A rather grey day, with a northerly wind at the onset, then opened up a little from mid- morning and was quite sunny and warm later, although the wind became somewhat blustery.
Sea movement went little beyond the predictable with Manx Shearwater numbers south over the first three hours ,but then all was very quiet. Outer Loch Indaal too was virtually "empty" , other than a Red-throated Diver, with no parent auks with young or feeding Kittiwakes. Waders are now moving through with a group of 17 Turnstone still showing most of their handsome summer plumage, collective numbers of Ringed Plover in excess of 50, almost 80 Dunlin and around 90 Bar-tailed Godwit. Oystercatcher are the most numerous with at least 200 around the innermost part of the loch. Curlew are widespread, low in numbers and, in the main I suspect, feeding off in areas nearby.
Odd Willow Warbler still popping up in various places and a few Northern Wheatear in evidence. A Cormorant disturbed from Loch Gearach rose high, and circled repeatedly, before heading off SW. Quite a lot of species appear to have had a good breeding season which, for some resident birds like Stonechat, will have been a saving grace set against the undoubted ravages of the winter. Very little appeared to be at Gruinart , although silage operations were in full swing and most of the area a hive of activity. A party of Chough "played" around the house and barn in the evening, seemingly swooping and diving for no other reason other than enjoyment. At close hand their calls can only be described as "very penetrating"!!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
First amongst equals!
Well, three days on from being behind a computer and I'm beginning to feel restless!!! Seeing the results of one's efforts in data input, being able to summarize, manipulate , extract previously unseen connections and so on, is eventually extremely satisfying, but not at this stage!! Not hearing of anything on Islay is also a worry. Does that mean nothing of interest is around, that people aren't looking, looking but not finding or simply are behind computers too!!
Such being the case I feel like a rant to raise my spirits!!
{At this point my concentration has lapsed, and my spirits risen, on receiving the welcome news that my daughter, Rachael, has passed her Maths exam. Well done,number two daughter!! }
Re-introductions, now there's a thing. We've all recently learned of the decision by Natural England to abandon its idea of reintroducing White-tailed Eagles into East Anglia based on Government cutbacks. For once, thank goodness for accountants and politicians. Following on from that is the £1.5 million scheme ( if intentions and quoted figures are to be believed ) of the RSPB's Common Crane re-introduction scheme at the Somerset Levels. For many years a very small population of these birds occurred and managed to thrive in East Anglia. Nowadays they breed in slightly increased numbers there and at other places too, an extension which has occurred naturally without the expense of labour intensive re-introduction schemes. Alongside this I'm minded ,therefore, to consider what motivates the decision making behind such proposals when, in times of economic severity, significant expenditure of this sort is being considered. To what end and to what real purpose one might ask?
In the light of recent annual, sometimes dismal, status reports on our "commoner" bird species, whose fortunes appear to be in continuing decline, particularly those associated with farmland, ought we not to be trying first to reverse the situation of species like Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer,Grey Partridge and, in woodlands Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and others? Even ubiquitous species like Starling and House Sparrow are seemingly not immune from the relentless pressure!! The series, "The State of the UK's Birds", produced annually by the RSPB, the BTO and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, has occasional references to stability but, overall , makes depressing reading. Notice as well that I have not included migrant species and so we can't fall back on the problems in wintering grounds or similar. Efforts put the way of the Tree Sparrow, through feeding stations and nest box schemes, and targeted efforts at Cirl Bunting too, have shown some success and at a fraction of the cost of the above proposal. I'm bound to ask why some (all?) of the current re-introduction schemes involve large, iconic species. I sincerely hope it's not an equivalent to the latest feature being promoted at a theme park with the concomitant intention of raising visitor numbers and revenue! In that context , when decisions have been made to end the re-introduction of Red Kites by RSPB, do we see the Forestry Commission entering the fray with a proposal to do just that in Cumbria? Perhaps the difference is that this is public money!!!
I would be the first to congratulate the RSPB and others at the success of the Red Kite scheme, and take enjoyment from improved opportunities to see these magnificent birds but, at a time, when repeated statements are made on the seemingly endless reductions in our commoner birds, ought not that latter situation to be the absolute priority? Ought we not to concentrate on improving the lot of our time honoured "residents" with the resources available, particularly in times of financial strictures? And ought not a much higher profile be taken in combating the absolute disgrace that is raptor persecution within the UK, or are further resources to be squandered in a succession of reports, hand wringing statements and the like on the continuing demise of Hen Harriers?
Or is all this modernism a reaction to the need for "exposure", "market share" and "promotional opportunities" and that it is these aspects which are actually driving the policies, as opposed to conservation need? I'm sure a plea of clemency would arise from our conservation bodies with them saying that they are trying to advance on several fronts by purchasing reserves, giving out advice on habitat management and so on, of which re-introductions are but one element, and that is perhaps understandable. But not acceptable in my view! I think an increasing body of opinion is beginning to emerge that suggests the time has come to set aside all current expensive, attractive diversions and treat our resident bird species as "First amongst equals" and leave our higher aspirations to later!
Such being the case I feel like a rant to raise my spirits!!
{At this point my concentration has lapsed, and my spirits risen, on receiving the welcome news that my daughter, Rachael, has passed her Maths exam. Well done,number two daughter!! }
Re-introductions, now there's a thing. We've all recently learned of the decision by Natural England to abandon its idea of reintroducing White-tailed Eagles into East Anglia based on Government cutbacks. For once, thank goodness for accountants and politicians. Following on from that is the £1.5 million scheme ( if intentions and quoted figures are to be believed ) of the RSPB's Common Crane re-introduction scheme at the Somerset Levels. For many years a very small population of these birds occurred and managed to thrive in East Anglia. Nowadays they breed in slightly increased numbers there and at other places too, an extension which has occurred naturally without the expense of labour intensive re-introduction schemes. Alongside this I'm minded ,therefore, to consider what motivates the decision making behind such proposals when, in times of economic severity, significant expenditure of this sort is being considered. To what end and to what real purpose one might ask?
In the light of recent annual, sometimes dismal, status reports on our "commoner" bird species, whose fortunes appear to be in continuing decline, particularly those associated with farmland, ought we not to be trying first to reverse the situation of species like Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer,Grey Partridge and, in woodlands Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and others? Even ubiquitous species like Starling and House Sparrow are seemingly not immune from the relentless pressure!! The series, "The State of the UK's Birds", produced annually by the RSPB, the BTO and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, has occasional references to stability but, overall , makes depressing reading. Notice as well that I have not included migrant species and so we can't fall back on the problems in wintering grounds or similar. Efforts put the way of the Tree Sparrow, through feeding stations and nest box schemes, and targeted efforts at Cirl Bunting too, have shown some success and at a fraction of the cost of the above proposal. I'm bound to ask why some (all?) of the current re-introduction schemes involve large, iconic species. I sincerely hope it's not an equivalent to the latest feature being promoted at a theme park with the concomitant intention of raising visitor numbers and revenue! In that context , when decisions have been made to end the re-introduction of Red Kites by RSPB, do we see the Forestry Commission entering the fray with a proposal to do just that in Cumbria? Perhaps the difference is that this is public money!!!
I would be the first to congratulate the RSPB and others at the success of the Red Kite scheme, and take enjoyment from improved opportunities to see these magnificent birds but, at a time, when repeated statements are made on the seemingly endless reductions in our commoner birds, ought not that latter situation to be the absolute priority? Ought we not to concentrate on improving the lot of our time honoured "residents" with the resources available, particularly in times of financial strictures? And ought not a much higher profile be taken in combating the absolute disgrace that is raptor persecution within the UK, or are further resources to be squandered in a succession of reports, hand wringing statements and the like on the continuing demise of Hen Harriers?
Or is all this modernism a reaction to the need for "exposure", "market share" and "promotional opportunities" and that it is these aspects which are actually driving the policies, as opposed to conservation need? I'm sure a plea of clemency would arise from our conservation bodies with them saying that they are trying to advance on several fronts by purchasing reserves, giving out advice on habitat management and so on, of which re-introductions are but one element, and that is perhaps understandable. But not acceptable in my view! I think an increasing body of opinion is beginning to emerge that suggests the time has come to set aside all current expensive, attractive diversions and treat our resident bird species as "First amongst equals" and leave our higher aspirations to later!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
1st August,2010.
A quite fine day with a freshening westerly wind for a change!
Small numbers of Northern Wheatear and Willow Warbler showed migration to be happening. Weather conditions for seawatching looked potentially rewarding but, in the end, were disappointing. Good numbers of Manx Shearwater were on the move southwards, but this had much reduced after the first three hours. All the other "usual" species present but not moving in other than penny numbers. A few adult LBBG went through, odd Oystercatcher and a single Whimbrel but otherwise it was hard work!!
Of recent days what appears to be the only youngster produced from the local Buzzard's nest has taken to either sitting out on a rock 30m. from the house or on top of a telegraph pole nearby. Nothing wrong with that you might say, except......
Young Buzzards have the most penetrating, plaintive, irritating begging/contact call imaginable which, when it starts up at 0500 hours in the morning outside the bedroom window , is definitely not appreciated!! Revenge came when it landed on the telephone wire, which commenced to swing as if it was a tightrope (!), whereupon the call remained but was laced with obvious panic as the bird threshed its wings wildly whilst it tried to keep its balance !!! Never a dull moment.
Small numbers of Northern Wheatear and Willow Warbler showed migration to be happening. Weather conditions for seawatching looked potentially rewarding but, in the end, were disappointing. Good numbers of Manx Shearwater were on the move southwards, but this had much reduced after the first three hours. All the other "usual" species present but not moving in other than penny numbers. A few adult LBBG went through, odd Oystercatcher and a single Whimbrel but otherwise it was hard work!!
Of recent days what appears to be the only youngster produced from the local Buzzard's nest has taken to either sitting out on a rock 30m. from the house or on top of a telegraph pole nearby. Nothing wrong with that you might say, except......
Young Buzzards have the most penetrating, plaintive, irritating begging/contact call imaginable which, when it starts up at 0500 hours in the morning outside the bedroom window , is definitely not appreciated!! Revenge came when it landed on the telephone wire, which commenced to swing as if it was a tightrope (!), whereupon the call remained but was laced with obvious panic as the bird threshed its wings wildly whilst it tried to keep its balance !!! Never a dull moment.
Friday, July 30, 2010
30th July,2010.
Not the best of days with rain and mist until late afternoon, or as the Postie put it, when it's too late to do anything!!
Capitalized on the opportunity by getting a lot of survey results in order, dispatched or summarized. I also spent some time reading Ian Newton's most recent book, "Bird Migration", a new addition to the New Naturalist Series. It is absolutely brilliant and a joy to read! Its style and content are presented in such a clear and unambiguous way that it is a book you can actually sit down and read, as opposed to laboriously work through. Whilst Professor Newton's work on raptors, and particularly the Sparrowhawk, is well known, along with books on population limitation in birds and speciation and biogeography in birds, this volume, coupled with that he wrote on the migration ecology of birds, will always assume favourite position on my shelves. All I can say is, don't leave it too late to get a copy because undoubtedly it will be a sell out!!
Capitalized on the opportunity by getting a lot of survey results in order, dispatched or summarized. I also spent some time reading Ian Newton's most recent book, "Bird Migration", a new addition to the New Naturalist Series. It is absolutely brilliant and a joy to read! Its style and content are presented in such a clear and unambiguous way that it is a book you can actually sit down and read, as opposed to laboriously work through. Whilst Professor Newton's work on raptors, and particularly the Sparrowhawk, is well known, along with books on population limitation in birds and speciation and biogeography in birds, this volume, coupled with that he wrote on the migration ecology of birds, will always assume favourite position on my shelves. All I can say is, don't leave it too late to get a copy because undoubtedly it will be a sell out!!
29th July,2010.
Rather unsettled weather but, nonetheless, fine enough to be out!
Involved in set location observations on Jura overlooking the Sound of Islay for the whole day. Very little on the move although two fast moving groups of Oystercatcher were obviously migrating southwards along the Sound. That they navigate between the various islands off Scotland's west coast is fascinating in itself, particularly when the weather conditions are reasonable and not overly influencing. A couple of Common Sandpiper and, later, on Islay, a large mixed group of Ringed Plover, adult and young Dunlin and a Turnstone showed waders to be on the move in earnest.
The sight of Gannets, both in parties passing along the Sound and odd birds wheeling high against the steep southern hillsides on Islay is always a pleasant surprise set against the more normal assumption of them being associated with the open sea. Evidence of the determined efforts of birds came with the sight of an adult Guillemot and a young juvenile swimming all the way down the Sound towards the comparative extensive waters off the southern tips of Islay and Jura. Our own lives are so cossetted by comparison, except for the poor people caught up in conflicts, or affected by famine, who necessarily have to undertake "migrations".
In the early evening a flock of 250/260 Grey lag Geese on Gruinart Flats signalled the gradual emergence of the numbers which we can now expect to build throughout August.
Involved in set location observations on Jura overlooking the Sound of Islay for the whole day. Very little on the move although two fast moving groups of Oystercatcher were obviously migrating southwards along the Sound. That they navigate between the various islands off Scotland's west coast is fascinating in itself, particularly when the weather conditions are reasonable and not overly influencing. A couple of Common Sandpiper and, later, on Islay, a large mixed group of Ringed Plover, adult and young Dunlin and a Turnstone showed waders to be on the move in earnest.
The sight of Gannets, both in parties passing along the Sound and odd birds wheeling high against the steep southern hillsides on Islay is always a pleasant surprise set against the more normal assumption of them being associated with the open sea. Evidence of the determined efforts of birds came with the sight of an adult Guillemot and a young juvenile swimming all the way down the Sound towards the comparative extensive waters off the southern tips of Islay and Jura. Our own lives are so cossetted by comparison, except for the poor people caught up in conflicts, or affected by famine, who necessarily have to undertake "migrations".
In the early evening a flock of 250/260 Grey lag Geese on Gruinart Flats signalled the gradual emergence of the numbers which we can now expect to build throughout August.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Things on the move!
A rather mixed day , not for weather, but getting various things done. It resulted in a later than anticipated birding session around Loch Indaal and the southern part of the Rinns.
Northern Wheatears in different places on the Rinns suggested migrant birds. Willow Warblers are still in evidence as are mixed parties of Lesser Redpoll and Linnet. Mixed flocks of Herring Gull, LBBG, Common Gull and even the odd Black-headed Gull range recently cut silage fields, the vast majority, if not all, being adults.
Few birds were in the Outer Loch except odd gulls and a couple of parties of Gannet. The Inner Loch is beginning to take on some modest transformation with 60/70 Bar-tailed Godwits, a "tight" flock of Redshank that were undoubtedly on the move and increasing Oystercatcher numbers. Curlew and Ringed Plover were also present at various places but in no concentration. Surprisingly the godwits held no birds in summer plumage but already looked as they will do over the next several months!
A moulting flock of Red-breasted Merganser were offshore and a mixed flock of 15+ Common Scoter, which were more of a surprise. Dark hulks of moulting Eiders occupy favourite spots, an utter contrast to the pristine immaculate colours exhibited eventually by adult male birds! Odd Arctic Tern were still around but the vast majority appear to have gone. These , and Common and Black-headed Gulls too, sadly don't enjoy a great breeding success here most years and one wonders whether marauding Otters, Polecat Ferrets or even odd Mink ,( despite efforts to remove the latter), are responsible. Human disturbance in some areas doesn't help either!
Northern Wheatears in different places on the Rinns suggested migrant birds. Willow Warblers are still in evidence as are mixed parties of Lesser Redpoll and Linnet. Mixed flocks of Herring Gull, LBBG, Common Gull and even the odd Black-headed Gull range recently cut silage fields, the vast majority, if not all, being adults.
Few birds were in the Outer Loch except odd gulls and a couple of parties of Gannet. The Inner Loch is beginning to take on some modest transformation with 60/70 Bar-tailed Godwits, a "tight" flock of Redshank that were undoubtedly on the move and increasing Oystercatcher numbers. Curlew and Ringed Plover were also present at various places but in no concentration. Surprisingly the godwits held no birds in summer plumage but already looked as they will do over the next several months!
A moulting flock of Red-breasted Merganser were offshore and a mixed flock of 15+ Common Scoter, which were more of a surprise. Dark hulks of moulting Eiders occupy favourite spots, an utter contrast to the pristine immaculate colours exhibited eventually by adult male birds! Odd Arctic Tern were still around but the vast majority appear to have gone. These , and Common and Black-headed Gulls too, sadly don't enjoy a great breeding success here most years and one wonders whether marauding Otters, Polecat Ferrets or even odd Mink ,( despite efforts to remove the latter), are responsible. Human disturbance in some areas doesn't help either!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Three aspects of bird movements!
I've mentioned before that House Sparrows have a very disjunct distribution in some places on Islay, with thriving populations at various "centres" and notable absences at suitable locations between these. Previously House Sparrows were so common in many places in Britain that they were largely ignored to some extent. Nowadays their numbers are reduced and they enjoy equal status, as far as an interest in the activities and so on, as many other species.
They don't breed around this property but very gradually records appear to be increasing. Yesterday was no exception with two juveniles and an adult male being seen for a brief period. In the normal sense this might have been considered to have been part of some juvenile dispersal activity, but the presence of the adult suggested a more involved movement.
At the moment Willow Warbler movements are in full swing. Doubtless the recent foul weather has not assisted and held things up to some degree. After what appeared to be a quiet period in the late morning, I was surprised to see numbers of warblers, 13in fact, feeding in my "thistle garden", a wave of activity that then passed leaving only a couple of birds behind. I hadn't seen many others earlier when out locally and it seemed a wave of movement was happening down the valley. Migrating birds tend to move overnight, rest and then feed up voraciously before tackling another stage. Does this suggest birds dispersing from local populations very gradually move out from their natal areas until filled with the urge to move on? Despite searching south of the house later nothing could be seen of them.
A colleague advises that a young Eagle Owl he ringed in 2007 has recently been recovered in Scotland. A journey of approximately 190 miles northwards and one that will doubtless set conjecture circulating once again on this species. Whilst a rather different sort of journey, what's the distance between the Low Countries and our East Coast or the even more "convenient" English Channel crossing!!!!
They don't breed around this property but very gradually records appear to be increasing. Yesterday was no exception with two juveniles and an adult male being seen for a brief period. In the normal sense this might have been considered to have been part of some juvenile dispersal activity, but the presence of the adult suggested a more involved movement.
At the moment Willow Warbler movements are in full swing. Doubtless the recent foul weather has not assisted and held things up to some degree. After what appeared to be a quiet period in the late morning, I was surprised to see numbers of warblers, 13in fact, feeding in my "thistle garden", a wave of activity that then passed leaving only a couple of birds behind. I hadn't seen many others earlier when out locally and it seemed a wave of movement was happening down the valley. Migrating birds tend to move overnight, rest and then feed up voraciously before tackling another stage. Does this suggest birds dispersing from local populations very gradually move out from their natal areas until filled with the urge to move on? Despite searching south of the house later nothing could be seen of them.
A colleague advises that a young Eagle Owl he ringed in 2007 has recently been recovered in Scotland. A journey of approximately 190 miles northwards and one that will doubtless set conjecture circulating once again on this species. Whilst a rather different sort of journey, what's the distance between the Low Countries and our East Coast or the even more "convenient" English Channel crossing!!!!
Monday, July 26, 2010
The New Enlightenment?
Students of history will be familiar with "The Enlightenment", a period in the 18th Century when reason was advocated as the primary source for legitimacy and authority.
Being fogbound for the last three days has caused me to contemplate a few questions relating to our current core values in the UK with respect to its wildlife and whether we're making progress or even holding the line of good reason. Recent results from the RSPB outlining the number of raptor persecution incidents in 2009, coupled with reportage of increases in 2010, even at this stage of the year, can only generate pessimism. Raptor persecution is one of the most prominent "thorny problems" of the modern age. In tropical areas big cats, rampaging elephants in crops and other species have often been the focus of mans' retaliatory revenge where personal safety or economic security has been involved. Outside of this the gratuitous killing of wildlife for pleasure has been much reduced nowadays, but persecution based on prejudice, often in pursuance of self interest, still remains. Such is the case in the UK where certain avian raptors are seen to jeopardise the production of game birds, vast numbers of which are simply destined to provide pleasure for a minority of shooting enthusiasts.
Introduce into the equation the fact that vast tracts of countryside, aka shooting estates, are owned , or leased, by those wealthy enough to afford such investments to support their leisure activities. The development of these occurred , of course, in Victorian times when the "social" habit of shooting emerged. It is within these recent years that the systematic decimation of raptors has occurred as a consequence of such activities and been both widespread and commonplace and, in my view, a national disgrace. I do wonder whether the ownership of an estate, or its equivalent, generates a feeling of " doing as one pleases in one's own backyard", but that is no justification to ignore the law of the land. With the concomitant educational facilities enjoyed by the majority of such owners they, above many, should be acutely aware of the requirements of the law and the upholding of the "common good" as an element of their much avowed embracing of social responsibility.
Such estates are not as vast or contiguous as previously with the inexorable advance of urban and other developments. Some of the more prestigious , and rarer, birds of prey are closely associated with such areas with increasingly fewer alternative options. The burden of responsibility to maintain such populations, as representative of the UK's rich natural heritage, therefore begins to increase rather than diminish.
Now we begin to move towards the nub of the problem! What should be the position of the landowners with shooting interests who find themselves playing host, on their land, to raptors whose presence is claimed to run counter to their interests? A partial reliance on young game birds, supported artificially, whose destiny is to be the quarry for a minority exercising a vicarious pleasure, i.e. shooting them, lacks the integrity of two main tenets connected with "The Enlightenment", that of being associated with rationality and science. Commercial self interest and an abject rejection of the common interest appear to rise to the fore! Such overt pursuit of self interest, whilst cocking a snoot at the laws of the land, perhaps indicate a deeper and more worrying aspect of where they see themselves within our wider society.
That these individuals are prepared to continue to persecute birds of prey is self evident. This is the equivalent of the Church of England desecrating artifacts beloved and revered by the public or the National Gallery administrators deciding, unilaterally, to destroy part of our national artistic heritage!! Sadly the reactive efforts of RSPB and Natural England in attempting to confront such persecution will, collectively, achieve little other than scratch the surface. Their efforts are to be applauded but will not bring about the sea change desired.
We are, after all, talking of "the Establishment" and the alteration of attitudes residing in large houses behind high walls and rhododendron bushes!! Change must be through sustained pressure applied through the political process and an equally sustained revelation of detail in the media. We perhaps need to consider whether we are talking of an arrogant, self-focused minority who are prepared to flaunt the law, and implicate others such as their staff, or more general ingrained attitudes of superiority associated with privilege and status that are felt to justify self belief and the unmitigated pursuit of pleasure regardless of the common interests of the majority.
Sadly an examination of the quality "county and country" periodicals does little to generate any likelihood of change. The endless round of social gatherings reported on, including, of course, shooting weekends, grind on with annual regularity. Perhaps in the fullness of time, as with the good ladies of Didsbury who campaigned against the use of egret plumes in the millinery trade, and whose endeavours eventually brought into being the RSPB, an element of enlightenment might appear within the ranks of those involved. Doubtless I shall have to try and get this Blog onto the essential reading lists of the private girls' school circuit!!!
That change is required is obvious as the situation cannot be allowed to continue. Little confidence can be expected from a Tory Government whose members, at least in part, or their relatives, arise from the same culture. Approaches to Liberal Democrat members might, however, exploit an opportunity to at least get the subject aired within coalition discussions! In this arena the recent alliance and declarations from both the Scottish and Irish governments towards tackling poisoning incidents involving Golden Eagles is to be welcomed.( See reportage on the Raptor Politics website).
As has been said many times before this is not the time to abdicate responsibility to someone else. There is strength in personal action and a high numerical volume of expressed discontent and , with increasing regularity, this is what must happen. The subject must be elevated to one of nuisance value with the constituent authorities, such that action taken is less costly than dealing with the plethora of complaints and pleas for action from the electorate. A letter to individual MP's from each of the 25-30,000 attendees at the forthcoming BirdFair at Rutland Water would be a good start and, possibly, be a good initiative which could be overseen by the RSPB who could give guidance on content. Similarly an approach from that organization to its Patron, Her Majesty the Queen, might at least ensure the topic was raised in the cloistered social gatherings following the commencement of the grouse shooting season on the 12th August, 2010.
On many previous occasions Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, has demonstrated her acute sensitivity to the mood of the general public and no harm could be done in raising the matter as a general issue of concern linked to the quite lawful activity of shooting which some members of the Royal family are known to support. After all the RSPB has a million members, a notable body of opinion if ever!!
And so to a new Enlightenment with, as previously in the 18th Century, a robust questioning of traditional institutions, customs and morals?
Why not!!
Being fogbound for the last three days has caused me to contemplate a few questions relating to our current core values in the UK with respect to its wildlife and whether we're making progress or even holding the line of good reason. Recent results from the RSPB outlining the number of raptor persecution incidents in 2009, coupled with reportage of increases in 2010, even at this stage of the year, can only generate pessimism. Raptor persecution is one of the most prominent "thorny problems" of the modern age. In tropical areas big cats, rampaging elephants in crops and other species have often been the focus of mans' retaliatory revenge where personal safety or economic security has been involved. Outside of this the gratuitous killing of wildlife for pleasure has been much reduced nowadays, but persecution based on prejudice, often in pursuance of self interest, still remains. Such is the case in the UK where certain avian raptors are seen to jeopardise the production of game birds, vast numbers of which are simply destined to provide pleasure for a minority of shooting enthusiasts.
Introduce into the equation the fact that vast tracts of countryside, aka shooting estates, are owned , or leased, by those wealthy enough to afford such investments to support their leisure activities. The development of these occurred , of course, in Victorian times when the "social" habit of shooting emerged. It is within these recent years that the systematic decimation of raptors has occurred as a consequence of such activities and been both widespread and commonplace and, in my view, a national disgrace. I do wonder whether the ownership of an estate, or its equivalent, generates a feeling of " doing as one pleases in one's own backyard", but that is no justification to ignore the law of the land. With the concomitant educational facilities enjoyed by the majority of such owners they, above many, should be acutely aware of the requirements of the law and the upholding of the "common good" as an element of their much avowed embracing of social responsibility.
Such estates are not as vast or contiguous as previously with the inexorable advance of urban and other developments. Some of the more prestigious , and rarer, birds of prey are closely associated with such areas with increasingly fewer alternative options. The burden of responsibility to maintain such populations, as representative of the UK's rich natural heritage, therefore begins to increase rather than diminish.
Now we begin to move towards the nub of the problem! What should be the position of the landowners with shooting interests who find themselves playing host, on their land, to raptors whose presence is claimed to run counter to their interests? A partial reliance on young game birds, supported artificially, whose destiny is to be the quarry for a minority exercising a vicarious pleasure, i.e. shooting them, lacks the integrity of two main tenets connected with "The Enlightenment", that of being associated with rationality and science. Commercial self interest and an abject rejection of the common interest appear to rise to the fore! Such overt pursuit of self interest, whilst cocking a snoot at the laws of the land, perhaps indicate a deeper and more worrying aspect of where they see themselves within our wider society.
That these individuals are prepared to continue to persecute birds of prey is self evident. This is the equivalent of the Church of England desecrating artifacts beloved and revered by the public or the National Gallery administrators deciding, unilaterally, to destroy part of our national artistic heritage!! Sadly the reactive efforts of RSPB and Natural England in attempting to confront such persecution will, collectively, achieve little other than scratch the surface. Their efforts are to be applauded but will not bring about the sea change desired.
We are, after all, talking of "the Establishment" and the alteration of attitudes residing in large houses behind high walls and rhododendron bushes!! Change must be through sustained pressure applied through the political process and an equally sustained revelation of detail in the media. We perhaps need to consider whether we are talking of an arrogant, self-focused minority who are prepared to flaunt the law, and implicate others such as their staff, or more general ingrained attitudes of superiority associated with privilege and status that are felt to justify self belief and the unmitigated pursuit of pleasure regardless of the common interests of the majority.
Sadly an examination of the quality "county and country" periodicals does little to generate any likelihood of change. The endless round of social gatherings reported on, including, of course, shooting weekends, grind on with annual regularity. Perhaps in the fullness of time, as with the good ladies of Didsbury who campaigned against the use of egret plumes in the millinery trade, and whose endeavours eventually brought into being the RSPB, an element of enlightenment might appear within the ranks of those involved. Doubtless I shall have to try and get this Blog onto the essential reading lists of the private girls' school circuit!!!
That change is required is obvious as the situation cannot be allowed to continue. Little confidence can be expected from a Tory Government whose members, at least in part, or their relatives, arise from the same culture. Approaches to Liberal Democrat members might, however, exploit an opportunity to at least get the subject aired within coalition discussions! In this arena the recent alliance and declarations from both the Scottish and Irish governments towards tackling poisoning incidents involving Golden Eagles is to be welcomed.( See reportage on the Raptor Politics website).
As has been said many times before this is not the time to abdicate responsibility to someone else. There is strength in personal action and a high numerical volume of expressed discontent and , with increasing regularity, this is what must happen. The subject must be elevated to one of nuisance value with the constituent authorities, such that action taken is less costly than dealing with the plethora of complaints and pleas for action from the electorate. A letter to individual MP's from each of the 25-30,000 attendees at the forthcoming BirdFair at Rutland Water would be a good start and, possibly, be a good initiative which could be overseen by the RSPB who could give guidance on content. Similarly an approach from that organization to its Patron, Her Majesty the Queen, might at least ensure the topic was raised in the cloistered social gatherings following the commencement of the grouse shooting season on the 12th August, 2010.
On many previous occasions Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, has demonstrated her acute sensitivity to the mood of the general public and no harm could be done in raising the matter as a general issue of concern linked to the quite lawful activity of shooting which some members of the Royal family are known to support. After all the RSPB has a million members, a notable body of opinion if ever!!
And so to a new Enlightenment with, as previously in the 18th Century, a robust questioning of traditional institutions, customs and morals?
Why not!!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
24th July,2010.
Well, given visibility from the house is around 75m , and has been so all afternoon, I thought I may as well concede and enter an early posting!! The day dawned fine and clear , which continued until late morning when the mist and rain moved in!!
A seawatch showed good numbers of Manx Shearwater and Gannet moving south, strings of auks moving north and south, mainly Razorbill, a few Kittiwake and Black Guillemot around and local Fulmar and Shag feeding in the waters off Portnahaven. A few adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls moved through south, as did a pale phase Arctic Skua, and single Oystercatcher and Curlew. A lone Common Swift moved offshore into the southerly breeze. I suppose one might infer that autumn movements have now begun, although modestly, but underscored by the fact that many of the local breeding gulls have now moved away from their cliff haunts and the cries of Arctic Terns are suddenly much diminished. The weather then decided to close in and spoil things!!
For those still in bed at 0600 hours (!) the Radio 4 Open Country programme dealt with the newly opened, refurbished bird observatory on Fair Isle off north east Scotland. Evocative sounds and reports from a wonderful place can still be caught up with on Thursday afternoon's repeat by the less energetic!!( or on the iPlayer facility, oh yes, the old boy's going technical these days!! ). I still harbour my long held ambition to spend a whole extended autumn there, rather than a couple of weeks, and emulate holidays of yesteryear when I used to spend idyllic days at Spurn Bird Observatory in Yorkshire.
A seawatch showed good numbers of Manx Shearwater and Gannet moving south, strings of auks moving north and south, mainly Razorbill, a few Kittiwake and Black Guillemot around and local Fulmar and Shag feeding in the waters off Portnahaven. A few adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls moved through south, as did a pale phase Arctic Skua, and single Oystercatcher and Curlew. A lone Common Swift moved offshore into the southerly breeze. I suppose one might infer that autumn movements have now begun, although modestly, but underscored by the fact that many of the local breeding gulls have now moved away from their cliff haunts and the cries of Arctic Terns are suddenly much diminished. The weather then decided to close in and spoil things!!
For those still in bed at 0600 hours (!) the Radio 4 Open Country programme dealt with the newly opened, refurbished bird observatory on Fair Isle off north east Scotland. Evocative sounds and reports from a wonderful place can still be caught up with on Thursday afternoon's repeat by the less energetic!!( or on the iPlayer facility, oh yes, the old boy's going technical these days!! ). I still harbour my long held ambition to spend a whole extended autumn there, rather than a couple of weeks, and emulate holidays of yesteryear when I used to spend idyllic days at Spurn Bird Observatory in Yorkshire.
23rd July,2010.
A day spent meandering around locally generating breeding confirmations, or improving on existing categories, for the BTO Atlas. A reported Short-eared Owl, which would have been new for the immediate area,couldn't be re-located and was maybe an early moving bird anyway.
Feeding parties of young birds are almost like children anywhere at the moment with some remarkable "friendships" being in evidence. Watching some young, pale Goldfinch feeding in low vegetation I was surprised to see a couple of young Willow Warblers emerge, a Northern Wheatear, two Meadow Pipits and , then, a Skylark, which tried hard to perch on a swaying bracken frond several times!!! All appeared to be moving around the site in unison in a joyful scatter of movement and colour. Both male and female Hen Harrier quartering much used feeding areas suggested they still may have dependent youngsters. Hooded Crows have clearly bred very locally with pristine youngsters hanging around in a group, whose menace wouldn't have looked out of place in a shopping mall!!
Feeding parties of young birds are almost like children anywhere at the moment with some remarkable "friendships" being in evidence. Watching some young, pale Goldfinch feeding in low vegetation I was surprised to see a couple of young Willow Warblers emerge, a Northern Wheatear, two Meadow Pipits and , then, a Skylark, which tried hard to perch on a swaying bracken frond several times!!! All appeared to be moving around the site in unison in a joyful scatter of movement and colour. Both male and female Hen Harrier quartering much used feeding areas suggested they still may have dependent youngsters. Hooded Crows have clearly bred very locally with pristine youngsters hanging around in a group, whose menace wouldn't have looked out of place in a shopping mall!!
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