Common Terns at Sparham Lakes
Published November 26, 2010 | For newer members of WVBS it is worth mentioning the background to the raft.
In 2005 Jordan Cereals, owners of Pensthorpe, celebrated their 150 years of trading and sponsored several wetland conservation projects across the country. Jordans approached WVBS and asked for proposals which they would consider funding. The end result is the Tern Raft at Sparham Lakes close to Sparham Pools NWT nature reserve where Common Terns had nested for many years on a small island cleared specifically for the purpose. Common Tern like to nest on bare clean shingle and one of the reasons for their varied success was encroachment of weeds. Our chairman Alwyn Jackson was warden of Sparham Pools NWT until very recently and this helped make objective comparisons of the various successes of the two sites. Continue reading
Roadside raptor takes a downward turn
Published September 3, 2010 | The Kestrel is one of our most well-known birds of prey, often seen hovering over motorway verges on the lookout for small rodents. However, all is not well with this roadside hunter.
The latest Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) report reveals a significant decline of 20% in the Kestrel population between 1995 and 2008, and a further fall of 36% between 2008 and 2009. Kestrel declines from the 1970s to 1990s were linked to agricultural intensification and the adverse effect this had on small mammal populations, but the reasons for the more recent declines are not clear.
Scotland May 2010
Published June 30, 2010 | We all arrived at Grantown during Monday afternoon and after settling in and a meal decided to make an early start next morning for the RSPB site at Loch Garten.
We arrived at the visitor centre at 05.15 to find a considerable queue already forming, all hoping for views of capercaillie which after a hesitant start finally obliged. However whilst waiting we were able to watch the Osprey activity around the nest and also Red Squirrels and Redstart in the surrounding woods. What better way to start a holiday?
Making the most of opportunities
Published April 26, 2010 | On the 26th of March, Geoff and I set off to Shrewsbury for two nights with our daughter. On the Friday morning we collected Karen from work and set off to Bristol to see our son, partner and 7 month
Trials of a Wildlife Photographer
Published April 26, 2010 | It was a Sunday, the sun was trying to shine and I was at Alvenor Aquatics in Murrow near Wisbech. I have had this idea for far too long to build a water feature in my garden. “At the planning stage” I call it. This has nothing to do with birding, but I felt an explanation was necessary for actually being in Murrow. Continue reading