Superlatives don't really cover these pics by Rich Steel (fresh from his appearance on "Countryfile" at the weekend), of the extremely obliging young Cuckoo down at Parkgate recently - so hard to get a good view of the species these last few summers, let alone wonderful shots like these.
Almost enough to take my mind off the seawatching possibilities of this week, as the westerly continues to batter the trees at Dempsey Towers.
Almost. But not quite.
Wonder where that Cuckoo is now?
Thanks again for the pix Rich - the link to the man's site is on the right.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Lucy Nixon, BTO wrote...
Amber listed as a bird of conservation concern; the Lapwing has shown significant declines in recent years, along with other farmland birds. Results from a recent survey, carried out by the British Trust for Ornithology, show a ray of hope for this one of our most threatened farmland birds.
As part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, the Government set the target of reversing the declines in farmland birds in England by 2020. To achieve this, Agri-environment schemes (AES) have been put in place. To test the effectiveness of fallow plots, one of the options of these schemes, the BTO launched the Lapwing in Plots Survey (LiPS).
Lapwings are known to use fallow plots in fields when they are available, as the pilot study for the AES showed that such fallow plots proved successful for Lapwings in the West Midlands in the 90’s. The results from a total of 212 plots surveyed by BTO volunteers, and published in the latest BTO News, showed that fallow plots are important for breeding Lapwings, but more importantly, the location of those plots within the farmscape influenced the likelihood of Lapwings using them.
A plot with an open aspect, away from woods, hedgerows and trees is more likely to be used by Lapwings, particularly when the management of those plots promotes plenty of bare ground. During the survey visits Lapwings were seen on 39% of plots with breeding suspected on 25% of them. By considering the location of new plots within fields the number of Lapwings using them could be increased, proving better value for the AES and for the birds.
Dan Chamberlain, Research Ecologist at the BTO said, “This study has highlighted the importance of monitoring the success of the AES options. By creating the right kind of plot in the best possible position within the field, the Lapwing occupancy rate could be increased significantly, helping to reverse the declining numbers of this iconic farmland bird.”
Other UK priority species that were recorded on the plots were the red listed Skylark and Grey Partridge, and the amber listed Yellowhammer and Linnet.
Posted by: Lucy Nixon, BTO | September 30, 2008 5:45 PM