Burton Mere Wetlands celebrates 1st birthday

A busy weekend for our members, so after our big event at the cathedral on Saturday, why not have have more cake and a relaxing visit to BMW on Sunday!

RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, on the Dee Estuary, is inviting people to help celebrate its first birthday by offering free entry this weekend ( 22 - 23 September).

Over the past 12 months almost 30,000 people have visited the nature reserve, which was opened last year by BBC wildlife presenter Iolo Williams, and visitors have enjoyed the many wonderful sights and sounds the reserve has to offer, including regular sightings of  kingfishers, common lizards and dragonflies.

During the celebration weekend there will be a number of free family activities, including guided walks (from 11am), mini-beast hunts and pond dipping. A local wood art workshop has also donated wildlife-inspired items for sale over the weekend.

RSPB staff and volunteers will be on hand to provide advice on the many 

different kinds of wildlife, pointing out birds, dragonflies, butterflies and much more. Special homemade birthday cakes will also be on offer for visitors.

Colin Wells, RSPB Site Manager, said: “The weekend is set to be a wonderful celebration of our first year. It’s always really satisfying to see people of all ages getting close to nature and seeing wildlife they may never have come across before. We see more and more wildlife around the reserve all the time, and it’s fantastic that so many people are able it to share it with us.”

Austin Morley, a volunteer at RSPB Dee Estuary said: “There is so much on offer at Burton Mere. Whether you just want a relaxing walk and a peaceful picnic or fancy seeing how many different birds and butterflies you can spot, there’s something for everyone.

“Only recently, three new species were spotted on the reserve that have never been seen before: a Devon carpet moth, a white-letter hairstreak butterfly and a red-veined darter dragonfly. Visitors coming to the site over the weekend may be lucky enough to see marsh harriers.”

Burton Mere Wetlands is open daily, with the reception building open  from 9.30am until 5pm. The reserve is just 10 minutes from the M56, off the A540 (Chester High Road). Entry is normally £4 for adults (concessions £2), £6 for a family and £1 for children.

Please phone 0151 353 8478 for times, details and a full programme of activities and times alternatively email deeestuary@rspb.org.uk or www.rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands.

RSPB LIVERPOOL'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY

Saturday 22nd of September 2012

IS

RSPB LIVERPOOL'S

40TH  ANNIVERSARY

JOIN US AT OUR EVENT AT

Liverpool Cathedral

St James Mount

Liverpool L1 7AZ

Join us as we celebrate 40 years of the RSPB Liverpool Local Group.

Learn about the diversity of birds living or passing through our area, and the vital role the Mersey Estuary plays in their migration journeys, with   family 

friendly activities.

 RSPB Liverpool Local Group is a volunteer- led group who have been meeting for 40   yrs. We have regular indoor  talks through the winter and outdoor walks throughout the year. To celebrate this anniversary we are inviting residents and visitors to share our  enthusiasm with a variety of activities.

Activities:

Special free tower migration watch 

Local expert Jeff Clarke will be on hand to show visitors a 360 degree bird’s eye view of the Mersey looking for migrating Swallows, House martins and other birds on their epic journeys south.

   

 

Guided birdwatching walks 

If your no good with heights why not take a stroll around the least well-known park in Liverpool. The Cathedral's sunken secluded cemetery gardens are a secret haven for woodland birds in the heart of the city.

Indoor activities for all ages will be held throughout the the day.

Find out more about the work of RSPB and get some great tips for local days out.

Join local artists to create bird related artworks to take home.

Admission to the Cathedral and the event is FREE

Limited car parking is available at the Cathedral, pay on exit

www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk  

Winners and losers of wet spring revealed

RSPB Make Your Nature Count 2012

 survey results in Merseyside released

The results of the RSPB’s annual Make Your Nature Count survey show the number of Merseyside gardens with baby thrush species in them this spring was down by as much as 49% per cent compared to last year. 

Sightings of baby blackbirds (-15%) and song thrushes (-49%) - both members of the thrush family - were down on last year.  The RSPB says the drop may be a result of wet and cold weather in the early part of the breeding season making it harder for adult birds to find enough food for their chicks.  With adult birds spending longer away from the nest searching for food, chicks would also have been more exposed to the cold.

Nationally, more than 78,000 people took part in the survey during the first week of June and logged the birds and other wildlife species they saw in their gardens. 

Dr Daniel Hayhow, RSPB Conservation Scientist, says; ’Each of the 78,000 people involved in Make Your Nature Count has helped to give us data on a scale that just wouldn’t be possible if we tried to collect it in any other way.  It’s really useful as a snapshot of how UK wildlife fared this summer and a number of species may have had tough time in the cold and wet weather.”

Grey squirrels were the most common wild mammal seen in Merseyside and were reported in almost two thirds of gardens, with hedgehogs in nearly half of gardens.

One per cent of the Merseyside gardens surveyed were recorded as ever having slow worms in them. This was the first time slow worms have been included in the survey.  The RSPB says this will provide them with a baseline count of slow worms in Britain’s gardens, which they can measure against in future years to monitor their fortunes.

To find out more about Make Your Nature Count visit www.rspb.org.uk/naturecount or to get tailored advice on how to make your garden a great habitat for wildlife visit the ‘Homes for Wildlife’ part of the RSPB website at www.rspb.org.uk/hfw

WHY WATCH YOUR LOCAL PATCH

A need for a trip to Asda for a pint of milk saw me make a quick diversion to Huyton Lane Wetland Park yesterday for a butterfly count.

It's not a particularly large park but it is absolutely packed to the seams with all kinds of wildflowers and the recent fine weather has brought them out, looks terrific... The park has several pools, however despite the rain some are drying out already.

For the butterflies I noted Large and small white, Meadow brown, Gatekeeper, Comma, Speckled wood and Skipper. Quite a few Peacock caterpillars were devouring the nettles. Broad bodied chasers and common darter dragonflies, common blue damselflies were also swooping over the pools. Predominant birds were Goldies

Which led to:

Another thumbs up

Huyton Lane wetland park is a local patch of mine, and I have also seen the butterflies and dragon/damselflies you've seen as well as emperor, emerald, large white, small tortoiseshell. I've recorded 40 species of bird this year, 85 wildflowers, 23 insects, 4 mammals, 9 butterfly/moth, 4 mosses, in total about 180 species of wildlife - but whose counting. I've been keeping I eye on the park for a while now and recently it has had quite a bit of work done on it and being honest, as you say it not big but I think it’s an absolute gem and teeming with warblers at the beginning of spring. The park is at the moment the best I've seen it and I'm glad someone shares my point of view and not just the dog walkers, I liked your email and brought a smile to my face thinking I am not the only one who thinks this about the park.

Stores

http://www.rspbliverpool.org.uk/Huyton%20Lane%20Wetland%20Park.htm

STARLING POPULATION CRASHES ACROSS EUROPE
53.5% decline in Merseyside

With its cheeky nature and chirpy, chattering song, the starling is one of our most recognisable birds, but figures show that 40 million starlings have disappeared from the European Union, including the UK, since 1980.

In Cheshire, starlings have declined 59% over the past two decades. The crash is triggering concern about the bird’s future status as a widespread and familiar species.

In the UK, the RSPB has launched a research project to see why this bird’s population is in freefall here too. In 2002 the starling was added to the UK ‘red list’ of the Birds of Conservation Concern, because its population had halved during the previous three decades.

Each winter, the UK’s starling numbers are boosted by birds arriving  from continental Europe. There is evidence of a decline in the number of starlings visiting Britain in winter, and this could be linked to the decline elsewhere in Europe.

The RSPB’s Dr Richard Gregory heads up the Society’s bird monitoring section. Commenting on the starling’s decline, he said: “The starling is still a plentiful bird, but its numbers are falling alarmingly.” For example, the numbers recorded in winter by the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch have fallen by 80 per cent since 1979, and by nearly a third in just ten years.

Dr Gregory added: “Our records show that we have lost more starlings across Europe than any other farmland bird. Forty million starlings lost represent over 150 for every hour since the 1980s. This loss should be a wake-up call, because we ignore the decline of nature at our own peril.”

Dr Will Peach, who is leading the research into the starling decline in the UK, said: “It is figures like these which have convinced us of the need for action, which is why we are launching a research programme to unravel the mystery of this bird’s disappearance.”

There have been several theories put forward to explain the starling’s decline. In parts of Europe, suggestions include the loss of grassland through conversion to forestry land and the growing of crops. But these changes haven’t affected the UK in the same way, so the reasons for the rapid contraction in the UK are not understood.

Working in Somerset and Gloucestershire, RSPB researchers will be working with farmers to examine whether there is sufficient food and nesting sites for starlings in livestock areas. Starlings feed by probing lawns and pastures with their longish bills, looking for soil invertebrates, including leatherjackets. These leatherjackets – cranefly larvae - are widely regarded as pests, so starlings provide a good service for farmers and gardeners. Part of the study will examine the food supply of these pastures to assess whether starlings can find Martin Harper, is the RSPB’s Conservation Director. He added: “We don’t know the reasons for the starling’s decline, but we hope that our research will yield the answers to ensure this bird has a secure future.

“Understanding exactly what is causing these declines will allow us to develop practical and cost-effective solutions for land managers and farmers. These could then be delivered through wildlife-friendly farming schemes and other policy interventions. But only if Europe and our Government grow this vital source of funding as they reform the CAP and agree the European budget over the next few months.”

In the English counties between 1993 and 2012, the following trends were recorded :

Bedfordshire, 59.3% decrease; Berkshire, 76.5% decrease; Bristol, 76.8% decrease; Buckinghamshire, 52.2% decrease; Cambridgeshire, 66.8% decrease; Cheshire, 58.9% decrease; Cornwall, 42.5% decrease; County Durham, 18.6% increase; Cumbria, 29.3% decrease; Derbyshire, 69.2% decrease; Devon, 67.7% decrease; Dorset, 32.8% decrease; East Sussex, 59.6% decrease; East Yorkshire, 56.5% decrease; Essex, 52.4% decrease; Gloucestershire, 77.5% decrease; Greater London, 62.8% decrease; Greater Manchester, 41.3% decrease; Hampshire, 68.5% decrease; Herefordshire, 78.3% decrease; Hertfordshire, 63.2% decrease; Kent, 69.1% decrease; Lancashire, 29.8% decrease; Leicestershire, 79.9% decrease; Lincolnshire, 56.7% decrease; Merseyside, 53.5% decrease; Norfolk, 66.5% decrease; North Yorkshire, 9.9% decrease; Northamptonshire, 70.1% decrease; Northumberland, 14.4% Increase; Nottinghamshire, 65.0% decrease; Oxfordshire, 80.4% decrease; Shropshire, 47.5% decrease; Somerset, 59.7% decrease; South Yorkshire, 67.1% decrease; Staffordshire, 60.2% decrease; Suffolk, 38.4% decrease; Surrey, 57.7% decrease; Tyne and Wear, 47.7% decrease; Warwickshire, 74.5% decrease; West Midlands, 66.6% decrease; West Sussex, 71.8% decrease; West Yorkshire, 42.2% decrease; Wiltshire, 74.1% decrease; and Worcestershire, 70.1% decrease.

Have you got what it takes to become RSPB’s Dee Estuary’s first ever intern? 

The new RSPB visitor centre at Burton Mere Wetlands has welcomed thousands of visitors through its doors since it opened in September and now the visitor demand is so high that they need your help.

A special six month internship has been created during which volunteers will be given all the training, coaching and advice needed to kick start a career in conservation, whilst working at one of the RSPB’s biggest nature reserves.Although experience of working in a busy tourist attraction is desirable, the ideal candidate will need to demonstrate their enthusiasm for wildlife and be capable of meeting the RSPB’s high standards for visitors.

Former student Katy van Woerdekom stepped up for nature by helping out as an RSPB volunteer for six months starting last September and describes how her experiences helped her get her dream conservation job. Katy, who started volunteering after leaving university, explains: “I couldn’t get a job right away so I started volunteering. I have enjoyed every minute of it and it has given me the skills, experience and confidence I needed to move forward with my career.”

Paul Brady, RSPB Visitor Development Officer said “Volunteers have played a huge part in the success of RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands and we literally couldn’t operate without them. These internships are a great opportunity for the right person to get their foot on the ladder to a great career in conservation, and follow in the footsteps of Katy and many others.”

Burton Mere Wetlands are inviting applicants to apply for the internships via the website www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering or by phoning 0151 353 8478. 

The closing date for this internship vacancy is Friday 6 July. The RSPB are also inviting applicants for other general volunteering vacancies.

Paul Brady, Visitor Development Officer at RSPB Dee Estuary nature reserves, Tel: 0151 353 8478 or email: paul.brady@rspb.org.uk

RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands is off the A540 (Chester High Road) and just 10 minutes from the M56.

For more information about RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands nature reserve visit: www.rspb.org.uk/burtonmerewetlands. The reception building and nature reserve is open daily from 9.30am until 5pm. For more details see the website or phone 0151 353 8478.

Five go to Anglesey

Our Mission

To explore what Anglesey has to offer, to see 60 (diamond jubilee) different species of birds, to eat plenty of cake and have a jolly good time.

We managed to pick the best day of the long weekend for our trip to Anglesey.  The sun was shining but it was not too hot to spoil our enjoyment of the day.

We headed straight for South Stack RSPB reserve which is home to thousands of seabirds, in particular Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes with a few Puffins and Choughs.  No sooner were we on the coastal path we had close views of a stunning pair of Stonechats and a Skylark displaying.  Wild flowers were in abundance and the views across the bay were beautiful.  We made our way to Ellins Tower visitor centre where they had cameras on some Razorbills and a Chough’s nest.  We were lucky enough to see one of the adult birds bringing food in to the nest and the chicks being fed.  Wanting to see these ourselves we made our way down the steps towards the lighthouse to get a view of the nest which was situated in a cave in the cliffs.  Although we gave this some time, we didn’t see the adults returning to the nest but got better views of the Puffins and a Rock pipit.  After some refreshment and before leaving the site we had a quick scan of the nearby fields where the Choughs are known to feed in the short grass but to no avail.  On our way back to the car Ron and Anne P spotted a pair of Choughs flying across the bay and although we were unable to hear their distinctive call we were in no doubt as to what we had seen.

Next stop lunch and Ann (Tomo’s) cake.  We headed back to Holyhead Harbour and stumbled across a country park which we thought might be a good place to picnic.  We picked up a few of the more common species here around the lake and watched a large (12-13lb) ghost Carp being landed by a fisherman.  Well some of us did.

Moving on our next port of call was Holyhead Harbour/Soldiers Point.  We walked along a tree lined lane passing fields and a large former MOD building, moving a fledgling Wren off the road on our way.  At the end of the lane you reach the sea and the harbour walls.  A few House martins and a couple of Sand martins were fly catching over the sea and a pair of Linnets were seen briefly perched on a boulder.  The highlight here though were close views of a Ringed plover with two chicks in tow, the parent trying to distract us by using diverting tactics.  Then on our way back one of the adult birds appeared on the path just a few metres away and seemed totally unperturbed by our presence.

Time to head on to our next destination, RSPB Valley Wetlands.  Fortunately, a street party which had closed the road further up did not prevent access to this site.  Here we picked up a few ducks and geese, the surprise being a Barnacle goose which was hanging around with a couple of Canada geese.  Here, Anne (Pope’s) granddaughter’s  jubilee cakes were consumed and enjoyed.

Time was pressing on and we headed down the A5 to Malltraeth Cob Pool stopping briefly at Llyn Parc Mawr where the highlight was a Little grebe sitting on a nest on the lake and her partner bringing her food (or was it nesting material).  On to Cob Pool and we clocked up our last few birds of the day, Little Egret, Heron, Mistle Thrush and Whitethroat.

The total number of birds seen on the day was 61 with only one of these being seen on the mainland.

Time to go home, mission accomplished and thanks to Ron for his excellent driving.

Jay	Chough	Ringed Plover
Skylark	House Sparrow	Robin
Stonechat	Collared Dove	Chaffinch
Guillemot	Mallard	Canada Goose
Herring Gull	Moorhen	Tufted Duck
Lesser Blck Bk Gull	Great Tit	Coot
Cormorant	Blue Tit	Mute Swan
Fulmar	Willow Warbler	Greylag Goose
Swallow	Starling	Pochard
Kittiwake	Woodpigeon	Black Headed Gull
Razorbill	Buzzard	Gt Black Bk Gull
Pied Wagtail	Kestrel	Swift
Meadow Pipit	Dunnock	Barnacle Goose
Puffin	Chiff Chaff	Little Grebe
Rock Pipit	Greenfinch	Teal
Carrion Crow	Oystercatcher	Little Egret
Rock Dove	Wren	Mistle Thrush
Jackdaw	Magpie	Grey Heron
Shelduck	House Martin	Whitethroat
Blackbird	Sand Martin
Goldfinch	Linnet

  Ann Thomson