Things of interest from the Newsletter Editor
From Martin Harper – RSPB’s Global Conservation Director. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged that the UK will leave the European Union on 31 October 2019 ‘come what may’, whilst many parliamentarians continue to seek to wrestle back control of Brexit from the UK Government. Meanwhile, evidence that a ‘no deal’ or ‘hard Brexit’ […]
A friend of mine in Lincolnshire, Ian, recently published his photo of this bird and I wonder if you can I D it. No clues just yet and no prizes for guessing correctly. Open to all and the answer will be revealed next week. Have fun and give it a go.
As many of you know there has been a lot of debate about feeding swans and other waterfowl bread. We have always maintained that feeding them bread is fine, so where do you stand? ‘There has been a great deal of press coverage in recent months regarding the ‘Ban the Bread’ campaign which is confusing […]
When the beluga whale first showed up in the Thames it was hoped it would soon return to the Arctic for its own safety. Two months later, it still appears to be surviving happily on the marine life in the murky water off Gravesend. And now many in the town are desperate for it to […]
A conservation charity has expressed concern over the disappearance of four tagged hen harriers in recent months. RSPB Scotland said the birds were last located over land managed for grouse shooting when their satellite tags suddenly stopped transmitting. They were last tracked at locations in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Perthshire. The Scottish Gamekeepers Association condemned wildlife […]
From the BBC news online. A childminder has turned plastic litter found on a beach into poppy artwork for Remembrance Day. Thira Lane, 47, from Mersea Island, Essex, has a passion for recycling and has previously created igloos and model seagulls from household waste. Now she has used drinks bottles to create poppies to mark […]
Most prolific egg collector in recent times took nearly 5,000 eggs, including those of rare and declining birds. Today (12 October) Daniel Lingham appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court facing five charges contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, relating to the taking and possession of wild bird eggs. He pleaded guilty to all five […]
A beluga whale has been seen swimming in the River Thames. It was first spotted by ecologist and ornithologist Dave Andrews, who said it had been feeding around barges near Gravesend in Kent. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation said it was “obviously very lost and quite possibly in trouble”. Vessels are being kept clear, with […]