Coming to a screen near you,.....How much would you miss birdsong? An invitation from RSPB Liverpool

Messenger promotion image

Heads up all members and bird friends.

RSPB Liverpool  are happy to announce that we are hosting a screening of a stunning and thought provoking film called The Messenger.  To be screened at the Picturehouse @ FACT cinema in Liverpool on Sunday 26 November 1pm . Rated PG, running time 90 minutes. 

All ticket holders will be entered into a raffle on the day including some goodie bags from the bird friendly coffee producers  https://birdandwild.co.uk/

After the screening all viewers are welcome to join the group in the cafe for an informal ‘ornithological social’  for anyone who wants to talk about the film, the issues it raises and more generally to find out  about the  RSPB’s activities in the area etc.

Tickets  available now from fact:

 Picturehouses - Cinema information for Picturehouse At Fact

Picturehouses - Cinema information for Picturehouse At Fact Picturehouse Cinemas are located in city centres and are architecturally unique venues that provide café bars, r...

Box office Number : 0871 902 5737

Intrigued?:

The Messenger is an essential film for anyone who cares about the environment and nature and full of insights and revelations for all audiences. It explores mankind’s deep-seated connection to songbirds and the devastating impact humans have had on bird species, from urbanisation, climate change and pesticides. 

Filmed across three continents The Messenger extends us a ‘birds’-eye view’ to offer fresh glimpses into epic migratory journeys while chronicling the struggle of songbirds worldwide to survive in turbulent environmental conditions. As scientists, activists and bird enthusiasts investigate this phenomenon, amazing secrets of the bird world come to light for the first time while beautiful slow motion photography illustrates the power and beauty of these delicate winged creatures.

The Messenger leaves viewers with a profound appreciation for the billions of birds with whom we share our communities and our planet – and with hope for our collective ability to turn the tide.  

Here’s a link to watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/LjQtRr4CKc

Messenger promotion image

Mark Avery (ex RSPB Conservation Director) : The Messenger is about the threats faced by songbirds – not just in the US and Canada but also in Europe and elsewhere.

It’s a good film and non-birders will probably find it just as compelling as those who, like me, sat through it with a self-generated commentary in their heads of bird names as different species appeared in view or in song.

There are some beautiful, and pretty much unique, images of birds in flight (taken in wind tunnels) and a lot of them in the wild too.  It is a vivid reminder of the fact that birds really are simply stunning – visually, vocally and because of the feats of migration they accomplish.

But life is tough for birds. The film started with issues and impacts such as collisions with buildings – probably a bigger issue in the US than in Europe (?) – but it moved on through trapping to the bigger issues of pesticides, land use and climate change. A lot of ground to cover (just like a migratory bird) but the film brought it home.

Hope to see you all there.....

Laura

RSPB Liverpool

Calling all wildlife explorers- it's time to bioblitz Port Sunlight River Park

Looking over mersey estuary from park

Wildlife experts say Port Sunlight River Park, converted from a landfill site and opened to the public in August 2014, is now ready for its first official biological recording.

The 70-acre park perched on the banks of the Mersey is owned by national land management charity the Land Trust and managed by Wirral charity Autism Together. It boasts panoramic views of the iconic Liverpool skyline, woodlands, wildflower meadows and a lake.

There are several opportunities for community members to be involved with bioblitz activities and learn about the wildlife at the park:

river park pond

• On Friday 26 May official wildlife recorders will be checking the park for all signs of mammals, birds, bugs and plant life. Community members are welcome to work alongside them. Anyone interested should contact the park ranger.
• 
  
• That evening from 9pm the park will host a bat walk. Families will be given hand-held bat detectors which capture the calls made by different species of bats swooping around their heads and convert them into sounds humans can hear. This event costs £3 and must be booked in advance.
• 
  
• On Saturday 27 May wildlife walks will take place as part of May's month-long Wirral Walking Festival. A bird-themed walk at 9.30am will be followed by a wildflower walk at 10.30am, then a family fun nature walk from 1.30pm to 3pm. Wildlife experts will be on hand all day to teach community members about the species now living at the site and there will be family wildlife-themed activities from 10am to 4pm.
• All staff and volunteers are all trained in autism awareness.
• 
  

Autism Together park ranger, Anne Litherland, said, "In the early days of the park, when it was still finding its feet, it was hard to believe it could ever be an environmental success. But these days we regularly spot foxes, voles, shrews and rabbits living here amongst the lovely oxeye daisies and deciduous woods, dozens of species of birds around the lake and many different butterflies, moths and mini-beasts.

"Our bioblitz weekend will be a big step forward for us. We want to prove that, given care, even an old rubbish tip can become a beautiful wildlife haven. RECORD (Cheshire's biological recording service) will be collecting all the biological data and we look forward to sharing the results with the community. Our thanks Merseyside Environmental Trust for helping to fund the weekend's activities."

View of Liverpool's cathedrals from top of river park hill

Autism Together's bioblitz partners also include Wirral Wildlife, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Chester Zoo and Friends of Ness Gardens.

Community members wanting to book places on the bat walk or find out more about the weekend's events should contact Anne on 07587 550060 or anne.litherland@autismtogether.co.uk. 

100 voluntary organisations unite to defend nature

Forsinard

100 voluntary organisations across the UK have joined forces to call for the protection of Europe’s natural environment

EU legislation – the Birds and Habitats Directives – exist to protect the most important wildlife species and habitats in the UK and Europe. However, these laws are now under review and at risk of being weakened.

Today, the ‘Joint Links group’, representing 100 voluntary organisations across the UK, has published a position statement warning that the European Commission’s REFIT ‘Fitness Check’ of the Birds and Habitats Directives is the single biggest threat to UK and European nature and biodiversity in a generation.

The organisations raise concerns that the Directives are under threat of being weakened by those who mistakenly regard them as a block on business and economic growth. In the current political context any revision of the Directives would expose them to prolonged uncertainty and leave the long-term future of Europe’s biodiversity vulnerable to short-term political priorities.

Chair of the Joint Links’ Habitats and Birds group Kate Jennings, (RSPB), said: “The Habitats and Birds Directives are the foundation of nature conservation across Europe and are scientifically proven to be effective where properly implemented. The Directives deliver demonstrable benefits for nature, as well as significant social and economic benefits.

Dartford Warbler

“For over 30 years they have protected some of our best loved and most iconic landscapes from the Scottish Flow County to the sand dunes and marshes of the north Norfolk coast. They are essential to the protection of species large and small, from the Basking Shark and the Harbour Porpoise, to the Dartford Warbler and the Hazel Dormouse.

“The strength of support from 100 voluntary organisations across the UK shows how significant the Directives are in safeguarding Europe’s biodiversity. Uncertainty over the future of the Directives resulting from the ‘Fitness Check’ review could be bad for nature, bad for people and bad for business.”

The Joint Links group’s response to the EC consultation sets out a huge volume of evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of the Directives in protecting nature, providing huge benefits for people and providing a stable framework for responsible businesses.

On 30 April the European Commission launched its public consultation on the Directives. Voluntary organisations have also today launched the ‘Nature Alert’ electronic tool, enabling the public to have their say in one easy click www.naturealert.eu

http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/specialplaces/archive/2014/11/20/the-laws-that-protect-nature-for-nature-s-sake.aspx

http://www.rspb.org.uk/joinandhelp/campaignwithus/defendnature/

WATCH THE VIDEO    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I873QOiD0xE

Liverpool RSPB Field trip report

RSPB Leighton Moss Sunday 22/04/12.

16 determined birders ignored the weather forecast and headed out to RSPB Leighton moss. We were not disappointed. 

Our first highlight of the day came with a chance sighting of 3 frolicking Otters, splashing about in the sunshine, observed from the roadside on the way into the reserve the first tick of the day and it wasn't a bird!

Once inside the reserve we were only confined to quarters on  2 occasions - when it really was raining stair-rods, but this proved to be no hardship tucked away  in the reserves  cosy hides observing -  smart spring migrant Garganey. A pair of Great Crested Grebes performing their ‘running on water’ courting ritual, pond weed offerings clenched in beaks. The barbarism of 2 male Moorhens locked in a fighting frenzy, furiously kicking out with their feet.  And the ‘Ahh’ moment? Watching the wobbly antics of 2 clutches of Greylag goslings finding their feet.

Without doubt one of the major events of the trip was the Osprey that flew in from the estuary ahead of a squally band of rain, you’ve never seen so many people move so fast, jostling to get a better view as the bird flew over the Eric Morecambe hide on the look out for its fish dinner. Other diners on the pools, alongside the many Godwits and Redshank were impressive Spotted Redshank, Avocets and Egrets. After lunch the group had a lucky break with a tip off of where to find the lonely, lingering Glossy Ibis, another tick for the day.

A walk round to the public hide rewarded us with some great views of a pair of Marsh Harriers flying low along the tree line and woodland slopes. A comical moment was a peckish Cormorant struggling to swallow a rather large eel, believe me that eel wasn’t going out without a fight; you could see it wriggling all the way down.

The day finished with the group taking a diversion from the road home. Stopping off on the A6 to a riverside spot, where we were told a kingfisher hung out; the bird was there but sadly only a few of us got a fleeting turquoise glimpse of it as it swooped along the riverbank. A dippy Grey Wagtail was a welcome bonus to our tick list.

The tickmasters list recorded 70 species seen and a few that got away, being heard but not observed, Reed warbler, and most frustratingly Cetti's warbler and Bearded Tit...Ping.  

Bar headed goose-Greylag goose-Pheasant-Collared dove-Robin-Woodpigeon-Jackdaw-Mallard-Great tit-Blue tit-Chaffinch-Buzzard-Black headed gull-Coot-Great crested grebe-Pochard-Gadwall-Tufted duck-Garganey-Canada goose-Greenfinch-Lapwing-Teal-Moorhen-Shoveler-Reed bunting-Great spotted woodpecker-Wigeon-Lesser black backed gull-Wren-Blackcap-Bullfinch-Coal tit-Magpie-Marsh tit-Dunnock-Grey heron-Chiff-chaff-Swallow-Spotted redshank-Pied wagtail-Shelduck-Avocet-Redshank-Oystercatcher-Little egret-Black tailed godwit-Carrion crow-Osprey-Meadow pipit-Long tailed tit-Goldfinch-House sparrow-Glossy ibis-Mute swan-Feral pigeon-Kestrel-Sparrowhawk-Marsh harrier-Cormorant-Great black backed gull-Little grebe-House martin-Sand martin-Willow warbler-Grey wagtail-Kingfisher-Skylark -Song Thrush.

A mix of heavy down pours and sunshine, but we didn’t get wet, and a great day out was had by all even if we did leave behind the sea odyssey spectacular.

Cheers

Stores & Laura.

Meet the Owlets

Last year Phil Antrobus gave us a news piece on his work with the RSPB’S Volunteer & Farmer Alliance section , carrying out bird surveys on two local farms in the Merseyside area.
On one of these farms a Barn Owl nestbox is on site and has been for many years. In 2008 four owlets were ringed, thanks to Chris and his ‘ringer’ associate. This year it was Chris’s turn to climb in the cage! Along with Stephen Menzie, and watched over by our fully fledged expert ringing friend John Gramauskas, three owlets were recovered from the box.

All fluff and talons, watch those hands boys - as John was quick to point out if it’s got it’s claws into you, you don’t want to pull your hand away, else lots of ripped flesh.... in time it will release you - honestly John?

One of the birds is fitted with a light-weight metal ring that will allow us to track its movements should it be seen again. Find out more about ringing >HERE<.




These beauties were estimated to be about 5 weeks old - half-grown, 2 females and a male, all roughly the same size although it usual for there to be 2 days between siblings - the age difference between the oldest and youngest nestlings can be as much as three weeks. The average brood size is 3.6.
In another week they should be hopping about in and around the box entrance…as long as mum and dad bring in the grub that is.. who can forget the Springwatch owl consuming his younger brothers and sisters, gulp!....Sadly no sign of the parents during the ringing session, hopefully out hunting a rodent dinner on yet another wet July evening.
By nine weeks old most young have already made their first flights and by ten weeks they are able to fly quite well. By week 14 week almost all owlets have left their parents' home range.






A quick family portrait, before the birds are returned to their nestbox.

Liverpool RPSB -Join us

http://www.rspbliverpool.org.uk/Liverpool%20Members%20page.htm

Fancy being an RSPB volunteer? Click here http://www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering/about/about.asp
Volunteer for the Volunteer & Farmer Alliance http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/farming/vandfa/index.asp