.</div>
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The hardest part of the process was finding a venue. While marshaling last year people had mentioned that friends had not attended as they felt the walk was too far to where the meeting point was, so I was keen to make access to the event much easier. After driving around over several weekends and covering many miles a few sites seemed OK. Then Nick Moyes suggested I take a look at a site in Edale, so the following weekend we went to have a look and it ticked lots of boxes. Then with help from Richard Taylor (Head of countryside services, Derbyshire County Council) & support & permission from Anne Western (Leader of Derbyshire County Council) meant we had a great place to hold #HHDay2016 with Train Station, Toilets, Car Park & Cafe.</div>
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So 3 months of emails & telephone calls followed and a great list of speakers soon started to emerge.</div>
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My partner Lynne deserves a lot of credit as she put up with many nights after work of me tapping away on social media trying to publicise the event and didn't complain as she knows how important this issue is to me.</div>
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First up was Findlay Wilde, a young conservationist who I admire greatly. He works hard to bring many issues to the attention of people and always speaks with thought, intelligence but also lots of passion. I was so pleased he agreed to speak, Findlay' family were also a great help before & on the day, so a huge thanks must go to Nigel, Heather & Harley.</div>
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A couple of years ago I listened to the then Derbyshire Police & Crime Commissioner Alan Charles talk at the 2015 BAWC conference. He was very vocal about wildlife crime, I had contacted all of the new PCC candidates prior to the election in 2016 to find out if they would commit to helping crack down on wildlife crime in Derbyshire. Only one candidate replied, that was the newly elected PCC Hardyal Dhindsa. Without hesitation he agreed to speak at #HHday2016, He must be given great credit for carrying on with the same attitude as Alan Charles had towards wildlife crime, two Derbyshire Wildlife Crime Officers came along too.</div>
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Back in the Derwent Valley in 2014 on a very rainy day I made my way to the <a href="http://theavenuewashlands.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/the-1st-hen-harrier-day-10th-august.html" target="_blank">first Hen Harrier Day</a>,</div>
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I introduced myself to Mark Avery, a man who despite much criticism from the shooting industry has created such a powerful movement against Driven Grouse Shooting, he had no idea who I was but was so grateful that I and 569 others had made the effort in awful conditions to protest about the state of our Hen Harrier populations. We have come a long way in two years, Mark agreed to talk even though he had already spoken at the Rainham Marshes event the day before. A top man.</div>
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The next speaker was an interesting one, Jon Stewart. Jon is The National Trusts General Manager in the Peak District & had recently been in the news for withdrawing shooting licences at Hope Woodlands & Park Hall in the Peak District. A move that sent ripples of concern through the shooting fraternity as some one had finally said enough is enough. His speech was about a future for the Peak District with Birds of Prey at its heart. Jon was brave to face up to what could have been a mildly volatile audience. He was received with the warm welcome he deserved and people were given hope in what he said.</div>
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Natalie Bennett was next up, the then leader of the Green Party had made a 4 plus hour journey from London to talk at Hen Harrier Day. This impressed many before she even spoke a word, me in particular. Natalie had responded to me at the beginning of the process and was one of the first on board the event. She also impressed all that heard her speak with her knowledge of the issues and passion behind the words, she obviously cares deeply about the climate and issues relating to its decline.</div>
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Last to speak and one I was looking forward to was Tim Birch of The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. I know Tim a little from my volunteering with the trust and had the heads up from him about his speech. Full of hope and a vision for the Peak District of a world where predators were welcome and allowed to play their part in the ecosystem of the Peaks. He spoke of Hen Harriers of course but also of Pine Martins and Golden Eagles. Who wouldn't want that? Well we know who.</div>
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Last but not least I must mention Alan Davies, he stepped in and did a fantastic job as compere. He was passionate, you could almost say angry, and introduced all the speakers brilliantly. </div>
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A quick mention too for every one that helped marshal the event, without them it really couldn't have happened. </div>
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And of course all who attended, your enthusiasm and passion was overwhelming, you were also generous and donated well over £500 towards BAWC and next years events. Thank you.</div>
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Who knows what will happen next year, I still think that one big event with a thousand plus attendees would be the best option, this would surely attract main stream press and push the issue into the public domain again. Let's wait and see.</div>
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Here is a 15 minute version of the days events introduced by <a href="https://georgiaswildlifewatch.com/" target="_blank">Georgia Locock</a> & with extra interviews with the speakers.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-4235282026489971622016-08-09T01:28:00.001-07:002016-08-09T01:30:52.404-07:00Mark Avery speaks at #HHDay2016 in the Peak<a href="https://youtu.be/ThjL6dtbbRg">https://youtu.be/ThjL6dtbbRg</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-65096891093135311082016-08-09T01:26:00.001-07:002016-08-09T01:29:29.722-07:00Findlay Wilde speaks at #HHDay2016 in the Peak<a href="https://youtu.be/RLuxqIJrV9Y">https://youtu.be/RLuxqIJrV9Y</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-19880646425644118852016-04-12T08:42:00.000-07:002016-04-12T08:42:37.687-07:0060 minutes of wisdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WRqmUfm_zts/Vw0B2Q-NM5I/AAAAAAAAAhQ/c5yQti01xwYWUPddWeJIYyrgiHqChSTkQCLcB/s1600/Wyver%2BLane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WRqmUfm_zts/Vw0B2Q-NM5I/AAAAAAAAAhQ/c5yQti01xwYWUPddWeJIYyrgiHqChSTkQCLcB/s400/Wyver%2BLane.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the hide at Wyver Lane</td></tr>
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I had been dreading today as I was having a wisdom tooth removed and I really hate the dentists. So as a treat, as I'd been such a brave chap, I decided to visit Wyver Lane Nature Reserve. I pulled up to park and as I was putting on my walking boots on I immediately added a year tick with 2 Common Terns and that was just the start of a wonderful 60 minutes of nature watching. Here are a few pictures of a few species I saw.<div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YI7pR8UzOsQ/Vw0PfUKRo_I/AAAAAAAAAik/_7B2JtSqHKYOFg1sYLvLTTSs7Fv90ecqwCLcB/s1600/Cormorant%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVJFKOFCJvs/Vw0IIcZWUDI/AAAAAAAAAhg/JVuJhMeULuYyFKzmuryO5JIj8JXUjX9EQCLcB/s1600/Common%2BTern%2B002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVJFKOFCJvs/Vw0IIcZWUDI/AAAAAAAAAhg/JVuJhMeULuYyFKzmuryO5JIj8JXUjX9EQCLcB/s400/Common%2BTern%2B002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Tern flew past as I arrived</td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBEhFd0iV8A/Vw0OKib5xfI/AAAAAAAAAiY/VZ7UIpfWJmE35twuvo2vwQKM27JBTZl0QCLcB/s1600/Coot%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-93vda12AvKc/Vw0IJckTBKI/AAAAAAAAAhk/9NghnGw0geEA2Wh9y0MYbfAksRyD1G2AACLcB/s1600/Common%2BTern%2B003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-93vda12AvKc/Vw0IJckTBKI/AAAAAAAAAhk/9NghnGw0geEA2Wh9y0MYbfAksRyD1G2AACLcB/s400/Common%2BTern%2B003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2 birds fed for the whole 60 minutes of my visit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dd0gMmMIIPY/Vw0Jf7KbuZI/AAAAAAAAAhw/uPoZfsfO92U3a18wnz5aEsBe0TbdSotUgCLcB/s1600/canada%2Bgoose%2Bchase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dd0gMmMIIPY/Vw0Jf7KbuZI/AAAAAAAAAhw/uPoZfsfO92U3a18wnz5aEsBe0TbdSotUgCLcB/s400/canada%2Bgoose%2Bchase.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of arguing Canada Geese as breeding season takes hold </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBEhFd0iV8A/Vw0OKib5xfI/AAAAAAAAAiY/VZ7UIpfWJmE35twuvo2vwQKM27JBTZl0QCLcB/s1600/Coot%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mBEhFd0iV8A/Vw0OKib5xfI/AAAAAAAAAiY/VZ7UIpfWJmE35twuvo2vwQKM27JBTZl0QCLcB/s400/Coot%2B001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Coot was busy nest buiding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AR3m_0BmjQk/Vw0M60OrXkI/AAAAAAAAAiM/FyzcFVQsQTgWZ-mbMFRTixCUPGJGmBawQCLcB/s1600/Willow%2BWarbler%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AR3m_0BmjQk/Vw0M60OrXkI/AAAAAAAAAiM/FyzcFVQsQTgWZ-mbMFRTixCUPGJGmBawQCLcB/s400/Willow%2BWarbler%2B001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Chiffchaff was almost oblivious that I was there<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YI7pR8UzOsQ/Vw0PfUKRo_I/AAAAAAAAAik/_7B2JtSqHKYOFg1sYLvLTTSs7Fv90ecqwCLcB/s1600/Cormorant%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: start;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YI7pR8UzOsQ/Vw0PfUKRo_I/AAAAAAAAAik/_7B2JtSqHKYOFg1sYLvLTTSs7Fv90ecqwCLcB/s400/Cormorant%2B001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least 4 Cormorant were on the reserve</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4K8bZZzZJxs/Vw0RCGONJrI/AAAAAAAAAiw/4YBDHi-cGIgjHHUHEDav3jReh0S6sbvcACLcB/s1600/wren%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4K8bZZzZJxs/Vw0RCGONJrI/AAAAAAAAAiw/4YBDHi-cGIgjHHUHEDav3jReh0S6sbvcACLcB/s400/wren%2B001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Wren kept appearing on the top of the stone wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turns out it was collecting Moss for its nest<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning Reed Bunting just outside the Hide<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-22607928512425233372016-04-08T14:25:00.000-07:002016-04-08T14:25:22.810-07:00Welcome to BOB, Derbyshire 'Barn Owl Box' Project<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by : Stuart Pike @raptorwatcher</td></tr>
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In 2008 I went on a FSC <a href="http://www.field-studies-council.org/centres/flatfordmill.aspx" target="_blank">(Field Studies Council)</a> Bird ringing for beginners course at Flatford Mill, I had a fantastic time and met some great people. One person that had a lasting effect on me was <a href="https://twitter.com/StevePiotrowski" target="_blank">Steve Piotrowski</a>, he was one of the ringing trainers. On a wet afternoon, when ringing wasn't possible, he talked about his work with the Suffolk <a href="http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/barnowls" target="_blank">Community Barn Owl Project</a> and how they had brought the Barn Owl back from the brink in Suffolk. I remember thinking at the time that I would love to start a similar project in Derbyshire. I had only seen Barn Owls a couple of times and hoped for a time when they were abundant in the county and could be seen by many people, quartering over fields and marshes.<br />
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This dream was put on a back burner over the next few years as funding for such a scheme was well out of my reach. Then I joined the committee of the Chesterfield & North East Derbyshire Wildlife Trust local group. We started organising wildlife events in 2012 which enabled us to raise money to help out with some local conservation projects. After the 2014 event we had funds available for a new project and this was my chance to put forward the plight of the Barn Owl. All on the committee were instantly on board and the BOB (Barn Owl Box) project was born.<br />
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With funds to start we were up & running, Brian Goodwin (our resident craftsman) ordered the timber, roofing felt, nails etc. He stored the timber until we could find time to start building the boxes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mXlNRE03Mh8/VvaLF3q55yI/AAAAAAAAAd4/1DyMt_qRHnoGQ-ddQuqVG_BOrF9ouiZ_Q/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mXlNRE03Mh8/VvaLF3q55yI/AAAAAAAAAd4/1DyMt_qRHnoGQ-ddQuqVG_BOrF9ouiZ_Q/s320/IMG_1932.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian carefully marks out the cutting lines on the outdoor ply</td></tr>
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<br />In December 2015 we began building 10 boxes and also started trying to find local landowners who would let us install them on their land.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lj77Nwkk9Rg/VvaLGIMSomI/AAAAAAAAAd8/5BCCOZuSmekKeMty5pz4xVHDXRyyEuIhQ/s1600/IMG_1934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lj77Nwkk9Rg/VvaLGIMSomI/AAAAAAAAAd8/5BCCOZuSmekKeMty5pz4xVHDXRyyEuIhQ/s320/IMG_1934.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We used The Barn Owl Trust design for our boxes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Over a period of around 3 weeks we slowly assembled the boxes, I must admit Brian did most of the work and I turned up on Tuesdays to help put the boxes together and then Brian treated the timber and felted the roofs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WH75ZMDDDQQ/VvaNZyWWiRI/AAAAAAAAAeM/l-Ge0in-WdUmgHba0oe_IR2PQU6G4ffGA/s1600/IMG_1933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WH75ZMDDDQQ/VvaNZyWWiRI/AAAAAAAAAeM/l-Ge0in-WdUmgHba0oe_IR2PQU6G4ffGA/s320/IMG_1933.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boxes were made into kits ready to assemble</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzy_h9Yq9qY/VvaNZ83sR3I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/XYbE95TDRQQpRez9PiHgJi2yfUzcswJhw/s1600/IMG_1931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzy_h9Yq9qY/VvaNZ83sR3I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/XYbE95TDRQQpRez9PiHgJi2yfUzcswJhw/s320/IMG_1931.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One by one boxes were glued, sealed & screwed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wUo2kPIpwak/VvaNThwqt3I/AAAAAAAAAeI/sR8G-ig37zUKRYs-jJ435Z0_rEzbavevQ/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wUo2kPIpwak/VvaNThwqt3I/AAAAAAAAAeI/sR8G-ig37zUKRYs-jJ435Z0_rEzbavevQ/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This project would not have been possible without Brian's skill & the use of his workshop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Now the boxes were made, 10 in all, it was time to get them installed ready for the 2016 breeding season & hopefully the local Barn Owls would soon be moving in. The chance to try and help a wonderful species like the Barn Owl was a very exciting prospect. I'm sure we'd make a few errors along the way, like siting boxes in the wrong place etc. Our aim is to give the Barn Owl more breeding opportunities as natural nesting sites have been lost.<br />
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I had the privilege of ringing Barn Owl chicks on The Avenue Washlands in 2014, so we decided to make that the starting point and work our way out from there. The box there had been up for 7 years before it was used so we weren't expecting the new boxes to be used straight away but we all feel optimistic that some of the boxes will be used within a few years.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xiux8EvD0S8/VwgJFnK9SxI/AAAAAAAAAgs/dTB7vm1uyLw808EdqYCLFayX7zkWT9_vQ/s1600/barn%2Bowl%2Bowlets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xiux8EvD0S8/VwgJFnK9SxI/AAAAAAAAAgs/dTB7vm1uyLw808EdqYCLFayX7zkWT9_vQ/s320/barn%2Bowl%2Bowlets.jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first success with 5 Owls fledging in 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The 5 sites are a mixture of private residences & farms, all situated near Matlock, Hardwick & Clay Cross. The first box went up on Valentines day, February 14th 2016. I had been advised that 2 boxes on each site was the best way to go. Once the female had laid eggs the male would require his own roosting box as he is not allowed in the nesting box unless he was bringing in food.<br />
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It took around 3 hours to get the first box up, a combination of a big heavy box, naivety and a downfall of snow made it a tricky job!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M2yzapgtqUc/VvaX80HWM-I/AAAAAAAAAeo/UkCsedugKhEkGX-Kdy3LfHMI7BUuI7rOA/s1600/IMG_2046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M2yzapgtqUc/VvaX80HWM-I/AAAAAAAAAeo/UkCsedugKhEkGX-Kdy3LfHMI7BUuI7rOA/s320/IMG_2046.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suitable sites are found & secured ladders used to attach fixings</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JL8qfHKhvCU/VvaX7cr-nLI/AAAAAAAAAek/wW84zkQ_E_wGebLMM9qnEdjnqKzl1a80A/s1600/IMG_2047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JL8qfHKhvCU/VvaX7cr-nLI/AAAAAAAAAek/wW84zkQ_E_wGebLMM9qnEdjnqKzl1a80A/s320/IMG_2047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A securing bracket is fixed to tree</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c7ANDG3m-cc/Vwe87Ey9nPI/AAAAAAAAAgU/Gwyv8jvrozUYmXsBpn3aLafGgLLP3qnIA/s1600/IMG_6567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c7ANDG3m-cc/Vwe87Ey9nPI/AAAAAAAAAgU/Gwyv8jvrozUYmXsBpn3aLafGgLLP3qnIA/s320/IMG_6567.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boxes were placed in a harness and lifted up ready for fixing</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z8vgngG809o/Vwe87cec__I/AAAAAAAAAgY/fi_QurIaU-AnDwgedVeIf-pVprMj8PbPQ/s1600/IMG_6608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z8vgngG809o/Vwe87cec__I/AAAAAAAAAgY/fi_QurIaU-AnDwgedVeIf-pVprMj8PbPQ/s320/IMG_6608.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Safety ropes and a steady nerve were required to get the boxes fixed onto the brackets<br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ra6YzQpG18/Vwe843pTfwI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/ffd1COJuk8QrH0962mZat0-WaVvizjd2w/s1600/IMG_6556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ra6YzQpG18/Vwe843pTfwI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/ffd1COJuk8QrH0962mZat0-WaVvizjd2w/s320/IMG_6556.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then hooked over the bracket to hold in place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mHTPbEO56t4/Vwe84y34sEI/AAAAAAAAAgM/lqOgtz6AN78JY822j9wb3PRgLVLvgGUzA/s1600/IMG_6557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mHTPbEO56t4/Vwe84y34sEI/AAAAAAAAAgM/lqOgtz6AN78JY822j9wb3PRgLVLvgGUzA/s320/IMG_6557.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screws were then used to fix the box permanently in position</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zuFH-AMee8/VwTTkb830cI/AAAAAAAAAfY/LewwaGA_YlMtxe81EK8QG0MgKwSI8452w/s1600/IMG_6558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zuFH-AMee8/VwTTkb830cI/AAAAAAAAAfY/LewwaGA_YlMtxe81EK8QG0MgKwSI8452w/s320/IMG_6558.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By box 4, installation times were dropping, we soon realised 2 ladders were better than 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-6gbmoW634/Vwe80KxVB1I/AAAAAAAAAgE/K6dnBX7JgEMkZO-wXP_a6GYevLu1TIPJg/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-6gbmoW634/Vwe80KxVB1I/AAAAAAAAAgE/K6dnBX7JgEMkZO-wXP_a6GYevLu1TIPJg/s320/IMG_0884.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">By the end boxes were being put up in around half hour</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjDWolla_mI/Vwe8zWT58aI/AAAAAAAAAgA/da1fYfPqXksY9nVbeEbjcj8Q0nh_tZgAQ/s1600/IMG_0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjDWolla_mI/Vwe8zWT58aI/AAAAAAAAAgA/da1fYfPqXksY9nVbeEbjcj8Q0nh_tZgAQ/s320/IMG_0898.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some great locations were found where Barn Owls were known to be in the area</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VciHIr1L6WA/Vwe825f_MEI/AAAAAAAAAgI/h3U1ngAm_Y4FO0sQTYEbzCp7ykpJHDlJA/s1600/IMG_2104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VciHIr1L6WA/Vwe825f_MEI/AAAAAAAAAgI/h3U1ngAm_Y4FO0sQTYEbzCp7ykpJHDlJA/s320/IMG_2104.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locations were varied, like this one near Hardwick</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jn5BuEGask/Vwe8lMEZ_yI/AAAAAAAAAf8/XLgTqRJRHzkV8IbVv3yvVAJWEOLMEiLTw/s1600/IMG_2097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jn5BuEGask/Vwe8lMEZ_yI/AAAAAAAAAf8/XLgTqRJRHzkV8IbVv3yvVAJWEOLMEiLTw/s320/IMG_2097.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great views for this land owner from his man shed if Owls moved in</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGjkg0M9Tx4/VwTTkGpzRJI/AAAAAAAAAfY/ow5ZpDbJFTYhtXDZdagXucvpmFuOpcRiA/s1600/IMG_6559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGjkg0M9Tx4/VwTTkGpzRJI/AAAAAAAAAfY/ow5ZpDbJFTYhtXDZdagXucvpmFuOpcRiA/s320/IMG_6559.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fully installed Barn Owl Box at a Farm near Clay Cross<br />
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The next stage is to raise another £450 for 10 more boxes and find 5 more sites for 2017. We are having another wildlife event on July 2nd this year (2016) called 'A Venue for Nature' at The Avenue Washlands Nature reserve near Chesterfield. The theme is to encourage people to invite wildlife into their gardens.<br />
Keep an eye out for more information about this event closer to the time I would love to see you if you fancy a day full of excitement, wildlife walks and workshops.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jltPTdISw5U/VwgV4sYUJ0I/AAAAAAAAAg8/sfrqT4hx-vc8H9xCcUtmUPsSxYozQUyug/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jltPTdISw5U/VwgV4sYUJ0I/AAAAAAAAAg8/sfrqT4hx-vc8H9xCcUtmUPsSxYozQUyug/s320/IMG_2066.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team BOB: Me, Ron Turner, Angela Goodwin, Brian Goodwin, Mike Backler & Geoff Ruff<br />Also a big thank you to Lynne Allsop & Nikki Mahadevan (not in Photo)<br />Plus of course all of the land owners</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-74781648184734303132015-09-26T02:00:00.001-07:002015-09-26T02:30:47.496-07:00Ask friends & family to help Hen Harriers<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uujVzDUpsEw/VgZejsflc3I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/L3Nf3iUasp4/s1600/5812408613_22579c0a08_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uujVzDUpsEw/VgZejsflc3I/AAAAAAAAAZ8/L3Nf3iUasp4/s320/5812408613_22579c0a08_b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Earlier today I sent this email to everyone in my address book & posted it on my Facebook page, Copy & Paste and do the same. If it generates one more signature it's worth it.<br />
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Hello Everyone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last February I asked you to consider signing a petition to help save one of our most wonderful birds of Prey, The Hen Harrier. The petition reached over 20,000 signatures and brought the Harriers plight to many more people. Unfortunately things haven't changed and the Hen Harrier along with lots of other wildlife are still being killed to protect grouse stocks.</div>
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5 male Hen Harriers went missing from nests earlier this year meaning that the nests failed, some think that this is not unusual but let's face it, they were killed. Males very rarely abandon females.</div>
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<a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/disappearance-of-fifth-hen-harrier-fuels-concerns-bird-heading-towards-extinction-10302741.html" target="_blank">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/disappearance-of-fifth-hen-harrier-fuels-concerns-bird-heading-towards-extinction-10302741.html </a></div>
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These killings, although not proven in all cases, are the result of persecution by Land Managers & Gamekeepers to protect Red Grouse stocks on shooting estates. Please consider signing this petition to get Driven Grouse Shooting Banned. <a href="https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/104441">https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/104441</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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We are not asking for an outright ban on shooting, just this highly contentious and environmentally damaging type of shooting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Read more here. <a href="http://markavery.info/epetition-ban-driven-grouse-shooting/">http://markavery.info/epetition-ban-driven-grouse-shooting/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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If after reading this you agree, please sign and pass on to friends and family.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for your Time<o:p></o:p></div>
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Stewart</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-82754508020256451242015-08-20T07:36:00.000-07:002015-08-20T07:36:54.436-07:00Hen Harrier Day 2015<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gz3iIPMPsjQ/Vc3romVinII/AAAAAAAAAXQ/NwpNLbETtqs/s1600/P1120553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gz3iIPMPsjQ/Vc3romVinII/AAAAAAAAAXQ/NwpNLbETtqs/s320/P1120553.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've started writing this blog
several times but after reading so many great blogs from other
people such as <a href="http://thearthriticnaturalist.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/justice-for-our-hen-harriers-hen.html" target="_blank">Stuart Pike</a>, <a href="http://www.wildlifebilly.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Billy Stockwell</a> & <a href="https://georgiaswildlifewatch.wordpress.com/2015/08/10/united-in-a-weekend-for-hen-harriers/" target="_blank">Georgia Locock</a> I didn't see the point in just repeating what everyone else had
already written. Yes great rallying speeches from the likes of <a href="https://youtu.be/WIMAM9lh6zc" target="_blank">ChrisPackham</a> & <a href="https://youtu.be/XXdldkVEpic" target="_blank">Mark Avery</a>, but what struck me, just like last
year, was the amazing and extraordinary voices of the people that gave up
their time to attend this years Hen Harrier Day.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SOOHjPpS5c0/Vc3qFkxTHGI/AAAAAAAAAW8/jleTa6lLoJQ/s1600/P1120638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SOOHjPpS5c0/Vc3qFkxTHGI/AAAAAAAAAW8/jleTa6lLoJQ/s320/P1120638.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Packham as ever delivered a passionate & informed Speech</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QuOG5OpH9Bk/Vc3qM3sdUUI/AAAAAAAAAXE/yQ98BJlTZIc/s1600/P1120592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QuOG5OpH9Bk/Vc3qM3sdUUI/AAAAAAAAAXE/yQ98BJlTZIc/s320/P1120592.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark Avery - A modern day Wildlife Hero</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My experience was
different this year as I'd stepped in at the last minute to help
marshall the event. This gave me an opportunity to meet some top people and exchange concerns but also talk to lots of
supporters as they arrived and try and sell, sorry I mean extract a
donation for, a Hen Harrier Day wrist band. People were very generous
and they all made it clear that the money raised was going to a great
cause & were happy to donate if it was to help BAWC pay for the running of this
fantastically important event.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKvjMnDgyWE/Vc3tehxZlXI/AAAAAAAAAXk/gxU3SmMCKVw/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKvjMnDgyWE/Vc3tehxZlXI/AAAAAAAAAXk/gxU3SmMCKVw/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and 2 of the 4 Hen Harriers that attended HH day 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs5sG5aYRiw/Vc3te34KzQI/AAAAAAAAAXo/YDJOFu9EYaQ/s1600/IMG_1559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs5sG5aYRiw/Vc3te34KzQI/AAAAAAAAAXo/YDJOFu9EYaQ/s320/IMG_1559.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The passion & anger was clear from supporters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I could hear
conversations from all around about Hen Harriers and Gamekeepers, but
this year the subjects also included the environment and the unbalanced
ecosystems that the intensively managed moors create. As Chris
Packham said in his speech, we are not yokels, we are educated and
well informed. The main difference, to me, between the two sides of
this argument are that we see the bigger picture and are concerned
about the future and sustainability. Where as the Grouse shooting
lobby are just concerned about not changing their way of life, not
removing their 'traditions' and of course not eating into their profits.
They're not worried about what they will leave for future generations to
clean up, and no thought as to whether our children and grand children
will be able enjoy sights like the wonderful Hen Harrier.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-42LlOGCkIkw/Vc3sVKBTtbI/AAAAAAAAAXY/M7FpxxUIHSI/s1600/P1120650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-42LlOGCkIkw/Vc3sVKBTtbI/AAAAAAAAAXY/M7FpxxUIHSI/s320/P1120650.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brilliant job from Charlie Moores & team organising the event</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Since the event I've
had several chats on twitter with Country Sport fans who still deny
that Gamekeepers are partly responsible for the death of Raptors on the
Moors, even after the reports of Annie they say it could have been
any one, even that anti hunt groups would shoot her for headlines. How can the interested
parties ever work together with these attitudes still in place?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
One other thing that is
obvious this year is that the general public are becoming aware of what a Hen Harrier is, still not enough yet though, and the
media are talking about it. Articles in the Telegraph and other such
like minded papers seem to be shooting themselves in the foot as
'yokels' can see straight through their pathetic attempts to fill
heads with nonsense. The RSPB is a really well respected, and
deservedly so, organisation and to attack them is very unfair.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBd3KG9Bwq0/Vc3t7-W9saI/AAAAAAAAAX0/BkstDaeE6fk/s1600/P1120565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBd3KG9Bwq0/Vc3t7-W9saI/AAAAAAAAAX0/BkstDaeE6fk/s320/P1120565.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some one is watching from the bushes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My hope for the next 12
months is that NGO's become a lot tougher. <a href="https://youtu.be/xZ6htEulCO8" target="_blank">Mike Clarke' talk</a> on
Saturday night was good, and his guest blog on <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/martinharper/archive/2015/08/11/guest-post-by-mike-clarke-hen-harriers-and-the-glorious-12th.aspx" target="_blank">Martin Harpers</a> page
was a little angrier than some of the RSPB's previous statements,
but I still think that trying to negotiate with Grouse Moor owners at the present time is pointless as they seem to have no intentions of altering their ways. Unless
all stop killing birds of prey how can numbers increase? We have to
push for a ban on Driven Grouse Shooting before it's too late.
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjgF3emPCFk/Vc3v_hjZGZI/AAAAAAAAAYY/JeGGJdiA6ag/s1600/P1120587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bjgF3emPCFk/Vc3v_hjZGZI/AAAAAAAAAYY/JeGGJdiA6ag/s320/P1120587.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Clarke - RSPB standing strong against critisism</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Jo Smith from
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust spoke with passion but we need to hear
ideas and alternatives from NGO's if they are not going to support the ban.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpt4c34swhw/Vc3u3uDnmkI/AAAAAAAAAYI/CgUM4oeyRj0/s1600/P1120566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpt4c34swhw/Vc3u3uDnmkI/AAAAAAAAAYI/CgUM4oeyRj0/s320/P1120566.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jo Smith - Spoke with passion but do NGO's needto take a stronger stance?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
For me we need to get
rid of driven Grouse shooting not just for the sake of birds of prey
but all predators, they like us are just trying to live a life and
bring up families. Yes ground nesting birds will suffer losses but
who are we to determine what the population levels of wild animals
should be? Populations will go up and go down but eventually a
natural level will be found. If some species struggle or even go
extinct on the moors then that is nature at work, but land owners should not
play god and think they can do a better job.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
If you didn't attend Hen Harrier Day watch highlights <a href="https://youtu.be/CFwXdzgeI-E" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qp-nhyiS7iE/Vc3xQaw2fEI/AAAAAAAAAYo/1m5mdrdv3h0/s1600/P1120579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qp-nhyiS7iE/Vc3xQaw2fEI/AAAAAAAAAYo/1m5mdrdv3h0/s320/P1120579.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry still watches over events</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VJT-8qclUU4/Vc3xQzFs-VI/AAAAAAAAAY0/IxUNW_XFUdk/s1600/P1120653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VJT-8qclUU4/Vc3xQzFs-VI/AAAAAAAAAY0/IxUNW_XFUdk/s320/P1120653.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derbyshire Wildlife Trust show good support this year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jD8IfMBlvfQ/Vc3xPme8toI/AAAAAAAAAYs/MiEuW9FDsZY/s1600/P1120656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jD8IfMBlvfQ/Vc3xPme8toI/AAAAAAAAAYs/MiEuW9FDsZY/s320/P1120656.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry is happy to see DWT at this years event</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vi5Csgyq7fQ/Vc3xeI-XL5I/AAAAAAAAAZA/Oir3yBs9iO0/s1600/P1120657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vi5Csgyq7fQ/Vc3xeI-XL5I/AAAAAAAAAZA/Oir3yBs9iO0/s320/P1120657.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couldn't resist a chance of a picture in the BUTT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One final note, Just before the 9th of August <a href="http://tiffanyimogen.com/" target="_blank">Tiffany Imogen</a> posted on her website a poem about the Hen Harrier, It is a wonderfully moving poem and gave me goosebumps, please read the poem below.<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Garamond, 'Hoefler Text', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.2250003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Harrier</strong></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Garamond, 'Hoefler Text', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.2250003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Sun creeps over thistled moor<br />
and stains the dawn cold,<br />
sanguine gold.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Garamond, 'Hoefler Text', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.2250003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
A gangling hare begins<br />
her voyage atop the heather sea,<br />
through bilberry waves and<br />
sphagnum froth she totters and hops,<br />
and stops.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Garamond, 'Hoefler Text', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.2250003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
There lies a shadow on the earth.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Garamond, 'Hoefler Text', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.2250003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Look up! Our hare a harrier spies,<br />
bisecting the skies<br />
with aureate eyes<br />
and feathers of darkening cobalt.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Garamond, 'Hoefler Text', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.2250003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Hare retreats; grouse awakens.<br />
Auburn plume and crimson brow,<br />
grouse is wanted by the world.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Garamond, 'Hoefler Text', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.2250003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Hen harrier craves soft flesh<br />
to nourish fragile young,<br />
nestled low in wildling sprigs<br />
exposed to wind and badger bite.<br />
Portly man wants portly fowl<br />
to shoot with steel gun;<br />
a fattened carcass stuffed<br />
betwixt the lips of Dionysus.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Garamond, 'Hoefler Text', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.2250003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Ten thousand moons have<br />
grouse and harrier flown<br />
the heath together.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Garamond, 'Hoefler Text', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.2250003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But man can find profit in Elysium;<br />
he drains life with poison<br />
and powder;<br />
turns wilderness to revenue.<br />
He has thrown our hawks into darkness.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4a4a4a; font-family: Garamond, 'Hoefler Text', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.2250003814697px; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Bright bird of Arcadia<br />
lost upon the moor;<br />
come back.</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-29751990313722313502015-03-02T14:55:00.003-08:002015-03-02T14:55:53.377-08:002 brothers and 79 birds<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hrt4sCVFBBU/VPTXiwOoZiI/AAAAAAAAASs/xIgQqw2-rMU/s1600/P1070095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hrt4sCVFBBU/VPTXiwOoZiI/AAAAAAAAASs/xIgQqw2-rMU/s1600/P1070095.jpg" height="142" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I received an email
from my brother suggesting that if he came over from his home in
Catalan, could we do a days birding in Norfolk? It didn't take long
to reply with a very excited yes. I always look forward to going out
with Stephen, my skills with bird ID are ok but when it comes to
Waders & Gulls I'm not as confident as we don't get a great
variety in Derbyshire. He runs his own business giving guided day
tours and holidays and always seems to spot things that others would
miss. <a href="http://www.catalanbirdtours.com/" target="_blank">(see here)</a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Stephen arrived on the
Monday night and after some catching up and preparing sandwiches and
snacks for the day, we then went off to bed as we had agreed a 4am leaving
time so we could get to Titchwell for sun up around 7am. Our drive
was great, hardly any traffic and in 2 & ¾ hours we arrived at
the RSPB reserve. While having a quick coffee in the car park I heard
the familiar sound of <span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Pink-footed Goose (1)
</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">flying
towards us, we looked up and that was Stephens 1</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">st</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
wish list tick sorted. He had arrived with a few birds that he really
wanted to see as he doesn't get them where he lives. Grey Partridge,
Rough-legged Buzzard, Snow Bunting & Twite along with some sea
birds such as Long-tailed Duck & Divers were targets but like me
he just enjoys being out birding and gets excited about getting great
views of any bird.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3vbJfDO-F0/VPTYB5FaIEI/AAAAAAAAAS0/XA8XdvN0Ib4/s1600/P1060806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3vbJfDO-F0/VPTYB5FaIEI/AAAAAAAAAS0/XA8XdvN0Ib4/s1600/P1060806.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink-footed Geese At dawn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">As
we left the car park </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Blackbird
(2), Dunnock (3), Chaffinch (4) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">&
</span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Moorhen (5) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">were
quicly added. We heard more Geese heading towards us but were
distracted by a stunning </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;">Barn
Owl (6) </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">quartering
to our left over the reed beds, we watched it drop down several times
and all the time the geese were getting closer and closer, the a loud
BANG, BANG. Two Pink feet dropped from the sky and hit the mud, a
tosser with a gun had taken the lives of these birds for no reason as
his dog couldn't get through the mud to retrieve them, a very sad and
disturbing start to the day, what a waste of life. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3AKZyX4eBU/VPTdwK1gzhI/AAAAAAAAATg/R8pAIPD3Oio/s1600/P1060874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3AKZyX4eBU/VPTdwK1gzhI/AAAAAAAAATg/R8pAIPD3Oio/s1600/P1060874.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can choose your own caption for this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The
next few bird sightings were enjoyed but we struggled to forget the
event that we had just witnessed, including </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Brent
Goose (7) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">that
was also on his wish list. As we walked on towards the beach we added
</span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;">Lapwing
(8), Shoveler (9), Teal (10), Greylag Goose (11), Curlew (12), Little
Egret (13), </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Reed Bunting (14),
Little Grebe (15), Redshank (16) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">&
</span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Black-headed Gull (17). </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I
took the time to check out all the Redshank in the hope of seeing a
close relative. After around 5-6 minutes I was rewarded with the
</span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Spotted Redshank (18), </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">White
supercilium, greyer body & more delicate bill clearly visible.
They can be tricky but I think I've got this bird nailed now, they
are certainly a lot easier in Spain when in full breeding plumage. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mrI6N-LUNbU/VPTZcFT1q6I/AAAAAAAAATA/85SE2jkBdjE/s1600/P1060810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mrI6N-LUNbU/VPTZcFT1q6I/AAAAAAAAATA/85SE2jkBdjE/s1600/P1060810.jpg" height="180" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Redshank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yijCtSiHEzA/VPTbGF1GQWI/AAAAAAAAATM/JyD2LN7SlV4/s1600/P1060862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yijCtSiHEzA/VPTbGF1GQWI/AAAAAAAAATM/JyD2LN7SlV4/s1600/P1060862.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stockier bird with upturned bill, Bar-tailed Godwit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Next came two more birds that can be difficult to split without
experience. Godwits are obviously Godwits but getting the
Black-tailed & Bar-tailed part right takes a bit of practice. If
you get a good look at the tail then that helps enormously but when
tail is obscured then the </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Bar-tailed
Godwit</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>(19) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">is
a stockier bird with shorter legs & a slightly upturned bill. I
was lucky, the Bar-tailed was feeding right next to a </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Black-tailed
Godwit (20). </b></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEfsh_lzIlg/VPTbKn05UQI/AAAAAAAAATU/03Kn_vPy5ls/s1600/P1060866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEfsh_lzIlg/VPTbKn05UQI/AAAAAAAAATU/03Kn_vPy5ls/s1600/P1060866.jpg" height="172" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much longer legged with straight bill, Black-tailed Godwit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">We
made camp and set up the scope on the beach in the hope of getting a
few sea birds, tucked in amongst the dunes, to shy away from the very
cold wind, we soon started adding more birds, </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Sanderling
(21), Dunlin (22), Turnstone (23), Grey Plover (24) <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3sbrSPzw-g/VPTgWXQhkUI/AAAAAAAAATs/yJUOeW070Vc/s1600/P1060979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3sbrSPzw-g/VPTgWXQhkUI/AAAAAAAAATs/yJUOeW070Vc/s1600/P1060979.jpg" height="201" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Plover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ruff (25)
Oystercatcher (26), Common Gull (27), Herring Gull (28) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">&
</span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Great Black-backed Gull (29)
</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">were
all working the shoreline, and out to sea we spotted </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Great
Crested</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Grebe (30), Common Scoter (31),
Goldeneye (32) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">&
another bird on Stephens list, the </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Long-tailed
Duck (33). </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">After
around 90 minutes we started to pack up, as we were </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Cormorant
(34) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">flew
low over the choppy water & 3 </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Ringed
Plover (35) </b></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">landed a few metres away. </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JCvc9VhSU4s/VPTgr1jx23I/AAAAAAAAAT0/xSSr8N6aH9s/s1600/P1060953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JCvc9VhSU4s/VPTgr1jx23I/AAAAAAAAAT0/xSSr8N6aH9s/s1600/P1060953.jpg" height="233" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringed Plover</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Behind a small flock of birds were moving up and
down the dunes, we saw </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Goldfinch
(36), Linnet (37) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">&
we heard, then got a quick view of </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Twite
(38). <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o0yWbNkfyjc/VPThBP1LdmI/AAAAAAAAAT8/BKggAGZQ408/s1600/P1060852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o0yWbNkfyjc/VPThBP1LdmI/AAAAAAAAAT8/BKggAGZQ408/s1600/P1060852.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfinch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yscXD0qa-d8/VPThJD77-0I/AAAAAAAAAUE/6bBHFDP3Das/s1600/P1060853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yscXD0qa-d8/VPThJD77-0I/AAAAAAAAAUE/6bBHFDP3Das/s1600/P1060853.jpg" height="177" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linnet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Moving
back down the walkway </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Canada
Goose (39) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">flew
over heading north and out on the freshwater marsh were </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Wigeon
(40), Mallard (41), Pintail (42), Shelduck (43), </b></span><b style="font-family: Aharoni;">Avocet (44).</b><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hewzwxj44hQ/VPThwkLZnPI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/lrWCtKs93zw/s1600/P1060984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hewzwxj44hQ/VPThwkLZnPI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/lrWCtKs93zw/s1600/P1060984.jpg" height="216" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelduck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">From over the far side of the reserve a male </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Marsh
Harrier (45) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">glided
low over the water putting up all the ducks & waders as it looked
for breakfast. A </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Snipe (45)
</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">zig-zagged
through the reserve calling as it flew, a </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Pheasant
(47) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">called
from the reedbed and a </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Song
Thrush (48) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">sang
from the top of a willow.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Other
birds seen at Titchwell were </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Woodpigeon
(49), Magpie (50), Carrion Crow (51), Blue Tit (51), Great Tit (53),
Skylark (54), Long-tailed Tit (55), Wren (56) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">&
</span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Robin (57).</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">We
left the reserve and as we reached the village of Titchwell we turned
right down a country lane where we had heard that large gaggles of
Pink Feet had been seen feeding over the last few days. After driving
up & down a few times there was no sign of any geese, but we did
get some great views of </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Grey
Partridge (58) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">&
</span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Red-legged Partridge (59) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">in
good numbers and very close to where we had pulled up.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOJu2bqkOZ0/VPTi3KViLeI/AAAAAAAAAUo/rUyWYuXrYUw/s1600/P1060951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOJu2bqkOZ0/VPTi3KViLeI/AAAAAAAAAUo/rUyWYuXrYUw/s1600/P1060951.jpg" height="185" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Partridge makes a break for the cover of long grass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gacQEF-ZCKk/VPTi630xP5I/AAAAAAAAAUw/aWVzDchi4AI/s1600/P1060902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gacQEF-ZCKk/VPTi630xP5I/AAAAAAAAAUw/aWVzDchi4AI/s1600/P1060902.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-legged Partridge scans for Danger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Then a real
treat, 4 Brown Hares were chasing around in a field and as I followed them
with the camera I spotted 3 sat in the hedge row, I love watching
Hares and it was wonderful to see.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ne3Oe-jQGBQ/VPTiQ8S28YI/AAAAAAAAAUc/9tCRW72WkEo/s1600/P1060921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ne3Oe-jQGBQ/VPTiQ8S28YI/AAAAAAAAAUc/9tCRW72WkEo/s1600/P1060921.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Brown Hare ran across our path<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZaYHD-C5Pc/VPTiQcjYchI/AAAAAAAAAUY/lCl59zw_ZlA/s1600/P1060928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZaYHD-C5Pc/VPTiQcjYchI/AAAAAAAAAUY/lCl59zw_ZlA/s1600/P1060928.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Brown hare with black tips to the ears</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Burnham
Overy Dunes was our next stop where people were reporting regular
sightings of Rough-legged Buzzard. I'd never stopped here before but
will certainly return to this great site. The 1</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">st</span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
new bird was </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Mute Swan (60) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">and
soon followed by </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Egyptian Goose
(61) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">in
a distant field. I spotted a </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Kestrel
(62) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">hovering
over the marshland.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cM3vrgxZbfg/VPTkcuHPnMI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/tYpqbCRnfgE/s1600/P1070032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cM3vrgxZbfg/VPTkcuHPnMI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/tYpqbCRnfgE/s1600/P1070032.jpg" height="400" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kestrel looking for breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> I was photographing it when Stephen called
'Raptors', I took a couple more shots and ran up the bank hoping for
the RL Buzzard. We got incredible views of </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Common
Buzzard (63), Marsh Harrier </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">&
3 stunning </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Red Kite (64),
</b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">around
10 raptors in total were soaring and chasing each other around and at
one point 2 Kite clasped talons and spun earthwards for a few seconds
until they released just before hitting the ground. That really got
the hairs on my neck stood up, what an experience. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Looking
back over a flooded field I saw a bird that surprised me, not because
I didn't expect to see it but I was so surprised it was the first of
the day, </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Coot (65). </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">On
the muddy edges there were at least 20 Ringed Plover and Stephen
pointed out 2 birds that were feeding along side, I wasn't sure at
first but then they were identified as </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Little
Stint (66), </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">this
was a lifer for me so at this stage I was over the moon.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DSZ9JVX9Qcc/VPTjV5DRqiI/AAAAAAAAAU4/fMToLkTnGU4/s1600/P1060960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DSZ9JVX9Qcc/VPTjV5DRqiI/AAAAAAAAAU4/fMToLkTnGU4/s1600/P1060960.jpg" height="246" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Stint was a lifer for me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">3 more birds
added to the days list before we left, </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>House
Sparrow (67), Starling (68) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">&
</span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Jackdaw (69). </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">No
luck with the RL Buzzard but maybe we would fair better at Holkham.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4997Pd_KcY/VPTlPgs_iTI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Rdzq8CgF7e8/s1600/P1060878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h4997Pd_KcY/VPTlPgs_iTI/AAAAAAAAAVk/Rdzq8CgF7e8/s1600/P1060878.jpg" height="185" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These Brent Geese few over as we walked back to the car</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The thought of visiting Holkham
beach always gets my juices flowing, not just the idea of seeing
something interesting, sea watching can always throw up a surprise,
but also because it's such a beautiful place. I always walk down to
the shoreline and do a 360, take in the vista and fill up with fresh
air. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">As soon as we left the car we saw Pink Feet, Egyptian Goose,
Wigeon, Little Egret, Pheasant, Curlew plus a few more species. One
new bird for today was <span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Fieldfare (70), </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">around
15 or so was feeding with the Wigeon, I was reminded how stunning
these birds are as I had great views through the scope.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikXi96fpDM4/VPTjunfJjjI/AAAAAAAAAVA/XoyPG3d735E/s1600/P1070070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikXi96fpDM4/VPTjunfJjjI/AAAAAAAAAVA/XoyPG3d735E/s1600/P1070070.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stunning Fieldfare</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> As we walked
towards the beach a </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Goldcrest (71) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">was
added from the wood after being heard calling. A blast of very chilly
wind greeted us as we left the treeline and it took a couple of
minutes to find our spot and set up. Not a lot out there to start
with, then Goldeneye made an appearance along with some Gulls, but
after around 30 minutes Stephen called out that a pair of
</span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Red-breasted Merganser (72) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">were
hugging the waves, he pointed the scope ahead of their flightpath and
I had great views, they then landed and I had added another lifer to
my list. </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-skMRoNBqjB4/VPTkA2ll3qI/AAAAAAAAAVI/nVELBdalp6s/s1600/P1070087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-skMRoNBqjB4/VPTkA2ll3qI/AAAAAAAAAVI/nVELBdalp6s/s1600/P1070087.jpg" height="162" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awful picture but this Red-breasted Merganser was my 2nd lifer of the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YEdnolynQrE/VPTlhLGVImI/AAAAAAAAAVs/c5FJWpVjr08/s1600/P1070072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YEdnolynQrE/VPTlhLGVImI/AAAAAAAAAVs/c5FJWpVjr08/s1600/P1070072.jpg" height="169" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take time to enjoy the beautiful vistas at Holkham in between birds </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Time was now getting on and we had to start thinking about
light, we still hadn't seen the RL Buzzard so headed off to another
site where one had been spotted.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">As we walked back on the beach we came across huge swathes of Razor Clam shells, there were thousands of them all over the sand.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VFhEwwvGrR0/VPTmoHP5I0I/AAAAAAAAAV4/zwpY2p2XQUQ/s1600/P1070089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VFhEwwvGrR0/VPTmoHP5I0I/AAAAAAAAAV4/zwpY2p2XQUQ/s1600/P1070089.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Razor Clam shells</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LmtIck35uM/VPTkzS6z7DI/AAAAAAAAAVY/fa-ModxWNL4/s1600/P1070107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LmtIck35uM/VPTkzS6z7DI/AAAAAAAAAVY/fa-ModxWNL4/s1600/P1070107.jpg" height="208" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a great picture but this Red Kite gave us another great tick for Holkham</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Salthouse
failed to supply the RL Buzzard which was disappointing but the day
had been so good that it didn't really matter. It did however give us
a </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Pied Wagtail (73) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">so
worth calling in.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">A
quick stop at Cley and some more sea watching gave us a frustrating
distant view of a diver, as time past the views got slightly better,
enough to confirm that it was a </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Red-throated
Diver (74), </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Mick
Reavey reminded me on Twitter that </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>'
</i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i>think
Lord Snooty. Nose in the air = red (in my less than scientific
approach to dots out to sea)'.</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><i>
</i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Just
before we left we added </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Lesser
Black-backed Gull (75). </b></span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Very tired and starting to get
hungry (having eaten all the sandwiches) we made one last decision to
return to Titchwell to watch the sun set and maybe see the Raptor
Roost. I was surprised how many people were here, around 30 or so. 4
Marsh Harriers made an appearance and gave some good views, <span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Rook
(76) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">& </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Collared
Dove (77) </b></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">were seen
before we left and a pocket full of sunset photos were captured. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxCnheR9xAk/VPTp4PwlCUI/AAAAAAAAAWM/120Bo8V1rxo/s1600/P1070141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxCnheR9xAk/VPTp4PwlCUI/AAAAAAAAAWM/120Bo8V1rxo/s1600/P1070141.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The light was great as the sun fell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fO2U0hoRgag/VPTp3MMTZbI/AAAAAAAAAWE/tL4i0_LWek4/s1600/P1070150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fO2U0hoRgag/VPTp3MMTZbI/AAAAAAAAAWE/tL4i0_LWek4/s1600/P1070150.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A perfect end to a fantastic days birding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Other
birds today were</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Aharoni;"><b>Grey Heron (78), Golden Plover (79)</b></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I
returned home shattered at around 8:20pm, whilst sat eating I
reflected on what a fantastic day we'd had, 79 species for the day,
34 added to my year list and 2 lifers, it doesn't get much better
than that. What a great place Norfolk is for any birder, whether a
beginner honing your skills or an expert looking for a rare migrant,
it will never disappoint. I had the best nights sleep I'd had for
months and yet another great memory of our wildlife to treasure. </span>
</span>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-89587809971180304412015-02-11T11:38:00.000-08:002015-02-11T11:38:43.693-08:00A Review of January 2015<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm7qK-8f3hU/VNemqkzjngI/AAAAAAAAARY/EnbPn6xA98I/s1600/The%2BAvenue%2Bin%2BJanuary%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm7qK-8f3hU/VNemqkzjngI/AAAAAAAAARY/EnbPn6xA98I/s1600/The%2BAvenue%2Bin%2BJanuary%2B2015.jpg" height="227" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view over the Duckmarsh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
January has been a cold month, but in between the snow and high winds there has been some great opportunities to get to The Avenue and do some birdwatching. This 16.5 hectare site has produced a
fabulous range of birds in this winter season so far, from Goldcrest & Blue Tit to Yellowhammer & Buzzard. One of the highlights throughout the month has been the good numbers of Buntings
& Finches on site, Yellowhammer, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch,
Chaffinch & Reed Bunting. Mixed flocks of around 100 birds can be seen on site at
any one time.<br />
<br />
On Sunday the 4<sup>th</sup> of January we had our first ringing
session which produced over a 120 birds, but the numbers of individual species is
encouraging news, both visitors and residents alike. 13 Bullfinch, 7
Greenfinch, 3 <st1:city>Willow</st1:city> Tit, 13 Yellowhammer,
20 Great Tit & 21 Blue Tit. Other birds caught were Goldcrest, Dunnock,
Robin, Goldfinch, Jay, Reed Bunting, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch & Wren.<br />
<br />
The bird tables & feeding stations have been regularly topped up throughout the year
but more intensively in the harsher winter months, this gives the birds a
regular top up when natural food is harder to come by.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLF9voPq96w/VNerfNoavvI/AAAAAAAAARk/04xQD10FIUI/s1600/P1060310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLF9voPq96w/VNerfNoavvI/AAAAAAAAARk/04xQD10FIUI/s1600/P1060310.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A fabulous 50 bird species were seen by the 6th, that had rose to 56 by the end of the month along with 2 mammals, Fox & Wood Mouse. For the
first time we have had a record of a Chiffchaff in January, it was first seen in December 2014, it's great that it has stayed around, insects and small
spiders are its main diet and it seems to be doing well and finding plenty to
eat.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BaRntgsMEx4/VNesIfsFIyI/AAAAAAAAARs/g2BZjc_funE/s1600/Fox%2Bon%2Breedbed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BaRntgsMEx4/VNesIfsFIyI/AAAAAAAAARs/g2BZjc_funE/s1600/Fox%2Bon%2Breedbed.jpg" height="152" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fox has a good scout around the Reed Beds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On the 13th I had a trip down memory lane and decided to go for a walk around one of my childhood patches, Williamthorpe Ponds. It was good to see that plenty of birds still visit this old Coal Board reservoir that's now looked after by Severn Trent Water. It's not as wild a place as when I used to go, nice footpaths, well trimmed hedges and tidy woodland are now the norm, maybe one of the reasons I stopped visiting. It did add a few birds to my year list though.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ImL45GnqWnA/VNeto6p8AOI/AAAAAAAAASA/V2ziUG1GmNk/s1600/treecreeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ImL45GnqWnA/VNeto6p8AOI/AAAAAAAAASA/V2ziUG1GmNk/s1600/treecreeper.jpg" height="213" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treecreeper at The Williamthorpe Ponds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I took a trip to Ladybower Wood on the 20th to clean out the 50+ boxes I look after there, Pied Flycatcher & Redstart are our targets there but we get Blue & Great Tit using then too. This year we also put up some open fronted boxes in the hope of helping some of the good numbers of Spotted Flycatcher we had seen in 2014. A real treat while sitting having our lunch was watching a Peregrine soaring overhead, I had it in my binoculars when it started to stoop and I followed it all the way down, I was very surprised to then see what it was chasing, a Sparrowhawk. What a thrill.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aRulS4HxlXY/VNeugxs0wNI/AAAAAAAAASM/msjVMDWwLLU/s1600/ladybower%2Bin%2Bwinter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aRulS4HxlXY/VNeugxs0wNI/AAAAAAAAASM/msjVMDWwLLU/s1600/ladybower%2Bin%2Bwinter.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the top of Ladybower Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The 25th saw our first volunteer work party of the year and 12 wonderful people turned out on this cold and sunny day. I took one volunteer, Lynne, to clear debris from the river which took about 30 minutes, we then went to join the others that were pulling up Willow & Alder saplings from our wetland meadow. This is a laborious back breaking job, but at the end of the work party when everyone is aching and covered in smelly mud, we all feel a great sense of achievement.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KlkBmo0JxHE/VNes2xa9buI/AAAAAAAAAR0/tiQjuRdlITA/s1600/fire%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bsidings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KlkBmo0JxHE/VNes2xa9buI/AAAAAAAAAR0/tiQjuRdlITA/s1600/fire%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bsidings.jpg" height="185" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Saplings & Gauze is burned to prevent any regrowth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With such a great
start to the year I’m really looking forward to what the following months will
bring.<br />
<br />
Here is a list of my 2015 birds so far:<br />
<br />
Mute Swan (<span style="color: #38761d;">1</span>) - Canada Goose (<span style="color: #38761d;">2</span>) - Barnacle Goose (<span style="color: #38761d;">3</span>) - Wigeon (<span style="color: #38761d;">4</span>) - Gadwall (<span style="color: #38761d;">5</span>)<br />
Teal (<span style="color: #38761d;">6</span>) - Mallard (<span style="color: #38761d;">7</span>) - Shoveler (<span style="color: #38761d;">8</span>) - Pochard (<span style="color: #38761d;">9</span>) - Tufted Duck (<span style="color: #38761d;">10</span>) - Red Grouse (<span style="color: #38761d;">11</span>)<br />
Pheasant (<span style="color: #38761d;">12</span>) - Cormorant (<span style="color: #38761d;">13</span>) - Grey Heron (<span style="color: #38761d;">14</span>) - Little Grebe (<span style="color: #38761d;">15</span>)<br />
Great Crested Grebe (<span style="color: #38761d;">16</span>) - Sparrowhawk (<span style="color: #38761d;">17</span>) - Buzzard (<span style="color: #38761d;">18</span>) - Kestrel (<span style="color: #38761d;">19</span>)<br />
Peregrine (<span style="color: #38761d;">20</span>) - Water Rail (<span style="color: #38761d;">21</span>) - Moorhen (<span style="color: #38761d;">22</span>) - Coot (<span style="color: #38761d;">23</span>) - Snipe (<span style="color: #38761d;">24</span>)<br />
Black-headed Gull (<span style="color: #38761d;">25</span>) - Lesser Black-backed Gull (<span style="color: #38761d;">26</span>) - Herring Gull (<span style="color: #38761d;">27</span>)<br />
Woodpigeon (<span style="color: #38761d;">28</span>) - Collared Dove (<span style="color: #38761d;">29</span>) - Barn Owl (<span style="color: #38761d;">30</span>) - Tawny Owl (<span style="color: #38761d;">31</span>)<br />
Kingfisher (<span style="color: #38761d;">32</span>) - Green Woodpecker (<span style="color: #38761d;">33</span>) - Great Spotted Woodpecker (<span style="color: #38761d;">34</span>)<br />
Magpie (<span style="color: #38761d;">35</span>) - Jay (<span style="color: #38761d;">36</span>) - Jackdaw (<span style="color: #38761d;">37</span>) - Rook (<span style="color: #38761d;">38</span>) - Carrion Crow (<span style="color: #38761d;">39</span>)<br />
Raven (<span style="color: #38761d;">40</span>) - Goldcrest (<span style="color: #38761d;">41</span>) - Blue Tit (<span style="color: #38761d;">42</span>) - Great Tit (<span style="color: #38761d;">43</span>) - Coal Tit (<span style="color: #38761d;">44</span>)<br />
Willow Tit (<span style="color: #38761d;">45</span>) - Long-tailed Tit (<span style="color: #38761d;">46</span>) - Chiffchaff (<span style="color: #38761d;">47</span>) - Nuthatch (<span style="color: #38761d;">48</span>)<br />
Treecreeper (<span style="color: #38761d;">49</span>) - Wren (<span style="color: #38761d;">50</span>) - Starling (<span style="color: #38761d;">51</span>) - Blackbird (<span style="color: #38761d;">52</span>) - Fieldfare (<span style="color: #38761d;">53</span>)<br />
Song Thrush (<span style="color: #38761d;">54</span>) - Redwing (<span style="color: #38761d;">55</span>) - Mistle Thrush (<span style="color: #38761d;">56</span>) - Robin (<span style="color: #38761d;">57</span>) - Dunnock (<span style="color: #38761d;">58</span>)<br />
House Sparrow (<span style="color: #38761d;">59</span>) - Grey Wagtail (<span style="color: #38761d;">60</span>) - Pied Wagtail (<span style="color: #38761d;">61</span>) - Meadow Pipit (<span style="color: #38761d;">62</span>)<br />
Chaffinch (<span style="color: #38761d;">63</span>) - Greenfinch (<span style="color: #38761d;">64</span>) - Goldfinch (<span style="color: #38761d;">65</span>) - Bullfinch (<span style="color: #38761d;">66</span>) - Yellowhammer (<span style="color: #38761d;">67</span>)<br />
Reed Bunting (<span style="color: #38761d;">68</span>)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-62918734974829085282015-02-01T07:33:00.002-08:002015-02-01T12:59:01.312-08:00Please send to all friends and family<div class="MsoNormal">
Earlier today I sent this email to everyone in my address book & posted it on my Facebook page, Copy & Paste and do the same. If it generates one more signature it's worth it.<br />
<br />
Hello All.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know this is unusual for me but news has been released today of
yet another Hen Harrier being shot. <a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/rare-bird-and-blog-star-heather-the-harrier-shot-dead-30954300.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/rare-bird-and-blog-star-heather-the-harrier-shot-dead-30954300.html</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These killings, although not proven in all cases, are the
result of persecution by Land Managers & Gamekeepers to protect Red Grouse
stocks on shooting estates. Please consider signing this petition to get Driven
Grouse Shooting Banned. <a href="http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/65627">http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/65627</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are not asking for an outright ban on shooting, just this
highly contentious and environmentally damaging type of shooting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read more here. <a href="http://markavery.info/epetition-ban-driven-grouse-shooting/">http://markavery.info/epetition-ban-driven-grouse-shooting/</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If after reading this you agree, please sign and pass on to
friends and family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for your Time<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stewart<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-32308351985496275592015-01-31T04:26:00.000-08:002015-01-31T06:44:57.913-08:00Keeping the heat on the Grouse Moors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVkLy4XQwWM/VMzG4v0TnWI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/xqxYC3ehE5U/s1600/Hen-Harrier-Day-300px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KVkLy4XQwWM/VMzG4v0TnWI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/xqxYC3ehE5U/s1600/Hen-Harrier-Day-300px.jpg" height="320" width="194" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every few days I visit the Ban Driven Grouse Shooting
website (see <a href="http://markavery.info/epetition-ban-driven-grouse-shooting/" target="_blank">here</a>) to check on the number of signatures. As organisations like The Moorland
Association, Countryside Alliance and The National Gamekeepers Organisation
have tried to keep away from the issue on social media, the petition seems to have
stalled I little. The fight for the Hen Harrier and all our Birds of Prey that
are persecuted for profit on our Grouse Moors is far from over. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are one of the wonderful people that have already
signed Mark Avery’s petition (see <a href="http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/65627" target="_blank">here</a>) then thank you, but I ask if you could help push up the numbers from its
current 20,652 (as of 31<sup>st</sup> Jan 2015). Make it your mission to get at
least get one more person to sign this week, it could be a family member, a
neighbour or a work colleague. Just think of the difference that all those
extra signatures could make if we individually can get just one more person to
sign. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The issue has moved on and has become bigger than Birds of
Prey. As the methodology of managing grouse moors is studied, questions about
its impact on the ecosystem and the environment have been asked, and yet again the
moorland owners and managers are in denial and refuse to accept any responsibility.
Profit is their only concern, so we need to make them accept the damage they
are causing and change the way they look after our countryside.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-unFY501dFak/VMzI8udN_xI/AAAAAAAAARA/BC6XhTP2xZs/s1600/a%2Briver%2Bof%2Bcolour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-unFY501dFak/VMzI8udN_xI/AAAAAAAAARA/BC6XhTP2xZs/s1600/a%2Briver%2Bof%2Bcolour.jpg" height="127" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zqrz1DZ1qaY/VMzJOMrub5I/AAAAAAAAARI/HWKbZazuz9o/s1600/Chris%2BPackham%2Bspeech%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zqrz1DZ1qaY/VMzJOMrub5I/AAAAAAAAARI/HWKbZazuz9o/s1600/Chris%2BPackham%2Bspeech%2B001.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
On <st1:date day="10" month="8" year="2014">the 10<sup>th</sup>
August 2014</st1:date> four protests took place around England and I attended the one in the Peak District (see <a href="http://theavenuewashlands.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/the-1st-hen-harrier-day-10th-august.html" target="_blank">here</a> ) to show that we are not going to stand by and let them continue to destroy
our wildlife.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
9<sup>th </sup>August is the planned date for this years Hen
Harrier Day and it would be great for as many people as possible to attend, we
need to show that our determination to halt bird of prey persecution has not diminished
and we are back in 2015 even stronger. So please book the date in your diary
and keep an eye out for more details (<a href="http://birdersagainst.org/" target="_blank">here</a>) or (<a href="http://markavery.info/" target="_blank">here</a>).<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-22470556818931855192015-01-02T08:16:00.001-08:002015-01-02T08:16:28.216-08:00A good start to 2015<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The snow had almost cleared
from the ground, just small patches left where the sun couldn’t quite reach.
This is probably my most enjoyable walk of the year, I have had a walk around
The Avenue Washlands on New Years Day for the last 8 years and although I don’t
see anything rare I will add more year ticks than any other day in 2015. Each
tick feels like a new bird, 34 were added in my 2 hour walk including some of
my favourites like Yellowhammer, Bullfinch & Treecreeper. Last year I saw
150 species, ‘not many’ I hear you cry, well for me that’s good, I saw 149 in
2013. I spend most of my time on the Avenue Washlands with maybe 10 trips
elsewhere in a year. A patch birder I suppose you could call me more than a
more traditional birder. I am really looking forward to 2015 and shall aim for
151 this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-51301787612843267382014-10-17T04:30:00.000-07:002014-10-17T04:30:41.344-07:00Reply from Glenis Willmott MEP (Labour) - Karmenu Vella<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<sdfield sdnum="2057;1033;DD MMMM YYYY" type="DATETIME">17 October 2014</sdfield></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">Dear Stewart,</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">Thank
you for your email regarding the nomination of Karmenu Vella as
Commissioner-designate for Environment, Maritime Affairs and
Fisheries.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">Let
me assure you that I share your concerns on this matter. Labour MEPs
have for some time been pushing the European Commission to take
action on illegal bird hunting in several Mediterranean countries and
to ensure the Maltese Government is fully enforcing the provisions of
the <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/legislation/birdsdirective/index_en.htm">Birds
Directive</a>. Earlier this year I submitted a <a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-%2f%2fEP%2f%2fTEXT%2bWQ%2bE-2014-004495%2b0%2bDOC%2bXML%2bV0%2f%2fEN&language=EN">written
question</a> to the Commission regarding illegal bird hunting; I have
also co-signed a number of letters with BirdLife Malta, calling on
the Commission to take urgent action on Malta's decision to open
spring and autumn hunting seasons. I was pleased that the Maltese
government recently decided to abandon plans to allow finch-trapping
to go ahead, a practice which was originally out-lawed in Malta as
part of the country's EU Accession Agreement. However, I believe the
European Commission needs to do much more if we are to save
endangered species from being hunted to extinction.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">Labour
MEPs were therefore extremely surprised when the Maltese Commissioner
was nominated for this position, with responsibility for biodiversity
and overseeing a possible revision of the Birds and Habitats
Directives. I can assure you that this issue was raised during the
scrutiny hearing in the European Parliament's Environment committee.
If you would like to watch the hearing, a video is available here: </span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-live/en/committees/video?event=20140929-1430-COMMITTEE-HEARING2014KV"><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-live/en/committees/video?event=20140929-1430-COMMITTEE-HEARING2014KV</span></a></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">The
EU, although falling short of where it should be, is a world-leader
when it comes to environmental and wildlife protection. It would be
very short-sighted if the proposed Commission were to row back on
some of the protections in place.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">However,
if confirmed as Commissioner, Mr Vella will not be representing the
interests of Malta, but the interests of the European Union as a
whole. I was pleased to hear Mr Vella</span><span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">emphasise
this in his hearing and reiterate that he condemns illegal hunting
and will work to enforce the provisions of the Birds Directive across
Europe. However, as part of his portfolio, Mr Vella has been tasked
with carrying out an in-depth evaluation of the Birds and Habitats
Directives. I can assure you that Labour MEPs will follow any
revision of these Directives very closely and we will work hard to
ensure that there is no watering down of vital environmental and
wildlife protection.</span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">I
hope you have found this information useful but if you have further
questions on this, or any other matter, please do not hesitate to
contact me.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">Best wishes</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, serif;">Glenis
Willmott MEP</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-7560433830848592002014-10-10T04:09:00.000-07:002014-10-10T04:09:14.649-07:00Reply from Andrew Lewer - Appointment of Karmenu Vella<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the reply from Andrew Lewer (Conservative Spokesman for Culture, Education and Regional Development) about the concerns of the appointment of Karmenu Vella as commissioner-designate for the <span class="A0">Environment, </span><span class="A1">Maritime Affairs & </span><span class="A2">Fisheries.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="A2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="A2"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Still no reply from Labour? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dear
constituent,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Many
thanks for your email to Andrew Lewer MBE MEP regarding your opposition to the
appointment of Karmenu Vella as commissioner-designate for the </span><span class="A0"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Environment,
</span></span><span class="A1"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Maritime Affairs &
</span></span><span class="A2"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fisheries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="A2"><span style="font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">During his opening comments
Mr Vella denied any involvement in bird hunting or trapping </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">as well
as condemning any illegal hunting. He also explained that he was not here as a
Commissioner for Malta and that he expected each and every Member State to
implement all the directives. He stated that abuse of the Birds Directive,
Habitats Directive or any other directive would not be tolerated in any form and
reaffirmed that he was not there to defend Malta.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He
agreed that the Birds and Habitats Directives were the cornerstone to safeguard
European ecosystems and biodiversity but explained that the Birds Directive was
adopted 35 years ago and has not been reviewed since. Mr Vella later proposed an
‘in-depth
evaluation of the Birds and Habitats Directives’ aimed at maintaining and, where
necessary, improving the protection for our ecosystems and vulnerable
species.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He
reiterated his opposition to bird hunting when highlighting his past experience
as Minister for Tourism in Malta. He explained how tourism constitutes roughly
one third of the Maltese economy and that, as a consequence, it depended 100% on
the environment. He continued that, as the UK is the number one tourist market
in Malta and that the majority of complaints surrounding Maltese finch trapping
and bird hunting come from British citizens, when people talked to him about the
lack of controls they were “preaching to the converted”. He added that he would
not defend anyone with regard to violating any directives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Andrew
himself does not sit on either of the committees involved in Mr Vella’s hearing
and so was unable to put a question to Mr Vella himself or approve or reject Mr
Vella’s candidacy as commissioner-designate. However, one of Andrew’s ECR
colleagues, Mark Demesmaeker, asked for clarification regarding Mr Vella’s
stance on the Birds and Habitats Directives and how poor Malta’s record is when
it comes to implementing the Directives. He received the following
response:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“With
regard to the Birds Directive, I will repeat again that, if we agree to review
them, obviously there is no idea to deregulate or to demote them. We are not
revising, but we are only reviewing. But again, we will have time to discuss
this in more detail.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other
ECR members raised their concerns surrounding Mr Vella’s policies on water
management, air pollution and reducing ammonia emissions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
ENVI coordinators overall conclusion was that the lack of reference to
sustainable development in the mission letter of Vice-President <span class="SpellE">Katainen</span> and to the full implementation of the objectives of
the 7<sup>th</sup> Environment Action Programme raised in the letter to
President-elect <span class="SpellE">Juncker</span> continued to raise concerns.
Although it provided some useful clarifications, the reply by the
President-elect was not considered fully satisfactory.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As
for Mr <span lang="EN">Vella’s adequacy for the position, the coordinators felt that
he</span><span lang="EN"> </span>had
the necessary professional and political experience to master the challenges the
position of a Member of the European Commission bring with
it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In
spite of some lack of details in his replies, Mr <span lang="EN">Vella</span>
demonstrated that he had a sufficient grasp of the main issues inherent in the
portfolio. He also committed to defending Community interest when dealing with
Member States. He showed the intention and need to familiarise himself more with
subjects falling within his remit as well as a positive attitude towards the
environmental agenda and readiness to cooperate with
Parliament.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
general outcome of the hearing was that the Commissioner-designate gave a
positive impression of his aptitude to be a member of the College of
Commissioners and to carry out the specific tasks assigned to him. In this
context, however, coordinators expressed a strong recommendation that a higher
profile should be given to environmental sustainability in the work of the
future Commission by including this in the title and the portfolio of VP <span class="SpellE">Katainen</span> and that full implementation of the 7<sup>th</sup>
EAP shall be an explicit task in the mission of Commissioner-designate Vella. It
is crucial that a clear commitment be made on these matters prior to the plenary
vote.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Those
members of the ECR group on the Fisheries and <a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/envi/home.html"><em><span style="color: windowtext; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none;">Environment</span></em>,
Public Health and Food Safety</a> Committees collectively decided to neither
endorse nor oppose Mr Vella’s appointment as commissioner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I hope
this information clarifies the current situation and helps ease any fears you
may have surrounding Mr Vella’s appointment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jack<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_MailAutoSig"><b><span style="color: #002060; font-family: 'Garamond','serif'; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Jack
Berringer<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Garamond','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Intern
to Andrew Lewer MBE MEP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Garamond','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">Conservative
Spokesman for Culture, Education and Regional
Development<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Garamond','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">European
Parliament Brussels<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Garamond','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: yes;">WIB
05M067<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-83022263515585350152014-09-29T04:44:00.000-07:002014-09-29T04:46:17.262-07:00Reply from Margot Parker (UKIP) MEP as regards to Karmenu Vella<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dear Stewart,<br><br><br>Thank you so much for your letter.<br><br>The point UKIP always emphasizes, is the level of undemocratic processes here in the European Parliament.<br>We as members of this parliament cannot vote against 1 particular commissioner since the voting is en bloc.<br>This means the whole committee would have to be voted against.<br>Given the fact that this is very unlikely to happen, I am afraid there is nothing we can do with regards to Mr. Karmenu Vella.<br><br>I regret I cannot give you any better news.<br><br>With kindest regards,<br><br><br>Margot Parker MEP<br>UKIP East Midlands Region</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-10154281270520495912014-09-03T07:19:00.001-07:002014-09-03T09:01:10.957-07:00Digital evidence poses a threat to our sport<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When i started reading this article I thought the movement against wildlife crime had found a supporter, Ian Grindy wrote about seeing a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaxtcVWq1iY" target="_blank">Youtube</a> clip of a gamekeeper beating two Buzzards to death and how the Images were worse than a computer virus. Then I read on and got the impression that the concern was more for the moorland managers being more careful, in the age of camera phones and social media, not to get caught. I also think that it carries a tone of worry, a worry on their part that they have to change their ways or as he puts it 'we will reach a tipping point'.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do you think?</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="entry-lead-paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-line-height-alt: 18.0pt; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: 'Merriweather Sans'; font-size: 24pt;">In an age of video sharing and social media, raptor persecution —
and digital evidence of it — pose a threat to our sport<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div align="center" class="entry-lead-paragraph" style="margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-line-height-alt: 18.0pt; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: 'Merriweather Sans'; font-size: 24pt;">Writes Ian Grindy</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Merriweather Sans'; font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5aNPvSbnnqI/VAcdy8WiffI/AAAAAAAAAQc/48VpaTsqCvc/s1600/buzzards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5aNPvSbnnqI/VAcdy8WiffI/AAAAAAAAAQc/48VpaTsqCvc/s1600/buzzards.jpg" height="203" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #707070; font-family: 'Merriweather Sans'; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;">Two buzzards found after being beaten to death in 2013 Credit: RSPB</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="wp-caption-text" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
I have been asked by the Shooting Times to remove their article because of copyright.<br />
<br />
Follow link to read here.<a href="http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/shooting/conservation/sport-reputation-uphold-38301" target="_blank">http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/shooting/conservation/sport-reputation-uphold-38301</a></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 9.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-78515164647632405822014-08-25T10:47:00.000-07:002014-08-25T10:47:10.403-07:00An evening ringing Swallows<div class="MsoNormal">
As autumn started to take a grip I was beginning to think
that we were not going to get to do a swallow roost this year. The weather had
not been favorable at all, too windy, raining or both, however on the 20<sup>th</sup>
I got the call from Ray Knock that things were looking good for that evening. I finished work at 5 so had to go home and grab a bite to eat before leaving for The Avenue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S_2N_jOg_NY/U_disJZBb_I/AAAAAAAAAPg/UHF_cIlJNfY/s1600/swallow%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S_2N_jOg_NY/U_disJZBb_I/AAAAAAAAAPg/UHF_cIlJNfY/s1600/swallow%2B1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mist nets along the edge of reedbeds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We arrived at <st1:time hour="18" minute="15">18:15</st1:time>
and set up the nets along the far side of the reedbed where the swallows flew
in to roost. It’s then a waiting game, this gives us a chance to relax and enjoy the other birds on site. A few Reed Warblers are still around but the best spot of the night was a Kingfisher perched over on the far bank. One or two swallows started to arrive around
<st1:time hour="19" minute="0">19:00</st1:time> along with 3 Swifts and around
20-30 House Martin but by <st1:time hour="20" minute="0">20:00</st1:time> there
were c500 swallows now flying around catching the last meal of the day.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GzygvoPMO-w/U_t1NyW_GNI/AAAAAAAAAQA/Or3q0g15EGU/s1600/Swift%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GzygvoPMO-w/U_t1NyW_GNI/AAAAAAAAAQA/Or3q0g15EGU/s1600/Swift%2B001.jpg" height="92" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Swift overhead</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What a superb event this is as the birds twitter and fly around your head, sometimes as close as a
couple of feet. It was a perfect sunset too which made it all the better.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n7UtFum4qQU/U_t1byAq8CI/AAAAAAAAAQI/G2xSF7t_R1M/s1600/Swallow%2B001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n7UtFum4qQU/U_t1byAq8CI/AAAAAAAAAQI/G2xSF7t_R1M/s1600/Swallow%2B001.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swallows waiting to go to roost</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
At <st1:time hour="20" minute="30">20:30</st1:time> we made
our way round to the nets hoping for a good haul, Ray likes to call it sheet music. We weren't
disappointed as the nets were full to bursting. As the light was fading we quickly got the birds processed to cause as little amount of stress as possible, we aged the birds and took wing measurements for the juveniles with additional information for the adults such as sex, weight, fat & muscle scores.</div>
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o:title="swallow 4"/>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
105 birds were done in total with 101 juveniles and 4
adults. One of the juveniles was a recovery that had been ringed 15km away on the 1<sup>st</sup> of July in <st1:place>Sheffield</st1:place>. We finished around 10pm and it was getting a little chilly, it has been past midnight before leaving in previous years when more birds have been caught.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zo-TNeqnb-g/U_di7M8Kv3I/AAAAAAAAAPo/yOEWJRu28eg/s1600/swallow%2B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zo-TNeqnb-g/U_di7M8Kv3I/AAAAAAAAAPo/yOEWJRu28eg/s1600/swallow%2B5.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ring is put on a young bird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The large proportion of young birds is normal but remains a mystery to us, are other adults still feeding young in nests or do a few adults stay to show the juveniles the best roosting places on route? It could of course just be that not many adults are making the return journey and have perished. We have in the past done up to 3 evenings in a week and never re-trap birds from earlier, out of c500 birds we can do as many as 300 within that week. This means that the roost is made up of different birds every night, we are a short stop off on migration. The figures remain the same even to the end of the roost. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the best parts of ringing swallows is the release,
these birds are quite happy to sit on your finger for a while until confident enough
to pop back into the reeds. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TCeuWTO5FrM/U_djvGCNnRI/AAAAAAAAAPw/w13qUxxQxZo/s1600/swallow%2B7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TCeuWTO5FrM/U_djvGCNnRI/AAAAAAAAAPw/w13qUxxQxZo/s1600/swallow%2B7.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young bird sits calmly on the hand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have in the past gone on to site the day after doing a ringing session to see birds leave the reedbeds, as the sun came up I never saw any birds at all, they must leave while it is still dark.Your thoughts go towards the long journey that they have in
front of them, up to 200 miles per day until reaching <st1:country-region>South
Africa</st1:country-region>. What a bird.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-74227122732747241862014-08-11T15:26:00.000-07:002014-11-08T04:04:48.411-08:00The 1st Hen Harrier Day 10th August 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The 1st Hen Harrier Day 10th August 2014</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I was driving towards Derwent Dam I was hoping the
weathermen had made a mistake and there was to be no rain. I pulled up around
07:50, in one of the free car parks as I’m tight like that, and was pleased
that is wasn’t raining. I put on my waterproofs any way as I think deep down
that I knew the heavens would open in the not too distant future. My second
thought was, would the weather put people off and the number of attendees be disappointing?<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUB9uV0PYNo/U-k5HJhpg7I/AAAAAAAAANY/zJgIrVzaNCA/s1600/Derwent+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jUB9uV0PYNo/U-k5HJhpg7I/AAAAAAAAANY/zJgIrVzaNCA/s1600/Derwent+water.jpg" height="171" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Car park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I met up with some friends from the Derbyshire Wildlife
trust (DWT) and we made our way to the meeting point where the more frivolous
drivers had parked. More familiar faces started to appear as more protesters
arrived and before we knew it cars were having to turn back and find alternative
places to park.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 09:40 the call to arms came and we all made our way down
to the dam, it was truly a wonderful sight as a mass of protesters brollies
formed a bulging river of colour. This made a nice change to the usual sea of green
& brown that is always popular with birders (including myself).</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwm3CcfqEuI/U-k6l1Z4h4I/AAAAAAAAANk/INy5gqouinE/s1600/a+river+of+colour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwm3CcfqEuI/U-k6l1Z4h4I/AAAAAAAAANk/INy5gqouinE/s1600/a+river+of+colour.jpg" height="127" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A river of colour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time
we all settled in front of the dam everyone was soaked, but no one was
complaining. We were all here for one reason and the weather could not dampen
our spirits. Mark Avery, who had helped organize this event along with Birders
Against Wildlife Crime, called everyone forward to start proceedings.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0b7O_fPMHVg/U-k8B8RCjNI/AAAAAAAAAN4/iSj5aneGMhc/s1600/IMG_0984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0b7O_fPMHVg/U-k8B8RCjNI/AAAAAAAAAN4/iSj5aneGMhc/s1600/IMG_0984.JPG" height="147" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The people gather</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark
talked about the reasons he had wanted to create an event to highlight the persecution
of our Hen Harriers. He reminded us of how a group of people in 1932 held a
mass protest on Kinder to end restrictions of access for the common people to
the uplands of The Peak District. All in the crowd were inspired by what Mark had to say. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-goRYvesLU2E/U-k7X4whxKI/AAAAAAAAANw/i8e4zCwdDZk/s1600/Mark+Avery+talks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-goRYvesLU2E/U-k7X4whxKI/AAAAAAAAANw/i8e4zCwdDZk/s1600/Mark+Avery+talks.jpg" height="159" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark Avery talks to the masses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He
then handed over to Chris Packham who delivered a passionate speech that was
spoken with clear frustration in his voice. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXL8R8pZmGM/U-k8Q6FkOsI/AAAAAAAAAOA/npCiT6J6_ws/s1600/Chris+Packham+speech+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AXL8R8pZmGM/U-k8Q6FkOsI/AAAAAAAAAOA/npCiT6J6_ws/s1600/Chris+Packham+speech+001.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Packham</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A huge cheer was heard when Owen Paterson was referred to as
the ex-Secretary for the environment, and a round of applause was given to the
current shadow minister Barry Gardiner. He was welcomed into the fold of the ‘Green
blob’, he later tweeted ‘he was proud to be part on the Green Blob’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A young man named Findley Wilde was then invited along with
his brother Harley to take centre stage and talk about his 6ft model Hen
Harrier and what had inspired him to build it. An example to us all he is certainly
the future of conservation. (You can read his Blog <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwildeaboutbirds.blogspot.com%2F&ei=UT3pU4uuH4fR7Aa8v4HwDQ&usg=AFQjCNGFJWo_7sY_yNGQ9n85vV83Ny5LZQ&sig2=gmS-JuZ5RzpSqfJnYk7t2A" target="_blank">here</a>).<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a4LpsSTGChY/U-k9FpvAENI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/ZvCLyQsU1wk/s1600/P1030770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a4LpsSTGChY/U-k9FpvAENI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/ZvCLyQsU1wk/s1600/P1030770.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris acknowledges Findley Wilde</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris then used the example of the Marsh Harrier to highlight
that with the right will a species can make a recovery. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ICUNni8oFIY/U-k8uQjIAhI/AAAAAAAAAOI/vtYQLpUeTTE/s1600/P1030778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ICUNni8oFIY/U-k8uQjIAhI/AAAAAAAAAOI/vtYQLpUeTTE/s1600/P1030778.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Packham inspires the crowd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He then had a pop at the shooting fraternity, ‘we’ve tried
to trust you to work with us, but you have failed us. Sort out the bad apples
in your barrel, otherwise we’re gunning for you, and we will win!’. This was
greeted with the loudest cheer of the day from every one present, well almost. The
wildlife NGO’s were mentioned too, having failed to do enough to bring this
issue to the forefront while numbers of Hen Harriers are still falling. An olive branch was offered to all people involved, noting that if we all work together
and compromise we can all prosper. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The speech ended with a quote from Ghandi, ‘first they
ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win’.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wcdh2vd1qpI/U-k-gs_HuYI/AAAAAAAAAOg/0TpWex7aVhc/s1600/DWT+groupshot+with+CP+MA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wcdh2vd1qpI/U-k-gs_HuYI/AAAAAAAAAOg/0TpWex7aVhc/s1600/DWT+groupshot+with+CP+MA.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derbyshire Wildlife Trust with Chris, Mark & Findley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the speeches had ended Findley’ Hen Harrier became the
main attraction as all of the organisations present used it as a great focal point
for photographs, The Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, Hawk & Owl Trust, BAWC and
others will hopefully get some great publicity from the event to push the issue
forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope that the momentum gained from this event can now be
maintained and more ideas, to keep the plight of our birds of prey in the forefront
of people’s minds, will follow . My worries earlier about number were unfounded
as around 570 protesters turned up, and everyone’s spirit was high at all times, like
minded birders and nature lovers had all come together to load our gun and
point it directly at the law breakers that are murdering our birds. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More details of Mark Avery’ petition for the banning of
Driven grouse shooting, which has over 19,000 signitures can be found <a href="http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/65627" target="_blank">here</a>. I was originally not against Grouse shooting but as I have learned more about this industry, and that's what it is, it's plain to see that most that are involved have no respect for the environment or the natural world. Hen Harriers like other predators are not welcome anywhere near their moors, there is too much money involved and they won't tolerate any creature that eats into their profits.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marks Blog covers all aspects of conservation and is definitely
worth a read, it’s also probably the best place to keep up to date with the Hen
Harrier protest. (find Marks Blog <a href="http://markavery.info/" target="_blank">Here</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xJM16jU0vF0/U-lAan4X-RI/AAAAAAAAAOs/iM1z8qHWik4/s1600/IMG_0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xJM16jU0vF0/U-lAan4X-RI/AAAAAAAAAOs/iM1z8qHWik4/s1600/IMG_0971.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Selfie with Chris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wHSRdAPgCAA/U-lAavyc7NI/AAAAAAAAAOw/2i8ISegSA_4/s1600/IMG_1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wHSRdAPgCAA/U-lAavyc7NI/AAAAAAAAAOw/2i8ISegSA_4/s1600/IMG_1003.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very pleased to get a Selfie with findley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The #sodden570 have inspired me to do more and I am very
proud to be counted as one of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
#wewillwin<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-91424731998381119572014-07-31T02:50:00.001-07:002014-08-12T00:45:09.584-07:00My Thoughts about Bird of Prey persecution.<span style="font-size: 22pt;">My Thoughts about Bird of
Prey persecution.</span><br />
First I should say that I don't consider myself an expert or
particularly knowledgeable in these matters. These are just my
thoughts as someone who knows right from wrong where the welfare of
other living creatures are concerned. As a long time birdwatcher &
nature lover the idea that some of this countries most beautiful and
iconic bird species are murdered to increase profit is abhorrent.<br />
I can’t understand why any one gets a kick from shooting any
living creature for pleasure, however I don’t really blame the
shooters themselves for the problem with raptor persecution. We are
all different and live by different values, they turn up and pay
their money for a days shooting. I know that not every one cares for
the natural world and some people are oblivious to what goes on
around them.<br />
Some land owners, and I emphasize some, with their instructions to
their gamekeepers are the ones that should hang their heads in shame.
To put profit before the very environment that provides them with
their wealth is very short sighted and greedy. These birds are part
of this ecosystem and should be allowed to live a natural life. So
what if some of Grouse and Pheasant are taken by these birds, that’s
the natural world and how it works. I wonder how many shooters would
get a thrill from seeing a Hen Harrier or a Peregrine whilst out on
the moors, a fair few I’m sure.<br />
Would an increase in predator numbers make shooting harder? I
don’t know but if it does then surely that should make it more of a
challenge for these ‘brave’ marksmen.<br />
I will be at Derwent Dam on the 10th of August to show my support
for this campaign against the bad practices carried out by the guilty
landowners. After becoming very disillusioned with the RSPB in recent
years I'm glad they have added their voice to this movement and I am
so pleased that the Wildlife Trust has shown its support too, I can
now wear my Derbyshire Wildlife Trust volunteer T-shirt with pride.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-74411781489266936072014-07-23T01:57:00.000-07:002014-07-24T06:53:39.149-07:00Ladybower Wood bird box success (2014)<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="western">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ga3S40GSoJw/U7-lf771rrI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/5DebwpDO_Ck/s1600/Ladybower+(2)+adjusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ga3S40GSoJw/U7-lf771rrI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/5DebwpDO_Ck/s1600/Ladybower+(2)+adjusted.jpg" height="120" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> A view over Ladybower Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.1"></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Upland Oakwood in the Peak District is a rare
habitat and I am lucky enough to be able to monitor the nest boxes in
the Derbyshire Wildlife Trusts Ladybower site.
This SSSI site has over 75 species of lichen recorded but it’s the
Bird life that excites me.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oEQ_5IQWaCc/U89281HBCFI/AAAAAAAAANA/qoBsgrxZ784/s1600/hillside+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oEQ_5IQWaCc/U89281HBCFI/AAAAAAAAANA/qoBsgrxZ784/s1600/hillside+shot.jpg" height="156" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Spring in Ladybower Wood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The first time I visited this site it totally blew me away,
it is a magical place with stunted Oaks, Silver birch & Rowan.
Large grit-stone boulders lye abandoned between the trees and are
covered in thick moss and lichens of all colours. Early mornings bring an extra
level of beauty that is normally created by special effects teams in fantasy
movies, a low floating mist rolls over the rocks and beams of sunlight
penetrate the canopy and light up the woodland floor. Bird song completes this
picture and quickly makes you forget the steep climb and aching limbs that
you’ve suffered to get here. <b>Curlew</b>, <b>Willow Warbler</b>, <b>Tree Pipit</b> & <b>Spotted
Flycatcher</b> are just some of the members of this harmonious choir.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JfxuMDFrqRI/U7-l0Z5w1sI/AAAAAAAAAKY/SRRFMyVgLHk/s1600/Curlew+(4)+sharpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JfxuMDFrqRI/U7-l0Z5w1sI/AAAAAAAAAKY/SRRFMyVgLHk/s1600/Curlew+(4)+sharpen.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curlew on moorland that looks over Ladybower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make your way to the top dry stone walled boundary
and you look out over gorgeous Peak District moorland where you can see <b>Red
Grouse</b>, <b>Meadow Pipit </b>& <b>Kestrel</b>. Turn around 180° and a
vista that takes some beating makes the climb worth it, the light shimmers
off Ladybower Reservoir where a valley thick with trees rises from
its shoreline & the sound of calling <b>Cuckoo</b> puts the cherry
firmly on top of this bird watching cake.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XGeJb7gnUJs/U7-mDyxZQJI/AAAAAAAAAKg/f2C4gnAJRq8/s1600/Kestrel+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XGeJb7gnUJs/U7-mDyxZQJI/AAAAAAAAAKg/f2C4gnAJRq8/s1600/Kestrel+(4).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kestrel hovers above the moorland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
As with all woodlands the best way to watch birds is to find
a comfortable spot and wait, if you have the patience to sit for a hour or so
most birds will pass over or near you as they move through the trees in search
of food.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUvkODH7iA4/U7-miFMlLCI/AAAAAAAAAKw/5wrzMZJKTRU/s1600/Blackbird+Juvenile+sharpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUvkODH7iA4/U7-miFMlLCI/AAAAAAAAAKw/5wrzMZJKTRU/s1600/Blackbird+Juvenile+sharpen.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Blackbird</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apQlmp8wZJg/U7-mbRKgzsI/AAAAAAAAAKo/0h2y25BR6Pk/s1600/Wren+Juvenile+sharpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apQlmp8wZJg/U7-mbRKgzsI/AAAAAAAAAKo/0h2y25BR6Pk/s1600/Wren+Juvenile+sharpen.jpg" height="320" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very young Wren recently fledged</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
This was my 5th year ringing pullus in the
50+ boxes we have on site. 4 species of bird use these artificial tree holes
which are Blue Tit, Great Tit, Pied Flycatcher & Redstart.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.10"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>The <b>Redstarts</b> arrive back from
north Africa in early April and the males will quickly establish territories
using a short almost melodious rattle of a song. Great views are possible with
this bird as they are not shy and will come quite close, listen out for a short
repeated call to help locate them. The male has got to be one of our most
beautiful birds with slate grey crown, nape & mantle, jet black face,
coverts & primaries & a crimson red breast & flanks to put a Robin
to shame. Then the rusty red tail that gives this most dandy bird its name
('start' being an old word for tail).<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ToCwf_sVTLM/U7-nKHEA4SI/AAAAAAAAAK8/Pm0F3ux4Q04/s1600/Redstart+(2)+sharpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ToCwf_sVTLM/U7-nKHEA4SI/AAAAAAAAAK8/Pm0F3ux4Q04/s1600/Redstart+(2)+sharpen.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Redstart</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVOGqmqVweo/U7-nJ1n786I/AAAAAAAAAK4/_xx7pSKqFpo/s1600/Redstart+(4)+sharpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVOGqmqVweo/U7-nJ1n786I/AAAAAAAAAK4/_xx7pSKqFpo/s1600/Redstart+(4)+sharpen.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Redstart sings to attract a mate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NlrDfwbk-70/U893T2FD4mI/AAAAAAAAANI/rRh83Ubs82k/s1600/biird+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NlrDfwbk-70/U893T2FD4mI/AAAAAAAAANI/rRh83Ubs82k/s1600/biird+box.jpg" height="320" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
We have had 2 successful boxes this year, (only one in
previous years) with 6 eggs laid in one and 7 in the second. After an
incubation of around two weeks both clutches hatched with different levels of
success, there were 2 infertile eggs in the first box but all 7 made it from
the second box.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-LWPFANeSY/U89y-hGCeII/AAAAAAAAALo/IjuEdKjlR28/s1600/redstart+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-LWPFANeSY/U89y-hGCeII/AAAAAAAAALo/IjuEdKjlR28/s1600/redstart+eggs.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 Redstart eggs, note moss & sheeps wool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<center>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 235px;">
<colgroup><col width="235"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="235"><div align="CENTER" class="western">
<img align="BOTTOM" border="0" height="320" name="graphics1" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bH_iFsS2CLk/U616QjrukrI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/saWTxCC0vuw/s1600/REDSTART+DISTRIBUTION+MAP.png" width="233" />
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="235"><div align="CENTER" class="western" style="border: none; padding: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.11"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.12"></a>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Redstart Distribution Map from </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffff00;">BTO</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Atlas</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Mid April brings another visitor from <st1:place>Africa</st1:place>
and the clear crisp song of the <b>Pied Flycatcher</b>. This is the bird I always
really look forward to seeing when I come here, the stunning male dressed in
black & white stands out among the trees whereas the female with her drab
brown plumage is much harder to spot.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bEcIe9iv2vM/U7-noRyL54I/AAAAAAAAALM/JmkdVALWbls/s1600/Pied+Flycatcher+female+sharpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bEcIe9iv2vM/U7-noRyL54I/AAAAAAAAALM/JmkdVALWbls/s1600/Pied+Flycatcher+female+sharpen.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Pied Flycatcher brings in food for young</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvvwTaUn6xQ/U7-noKMGldI/AAAAAAAAALI/UPh8Z4h20s4/s1600/Pied+Flycatcher+on+box+sharpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvvwTaUn6xQ/U7-noKMGldI/AAAAAAAAALI/UPh8Z4h20s4/s1600/Pied+Flycatcher+on+box+sharpen.jpg" height="320" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Pied Flycatcher checks on young family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuiwaZ_a3D4/U7-nqL5Oy_I/AAAAAAAAALY/pKOHmorW_yM/s1600/Pied+Flycatcher+sharpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuiwaZ_a3D4/U7-nqL5Oy_I/AAAAAAAAALY/pKOHmorW_yM/s1600/Pied+Flycatcher+sharpen.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Pied Flycatcher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.14"></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This species is more successful here with 5 boxes used this
year (<st1:time hour="3" minute="57">3 to 4</st1:time> is more common). Clutch
sizes were good with 7,7,6,6 & 7 sky blue eggs laid. Hatching numbers were
good too with only 1 egg failing to hatch. Both male & female will incubate
with the female taking on most of the responsibility as males can
sometimes practice bigamy by taking on a second partner. This means
the mother has to work extra hard to feed the young, lucky for them that this
spring has been ideal and there are lots of insects and small caterpillars
around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ISc2x7oE6U/U89zRAidQ6I/AAAAAAAAALw/X-ATbahd_Ts/s1600/PIED+FLYCATCHER+EGGS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ISc2x7oE6U/U89zRAidQ6I/AAAAAAAAALw/X-ATbahd_Ts/s1600/PIED+FLYCATCHER+EGGS.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Flycatcher eggs, note no green vegetation in the nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<center>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 266px;">
<colgroup><col width="266"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="266"><div align="CENTER" class="western">
<img align="BOTTOM" border="0" height="320" name="graphics2" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EemyBPDFF6g/U616tSCX7BI/AAAAAAAAAKA/ikzVMlrNU8A/s1600/PIED+FLYCATCHER+DISTRIBUTION+MAP.png" width="233" />
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="266"><div align="CENTER" class="western" style="border: none; padding: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.15"></a>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pied Flycatcher Distribution Map from </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffff00;">BTO</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Atlas</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</center>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.16"></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
10 days later I returned to check on the young birds and
ring them if they had grown sufficiently. It gave me great pleasure to discover
that all chicks were now well grown and healthy, they were also the perfect
size to ring so I got to work ringing all 32 Pied Flycatcher and 11 Redstart pullus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h6sgfLgSFug/U89zexZuJVI/AAAAAAAAAL4/yKEIx2h9DWs/s1600/pied+flycatcher+sat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h6sgfLgSFug/U89zexZuJVI/AAAAAAAAAL4/yKEIx2h9DWs/s1600/pied+flycatcher+sat.jpg" height="320" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Pied Flycatcher sat on eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7PnZiYgD7T8/U89zfQk1IyI/AAAAAAAAAL8/IQmeoyW8TGs/s1600/redstart+chicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7PnZiYgD7T8/U89zfQk1IyI/AAAAAAAAAL8/IQmeoyW8TGs/s1600/redstart+chicks.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Redstarts at around 10 days old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.18"></a><br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both these birds have suffered in recent years leading to
them being placed on the Amber list of birds. In the 1990's numbers of Pied
Flycatcher pullus ringed was almost 25,000, this has plummeted to
just over 8,000 in 2013 (<a href="http://blx1.bto.org/ringta/ringing-totals.jsp?archive_euringNo=11220&archive_year=ALL#late">BTO</a> ringing
total), Redstarts have dropped too with numbers
of pullus ringed down from around 2,000 to just over 1,200 (<a href="http://blx1.bto.org/ringta/ringing-totals.jsp?archive_euringNo=13490&archive_year=ALL#late">BTO</a> ringing
totals) in the same period. This is Probably a result of there being fewer
ringers finding nest sites and the decline in visiting birds breeding. This
means that our 43 young birds are very important and hopefully with a bit of
luck and some good weather a good percentage can survive the trip back to <st1:place>Africa</st1:place>
and return next year to breed here again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.21"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.22"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><b>Blue
Tit </b>& <b>Great Tit</b> success is down a little this year, brood sizes are up
to 7.67 & 8.00 respectively but fewer boxes were used than in previous
years, this could have benefited the Pieds & Redstarts with
less competition for food.<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%253Aw.18"></a>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YOIuxqhBwHM/U890onc6I8I/AAAAAAAAAMM/mUs-ZgbCmck/s1600/blue+tit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YOIuxqhBwHM/U890onc6I8I/AAAAAAAAAMM/mUs-ZgbCmck/s1600/blue+tit.jpg" height="278" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Tit eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o93JLlSShFo/U890pJxZl7I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/WBMe9WkyWc0/s1600/blue+tit+sat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o93JLlSShFo/U890pJxZl7I/AAAAAAAAAMQ/WBMe9WkyWc0/s1600/blue+tit+sat.jpg" height="172" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult bird sat on eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffmwrHmhabk/U890pzJVqTI/AAAAAAAAAMc/JMFatMrX8-w/s1600/blue+tit+chicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffmwrHmhabk/U890pzJVqTI/AAAAAAAAAMc/JMFatMrX8-w/s1600/blue+tit+chicks.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost ready for fledging</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewnyvKbwB_g/U890t6era4I/AAAAAAAAAMw/GhQhGrSduQM/s1600/great+tit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewnyvKbwB_g/U890t6era4I/AAAAAAAAAMw/GhQhGrSduQM/s1600/great+tit.jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Tit Eggs, large variety of nesting materials </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-re4z_UCWKNM/U890th1LdrI/AAAAAAAAAMs/zSNagLlY2zg/s1600/great+tit+sat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-re4z_UCWKNM/U890th1LdrI/AAAAAAAAAMs/zSNagLlY2zg/s1600/great+tit+sat.jpg" height="297" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same season but different materials used</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yer3MGzbK7A/U890sZIUeyI/AAAAAAAAAMk/ynTEz11SZh8/s1600/great+tit+chicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yer3MGzbK7A/U890sZIUeyI/AAAAAAAAAMk/ynTEz11SZh8/s1600/great+tit+chicks.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Great Tit has had a wonderfully successful season</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: #ffffff;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every year I ring in Ladybower Wood I feel
very privileged to have these very close encounters with all of these
birds, including the Blue & Great Tits. All birds are special to me and
playing my part in providing nest sites and the monitoring of the boxes gives
me great pleasure. Some ringers say ringing is about data and the process
should not be enjoyed, but i'll never understand that attitude, how could I not thoroughly
enjoy this very personal contact with some of our wonderful wildlife. I get to
watch these young birds grow from egg to fledge, and help protect them at the
same time. 2014 also gave me the opportunity to spend an afternoon
with <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1100818768419349800#editor/target=post;postID=6255113492147259122;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=2;src=postname">Iolo
Wiiliams</a> in Ladybower Wood as Iolo and his film crew came to
film our Pied Flycatcher & Redstarts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.23"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.24"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.25"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.26"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.27"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.28"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>Other
birds you could see in and around Ladybower wood include <b>Cuckoo</b> which
have been here in great numbers this year, with 4 singing males heard and seen
in the wood. I have seen <b>Hawfinch</b> here for the first time, <b>Spotted Flycatchers</b> are
around in abundance and <b>Woodcock</b> take flight from the leaf litter. <b>Tree</b>
<b>Pipits</b> singing from the edge of the reserve are another treat along with
more common species like <b>Nuthatch,</b> <b>Treecreeeper, Siskin,
Chaffinch, Common Buzzard, Garden</b> <b>Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat & Great
Spotted Woodpecker.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="%3Aw.29"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>One worry this year is that I’ve not
heard <b>Wood Warbler</b> for the first time in 5 years. Hopefully it's just
bad luck on my part and they are around but I have just not heard their
distinctive song. I will visit again on the 10th of August after supporting <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/peak-district-hen-harrier-day-tickets-11761389633?ref=elink">Hen
Harrier Day</a> which takes place just around the corner to check
all pullus have fledged and clean out the boxes. I'll keep my fingers
crossed they have arrived albeit a little late.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<br></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUE_VqEqCg4/U5S2kL3t6oI/AAAAAAAAAIs/NJFbvPgQbs8/s1600/Bempton+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUE_VqEqCg4/U5S2kL3t6oI/AAAAAAAAAIs/NJFbvPgQbs8/s1600/Bempton+header.jpg" height="121" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The busy cliffs at Bempton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It wasn’t until
waking up this morning that I decided to make the 2 hour trip to
Bempton. I try to go at least once a year but last year left it too
late and missed most of the birds. So, determined not to make the
same mistake this year I set off with Ron in tow to see some new
birds for this years list.<br>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We arrived at around 11
o’clock and to my disappointment we were greeted with a cool
reception at the visitors centre, there were at least 6 RSPB
employees just outside the centre and not one greeted us with a smile
or a hello. A girl inside was much better as were all the volunteers
out on the reserve that were manning the viewing points. I hate to
mention this but felt I had to get it out of my system.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--tFBPYbJoaM/U5LJkT9p00I/AAAAAAAAAHg/3vMxaYkr6og/s1600/Tree+Sparrow+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--tFBPYbJoaM/U5LJkT9p00I/AAAAAAAAAHg/3vMxaYkr6og/s1600/Tree+Sparrow+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" height="209" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree Sparrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Now that’s out of the
way lets get back to what we came here for. The first bird we saw was
<b>Tree Sparrow, </b>it always gives me great pleasure to watch these
delightful birds, around the reserve they are very comfortable around
people and you can get some great views and witness some interesting
behaviour very close to hand. As we walked toward the 1<sup>st</sup>
viewing point we saw <b>Guillemot</b> & <b>Kittiwakes</b>, they
were perched on the cliff faces desperately trying to hold onto their
tiny territory.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kycRauA3fjs/U5LJ2ugPpQI/AAAAAAAAAHo/G8HHygCf6SM/s1600/Guilemot+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kycRauA3fjs/U5LJ2ugPpQI/AAAAAAAAAHo/G8HHygCf6SM/s1600/Guilemot+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" height="192" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--H_pZgC3ZWo/U5LJ3VFBECI/AAAAAAAAAHw/91RIXZxsBZM/s1600/Kittiwake+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--H_pZgC3ZWo/U5LJ3VFBECI/AAAAAAAAAHw/91RIXZxsBZM/s1600/Kittiwake+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" height="240" width="320"></a></div>
<b>Gannet</b> were soaring along the cliff edge, their size and wingspan amazes me every time I see them, a great bird to watch. From the viewpoint I picked out <b>Razorbill</b> and a <b>Bridled</b> <b>Guillemot</b> again clinging to the rock face. 15 minutes of scanning the rafts of sea birds I finally managed to pick out a single <b>Puffin</b> sat drifting on the water. As we moved around the reserve people were saying how they had not seen any Puffin; the volunteers confirmed that not many had arrived back at the cliffs.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K68230xqhfg/U5LKFg5O2-I/AAAAAAAAAH8/7-WeQXoLYKU/s1600/Bridled+Guillemot+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K68230xqhfg/U5LKFg5O2-I/AAAAAAAAAH8/7-WeQXoLYKU/s1600/Bridled+Guillemot+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" height="303" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRHPnWR1M4U/U5LKFnloPkI/AAAAAAAAAH4/rPoxlv0CX9U/s1600/Gannet+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eRHPnWR1M4U/U5LKFnloPkI/AAAAAAAAAH4/rPoxlv0CX9U/s1600/Gannet+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" height="320" width="218"></a></div>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I then I heard a sound
I’d not heard before, well not at least in real life. I recognised
it from hours of listening to bird song on the CD in the car; the
books refer to the sound as the jangling of keys and it’s not a bad
description. Sat on a barb wire fence was a <b>Corn Bunting</b>, a
lifer for me, and not just one. Along the stretch of fencing were
around 5 -6 birds all singing into the wind, <b>Skylark</b> joined in and the sound of this duet filled the air and was wonderful to hear.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ipnPSG2Joj4/U5LKQaf1hLI/AAAAAAAAAII/ozy83Rv6TOk/s1600/Corn+Bunting+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ipnPSG2Joj4/U5LKQaf1hLI/AAAAAAAAAII/ozy83Rv6TOk/s1600/Corn+Bunting+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" height="208" width="320"></a></div>
<br></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We stopped for lunch
where we watched Kittiwake tearing grass from the cliff tops and then
we visited the west side of the reserve where we saw out first <b>Fulmar</b>
soaring around on the updraughts without a wing beat. A large patch
of bare earth was being used by the Kittiwake to collect mud; this
was mixed with the grass collected earlier to make their nest site, a
neat cup is formed on a cliff edge to make life safer and more
comfortable. 2 eggs will be laid and young raised in this small
precarious home. <b>Rock/Feral</b> <b>Pigeon</b> were flying around
in large numbers which attracted the attention of a <b>Peregrine</b>.
Ron, my self and around ten other very excited birdwatchers enjoyed
some fantastic views of this bird as it flew back and forth along the
cliff top. Climbing up we knew it had selected a target, it turned
and plummeted back toward the cliffs, all manner of birds were
flushed in panic as it locked on its prey. Luckily for the selected
meal the Peregrine missed but it was a fantastic thing to witness.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVSSSOJdlPY/U5LKcSMxTuI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/ll74ISMR9hY/s1600/Peregrine+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVSSSOJdlPY/U5LKcSMxTuI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/ll74ISMR9hY/s1600/Peregrine+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" height="216" width="320"></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VC4GlAnez-c/U5LKc2q_zII/AAAAAAAAAIY/VO4KrxWF9BA/s1600/Rock+Dove+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VC4GlAnez-c/U5LKc2q_zII/AAAAAAAAAIY/VO4KrxWF9BA/s1600/Rock+Dove+at+Bempton+Cliffs.jpg" height="178" width="320"></a></div>
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<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
We then left Bempton
Cliffs and headed for Blacktoft sands where we hoped to see one
particular bird. After spending a short time in Singleton and Townend Hides where we had some great views of <strong>Marsh Harrier</strong> and
<b>Pochard</b> we moved onto and settled down In the Marshland Hide.
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ug8q_0XLeI/U5S3oPFQFnI/AAAAAAAAAI4/wPln2jACnho/s1600/Marsh+Harrier+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ug8q_0XLeI/U5S3oPFQFnI/AAAAAAAAAI4/wPln2jACnho/s1600/Marsh+Harrier+001.jpg" height="320" width="221"></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3rMcrp_Rn8/U5S3wv6LYYI/AAAAAAAAAJA/as_PxW1GPP4/s1600/Pochard+with+young+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X3rMcrp_Rn8/U5S3wv6LYYI/AAAAAAAAAJA/as_PxW1GPP4/s1600/Pochard+with+young+001.jpg" height="213" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here we watched our target bird, the <b>Avocet</b>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c14JPWtFEyw/U5S5GGUruYI/AAAAAAAAAJM/qjt986bpiZg/s1600/Avocet+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c14JPWtFEyw/U5S5GGUruYI/AAAAAAAAAJM/qjt986bpiZg/s1600/Avocet+001.jpg" height="183" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
<br>
There wasn't a
great number of birds but boy are they beautiful with their clearly
defined black and white bodies, very delicate upturned bills and blue
legs<span style="color: black;">. In 1893 the Avocet was declared extinct
in Britain, however in 1941 </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">t</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">he
Avocet recolonised when coastal marshlands were flooded in East
Anglia as a defence against possible invasion by the Germans. We now
have around 1,500 breeding pairs in the UK, these numbers are boosted
by around 4,500 visitors that over winter with us. I was watching one
of these pairs preparing a nest, just a simple scrape in the mud and a few twigs right on the edge of the shoreline on a small island. </span></span><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FQEZ221nWEM/U5S5YV6yOUI/AAAAAAAAAJc/ghPcYfz5k7Q/s1600/Isand+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FQEZ221nWEM/U5S5YV6yOUI/AAAAAAAAAJc/ghPcYfz5k7Q/s1600/Isand+close+up.jpg" height="120" width="320"></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"></span></span><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3Ry9AHk630/U5S5GNFCF3I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/citNoWElxNM/s1600/Avocet+on+nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3Ry9AHk630/U5S5GNFCF3I/AAAAAAAAAJQ/citNoWElxNM/s1600/Avocet+on+nest.jpg" height="320" width="183"></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">This island had
around 10 breeding pairs of </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Black</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">-</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>headed
Gulls</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">
too and I was surprised that the Gulls weren't more aggressive toward
the Avocets but seemed to tolerate them. I wish I had more time to
watch but it was getting late and it had been a long day, I still had
a 1 ½ hour drive home so chose to reluctantly leave. </span></span>
<br>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-62551134921472591222014-05-03T11:08:00.001-07:002014-05-03T11:15:43.049-07:00An afternoon with Iolo Williams (30th April 2014)<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I woke up this morning
with great expectations of a day that promised much. I dropped the
kids off at school, picked up my friend Ron, and headed off into the
Peak District and Ladybower Wood. An ancient woodland site on a very
steep slope overlooking the Ladybower reservoir and edged on 3 sides
by heather moorland. A Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Reserve (DWT) it can
be found at the rear of the Ladybower Inn. I visit this site 6 or 7
times a year to keep a record of the birds that visit this beautiful
and stunning place.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RD59tHMGrsU/U2UwfeZrBsI/AAAAAAAAAHM/CgxusdAdy1k/s1600/lad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RD59tHMGrsU/U2UwfeZrBsI/AAAAAAAAAHM/CgxusdAdy1k/s1600/lad.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Today we were
expecting a special visitor; not a bird but a familiar face from
Natur Cymru & Springwatch, Iolo Williams. He was coming along
with his film crew and a wish list of 2 birds they wanted to capture
footage of for his new nature programme which will feature on Welsh
TV channel S4C.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gFykKwsU0s/U2TK_wgRtuI/AAAAAAAAAGk/4X5s8hpdVPA/s1600/Iolo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gFykKwsU0s/U2TK_wgRtuI/AAAAAAAAAGk/4X5s8hpdVPA/s1600/Iolo.JPG" height="320" width="143" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Ron & I arrived at
around 11 o’clock and met up with DWT reserves officer Sam Willis.
Our plan was to check the woodland and establish where the best areas
would be to film the birds and make life a little easier for them
when they arrived at 3 o’clock.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I always have to take
a moment on arrival to take in the beauty of this amazing woodland,
you are never going to leave here with a huge list of species, but
what is does offer is some of the more scarce British birds. We
covered almost every inch of this wonderful site and soon established
where we thought the best spot would be. After around half an hour of
negotiating this difficult terrain, not a place for the faint
hearted, we heard our first <b>Cuckoo </b>of the season and a <b>Garden
Warbler </b>was singing from the top of a willow. We finally reached
the top of this very steep hill and decided to stop for a coffee and
something to eat. We were enjoying our lunch when I thought a heard
another familiar song, I quickly stood up and ran towards the stone
wall that surrounds the reserve, I saw some movement in an Oak Tree
and found a <b>Tree Pipit</b> singing. It flew across in front of us
and was joined by a second; one bird landed on the wall and gave us a
very clear view through binoculars and a chance to clearly see this
species unique markings including a the heavier set bill and shorter
back toe. <b>Willow Warblers </b>were absolutely every where, seeming
to be singing from every tree top including the tree at the highest
point of the reserve. Just over the wall <b>Red Grouse</b> could be
heard and we soon picked out a couple of birds wondering amongst the
heather on the moors beyond the wall.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We made our way back
down the hill to wait for our guests. They promptly arrived at 3
o’clock along with some heavy looking equipment packed into back
packs. All crew members coped very well with the very steep incline
including Iolo who was carrying a large tripod. We set up about half
way up the hill looking down on the area we had selected for the
shoot. We kept our distance while they got some close up and talking
to camera shots, Iolo then invited us over to chat and we all tried
to spot the birds they had come along to film. Iolo and all of the
crew were very friendly and had no hesitation in answering all our
questions about the filming process and they were all full of
enthusiasm when telling us about the previous places they had been
visiting in Derbyshire. They all clearly loved our county and Iolo
said he was enjoying his time here and had been having some great
wildlife encounters.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LH4meFKJcK8/U2TLQiydCEI/AAAAAAAAAGs/t9njD8_21BY/s1600/wide+shot+of+filming.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LH4meFKJcK8/U2TLQiydCEI/AAAAAAAAAGs/t9njD8_21BY/s1600/wide+shot+of+filming.JPG" height="143" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It didn’t take long
before our first target bird appeared and after flying around and
perching on both flanks the <b>Pied Flycatcher</b> landed on a branch
no more than 30 feet in front of us, it then made several more poses
before our second bird the <b>Redstart</b> entered the frame. The
Redstart was a little more camera shy than the Pied Flycatcher but
the Camera man was more than happy with the shots he’d got.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lECCJ8YgMxQ/U2TLiegveGI/AAAAAAAAAG0/acqb_hTVv1U/s1600/close+up+filming.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lECCJ8YgMxQ/U2TLiegveGI/AAAAAAAAAG0/acqb_hTVv1U/s1600/close+up+filming.JPG" height="174" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It was a great
afternoon seeing how wildlife films are put together, and as someone
that dabbles in film making I took away some good tips on how the
professionals do it. As we sat for nearly 2 hours we also got the
chance to share our experiences and views on nature and of the
struggles that our wildlife have to cope with in the modern world. I
will also take away yet another memorable wildlife moment, Iolo and
his team were friendly, courteous and more importantly passionate. If
you want to hear his passion, follow this link for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnJQjtvngqA">Iolo's Speech</a> at the ‘state of nature’ conference.<br />
As I listened to his
words it made me feel a great sense of pride knowing that I’m
involved in some great work that is hopefully helping our wildlife.
It also gives me even more incentive to carry on and push even harder
to give British wildlife a fighting chance against a society that
seems just to care about self and material things.<span id="goog_2119372842"></span><span id="goog_2119372843"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dk88CY-zq38/U2TLtPXsMtI/AAAAAAAAAG8/KCJ_AhqA5oY/s1600/group+shot+with+Iolo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dk88CY-zq38/U2TLtPXsMtI/AAAAAAAAAG8/KCJ_AhqA5oY/s1600/group+shot+with+Iolo.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I said I had great
expectations for today, and thanks to some wonderful people and even
better wildlife it certainly didn't disappoint. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-72708416575247225482014-04-23T13:45:00.000-07:002014-04-24T01:54:36.291-07:00Wotter wonderful weekend<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
When I planned my trip
to The Morecambe area I only really thought about bird species,
however the weekend was to give me 2 wonderful experiences that had
nothing to do with birds at all. I set myself a target of 12 new
species for the year. This was a fairly modest number; I’m not the
sort of birdwatcher that gets too hung up on numbers, if you were to
ask me how many birds were on my life list I couldn’t tell you. I
like to try and beat the previous years total but that’s just to
make me get off my backside, work harder and visit more places. My
trip started with a quick visit to Leighton Moss so I could find my
way around, as I was planning to spend most of my time here over the
next 3 days.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hdk60wp505c/U1gg0h5QYDI/AAAAAAAAAFY/nn3ynIhodHA/s1600/leighton+moss+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hdk60wp505c/U1gg0h5QYDI/AAAAAAAAAFY/nn3ynIhodHA/s1600/leighton+moss+003.jpg" height="156" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>21</b></span><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>st</b></span></sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>
March 2014</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I could hear
<b>Black-headed gulls (1)</b> squawking from every direction before I
had even left the car park. A <b>Blackbird (2)</b> sang from a tree
near the visitors centre, this has to be one of the most wonderful
songs in the bird world. A <b>Robin (3)</b> landed very close,
perhaps wondering if I had a snack. It then sang a little, beautiful
as it was, not a patch on the Blackbird. <b>Blue Tit (4)</b> &
<b>Great Tit (5)</b> were both busy on the feeders by the door, a
wonderful warm welcome was given by the staff in reception, and a
helpful lady took out a guide and talked me through what birds had
been seen in which areas. I've tried to remember her name but I
can't, but a big thank you anyway.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Scaup & Long-tailed
Duck sounded interesting so I headed for the Grisedale Hide, <b>Mallard
(6)</b>, <b>Coot (7)</b>, <b>Moorhen (8)</b>, <b>Tufted Duck (9)</b>,
<b>Teal (10)</b>, <b>Wigeon (11)</b>, <b>Great Crested Grebe (12)</b>
and <b>Lesser Black Backed Gull (13)</b> were soon ticked off, now
time to start scanning the water for the more difficult birds. My
first new bird of the year, <b>Pochard (</b><span style="color: red;"><b>14</b></span><b>)</b>,
I remember bird watching in my teens during the 70's when Pochard
could be found on most water bodies during the winter months. No
longer the case, maybe with so many wetland reserves created around
the country, particularly along the coast, these ducks don't have to
spread so far and wide any more?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I left the Grisedale
Hide and headed for the Tim Jackson hide. Here another new bird,
the <b>Little Egret (</b><span style="color: red;"><b>15</b></span><b>)</b>
shaking its feet in the mud trying to dislodge a meal. Then the sound
that I have heard so many times and always means the same bird, fast
firing camera shutters tell me a <b>Marsh Harrier (</b><span style="color: red;"><b>16</b></span><b>)</b>
has been spotted. Sure enough a Harrier was quartering low over a
reed bed, the late afternoon sun highlighting the females golden head
feathers, she turned quickly and dropped but came up empty handed. A
male the joined her and they both gave a short but impressive aerial
display to another rush of 'click click click' as eager photographers
trying to capture the event.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rcTDZW9ofM8/U1ghI_NKI7I/AAAAAAAAAFg/QbnZ4P_8ixc/s1600/Little+Egret+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rcTDZW9ofM8/U1ghI_NKI7I/AAAAAAAAAFg/QbnZ4P_8ixc/s1600/Little+Egret+001.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The light was fading
and I needed to get to the cottage I was staying in and unpack, so I
reluctantly left, but looked forward to coming back the following
morning.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 15pt;"><b>22</b></span><sup><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><b>nd</b></span></sup><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><b>
March 2014</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
An early start on
Saturday, arrived at the reserve at 7 am. I headed straight for the
Causeway and the Public Hide first in the hope of seeing Bearded Tit.
My first bird of the day was a <b>Great Spotted Woodpecker (17)
</b>drumming on an old tree just
inside a small bit of woodland near the entrance to the Causeway. As
I approached the reedbeds a <b>Wren (18)</b>
was singing at the top of its voice, it soon popped out to show
itself, these are curious birds that always come to have a look at
you. A <b>Song Thrush (19)</b>
flew from the bushes and head for the house at the entrance.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A
loud squealing noise came from within the reeds right next to the
path, then another from the opposite side, unmistakeably the sound of
Water Rails defending their patch of the reed bed. I tried
desperately to get a look at the birds but without any luck, I did
see <b>Reed Bunting (20), Long-tailed Tit (21)</b>
& <b>Chaffinch (22)</b>
before I reached the Public Hide though. Once inside the hide I
settled down, set up my scope and started scanning every inch of
water and shoreline. <b>Shoveler (</b><span style="color: red;"><b>23</b></span><b>)</b>
was spotted first and then one of the target birds, <b>Scaup
(</b><span style="color: red;"><b>24</b></span><b>)</b>,
I don't see this duck very often so care was taken to I.D correctly.
I spotted a <b>Grey Heron (25)</b>
feeding along the edge of the far reed bed and a pair of <b>Gadwall
(26)</b> among a small group of
Mallard. A few <b>Carrion</b>
<b>Crow (27)</b> and <b>Jackdaw
(28)</b> flew over the water and
landed in some trees some distance away, as I followed them I caught
a glimpse of 2 <b>Buzzard (29)</b>
soaring over woodland. 2 <b>Little Grebe (30)</b>
were diving, both birds were almost in full breeding plumage, 1 Great
Crested Grebe was still in its winter outfit amongst many more that
already had dressed up for the forth coming dance.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SpQTSF0CV2I/U1ghfsGRayI/AAAAAAAAAFo/ITAw6j9wKWc/s1600/Chaffinch+Pair+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SpQTSF0CV2I/U1ghfsGRayI/AAAAAAAAAFo/ITAw6j9wKWc/s1600/Chaffinch+Pair+001.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Time
to move on to the Lower Hide where on my arrival a very kind lady
pointed out that she had spotted something very interesting in the
water. It took a few minutes to locate but when I spotted this
wonderful animal it brought a huge smile to my face. I was looking at
my very first wild <b>Otter</b>.
I watched it arch its back time after time and then flick its tail,
down it went under the surface. After around 4 or 5 attempts the
Otter finally came up with a fish, I had an excellent view in the
scope. It took maybe a minute for the fish to be consumed and then
immediately the Otter was down again. It returned to the surface
twice more with eels this time, which were dispatched just as
quickly. It swam to within 50 metres of the hide and I had the most
amazing views, the best experience of the weekend, I had come to
birdwatch but wow, what an event.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On
my way back to the main reserve, I first heard and quickly picked
out <b>Chiffchaff (31), </b>2
<b>Dunnocks (32)</b> were
chasing and displaying in the hedgerow and behind then in an open
field were 3 Male <b>Pheasant (33) </b>calling
and sticking out there chests as 6 or 7 females looked on.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQMS23ODoE4/U1ghwdHOK9I/AAAAAAAAAF0/SASbIa8p1DI/s1600/Greylag+Goose+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQMS23ODoE4/U1ghwdHOK9I/AAAAAAAAAF0/SASbIa8p1DI/s1600/Greylag+Goose+001.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJF3y7bqa2M/U1ghwPesZ5I/AAAAAAAAAFw/tPSM9luMxGY/s1600/Black-tailed+Godwit+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJF3y7bqa2M/U1ghwPesZ5I/AAAAAAAAAFw/tPSM9luMxGY/s1600/Black-tailed+Godwit+001.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a>Back
at the Grisedale Hide <b>Cormorant (34)</b>
were perched drying off their feathers, <b>Greylag (35)</b>
& <b>Canada Geese (36)</b>
were out on the water and a large flock of <b>Black-tailed
Godwit (</b><span style="color: red;"><b>37</b></span><b>) </b>had
been spooked by something but I couldn't see what it was. I then
started talking to a chap who had been looking for the <b>Long-tailed
Duck (</b><span style="color: red;"><b>38</b></span><b>)</b>
that had been spotted the previous day. We joined forces and had it
in our scopes within around 15 minutes, not the best views as it was
in the distance but easily recognisable. <b>Mute Swan (39)</b>
was the last bird of the day, spotted just as I returned to the
visitor centre.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
Before
returning I stopped off at Hest Bank to see the tide move up the bay.
As I arrived I could see Little Egret feeding in the grassy edges of
the shoreline, around 100 <b>Curlew (40)</b>
and a few <b>Oystercatchers (</b><span style="color: red;"><b>41</b></span><b>)</b>
busily grabbing a last chance meal of the day. The tide moved in very
quickly and forced in c40 <b>Knot (</b><span style="color: red;"><b>42</b></span><b>)</b>
very close. The rain and hail was starting to sting a little so I
packed up my gear and headed off back to base.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 15pt;"><b>23</b></span><sup><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><b>nd</b></span></sup><span style="font-size: 15pt;"><b>
March 2014</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac6Xq6ZOBDQ/U1gjjyfdBYI/AAAAAAAAAGE/88-SjCZ_LL0/s1600/Snipe+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ac6Xq6ZOBDQ/U1gjjyfdBYI/AAAAAAAAAGE/88-SjCZ_LL0/s1600/Snipe+001.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">6.20am
was the start time for my last day at Leighton Moss. A second try for
Bearded Tit was made but again ended without seeing this elusive
bird. But that was the only disappointment of the day. A </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Greenfinch
(43)</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> was
singing from the same area that I had heard the morning before, this
time I managed to see it sat proudly at the top of a conifer. A small
flock of around 12 </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>House Sparrow (44)</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">
flew around the hedgerow as I walked past. I reached the public hide
and saw </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Snipe (45), Redshank (46) </b></span><span style="font-size: small;">&
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Pied Wagtail (47). </b></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I
then made my way back onto the main reserve and stopped for a drink
by the bird feeding area. Here I added, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Nuthatch
(48), Coal tit (49), Goldfinch (50), Collared Dove (51), Magpie (52)
</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">&
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Goldcrest (53). </b></span><span style="font-size: small;">
It was still early and there were not many people around so I decided
to spend a few hours in the Grisedale Hide. I settled down and waited
as the sun came up and turned the water into liquid gold. I looked
down and right under the viewing window was a </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Water
Rail (54)</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">,
it fed for around 5 minutes until it disappeared into the reedbed to
the left. I had seen Water Rail before but never as close as this,
the early morning sun lit up the bird so that its colours stood out
so vividly, truly an amazing sight. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Lapwing
(55) </b></span><span style="font-size: small;">were
displaying 50 feet in front of the hide, a true sound of spring. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Over
to the far left of me I could see reeds moving and it was obvious
that this was not a bird. My second mammal lifer had just entered the
scene, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Red Deer</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y83a0z45YlU/U1gkNLbKipI/AAAAAAAAAGM/x_73CIL9tA4/s1600/Red+Deer+Does+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y83a0z45YlU/U1gkNLbKipI/AAAAAAAAAGM/x_73CIL9tA4/s1600/Red+Deer+Does+001.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_XshuNZc-g/U1gkNJV-9lI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/2qGZ8WtrQ88/s1600/Red+Deer+Stag+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_XshuNZc-g/U1gkNJV-9lI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/2qGZ8WtrQ88/s1600/Red+Deer+Stag+001.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">There were 4 hinds appeared, glowing in the morning sun they stopped
on the edge of the reeds and enjoyed the heat. Then from the left 5
stags walked across in front of my position, antlers still in place
but the animals didn't have the bulk they would have amassed during
the rut. Regardless of this they were still very impressive animals
and an absolute pleasure to observe. I watched for around 15 minutes
then a </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Raven (</b></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>56</b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>)
</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">flew past
cronking as it past by. As I left the hide I walked for a couple of
minutes and heard a </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Cettis Warbler (</b></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>57</b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>)
</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">singing
vigorously from within the reeds. It took 25 minutes to find the bird
and even then it was the quickest of glimpses as it flew away. The
last bird of the day was a cracker, as I returned to the car I heard
a very familiar sound, I see this bird regularly at The Avenue but
hear it even more. A </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Green Woodpecker
(58)</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> flew
across the car park and headed into woodland beyond the reserve
visitors centre, a lovely end to the day.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Other
Birds seen this weekend were, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Woodpigeon
(59)</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">,
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Magpie (60)</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">,
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rook (61)</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">,
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Herring Gull (62)</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">,
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Shelduck (</b></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>63</b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>)</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">,
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Redwing (64)</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">,
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Jay (65)</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">
& </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Goldeneye (66)</b></span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
had many great sightings this weekend and will remember my trip to
Leighton Moss very fondly, 66 species for the weekend, a modest total
but one I was happy with for the time of year. I had also seen 12 new
species for the year included in that 66 so more to smile about. But
for all the great birds my most exciting moment has to be the Otter,
I knew you could see them at Leighton Moss because of what I’d seen
on Springwatch but had forgotten about them. So to be surprised by
them, to get such wonderful views and on top of that observed some
fantastic behaviour, what more could I have asked for? Nothing. Thank
you Leighton Moss.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>(number)
= count for trip. <span style="color: red;">(number) = new bird for the
year</span></b></span></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-o_XshuNZc-g%2FU1gkNJV-9lI%2FAAAAAAAAAGQ%2F2qGZ8WtrQ88%2Fs1600%2FRed%2BDeer%2BStag%2B001.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_XshuNZc-g/U1gkNJV-9lI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/2qGZ8WtrQ88/s1600/Red+Deer+Stag+001.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_XshuNZc-g/U1gkNJV-9lI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/2qGZ8WtrQ88/s1600/Red+Deer+Stag+001.jpg" with "https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o_XshuNZc-g/U1gkNJV-9lI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/2qGZ8WtrQ88/s1600/Red+Deer+Stag+001.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-14803731641705672802014-03-15T05:53:00.000-07:002014-03-15T05:59:33.637-07:00A wonderful 40 minutes<div class="MsoNormal">
I had heard from a friend (Ron) that Chiffchaff had arrived
at The Avenue on the Friday (14<sup>th</sup> March). So I set my alarm for 30
minutes earlier than I would normally, and thought I’d pop down for half hour
before work. I arrived at around <st1:time hour="7" minute="45">07:45</st1:time>
to a <b>Robin</b> singing, soon to be
followed by a <b>Wren</b> competing in
nature’s version of the X-Factor. I walked along the River Rother first and
soon came across singing <b>Great Tit</b>, <b>Blue Tit</b> and <b>Dunnock</b>. A <b>Blackbird</b>
flew in front of me and as I looked up I could see 2 <b>Magpies</b> hopping along the tree tops, 2 <b>Carrion Crows</b> then called and chased them as they got to near their
nest site. Then it happened, the call I had been eager to hear, ‘chiffchaff,
chiffchaff, chiffchaff’, I smiled from ear to ear as I caught sight of a <b>Chiffchaff</b> singing from a Alder tree.
My first of the season always feels great as I know what is to come over the
next few weeks. I reluctantly moved on and saw <b>Moorhen</b> and <b>Mallard</b> in
the Sidings Meadow, a <b>Grey Wagtail</b>
landed on a rock and called from near the River, and a <b>Green</b> <b>Woodpecker</b>
undulated passed me Yaffleing as it flew towards the Sidings footpath. As I was
passing through the gate near the Dipping pond I heard the familiar call of <b>Long-tailed</b> <b>Tit</b>, at the top of the slope I could see and hear <b>Yellowhammer</b> and <b>Linnet</b> singing, and just beyond was <b>Chaffinch</b> and <b>Bullfinch</b>
joining in the chorus. As I looked over towards the Reedbed and Duckmarsh
ponds, as I didn’t have time to walk round there, I could see a pair of <b>Canada Geese</b> holding onto one of the
islands, <b>Coot</b> was feeding along the
shore line and a <b>Song Thrush</b> flew
over Redleadmill Brook. 2 <b>Woodpigeon</b>
took to the air from a Silver Birch as I walked back towards the car, and a
flock of around 40 <b>Starlings</b> were
feeding in the farmer’s field, above them a <b>Skylark</b> sang, its fluid notes fell to earth like honey, beautiful.
I looked up to see what looked like another Woodpigeon flying fast over the
meadow, always worth checking because as I found it in my binoculars I saw it
was a <b>Stock Dove</b>, 4 <b>Goldfinch</b> followed and finally a <b>Pied Wagtail</b> chirr-upped over me as I
reached the car. As I sat in the car and reflected over the last 40 minutes,
and the 27 species I had just had the pleasure of seeing, and hearing all those
wonderful songs I realised it was the Chiffchaff with its two note song and its
drab colours that had given me the most uplifting experience of the morning. It
is the expectation of what follows the Chiffchaff, another breeding season with
all of the warblers, swallows, martins, the call of the Cuckoo, the flycatchers
and the Hobbies that give chase to the summer visitors they have followed back
to this small reserve. If you have never been to The Avenue Washlands, you
should, it’s a marvellous place to be.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1100818768419349800.post-33516059427707472022013-10-21T03:29:00.000-07:002013-10-21T03:33:40.277-07:00Let the water run<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Sunday (29<sup>th</sup> September) a group of 13
volunteers helped clear Typha & silt from a water channel that feeds our
Reedbed Pond. With a <st1:time hour="9" minute="30">9:30</st1:time> start
everyone picked up tools and got stuck in. Spades, shovels & mattocks were
called for as the well the rooted Typha and thick gloopy silt proved to be very
difficult to move, but after 4 hours we were ready to open the floodgates by
removing the last remnants of mud. The water from Redleadmill Brook immediately
started flowing which met with a feeling of achievement from all the
volunteers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxreXhTcuqE/Uk1gtRgIekI/AAAAAAAAAC8/g8qCtCJEm8A/s1600/ditch+clearance+2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxreXhTcuqE/Uk1gtRgIekI/AAAAAAAAAC8/g8qCtCJEm8A/s320/ditch+clearance+2.bmp" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whilst working we saw quite a few birds around the reserve. The
usual water birds were around, such as Moorhen, Mallard, Teal, <st1:place><st1:city>Gadwall</st1:city>,
<st1:country-region>Canada</st1:country-region></st1:place> Goose and Coot,
although Coot numbers were low as they always seem to be at this time of year. I
assume they are in moult and hide away in the reed beds until finished. Snipe
are arriving in good number now and are one of the birds that will benefit from
the water level increase as the wet muddy areas will be wet once more. Pied &
Grey Wagtail circled around us, and landed to feed on the shoreline. Meadow
pipits flew over and a Kestrel was seen hunting over the Duckmarsh Meadow.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BfLNJksZjb8/Uk1g2uZ_NoI/AAAAAAAAADE/3s5guxPhH98/s1600/ditch+clearance+1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BfLNJksZjb8/Uk1g2uZ_NoI/AAAAAAAAADE/3s5guxPhH98/s320/ditch+clearance+1.bmp" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After around 30 minutes the water had filled up the channel
but could go no further, it had started to spread across the reed beds but not
reached the pond. Rain is what is needed now to lift the levels even further. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7v6F9CPms_c/Uk1g9hicuCI/AAAAAAAAADM/7GrL3Am3Fao/s1600/ditch+clearance+3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7v6F9CPms_c/Uk1g9hicuCI/AAAAAAAAADM/7GrL3Am3Fao/s320/ditch+clearance+3.bmp" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a heavy morning of rain on the 2nd of
October I called in on the reserve to check the water levels. I was delighted to
see the water levels had gone up in the pond by 20 cm. The spits and flat dry
areas were now covered in water and just under the surface was lovely soft mud.
Well done team, the Snipe and other waders can now get to there food.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04773760801924731504noreply@blogger.com0