The Peoples’ March for Wildlife, London

The sodden 10,000 on the move

We all headed south.  It meant a very early rise, but it was clear that all were of one mind that this cause was something worth getting up early for.  Several of the Friends of Pickering’s Pasture were going to Hyde Park to join others passionate about the natural world to march through London on The Peoples’ March for Wildlife.

Chris Packham

The gathering at Hyde Park had a slow start initially, but numbers soon swelled.  One group had left Scotland at 02:30 while others had travelled widely from across the UK.  We caught sight of key UK naturalists including Mike Dilger, Martin Hughes-Games, Bill Oddie, and Iolo Williams.

Iolo adding some humour

The organiser, Chris Packham, had worked tirelessly for months supported by folk who have become known as his Ministers.  For two hours we listened to interviews with children, experts, keen supporters until at midday the more formal presentations began.  We heard passionate – and at times moving – talks from mainly young people.  Georgia Locock, Bella Lack, Mya-Rose Craig and Dara McAnulty spoke of their fears for the future: fears of species extinction, habitat loss, climate change and our estrangement from the natural world.  Adult experts provided numbers to endorse our concerns for the future: Dominic Dyer called for a halt to the badger cull and a stop to the slaughter of Scotland’s mountain hares; Professor Dave Goulson cautioned about the impact of agrochemicals on the natural environment; while Dr Ruth Tingay spoke of the challenges of wildlife crime.  We were uplifted by musical contributions from Billy Bragg, Saskia Eng and Grace Petrie.

Team Liverpool

Liverpool RSPB's Linda Rees

Jeff Clarke & Anno Brandreth crusading

Laura B and hedgehog friend

Team Liverpool on the move

At 1pm the move towards Downing Street began.  The slow progress was witness to the fact that 10,000 people had gathered to express their common goal that we should invest in wildlife.  Many had downloaded a file of birdsong so Piccadilly, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall echoed to the calls of Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiff-chaff, Nightingale, Robin, Song Thrush and Skylark. This was to remind people that 44 million birds have disappeared from the UK countryside since 1966.  Passers-by paused to look at placards, to chat to people, to join in or to peep their car horns.  No-one could have ignored this collective of wildlife campaigners snaking through the City of London. 

Crowd at Whitehall

Once the head of the march reached Downing Street, Chris Packham and some of his young campaigners presented a copy of A Peoples’ Manifesto for Wildlife to the Prime Minister’s Office.  This excellent and challenging document contains 200 proposals to end the war on wildlife.  The march ended with more uplifting talks from George Monbiot, Mark Avery and Chris Packham.  For two hours the rained had poured incessantly, but this did nothing to dampen the spirits and resolve of those involved.

Leadership

Future generations  - fighting for wildlife

The march over, people then headed for the Underground and for the long journeys home.  Most were exhilarated feeling that, for once, it was good to be shouting out for wildlife.  Now the work begins.  This must not be a one off.  I am sure that those of RSPB Liverpool and  the Friends of Pickerings pasture who were there will be sharing their thoughts to the rest of the group.  Always active to ensure that all our local reserves and wild places provide a haven for wildlife, the work will continue.

If you want to read A Peoples’ Manifesto for Wildlife’ you can access it on: https://www.chrispackham.co.uk/a-peoples-manifesto-for-wildlife

More pics here -

https://www.flickr.com/groups/3168623@N20/

Peaty Jen & Laura

Parkgate Hen Harrier day vision

We had a dream - to bring Hen Harrier day to Parkgate in 2018. 

If you build it, they will come😃

Fabulous day - thanks to all who volunteered, supported and those who were just out for  a Sunday walk and became better informed😉

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OyGuDvSSl4

https://www.craigjoneswildlifephotography.co.uk/blog/events/hen-harrier-day-2018/20180815864/

Advertising at Martin Mere

Team Liverpool

Iolo 

Jeff did a fantastic job in opening  and closing the speakers  sessions . He really reinforced the fact that Hen Harrier Days need to continue and why we were all there all. Audeince particiation was as ever mandatory🤣👊 

Jeff socks it to Beefy Botham

The first speaker Colin Wells (former manager at RSPB Burton Mere) who spoke about the history of the site and how it is a fantastic place to come and see Hen Harriers in the Winter.👌

Second speaker was Colin's successor as manager at RSPB Burton Mere; Graham Jones spoke about how he was going to continue to protect the site for raptors and  breeding waders.👏

Next up was Alan Davies who talked about Hen Harriers, lifed the audience - He told them that they will lose eventually, no matter how long it takes.😆 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5PoH4-oWgE

Findlay Wilde was on next.Talking about the illegal persecution of upland wildlife and joined the other voices in calling for an end to this barbaric slaughter. Told a personal story about a Hen Harrier called Finn, her life cut down far too soon😡😰.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0n_iKWFOm4

Findlay

After Findlay it was James Bray from the RSPB  Bowland.  Talking about upland species of raptor  that should be breeding in Bowalnd likes Peregrine and Hen Harrier. Stories from the front line of raptor conservation.😡

Next was Dr Mark Avery, who  recapped on the history of Hen Harrier Days and his hopes for the banning driven grouse shooting .👊 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UNxNrdTHmw

Finally  Iolo Williams. Another heart felt,  rousing  speech relating  how  he used to go up on the moors and watch Hen Harriers as a child and yes he's  really 'pissed off' . 😆👍 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brwIAdCucro

Videos courtesy of Stuart pike

Gathering


See you next year 👊🤞👀

Prepare for an awesome autumn spectacle on the Dee Estuary

Lapwing- Sam Ryley.

Whilst some people lament the passing of summer, the Dee Estuary enters arguably its most exciting time of year due to the arrival of vast flocks of birds returning from their Arctic breeding grounds. The RSPB is inviting visitors to take part in a series of events across their Dee Estuary nature reserve to share some of the most impressive natural spectacles in this region.

Dan Trotman, Visitor Experience Manager for RSPB Dee Estuary nature reserve, said: “I’m a huge fan of autumn, it could even be my favourite season of the year. The reserve here comes into its own, supporting thousands of wetland birds as they swap the cold Arctic for our warmer climes. High tides make for some excellent wildlife watching too, pushing the vast swathes of wildfowl and wading birds into closer view along with the birds of prey that hunt them.”

To experience the growing flocks on the estuary, drop-in to the ‘Tidewatch’ event on Tuesday 9 October at the Donkey Stand on Parkgate promenade. RSPB staff and volunteers will be on hand with telescopes and binoculars to enhance the impressive views. Suitable for people of all ages and abilities, the event is free of charge, but donations are welcome. Timings vary depending on the tides, so visit rspb.org.uk/parkgate for more details.

Meanwhile, with earlier sunsets - another special autumn attraction on the Wirral - it becomes easier to witness the daily spectacle of the endangered hen harriers flying to roost on the marsh off Parkgate. Head to a ‘Raptorwatch’ event at the Old Baths car park, off Boathouse Lane, for the chance of seeing up to seven different types of birds of prey that make their home on the estuary in winter, plus northern England’s largest little egret colony flying in from the marsh to their night-time roost. The events take place on the second Sunday of each month until March, starting Sunday 14 October, and run from 1pm until sunset.

Elsewhere, the heart of the RSPB Dee Estuary reserve, Burton Mere Wetlands, is renowned for its growing flocks and wide variety of wading birds at this time of year as they move through on their long migrations. Families visiting the site can enjoy the ‘Wonderful Waders’ Wild Challenge quiz trail to learn about these birds. The trail is available between 9.30am and 3.30pm every day through October free of charge, normal admission charges apply for non members.

October also sees the return of Wirral Wader Festival, a partnership event between Wader Quest, the RSPB, Dee Estuary Voluntary Wardens, and Cheshire Wildlife Trust, now in its fourth year. Over the weekend of Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October, the event aims to showcase the spectacle of wading birds on the protected Wirral coast with various events and activities at Hoylake and West Kirby. For full details of the events and activities during the festival, visit wirralwaderfestival.blogspot.co.uk or www.facebook.com/wirralwaderfest.

Dan added: “You don’t have to be an avid birdwatcher to appreciate the vast numbers of birds that call the Dee their home at this time of year. These upcoming events are planned to showcase these awesome natural occurrences and show why it’s so important for the RSPB to keep almost half of the estuary under its protection. These spectacles are perfect to wow families, and kids will love kicking fallen leaves and a bit of den building at Burton Mere Wetlands. So pop on an extra layer or two, and come along, we’d love to see you!”

For further information on events and wildlife at RSPB Dee Estuary, visit rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands.