Sunday 27 April 2014
Bonanza time at Alkborough Flats
Probably just had one of the best days birding at Alkborough starting off with a magnificent male Montagu's Harrier which left its roost from Blacktoft and followed the edge of the reserve on the Trent bank before drifting over the Humber and onto the north bank. Next birds to come along were Kittiwake, Meditteranean Gull and Brent Goose with plenty of Wheatears thrown in for good measure. Then a call from Graham with news of a stunning singing male Redstart next to the tower hide which we quickly located next came 3 Arctic Terns and Green-winged Teal, 3 Whimbrel and a pair of Garganey. In total today we had 84 species but total for the year rose to 134 not bad for a site that was closed for the first three months of the year.
Saturday 26 April 2014
Friday 25 April 2014
Andrew Percy's response to Massacre in Malta
A quick and more personable response to my email - I would urge you to write to your own MEP/MP.
Dear Ms Gillatt,
Thank you for your email to Andrew. Andrew has asked me to make contact with you regarding this and, as a keen birdwatcher myself, I am very sorry to hear of your concerns about the impact of this in your area.
I have been watching the current situation very closely and feel that Chris Packham is providing important coverage to bring attention to this devastating occurrence. Unfortunately, I have only ever seen a Turtle Dove once and that was in the depths of North Yorkshire!
As you have correctly stated, the European Wild Birds Directive is EU legislation and as such is the responsibility of the EU to enforce. You may, therefore, wish to contact your MEPs and they can be found via: https://www.writetothem.com/who?pc=DN15+9JA
That said, Andrew has written to Rt Hon David Lidington MP, Minister of State for Europe, to raise this with him and request any advice or assistance that he can offer.
I will be in touch just as soon as Andrew receives a response from the Minister and I trust that this meets with your expectations. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if Andrew can be of any further assistance.
Kind regards,
Robert
Robert Lingard
Senior Caseworker for Andrew Percy MP
Member of Parliament for Brigg & Goole
Thursday 24 April 2014
Massacre in Malta - MEP's response
Inspired by Chris Packham's actions I have written to my MEP's and my MP, I have had two replies back so far both identical a copy of which you can read below.
Dear Ms Gillatt
Thank you for your email regarding the hunting and trapping of migrating birds in Malta.
As you mention in your email, the EU’s Birds Directive 2009 bans activities which directly threaten wild bird species, including the deliberate killing or capture of birds. In 2008 the European Court of Justice ordered the Maltese Government to limit spring hunting and ruled that bird trapping should be banned too.
It is however worrying that birds continue to be cruelly trapped and killed on Malta despite the activity supposedly being restricted. I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues take the protection of wild birds very seriously, whether the problem is in the UK or elsewhere in the world.
My colleague Fiona Hall, Lib Dem MEP for the North East region, recently wrote to the Maltese Department for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change.
The Ministry's response stated that Malta is fully committed to the implementation of the Birds Directive 2009/147/EC. With specific regard to Article 9 which states that a limited number of activities normally prohibited by the Birds Directive may be allowed under strict provisions, the Ministry says that any derogation applied by Malta "adhere strictly to the relevant legal and environmental parameters."
However, groups such as the RSPB and Birdlife Malta have a much less positive view of Malta's adherence to the requirements of the Directive, and both stress that a lot of work is still required to put pressure on the Maltese Government to help conserve migrants and breeding birds, and ensure
that the EU rules regarding birds are fully implemented.
On 8th April, George Lyon MEP (Scotland) wrote to the European Commission on behalf of Lib Dem MEPs to enquire as to whether any further action is being taken on this issue, and we are currently awaiting a reply from the responsible department. I look forward to reading the Commission’s response and will let you know of any further developments.
Thank you again for raising this issue with me and please be assured that the illegal trapping of birds in Malta is of great concern to me.
Dear Ms Gillatt
Thank you for your email regarding the hunting and trapping of migrating birds in Malta.
As you mention in your email, the EU’s Birds Directive 2009 bans activities which directly threaten wild bird species, including the deliberate killing or capture of birds. In 2008 the European Court of Justice ordered the Maltese Government to limit spring hunting and ruled that bird trapping should be banned too.
It is however worrying that birds continue to be cruelly trapped and killed on Malta despite the activity supposedly being restricted. I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues take the protection of wild birds very seriously, whether the problem is in the UK or elsewhere in the world.
My colleague Fiona Hall, Lib Dem MEP for the North East region, recently wrote to the Maltese Department for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change.
The Ministry's response stated that Malta is fully committed to the implementation of the Birds Directive 2009/147/EC. With specific regard to Article 9 which states that a limited number of activities normally prohibited by the Birds Directive may be allowed under strict provisions, the Ministry says that any derogation applied by Malta "adhere strictly to the relevant legal and environmental parameters."
However, groups such as the RSPB and Birdlife Malta have a much less positive view of Malta's adherence to the requirements of the Directive, and both stress that a lot of work is still required to put pressure on the Maltese Government to help conserve migrants and breeding birds, and ensure
that the EU rules regarding birds are fully implemented.
On 8th April, George Lyon MEP (Scotland) wrote to the European Commission on behalf of Lib Dem MEPs to enquire as to whether any further action is being taken on this issue, and we are currently awaiting a reply from the responsible department. I look forward to reading the Commission’s response and will let you know of any further developments.
Thank you again for raising this issue with me and please be assured that the illegal trapping of birds in Malta is of great concern to me.
Wednesday 23 April 2014
Tuesday 22 April 2014
Friday 18 April 2014
Glorious Bempton Cliffs
We have never visited Bempton so early in the season before so never expected the Gannets to land so close to the path to collect nest material - a shame my little Canon S95 could not handle the exposure but a fabulous sight non the less.
Thursday 17 April 2014
Colour ringed Grey Heron Alkborough Flats
Hard to see but it was nearly dark! plus another Common Crane roosted at Alkborough last night.
http://youtu.be/nW33ycu4_Fk
http://youtu.be/nW33ycu4_Fk
Whooper Swan, Alkborough Flats
A lingering Whooper Swan - will it stay the summer?
Video here http://youtu.be/wjPVG3R3R_E
Video here http://youtu.be/wjPVG3R3R_E
Sunday 13 April 2014
A good day at Alkborough Flats
Fabulous day at Alkborough starting with 2 Common Cranes that flew in from Blacktoft Sands at 06.10 showed well for half an hour before having a fly around giving their evocative bugle calls and eventually flying east along the Humber. Supporting cast included a fine adult male Hen Harrier, a Greenshank, Wheatear and a cracking male Redstart. Also still present was yesterday’s Whooper Swan and Common Scoter.
Saturday 12 April 2014
Elbow - One Day Like This
Went to see Elbow last night at Leeds Arena, fantastic concert culminating in this and they played The Birds!
Sunday 6 April 2014
Arctic Redpoll, Waters Edge
Another good find by Graham - shame it was such a grey day and a little too close for digiscoping.
Video here http://youtu.be/L3LPwXBTNiU
Video here http://youtu.be/L3LPwXBTNiU
Thursday 3 April 2014
First spring migrants
First Swallow last night at Alkborough in the cold and the fog/pollution I bet it had wished it hadn't bothered! Two Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap in the park this morning with a couple of Nuthatches making a din and the flipping ducks are back in the paddock at the end of the garden just waiting to sneak in and decimate our pond which is absolutely full of life - teaming with displaying
Newts, Backswimmers, Whirlygigs and 3 impressive Great Diving Beetles. Still looking for a way to keep ducks out of a pond without having to resort to a net so if anyone has any bright ideas......
Newts, Backswimmers, Whirlygigs and 3 impressive Great Diving Beetles. Still looking for a way to keep ducks out of a pond without having to resort to a net so if anyone has any bright ideas......
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