Liverpool RSPB’s 2022 AGM
was a special evening, as it’s our 50th anniversary year, and quite rightly we
celebrated with cake or should I say cakes. Local group member Anne Ludwig did
us proud with 50 bird themed cupcakes and a large iced, layered sponge cake
that Chris had the task of slicing up; also ensuring he had first dibs!
We
also have 50 specially commissioned nest boxes, engraved with 'RSPB Liverpool
50yrs Giving Nature a Home', stock sold out on the night but more available on
request.
Fifty
nine of our members attended the meeting. Chris gave a Leaders report of the
recent year’s activities and our future events. We went through the business of
re-electing committee members, explaining expenditure and the group’s donation
of £1500 to the Gough seabird appeal (https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/projects/gough-island-restoration-programme/) All
attending were given the opportunity to ask questions, make requests or share
ideas.
Alasdair
McKee, the RSPB'S Local Groups Officer followed giving an expression of thanks
for all Liverpool RSPB do from RSPB HQ and then went on to regale us with snippets from Bird Notes &
News, the original RSPB newsletter-
 |
| Alisdair Mckee |
Did you know loathsome bird
catching (still going on in the Mediterranean today sadly) was a general
practice among English people in days past; for eating, plumage or
entertainment? Cage birds,nets and the
abhorrent bird lime was freely advertised and songbirds were sold in big stores as food
including skylarks and fieldfares in
season, and the Southport gun club, regularly held starling shoots.
But all was not lost, in 1889, sickened by a slaughter of exotic birds for
their feathers; Emily Williamson started the Society for the Protection of
Birds aiming to campaign for change.
I’m pleased to say our neck of the woods played its part; In 1903 twenty of the leading millinery firms in
Southport held a display show of plume
free millinery at the RSPB Southport Branch and for 2 days in April their shop
windows were full of this trimmed
millinery with the card ‘Without destruction to wildlife’… well done.
After campaigning tirelessly for change, the plumage (prohibition) Act was passed in July 1921, banning the import of plumage. And Liverpool led the way in 1922, Liverpool
succeeded in obtaining the first order issued in England protecting all wild
birds throughout the year expressly to stop bird catching in the suburbs in the
open season, congratulations to the Liverpool branch of the RSPCA and RSPB.
So
what did Chris convey –?
The
New RSPB website will be coming online shortly; in the meantime, the old site
is still accessible showing details of future events.
Our
peregrines, sited in the tower of Mossley Hill Church are doing well, and are
expectant parents of 3. Male has been named Bruno, his lass is a girl from the
midlands (ringed peregrine).
Chris liaising with RSPB HQ, and assisted by other local group members have been discussing and attempting to find solutions to
the on-going problems of Liverpool’s netted high buildings, such as the
Anglican Cathedral and Tobacco warehouse. These buildings have been netted for various reasons to stop Peregrines
from breeding on them; to many a distressing situation and sadly
not an uncommon practice throughout the country and often in the news.
The
RSPB resumed outdoor events in January. Our first being a replacement walk
around Sefton Park, normally the group holds a ‘Big garden birdwatch’ event in
the Palm House in January. To say it was popular was an understatement as
approximately 80 people followed Chris along the paths; A mixture of regular
members and those newly interested, several on the walk went on to the join the
group and have been out with us again.
 |
| Chris Tynan. RSPB Liverpool Jan 2022 Sefton Pk |
Chris
has been working with the NHS’s nature recovery rangers. Covering Aintree,
broadgreen and the royal hospitals, a series of short local woodland health
walks is what’s prescribed, in the fresh air embracing nature, connecting to green spaces to benefit their
mental and physical health. Every hospital should have a ranger - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKz7x2tjC6w&ab_channel=TheCentreforSustainableHealthcare
RSPB Liverpool will be on board for the two Birdwatching ferry
cruises planned this year 16th July and 11rh of September. (Ticket Prices Adults - £20, Children aged
(3-15) - £10)
https://www.merseyferries.co.uk/our-cruises/wildlife/bird-watching-cruises/#timetable-grid
Chris joined RSPB Liverpool in 1996, within a few years he was group
leader. In 2003 he was working for the
RSPB on Southport pier, a testament to his skills in talking to, sharing his
knowledge and enthusing the public about why birds were brilliant. In
2018, Chris Tynan received the RSPB Presidents Award. The President’s
award is given to 5 volunteers every year to highlight outstanding volunteering.
Chris says birdwatching and carrying on with our group's leadership is what
keeps him going, but warns someday we’ll need a replacement, yikes.
 |
| Well done local group member Anne Ludwig, delicious |
Cake ate or secreted away...Our meeting concluded with a talk
from Chris about his favourite 50. His first recollected interest being inspired
by blue tits, who were famed for sipping the cream out of the tops of doorstep milk bottles!
He told of magic moments at home, of adventures abroad and exotic locations, favourites from garden, woodland or sea, of agonising dipped birds. All had a memory attached, the bird or even the circumstances in which it was found. I could list the birds, but that would be a spoiler for those who missed the talk, but might like to hear it in the future… from the Mersey Oystercatchers to the New Zealand little Blue Penguins, his list was an education in itself.
Laura
