Received from David Lee..

I've just watched a program called Nature's Calendar on BBC2 at 6:00 p.m. Its one of a series on each weekday for this week and the next. Today they were looking at estuaries on the Swale, at Caeverlock and in Poole harbour.

If you go to www.bbc.co.uk/naturescalendar and select Nature film clips from the list on the left and then Birds of prey you can see Chris Packham at Elmley.

David

See the following article from The Guardian...

http://environment.guardian.co.uk/conservation/story/0,,1959465,00.html

From the BBC...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6191410.stm

Just in case you missed it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6185548.stm

We have been very pleased to hear that Darren Chaplin of Nature-image.co.uk, who is a good friend of our group and also a regular contributor to our photo pages with some excellent photographs, has won the latest BBC Wildlife Magazine Photo Masterclass for Bird Portraits. he has also scored 2 Commended images.

Please visit the link below to see the images and some other fantastic work from Natural History photographers.

http://www.bbcwildlifemagazine.com/masterclassGallery6.asp

www.nature-image.co.uk

15th November 2006

Vange Marsh North: When I wrote the last newsletter in May we had some small-scale works still to complete:

• The fencing to ensure the functioning of the moat and the viewing screen at the south east corner.
• Improvements to the security at the wood yard access.
• A drop-board sluice to control water levels in the reedbed to the east of the site.

These works were completed to schedule, with the works to the reedbed particularly pleasing. This important habitat was suffering from a lack of water control and saltwater inundation. Addressing both these issues has produced a more extensive sustainable reedbed.

The need for groundworks in March, combined with the expected summer drawdown meant that the site dried out in the early summer but not before a successful first nesting by little ringed plovers. The growth of seed bearing weeds across the site means that there will be super abundant food when the site is re-wetted this winter.

The following works were deferred until autumn 20061:

• The reopening of the blocked sluice to create a 1ha, self contained, saline lagoon habitat with islands.
• The connection of the stream running along east boundary of the site to the moat, this water will be essential for the moat to function effectively; an Abstraction Licence is required before we can flow water via this route.

As I write we are putting the finishing touches to the saline lagoon and we have the Abstraction Licence needed to wet the moat and aid the re wetting of the freshwater wetland system. We have concluded that it is feasible of bring visitors to the site from Wat Tyler Country Park, via the former county landfill site and a bridge over Pitsea Creek, we expect to be in a position to apply for planning permission in the near future. The other progress to report is the near completion of the acquisition of two blocks of adjacent land, totalling 6ha, as extensions to the site. These areas include the excellent reedbed detailed above.

Vange Wick Marsh: Phase two groundworks1 were started in August, with completion expected by mid-November. The main focus of these works was the construction of a 35,000m3 winter storage reservoir. This reservoir will ensure optimum conditions for breeding birds and other important wildlife. The other works included further improvements to the water control infrastructure, the field water supply, tracks and fencing. An Abstraction Licence has been acquired for sufficient water to supply both the existing creek systems and the reservoir.

West Canvey Marshes: We acquired2 this 254ha site, from Morrison’s Supermarkets, on 30th March 2006. Progress to-date has concentrated on site investigation, including a full ground survey and a range of ecological surveys. Habitat management and people engagement proposals will be out for extensive consultation in the near future.

We have appointed a Sites Manager for our growing South Essex land-holding, he is Dave Hedges, joining us from the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Dave’s appointment will mean a gradual reduction in my role as South Essex Project Officer and an eventual return to a full time role as Essex Area Manager. Dave will be the first point of contact for any queries from now on.

Chris Tyas, Essex Area Manager
Dave Hedges contact details: 01268 559158 / 07734 257784, Email: david.hedges@rspb.org.uk

Newsletter No 3

1. The additional works at Vange Marshes were funded by DCLG and the Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust
2. The West Canvey Marshes acquisition was funded by the Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust and EEDA
3. The role of South Essex Project Officer is supported by the Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust

Monday 13 November 2006 00:01

Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)

UK steps up its commitment to conserve Albatrosses and Petrels on the brink of extinction

The Government has today announced that it will be providing additional total funding of £65,000 to deliver projects that will promote the conservation of seriously endangered species of albatrosses and petrels.

Populations of albatrosses and petrels are falling at the fastest rate ever and some species are now on the brink of extinction; scientists liken their plight to that of tigers. This is thought to be caused by incidental catch (by-catch) by the long line fishing industry, as well as habitat destruction and the encroachment of alien species that attack these birds and their eggs.

Barry Gardiner, Minister for Biodiversity, Landscape and Rural Affairs said:

"I am pleased that we are able to make this important additional funding contribution.

The projects it will help to finance will play an important role in conserving these seriously endangered migratory species.

Our commitment to these projects will go a long way to help us meet our target to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010."

The extra funding will finance projects implemented by the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), which is an international agreement drawn up under the Convention on Migratory Species. It will be distributed as follows:

* £50,000 will be given as a voluntary contribution towards various conservation projects to be agreed by the member parties

* An additional £15,000 will help finance a project under the Convention on Migratory Species to assess the impact of global fisheries by-catch on marine wildlife.

John O'Sullivan, who will be attending the ACAP meeting on behalf of the RSPB, said:

"The UK government is to be congratulated on this funding package, which will improve the odds in favour of some of the most charismatic creatures on earth.

"The RSPB has also committed large sums, via the Albatross Task Force, and if key agencies around the world work together, there is a chance a truly alarming and horrific situation can be turned around."

The announcement was made in New Zealand at the start of the second meeting of member parties committed to this agreement.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The agreement covers 21 species of albatross and 7 species of petrel that have been identified as needing international co-operation to help conserve them.

2. The UK is an important range state for these species, with significant breeding sites in Overseas Territories in the Southern Hemisphere including South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.

3. Each year an estimated 100,000 albatrosses and petrels die as "by-catch" which means they are accidentally caught on the hooks of long line fishing fleets.

4. The UK was one of the active members in negotiating the agreement prior to it coming into effect in February 2004. Up until now, the UK has contributed additional voluntary contributions totalling £55,000 since the agreement was put into place.

5. There are currently 10 countries that are party to the agreement: Australia (where the Secretariat is based), New Zealand, Ecuador, South Africa, Spain, Chile, France, Peru, UK and Argentina. The UK was the 6th party to join in April 2004. The latest party to join was Argentina in June 2006.