JohnWe can attribute this totally to the demise of their ideal habitat, 'the grassland' that has now been smothered by reeds. Although reed beds are a fantastic habitat in the right place. According to the RSPB representative that visited last year, the Flashes is not ideal place (for one reason or another). We have some very stark choices next year before the waders are compromised by more loss of habitat. We have now lost redshank as a breeding species and the iconic bird of Upton could be next. This is problem is not insurmountable and a few tweaks could reverse the trend, but it is not going to fix itself. In the early days of the work party, we carried out much of the work to encourage Lapwing and now 28 years later that challenge rears it's ugly head again. I for one will do my up-most to achieve that goal.
We can attribute this totally to the demise of their ideal habitat, 'the grassland' that has now been smothered by reeds. Although reed beds are a fantastic habitat in the right place. According to the RSPB representative that visited last year, the Flashes is not ideal place (for one reason or another). We have some very stark choices next year before the waders are compromised by more loss of habitat. We have now lost redshank as a breeding species and the iconic bird of Upton could be next. This is problem is not insurmountable and a few tweaks could reverse the trend, but it is not going to fix itself. In the early days of the work party, we carried out much of the work to encourage Lapwing and now 28 years later that challenge rears it's ugly head again. I for one will do my up-most to achieve that goal.
Dave, I was thinking about going for your record year list. I am a bit concerned that even though you have not been trying this year you may well have thrashed me again8-P
Dave is going to need a few waders to get anywhere near close.
Des.
