I've often made a big deal about how Baron's Haugh RSPB is my local patch, and involves a 20 minute drive to get there. I've always felt it was worth it, to immerse myself in what was my first reserve visited, where the wonders of this unassuming place in industrial Motherwell were first laid open to me. I think of ten of the halcyon days of summers past, 6am visits on summer mornings to visit 'warbler corner' and later in the summer for ruff, blackwit, and on more than one occasion, Little Stint. But sadly, no more.
I lived in Lancaster for a year to complete my master's degree, and after 12 months, I returned home to find my room had been re-decorated (and cleaned...) and it was, effectively, no longer mine. There was no malice in my mother's decision to exchange my black walls for something less depressing and student- y. It didn't make the change any less jarring though. This memory came back to me a couple of weeks ago when I visited the Haugh. Having not been in a while, I was over- eager to get there. The treasures of Dalzell Woods (GSW and nuthatch) the possibility of warblers and sandpipers (green or otherwise) had me foaming at the mouth almost. Instead of this festival of viritas, however, I was struck by how lifeless things were. Blue tits and Great tits called feebly in Dalzell, but the trees and canopy were still and quiet. No nuthatch, no GSW either drumming or 'chacking.' A visit to the Hides was equally fruitless. A coldwind seemed to blow, even though the weather itself was fine. There was no wall of woodland noise to stand and savour. Instead, the stampede of dog walkers and cyclists made standing anywhere more than a little dangerous.
Undaunted by the crushing disappointment of this, I took my son there last Friday, hoping against hope that it would improve. Alas, another wasted journey, and another exercise in lifelessness. EVen my son, who is possibly the most optimistic person I know, looked defeated. This was no longer the home that I knew, no longer the happy place my mind wanders to during those boring hours at work when I imagine kicking my boots off and feeling the twigs, soil and leaves under my bare toes. I understand that there is a limit to what the RSPB can do, but years of benign neglect and failing to sell this place as a birding nirvana is now having an effect.
I lived in Lancaster for a year to complete my master's degree, and after 12 months, I returned home to find my room had been re-decorated (and cleaned...) and it was, effectively, no longer mine. There was no malice in my mother's decision to exchange my black walls for something less depressing and student- y. It didn't make the change any less jarring though. This memory came back to me a couple of weeks ago when I visited the Haugh. Having not been in a while, I was over- eager to get there. The treasures of Dalzell Woods (GSW and nuthatch) the possibility of warblers and sandpipers (green or otherwise) had me foaming at the mouth almost. Instead of this festival of viritas, however, I was struck by how lifeless things were. Blue tits and Great tits called feebly in Dalzell, but the trees and canopy were still and quiet. No nuthatch, no GSW either drumming or 'chacking.' A visit to the Hides was equally fruitless. A coldwind seemed to blow, even though the weather itself was fine. There was no wall of woodland noise to stand and savour. Instead, the stampede of dog walkers and cyclists made standing anywhere more than a little dangerous.
Undaunted by the crushing disappointment of this, I took my son there last Friday, hoping against hope that it would improve. Alas, another wasted journey, and another exercise in lifelessness. EVen my son, who is possibly the most optimistic person I know, looked defeated. This was no longer the home that I knew, no longer the happy place my mind wanders to during those boring hours at work when I imagine kicking my boots off and feeling the twigs, soil and leaves under my bare toes. I understand that there is a limit to what the RSPB can do, but years of benign neglect and failing to sell this place as a birding nirvana is now having an effect.