Unique birding event as rare Mediterranean wader breeds for the first time in Sussex (1 Viewer)

[BF Newsroom]

Black winged stilt pair nest at Medmerry and RSPB mounts 24 hr watch

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[silverback69]

Seems irresponsible to me that the RSPB should advertise the fact that they are breeding. Why not leave it until they had successfully bred or failed for that matter then break the news?

 

[scary-canary]

Seems irresponsible to me that the RSPB should advertise the fact that they are breeding. Why not leave it until they had successfully bred or failed for that matter then break the news?

Presumably they are confident of their 24 hour guard. And they want to give pekoe the chance to see it.
Chris

 

[chris butterworth]

Seems irresponsible to me that the RSPB should advertise the fact that they are breeding. Why not leave it until they had successfully bred or failed for that matter then break the news?

There is a fine line between releasing news of birds such as BwS breeding, and allowing the public the chance to see them, and the threat of egg collectors raiding the nest ( the scum probably knew about the attempt as soon as the RSPB did anyway ). A steady trickle of people coming to see the birds during the daytime releases the wardens / vols to do the ( from personal experience ), what can be nerve wracking, night shift.

 

[silverback69]

Presumably they are confident of their 24 hour guard. And they want to give pekoe the chance to see it.
Chris

Ppl who visit the reserve are gonna be told the birds are there. Why mention that they are breeding as well. What do they gain by releasing that info?
What comes next, an arrow to mark the nest site?

 

[coal tit]

Yes I Hope this Pair of birds well in their breeding Attempt, I Always find it so sad that there are Always those That
Are quite Happy To Destroy For Profit Or Gain The Kind i Would,nt Give A helping hand to If they were sinking in
Quick sand.

 

[Phil Andrews]

Ppl who visit the reserve are gonna be told the birds are there. Why mention that they are breeding as well. What do they gain by releasing that info?
What comes next, an arrow to mark the nest site?

At the end of the day the RSPB needs to generate money to further its aims. On occasions it needs a "hook" to get people interested and take out memberships, make donations etc; "leggy lovelies from the sun-kissed Med" is a once in a decade opportunity. As the site would have been wardened anyhow due to the presence of breeding stilts I dont have an issue with them releasing news to the wider public.

 

[silverback69]

At the end of the day the RSPB needs to generate money to further its aims. On occasions it needs a "hook" to get people interested and take out memberships, make donations etc; "leggy lovelies from the sun-kissed Med" is a once in a decade opportunity. As the site would have been wardened anyhow due to the presence of breeding stilts I dont have an issue with them releasing news to the wider public.

Yep, you hit the nail on the head there.
It's all about the ££££'s

 

[Phil Andrews]

Yep, you hit the nail on the head there.
It's all about the ££££'s

Of course it is and without it the RSPB wouldnt be able to purchase and manage reserves, commission research, lobby governments etc.

 

[ApusApus]

Several years ago the RSPB set up a watch point in Lincolnshire on 2 breeding Montys. Lots of people were able to visit and see birds that they would normally not get to see. The Montys successfully fledged 4 young so providing it's handled correctly I don't see the problem!


Shane

 

[chris butterworth]

When the BwS bred in Norfolk, the news was put out, and a volunteer Wardening scheme instigated. It turned out successfully for all involved, and lots of casual birders got a chance to see them. The same with the Hen Harriers in Derbys., in 1997. Although it may be viewed, cynically IMO, as an opportunity to raise funds for conservation, it allows conservation organisations to raise the consciousness of the general public towards wildlife. Anything that does that has to be applauded.

 

[Simon Wates]

Ppl who visit the reserve are gonna be told the birds are there. Why mention that they are breeding as well. What do they gain by releasing that info?
What comes next, an arrow to mark the nest site?

I don't know the reserve but seeing that BWS nest in the open it would be plainly obvious that they are breeding to visitors anyway.

In cases like these it can be more risky trying to keep secrets.

We are spolied with them down here but they never fail to entertain - I hope these Essex ones have a nice summer and return - maybe one day there will be a colony in the UK.

 

[Phil Andrews]

I don't know the reserve but seeing that BWS nest in the open it would be plainly obvious that they are breeding to visitors anyway.

In cases like these it can be more risky trying to keep secrets.

We are spolied with them down here but they never fail to entertain - I hope these Essex ones have a nice summer and return - maybe one day there will be a colony in the UK.

Or even Sussex! A pair were also attempting to nest this year at Cliffe Marshes, again with a 24 hour guard from the RSPB. Such events are vital in galvinising public opinion against airport expansion in the Thames Estuary by proving what a valuable habitat would be lost.

 

[Simon Wates]

Or even Sussex!

the sky's ablaze with pink legs - can't I be innocent

A pair were also attempting to nest this year at Cliffe Marshes, again with a 24 hour guard from the RSPB. Such events are vital in galvinising public opinion against airport expansion in the Thames Estuary by proving what a valuable habitat would be lost.

Yes - these birds are excellent publicity - always provoke fascination from the general public and so easy to see well.

Here in the Algarve a few hundred local schoolchildren built nesting islands for them - they were fierce protectors and practically adopted them as family members. This project brought the area into the limelight locally and the area thay breed in is now treasured by many more local public.

 

[Richard Powell]

So when the egger appears, what do the the 24 hour Home Guard do exactly? The cold steel, they don't like it up 'em? Or perhaps they have an AK47?

Call me an old stick in the mud, but I am concerned by the publicity that has now surrounded both pairs of Stilts. But of course, I hope they're successful.

 

[silverback69]

Could anyone tell me what the 'immediate action' drill is, if egg collectors are spotted?

 

[chris butterworth]

Could anyone tell me what the 'immediate action' drill is, if egg collectors are spotted?

I don't know what the drill will be with the BwS at Medmerry but, from experience, just appearing in front of an ( alleged ) egger is enough to send them scuttling off ( rolling a... over t.. down a steep clough side in the case of the Derbyshire Hen Harrier nest :t: ). As the greatest threat will be at night then, I presume, the wardens will be armed with a torch, and 1•5 million candlewatt in the face is something you really don't want to experience. Richards cynicism, while probably well meaning, does show a lack of knowledge about the scum that steal eggs. They probably know the exact site of each and every rare breeding species in Britain, so keeping an extremely visible and noisy species such as BwS under wraps would almost guarantee the loss of the eggs. The more publicity, the more eyes watching the area, the safer they will be.

 

[Phil Andrews]

From my experiences of 24 hour watches the torch would probably be employed differently ...

 

[chris butterworth]

From my experiences of 24 hour watches the torch would probably be employed differently ...

"allegedly"

 

[ApusApus]

From my experiences of 24 hour watches the torch would probably be employed differently ...

If you use a torch with "hard" light the effect is quite noticeable!


Shane