POLL: Is The RSPB worth Joining ? (1 Viewer)

[simon]

Do the NO'S still visit RSPB reserves ? especially if a rarity is reported

 

[Jos Stratford]

Can't understand why there isn't a 100 % yes to this debate - the question is 'Is the RSPB worth joining?' Can anybody seriously believe it is not worth joining? Can't afford to join maybe, but not worth joining, I don't think so. Lots of posts here raised issues such as the Ruddy Duck cull, whether they like the Birds magazine etc, but does anybody truelly believe these are reasons for not joining?

Come and live in a country where the likes of the RSPB are just dreams, then reflect a bit on the sterling work they do ...have to say to all those who voted no, wake up!

 

[Jasonbirder]

I`m a member and always have been by the way Even though there are individual issues that I strongly disagree with they certainly do far more good work than bad!

 

[Alan Hobson]

Do the NO'S still visit RSPB reserves ? especially if a rarity is reported

I wondered when someone was going to bring this up. And the answer is very simple.

I am not an RSPB member because they claim to speak on behalf of their membership - in fact they use this claim a great deal - yet they certainly do not speak on behalf of me re either Ruddy Ducks or Magpies. So I don't feel I can be a member.

On the other hand, not even the RSPB claims to speak on behalf of all its visitors. So I can happily visit the RSPB sites without this action meaning they are claiming to speak on my behalf.

So there are no double standards at all, Simon, despite your unsubtle insinuation to the contrary.

 

[Nightranger]

I am not an RSPB member because they claim to speak on behalf of their membership - in fact they use this claim a great deal - yet they certainly do not speak on behalf of me re either Ruddy Ducks or Magpies. So I don't feel I can be a member.

So there are no double standards at all, despite your unsubtle insinuation to the contrary.

Hi Alan,

I have no problem at all with that attitude and I totally understand both your and Jason's positions (despite you having different approaches). At the end of the day it is a matter of conscience and I definitely do NOT see it as double-standards for someone to support a reserve or distinct campaign rather than the RSPB as a whole. We mentioned this before but it is the wildlife that counts and literally, every little helps.

BTW, do you have references for the magpie v thrush papers. I would genuinely like to take a look.

Ian

 

[Nightranger]

Come and live in a country where the likes of the RSPB are just dreams, then reflect a bit on the sterling work they do ...have to say to all those who voted no, wake up!

Thanks Jos,

I think Tim will back me up on this one but it would be nice if Birdlife International partners around the world were as well resourced as the RSPB. In some countries, the partners comprise one bloke and a parrot called Colin in a converted Sprite caravan. Flippant but a serious point when you consider that bloke has to try and get the message out to several million people.

Ian

 

[Alan Hobson]

Hi Alan,

I have no problem at all with that attitude and I totally understand both your and Jason's positions (despite you having different approaches). At the end of the day it is a matter of conscience and I definitely do NOT see it as double-standards for someone to support a reserve or distinct campaign rather than the RSPB as a whole. We mentioned this before but it is the wildlife that counts and literally, every little helps.

BTW, do you have references for the magpie v thrush papers. I would genuinely like to take a look.

Ian

Hi Ian,

Thanks for yours, and for the support over the membership/visiting issue.

On the studies, alas, I don't have the precise details now of what I read - if I had known that I would have needed them in later life, I would have made sure I recorded them! All I can say to aid ID is this: the first was reported on at length by Dr Matt Ridley in the Telegraph around 1994. The second was also reported on by the Telegraph, in either late 2002 or early 2003 - but was clearly a different study as it was one that had just been done, and was nearly a decade after the first!

The fact that I came across both just by chance lends weight to my contention that there are almost certainly others out there.

As this is likely to come up again I think I'll contact Ridley and see if he remembers the details of the study he reported on.

Best wishes

Alan

 

[walwyn]

I'd be interested to know why those who've voted no voted that way - not a criticism just interested

Perhaps they are Anglers and have just heard of the RSPBs opposition to the governments Cormorant cull.

 

[Bluetail]

I think the RSPB does, to some of its staff, indeed pay peanuts, Jason. A graduate I met two years ago at Minsmere was paid quite a small salary but wouldn't want to work anywhere else. He certainly was in no position to buy a house on his salary and was struggling to run a car. He was no monkey.

I suspect the high salaries paid by the RSPB are to its marketing and financial people...

I'm sure you're right, Steve, and I didn't intend my rather glib quip to sound like support for paying lavish admin costs. I was just thinking that they probably need to pay at least half decent salaries to attract the specialists they must have to employ in-house: accountants, lawyers, lobbying specialists and the like. And marketing is never cheap - not if it's to be effective. I'm making quite a lot of assumptions here, of course.

 

[Edward woodwood]

Yes, the RSPB pay is poor, contractwork, no pension etc for fieldworkers etc. I worked for them on ESA work in late 90s and voluntarily at BirdLife for experience for a while. Pay wasn't really an issue in my 20s but I couldn't afford it now very easily, although i'd like to one day again. I'll stick with teaching for the extra birding it allows me to do.

 

[GavinM]

I was at Minsmere on Wednesday, I've had to think about it but have decided to rejoin. I do have issues with a multi million pound organisation that won't provide proper disabled access to its hides at one of its flagship reserves. I don't need it, but I might one day, as might we all. The work they do in securing habitat out weighs that for me, though.

 

[Scott67]

Thats it !
I knew there had been some thing at the back of my mind....
Rejoin the RSPB !!

Off the top of anyones head how much is Family membership these days ??

 

[Elizabeth Bigg]

Not off the top of my head - but from the RSPB website:

A family (up to 2 adults and all children under 19 at the same address) - £46 per year

 

[Scott67]

Not off the top of my head - but from the RSPB website:

A family (up to 2 adults and all children under 19 at the same address) - £46 per year

Thanks Elizabeth, very Lazy of me not to go to the RSPB site myself, but I've got to be carefull how long I'm on T'Internet whilst in work, and my PC is paaaaiinnfully slow, infact I think continental drift is quicker !!!

Scott.

 

[boyinthebush]

The last couple of posts prompted me to give the RSPB website a push as it is superb.

It's well designed, fast, clear, easy to use and packed with info for all levels, relevant links and very importantly, gets updated often as well to keep you up to date with surveys, news etc etc... it's exceptionally good.

I know it's free for all anyway, and so it should be, but it's just one more reason to give the RSPB your support IMHO. Sites like that don't come cheap.

On the off chance you didn't know... http://www.rspb.org.uk/

 

[scampo]

The last couple of posts prompted me to give the RSPB website a push as it is superb.

It's well designed, fast, clear, easy to use and packed with info for all levels, relevant links and very importantly, gets updated often as well to keep you up to date with surveys, news etc etc... it's exceptionally good.

I know it's free for all anyway, and so it should be, but it's just one more reason to give the RSPB your support IMHO. Sites like that don't come cheap.

On the off chance you didn't know... http://www.rspb.org.uk/

It is a wonderful site, and published by a wonderful organisation. But the big bug count? What a patronising and infantile exercise that was. Despite the contrary image the media presents, most adults are educated, intelligent folk who prefer to be treated as such - let's hope the RSPB learn that for next time. Blue Peter is for kids.

 

[salty]

definetly worth joining the RSPB!. if it wasnt for them there would be a huge reduction in the number of all birds, not to mention birds of prey! they have the power to buy land that would usually be sold to property tycoons, they open reserves all around the country to educate people and get them closer to birds than they usually would. i personally saw my first osprey, eagle, peregrine falcons etc, at these reserves.

 

[christineredgate]

definetly worth joining the RSPB!. if it wasnt for them there would be a huge reduction in the number of all birds, not to mention birds of prey! they have the power to buy land that would usually be sold to property tycoons, they open reserves all around the country to educate people and get them closer to birds than they usually would. i personally saw my first osprey, eagle, peregrine falcons etc, at these reserves.

Yes,but once they have bought all the land,do they maintain it properly,or is it only the flagship reserves such as Leighton Moss.As Steve(Scampo) mentioned earlier( sorry not very good at downloading multiple quotes)the reserve Wardens are paid a pittance,but the high fliers are more amply compensated.So if the Warden is not a genuine enthusiast,then for the pay he/she may be receiving the reserve may not be 100% looked after and will not have the funds spent on it which are perhaps needed.The birds are the priority,and all funds and donations should be spent on their safety and preservation.

 

[John Newbury]

Yes, Yes,

If you bird. You buy bin's and you enter sites by joining the 'RSPB'


If you drive. you buy a car and enter the roads by buying 'road tax'

 

[colboyindian]

anybody going to the open day at rainham marshes tomorrow