Scousemouse
Well-known member
For UK birders.. just noticed this, this morning:
Thoughts?!
FREEZING CONDITIONS HEIGHTEN DISTURBANCE THREAT TO WETLAND
BIRDS
Joint statement released this morning.........
For the first time in over a decade, nature conservation bodies are
today [Tuesday 6 January 2009] calling on birdwatchers, walkers,
anglers and water sports enthusiasts across Britain to minimise
disturbance to groups of ducks, geese, swans and wading birds. On
lakes, rivers, wetlands, and coastal areas the birds will be
struggling to survive after enduring seven consecutive days of
freezing temperatures.
The group making today's call include the RSPB, the British Trust
for Ornithology, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and Natural England.
Following a run of mild winters, this is the first time in a decade
that this call has been made in England. An appeal in Scotland was
issued in 2003.
Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's conservation director, said: "During
freezing conditions disturbance forces the birds to squander their
precious energy reserves by taking flight when they need to spend as
much time as possible feeding.
"Although we haven't made this appeal since 1997, we hope everyone
who uses the countryside will heed our advice, allowing the millions
of birds which visit the UK's coasts and wetlands during the winter
to stand a better chance of survival."
If the severe weather continues for 14 days in succession, the
shooting of some species of duck, geese, and wading bird can be
suspended for a fortnight to help the birds recover. The last time
such a ban was imposed was in 1997.
The birds affected include ducks – including wigeon and pintail –
and wading birds, such as godwits, dunlin and knot. These birds
either nest in the Arctic, or further north or east in Europe.
During the winter the birds visit the UK to escape harsher
conditions further north.
Dr Andre Farrar, the RSPB's protected area campaigner, said: "Even
at a time when our climate is warming, we can still expect freezing
conditions, but less frequently. Wildfowl and wading birds respond
to these icy blasts by moving further south and west. Mild winters
have allowed some of these international travellers to cut short
their journeys, with more remaining within the eastern half of
Britain.
"As the natural world responds to the freeze, we can expect the UK's
vital coastal wetlands to play a role in helping these hardy birds
survive the winter. If the freeze continues, we can expect the
warmer estuaries on our west coast – such as the Severn, Dee,
Mersey, Ribble, Morecambe Bay and the Solway - to be especially
important as birds escape the weather. These are amongst our most
important wildlife sites. The winter of 2009 is likely to show just
how vital they are to the survival of thousands of water birds."
Thoughts?!
FREEZING CONDITIONS HEIGHTEN DISTURBANCE THREAT TO WETLAND
BIRDS
Joint statement released this morning.........
For the first time in over a decade, nature conservation bodies are
today [Tuesday 6 January 2009] calling on birdwatchers, walkers,
anglers and water sports enthusiasts across Britain to minimise
disturbance to groups of ducks, geese, swans and wading birds. On
lakes, rivers, wetlands, and coastal areas the birds will be
struggling to survive after enduring seven consecutive days of
freezing temperatures.
The group making today's call include the RSPB, the British Trust
for Ornithology, the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and Natural England.
Following a run of mild winters, this is the first time in a decade
that this call has been made in England. An appeal in Scotland was
issued in 2003.
Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's conservation director, said: "During
freezing conditions disturbance forces the birds to squander their
precious energy reserves by taking flight when they need to spend as
much time as possible feeding.
"Although we haven't made this appeal since 1997, we hope everyone
who uses the countryside will heed our advice, allowing the millions
of birds which visit the UK's coasts and wetlands during the winter
to stand a better chance of survival."
If the severe weather continues for 14 days in succession, the
shooting of some species of duck, geese, and wading bird can be
suspended for a fortnight to help the birds recover. The last time
such a ban was imposed was in 1997.
The birds affected include ducks – including wigeon and pintail –
and wading birds, such as godwits, dunlin and knot. These birds
either nest in the Arctic, or further north or east in Europe.
During the winter the birds visit the UK to escape harsher
conditions further north.
Dr Andre Farrar, the RSPB's protected area campaigner, said: "Even
at a time when our climate is warming, we can still expect freezing
conditions, but less frequently. Wildfowl and wading birds respond
to these icy blasts by moving further south and west. Mild winters
have allowed some of these international travellers to cut short
their journeys, with more remaining within the eastern half of
Britain.
"As the natural world responds to the freeze, we can expect the UK's
vital coastal wetlands to play a role in helping these hardy birds
survive the winter. If the freeze continues, we can expect the
warmer estuaries on our west coast – such as the Severn, Dee,
Mersey, Ribble, Morecambe Bay and the Solway - to be especially
important as birds escape the weather. These are amongst our most
important wildlife sites. The winter of 2009 is likely to show just
how vital they are to the survival of thousands of water birds."
