Crass Decision by Welsh Assembly

We all know that politicians generally are completely out of touch when it comes to conservation matters.  Too many consider those of us passionate about the environment to be part of a leisure industry competing for attention.  There is no better example of politicians idiocy than their recent decision not to protect the Greenland White-fronted Geese which spend the winter in Wales.  This action was taken after they themselves asked for comments on protection.




Greenland White-fronted Geese

 

Only 55 Greenland White-fronted Geese wintered in Wales last year which shows a continued decline in their occurrence.  The shooting fraternity do point out that they have voluntarily banned the shooting of this scarce race of this beautiful goose and no legislation is necessary.  Well these birds do move around quite a bit and do not just stay where these wildfowlers hunt.  They are open to shooting elsewhere.  Furthermore these birds are shot for fun.  This is a so-called sport.  Surely the Welsh Assembly should take that view when assessing such a species for protection.  Where are the Natural Resources Wales on this?  What advice did they give the Assembly?  If this decision is not revoked then Wales will shamefully be the only country in the birds range where it is not fully protected.

Lunch Companions



Red Kite



I did not go far today as engrossed in the Test Match.  Having lunch in the garden we were visited by 2 Red Kites which circled constantly low overhead.  A very pleasant experience.

Coming to a Bookshop Near You

After several years of striving and sweating my autobiography should be available next week.  This work describing 70 years of being a birder and conservationist is entitled Birds - Coping With An Obsession and is published by New Holland. 

You should be able to get a copy if you are going to the BirdFair next week.  I will be giving a talk in Lecture Theatre 3 at 4pm on the Friday and autographing copies on the WildSounds Stand immediately afterwards.  There will probably be a signing session on Saturday as well. The cover price is £14.99 but it is cheaper on Amazon and will be at BirdFair too.  If you cannot get to Rutland Water then you can order the book at The Book Services on 01206 255 800 quoting the reference BF2013Obsession.  if you order before August 30th you can get the book for £9.75 including free postage.  What a Bargain!

I hope you enjoy it!

Branching Out

White-tailed Bumblebee - I think

I have been fascinated for some time with all the wonderful insects I come across.  Last week I invested in a new Sigma 105mm macro and stabilised lens to concentrate more on getting decent photographs.  So far I have been concentrating on Bumblebees.  There are lots on local lavender bushes and I reckon I might have seen three species so far. I still look up occasionally and today I was rewarded by a superb Hobby chasing our local Swallows.

This and That

Sitting in the garden having lunch the local Swallows kicked up a stink and I looked up just in time to see a Sparrowhawk soaring over.  At the same time a Treecreeper was calling in the garden.






Sea Holly


After lunch I went down to Pembrey Harbour realising that there was little hope of seeing any terns until the evening.  I did find a nice patch of Sea Holly about to come into bloom and overhead 6 Swifts and a female Peregrine were noted. I also checked out Kidwelly Quay where there were 200 Redshanks and 6 Dunlin and also Ferryisde where I noted a Bar-tailed Godwit and 6 Whimbrel.

Chasing a Yank

About a month ago I was just about to leave for France when mate Wendell Thomas phoned to say there was a Lesser Yellowlegs at the WWT Centre at Penclacwydd.  I had no option but to miss this North American wader but had no idea that it would stay long enough for me to see it on my return.




The Lesser Yellowlegs is the bird preening third from right


I finally got to the site this morning and Wendell assured me it was still about but I had missed another Yank a Long-billed Dowitcher.  Before too long I spotted the bird roosting and preening amongst a flock of Redshanks and Black-tailed Godwits.  It was quite a way off and I did try an unsatisfactory digiscoped shot. Other birds were good as well.  Over 600 Black-tailed Godwits gathered to roost with 3 Knot, a Dunlin, a splendid Ruff, Greenshank and a Spoonbill.  Wendell found a Bar-tailed Godwit too but I missed that one.

A Morning on a Suffolk Island

After two days visiting my sick brother is slowly improving I was privileged to spend a superb morning on Havergate Island an RSPB Reserve in Suffolk.  My pal David Hosking set up the visit and after we met warden Kieron we set off with enthusiastic RSPB volunteers for the short boat trip.

Havergate Island

As we landed the first bird seen was a Little Ringed Plover which flew over calling.  We took a look on the first lagoon where there were a few summer plumage Dunlin, 2 Turnstones and plenty of Redshanks.  Looking at further lagoons we encountered good numbers of Sandwich Terns and a larger number of Common Terns.  Some of the latter were still feeding quite small chicks.  I was fascinated by the number of canes and tunnels put in place to protect the birds from predation.

Common Terns nesting

Protection measures for nesting terns

Another practical conservation effort noted was the array of artificial Spoonbill nests erected to encourage these birds to nest.  At least nine Spoonbills were standing beneath the nests.

Artificial Spoonbill nests

Other waders noted were 16 Whimbrel, a few Black-tailed Godwits and over 100 Avocets.  On our way back to the reserve centre we were pleased to find a juvenile Black Redstart.

Brown Hare

The last act on the island was to photograph the very approachable Brown Hares now famous from their appearance on BBC Countryfile.  Thanks Kieron it was a great experience and my first visit to Havergate for well over 25 years.