Latest shared news items Sign a Pledge Now To Save our Birds of Prey02nd July 2009 I've had to take dead birds to the vets many times before, but this time I had a real sinking feeling. Minutes after handing over the limp corpse I was staring at an X-ray, which confirmed my worst fears. I could see 11 pieces of gunshot in what had been a magnificent, female peregrine. She had been slaughtered – most probably on her nest. The inscribed metal ring on her leg gave a tiny insight into her life. She hatched seven years ago in Shropshire and, at the time of her death, was in her prime. Quite probably, she had chicks that depended on her and will now starve. I felt sick and disgusted. How can people stoop so low? 2009 has been a terrible year for cowardly crimes against birds of prey, including eagles and peregrines. With your help, we can stop this illegal killing. Sign a pledge now to save our birds of prey. I work in the RSPB's Investigations team and this has been one of the worst years I can remember. In the last few weeks, barely a day has gone by without us getting a call about peregrine persecution and other crimes against birds of prey. It's shocking that in the 21st century, these fabulous birds are still routinely shot, trapped and poisoned. Only a few days ago, one of my colleagues in Scotland went to investigate a dead golden eagle found in Argyll. The police suspect that it was illegally poisoned, using a bait with a very toxic chemical. I'm desperate for the peregrine and golden eagle deaths not to be mere grisly statistics. With your support, we can demonstrate to government that we will not tolerate these crimes and put an end to them. Please sign the RSPB's birds of prey pledge now and help us stop the killing. Thank you so much. Mark Thomas Hovering Hunters Can See Glowing Vole Wee!02nd July 2009 Most people can recognise a kestrel hovering above a motorway verge as though suspended in mid-air. But it turns out there’s a lot more to this graceful bird of prey than meets the eye. Did you know they can see vole urine in UV light? This summer the RSPB is offering visitors to Wat Tyler Country Park, near Basildon, the chance to watch a kestrel pair raising their chicks in a specially built nest box and to find out more about what kestrels eat, how they hunt and what family life is like for them. Voles are a kestrel's favourite food (though they also take mice, and occasionally small birds and reptiles). An adult kestrel needs to eat between four and eight voles each day. With up to five hungry chicks to feed, kestrels need to catch a lot more during the breeding season. Kestrels have an astonishing trick up their sleeves that helps explain their remarkable hunting ability. Voles and other small mammals leave trails of urine wherever they go to mark their burrows, and kestrels use this to home in on them. Like lots of birds, kestrels can see a wider range of colours than humans, including the ultraviolet end of the spectrum. It just so happens that urine reflects UV light, so all a kestrel has to do is follow the UV trails and wait for a mouse or a vole to appear! Kitty Brayne, Date with Nature Project Officer for the RSPB said, "Now is the perfect time to visit Wat Tyler and check out the kestrel family. Using our telescopes and binoculars you can get great close-up views of the chicks who are round and fluffy at the moment. A few times a day the male drops off food for the family at lightning speed and it's amazing to watch the feeding frenzy that follows, as the mother helps tear up the prey for her chicks. Over the next few weeks, the chicks will develop flight feathers and begin to clamber out onto the ledge before testing their wings and making their first flights. Who needs wildlife documentaries when you’ve got real-life dramas like this unfolding right on your doorstep?" Once on their own, life is tough for young kestrels. On average, only one in five birds survive the two years to breeding age. Starvation is the main cause of death. Although widespread, kestrel numbers have declined over the last twenty years, probably due to changes in farming practise reducing the amount of food available. This drop in numbers has lost them their place as the most common bird of prey in the UK and warranted their inclusion on the Amber List of Birds of Conservation Concern. Kitty went on to explain, "These kestrels, along with other UK birds of prey, need your help. The RSPB is campaigning to prevent the illegal persecution of these stunning birds through gathering pledges. Come down to the kestrel viewpoint at Wat Tyler Country Park and sign the petition to add your voice to this campaign." For more information about the RSPB’s Bird of Prey campaign and to sign the online pledge, visit www.rspb.org.uk/birdsofprey. The free kestrel viewpoint will be open 11 am – 5pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until 26 July. RSPB staff and volunteers will be on hand with telescopes and binoculars so you can get intimate views of the kestrel family. For more information please call 01268 559158 or visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/sites/wat_tyler/index.asp. Unique Partnership Plans a Better Future for Thames' Wildlife02nd July 2009 An innovative audit of wildlife in the Thames is being launched at the House of Commons today, heralding a major advance in the relationship between conservation and commerce. The project is the result of a unique collaboration between the Port of London Authority (PLA) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). It's the first time an agreement of this kind has been signed between a port authority and an environmental charity. The comprehensive review, the Conservation Management Framework (CMF), pulls together key information on the Thames' wildlife into an interactive website. It covers the diverse range of species found in the Thames and all its habitats. The wildlife includes dolphins, seals, fish, marine invertebrates and populations of internationally important waterbirds. By assessing how the PLA's operations can affect these populations, both in normal circumstances and in possible emergencies like vessel collisions, the framework enables the PLA to balance the dual interests of commercial shipping and conservation. It also outlines how the statutory body can best manage the wide range of habitats that fall under its jurisdiction, which runs 95 miles from Teddington in West London, then downstream to the outer limits of the Thames Estuary. RSPB Chief Executive Graham Wynne said: "The framework is the culmination of years of debate between conservationists and commercial shipping. Ten years ago there would have been a very definite line between the two but we now have the tool we need to bring these sometimes disparate interests closer together. "It’s a major step forward and has been driven by the PLA’s desire to marry these two crucial sides of life on the Thames. "What’s more, the project brings together all the different knowledge about the tidal Thames for everyone to see. By doing this, it shows how important the Thames Estuary is for wildlife." The PLA is the statutory body responsible for navigation and safety in the Thames, a stretch of water that supports some of UK’s most important and sensitive wildlife, plus one of the biggest arrays of internationally protected habitats in Europe. The PLA celebrates its centenary this year and Chief Executive Richard Everitt sees the agreement with the RSPB as part of the continuous improvement in its work to manage the tidal Thames. He said: "The coast, estuaries and rivers are some of our most sensitive environments and are also attractive to many different users. That is certainly the case for the Thames, where we have over 10,000 sea-going vessels a year passing inter-tidal areas important to wildlife, a growing commuter trade and extensive sporting pursuits. Over the last few months, we have worked through the challenges of managing these differing interests with the RSPB. Their input, combined with the guidance contained in the Conservation Management Framework, will inform our thinking on how we tackle issues in the future. "Some fifteen or twenty years ago you would have struggled to find a port authority working with an environmental group. Today there is recognition that working together, developing mutual understanding and seeking compromise is more effective than conflict. This is the start of a journey together with the RSPB. It may not always run smoothly, but we have established the foundations for debating and resolving conflicts of interest in the future." Gravesham MP, Adam Holloway, is hosting today's reception at the House of Commons. He said: "The Thames is an amazing resource for London. Just take a look at the river at Gravesend and you get a snapshot of the uses it attracts. You'll see large commercial ships, sailing barges, cruise ships, rowing boats, birds, fish and even seals. "Making sure the river and its environment is fit to continue to support these uses is a challenge. That’s why this unique link-up is so important. More than that, it signposts how others might tackle similar dilemmas in the future." To view the CMF visit www.pla.co.uk Partnership creates new nature reserve26th June 2009 Joint media release issued by the RSPB on behalf of Veolia Environmental Services and the RSPB 25 June 2009 A unique partnership between the RSPB and Veolia Environmental Services is delivering a new 270 hectare wetland nature reserve on the south Essex marshes. The two organisations have signed a 150-year peppercorn lease on land adjoining Veolia's Pitsea landfill site. The RSPB will manage the land to develop a sustainable wetland system with a range of habitats including extensive wet grassland, a tidal lagoon, scrapes and saltmarsh. An existing reedbed will also be extended. The new habitats will attract birds including bittern, redshank and lapwing as well as large numbers of waterfowl and spectacular wading birds like the black tailed godwit. Water vole, great crested newt and a wide variety of invertebrates will also make their homes on the new marshes where new public access will create opportunities for quiet recreation and exploration of the natural world. Paul Levett, Deputy Chief Executive of Veolia Environmental Services says, "We have worked closely with the RSPB in south-east Essex for nearly a decade. Within Basildon and Castle Point, the Veolia ES Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust has contributed over half a million pounds towards the purchase of nearly 258 hectares of land at West Canvey Marshes, public access and other infrastructure improvements at Vange Marshes and the employment of a full time RSPB Wildlife and People’s Project Officer. "The land covered by this new lease will form part of the 15 square kilometre 'green lung' of the South Essex Marshes. We welcome the active involvement of the RSPB in building on the 20 years of restoration already completed at our Pitsea landfill". Chris Corrigan, Regional Director, South East Regional Office, RSPB adds: "We are extremely excited by our partnership with Veolia and this significant and very welcome opportunity to extend our existing interests in the area at West Canvey and Vange Marshes. 550 hectares of additional land for nature conservation and public access will mean we can make a real difference to the living landscape of south Essex – for wildlife and for people. This is a marvellous contribution to the South Essex Greengrid and Thames Gateway Parklands. "This is a long-term commitment by Veolia and the RSPB and shows how waste management and nature conservation organisations can work together for the good of our environment, our wildlife and our communities." John Baron, MP for Billericay and District also endorses the project: "Too often we see the over-development of our green spaces, so congratulations to Veolia and the RSPB for conserving the natural environment and encouraging local wildlife. The new project will be a fun resource for the whole family and help to raise awareness of conservation issues. This ambitious scheme will really help to put the Essex Marshes back on the map." Veolia is currently working on a restoration master plan for its Pitsea site, with a range of stakeholders including RSPB. The site will be restored for a variety of nature conservation uses including grassland and flower rich meadows, to support diverse invertebrate and reptile communities as well as species such as nationally rare species brown hare and skylark. The restored site will be developed and managed for public access by the RSPB and will provide magnificent views over the entire marshland area. Media contacts for further information: Veolia Environmental Services RSPB Further information can be obtained by visiting the websites: www.veolia.co.uk Images of Wat Tyler and RSPB Vange30th May 2009 Photographer Darren Chaplin is undertaking a series of new images of Wat Tyler and RSPB Vange Marsh to tie in with the opening of the Heritage Centre and new RSPB Centre, the website is aimed at showing Wat Tyler and RSPB Vange marshes at their best and from some unusual viewpoints. Some of the images are taken early morning around 5am when the public are unable to access the park and late evening sunsets around 9.30pm/10pm. There will also be images showing the improvements made to habitats and the landscaping work and development of the park over the Summer months. Some of these images are likely to be on sale as prints and cards in the Heritage Centre and RSPB centre when they open with a percentage going to RSPB and Basildon Council. See: http://darrenchaplinphotography.blogspot.com/2009/05/wat-tyler-park-sunrise-in-may.html New RSPB Visitor Centre at Wat Tyler Country Park to Open This Summer20th May 2009 An exciting new visitor centre is getting set to open at the heart of Wat Tyler Country Park in Pitsea this summer. This new RSPB Centre will be the second of it's kind in the park and will include state-of-the-art CCTV putting the secrets of the outside world right in front of your eyes. There will also be informative displays enabling you to discover more about the South Essex marshes and a range of RSPB bird-care products to buy. The centre will be powered by 100% sustainable energy provided by the same wood-burning boiler that powers the council's new Wat Tyler Centre. Existing buildings within the park are being refurbished as part of the Parklands Project and are part-financed by Essex County Council, under the Thames Gateway programme of the Department for Communities and Local Government. These new facilities will complement the new Wat Tyler Centre, which is also due to open this summer. David Hedges, the RSPB's South Essex Area Manager, said, "The new visitor centre will be a great new home for the RSPB in Wat Tyler Country Park allowing us to host bigger and better events and show people what a great place the marshes of south Essex are". Alongside the new centre, another building will also be refurbished, as a children's Discovery Centre offering a variety of wildlife themed events and activities, and an extensive wildlife garden will be enhanced as an excellent environmental education area. Essex is Top of the Crops for Farm Wildlife30th April 2009 The RSPB in the East of England is pleased to announce Andrew and Allison Bond at Bryher Beef Farm in Essex, as the regional winners of the Nature of Farming Award 2009. The award, run in association with Countryfile magazine, has fallen to Essex for the second year running. Backed by Butterfly Conservation and Plantlife, the Nature of Farming Award celebrates farmers managing their land in ways that help birds and wildlife. Creating unharvested seed bearing crops and nectar rich sources for insects are just two ways farmers can help develop long-term habitats for wildlife. On hearing the good news, the Bonds said, "Winning the regional final was wonderful – the icing on the cake after a very exciting and busy year! Whilst we are quite 'new on the block', we feel evangelical about all the improvements we have made, and are planning to make, to improve all the species of wildlife on the farm. "We have embraced the scheme whole-heartedly and are pleased that the RSPB continues to take a very active interest in everything we are doing here. The advisory team have provided practical support and much encouragement, which helps to make everything at Bryher Beef Farm worthwhile." Bryher Beef was the trading name adopted by the business in the late 1970s. In those days, a moderate sized beef herd was run alongside the arable enterprise on three hundred acres, however, BSE affected the beef cattle and the farm reverted to being entirely arable. Bryher Beef Farm is a 113 ha arable farm on which a wide variety of birds and insects are directly benefiting from Andrew and Allison's dedication and commitment to integrated wildlife friendly farming. Practices such as winter stubbles, unharvested cereal crops, nectar flower crops and fallow plots for ground nesting birds are encouraging lapwing, skylark and corn bunting onto their land. This allows the farm to provide much needed sustenance and shelter for a wide range of farmland wildlife. An array of wildlife is benefiting from the Bond's thoughtful farming practices. Water voles are being helped with pond and river management, nectar sources are available for a wide range of invertebrates and grass leys are managed to provide specific conditions for butterflies and moths. Andrew went on to say, "I have found a renewed interest and enthusiasm for the farm through this project and it is something the whole family can be involved with." With funding help from Environmental Stewardship and, of course, the help of a dedicated RSPB Farmland Advisory team, Andrew and Allison are integrating their wildlife friendly farming practices into a commercial farming business; a successful enterprise for all. Bryher Beef Farm managed to fight off tough competition to take the winning place. Simon Tonkin, RSPB Farmland Conservation Officer said, "Andrew and Allison are extremely worthwhile winners, a true example to their industry on what can be done for farm wildlife using the governments two-tiered Environmental Stewardship Schemes." Simon also commented, "It's not just that Andrew and Allison are implementing specific land management practices that helps their farm biodiversity. Their unrivalled enthusiasm for the farm and it's wildlife, coupled with the willingness to promote it to both their peers and members of the public is truly impressive - massive congratulations to very worthy winners." Allison and Andrew summed up how they feel about winning this award and their continued good work, "The land already has a different feel to it - we feel differently about it! We have embraced the scheme whole-heartedly and are pleased that the RSPB continues to take a very active interest in everything we are doing here providing practical support and much encouragement" The RSPB is dedicated to strengthening its relationship with the farming community and highlight good practice being undertaken across the UK for wildlife. More information on the Nature of Farming Award can be found by visiting www.rspb.co.uk/farmvote. The South East Essex RSPB Local Group Celebrates its 25th AnniversaryJanuary 2009 December 2008 saw the South East Essex Group celebrating its 25th anniversary with a big party held in its indoor meeting hall at the Blenheim Centre, Blenheim Schools Leigh on Sea. The event was exceptionally well attended with around 100 people braving the cold weather to join in the party. A truly wonderful buffet was provided for us by Food for Thought (thank you Lesley and Robert). The evening was taken up with speeches from attending RSPB officials and local group members, a really superb raffle, quizzes and fun items. Two really fantastic and delicious cakes were made for us and donated free of charge by Jill Warner and we thank her very much indeed for these. One of the cakes was consumed on the night and the other was auctioned and made £25 for our charity account.
We are very lucky indeed that we have been able to sustain our group and loyal membership base and we are now looking to 2009 with increased confidence, good finances, interesting talks, well supported coach trips and a strong and hard working committee. I cannot thank all of you enough, here's to the next 25 years!
Web Author. 2007 Survey of Breeding Corn Buntings in Essex04th December 2008 By Chris Tyas, RSPB Essex Area Manager IntroductionThe UK Corn Bunting population declined by 89% between 1970 and 2006 and it is still declining. This decrease, being greater than 50% in 25 years, makes Corn Bunting a Red-Listed species, it is also a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species. The most recent national population estimate puts the UK population at between 8,500 and 12,200 territories (Baker et al 2006). Set against this massive national decline, Essex still has a relatively good Corn Bunting population. The Essex Breeding Bird Atlas (Dennis 1996) recorded birds in 341 (32%) of the County's tetrads, with 293 classified as probable or confirmed breeders and 48 as possible breeders. However, evidence of population decline has been found in Essex, research in Tendring District suggested a decline of 48% over the 10 years 1994 to 2004 (Mason & Macdonald 2006). The aim of this 2007 Essex Corn Bunting Survey was to count the numbers of territory-holding male Corn Buntings in a sample of tetrads in the County. In addition to this, information was also gathered on the habitat occupied by the birds and the type of song-post being used. In order to gain extra information on both numbers and distribution casual records were also gathered. The casual records form also asked for breeding information on both Turtle Dove and Bullfinch. This survey was born out of necessity i.e. the importance of Essex for this key national BAP species and was coordinated by me under the umbrella of the Essex Birdwatching Society's Biodiversity sub-committee. It was thus a combined EBS/RSPB survey. It is interesting to note that the majority of the volunteers who helped with this survey were recruited via the Essex Birder's web-ring. An excellent example of the use of this venerable forum. MethodsThe methods used for this survey drew heavily on a similar survey carried out by The Hertfordshire Bird Club. This survey was co-ordinated by Ken Smith, Chair of the Herts. Bird Club and, at the time of the survey, a senior member of the RSPB Research Department. Fifty tetrads (2km x 2km squares) were chosen from Dennis (1996), with the aim of getting a good spread throughout the various sub-populations found during the 1988-1994 recording period; all the chosen tetrads had the highest (probable/confirmed) breeding status. An excellent response to the call for volunteers meant that we managed to cover 33 of the chosen tetrads. This proportion represented a good number from a statistical analysis perspective. The survey required three visits to be made to the selected tetrad between 2nd May and 20th July, with a gap of at least 20 days between visits. If a visit was interrupted by bad weather, the remainder of the tetrad could be completed during the following week, with this indicated on the form. The recording form consisted of a square grid representing the four 1km squares forming the tetrad. Using this grid (map), shading was used to map areas of woodland and urbanisation, these areas were excluded from the survey. Other topographical features, such as roads or field boundaries, were included if it helped the fieldwork. (see appendix one for an example of the survey form) On each visit, observers were asked to locate all territory-holding Corn Buntings in the tetrad; singing was the most obvious evidence of territory occupancy. Using one form for each visit, the position of each bird was marked on the recording form with a dot and a coded designation for habitat and song-post. Where a bird was singing on the boundary of two habitat classifications both habitats were recorded. Dashed lines were used wherever possible to link simultaneous registrations of different birds and solid lines used to show the same bird moving to a different song-post. Notes were made on any factors that may have affected the number of birds located, such as weather, traffic noise or incomplete coverage. As the survey progressed it became clear that there were many tetrads where birds were absent. With this in mind, we decided to limit the survey to two blank visits rather than waste the observer's valuable time on a fruitless third visit. Further information was gathered on each tetrad for use in the analysis. Using 1:10,000 scale maps, the percentage of farmland within each tetrad was measured along with the distance from the centre of each tetrad to the 'coast', usually the top of the nearest sea wall. The casual record form asked people to record similar information to that of the tetrad survey i.e. date, location, grid reference, habitat code and song-post code. Results/AnalysisTable 1 (Appendix Two) summarises the results from the 33 tetrads, expressed as the peak count of singing corn buntings. Table 2 summarises the casual record data in a similar fashion. The Map (Appendix Three) shows the distribution of both the tetrad and casual record data and shows the population size per tetrad using a range of different sized dots. Of the 33 tetrads covered, each with probable/confirmed breeding in 1988-94, only 14 (42%) held birds. There has been an obvious contraction to the coast, with all but three tetrads being within 1.8km of the coast and the furthest just 6.3km from the nearest coast. It is interesting to note that two of the three tetrads that were furthest from the coast were in Tendring District, within the population surveyed in Mason and MacDonald (2006). The casual record data also confirms the contraction to the coast, with the vast majority of the records coming from the coastal zone. The obvious exceptions were good populations in the Bulphan and Orsett Fens in the southwest of the county and at Wormingford Airfield, 10km northwest of Colchester. There may have been a contraction to the coast but populations along the coast remain high in some areas, with three tetrads having over 20 singing males, two on The Dengie and the one centred on Wallasea Island. Given the clear pattern of more birds on/near the coast a statistical analysis was carried out to prove this association. The problem with this analysis was that there was such a large variation in the numbers recorded in each tetrad. In statistical jargon the data were 'over dispersed' and so didn't fit standard models. We got round this in two ways, logistic regression and regression of numbers verses distance. Using logistic regression the data was turned into simple presence (1) or absence (0) for each tetrad and then the probability of occupation was calculated. The formula for the probability of being occupied for the corn bunting tetrad data was: Prob = 1/ (1+ exp(-0.690+ 0.317 * distance from coast)) This analysis translates in to a c.65% probability at the coast, falling sharply to around 25% 5km inland. This is a highly significant relationship (chi squared = 11.40, p<0.001). Using regression of numbers verses distance over dispersion becomes an issue. We got round this by using a negative binomial distribution, this allows for the large numbers in a few tetrads and low or zero in many others. Again, there was a highly significant fall off with distance even more sharply than the logistic model: Loge (number in tetrad) = 2.243 - 0.393 * distance (p=0.009) The following graph clearly shown the relationship between corn bunting numbers and the coastal zone:
We then combined the above analysis with the information gathered on farmland area and applied regression analysis, giving the following result: Loge (corn buntings per ha of
farmland) = -3.010 – 0.4453* distance This is another highly significant relationship. We also looked at the presence of saltmarsh in the models but the effect was not significant. This suggests a relationship with the 'mixed farm' element afforded by the seawall grassland habitat immediately adjacent to arable. The number of tetrads covered during the survey allowed an estimate of the total Essex breeding population to be made. This was done using a statistical analysis called bootstrapping. Two population sizes were produced, one using the peak counts from each tetrad and one using the mean number of birds over the three visits to the tetrad: Using peak CB numbers: Mean number per tetrad = 5.31 (95% CI 2.06 -9.09) which translates to county total of 1554 (95% 604-2663) (assuming 293 tetrads in the overall sample). Using mean CB numbers: Mean number per tetrad = 4.50 (95% CI 1.63 -8.40) which translates to county total of 1313 (95% 478-2461) (assuming 293 tetrads in the overall sample). NB The figure of 293 tetrads is taken from Dennis (1996) i.e. the number of tetrads with probable/confirmed breeding from which the 33 tetrads used in this survey were drawn. We feel that the peak number figure is the most plausible. If we use a UK population of 10,350 (mean of the 8,500-12,200 quoted in Baker et al 2006), then 1,554 Essex territories represents an impressive 15% of the UK population. Only a limited number of records were received for Turtle Dove and Bullfinch. The request via the casual recording form yielded 51 records of Turtle Dove and 15 for Bullfinch. These were passed to the County Recorders for inclusion in the main body of this Report. SummaryThe key facts to come out of this survey: · Of the 33 tetrads chosen (each with probable/confirmed breeding in 1988-94) only 14 (42%) held birds. · There has been an obvious (statistically significant) contraction to the coast, with all but three occupied tetrads being within 1.8km of the coast. · Casual data confirms that there are very few birds being seen away from the coastal zone. · Numbers on the coast remain high in some areas, with three tetrads having over 20 singing males. · The tetrad data imply a county population of between 1,313 and 1554 singing male corn buntings. · Using a UK breeding population of 10,350 (Baker et al 2006), this survey implies that Essex has c.15% of the UK breeding population. In one of my many email conversations with Ken Smith he commented "Nice survey though, if only it had been done 20 years ago I am sure it would have been possible to demonstrate a massive decline and redistribution". How right he is, but at least we now have a good base line to work from. This survey, combined with the on-going Atlas work, should give us a clear picture of current Corn Bunting distribution and a reasonable estimate of numbers. This is a survey that will be well worth repeating in, say, 10 years time. It is hoped that in the intervening time, with targeted agri-environment grant, numbers will have stabilised and, hopefully, started to rise. AcknowledgementsSpecial thanks are due to Ken Smith for providing the survey methodology and carrying out the vast majority of the in-depth analysis. I know there are name checks in the tetrad and casual record tables in the appendices but I make no excuses for naming everyone again and giving a big thank you to everyone who helped make this survey a success. Thanks are due to the following 35 people who carried out tetrad surveys: Chris Balchin, Robert Barrett, Neil Chambers, Paul Charlton, Brian Clayden, Adrian Dally, Jeff Delve, Graham Ekins, Juliette Elderton, Glyn Evans, Neil Harvey, Barry Jones, Howard Knott, Colin Jupp, Anne Lansdown, Chris Lewis, Stephen Marginson, Paul Morris, Russ Neave, Mark Nowers, Paul Parmenter, Bob Pease, Jannette Rowland , Alan Shearman, Graham Smith, Jim Smith, Les Steward, Steven Swaby, Andrew Thompson, Chris Tyas, Dougal Urquart, Howard Vaughn, Rick Vonk, Dave Wagstaff and Paul Wood Special thanks are due to Les Steward and Bob Pease who helped with two tetrads and Graham Smith who coordinated the recording on The Dengie. Thanks are also due to the following 20 people who submitted casual records for corn bunting, turtle dove and bullfinch: Neil Chambers, Brian Chruches, John Clark, Brian Clayden, Pat Cox, Simon Cox, Adrian Dalley, Glyn Evans, Nick Green, Glenn Jacobs, Anne Lansdown, Russell Neave, Paul Parmenter, Bob Pease, Martin Peers, Les Steward, Steven Swaby, Chris Tyas, Howard Vaughan and Paul Wood. Apologies are due to anyone I have missed off this long list and particularly to the person who submitted casual data for Corn Buntings around Abberton Reservoir, I am afraid that I was unable to find the name associated with this form. ReferencesBaker, H., D.A. Stroud, N.J. Aebischer, P.A. Cranswick, R.D. Gregory, C.A. McSorley, D.G. Noble & M.M. Rehfisch. 2006. Population estimates of birds in Great Britain and the United Kingdom. British Birds 99, 25–44. Dennis, M.K. (1996). Tetrad Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Essex. Essex Birdwatching Society, 312pp. Mason, C.F. & S.M. Macdonald. 2006. Recent Marked Decline in Corn Bunting Numbers in Northeast Essex, British Birds 99, 213-214. C.J. Tyas, RSPB Essex Area Manager, 1 Old Hall Lane, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Maldon, Essex. CM9 8TP. E-mail: chris.tyas@rspb.org.uk AppendicesAppendix One: Example of completed recording form
Appendix Two Table One: Results of tetrad survey
Table Two: Results from casual record forms
Appendix Three: Map showing distribution of tetrads and casual Corn Bunting data
NB With this map showing both the tetrad and casual records there are some tetrads with data from both sets, where this has occurred the larger figure has been used. People and Wildlife Better off with Parklands Funding - £6.5 Million for RSPB Projects28th November 2008 The RSPB's work to create new, accessible wildlife sites in the Thames Gateway received a £6.5 million boost from the Government's Parklands funding announced in Margaret Beckett's speech to the Thames Gateway Forum (26 November 2008). RSPB Rainham Marshes is already the recipient of significant funding via the Thames Gateway Development Corporations in London and Thurrock. This high profile nature reserve, which is at the heart of the larger Wildspace project straddling the London Essex border, will receive over £1.3 million towards the further improvement of the wildlife habitat and the provision of additional visitor facilities. The money will also help to fund the installation of a new wind turbine that will effectively make the Purfleet Environment and Education Centre carbon neutral in its day-to-day operations. A further £5.2 million has been allocated to RSPB plans for the creation of a new 1500-hectare green landscape at the heart of the South Essex Marshes, further downstream at Vange Marshes, West Canvey Marsh and Bowers Marsh in Basildon and Castle Point. This also includes a new RSPB visitor centre at Wat Tyler Country Park, Basildon. As at Rainham Marshes, a key element of all these projects is to ensure that they are at the heart of Thames Gateway communities and allow people to get closer to wildlife. Mike Clarke, the RSPB's Director of Operations, said, "This is great news for people and wildlife in the Gateway. The Parklands funding will mean that we can further increase the amount of accessible greenspace in South Essex and enhance the quality of life for local people – and for the wildlife!" ""From the outset, the RSPB has maintained that the key to success in the Gateway is to combine a world class economy with a world class environment to enable people to benefit from both. The Parklands funding is now providing significant support to make this happen and ensure that the eco-region can truly live up to its name." Thames Estuary Cited As One Of The Uk's Most Internationally Important Waterbird Sites19th November 2008 Waterbirds in the UK 2006/2007, a report released yesterday [Monday November 17] places the Thames Estuary in the top five internationally important sites in the UK for the high number of waterbirds found there during winter or migration. The RSPB sees this as further confirmation that the idea of an international airport anywhere in the Thames Estuary is a complete not starter. The study, which began counting waterbird numbers in the 1960s in response to a proposed Maplin Sands Airport in Essex, found 12 species in the Thames Estuary in internationally important numbers – the highest concentration anywhere in the South East. The diversity of its waterbird species places the estuary in the top five internationally important sites in the UK, out of 143 recorded. Chris Corrigan, RSPB South East's regional director, said: "If ever Boris needed proof of the environmental cost involved in building a Thames Estuary airport, this report – which actually came about in response to a past airport proposal – is it. For years we have been pointing to the estuary's importance for countless species and here, in black and white yet again, is proof of just how remarkable the area really is for wildlife. "The nearby Swale and Medway Estuaries, similarly recognised by this report for their international importance, will also lose out if an airport went ahead. If Boris thinks building an airport anywhere in this area is viable, this report shows he needs to think again." The study finds the Thames Estuary to be the only internationally important site in the UK for the Amber Listed ringed plover, and the second most internationally important site in the UK for dunlin, found to be at its lowest level nationally since the 1970s." Globally significant populations of the UK's two species of godwit – types of wading bird – were also found in the Thames Estuary. Both show differing trends across the UK, with the black-tailed godwit – a bird of global conservation concern [see notes] – reaching its highest level; while the closely-related bar-tailed godwit, hit its lowest level to date, after a five-year decline. Teal and shoveler, also declining across the UK, are still found here in internationally important numbers, as are redshank – a type of wader now at its lowest level nationally for 20 years. Elsewhere in Kent, the Medway Estuary is cited for internationally important populations of avocet, pintail, and black-tailed godwit. The nearby Swale Estuary is noted for wigeon, teal black-tailed godwit and pintail. Across the South East, 12 key sites were found to host internationally important numbers of waterbirds. Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's conservation director, said: "This report shows that our estuaries and wetlands are wonderful places for wildlife and they deserve to remain so. "These sites, almost like airports, are vital staging posts for international travellers. Although climate change and development threaten these wonderful sites, the RSPB will continue to do everything in its power to protect them." "We are blessed with years of information, chronicling the ups and downs of these international travellers. This information must present a wake-up call to protect these sites, rather than provide a record of how important they once were." The report identifies climate change – specifically milder winters – as underlying many of the observed changes, as birds shorten their migratory flyways and spend the winter in other countries closer to their breeding grounds. Dr Debbie Pain, director of conservation at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, said: "WWT reserves offer safe roosts and a plentiful food source to some 200,000 waterbirds every winter. At this time of the year, the UK's estuaries, marshes and wetlands throng with the arrival of ducks, geese, swans and wading birds, making the UK one of the most important countries in the world for some of these birds. "However, we are becoming increasingly concerned about the declining numbers of some populations. Conservation action is needed urgently to reverse these declines." Dr Andy Musgrove, head of the Wetland Bird Survey at the British Trust for Ornithology, BTO said: "An army of thousands of volunteer birdwatchers has collected counts of wetland birds for over 60 years from around the country. These counts have proved invaluable time after time, whether investigating the potential impacts of industrial developments, assessing the likely effects of climate change or looking into the influence of introduced species on our native wildlife." "Here in the UK we are extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated team of skilled volunteers who are willing to give up their time to provide this vital information. It is thanks to them, and the high quality data they provide, that decisions affecting our internationally important populations of waterbirds can be based on sound scientific evidence." David Stroud, JNCC's Senior Ornithologist, said: "Maintaining the Wetland Bird Survey is essential to obtain good data on the trends of UK's waterbirds. Information on the status of these birds informs us about pressures not only at local sites here in the UK, but also about changing conditions on distant breeding grounds in the arctic – currently threatened by climate change." Research is needed to determine whether declines are due to birds short-stopping (that is, birds wintering closer to their breeding grounds, and hence occurring in the UK in smaller numbers) or whether they are 'real' global population declines. The report is published by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO); Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT); Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB); and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). Rubbish Taxes are Good for Wildlife6th November 2008 Money which comes from tax on the waste we throw away will be responsible for an extra £1 million being spent on conservation by the RSPB across the UK – with three nature reserves in Essex set to benefit. The grant will pay for improving around 950 hectares of dwindling historic grazing marshes, an area almost three and half times the size of the City of London. Biffaward, a multi-million pound environmental fund, which uses landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services, has given the RSPB the grant to help conservation projects right across the country. This is the third largest funding award the RSPB has ever received from the Landfill Communities Fund. The RSPB is using the money at 13 nature reserves to protect and manage grazing marshes. Three of these are at West Canvey Marshes, Old Hall Marshes near Tollesbury and Cattawade Marshes near Manningtree. At West Canvey Marshes, the Biffaward funding will allow the RSPB to:
At Cattawade Marshes, the Biffaward funding will allow the RSPB to install a water intake and 'scrape' (shallow lagoon), undertake ditching and ensure the current cattle grazing regime continues. The grant will also help to pay staff costs for surveying. At Old Hall Marshes, the Biffaward funding will allow the RSPB to:
These projects, to enhance coastal and floodplain grazing marsh in Essex, is part of a bigger push by the RSPB to protect a natural habitat identified as a priority in national Biodiversity Actions Plans (BAPs). The work contributes to UK and local BAP targets to keep the existing habitat extent (300,000 hectares) and to maintain the quality of existing habitat. Over the last 60 years there have been substantial losses in the size and quality of this important wildlife habitat. Grazing marsh has decreased by an estimated 40 per cent since the 1930s. As well as wading birds like lapwing and snipe, they are also vital habitats for numerous mammals, insects, rare plants, reptiles and amphibians. Kim Gutteridge, from the RSPB's headquarters, said: "The grant from Biffaward is very significant. Almost a million pounds in one grant will allow us to do 13 exciting projects to help our threatened grazing mashes and give something back to the environment." Gillian French, Biffaward's Programme Manager, added: "The natural environment is important to all our lives. When the RSPB proposed this programme of work, we could see what an impact it would have on biodiversity. We were delighted to award a grant which will benefit wildlife right across the UK." Some of the RSPB's most exciting and ambitious wildlife projects have been supported under long-term funding agreements through funders such as Biffaward. The Landfill Communities Fund recycles tax money from landfill waste to projects around landfill sites and far beyond. All 13 projects that will benefit from this latest grant are within 10 miles of a landfill site. Local Photographer's Website Launched03rd June 2008 Steve Arlow from the Southend Ornithological Group who you will all be familiar with as he has provided some stunning photographs in our photo album pages has now launched his own website. On Steve's website you will find many local photographs as well as national rarity shots and trip reports from his many foreign expeditions.The address of Steve's website is http://www.birdersplayground.co.uk/ Meet the RSPB in Essex!05th September 2006 A recent group shot taken while we were enjoying a Lady Essex III River Trip.
Awards For All Lottery Grant for Our Group03rd September 2006 Last year the South East Essex RSPB applied for funding from the Awards for All lottery grant scheme. We requested that we would like to purchase a laptop computer and a digital projector to enable us to conduct multi media talks to local community groups, clubs and organisations. It is with great pleasure that we were informed yesterday that our request has been successful and we have been give the sum of £1,998 with which to purchase this equipment. We would like to extend a big thank you to all of the group members and the people at our Norwich Headquarters that gave us help with our submission. A special thank you must be given to Paul Terry, Environmental Officer, at Southend Council in acting as our referee. Two Tree Island Fires03rd August 2006 Below are a selection of photographs taken by Christopher Henry of the aftermath of the fires on Two tree Island in the last week. We have heard from mark Bridges, the EWT warden, who told us that, if it wasn't for the fire brigade dowsing the bird hides with water, we may very well have lost them. The biggest habitat loss was that of the tree stump 'graveyard' which was a special area for Reptiles and Adders in particular. The Sea Scout hut along with the contents of their compound was also destroyed. One of the most amazing phenomena in nature's remarkable recovery from fire is the display of wildflowers that can appear with the onset of winter and spring rains and we are hoping that this may also be the case on Two Tree. In many forests natural fire is mismanaged, and therefore is often a missing piece of the ecosystem. In fact, the fear of disastrous wildfires has led to over 100 years of aggressive fire prevention and suppression. This removal of fire from the forest disrupts nature's balanced environment, leading to overcrowded, dense stands of non-fire resistant trees, heavy fuel build up of dead and dying plants, and a tremendous lack of wildlife diversity. Fire often improves the quality of wildlife dwellings and food supply by encouraging new plant growth and regeneration. It also reduces plant competition and fuel build up by burning off seedlings and debris, which releases nutrients. let us keep our fingers crossed that this will be the case on the island.
The Taming of 'Old Bob'09th May 2006 Chris Blake owns Cloud Nine, which is private boat not a charter boat and he just takes out friends and their friends etc. I have known Chris’s for over 25 years and we are both very keen fishermen and now enjoy birding, so you can imagine that we get a lot out of every trip. In actual fact it is ‘Old Bob’ the Fulmar that got me into bird watching. Chris pointed out our friend and said “that is a Fulmar” and I said “no it’s not it’s a seagull, no such thing as a Fulmar your making it up”. I went and bought a bird book to look it up and prove him wrong and it went from there.
Yes it is a fantastic event when our friend the Fulmar turns up. I have to say that 'Old Bob' does have his moods not always coming into the boat or turning up at all, but when he does he always spends at least half a day with us flying around and eating our bait. We are therefore not necessarily convinced that it is 'Old Bob' that turn’s up each time. Someone with a keener eye for identification would be able to tell I’m sure, but a Fulmar is a Fulmar to us. He is usually on his own or with one other, but we have had four of them and it was great. We even had two common terns float past sitting on a plank of wood squeaking away to each other, two Gannets have flown by at distance then another two circled the boat as we brought in a fish... and then the real bonus of the Leach’s Petrel which flew close by... fantastic. The mark where we fish varies but he (or a Fulmar) manages to find us. The habits of the bird however are often the same he flies really low, skimming the water eventually gliding in and landing to the side of the boat, always to port!! We throw a lump of fish and he drifts down in the tide eating it. Depending on the size of the meal he sometimes drifts out of sight. Then we can see him coming back, swooping in again to the same place. If we do not have anything at the time he allows himself to drift to the stern just out beyond the lines (for good reason as you will see) and then keeps up a good rate of paddling to keep pace with the tide. When he tires of this he drifts down and when rested flies up to the port side again and the process starts again, while he patiently waits for us to catch a small fish. We fish one rod each with worm bait to catch small whiting or pouting for the Fulmars. Old Bob's introduction to coming into the boat was a result of
an accident. The Fulmars swoop very low around the boat and 'Old Bob'
hit one of the lines about two years ago and was unable to free
himself. I will never forget this day, the sea was flat calm and the
fishing was fantastic. The Fulmar had decided to hit the line at slack
water, which was lucky as we were able to reel him in very easily and
slowly against no tide resistance. What amazed us was that after an
initial panic he was still and allowed himself to be picked out off the
water, no pecking no wild flapping. We were able to quickly free him by
cutting the line and he was then placed on the engine cover inside the
boat to allow him to rest and recover. We expected him to fly off as he
was not damaged in anyway because he had been so calm. We were however
a bit concerned when all he did was stand there slightly ruffling his
feathers. Suddenly one of the rods had a tremendous bite and our
concentration turned to stopping the rod going over the side. I moved
my rods out of the way and the fish was played in by Chris. I think it
was a largish Bass but can't recall exactly, mainly because Chris
caught it and I was jealous. We are not sure how many trips passed without seeing a Fulmar again and we did not give it anymore thought, but one day he (or another Fulmar) turned up. Doing the same routine as before which made us think it was the same bird. This time it came closer to the boat, landing out away and then paddling in. We tossed bait and small fish only about two feet to him.
Then towards the end of the day he took a squid from Chris’s hand. He swam away quickly but had moved on in terms of bravery. A couple more trips passed and again no sign of ‘Old Bob’, we think weather plays a role, we see them invariable on a calm day. However at last we got another visit and again the usual routine. To our surprise while just sitting quietly watching the rods and scaring the life out of me, he flaps up from the portside onto one of the safety bars that go round the gunnels of the boat, clearly impatient that he had not had a fish for a while. I handed him a squid very slowly which he took and making us duck flapped and flew back into the sea. We go fishing a lot, Chris goes out nearly every week and I join him whenever I can and including Sunday he has only come into the boat three times each time when I have been with Chris. This is no coincidence as I get rid of as much squid feeding the Fulmars as I do in hope of catching a fish. The second time he came in we tried to get him to stand on a gloved hand but he would not perform so Chris went to hold him and to our amazement he allowed it eventually taking a fish from my hand. Chris placed down on the engine cover and he finished the fish before taking off making us dive for cover again.
On this day we remembered the camera and as you can see he posed calmly for his close up. He did not want a fish though until we tossed one in the water for him. As you can see Chris is wearing thick plastic gloves because about a year ago we had another Fulmar get caught in a line and this one panicked like mad and pecked a lot with his huge bill and, as you know, it’s got a sharp point at the end. We had to let him go quickly as he was clearly upset and as I returned it to the sea it set off like a spooked swan paddling across the top of the water eventually taking off and never looked back. Old Bob is just not worried and we believe we are not the only boat that gets a visit; the strange thing is we have not heard others tell a similar story, so it is a mystery. Why ‘Old Bob’? He was named on the day we caught him in the line. It had been a great days fishing, calm sea’s, a tan of lobster proportions and a close encounter with a wonderful sea bird. It was only fitting to end such a day with a pint or two in the Shepherd and Dog public house. On this day the guest ale was Ridley’s 5.1% ‘Old Bob’ and a glass was raised and a name awarded to our mate ‘Old Bob’ the friendly Fulmar. Some of our other photographs;
Author:
Graham Saunders SOUTH EAST ESSEX RSPB LOCAL GROUP CELEBRATES IT'S 20th ANNIVERSARY25th September 2003 The South East Essex RSPB Local Group was recently honoured by the attendance of Graham Wynne the Chief Executive of the RSPB at it's 20th Anniversary evening dinner at the St. James restaurant in Leigh on Sea.
South East Essex RSPB Local Group History Our group began sometime in the late 70's and the leader was Sid Ingram and 3 other people. Early meetings were held at the College of Technology, Carnarvon Road, Southend and attracted audiences of 150 plus. Although the Group was billed as the South East Essex RSPB Group, the rules were not strictly adhered to insofar as members were not told that they were expected to join the National RSPB, although some people were under the impression that they had. Consequently, when the Lodge became aware of this,a letter was sent to Sid Ingram with the effect that members must join or the Group would be closed. Sid Ingram wrote to members of the Group with the upshot that 80 people resigned rather than pay the RSPB subscription! Trevor Gunton, Head of RSPB Development, and Rob Hume came down to a meeting in September 1983 with the fait accompli, join or close. Then and there a new committee was set up with John Palmer elected as Group Leader and Pat Dandridge to arranged the coach outings. Together with John, they are the only people from that new committee still involved with the Group today. During the 1980's the Group had a very successful period and membership reached over 300. Our indoor meetings regularly attracted up to 100 people. The Group was represented at various fairs and fetes, with Audrey and Fred Stanhope the driving force behind the sale of RSPB goods. Jean Butcher was known as "Jean, Jean the Marmalade Queen" for the amount she produced and sold. Judith Burrell took on the task of arranging sponsorship. Filmshows, arranged by the Lodge, took place at the Cliffs Pavillion and in 1986 a show attracted 600 people, but with Nature programmes becoming the vogue on TV, in 1990 the audience dropped to 376. The sale of RSPB goods at the shows reached a peak of £890. Jumble sales in those days did really well. Households were targeted with leaflets and people would be queuing up before the doors opened. However, with the advent of Charity shops, profits tumbled so the sales were dropped. In 1989, John Palmer, with the guidance of Michael Crabb the Southend Arts Director and RSPB member David Hurrell, who organised the Southend Band & Boys' Choir, arranged a concert to mark the Centenary Year of the RSPB. Called a "Celebration of Birds" it was held at the Clifftown United Reform Church, Nelson Road, Southend. With the help of a sponsor, the event showed a profit of £1034 - a tidy sum in those days. Autumn 1983 saw the first Newsletter of the reformed Group. Newsletters were printed at the Lodge, with copy supplied by the Group, who had to collect them. Originally there were 2 editions each year. One was sent to 1500 RSPB members in the catchment area and the other to Group members only. After a while, only group members received them due to costs and despatching 1500 copies. On one occasion, John Palmer and Ray Elliot, the Newsletter Editor went to the Lodge to collect an edition only to be told that the girl, who batched them and worked for Trevor Gunton had gone home with suspected mumps, taking her work with her. Not to be denied, our intrepid pair went round to her house, collected and brought them back to Southend for distribution. We don't know if there was an outbreak of mumps in the Southend area! John said that he liked the girl as she always gave him a kiss. Autumn 1987 saw the last edition of Newsletters printed at the Lodge, as by now over 170 Groups were requiring Newsletters and Programmes at the same time. Ray Elliot resigned due to ill-health and Keith Crees became Membership Sec. The first Newsletter produced by the Group appeared in the Autumn of 1988, with Dorita Radford as the new Editor. Fundraising continued and Eric Whittle's Audio Bird Tapes raising £52. In 1990 a monthly foolscap sheet was produced for evening meetings entitled,"Monday Nighters Newsline" featuring odd items and quizzes etc. Our Group has arranged work parties at Hanningfield and Two Tree Island, Essex Wildlife Trust Reservoir. as there aren't any RSPB Reserves nearby. Socially, holidays abroad have been arranged over the years by Pat Dandridge and Anita Pickles. Places visited include Majorca, Holland with John Wyatt, Elro Delta and the Pyrenees in Spain, Bulgaria and Northern France. Weekends in this country have also been organised staying at Hotels, Youth Hostels, a Thames Barge, Lighthouse at Portland Bill, Lightship at Tollesbury and the Hilltop Adventure Centre, Sheringham. Since the Group was reformed in 1983, the leaders have been John Palmer, Peter Watson, George Edwards, Keith Crees and Peter Hirst. And Finally...The WWT is Mourning the Loss of Kerry the GooseThe WWT has tracked Kerry the Brent Goose by satellite all the way from Ireland to an Eskimo's kitchen in Arctic Canada. Kerry had safely completed the arduous 4,500-mile journey, only to be shot by a man out hunting. He was found by researchers who tracked the signal from a transmitter on Kerry's back to the Eskimo's home on remote Cornwallis Island. After knocking on the door they were led to his freezer where Kerry lay still wearing his £3,000 electronic tracker. Kerry was in the hunter's freezer. He hadn't been plucked and the transponder was still on him. The hunter was somewhat surprised and he didn't know what the device on the goose's back was. Kerry was one of six Irish Light-Bellied Brent Geese being followed on their migration routes by the British-based Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Are You a Birdwatcher?06th July 2002 Many people ask us what makes a birdwatcher, if you answer yes to most of the questions below you can consider yourself a dedicated and committed birdwatcher.
(list taken from the Internet) South African Stork Arrested for Spying!12th November 2001 Police in Burundi have arrested a bird suspected of spying. The South African stork, which had a satellite tracking device attached to its body, was found by villagers after it injured a wing. The alleged spy is called Saturn and was a member of a flock of five that formed part of a University of Cape Town research programme to monitor the migration patterns of the birds. The other four birds, which were also fitted with the same devices, died in February after heavy rains in Mozambique. Saturn apparently crash landed in a village in Muyinga Province in north-eastern Burundi after injuring a wing. Upon closer inspection, local villagers were intrigued by the suspicious looking electronic device strapped to the bird's body. Understandably, there was great consternation and the bird was immediately handed over to the local police for investigation. The Burundian police then enlisted the assistance of English-speaking Mary Murphy who lives in the area. Fortunately, the satellite device had the e-mail address of Professor Les Underhill of the University of Cape Town written on it. Ms Murphy e-mailed Professor Underhill saying the sick bird, together with its suspicious device, had been taken into custody. She added that Saturn's right wing was healing and that he was being cared for by the police. There was no mention whether the bird was being held under 24-hour armed guard in the police cells. Professor Underhill said he understood the police's concerns, especially in today's environment of terror attacks. "The device looks pretty space age with an aerial and a little solar cell to charge the battery," he said. But he remains hopeful that both the bird and the satellite device will eventually be returned unharmed. With thanks to the BBC
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