Skydancers on the Dee

Visitors to the RSPB’s Parkgate reserve on the Dee Estuary are being given the chance to see England’s most threatened bird of prey in action.

The reserve is hosting Skydancers on the Dee, a series of monthly events offering nature lovers the opportunity to experience hen harriers at their winter roost site.

Hen harriers breed in the uplands and are famous for the male’s spectacular aerobatic spring courtship display known as skydancing. The birds spend the winter on lower ground, often on marshes, and the Dee Estuary has long been one of the best places to see these remarkable birds.

Sadly, hen harriers are on the brink of extinction in England as a breeding bird. This year there were only four breeding pairs in the whole of England. In 2013, there was not a single successful nest in the country, despite scientists concluding there is sufficient habitat for more than 300 pairs.

Independent research has shown that ongoing illegal killing and disturbance associated with the grouse moor industry is responsible for the plight of the hen harrier.

Dan Trotman, the RSPB’s Visitor Development Officer on the Dee Estuary, said: “It is a real privilege to be able to see these magnificent birds hunting and roosting on the estuary. I hope that when our visitors see them in action, they will be inspired to help us save them from extinction in England as a breeding bird before it is too late.

“The saltmarsh at Parkgate is where the harriers traditionally roost but they roam some distance during the day to feed; recently we’ve been treated to fantastic views of one, sometimes two, hen harriers hunting close to the reception hide at Burton Mere Wetlands, so it’s well worth a trip there too.”

  

There is also a giant hen harrier spending the winter over at Burton Mere Wetlands. Harry is a six-foot male hen harrier, created by local young nature enthusiast Findlay Wilde. The large-scale model bird has been touring the country to raise awareness about hen harrier conservation. This year, it has made appearances at Hen Harrier Day in the Peak District, Bird Fair in Rutland and mostly recently, on BBC Autumnwatch at RSPB Leighton Moss in Lancashire.

Skydancers on the Dee is on Sunday 30 November from noon until dusk, at the “Donkey Stand” on The Parade in Parkgate. There are further events on 21 December 2014, 25 January 2015, 22 February and 29 March. All events are free and visitors can drop in any time. 

Skydancers on the Dee is part of Skydancer, a four-year RSPB project aimed at protecting and conserving nesting hen harriers in the English uplands. The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and United Utilities with additional support from the Forestry Commission. For more information, visit www.rspb.org.uk/skydancer. 

RALLY FOR NATURE

Nature is in trouble. Not only in far-flung places across the world, but also here in the UK. Sadly, despite well-documented evidence of the decline in our nature, continued incidences of wildlife crime occurring across the country and the vital importance of nature to all parts of our society, it remains far too low on the political agenda - even with a General Election just around the corner.

This is your chance to help change that.

On 9 December 2014, the RSPB, The Wildlife Trusts, League Against Cruel Sports and Dr Mark Avery - supported by Butterfly Conservation, the Ramblers and The Mammal Society - will be heading to London to hold a Rally for Nature.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rally-for-nature-registration-13703157513

  Do you love and care about wildlife?

Join us on Tuesday 9 December in London for a Rally for Nature 

Next May we will have a General Election in the UK and the political parties will be looking to win your support. Unfortunately, despite the well-documented evidence of the decline of so much of our natural heritage, and cases of wildlife crime occurring right across the UK - nature and wildlife remain low on the political agenda. This is your chance to tell your MP why nature matters so much to all of us.

We want people to urge politicians to include strong commitments to nature in their 2015 manifestos.

Specifically we want action to protect and restore wildlife by...

• celebrating and defending existing laws, such as the EU Birds and Habitats Directives, which provide the foundation for nature conservation in this country;
• fully implementing these laws and ending wildlife crime so that threatened species like hen harrier are able to fly free from harm;
• legally underpinning nature's recovery by establishing a Nature and Wellbeing Act to ensure nature is at the heart of how we live and run our country, as well as establishing long-term targets and powers to help meet them.

Let's make 2015 the year that all political parties take nature seriously.

Plans for the day

We will have two sittings, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. As the sittings are based on constituency we are not able to offer you a choice of which to attend, but we will confirm your sitting in advance to help you plan your day and travel arrangements.

At each sitting we will start with tea, coffee and biscuits; then grab a seat with your fellow constituents to listen to our guest speakers and take the opportunity to ask questions. There may even be a word or two of encouragement from some friendly MPs (they don't bite, we promise!). After some more refreshments, we will gather together and walk to the Houses of Parliament, with placards in hand. Here you will meet your MP and call on them to take action.

With Christmas only a few weeks after the rally, why not make a day of it and go ice-skating in Hyde park or take a winter stroll along the riverside? 

 Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis, so please book early to avoid disappointment. 

 We know that nature is not a luxury

We need it for our health, wellbeing, inspiration and economy.

We know that wildlife needs our protection.

Now it is time we let our politicians know too. 

This event is also supported by Butterfly Conservation, the Ramblers and The Mammal Society.

Like myself, many of you won’t be able to attend in person – it’s a working day and it’s in London! – that’s understandable. But you can play your part too – a really big part if enough people get involved.

Please contact your MP, of whatever political party, and tell them that you care about nature and you want them to act.

The partners  have made it reasonably easy  for you to add your voice, below is a link to a  standard letter that you can add to or amend

Please take five minutes to stand up for nature and use your voice to tell politicians to do more for nature.

https://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=13&ea.campaign.id=32921&ea.tracking.id=markavery

Laura

Lapwing numbers boosted by RSPB nature reserves

Conservationists are thrilled that lapwings, birds which have been disappearing from the UK, have had a successful 2014 breeding season in grassland habitats managed by the RSPB.

Lapwings belong to a group of birds known as waders: typically long-legged birds which generally feed at the water’s edge or in wet grassland. The RSPB manages a number of sites in lowland England where the birds nest, including Otmoor in Oxfordshire and Rainham Marshes on the outskirts of London. The wildlife charity has also been working on Great Bells Farm on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, converting 160 hectares of poor-quality farmland into a freshwater nature reserve. In 2014, many of the RSPB’s sites were able to announce lapwing breeding successes, thanks to land management based on knowledge built up over decades across RSPB nature reserves, in lowland England.

Known as “peewits” after their distinctive call, black-and-white lapwings have a ‘red status’ in the UK, which means that the speed and nature of their decline is causing concern. These birds have been disappearing from lowland England since the middle of the 19th century. The most recent falls in numbers of lapwings is due to changes in agricultural land use. From the mid 1980s they began vanishing from south west England and parts of Wales. This year, numbers of lapwings breeding on RSPB lowland wet grassland reserves grew, with a higher number of chicks fledging, giving conservationists hope that these birds face a brighter future.

Ground works at Great Bells Farm were completed in 2013 and hundreds of birds immediately stopped by for the winter. This year’s breeding season at the site included 25 pairs of lapwings, raising 26 chicks, the number conservationists had hoped for.

Martin Harper, RSPB Director of Conservation, said: “In my lifetime the lapwing has gone from a widespread countryside bird to one increasingly confined to nature reserves. It’s challenging to manage land for lapwing, so seeing an increase this year is especially welcome. It gives us hope that this engaging species may in time be able to turn a corner as a nesting bird in lowland England, especially if land managers can be encouraged to get the most from wildlife-friendly farming payments.”

Find out more: Wader success in North Kent

         OTTERSPOOL.      Sun 16th Nov.             8-30am.    
                   
       Med Gulls et al.

          Had a day out today birdwatching with old friends I first birdwatched with over 40yrs ago, Chris Murphy and Geoff Bond. Chris now lives in Northerrn Ireland and leads birding trips to Lesbos, Morocco, and Extramadura Spain amongst other places. Chris was probably the first ever leader of the LIverpool Group YOC back in the early 70s. He also sits on the NI rarity committee, so really knows his birds.

             We stopped at Otterspool on way over to the Wirral,  just to check gulls.  Explaining to Chris that I occasionally saw Med gulls with the black headed gulls. Checked on the prom and no sign at all of any, and  then was amazed to find 7 Mediterranean gulls on the playing fields of Jericho lane...........yes 7 !!  6 adult winter and  1 second winter bird.
             We also heard bullfinches at the Garden festival site, saw snow buntings at Leasowe, heard Cettis warblers at Red rocks, saw hen harrier, marsh harrier, water rail, cattle egret at BMW, and merlin at Old baths Parkgate as the sun went down. Sadly no harriers came in to roost, but nevertheles a great day out with some old friends,

                                Sean.

Wally Hall Park re -visited

Walton Hall Park Lake

A topic  that came up in last night's RSPB comms meeting implanted an idea - that led to me taking an afternoon stroll to a park of my childhood. 

I don’t recall a lot about the park, and although not far away from where I lived it wasn’t one I frequented; it may have had something to do with it being across 2 major roads, queens drive and Walton hall avenue!

I remember it was a park that I went to with my father to see the  annual fireworks display. And I have a distant memory (well it was over 40 yrs ago) of riding through on my bike passing bowling greens, lakes and  I think  enclosures for a kids zoo/ aviary by the gates. I wish I’d  paid more  attention.

   

The park has been in the news again recently as plans to build on the park have resurfaced. The idea is for Everton Football Club to be rebuilt, alongside further shops & houses on part of the site. The friends of Walton Hall Park and resident group are objecting to the development  and have approached Liverpool RSPB for help; not sure where this will go but Chris is looking into it.

The park is mainly open parkland some of which is marked out for football pitches alongside the sports centre/play & fitness area.  It has along tree lined avenue that leads to the 2 water bodies a lake  with islands and I think  what was the old boating lake.

Corvids were very notable, magpies, crows and even a rook battled for my discarded butty crust. a large contingent of gulls (mainly herring gulls) paddled the grass. 

Armed with  a large bag of whole wheat I headed for the waters. The only other time I’d been of recent times was in  January 2013 when I visited the park when it was snowing, I recalled mute swans, they were missing today?

Geese feeding on wheat

Hybrid goose family

I was greeted by  a large honking gaggle of Canadian geese, either swimming towards me or waddling across the grass from the other boating lake. Typically (going on other Lpool parks that is ) coots and black headed gulls were the next most numerous, with a few mallards and moorhens.  No surprises there then.

Juvenile Cormorant

I sauntered around the lake and noticed 2 juvenile cormorants on the island, one sunning himself, again not unusual as I know Stanley park  about a mile away gets them as well.  

There were more mallards at his end of the lake and I noticed some ducks that had been there in the snowy winter, I counted at least 8 tufted ducks.

Tufted duck

 Shoveler

A surprise was the lonesome male shoveler, extremely busy swimming in circles, head under water practically all the time going through the pond  weed.

Passing a couple of fisherman they asked if i'd seen anything foreign? No, not yet I replied, they then went on to tell me there was a nice pochard round the bend of the lake.  O.k thanks, on I went…They were right about the pochard, but it wasn’t quite what I expected, turned out to be a rather nice red crested pochard, nice little tick for this inner city park!   

Red Crested Pochard

Mixed fowl

Leaving the lakes behind I walked down the avenue, watching and listening.  The avenue is tree/shrub lined but had very few berry bearers so the hoped for winter thrushes were missing, only blackbirds and wood pigeons on the berries. Most of the smaller birds were found further on in the hedges between the allotment and the park, and on the allotments themselves, as I peered through the fence.  Pied wagtail, robin, wren, dunnock, starling ,sparrow, goldfinch, blue and great tits ; but best find was a  tiny goldcrest flitting about a conifer. 

Time for home, and the last bird for the day was a splendid sparrowhawk , swooped over my head, over the pitches  and off towards the allotments.

What will become of the park?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/echo-survey-results-everton-fc-7966110

http://evertonviral.com/everton-fc-walton-hall-park/

http://www.change.org/p/liverpool-city-council-stop-liverpool-city-council-selling-destroying-walton-hall-park

Laura

The time to save the hen harrier is now, says RSPB

The RSPB is today urging Defra to publish the workable elements of the Hen Harrier Action Plan, which the Society believes could bring about the recovery of one of England’s most beleaguered birds of prey.

However, the RSPB is also highlighting its rejection of one point of the six-point plan, known as brood management, as the Society believes that immediate removal of chicks from the wild and rearing them in aviaries is unacceptable and legally ambiguous. As the RSPB’s position on this issue has been widely mis-represented, the RSPB’s full view is set out here.

Martin Harper is the RSPB’s Conservation Director. He said: “The hen harrier is one of our most iconic birds of prey, but it is currently in danger of being lost from England and it needs urgent action to save it. Defra has worked hard with the shooting industry and conservation groups to produce a Hen Harrier Action Plan, and we believe that the workable parts of this plan must be published and implemented now to help save this bird of prey. We think the more contentious elements, for which there a plethora of unanswered questions, should go for public consultation, while the rest of the plan fulfils its purpose of protecting harriers.”

The RSPB believes that brood management is a distraction, taking emphasis and resources away from tackling illegal killing. Martin Harper firmly added: “Brood management is worth considering once the hen harrier has returned to the hills and moors of England.  But to do it early could see young birds released to their deaths. 

The Society has no confidence that released birds will be allowed to fly free from harm. It is a sad reality that illegal killing of birds of prey continues, often linked by those with an interest in shooting. The evidence is real and compelling - gamekeepers continue to be convicted for the illegal persecution of birds of prey and there is a strong association between raptor persecution and grouse moor management [note 2]. The RSPB will have no part of a project that could put a species at risk.

Martin Harper added: “We recognise that brood management has become a totemic issue for the shooting community, and that some have chosen to use strong-arm tactics against the RSPB. We reject the industry’s claim that only by removing chicks from nests will gamekeepers and shooting estates accept the plan. Aggressive and intransigent campaigning by the shooting sector is threatening to derail the plan, consign hen harriers to further years of persecution and ride roughshod across attempts to work with progressive voices in the industry.

“Ministers are accountable for preventing the human-induced extinction of species, and the illegal persecution of the hen harrier is the main reason for this bird’s desperate plight. It surely makes sense to publish elements of the plan which has agreement. We’re urging Government to recognise the urgency of this situation and implement a plan to save the harrier, so that hen harriers can once again be a regular feature of the skies above our moors.”

 

         WEDNESDAY WANDERINGS.             12TH NOV.

          LEASOWE.



       Had a wander over to Leasowe to see the 2 snow buntings. They were feeding on the 5th tee on Leasowe golf club, right next to the embankment. Fantastic views as they were only about 10yds away feeding quite happily and not in the least bit disturbed by the couple of birders snapping away.
    Also lapwing looked fantastic in late afternoon sun roosting on the groyne, with turnstone nearby.

Sean.