Help Save the AvocetEssex Wildlife Trust need volunteers to help protect Avocet Eggs. Following the fantastic success in previous years when Avocet chicks have successfully hatched on Two Tree Island, Essex Wildlife Trust is once again looking for volunteers to assist them. In 2004 and 2005 eggs were stolen just two days prior to hatching and it is believed they were stolen by egg thieves. Since 2006 Essex Wildlife Trust have successfully helped to increase the breeding Avocet population at Two Tree Island, with the help of hundreds of volunteers taking part in a coordinated Egg Watch. This will be our 5th year! 2009 was a real success with nearly 40 Avocet hatchlings, as well as Oystercatcher, Redshank, Common Tern and Ringed Plover chicks. 2009 also attracted a record number of volunteers with more than 70 individuals giving their time during the nesting season. The Avocet is a striking coastal bird; it is a black and white wader with a long up-curved black beak. They are found in the mainly coastal areas of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Kent. Listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is an offence to take, injure or kill an Avocet or take, damage or destroy its nest, eggs or young. Violation of the law can attract fines of up to £5,000 per offence and/or a prison sentence of up to 6 months. Volunteers are needed are needed to fill four time slots each day this year between April 19th and the 4th June. Just one visit can make a massive contribution. Stephanie Campbell, Southend Environmental Projects Manager, Working in Partnership with both Essex Wildlife Trust and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, said: "Please volunteer, a few hours of your time can help make a difference to the wildlife in Essex. This amazing project is a real community effort between Essex Wildlife Trust, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, Essex Police, the Local Community and a whole range of partners. Most of our volunteers come from Southend and Essex, but some have travelled as far as from County Durham. I look forward to hearing from you. Please contact me on 01702 215602. It's a great reason to visit this superb nature reserve, as well as potentially very rewarding bird watching!" Three New Bird SurveysThe Essex Birdwatching Society has highlighted three species who's numbers have declined both nationally and in Essex over recent years. To assess current population levels in Essex a new survey has been launched. Beginning at the start of April 2010 all records of the three species listed below would be warmly received. Details required for each species are:
Submission of records Please send your records to Alan Shearman Regular survey updates will be posted on the Essex Birdwatching Society web site and sent to those who submit records along with a report each year. This survey is planned to run for a minimum three years. Bullfinch Cuckoo Turtle Dove Become a Cetacean & Sea Bird Surveyor with MarinelifeThe charity Marinelife, which has been operating its successful Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP) for 13 years, is running a special shore-based training opportunity at the Adult Community Learning Centre, Dovercourt, Harwich, for volunteer whale, dolphin & sea bird surveyors for all-year survey routes operating from Felixstowe in the North Sea. The programme will include an introduction to ocean-going cetacean and seabird survey techniques and protocols, a brief overview of identification issues, guidelines on how to become more actively involved with Marinelife/BDRP pelagic surveys and an opportunity to network with key personnel and other volunteer surveyors. This will be followed up with opportunities for more rigorous scientific training at sea under the guidance of experienced team leaders through our programme of monthly research voyages on ferry routes in the North Sea as well as the English Channel and Bay of Biscay. This will ensure that all data collected by volunteer researchers during ongoing projects is of the same rigorous high quality and continues to be at the forefront of current scientific best practice. This introductory training event is being held at the Adult Community Learning Centre, Dovercourt, Harwich, Essex, on Thursday 26th February 2009 at 19:00 to 21:00h. Booking is essential and there is a nominal charge of 5 per person to help cover expenses, payable in advance. For further details, including booking information, please email John Arnott, Research Teams Manager, at john.arnott@marine-life.org.uk For more information about our activities please visit our website www.marine-life.org.uk Registered Charity No: 1110884 RSPB Volunteer Work PartiesInterested in Conservation Volunteering? Volunteers are wanted for for a work parties at RSPB South Essex Marshes 10am - 4pm on every Wednesday, sites include Vange Marshes and West Canvey Marsh. Volunteer on South Essex Marshes suite of reserves including areas not normally accessible to visitors. For more information Call 01268 559158. Come along and make a difference! An Easy Way to Help Local WildlifeThe RSPB is urging people living in south Essex to lend a hand to help wildlife. The Society – the largest wildlife conservation charity in Europe – is asking people to help the RSPB's community fundraising scheme. Graham Larter, community fundraising officer, said: “We’re looking for businesses to place boxes of our very collectable pin badges on their counters. We also need volunteers to look after the boxes to make sure money raised from pin badges is banked and that there are always plenty of badges available.” “We particularly need volunteers to help us in areas such as Southend, Basildon and Canvey Island” he added. Last year, the RSPB raised a massive £600,000 from the community fund-raising scheme, money that is used to help the organisation deliver its vital work for birds and other wildlife, such as its nature reserves at Vange Marshes and West Canvey Marsh. For more information about the scheme, contact Graham on 01603 660066 or 07771 923673 (graham.larter@rspb.org.uk) or visit the RSPB’s website on www.rspb.org.uk.
Ends For further information, or to arrange interviews, please
contact: Reptile and Amphibian RecordsIf anyone sees any reptiles or amphibians anywhere in Essex could they please send the record of species, numbers & location (grid ref. if possible), to our County Recorder, John Wright at johnpw2@tiscali.co.uk. First frog/toad spawn dates would also be appreciated. Colour Ringed Mediterranean GullsThank you very much for your Mediterranean Gull sightings. I would mostly appreciate if you could perform more sightings in the future. Is a regular follow-up by you possible in your area? Even observations of the same bird are very valuable for us. It would be interesting, especially in the next weeks, to obtain the very last sightings from the Med Gulls from Southend Pier before they leave your area. If you observe black-ringed Med Gulls (= from Ukraine, Greece or Turkey), you can send your sightings to me; I will send you the complete life history. Very many thanks for your collaboration! I hope to receive soon news from you. Renaud FLAMANT Have You Seen a Porpoise, Dolphin or Whale off the Essex Coast or in the Thames estuary?I am writing to ask for help in surveying Porpoises, Dolphins and Whales (cetaceans). Essex Wildlife Trust maintains a database of cetacean sightings. This information is shared by the conservation community and is important in helping to understand the population and distribution of these animals in the southern North Sea. We are trying to reach people who spend time at sea or in coastal locations and who may see live or stranded cetaceans. We have a new version of our survey card which now provides additional information. The previous version has been in use for several years and we have found them to be a simple and effective way for people to report sightings. We receive a steady stream of returned cards through the year. If you would like copies of our survey cards, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you very much for your help. |
