Has anyone seen the Stork... I've been asked if it has a chunk of feathers in the wing damaged/missing. One was seen over the Lound area on Friday and they got photos.
Oh Dan, I saw a pair of Grey Partridge over the road near Derbyshires Farm last week (top of Far Laund in Belper) I was wondering if they might be a few of your big flock still hanging around as its been a while since I saw 'em in that area....
ATB
Steph'
Has anyone seen the Stork... I've been asked if it has a chunk of feathers in the wing damaged/missing. One was seen over the Lound area on Friday and they got photos.
Oh Dan, I saw a pair of Grey Partridge over the road near Derbyshires Farm last week (top of Far Laund in Belper) I was wondering if they might be a few of your big flock still hanging around as its been a while since I saw 'em in that area....
ATB
Steph'
Off to Majorca Friday so thought I would open up a debate for discussion as its been quiet on here....................
Birding Sunday and the topic of RSPB member yes or no came up. Got me thinking.....I seldom use their reserves, the magazines never read and dropped off at the Doctors surgery and I am sick of begging letters. I hate the fact they "seem" unable to get a grip of raptor persecution (does anyone bother with the raptor free zone of Ladybower area now by the way?) and think the hides at Titchwell (million quids worth) are a huge waste of members money. Reserves nowadays are more about gifts and over priced snacks than owt else. And dont get me started on Ruddy Ducks...........
But they are good landowners and obviously protect some species.......
Could I spend the money on something more worth while?!
Well I have been a RSPB member for some years as has my wife and we do tend to visit their reserves such as Conwy, Marshside and Burton Mere.
I think now that birding and wildlife watching has gone from a being a minority hobby to one the masses are enjoying means that they are now in a difficult position.
On one hand birders just want some where dry to watch and enjoy the birds and maybe grab a brew at the end of the day. The masses though expect that little bit more such as the new hide at Titchwell and Burton Mere although not ideal they do provide the wow factor that will keep the masses coming back and more importantly their money (which allows them to expand on their reserves sush as has happened at Burton Mere).
Having just become a new Dad when I am out birding with our 7 month old kid in tow these new hides although not ideal for birders are more family friendly and have allowed us to still go birding so they are not all bad.
With Raptors I think the RSPB are trying to bring on side the shooting/game keeping chaps rather than using the stick approach although this will take longer its probably best in the long run. If the RSPB just simply ran campaigns against the practice they would end up being called a load of townies that don't under stand the countryside by the likes of the Countryside Alliance. This could harm the work they are already doing in the Peaks alongside the National Trust. Time though will tell if they have got the balance right and hopefully before its too late.
So over all I am pro RSPB yes they could be doing more for raptors but I liketo think they are doing the right thing. As for the new style hides they maybe arn't for your traditional birder, but in the years to come we may all learn to love them and hate the drafty traditional style hides.
Tim.
Much to the disgust of the gathering up at the Beeley Triangle on Tuesday evening, some person was seen to be trampling all over the area I know as Harefield Moor, the field at the side of the triangle.
No one seemed to know what he was trying to find or photograph he just wondered all over the moor quite aimlessly, pointing his camera wherever he chose. I know there were Snipe on the ground because they kept flying up. He generally disturbed anything that was about.
Although he was carrying a small camera, I won't refer to him as a photographer because all the photographers I know wouldn't have even considered doing what he did. He was ambling about on the moor for over an hour and a half.
Apologies for the rant but it only takes one person to give other a very bad name.