WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE A HUNT

 

FROM THE HUNT SABOTEURS 

A people do have a voice and there are actions you can take to protect your local wildlife.

Recently Wiltshire Hunt Sabs reported that local residents near Salisbury confronted the Tedworth Hunt and forced them to change their hunt meet location. When the hunt arrived at the next location, more locals were there to voice their disapproval. Hunts rely on the goodwill of local people and landowners to facilitate hunting in the area. The more disruption they experience, the increased likelihood that they will avoid that area in the future.

OUR RAIN FORESTS

 LOST RAINFORESTS FOUND AGAIN TO BELOVED AGAIN !

I lifted this from Patrick Barkham’s article in the Guardian Newspaper of 21st October.

T

here is a hidden wood near Guy Shrubsole’s home that glows with a verdant luminosity all year round. Its trees are familiar oaks but rendered stunted and strange by Atlantic gales and upland soils. To their contorted limbs cling lichens, mosses, liverworts and ferns – hundreds of multicoloured species that resemble coral reefs, with bewitching names from string-of-sausages to witches’ whiskers.

Shrubsole’s discovery of a surviving fragment of British rainforest close to his new home in Devon inspired him to write a book, The Lost Rainforests of Britain, which is published next week. “There’s something so alluring about this weird, gnarled, dripping, moss-encrusted ecosystem,” he says. “The fact that it sounds exotic but thrives very specifically on British weather is really magical. I wanted to re-enchant more people with the magic of the rainforest we have left in this country.”

As well as encouraging a popular rediscovery of this biodiverse and globally rare temperate rainforest, Shrubsole, an increasingly influential environmental campaigner, is calling for a national rainforest strategy and a target to double the 1% land area where surviving fragments of forest endure on Britain’s western fringes.

FROM REWILDINGEARTH AND AN ADVERT FOR WILD SPAIN

 Spain is the most biodiverse country in Europe, hosting 85% of plant species and 50% of animals in the European Union. This natural wealth is currently protected by the largest network of protected areas on the continent, made up of more than 1,700 reserves that cover nearly 22 million hectares or 28% of its land area. These protected areas are not only essential to conserve the country’s (and much of Europe’s) natural heritage in the long term, but also offer unique employment and income opportunities for rural communities, are sources of health and well-being for millions of visitors, are essential in the mitigation of climate change, and host unique historical and cultural resources.

However, these protected areas are poorly known and appreciated by the Spanish society. The result is that despite investing enormous territorial, political, financial, and human resources, Spain barely manages to generate a sense of pride and recognition towards its vast network of protected spaces. While Spaniards pride themselves on their gastronomy, historic monuments, and sport players, they are hardly aware of the rich natural and cultural heritage that is protected and made accessible thanks to their natural reserves.

Nuestros Espacios Protegidos (Our Protected Areas) seeks to revert this indifference by communicating the many natural, cultural, and social values associated to Spanish protected areas in ways that inspires awe, curiosity, and pride towards this vast (and rather unappreciated) part of this European country.

The campaign is run by three Spanish NGOs and uses audiovisual products with easy and free access through the internet and social media. The highlight of the campaign is Vidas Protegidas (Protected Lives), a series of short documentaries (5-6 minutes) about people living in protected areas and benefiting from them through many different occupations. The two seasons of the series are available with English subtitles on Youtube through the following links:

A NEW PLAN FOR NATURE

 FROM CAUGHT BY THE RIVER

PEOPLE’S PLAN FOR NATURE

What do you love about nature in the UK? What would you miss if it disappeared? These are the questions currently being posed by the People’s Plan for Nature — a UK-wide initiative powered by WWF, the National Trust and the RSPB.

HUMANKIND PROGRESS PUTS ANCIENT WOODLAND UNDER MORE THREAT BUT WHAT IS THE CHOICE

 FROM THE GUARDIAN AND WOODLAND TRUST.

The government’s investment zones could put the UK’s ancient woodlands under threat, the head of the Woodland Trust has warned.

An ancient woodland is one that has existed continuously since at least 1600. They are a precious part of the country’s history, store large amounts of carbon and are important habitats for animals.

The government has proposed investment zones, where planning and environmental rules will be relaxed and tax breaks put in place, to encourage companies to build infrastructure and set up business.

Wildlife charities have said the loosening of regulations could put nature in peril, as many exist to protect fragile ecosystems from development.

Analysis by the Woodland Trust found there were more than 125,000 hectares of ancient woodland within the council areas of the 38 authorities who were known initially to have expressed an interest in investment zones.

Study suggests existence of up to 2.1m ancient and veteran trees in England

Read more

The opportunity for other councils to declare an interest closed on 14 October but the information about how many more have signed up has not been released, so the number under threat could increase.

Darren Moorcroft, the chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said: “On the basis of what we have learned from government so far since the mini-budget and the retained EU law bill, this combination of plans could see the UK lose more trees and woods – and plant fewer – at a time when we need to strengthen protection and ramp up woodland expansion to tackle the nature and climate crises.

“We are especially concerned about the protection of ancient woods and trees in new investment zones, where planning rules would be weaker and recent so-called assurances have done nothing to allay our fears.

“These are unprecedented times for the environment on which we depend for our prosperity and quality of life. The last thing we need is to weaken protections and create uncertainties for farmers and landowners who are helping to ready our countryside for the battle against the climate change ahead.”

There are also fears that undesignated ancient woodlands and trees that have not been given legal protection will be threatened further by a push for development.

Enterprise zones – which could be used as a model for investment zones – do not include explicit protections for ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees.

There is likely to be some pushback on these plans from Conservative MPs. The former environment minister Rebecca Pow told the Guardian that failing to protect ancient woodlands would be a breach of the Environment Act.

“The ancient woodland in this country is our equivalent of the rainforest. It is an absolute travesty that only 2% remains and we must ensure that no more is lost. In the Environment Act, a commitment was made to review the national planning policy framework to ensure it is being correctly implemented regarding ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees,” she said.

A FLAT BIRDING DAY ON COSTA BLANCA UNDER A GREY SKY

 The forecast was cloud with some sun but, in truth, it was a grey and sombre day more befitting a funeral! But we got on with it and our species count was good with absolutely nothing exceptional. We always want that mega bird that makes Bryan jump around. 

Thursday 20th with an early start saw us head inland and towards San Felipe Neri to El Hondo. I was there on Monday when they were cutting reeds and today no machinery working, thankfully, but shots being fired close by.

The water levels have been reduced and the bottom weed is lying flat. Will they drain it even more to get the carp out, I wonder? We saw our first Blue Throats - Pechiazul and Snipe - Agachadiza Comun are in too. There was a good number of Little Egrets - Garceta Comun and ten Grey Herons - Garza Real flew over. Spoonbill - Espátula Comun were feeding with Glossy Ibis - Morito Comun. Bryan heard Penduline Tit - Pájaro Moscon calling and so did Water Rail - Rascón Europeo

We were hoping for Spotted Crake - Polluela Pinoja or a Jack Snipe - Agachadiza Chica  or even a good wader, but no - not today.

We checked out Monday’s flooded field and not a thing on it but they will be flooding other fields.

This was not a day for raptors with the gloom but we had two Marsh Harriers - Aguilucho Luganero and one distant Booted Eagle - Aguila Zapatera. 

We were in double figures for both Stonechat - Tarabilla Comun and for Southern Grey Shrike - Alcaudón Real. We saw Linnets - Pardillo Comun and Goldfinches - Jilguero in good numbers and with a small passing flock of Skylark - Alondra Comun that was it for the flocking finches. 

Checking out the area around the ‘monastery, for Trumpeter Finches - Camachuela Trompetero Bryan spotted a Blue Rock Thrush - Roquero Solitario and that was the photo of the day. Rock on! Early on we had a perched Green Woodpecker - Pito Real.

Bryan heard only one Meadow Pipit - Bisbita Comun - so where are the rest?

That’s enough for there and then to El Pinet and there was very little. I have not listed everything and we saw birds but by our standards it was not a great day with nothing passing through on route south either.

Our only mammal was a dead fox on the road and butterflies numbered - Large White, a Scarce Swallowtail and a Plain Tiger. Not enough really but keep on looking.

AVIAN BIRD FLU PRECAUTIONS

A influenza Prevention Zone has been declared across Great Britain making it a legal requirement for all bird keepers to follow strict biosecurity measures

The AIPZ means bird keepers across Great Britain must:

• Keep free ranging birds within fenced areas, and that ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off (except in specific circumstances e.g. zoo birds).
• Clean and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy;
• Minimise movement in and out of bird enclosures;
• Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas, and fencing off wet or boggy areas
• Keep domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry.
• Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources;
• Feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds;

Keepers should familiarise themselves with our avian flu advice and report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301.

The avian influenza prevention zone will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of bird flu.

Dead wild birds may be infected so don’t touch them unless wearing suitable protective clothing.  When found on publicly owned land and a decision is taken to remove them, it is the local authorities’ responsibility to safely dispose of the carcases as animal by-products.

Poultry keepers and members of the public should consult our latest guidance to check the latest threshold for reporting dead wild birds to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 and not touch or pick them up. Where not required for testing they should be disposed of safely.

THE RIGHT TO ROAM VERSUS THE ESTABLISHMENT

 WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO ROAM MORE 

(From the Guardian)

People across England are right to trespass to stand up for their right to roam, Caroline Lucas has said.

The Green MP will table a bill later in October to allow the public to access woodlands and the green belt in the same way they can currently walk on the coast path.

Currently, the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 gives a legal right of public access to about 8% of England, including mountains, moorland, heaths, some downland and commons, alongside the more recently created England coast path.

Campaigners have asked for this to be extended to cover rivers, woods and green belt land. Ninety-seven per cent of rivers are currently off-limits to the public, and tens of thousands of acres of woodland have benefited from public subsidy, yet remain publicly inaccessible.

Though her campaign sounds radical, Lucas says it is not in reality such a big ask. Talking to the Guardian shortly before launching the bill, Lucas said: “I think if the measures in the bill were to go through, instead of having access to only 8% of English land, we’d be coming up to somewhere near around 30%. So it’s a very modest ask.”

She points out that the bill has important ramifications for inequality. The majority of people who cannot access nature nearby are people in low-income areas who don’t have a car, which is necessary to get to most nature reserves. Those areas also tend to have fewer trees and smaller gardens.

Opening up areas around cities would allow more people to easily visit nature, which has well-established physical and mental health benefits, and for decades now advisers have been pleading with the government to prioritise access to green space in order to improve lives.

But Conservative ministers say that while this may sound like an attractive idea, they are concerned about the public causing disruption to rural businesses and littering. Lucas says the argument around the so-called irresponsible public is a “distraction”.

“I think it’s a very easy way of trying to close down the conversation. It’s not your wild swimmers who are polluting the rivers and it’s not your people who are exercising the right to roam that are leaving massive decaying bits of equipment, you know, hidden away in woodlands and so forth.”

Lucas recently met Richard Benyon, the Tory peer in charge of access to nature (and also a significant landowner himself).

“We had a long conversation about how we do more to allay understandable concerns about litter, dogs, all of the arguments that always come up when you talk about increasing access to nature. And it does seem ironic to me that the government has actually done quite a bit of work in terms of the countryside code and yet hasn’t really bothered to publicise it.”

In Scotland, where there is a right to roam, she pointed out that there had been a lot of education about responsible access to the countryside, and the system seemed to work pretty well.

The government earlier this year quashed a review into the right to roam in England’s countryside, amid anger from campaigners that the law of trespass stops people from walking freely around the country.

Over the last few months, mass trespasses have taken place across the country on private estates by campaigners asking for a right to roam. They have strict rules about leaving the areas in a better state than they found them, for example by picking up litter, and sticking to forest tracks and paths so as not to disturb wildlife. The MP agrees with the trespasses – and said she would like to go on them herself.

“I do agree with them,” she said. “I think they have been incredibly responsibly done. I was really sorry not to be able to make the one locally last week. The idea that you don’t leave a trace but we actually have a positive impact, so if you do see litter pick it up, and take nothing home except memories and photographs.

“I think that it’s filling a part of this vacuum that I was referring to in terms of the lack of information and education coming from anywhere else. So I think that it makes a really important political point. I think it gives people the confidence to feel that yes, we have a right to be able to access nature.”

HUNTER MOON

 

on the night they hung

the Hunter Moon in the sky

       a shotgun booms

THE RIGHT TO ROAM CAMPAIGN

The Right to Roam campaign has been going from strength to strength this year and we thought it was time to share an update!

 

Hundreds of people have taken part in our mass trespasses this year, with our two most recent actions focusing on the magic of the night sky and the importance of saving ancient woodland.

 

We’ve also been very excited to have a new Bill introduced to Parliament by Caroline Lucas MP, that would – if passed – extend the public’s Right to Roam to rivers, woods and Green Belt land.

 

But Liz Truss’ new government seems dead-set on an attack on nature - so we’re calling on supporters to mobilise in its defence, including joining upcoming marches.

FOLLOWING ON FROM LEGAL JUSTICE - THIS IS FROM RIGHT TO ROAM - OUR RIGHT TO ROAM

 Stopping the Government’s #AttackOnNature

 

We’ve been as horrified as everyone else by the new Government’s attack on nature – with Liz Truss threatening to rip up environmental regulations, create free-for-all ‘Investment Zones’ where planning rules are ‘liberalised’, and scrap much-needed reforms to farm subsidies. But we’ve also been heartened to see conservation and access groups reacting strongly to the attacks and starting to mobilise their millions of members. If you’ve not already taken the RSPB’s email action, please do so here. Better still, go meet your MP in person and tell them exactly what you think. We’re anticipating things are only going to get worse, however – so hopefully see you on the streets (and in the fields) in the near future. And on that note...

 

... JOIN US at the land access bloc of the Good Food, Good Farming march at 12pm in Parliament Square in London, 15th Oct!

 

Right to Roam is very proud to be supporting Landworkers' Alliance in their Good Food, Good Farming march next Saturday 15th Oct. We will be forming a Right to Roam/Land Access bloc so be sure to come and bring signs!

 

Access to land and support for small scale, ecologically-minded farmers are two sides of the same coin. The historical acts of enclosure which ploughed up the commons also tore people away from countryside access, caused environmental destruction and devastated small farming communities. Today the countryside has become home to a monoculture of corporate industrial agriculture and a landowning elite.

 

In our vision for free, fair and informed access to nature for all and for a New English Countryside, Right to Roam stands in solidarity with landworkers and their struggle for a more socially and environmentally just food system. We want a countryside where landworkers, ramblers, kayakers - everyone is able to enjoy nature freely and responsibly.

 

Love and rage,

Nadia, Jon, Guy, Harry & the rest of the Right to Roam crew x

 

PHOTOS FROM OUR DAY OUT LAST THURSDAY

All photos taken with a Nikon P900.

2nd photo of Greenshank - Archibebe Claro on a distant shore at El Pinet

Starling - Estornino Pinto - just to show the spots 

Male Booted Eagle - Águila Calzada What a beauty and we saw 4 in total

What we always need is a flooded field 

Ruff - Combatiente

Green Sandpiper Andarrios Grande

 WOODCOCK OUR WONDERFUL WOODLAND WINTER BIRD 

LEGAL JUSTICE UPDATE ON THE PETITION TO CHANGE THE MIND OF POLITICIANS AND  DEFRA

Our Woodcock petition: Good news! Yesterday, 15 minutes before midnight (we were watching!) our petition to protect Woodcock from overshooting passed 50,000 signatures. That's half way to getting 100,000 signatures and a Westminster debate on the subject. Thank you for your support.

 

The first 50,000 is the easier 50,000 signatures!  It's hard work to get another 50,000 people involved but you can help, please. If you haven't signed the petition yourself then please have a look and please sign - click here to see the petition.  If everybody who has already signed would find someone else to sign too then we'd be there! Can you please find someone else to sign this petition - maybe someone with whom you live, or work, or meet for a coffee or beer now and again? Maybe if you forwarded this newsletter to some friends, they would sign the petition too?

 

We'll be promoting this petition widely, but we don't know your friends so you're the best person to ask them please.

 

Remember, this petition has already won some concessions, notably a promise to look at shooting seasons, from DEFRA, but there are no specific promises on what might be done at some future date, so it's important to keep up the pressure.  It's a microcosm of #attackonnature - it's #attackonwoodcock.

 

NEW LETTER FROM LEGAL JUSTICE

 LEGAL JUSTICE NEWSLETTER N0. 122

STOP THE ATTACK ON NATURE

Attack on Nature: we gave you a quick heads-up about what is now widely known as the Westminster government's 'attack on nature' in a newsletter the week before last. Wild Justice was one of scores of wildlife and environmental organisations who wrote to the new Prime Minister warning against widespread and damaging deregulation - click here to read the letter. There has been much media coverage of this issue and the Westminster government is clearly aware that it risks upsetting huge numbers of people if they press ahead with measures that will harm wildlife. The question is, do they care? 

 

Wild Justice is having a strategy meeting with our legal team soon, and we'll be discussing options for legal action if Lizz Truss and Janil Jayawardena don't see sense.

 

But, we'd like you to play a part too - maybe you already have? The RSPB has put together an e-letter that you can send to your MP protesting at the #attackonnature. We recommend that you sign up to that letter and send it today please - click here for details. It's very easy and quick (3 minutes) to do. Just over 100,000 emails have already been sent and we think that Wild Justice supporters can swell that number significantly.  Please give it a look.  We're very happy to promote the RSPB's e-letter rather than produce one of our own.

 

We'd be surprised if this is the last mention of #attackonnature in these newsletters. We don't think this subject will simply go away. We'll let you know how you can best help to get politicians to do right by wildlife

GAME KEEPERS GETTING CAUGHT AND MAGISTRATES’ POWERS TO SENTENCE.

 

INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE AND SOME GO TO A LAW COURT

“Sentencing Stroud, Magistrates said that he was lucky to escape jail today.”

My comment is that gamekeepers are unlucky to be caught and bloody lucky not to go away. I know prisons cost money and we have too many inmates which results in overcrowding. I suppose another drum to bang! In the scale of things I can understand why he was not imprisoned. There are more serious crimes. We can read about them everyday, unfortunately.

And so the answer has to lie elsewhere and in the way we manage our - or more significantly ‘their’ land - until we gain more access and have the freedom to be there.

THIS IS ANOTHER POST FROM RAPTOR PERSECUTION UK

The court heard from the defence that Stroud was under pressure to produce game birds for the shoot after two poor years, that he had taken no pleasure in killing the buzzards and that he should have been informed that the law had changed around pheasant releases.

This is one of many incidents of raptor persecution identified on lowland pheasant and partridge shoots, which the RSPB says is an area of increasing concern. There is also evidence that large-scale releases of pheasant and partridge for shooting is having a detrimental impact on native wildlife.

The RSPB Investigations team conducted lengthy enquiries on an area of land managed by Stroud for pheasant shooting at Fengate Farm in Weeting, within the Breckland SPA. Following a number of visits, on 19 August 2021 they discovered a pheasant carcass – later found to contain the banned toxic chemical strychnine. The use of a poison bait such as a pheasant, laced with pesticides, is one of the most common methods of illegally killing birds of prey.

A subsequent search with Norfolk Police and partners uncovered further poison baits plus shot and poisoned raptors. Stroud’s phone also contained the photo of a goshawk and several buzzards which he admitted to shooting. They also found the deadly banned poison strychnine and phostoxin, a dangerous fumigant which was stored improperly.

(There is more on their post)

FEEDING FRENZY 0N SALT LAGOONS AND FIELD FULL OF FEEDING BIRDS

 A BIRDING WEATHER REPORT

BISCAY, FINISTERRE SHANNON AND **CKALL. And the forecast gave a percentage chance of rain but we avoided getting wet. We have local rain here and so it proved as we returned home.  We could do with a good soaking but avoiding a deluge - please. But the birds - all of them made our day.

It’s back to normal business now winter is approaching with our default position set from Gran Alacant towards Santa Aguada  and back towards La Marina. We do it this way around as the sun stays shining on our backs. 

The lagoons at the bottom of the Santa Pola turn-off were devoid of most of the usual. A Sandwich Tern - Charran Patinegro flew over with a loud grating ‘kerrick’. There were many others too flying and perched. A group of gulls were in the same place as always but lacked the presence  of a Lesser Black-backed - Gaviota Sombría. 

By the Salt Tower and by The Stones we could see a large feeding frenzy in the far distance. We presumed Gulls, Terns and whatever else. Three Spoonbills - Espátula Comun flew over but where were the rest?

On the water 13 Gadwall - Ánade Friso showed well with some Mallard - Ánade Azulon. Two distant Large White Egrets - Garceta Grande were with Little Egrets - Garceta Comun. Waders mostly absent except for Redshank - Archibebe Comun and Green shank Archibebe Oscuro and we saw both of those at El Pinet.

At our fourth stop and in the distance a good number of Stone Curlews - Alcaravan which is the norm here. A Ringed Plover - Chorlitejo Grande and one Little Stint - Correlimos Menudo were on a distant shore. There are usually others and perhaps the winter months will bring more in. A few Linnets - Pardillo Comun passed by.

We ventured inland paying attention to everything. We are still searching for the winter areas for Trumpeters - Camachuela Trompetero and in doing so we had good views of Tree Sparrows - Gorrión Molinero which are always not easy to spot. On wires were large numbers of Starlings and the camera proved they were Estornino Pinto now wintering with us and one wire was loaded up with 150 Wood Pigeons - Paloma Torcaz. Later we counted 5 sightings of Common Kestrels - Cernicalo Vulgar with one bird being unusually pale. The photo will tell more. As we headed towards Santa Aguada we had our first autumn sighting of a male Booted Eagle - Aguila Calzada. He looked great and we later saw three circling.

There is now a ‘highway’ into the education centre at S.A. all new tarmac and so there had to be something else going on. Once I have assimilated all the information we gained I will blog further. Apart from small birds calling and remaining hidden there was little I can say. There was no bloody water!

Our birds of the day, so far were the Booted and Michelle had a great view of a Little Owl - Mochuelo Europeo and then!

We are always on the look out for a flooded field and there it was. A field full of feeding birds. We  had not seen a Glossy Ibis - Morito Comun all day and then there were up to 200 of them. And with about the same number of Cattle Egrets -Garcilla Bueyera. A green watery meadow of black and white and more.

Feeding too, were two Green Sandpipers - Andarrios Grande, 12 Wood Sandpipers - A. Bastardo and if that wasn’t enough - 14 Ruff - Combatiente. What was missing were any Wagtails! (Lavandera). Good on for Bry for his eyes and ID skills.

I haven’t listed all but I need to get a grip on my ID skills and look out for more as there are still so many that should be out there. It was very good to get out to see what there is. All to enjoy.