"Hi John
I know you have a bit of a soft spot for the old storm bats so here is a few more Leach's photos from yesterday.
Cheers
Rich"
So read the e-mail from Mr Steel yesterday - and he's right of course, I just can't get enough of Leach's Petrel, or "Storm Bat" as my Wirral contemporaries seem happy to call the poor critters....I dunno, you sail millimetres over the waves, in the fiercest of tempests, avoid being scoffed by gulls and even walk on water, and they still call you a "Storm Bat"....there's no justice in the world.
Anyway here's the latest brilliant batch of Leach's shots from Rich (thanks again buddy).
No more I promise (until the next hurricane remnant blasts across the Atlantic - Karl or Igor, come on down....)
Appears to be just a handful passing on this side of the Mersey today, so that seems to be that for the time being "Storm Bat" wise.
Working today, so didn't get much chance for birding, although a few parties of Mipits and wagtails were on the move, and at about 7pm, at least 1,000 Pink Feet were moving around on the mudflats off Southport, mostly heading up toward the Ribble.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Pec Sand with 7 Spotted Reds in front of Nel's hide at Marshside on Saturday gave wonderful views, until the Red Arrows buzzed the whole reserve at low level several times. About 2000 Pinkfeet and another 1000 or so assorted ducks and waders, including the Spotted Reds, headed off in all directions, many of the geese going straight up! One wonders whether our gallant lads have ever heard of "bird-strike".
absolutely awesome photos give that man a sea grr best i've eva seen
I agree with Phil Smith I was at Marshside last year and couldn't believe how low a Chinhook helicopter flew across the reserve more than once scattering everything up into the air in all directions.
Not long got back from the Isle Of Man got nice views of Gannet, Manx Shearwaters,Terns and Guillemots all close to the Sea Cat.
Great photography. "Storm Bat" is an interesting name.
Female Marsh Harrier panicking the Teal on the splashes and almost had a Moorhen before heading over fields opposite Hale Decoy. Kingfisher on the brook too.
Went to Inner Marsh Farm today saw great views of an immature Whiskered Tern also lots of usual stuff there.
An interesting read from raptor politics:
EnglandâÂÂs last Golden Eagle-Consigned to the Historical Dustbin?
The Bassenthwaite ospreys have provided many of the raptor headlines from Cumbria during the last few years but that situation might change in the near future with the release of red kites in Grizedale forest. When the kites begin to breed they will, no doubt, generate a huge amount of publicity for the people involved and probably some self-congratulatory back-slapping.
As with the ospreys, though, to justify the effort and resources required on this project attention will be diverted away from other species and it is a sad indictment of attitudes and fashion that the species most likely to suffer in this way will again be EnglandâÂÂs rarest bird, the magnificent golden eagle.
It is safe to say that the golden eagle has been resident in Cumbria for at least fifty years but its fame has followed its fate. The necessary secrecy which added to the mystique of the early years was replaced by publicity as its breeding status became established but in its decline the cessation of breeding saw interest waver and the loss of an established pair saw professional concern disappear altogether. The RSPB continue to monitor the site but with biodiversity still a buzz-word it is odd that there is no apparent effort or desire to improve the eagleâÂÂs status or secure its future in the north of England. So with kites being released nationwide, with ospreys released in the English Midlands and elsewhere and, after Scotland, there being proposals to release white-tailed sea-eagles in Suffolk, of all places, why is there so little effort on behalf of the golden eagle?
The taking of Scottish eaglets for release in Ireland has had some success so why could one female not be considered for release in the long-established and still occupied Haweswater territory here in Cumbria? On a broader scale, why can there not be a golden eagle reintroduction project for the north of England? It cannot be through a lack of suitable habitat or food supply as visiting many parts of the Pennines reveals richer habitat and prey diversity than is found in many Scottish territories and it would take very little effort and resources to improve the situation at Haweswater.
The risk of persecution cannot be an issue either. In fact, some people might consider that to be beneficial because if the general public were prevented from seeing golden eagles by criminals directly linked to field-sports the outcry would be deafening. There would appear to be few good reasons not to take a more proactive approach to golden eagle conservation.
In reality, the problem with eagle conservation has long been largely one of political expediency. It is easier to work with kites, ospreys and sea-eagles because they are more amenable to public display. Regardless of its âÂÂiconicâ status the golden eagle is apparently too dull to attract the general public in large numbers or to generate significant income. A reintroduction project would not see flocks of eagles coming to feed close to major roads at a set time every day, there would no birds to track to Africa and back every year, and no flying barn doors that would happily spend time at Leighton Moss or Martinmere, just a bird or two that might be seen briefly from several kilometres away or missed altogether as it sits on a rock for hours on end. But is that really a sufficient reason to shun the golden eagle or to leave the remaining Haweswater bird forever trapped in a wasted life?
Historical Information:
Eagles first returned to Haweswater about 1967, the first clutch of 2 eggs were laid in 1969 but they were unsuccessful. Geoff Horne removed both abandoned eggs; currently the clutch is retained in Tullie House Museum.
The first male from the territory disappeared in 1976, followed with the loss from the site of a second male in in 2001. The territory is currently occupied by the third male of unknown age.
The first female died in 1981 and was then replaced by a second female which disappeared in 2004.
Successful Breeding Years:
Between the years 1970 â 1996 a total of 16 eaglets successfully fledged from eyries at Haweswater, one single chick in each of the years below;
1970;1971; 1972; 1974; 1977; 1978; 1980; 1982; 1983; 1984; 1986; 1988; 1989;
1991; 1992; 1996.
David Walker (Cumbria)
Have you ever considered joining the RSPB or fancy finding out more?
Then this Sunday (26th) we are holding an RSPB Membership Taster event at Leighton Moss as a special chance for you to find out more about the RSPB and how you can make a difference by supporting our work to help nature.
This free event includes a short illustrated talk and a guided walk and runs from 10 am to 12 noon. No need to book - just come alongâŠâÂÅ hope to see you then!