A pair of Marshside Oystercatchers were setting up home on the island in front of Sandgrounders this afternoon - hardly the smartest move after the predation of the Avocet nests there previously (no finger pointing, but those two GBBs on the Sandplant lagoon look mighty shifty!)
The Oycs may fare better than the Avocets, but I have my doubts.
I suspect they have as much chance as the Peregrines in the town centre this Spring.
Apparently the Avos at Martin Mere have taken a hammering too this year.
Five new Avocet nests now on the island in front of Nels, some with eggs, others just at the scrape stage, with birds yelping and mating in the shallows.
Someone really should tell them that once you lay eggs, you're supposed to sit on them, not beside them.
This bird did finally wake up and actually try to brood the eggs, but not for a good 20 minutes as another May rain shower swept in on the south westerly. Not much else from Nels - about 40 Dunlin and a roost of 150 or so Blackwits, but the recent downpours mean the water level is kinda high for interesting small waders at the moment.
The male Garganey was still on the Junction Pool, and the white bellied Common Swift was tazzing about, while south of the Sandplant, still six Wheatears and a few Meadow Pipits.
While I'm on the subject of the Sandplant, thanks to Simon Glinn, who sent me an account of his latest experiences trying to find out what's happening.
Fox Brothers trucks shifting lorry loads of sand today, but it still ain't looking any prettier...
The Sandplant site is up for discussion at the Southport Area Committee Meeting at Southport Town Hall on Wednesday evening at 6.30pm.
You can download the latest report from the planning department here.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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BritainâÂÂs Got Talent maybe a forgone conclusion, but everythingâÂÂs still to play for as the UK public begin voting for the nationâÂÂs most wildlife friendly farmer.
Susan BoyleâÂÂs beautiful singing has made her the odds on favourite in the TV talent contest, but itâÂÂs the sound of BritainâÂÂs rural songbirds that has helped four talented farmers reach the shortlist of the RSPBâÂÂs Nature of Farming Award.
Darren Moorcroft, head of Conservation Management Advice at the RSPB, said: âÂÂVital work is taking place on farms across the UK to help conserve our nationâÂÂs wildlife and we feel it's important to celebrate those efforts. Many species of animals, plants and insects are benefiting as a result of farmers employing more sensitive measures on their land and as the many entries for this award have shown us, they are very proud of the results.âÂÂ
Farmers from across the UK entered the award â now in its second year â hoping to impress the judges with their conservation projects and wildlife friendly farming techniques. The award is organised by the RSPB in partnership with Plantlife International, Countryfile Magazine and Butterfly Conservation
Following much deliberation, four regional finalists have made it to the shortlist after being judged on their efforts to protect and restore habitats for birds and other wildlife.
Stephen and Joceline Gibson of Birkdale farm, Terrington, York, beat off stiff competition to be named Northern EnglandâÂÂs regional winner and one of the four finalists.
The GibsonâÂÂs 120 hectare mixed arable and sheep farm has been so successful as a home to rare flowers, a wide variety of bird species and insect pondlife that it is regularly visited by university researchers and ecologists.
Chris Tomson, the RSPBâÂÂs Regional Agricultural Advisor in Northern England said: âÂÂThe Gibson's are incredibly enthusiastic about their conservation work, which complements their farming system. The farm is not a nature reserve but a good commercial farm that has an extensive range of wildlife habitats created by the visionary owners. There is a whole range of rare arable plants, which are absent from neighbouring farms and nationally. Birds such as skylarks, turtle doves, tree sparrows and barn owls together with dragonflies all benefit from the work on the farm.âÂÂ
The next stage of the contest will see the RSPB opening up the voting to the Great British public. Voters can log onto the webpoll at www.rspb.org.uk/farmvote to read a profile of each finalist before making their choice. The RSPB will also take the public vote out on the road by attending the major county shows and events throughout the UK in the coming months. The vote runs until August 28.
I'm just trying to sort out the 2008 records of Cattle Egrets for BBRC.
As far as I'm aware the Marshside records of singles on 27-28 October and 7 November (same bird?) have not been submitted.
Could you try to persuade the observer(s) to submit them via me? Otherwise, the records will be 'lost'.
All the best,
Steve.
stephen.white2@tesco.net
Hi Steve,
I submitted the records just last week and got confirmation from BBRC.
Dave Nickeas