MYSTERY FLOWER

 Spotted whilst walking the dogs this morning.  I am still working on an ID.

LETS STOP THE WANTON KILLING

 WILD JUSTICE - NEWSLETTER 58

NRW's general licence GL004

 

We need your help to clarify the conditions under which it is lawful to kill  Carrion Crows, Magpies, Jackdaws and Jays in Wales under the existing, live, general licence GL004.

 

The story so far: Wild Justice was given permission to challenge the lawfulness of Natural Resources Wales's general licences. Our case was heard in December and judgment was handed down in January. We did not convince the judge, Justice Jarman, that NRW's licences were unlawful but he made it clear, on the basis of sworn testimony by NRW that there were important constraints on the timing of use of the licences. In particular, and of greatest importance to us, the judge made it clear that it would be unlawful to rely on GL004 to kill the relevant species except in certain months. This important constraint in not widely known or understood.

 

We met NRW staff online to discuss this matter and they refused to add any clarification of this issue to the NRW website. We wrote to NRW's Chair asking what action NRW would take on this matter and have had no response (not even an acknowledgement of our letter).

 

NRW appears to be happy to have issued a licence which permits unlimited killing of birds, allegedly for conservation purposes, to have given sworn evidence to a court that this licence has serious and important limits to its applicability, but not to make those limits clear. That is, we believe, shockingly poor practice by a regulator.

 

What you might wish to do: you may wish to ask NRW to clarify the conditions which apply to their existing licence GL004. You may wish to use that licence to kill birds and are not sure of when it would and wouldn't be lawful. You may wish to know if you see others killing the four species named above, allegedly for conservation purposes, in which months it is legal. You may wish to understand the non-lethal steps that you or others must take before lethal control is lawful. You may want to know what information NRW would like to receive of breaches of the licence conditions and how you should report these. You may wish to know why NRW lists a large number of species of bird that have never nested in Wales as being protected by licence GL004. You may wish to know on what scientific basis NRW believes that Jackdaw and Jay have conservation impacts on any bird species of conservation concern in Wales. You might want to say that you have looked for the answers to your query on the NRW website but can't find them. But we would ask you, at least, to ask NRW for urgent clarification on which of the remaining months of 2021 it is lawful to kill Magpie, Jay, Carrion Crow and Jackdaw under GL004 in Wales.

 

In the absence of a generic clarification then your query is a general enquiry and should be sent to enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk .  If you live in Wales (as many hundreds of you do) then you may wish to mention that fact in your enquiry.

 

We suggest that you use these words as part of your enquiry, but of course you may ask this public body any question you like (but please be polite (we don't doubt that you would be)):

 

Dear NRW,

 

I understand that your current general licence GL004 which permits the killing of Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies and Jays in Wales for conservation purposes throughout 2021 has restrictions as to the months in which it can be lawfully used. I have looked on your website for these details but cannot find them.  Please provide me with details as a matter or urgency.

 

You will receive a standard electronic response saying that you should get a response in 10 working days (In Welsh and English). Wild Justice would be interested to see copies of any substantive responses you receive.

 

Thank you for taking action in this way. 

ALICANTE BIRDING AND DISSEMINATING THE TRUTH

I try not to let people ‘get under my skin’, piss me off or even irritate me. I spent over 30 years in a certain organization and people would certainly have made me angry. That’s natural and with all the people that I worked with only one still irritates me when I occasionally think about the ‘job’. That’s not bad I tell myself. One of the things that can get to me is dishonesty.

So there you are and my point is this. When we go out birding either in twos, threes or in a four we say what we see, tell where we have been and sometimes where we intend to go next. We don’t claim anything that we have not seen and the photographs can prove it. They were taken on that day and the plumage and surrounding vegetation will comply with that same day. Alright, on occasions a library photo will be resurrected when it suits the narrative.

Our aim will always be, to be accurate, and pass on information that others can use. I know Bryan’s photos are true and neither of us cheat.

From time to time we do see reports that are not right. We laugh, make derogatory comments and swear into the blue yonder, but we malign no one. BUT be warned someone may go a step too far! I can think of only one. I acknowledge, at this time, that I have met some lovely people who are good birders and there are many that I respect. The birders in the birding world are mostly good people. 

I was reminded about the TV Murder Mystery of Midsummer Murders. The victim is a birder who claims to see what he can only imagine. The result a premature death. Un-necessary I say but justified?

I will end with a comment that does amuse us. We go to some wonderful places with great views and we locate many species and it is seldom that we see others who want to see what we see. For God’s sake what are they doing? Get out there and enjoy and for the un-truths - check them out. 

A happy Easter to everyone.

ALICANTE MOUNTAINS VIA THE MOON!

This is the day after the Worm Moon! So called because of the worm casts seen after the thaw or whatever you want it it mean because there are other versions.

These boards are useful if you can spread Valenciano, I will try and translate it at a later date.

Rock Buntings

This photograph supports my previous blog and what I think I have seen, a Fire Crest.  For more information see Bryan’s Blog. http://birdingcostablanca.blogspot.com/

This green spike no taller than a mobile phone I found near the cabins on the way to the top.  Still working on an identification.

This brown lichen was at the top of the mountain.  I think it’s Latin name is Xanthoria SP. 

This is a beautiful time of year for growth and colour there is so much to pay attention to.

MOUNTAINS OF ALICANTE

 MOUNTAINS OF ALICANTE. THIS TIME MAIGMO

Well, in March the migration got well and truly underway and we got at it. After Monnegre last week it was Maigmo this morning. The sun was out and only a light breeze. Ideal. At times it was shorts and ‘T’ shirt weather and it was beautiful. Gareth kept a tally of species seen and that was 17.

For me it was never the total count that matters it is the quality sightings and we had ‘a-star-burst-day’ yet again. We took it steady, searching and listening as we went. In the usual spot Wood Larks (maybe 5/6) - Totovia were showing and as we moved on steadily up we observed many cock Chaffinches - Pinzon Vulgar and with only one sighting of a female. These maybe garden birds back home but mountain birds here. I love seeing them. Blackcap - Curruca Capirotada were singing, it seems, everywhere. It was thought a Peregrine -Halcón Peregrino flew through very fast. So only a possible.

We headed on up to the balcón with car parking and picnic area and where the birds are used to people. Feeding in the gravelled area were two stunning male Rock Buntings - Escribano Montesino and possibly one more in total. They were difficult to photo as they moved in and out of shade. We had almost given up on this location when Bryan saw them in the car park. A terrific sighting.

We went down to go up and hoping at the other summit, at almost 1200 metres, we thought we might see some passing Swifts - Vencejo, but even though we searched the skies there was no Hirundine in sight.

In the distance and at the extreme of vision, two large ones but too far to call. But if you keep looking something will turn up and two Ravens - Cuervo flew up from the Agost side. Maybe our first sighting on this mountain. Also one Kestrel, a male and with two middle tail feathers protruding maybe a Lesser - Cernicalo Vulgar o Prímula? Must pay more attention next time!

On the way down Bryan heard the soft call of Firecrest. We stopped, paid attention and over our heads calling away there they were. One of them showed an ‘inflated’ crest. The photo will prove it. Not just a lateral crown stripe of red but a wider one and raised too! According to the ‘bible’ - much orange on crown usually visible when relaxed - and I think we got that. It was too obvious to miss. I learnt something today about this species.

Add into the mix Mistle Thrushes - Zorzal Charló that flew in front of us and except for Blue Tits - Herrerillo Común all other members of that family that we would expect to see in the woods were seen. 

Wonderful sightings of birds in excellent condition and what is so good there were so many more that have yet to arrive and we will see eventually. We hoped to see Bonnelli’s Warbler - Mosquitero Papialbo but not yet but we do know where we can see them. So much to look forward to. Next week then and after Semana Santa.

AGATHA CHRISTIE WITH LORD EDGWARE DIES

 Book Review

Title.            Lord Edgware Dies

Author         Agatha Christie

Publisher     Agatha Christie Ltd &

                    Planet Three Publishing

                    Network Ltd

This story is one of The Agatha Christie Collection and it comes in a beautiful bound book that feels so nice in the hand. Clearly, that would not be ever enough because it is the writing, the story, plots and of course characters. Here there is Captain Hastings and Hercule Poirot who drive  the book onwards.

The scene is Central London where wining and dining are a fact of daily life with little mention of anyone working class. Theatre performances, dinner parties and those that cosy-up to the lords and ladies. It is about class. Location is an important factor and with the characters that the author has created there is no time to be bored, but one must pay attention. There are many events and the incidents continue at pace.

Of course, Hastings and Poirot, seem to have so much power over Scotland Yard and the bit player to the intrigue, Inspector Japp, who tries to assert his authority but is only ever second to the grey cells of Hercule Poirot and one could say second class too.

Her writing is a lesson for detail and there can be no confusion as what actually happened, when and my who.  There is a letter by the culprit in the last chapter saying how it was done. I loved it for the style and the play of how it could have been in that era. Just wonderful to have read it.

Agatha Christie is the methodical and meticulous mistress of plot. 

What next? Well, the rest of her collection are on the shelf, but I may try a Ruth Rendell story next. The choices are many.

MONNEGRE

We never ever go out on Saturdays because the hunters are banging about and there can be other people spoiling our peace. However we just had to, this week, rather than lose a chance to miss another day of the migration and new arrivals. We wanted to give Warblers a good crack and go yet again to Monnegre but this time take it slower, stop at more places and seriously check more sites.

Traffic wise it was quiet but there were many cyclists to be avoided. We made good time for the first part and again Trumpeter Finches - Camachuelo Trompetero were there waiting for us. They were not at all fazed about passing cars and cyclists and stayed to be photographed. Only a pair this time and they were in good shape. We checked on photos from last July and this bird had worn feathers. Okay it may have been after a breeding season and our two birds will probably not have bred and/or travelled far. We discussed the knowledge that we had of this species and also what info is available. The answer to the latter is not a lot and Gareth is going to investigate. Wouldn’t it be very good to find a nest. We also discussed the apparent lack of interest of others in not bothering to seek these finches out.

At first our attention was drawn to flying, circling and chatting Choughs - Chova Piquirroja of which they were over 40. That’s a good size population. So beautiful to see and hear.

My intention for the morning was to seek out arrivals, check on the spring flowers and what butterflies were to be seen. It was breezy for most of the time and so any butterflies - mariposa soon went by. Photographs will follow.

We moved on and stopped as usual by the bridge. There were birds around but nothing showed clearly except a female Blackcap - Curruca Capirotado. 

We usually go up through the village to the top point. This time we stopped at the fork in the road where the left turn is a track. Here we had luck because Subalpine Warblers - Curruca Carrasquena had been seen previously and today they were there again. Gareth got a perched bird, another tick, and Michelle and I saw flying birds. It pays to be patient.

We took the unmade track and ‘broke fresh ground’ and with another good result. There sitting in the clear on a low pine branch was a male Crossbill - Piquituerto Común. It was holding its own on the branch bouncing in the wind and not easy for photos either. It was very good clear low sighting. It flew after a while and I saw it fly from out of a rock pool. Stunning colours too.

We have a tendency to save the best for last! At the ‘lone tree’ a Dartford Warbler - Curruca Rabilarga was heard and found in a bush within 10 metres. The photographs will show how stunning this male was. My best views ever. He entertained us well. Now for next week and we think Maigmo.

We also saw a lone Red Rumped Swallow passing through.

Two Swallow Tails went past, both small and large Whites were around but only a few. No snakes this time and the only mammal was a mouse. We will keep looking.

Species count - not that many but the quality of sightings made our day.