tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48444499412774356752024-03-13T14:46:09.267+00:00Morgan's HillWiltshire Wildlife Trust chalk grassland reserve on the North Wessex DownsNick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-37534567230886772482014-01-21T07:30:00.000+00:002014-01-21T07:30:00.866+00:00@WiltsWildlife - Winter Scrub Clearance in Morgan's Hill Quarry<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This winter has, so far, been relatively mild, but there is still an awful lot of work to do up on the reserve. Because of the difficulty in getting cattle there has been substantial under-grazing over the last few years. Thankfully this autumn saw 30 Aberdeen Angus cattle on the reserve which has gone some way to redressing the balance. We are not where we want to be just yet, but there has been an improvement. Therefore any scrub clearance work carried out this winter will help matters even further.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The main area that I want to concentrate on this year is the quarry area in the east compartment. This is a very species rich area that is under threat from not only under-grazing but also ash sapling growth from Horsecombe Bottom wood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In this seemingly unending task of removing ash saplings, clearing bramble, and cutting down some of the hawthorn, I have been helped by the Wellbeing group. They carried out one task day earlier on in the autumn and are due to carry out another task day in February. I am very grateful for the help, without them I am working pretty much single-handed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have broken down the compartment into smaller sub-sections and I'm now working through each section, dealing with one, then moving on to another. There is a lot of work to do and I'm unsure if I will get it all done this winter. If that happens then I will move everything on to next winter, along with most of the work that needs doing in the west compartment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of the tasks to be done involves clearing any unwanted material from the chalk scrape that was created last winter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That's all for now, but I leave you with a photo of some of the Trust's Herwick sheep that have just been moved onto the reserve to graze for the rest of the winter.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbTjCy0ywMo7X9PTd0Jdq2uzsKM0ShUeiNyCpV-zFKHBMoy5SWMzNFjQZZ0lOMuXgve-k5x54V1VFlLlxCRBuOB21mYEbUO-7x3S1LUyQHrarKsaWh3zb0AEt1QkiW25EGr-nWh4YKpQ/s1600/DSC_5035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbTjCy0ywMo7X9PTd0Jdq2uzsKM0ShUeiNyCpV-zFKHBMoy5SWMzNFjQZZ0lOMuXgve-k5x54V1VFlLlxCRBuOB21mYEbUO-7x3S1LUyQHrarKsaWh3zb0AEt1QkiW25EGr-nWh4YKpQ/s1600/DSC_5035.jpg" height="372" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herdwick sheep in the Barrow Field, Baltic Farm</td></tr>
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Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-58747843572780087972013-11-16T10:48:00.000+00:002013-11-16T10:48:41.590+00:00@WiltsWildlife - Morgan's Hill - Winter is on the way!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With the slight hint of colder weather coming up in the next few weeks, now might be a good time to look at the photos I took at Morgan's Hill over the winter of 2012 - 2013. MH is such an exposed site that it's always cold and windy over winter, but at points it can become downright inhospitable. I remember one time whilst scrub clearing with Stephen Honeychurch where we were working in a blizzard. It's wasn't nice. However, at other times, if you can brave the cold, you will be treated to some absolutely spectacular landscapes and views.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUJ4eGRcb1Kv9Bl3Jf4EHis2lp2QcmQoIgiUsOOiKFqByZ-sgg7MZ_juLZnWp_IssbO_Oc8FvyJkkQYrKvoAtEPfhrRONaIlJ06FHfTxvtzl_hcNOVBp5S7DiwJLwQyxnXwlK9hGCjgo/s1600/MH+Snow+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUJ4eGRcb1Kv9Bl3Jf4EHis2lp2QcmQoIgiUsOOiKFqByZ-sgg7MZ_juLZnWp_IssbO_Oc8FvyJkkQYrKvoAtEPfhrRONaIlJ06FHfTxvtzl_hcNOVBp5S7DiwJLwQyxnXwlK9hGCjgo/s640/MH+Snow+2.jpg" width="382" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken mid-day 2nd February 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9rjttqe9eI_kJfgzygYAc0ANJvCLCqeExodaP49LH2aCPCHcCOfbVrh1IG-43xF7sHQjPyDmZWBJN5b9eeMImp0ZkcAT-3Mp6Se9dJVohaBH-oUW8EYCkuBK6PrguaKiGjTC8_rQpBo/s1600/Wansdyke+Frost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9rjttqe9eI_kJfgzygYAc0ANJvCLCqeExodaP49LH2aCPCHcCOfbVrh1IG-43xF7sHQjPyDmZWBJN5b9eeMImp0ZkcAT-3Mp6Se9dJVohaBH-oUW8EYCkuBK6PrguaKiGjTC8_rQpBo/s640/Wansdyke+Frost.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Wansdyke from Mast Field. A great place for butterflies in the summer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9DnpkzEYPvrxtWNLBiavSw7Dq9X5ONK0UfO0kw0nh4HA6gpirQOSdAuUsO9NiBdun1ryI81VLP4AOwbwB69GQx-cNDaB2BGfHiE-sajUcg1Dqf0BRztF3W_izu3uhhyphenhyphenibGsttN07LXs/s1600/The+Downs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9DnpkzEYPvrxtWNLBiavSw7Dq9X5ONK0UfO0kw0nh4HA6gpirQOSdAuUsO9NiBdun1ryI81VLP4AOwbwB69GQx-cNDaB2BGfHiE-sajUcg1Dqf0BRztF3W_izu3uhhyphenhyphenibGsttN07LXs/s640/The+Downs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The North Wessex Downs AONB. Bleak and dreary, yet beautiful, in winter.</td></tr>
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<br />Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-29028917131336646942013-11-10T12:04:00.000+00:002013-11-10T12:04:31.106+00:00@WiltsWildlife - Morgan's Hill from Penn Wood Reserve, Calne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UeNN0OjuQEh1juPTGTmvakLunJyr0Sgv_upN3PtqQmeFvjsc6KQIC2hPqxRKMDA-IhgDUULGctYWIYjrz_Jl4pcTyXdA_Tphzlb_o6vIlrhimbGZy__Nf168JG1pXH4B-luYM4JS99E/s1600/PennWoodMH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UeNN0OjuQEh1juPTGTmvakLunJyr0Sgv_upN3PtqQmeFvjsc6KQIC2hPqxRKMDA-IhgDUULGctYWIYjrz_Jl4pcTyXdA_Tphzlb_o6vIlrhimbGZy__Nf168JG1pXH4B-luYM4JS99E/s640/PennWoodMH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">View of Morgan's Hill from the new Penn Wood reserve on the outskirts of Calne. This reserve, which is well worth a visit, has stunning views of the surrounding area. It has large areas of newly established woodland with scrub areas, and has a fishing lake. The area is surrounded by the great North Wiltshire countryside and has access to it via a good network of footpaths and bridleways. Get on over there and have a look.</span></div>
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Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-86374334097463498672013-11-09T19:05:00.000+00:002013-11-09T19:05:43.210+00:00@WiltsWildlife - Meadow Pipit @ Morgan's Hill, July 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yet again I haven't blogged for a long old while. However, with the best intentions, I'm aiming for this time to be different. Hopefully I can find the time to get in at least one, possibly more, posts a week. Let's see how I go. I shall start by posting some of the things that I have seen and done on the reserve over the summer months.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First up is a great little meadow pipit. Picture taken in July by my good friend and personal photography expert, Stephen Lord.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Meadow pipit, Stephen Lord, 16th July 2013</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<br />Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-43123150519275499882013-04-25T06:30:00.000+01:002013-04-25T06:30:04.419+01:00Morgan's Hill Reserve 360 Degree Virtual Tour<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I freely admit that I haven't blogged for a while, but this little beauty is definitely worth the wait. Morgan's Hill is within Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's New Life for Chalk Grassland scheme, which itself is part of the larger Wildlife Trust's Living Landscapes scheme. Whilst browsing the Living Landscapes web pages today I came across this gem of a virtual tour which shows Morgan's Hill in all its glory. Check out the New Life for Chalk Grassland info page and tour <a href="http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/living-landscape/living-landscape-schemes/scheme-directory/new-life-chalk-grassland" target="_blank">here</a>, or bask in the beauty of the full-on, full-page version <a href="http://wt360s.wildlifetrusts.org/new_life_for_chalk_grassland/new_life_for_chalk_grassland.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Once you've done that get yourself up the North Wessex Downs, if you can, and enjoy it for real. However, some words of advice; winter might be over, but give it a month or so, everything is behind schedule this year.</span></div>
Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-90594167752100405082013-01-08T07:00:00.000+00:002013-01-08T07:00:02.203+00:00@WiltsWildlife - Morgan's Hill on a gloomy winter's day<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I took this photo yesterday on my mobile phone, using the 'vintage' setting. Thus the dark corners. I think it really captures the dull, dark, dreary winter's day exactly how I was trying to portray it. What do you think?</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw5BmwNPO7WGH_wj9RTRwf0rtW1EgTcRRkHOD6DkbTeMxDgeq4n-3cnKUAw8EQQ9EGJPAejClvWBwox6t8_XzHTQja4CCZ4wl3IhwNKHcpdgwOVJuYPoUuk4FHjEVfR2_59MTPPrghF0/s1600/7_1_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw5BmwNPO7WGH_wj9RTRwf0rtW1EgTcRRkHOD6DkbTeMxDgeq4n-3cnKUAw8EQQ9EGJPAejClvWBwox6t8_XzHTQja4CCZ4wl3IhwNKHcpdgwOVJuYPoUuk4FHjEVfR2_59MTPPrghF0/s640/7_1_13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan's Hill vintage style, looking west, on a dark and dreary winter's day. </td></tr>
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<br />Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-62117114207876812662013-01-07T19:03:00.001+00:002013-01-07T19:03:57.320+00:00@PatchBirding - First two patch visits of the year<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is the report that I emailed into Patchwork Challenge Send us Some Content. It details my first two patch visits of 2013. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Morgan's Hill, North Wessex Downs - Nick Self</b></u></span>
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The morning of 3rd January 2013 dawned to reveal Morgan's Hill
resplendent in the glory of murk, low cloud and light rain. It was not
what I had been hoping for, but I was fairly certain that this was what I
was going to get. Most winter days on the Downs are like this. Everyone
knows that birding on the Downs during winter is hit and miss, however,
I wasn't going to let a little light murk put pay to proceedings. Off I
went to explore my favourite nooks and crannies, confident that I could
turn up some good birds despite the weather.</span>
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This year I will be concentrating on the farmland bird '10 most wanted'
(as I do every year); grey partridge; lapwing; tree sparrow; corn
bunting; yellowhammer; linnet; turtle dove; yellow wagtail; skylark and
reed bunting. To be honest I'm not worried about finding rare birds and
I've never, ever, been twitching. I rarely go birding outside of
Wiltshire and that's the way I like it. I guess I just love my home to
much.</span>
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Anyways, on to the birds. I have also made a patch visit on 7th January
and between the first two visits I totaled 41 species for 42 points. I
am reasonably happy with this given the awful weather. The two point
bird was a female merlin, which was pleasing. All the others were
'common' but included some that made me personally happy. I made the
first 2013 sightings of tree sparrow, grey partridge, corn bunting,
skylark, linnet and yellowhammer. The latter being quite numerous. I
also struck a little piece of #patchgold, but before I name the species I
would like to refer back to a previous post where someone said that
they had seen golden eagle and hen harrier, but hadn't seen anything
unusual and that they were going to look for an elusive blue tit. It
just goes to show how different places have such different birds and the
amazing diversity of our great country.</span>
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I expect that you are itching to know my #patchgold species? Ok, here goes........................little grebe.</span>
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And last year I spotted a cormorant. How amazing is that?</span></div>
Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-35540034711575044952012-12-19T07:00:00.000+00:002012-12-19T07:00:01.896+00:00@WiltsWildlife - Give as you Live<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today I have signed up to <a href="http://www.giveasyoulive.com/" target="_blank">Give as you Live</a>. This site is a great idea; put simply, you spend money on the internet and a percentage is given to the charity of your choice. It's win-win for everybody; doesn't cost anything to use and your charity gets extra cash. The charity I have chosen is Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and my first donation should be going through shortly. I encourage everybody to give it a go, you only need to sign-up, then download a little app, everything else is done for you. Simple, great, and helps out the Trust.</span></div>
Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-34520649137749355572012-12-17T10:25:00.000+00:002012-12-17T10:25:11.390+00:00@PatchBirding - Morgan's Hill - Wiltshire Chalk Downland<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have now completed the map of my patch and present it here in all its glory.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ07T69TV4o3lyZcJjG94lknOH_dRPSEihgCK0c6ihwbtRJ3qy7ykvPrR0e_hoJMGCcLPMLHlLlK-nCFXk6PSaTDOUazrqJ6gNqw-NqWvhKs49jqb1EcinVxpsl9KP3WV5VcaPc7T-8o/s1600/Patchwork+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJ07T69TV4o3lyZcJjG94lknOH_dRPSEihgCK0c6ihwbtRJ3qy7ykvPrR0e_hoJMGCcLPMLHlLlK-nCFXk6PSaTDOUazrqJ6gNqw-NqWvhKs49jqb1EcinVxpsl9KP3WV5VcaPc7T-8o/s640/Patchwork+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan's Hill - Patchwork Challenge Map - Centred on SU0267 Wiltshire</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've been able to enlarge my usual route to include a small village, Calstone Wellington; a small lake, chalk stream and sewage treatment works; a couple of patches of woodland; a golf course; and of course more chalk downland.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This should enable me to up my count by a reasonable amount by including any water, woodland and village birds that I find in the northern section. There is also much more unimproved downland and arable land that is observable, up and down slope, from within the patch boundaries, which should enable me to get a few more sightings that I otherwise wouldn't. In this category will go most raptors, owls and the farmland wading birds. Plus hopefully a few rarities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm all ready. Can't wait for 1st January now. Let's get this on!</span></div>
Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-42364806099551590312012-12-14T10:35:00.003+00:002012-12-14T13:05:11.205+00:00@PatchBirding Morgan's Hill - Patchwork Challenge<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Morgan's Hill is nationally important for the quality of its chalk grassland and the diversity of fauna and butterflies. However, Morgan's Hill (and the North Wessex Downs in general) is not widely appreciated for its avifauna. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I intend to show that this is a misconception and that, in fact, the North Wessex Downs is a great place to go birding, and maybe (with a little luck) see something unusual. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To this end, I have taken up the <a href="http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/what-is-patchwork-challenge.html" target="_blank">Patchwork Challenge</a>. Essentially I will record all the birds that I see in an area of 3 OS grid squares roughly centred on Morgan's Hill Reserve (SU0267). A score will be given, based on each species rarity, and then a yearly total is established. Highest yearly total, of all competitors, is the winner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, when you compare my area with some of the other entrants, you can see that there is a high chance of coming last. I'm not going to be seeing many water birds; I'm not going to be seeing many waders; I'm not going to be seeing many sea birds; in fact I may not see anything particularly 'rare' at all. What I will be seeing is mainly farmland birds and birds of open country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All the birds on the Farmland Bird Index are present, including tree sparrow, corn bunting and turtle dove. Then there will be species such as tree pipit, raven, stonechat, ring ouzel, redstart and cuckoo that turn up at various times. Raptors are in abundance; peregrine, merlin, hobby, red kite have all been seen. Owls; short-eared, barn, tawny. Then you have the 'hit the jackpot' types such as great grey shrike and dotterel. I'll be breaking out the bubbly if I see any of them though.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have a look at <a href="http://www.wiltshirebirds.co.uk/where-to-watch/wiltshire-birding-sites/#11._Marlborough_Downs" target="_blank">11. Marlborough Downs</a> for a little more in-depth look at the wider area. The link takes you to the Wiltshire Ornithological Society website, which is well worth perusing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As usual I will be uploading all my records to <a href="http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack" target="_blank">BirdTrack</a> and <a href="http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/" target="_blank">WSBRC </a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, there you have it. Check out the Patchwork Challenge blog, to see what I'm up against (gulp). I will shortly be providing a map of my patch area.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This shows the area around the reserve, from which I will make my patch of roughly 3 grid squares.</span></div>
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Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-40781006053063437162012-11-30T11:18:00.002+00:002012-11-30T11:18:50.329+00:00@WiltsWildlife Morgan's Hill BTO Cuckoo in the Congo<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In this, the first BTO cuckoo update in a while, we can see that Lloyd, the Welsh cuckoo that flew over Morgan's Hill back in the summer, is now in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is the most southerly of the remaining cuckoo's being tracked, of which only a handful remain. Many have been lost along the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Check out Lloyd's progress <a href="http://bto-enews.org/IG4-12LVX-C95AE8U15B/cr.aspx" target="_blank">here</a> and see how he and the others are getting on. Bear in mind that updates are few and far between now that Lloyd has reached his over-wintering destination. This is because the satellite tracker only sends signals when there has been significant movement.</span></div>
Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-86572192138313256702012-11-28T07:00:00.000+00:002012-11-28T07:00:10.567+00:00@WiltsWildlife - Information and contact<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you have any photos, wildlife sightings or queries regarding Morgan's Hill, please either send them to the Trust, or directly to me on <a href="mailto:nick.self@virgin.net">nick.self@virgin.net</a>. I am particularly interested in bird sightings from the grid reference SU0267 and the surrounding 1km buffer zone. Thank you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wildlife sightings can be reported <a href="http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/YourRecords/recordingform/Survey.aspx" target="_blank">here</a> at the Wiltshire and Swindon Biological Records Centre.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wiltshire Wildlife Trust can be contacted directly <a href="http://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/ContactUs" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-48402287684397362332012-11-27T09:23:00.001+00:002012-11-27T09:23:13.315+00:00@WiltsWildlife - View of North Wiltshire from Morgan's Hill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The stunning view from the scarpe slope of Morgan's Hill, looking north over the Wiltshire countryside. Cherhill down and Lansdowne monument are at far right, Calne is out of view to the left. This photo was taken by Stephen Lord during September, from the old Roman road between Smallgrain picnic area and Morgan's Hill reserve. </span>Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-53964880782110131022012-11-26T12:50:00.000+00:002012-11-26T12:50:26.827+00:00@Wiltswildlife - Morgans Hill Nature ReserveMorgan's Hill is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and a nature reserve owned by <a href="http://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/" target="_blank">Wiltshire Wildlife Trust</a>. It is predominantly a chalk grassland site, important for it's wildflowers, orchids and butterflies. There is also a rich range of bird-life present on the reserve and the adjacent farmland and grassland.<br />
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Download a copy of the reserve map <a href="http://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/Resources/Wiltshire%20Wildlife%20Trust/Documents/Morgans%20Hill%20map.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. Or view an online Ordnance Survey map <a href="http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=402500&y=167500&z=120&sv=morgan%27s+hill&st=3&tl=Map+of+Morgan%27s+Hill,+Wiltshire+[Hill/Mountain]&searchp=ids.srf&mapp=map.srf" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Further details on the reserve and Trust can be found <a href="http://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/Reserves/morganshill" target="_blank">here</a>. The reserve is managed by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and the reserve wardens are Tony Coultiss and Nick Self. I can be contacted about the reserve for any reason on the following email address: <a href="mailto:nick.self@virgin.net">nick.self@virgin.net</a>Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-27911710845070160972012-11-16T12:03:00.002+00:002012-11-16T13:01:07.326+00:00EU Proposes massive cuts to UK's agri-environment schemes - Step up for Nature #RSPB<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a warden at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's Morgan's Hill reserve, I see first hand the benefits to the countryside that are implemented and sustained by money from the UK's agri-environment schemes. It is a life-line, not only to farmland birds, but biodiversity as a whole.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Later this month we could very well see large cuts in this funding, if proposed EU plans are approved. Find out more information about the benefits of agri-environment schemes <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/329830-is-our-strongest-wildlife-lifeline-facing-the-chop?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=News" target="_blank">here</a>, and more information about the proposed cuts and farmer's reactions <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/328766-funding-fears-for-wildlifefriendly-farming?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=News" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you have a minute, please Step up for Nature, farmland birds and agri-environment schemes with the RSPB by emailing a letter to David Cameron <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/steppingup/" target="_blank">here.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you.</span></div>
Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-1170048916857341562012-09-02T06:00:00.000+01:002012-09-02T06:00:05.249+01:00Lloyd - BTO Cuckoo UpdateFirst post for a long old while. A lot of the BTO cuckoos have moved on and into Africa, but Lloyd is lagging behind, with a few others. He's currently going round in circles along the Mediterranean coast of Italy and France. He's probably building up his strength for the sea crossing. Check it out <a href="http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking/wales/lloyd" target="_blank">here.</a>Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-83907275117611671472012-07-11T17:49:00.001+01:002012-07-11T17:49:28.191+01:00BTO Cuckoo 115597 Name Update<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My faithful pal BTO cuckoo 115597 has received a name! Check it out </span><a href="http://www.bto.org/news-events/news/three-names-and-lady" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" target="_blank">here.</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> He's now called Lloyd, after John Lloyd, a long standing BTO regional representative. All the cuckoos are now named. Good luck to all on migration.</span>Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-87421773677510209402012-07-09T07:44:00.000+01:002012-07-09T07:44:00.965+01:00BTO Cuckoo 115597 Update<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The latest position of BTO cuckoo 115597 is </span><a href="http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking/wales/115597" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" target="_blank">here,</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> in the south of France, not far from the Alps and the border with Italy and Switzerland. There hasn't been an update for over a week, so I expect another soon. 115597 is no longer the most southerly cuckoo, there is one in Bosnia and another on the border between France and Spain. I wonder if they will loiter in this area for some time whilst building up the energy to cross the Mediterranean. and onwards into Africa? We shall soon see, I don't doubt.</span></div>Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-51950398657108560212012-07-02T06:00:00.000+01:002012-07-02T06:00:08.871+01:00Plant: Pyramidal orchid - Anacamptis pyramidalis<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Pyramidal orchid (<i>Anacamptis pyramidalis</i>) observed on chalk grassland at Olivers Castle, Roundway Down, eastern end of Marlborough Downs overlooking Bromham. I have found this great blog, <a href="http://wildorchidsinbritain.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/pyramidal-orchid.html" target="_blank">Wild Orchids in Britain</a>, which is definitely worth a look if you are interested in orchids.</div>
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Resource: <a href="http://www.botanicalkeys.co.uk/flora/content/species.asp?1789" target="_blank">www.botanicalkeys.co.uk</a></div>
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<br />Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-56213570464792587352012-06-22T10:46:00.000+01:002012-06-22T10:46:03.775+01:00@WiltsWildlife Invasive Plant Project @TCVTweetsOn Tuesday our <a href="http://www.btcv.org.uk/cgi-bin/office_opps.cgi?region=sw#413195" target="_blank">TCV Trowbridge group</a> worked at removing <a href="http://www.ceh.ac.uk/sci_programmes/documents/HimalayanBalsam.pdf" target="_blank">Himalayan balsam</a> from the river Wylye to the south of Warminster. We were working under the <a href="http://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/what-we-do/thewiltshireinvasiveplantproject" target="_blank">Wiltshire Wildlife Trusts Invasive Plant Project</a> known as <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-18045683" target="_blank">'Source to Sea'</a>.Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-57487700574729549052012-06-22T10:25:00.000+01:002012-06-22T10:32:50.928+01:00@_BTO Cuckoo 115597 UpdateUnnamed BTO cuckoo '115597' has already motored on down to the south of France. <a href="http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking/wales/115597" target="_blank">Check it out</a>, he's the most southerly positioned of all the tagged cuckoos.Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-83568366356483205552012-06-19T06:00:00.000+01:002012-06-19T06:00:10.500+01:00Sponsor 'my' BTO cuckoo please<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today I've noticed that one of the unnamed, tagged, BTO cuckoos has flown over Morgans Hill reserve twice in the last 30 days. You can follow 115597's progress </span><a href="http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking/wales/115597" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" target="_blank">here.</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I'll be donating £10 for his upkeep and board. If you would like to donate you can do so </span><a href="http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking/sponsor-cuckoo?pk_campaign=cuckoo-sponsor-block&pk_kwd=Image" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, and if any kind and generous soul has £3000 knocking around that they don't really need, could they name him 'Morgan' for me. Thanks in advance.</span></div>Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-89667783214685405942012-06-04T06:00:00.000+01:002012-06-04T06:00:08.882+01:00Wiltshire Wildlife Trust - Morgans Hill Reserve<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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Yesterday I took up a new role as Assistant Reserve Warden at the <a href="http://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/" target="_blank">Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's</a> reserve at <a href="http://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/Reserves/morganshill.htm" target="_blank">Morgans Hill</a> on the Marlborough Downs. Morgans Hill is a superb area of mostly north facing chalk downland. It has a stunning array of orchids, wildflowers and butterflies. Unfortunately I didn't see any butterflies yesterday because the weather wasn't great but I was shown a good number of orchids and wildflowers by Reserve Warden, Tony Coultiss.</div>
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We spent several hours walking round the reserve discussing the role and generally observing what was happening on the reserve. I was on the look-out for birds whilst Tony showed me round.</div>
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There were a large number of yellowhammers, meadow pipits and skylarks. I saw a couple of ravens flying away from the reserve, a grey partridge in the car-park and best of all I spotted a red kite on the slopes just to the north of the site. Absolutely amazing bird and really pleased because that's the first time I've seen one in my locality.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRniLGgHc0HrwErlqRl8t8OD9sLJ75UuX-KAFcK_Hf8_hNKh_RPmZtQBCduX7vhlPU-zDPVpxhtXo_fw__joQpuFatWT9rLTkSk15Ch1Pkatv1e7wqTO0x9w8KgHd0Q07_Ec-WxLjANTQ/s1600/Yellow+Rattle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRniLGgHc0HrwErlqRl8t8OD9sLJ75UuX-KAFcK_Hf8_hNKh_RPmZtQBCduX7vhlPU-zDPVpxhtXo_fw__joQpuFatWT9rLTkSk15Ch1Pkatv1e7wqTO0x9w8KgHd0Q07_Ec-WxLjANTQ/s200/Yellow+Rattle.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Rattle</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Here you can see some of the plants that we observed. The fly orchid is particularly rare and Tony had never seen any kidney vetch on the site in the previous six years. However, he knew </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLGM79Z5Vnd30o_m-ISMYPzGVDuj-bVNyRtlULGAStlaenJUINUBteJ0Emf5BZuLERlSoz2yI1HjE5FdNru2VSEHT2yiqxr5v-56_323107oCushfcBRvi7oEooxNYLFqoueFtax572I/s1600/Kidney+Vetch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLGM79Z5Vnd30o_m-ISMYPzGVDuj-bVNyRtlULGAStlaenJUINUBteJ0Emf5BZuLERlSoz2yI1HjE5FdNru2VSEHT2yiqxr5v-56_323107oCushfcBRvi7oEooxNYLFqoueFtax572I/s200/Kidney+Vetch.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kidney Vetch</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwr-IG1TuiPK6QXDPiOywpoxDh6wCeAfWPstruvwbkzx1idQ1NWX_pnvqaNTFGdxCxCRTSIrbVp2B6kV3A87UNtT2oO6HWadV4ydfm1IfENvGUbTiRK6OZdkekQkwiBrTxAjAdo9m7e0/s1600/Horseshoe+Vetch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwr-IG1TuiPK6QXDPiOywpoxDh6wCeAfWPstruvwbkzx1idQ1NWX_pnvqaNTFGdxCxCRTSIrbVp2B6kV3A87UNtT2oO6HWadV4ydfm1IfENvGUbTiRK6OZdkekQkwiBrTxAjAdo9m7e0/s200/Horseshoe+Vetch.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horseshoe Vetch</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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that it was present because of the presence of a particular butterfly that only feeds on kidney vetch.</div>
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As things progress and I become more and more involved I will return to this subject in the future. No doubt I will have other observations and photos to share.Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-22990576066833867912012-05-31T16:21:00.003+01:002012-05-31T16:21:47.945+01:00DEFRA Backtrack on Buzzards (for now)<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Today I am a very happy person, wildlife minister Richard Benyon and DEFRA, yesterday listened to public opinion and stopped the planned buzzard management 'research'. Full details can be found <a href="http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2012/05/24/myth-bust-reports-that-defra-is-proposing-to-cull-buzzards/" target="_blank">here.</a></div>
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Although the top conservationists took up the mantle and did what they do very well indeed (such as <a href="http://markavery.info/2012/05/31/buzzards-3/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=buzzards-3" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/martinharper/archive/2012/05/30/public-steps-up-for-buzzards.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>), I have been over-joyed by the response of us 'ordinary' people. I am very proud that I stepped up and did my bit and I extend a very big thank-you to everyone else who did the same, especially those who were very active on Twitter.</div>
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However, I was not pleased with the response of Tim Bonner from Countryside Alliance <a href="http://www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/ca/campaigns-shooting/alliance-bitterly-disappointed-by-defra-u-turn-on-buzzard-control" target="_blank">here</a>. Mr. Bonner, I hold nothing back when I say that you do not speak for the countryside as a whole. Many people, myself included, live and work in the country and do not agree with you in any way, shape or form. I make no apologies for subjecting you and DEFRA to a 'trial by Twitter', as you put it. In fact be prepared for more of the same on other issues.</div>
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I'll leave you today with the words of Matthew Chatfield which neatly encompass my views on this whole affair. It is an excellent article, on an excellent website. Check it out <a href="http://www.naturenet.net/blogs/2012/05/buzzard-poking/" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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<i>Now if this was a project to investigate the actual extent of
physical and economic damage caused by buzzards on shooting estates,
that might be fair. But it isn’t. DEFRA has skipped the task of
quantifying this damage and makes the awkward leap from hearing that
lots of gamekeepers believe ‘buzzards have a harmful effect upon
gamebirds' right across to deciding there is ‘an urgent need to identify
management techniques’. What’s missing is firstly, any weighing up of
the evidence that these perceived losses are genuine or have any
significant impact; and secondly, any consideration of the merits – if
any – of buzzards as a native species.</i></div>
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<i>It’s a modest compensation that the project also includes some analysis of the problem, with a requirement to “<em>establish
a baseline of predation of pheasant poults both inside and close to
release pens differentiating, where possible, between different
predators.</em>” But this is the work that should have been done first,
before the rest of the study was designed – as it could quite possibly
demonstrate that there is no need for it.</i></div>
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<br />Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4844449941277435675.post-29432761290810818562012-05-26T06:00:00.000+01:002012-05-26T06:00:03.938+01:00Step right up and #SaveOurBuzzards<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
At the time that I wrote my blog on pheasants, <a href="http://nick-self.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/pheasants.html" target="_blank">here</a>, little did I know that within a few, short days the touch paper would be lit on a DEFRA scandal of epic proportions. The poor old beleaguered pheasants have been well and truly caught in no-mans land. Shot by one side and not even wanted by the other.</div>
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I do not have a problem with pheasants as individuals, I love to watch their daily soap opera in my back garden and on my local patch. However, I am worried about the damage that millions of released pheasants may be causing to our countryside and woodland. We have to remember that pheasants are not native to this country and require careful management. Natures balance can be easily upset. Just look at what has happened to the red squirrels.</div>
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That is why management of buzzards to protect pheasants cannot be allowed to happen. The buzzard, or any other native raptor for that matter, must not become the 'fall-guy' for the appeasement of the shooting fraternity. Rather they should be looked upon as an integral part of non-native species management. Research in the USA has shown that a healthy raptor population can in fact be part of the solution to upsurges in the pheasant population and the increased ecological damage that this can cause. Let us not forget that a percentage of the released birds make it through to the feral population each season. They are breeding and they are becoming more numerous. I see it every summer in my own back garden.</div>
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The good news is that in this age of 'super fast technological wonders' we can all do something about this issue. We can sign e-petitions <a href="http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/minister-for-wildlife-and-biodiversity-defra-stop-the-subsidy-for-buzzard-nest-destruction" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/304/227/564/defra-dont-spend-taxpayers-money-on-harassing-buzzards/" target="_blank">here</a>. We can 'step up for nature' with the RSPB <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/steppingup/" target="_blank">here</a>. We can harness the power of Twitter and Facebook to contact our MP and make our voices heard. We can go 'once more into the breach' with this man <a href="http://markavery.info/2012/05/25/pheasants-buzzards-defra/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pheasants-buzzards-defra" target="_blank">here</a>. But most importantly together we can <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/realtime/%23saveourbuzzards" target="_blank">#SaveOurBuzzards</a>. It all depends on if you want to.</div>
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I want to, do you?</div>
<br />Nick Selfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02036101090054897775noreply@blogger.com0