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South East Essex RSPB Events for Next Season

September 2008

Tuesday 2nd Evening meeting. Blenheim Centre, School Way, Blenheim Chase, Leigh on Sea SS9 4HX. Doors open at 19.30 for a 20.00 start
AGM followed by a talk “Keas, Kakas and Kiwis – New Zealand” by Chris Ward.

Sunday 14th Coach trip - RSPB Minsmere
Toilets, hides, visitor centre, shop & restaurant. Cost £12.00. Coach leaves Civic Centre at 07.30.

Sunday 28th Field meeting - Wat Tyler CP/Vange Marsh.
Meet at 10am in Wat Tyler CP Pitsea behind the Visitor Centre. Turn off the A13 at Pitsea and follow the Country Park signs.

October 2008

Tuesday 7th Evening meeting. Blenheim Centre, School Way, Blenheim Chase, Leigh on Sea SS9 4HX. Doors open at 19.30 for a 20.00 start
- “Wild West Birding” in California and the Grand Canyon by David Cromack.

Sunday 12th Field meeting - Foulness Island.
Numbers limited to 18 people. Cost £10 per head. Please telephone Steve Sanford on 01702 544614 to book your place.

Tuesday 14th Coffee Morning & Sale – WI Hall, Rochford Square. 9 – 12 noon.
Stalls include cakes, preserves, plants, crafts, books, RSPB goods.

Sunday 19th Field meeting – RSPB Rainham Marshes.
Meet in the car park at 10.00.

November 2008

Tuesday 4th Evening meeting. Blenheim Centre, School Way, Blenheim Chase, Leigh on Sea SS9 4HX. Doors open at 19.30 for a 20.00 start
“Deserts, Geese and Cranes” by Bill Coster, one of the world’s top bird photographers.

Sunday 23rd Coach trip - RSPB Elmley & Capel Fleet Raptor Watch Point
Hides & toilets at Elmley. Cost £12.00. Coach leaves Civic Centre at 07.30.

Sunday 30th Field meeting – Thorndon Country Park South.
Exit A127 onto Brentwood road A128. The entrance is almost immediately on the left. Meet at 1000 in car park.

December 2008

Tuesday 2nd Evening meeting. Blenheim Centre, School Way, Blenheim Chase, Leigh on Sea SS9 4HX. Doors open at 19.30 for a 20.00 start
“How Birds Work” by John Buckingham.

Sunday 7th Field meeting - Stambridge/ Barton Hall Creek.
Meet at 1000 in the layby opposite the trout fishery at Great Stambridge.

January 2009

Tuesday 6th Evening meeting. Blenheim Centre, School Way, Blenheim Chase, Leigh on Sea SS9 4HX. Doors open at 19.30 for a 20.00 start
Ann & Phil Farrer with a mixed programme entitled “Red Kites in the Chilterns and Humming Birds”.

Sunday 25th Field meeting - Southend Pier.
Meet at 10.00 at the top level entrance.

February 2009

Sunday 1st Field meeting – Two Tree Island.
Meet at 1000 in the car park. Follow the road behind Leigh railway station. Cross narrow bridge over the creek and park on the left.

Tuesday 3rd Evening meeting. Blenheim Centre, School Way, Blenheim Chase, Leigh on Sea SS9 4HX. Doors open at 19.30 for a 20.00 start
Brian Cleary (RSPB) will update us on RSPB planning matters.

Sunday 15th Coach trip – London Wetland Centre. Barnes.
Toilets, hides, visitor centre, shop & restaurant. Cost £12.00. Entrance – WWT free (bring membership card), Adult £7.50, Conc £5.50, Child £4.20 payable on coach. Coach leaves Civic Centre at 0830.

March 2009

Tuesday 3rd Evening meeting. Blenheim Centre, School Way, Blenheim Chase, Leigh on Sea SS9 4HX. Doors open at 19.30 for a 20.00 start
“Identification of large & small gulls” by David Darrell-Lambert.

Sunday 29th Field meeting – Blue House Farm, North Fambridge.
Take the B1012 road towards Burnham. Make a right turn at the junction with B1010 to North Fambridge. Cross railway and follow road to Blue House Farm. Meet at 10.00.

April 2009

Tuesday 7th Evening meeting. Blenheim Centre, School Way, Blenheim Chase, Leigh on Sea SS9 4HX. Doors open at 19.30 for a 20.00 start
"Camouflage & Mimicry” by Dr Tim Seller.

Sunday 12th Field meeting – Bradwell Bird Observatory.
Follow B1021 to Bradwell and then follow signs to St Peters Chapel. Meet at 10.00.

Sunday 26th Coach trip - RSPB Top Lodge & Rutalnd Water.
Hides, toilets, visitor centre, shop & refreshments available at both. Cost £12.00. Entrance to Rutland Water £2.50 payable on coach. Coach leaves Civic Centre at 7.30.am.

May 2009

Sunday 3rd Field meeting - Holehaven Creek, Canvey Island.
From Benfleet railway station go over the bridge onto the island. At the 1st roundabout take 1st exit. At the next roundabout take 2nd exit onto A130. Stay on A130 until the King Canute Public House which is on the left. At this point turn right into Haven Road and park in the public car park in front of the Lobster Smack PH. Meet at 08.00.

Tuesday 5th Evening meeting. Blenheim Centre, School Way, Blenheim Chase, Leigh on Sea SS9 4HX. Doors open at 19.30 for a 20.00 start
“Birding the Silk Route through Uzbekistan” by Ann & Bob Scott.

Sunday 10th Field meeting - Foulness Island.
Numbers limited to 18 people. Cost £10 per head. Please telephone Steve Sanford on 01702 544614 to book your place.

Sunday 17th Coach trip – Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve.
Toilets, hides & Public House at each end of the reserve. Cost £12.00. Coach leaves Civic Centre at 7.30.am.

June 2009

Sunday 14th Field meeting – RSPB Strumpshaw Fen.
Please meet in the reserve at 10.00. Anyone wanting to car share or who needs a lift, please ring Steve Sanford on 01702 544614.

Jackdaws in Southend

I had our RSPB stand at the Hockley Woods 'Wiildwoods' event today talking to members of the public. The ususal main topics of these events are either Magpies, Sparrowhawks, Herons or cats. Today the most popular topic by a long way was Jackdaws. We know from our latest sightings pages that we suddenly seem to have a lot of Jackdaws in Southend but it would seem that they are everywhere, From the lady in Hockley that has them nesting in her chimney to another couple in Southend who have Jackdaws on their bird table on a regular basis.

I wonder just how many there are?

Web Author.

Loch Garten Ospreys

Watch the live video of the Loch Garten Ospreys at: http://www.rspb.org.uk/webcams/birdsofprey/lochgar...

Local Photographer's Website Launched

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/

We wish him all the best for the future of the site.

RSPB TV Advert

Get an early look at the new RSPB TV Advertisement at: http://www.rspb.org.uk/tv/

Well done the BBC!

The Encyclopedia of Life

The first 30,000 pages have been unveiled of a vast encyclopedia which aims to catalogue every one of our planet's 1.8 million species.

The immense online resource is designed to greatly enhance our understanding of the world's diminishing biodiversity.

Take a look at: http://www.eol.org/

New Really Cool Image Search

This is really neat. If you use Google image search try this free download for your browser. After installation, do an image search on Google (http://images.google.co.uk/imghp?amp%3Bie=UTF-8&%3...) then hover over one of the thumbnails and click the little arrow that appears - wow!

Download the plug-in at: http://www.piclens.com

Bird Registration Scheme

Wednesday 23 January 2008 17:20
Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)

Bird registration is retained

A decision to retain and modernise the bird registration scheme in England was announced today.

Controls on the keeping of birds will be directed at those native bird species whose conservation status would be most at risk from being taken from the wild for commercial activities.

The revised scheme will introduce proportionate regulation. Those bird species considered not at risk will be removed from the scheme and unnecessary burdens placed on responsible bird keepers lifted.

Joan Ruddock, Minister for Climate Change and Biodiversity, explained at a Westminster Hall debate this afternoon;

"I have given the future of the Bird Registration Scheme a great deal of thought over the last few months and am very pleased that we will be retaining the scheme in England for a limited number of birds.

"It is my belief that bird registration should only be targeted at those species, where taking them from the wild would affect their conservation. We will work to simplify administrative procedures for obtaining permits under CITES and Bird Registration to ensure minimum burdens on keepers."

Alongside the changes to species on the scheme, we will look at complimentary measures to protect native birds from being taken from the wild, and will look at streamlining the registration of species that are on both the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the bird registration scheme.

Complimentary measures which will be examined will include:

-Whether more stringent sales controls are required to protect certain species removed from the scheme.

-Discussions with the appropriate bodies on the effectiveness of using more CITES single transaction certificates for the species removed.

Notes to Editors

1. Registration of birds of prey and certain other bird species held in captivity is required under section 7 of the Bird Registration Scheme under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Birds that need to be registered with Defra are listed on schedule 4 to the Act. http://defraweb/wildlife-countryside/gwd/pdf/Sched4Birds.pdf

2. Defra undertook a review of registration under section 7 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in England, Scotland and Wales. The consultation started on 1st November 2006, and closed on 16 February 2007.

3. The consultation showed that currently the scheme does have a use as an enforcement tool if it is focused at the bird species with the smallest wild populations. However there was little evidence that the Bird Registration Scheme continues to be a useful conservation tool.

4. Since the consultation closed, the European Commission has prohibited the importation of wild birds into the EU. Therefore, the Government believes that non-native birds do not need to be registered as they can no longer be imported into the EU.

5. There are 59 species of birds that currently need to be registered with Defra if they are kept in captivity. The list can be found at http://defraweb/wildlife-countryside/gwd/pdf/Sched4Birds.pdf

6. We will work with devolved administrations to ensure there is a consistent approach to the Bird Registration Scheme across Great Britain

7. Single transaction certificates are valid only for the named holder in the country where the specimen is located. Any new owner would need to apply for a new certificate in order to use a specimen commercially.

Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on our website http://www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development
To subscribe or unsubscribe to Defra's mailing list go to: http://www.gnn.gov.uk/
Once on the GNN website see Sign up

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The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

On the weekend of the 26-27 January 2008, the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place. It's the world's biggest bird survey and the RSPB's biggest event of the year!

Last year over 400,000 people took part by counting the birds in their garden for an hour. It's really simple to do so you don't have to be an expert and it gives the RSPB a vital snapshot of the UK's birds each winter. Over a period of just one hour, participants are asked to record the highest number of each bird species seen in their garden (not flying over) at any one time. Then all you do is note them on the counting sheet provided and send it in to us. Our scientists can then use the information and patterns in bird numbers to help prioritise our bird conservation work.

Find out more on the Big Garden Birdwatch web site.

Corn Bunting Walks

The chance to seek out the enigmatic corn bunting at Burnham Wick Farm in Burnham-on-Crouch has proven irresistible to many across Essex. RSPB guided walks on the 20 January to look for these special birds were booked up within days of being advertised.

Farmland bird species such as the corn bunting have declined by a massive 88% over the last 30 years. Essex remains as one of the last strongholds of these nationally scarce birds.

Agnes Rothon, People Engagement Officer for the RSPB said, ‘The corn buntings rotund appearance was actually the reason that the famous character Billy Bunter was named as he is. Even though these birds are of the rounder variety, a single male corn bunting has been known to hold court over harems of up to ten females! It must be the characterful buntings key-jangling song and spitting chip-pan call that woos the ladies.’

The increase of intensive agriculture over recent years has meant that there is little room for corn buntings to flourish nationally. A combination of a lack of safe nesting habitat, food for chicks throughout the breeding season and seed food for hungry adult birds in the winter has caused a dramatic loss of this species from many of its former strongholds.

Nevertheless, farmers such as Martin Smith of Burnham Wick Farm in Essex are making positive steps to ensure that corn buntings are provided for on their land and try to halt the decline of this rarely seen species.

Simon Tonkin, RSPB Farmland Advisor for the region said, ‘It’s great to see farmers like Martin taking steps to ensure habitat is created for farmland birds and witness the results of the imaginative work that is already being done on his farm. Simply planting special nectar rich crops to entice insects for corn bunting chicks in the spring and leaving plots of unharvested crops for adults to feed on in winter has seen great results at Burnham Wick farm.’

Alex Nichols, spokesperson for Natural England has further praise for Martin’s work to improve his farm for wildlife, ‘The farm at Burnham Wick has been in an agri-environment scheme for over 15 years. The schemes have provided financial support and advice to protect and enhance the diversity of wildlife and the rich historic environment at Burnham Wick farm.’
Alex continued, ‘Birds such as the corn bunting have been a key focus in these schemes. Mr (Martin) Smith has been a superb participant in our schemes and has carried out the management on his farm with great attention to detail and regular monitoring of success.’
Farmland bird friendly land management practices to help birds like the corn bunting can be funded through the governments Environmental Stewardship Schemes whilst the RSPB directly assist and support farmers like Martin who wish to incorporate this type of management.
For more information about the RSPB, future events in your region and how to become a supporter of the charity please visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/ or call 01603 697581.

Notes:
1) For more information and interviews please contact: Agnes Rothon on 01603 697 581.
2) High resolution images of corn buntings and wildlife friendly farms are available for use.
3) Two guided walks are being held on the 20 January. The first starts at 10.30 am and the second starts at 2 pm. To reserve a place on a guided walk please phone 01603 697520 and state whether you would prefer to attend in either the morning or the afternoon.
4) Burnham Wick Farm is home to over 50 species of bird. Visitors will be in with the chance of seeing birds of prey such as merlin and marsh harrier, watching wetland waders on Martin’s specially designed ‘scrape’ and finding out about the many other farmland bird species that can be seen.
5) Directions to Burnham Wick Farm:
From the centre of Burnham on Crouch turn right on to Orchard Road then take a left on to Wick Road. Turn right on to Ramblers Way. The farm is called Burnham Wick Farm. Once at the farm please follow signs for car parking.
A train station serves Burnham on Crouch. The farm is a 1 mile walk from the station.
6) The walk shall follow footpaths but this terrain can be uneven. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing suited to winter weather.
7) These walks are part of the RSPB’s Aren’t Birds Brilliant initiative. This scheme offers people the chance to see and learn about birds close to them at free events run by RSPB experts. In the East of England, this scheme is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Canvey Nature Reserve Proposals - the RSPB seeks your views

11th January 2008

The RSPB is looking for the public’s comments on proposals for its new West Canvey Marsh nature reserve.

At 256 hectares (640 acres), West Canvey Marsh is Canvey Island’s largest area of open green space. The marsh was purchased in March 2006 with support from Veolia ES Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust, the East of England Development Agency and the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Thames Gateway Programme.

In June this year, the RSPB held the first phase of a public consultation for developing a nature reserve with public access. Ideas offered then have built into the latest proposals, and the Society is now seeking further public comments.

Response to the first public consultation showed 99 per cent of those responding to be in favour of a nature reserve managed with wildlife in mind. New access for people featured strongly in feedback, with many people asking for nature trails and cycle paths as well as environmental education for youth and school groups, and these ideas have been included in the RSPB’s plans.

Dave Hedges, RSPB site manager says “We see West Canvey Marsh as a valuable wild space for the people of Canvey Island, Castle Point and all of south Essex to come and enjoy in the future. People’s enthusiasm for the new nature reserve was very encouraging and we will work to create a great green space for wildlife and for people.”

Displays are being set up to explain the proposals that will be going in a planning application to be made to Castle Point Borough Council. Dates for the exhibitions are:

7 – 14 January - Castle Point Library (unmanned display)
15 – 18 January - Benfleet Railway Station (unmanned display)
20 January - Oysterfleet Hotel, Canvey (manned display, 11 am to 5 pm)
22 January - Knightswick Shopping Centre (manned display)
26 – 27 January - Morrisons Supermarket, Canvey (manned display)

Anyone unable to make the events but who would like to discuss the future of the marshes with the RSPB is invited to contact the South Essex Project Team Office on 01268 559158.

Further information Dave Hedges, South Essex Sites Manager 01268 559158 mobile 07834 257784
Paul Fisher, South Essex Projects Manager mobile 07740 097058

Photographs of West Canvey Marsh are available from Dave Hedges at the RSPB’s South Essex office on 01268 559158 or david.hedges@rspb.org.uk

New Year Honours List

Professor Jeremy John Denis Greenwood - lately Director, British Trust for Ornithology - CBE for services to conservation

Keith Cecil Ross Howman - lately President, World Pheasant Association - OBE for services to conservation

The Donald Trump Proposed Golf Course

You may be aware that Donald Trump has submitted a planning application for two golf courses and a very large housing and hotel development at Menie Estate on the coast just north of Aberdeen.>

We have, along with a number of individuals and other organisations, including Scottish Natural Heritage objected to this application because it will involve the destruction of about one third of the Foveran Links SSSI. The area was designated because it contains a fantastic example of irreplaceable mobile and static sand dunes and associated biodiversity.

We need your support. There are a number of polls and petitions currently running in local newspapers like the Aberdeen Press and Journal but also on the Downing Street website, links attached below:

Aberdeen Press and Journal (see left hand side of page):http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=149212&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232919&home=yes&more_nodeId1=149221&contentPK=19152117

Downing Street Petitions:http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/trumpoff/

We would urge you to visit these polls and vote in support of our position of NO damage to the SSSI and the sand dune system.

Please pass this onto colleagues and others who you feel would be interested in supporting us.

More information about our position can be found on the internet at:http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/sites/scotland/menie.asp. http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-177238

Martin Auld, Regional Director, East Scotland Region
Stuart Housden, Director, Scotland

Marine Bill Gets Public Support

Wednesday 17 October 2007 09:57
Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)

Marine Bll gets solid public support

Proposals for better protection and better regulation of the seas around Britain have received broad public support.

More than four in five responses to government consultation supported plans for a Marine Bill which would introduce new laws to improve the conservation and management of the UK's marine environment.

There were 8,519 responses to the Marine Bill White Paper, A Sea Change, with 82 per cent support for the Bill. The responses will help to shape final government proposals.

Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Marine, Landscape and Rural Affairs, said:

"I am extremely encouraged by the level of support expressed for our proposals from across the entire range of people, organisations and businesses that work or have an interest in our marine environment.

"We are committed to a Marine Bill and a draft bill is expected early next year. No other country has attempted such a comprehensive and groundbreaking approach to the enormously complex issue of marine environment management.

"We need to take a strategic approach across the whole UK so that all our seas are afforded the same protection. It is important that we get it right, so that future generations will continue to benefit from a clean, healthy and productive marine environment."

A summary of responses is online at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/current.htm

For more Marine Bill information go to http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/marine/uk/policy/marine-bill/index.htm

Public enquiries 08459 335577;

Press notices are available on our website http://www.defra.gov.uk

Defra's aim is sustainable development

To subscribe or unsubscribe to Defra's mailing list go to: http://www.gnn.gov.uk/

Once on the GNN website see Sign up

Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Website http://www.defra.gov.uk

Client ref 369/07

GNN ref 153015P

Least Surprising Headline Ever

Alfie Breaks Out
from Scotsman.com News
A PARROT that can unlock padlocks, remove keys from keyrings and unscrew bolts has escaped. Alfie, an African grey, broke out of his cage and then flew out of an open door in Alloa.

RSPB Wallasea Island - you can make it happen

Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project - A Proposal for the UK’s Largest Coastal Restoration Project

The RSPB has reached an agreement with Wallasea Farms, the current landowners, to purchase 769 ha of farmland. However, this purchase will only go ahead if, over the next two years, we can secure the necessary consents, and attract the funding required to achieve our vision.

Support from local people, businesses, authorities, and Government Agencies is critical for us to be able to achieve these consents and to secure the funding we need. And that’s why we’re writing to you now, to begin the consultation on the future of Wallasea Island.

Our vision

Our vision is to restore the landscape on Wallasea Island to a habitat that existed over 400 years ago, before the landscape was altered to be put to agricultural use.

This will create 320 hectares of mudflats, 160 hectares of saltmarsh, 96 hectares of shallow saline lagoons, 64 hectares of brackish grazing marsh and 129 hectares of pasture fields. If we’re able to do this, we’ll have created a very large, accessible, wildlife rich area of the coast that would be enjoyed by local people and visitors alike.

We think the best way of achieving this is a method known as “tidal exchange”. This would enable saltwater from adjacent estuaries to be brought onto the Island by pipes or culverts through the existing sea walls, in a carefully managed and controlled way. This would allow us to leave the sea walls in place, and would create a shallow water landscape of marsh, islands, lagoons and creeks. The water would be between 400mm (15 inches) and 600mm (23 inches) deep, rising and falling with the tide.

Wallasea was originally five separate islands, and we believe these ancient divisions can be recreated by a series of low earth walls, each area having its own water control structure to allow limited quantities of water onto and off the site with each tide.

It’s important to emphasise that the developed area of Wallasea to the west of the island will not be affected, and will be protected from flooding by the existing sea walls.

Why do we want to do this?

There are several reasons why we are seeking to develop this scheme for Wallasea Island. We’re excited about the size of the project, and the enormous opportunity that it currently presents. Quite simply, this will be the largest coastal wetland restoration project ever undertaken in the UK.

However, there are other reasons that make the case for restoration even more compelling:

The proposed wetland would restore a lost and forgotten heritage landscape, recreating a natural environment that was present throughout South Essex hundreds of years ago.
We can secure the future of Wallasea Island through the project. It is unlikely that it would have been sustainable to continue to farm the land, as rising sea levels threaten the viability of the sea walls.
Our plans would help defend the rest of Wallasea Island and the surrounding coastline from predicted rises in sea levels. At present, the majority of the island lies below sea level at high tide. It is our intention to raise land levels by the excavation of existing fields, tidal silt deposition from the seawater, and possibly the import of dredgings.
The benefits for wildlife are predicted to be immense. The new wetland will provide habitat for thousands of birds to nest and feed alongside areas that saltwater fish such as bass, herring and flounder can use as a nursery. These habitats are threatened in other parts of the region, so are greatly in demand.
The project will also make significant contributions to national biodiversity targets.
Importantly, we intend to create areas of public access that could be visited and enjoyed by local people, as well as attracting visitors to the area.
In summary, this long term project would help this part of the coast adjust to rising sea levels, at the same time as providing an attractive, accessible area of coastal marshes for local people, and for local wildlife.

The next steps

Our vision is of a project that works side-by-side with existing plans for the area. The RSPB is going to spend the next two years organising specialist studies to ensure that the proposed wetland will not only provide a sustainable long term solution for Wallasea Island, but will also assist with providing improved flood defence to the developed section of the island.

There will be no changes to the landscape of Wallasea Island until this period of planning and research is complete.

Running alongside this planning stage will be an extensive amount of public consultation, which you and your communities will be invited to participate in. We will be actively seeking your views, and your help and support in developing this project. Where it is possible and fits with the objectives of the project, we will also seek to build into the design your ideas for what you would like to see on the site.

We are already working with some interest groups in the area. For instance, the RSPB has developed a close relationship with Wallasea Farms, and in recent years we’ve managed land on the farm, and provided advice on farmland wildlife.

The Environment Agency has, through it’s Roach and Crouch Flood Management Strategy, already indicated that it’s preferred option is to realign the sea walls on the majority agricultural section of Wallasea by 2054, whilst continuing to maintain the sea walls that protect the developed western section of the island. The RSPB will work closely with the Environment Agency in developing this strategy.

How can you get involved?

If you would like to get involved in this process, or require more information, please contact me at the above address and telephone number or by email to mark.dixon@rspb.org.uk.

A project of this scale will need considerable help and support to realise the vision. If you like the idea of this project, and would like to contribute to it financially, we would be delighted to receive your support. Please contact me to discuss this further. We estimate that it will cost around £500,000 to take this project through the feasibility, design and fundraising stage. As a charity, we rely on the support and goodwill of members of the public to turn our plans into reality.

Having managed the existing Defra scheme on Wallasea Island, which you may already be aware of, I am confident that this project can be just as successful. I am now working full time for the RSPB on secondment from the Environment Agency to develop these proposals, and I look forward to meeting you soon as part of this process.

To assist with the Environmental Impact Assessment that eventually will inform the planning permission decision, we are asking people to contact Mark by email or letter with their comments and hopefully their support. There may be members of the public and non government organisations who could object to the project, and we have to counter with support as we apply for the licences and consents. - Ed.

Mark Dixon
RSPB Project Manager
Email: mark.dixon@rspb.org.uk.

Catalan Anti Glue Petition

The Catalan Government is trying to legalize hunting birds with glue, through a new regulation.

This cruel method is specifically banned by the European laws because is also massive, non-selective and impossible to control properly. In the name of " tradition" the hunters use electronic appeals and hundreds of thousands of thrush migrating from northern Europe, and about 30% of protected birds, are attracted to glued trees, in closed "barracas", and killed in the Ebro area between October and November.

In the same law-project the Catalan government is also trying to legalize a kind of net-trap hunting called "filat", which consist in trapping the thirsty birds attracted by small water pools, also forbidden in Spain, non-selective and impossible to control. Please sign up in the campaign against this legalization and send this mail to interested people.

http://www.gepec.org/barraca-i-filat/index_eng.html

Cambridgeshire Nature Reserves in the Movies

Scenes from the film 'Atonement' – which goes on release this week – were filmed on two RSPB nature reserves in Cambridgeshire .

‘Atonement’, starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy, is released across the UK on 9 September. Sequences in the movie, based on a novel by Ian McEwan, were filmed at the Nene Washes RSPB nature reserve near Peterborough and RSPB Ouse Washes near Ely.

The film’s location researchers selected them as they looked like late 1930s rural France.

Charlie Kitchin, RSPB Nene Washes site manager said: “I think it’s a compliment to the RSPB’s management of the Nene Washes that the film makers thought it looks like an unspoilt landscape of more than 50 years ago.“ The Nene Washes scene has soldiers moving along water-filled ditches and grass fields.

There were two scenes shot at the Ouse Washes, one under a railway bridge and the other looking out from a barn across the open marshes.

Jon Reeves, RSPB Ouse Washes site manager, said: “It was fascinating to see a little of the complications of making a movie on location – enormous efforts for a few seconds on screen. But we didn’t get to meet the stars.”

South East Essex RSPB Website Statistics

For those of you that may be curious about such things I have included our website statistics for the month of July below:

Total Sessions Served 45436

Most commonly accessed pages

/index.htm with 7485 hits
/sightings.htm with 7216 hits
/serspbcam/webcam.htm with 2774 hits
/serspbcam/webcamcapture.htm with 1227 hits
/advice.htm with 1200 hits
/photos/index.html with 1100 hits
/birdinfo.htm with 914 hits
/calender.htm with 877 hits
/news.htm with 753 hits

Obviously the Spoonbill greatly helped the webcam totals this month!

Web Author.

Pressure Gordon Brown for New Marine Laws

Please support our campaign for comprehensive legislation to protect our precious seabirds and other sea life. Pressures on our fragile marine environment are increasing - from pollution, exploitation and the damaging effects of poorly planned development - yet the laws protecting it remain woefully inadequate.

http://campaignwithus.rspb.org.uk/eactivist/user/userJ.jsp?CLS@cINiWgBAWBgSV8Bj4L

Seagull Becomes Crisp Shoplifter

A seagull has turned shoplifter by wandering into a shop and helping itself to crisps.

The bird walks into the RS McColl newsagents in Aberdeen when the door is open and makes off with spicy Doritos.

The seagull, nicknamed Sam, has now become so popular that locals have started paying for his crisps.

Shop assistant Sriaram Nagarajan said: "Everyone is amazed by the seagull. For some reason he only takes that one particular kind of crisps."

The bird first swooped in Aberdeen's Castlegate earlier this month and made off with the 55p crisps, and is now a regular.

Once outside, the crisps are ripped open and the seagull is joined by other birds.

"He's becoming a bit of a celebrity. Seagulls are usually not that popular but Sam is a star because he's so funny."
A spokesman for RSPB Scotland said: "I've never heard of anything like this before.

"Perhaps it tried some crisps in a shiny packet in the street, and was just opportunistic one day at the shop when it saw what was inside. "As everyone knows, gulls can be very quick and fearless, and clearly this one is no exception."

see video at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6900000/newsid_6908300/6908311.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&ms3=6

Sea Eagles for Suffolk?

See article in Norfolk News at:

http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED09%20Jul%202007%2022%3A16%3A51%3A583

Web Author

Nice Photo

This just dropped in to my inbox. I wish I knew who took the photo as it would make a great caption competition!

Web Author.

Al Fayed Upset After Red Kites Reintroduced to His Estate are Found Poisoned

See news article at: http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/environment/display.var.1520700.0.0.php

Have a look at the first reader's added comment, Someone with a vested interest I wonder?

Web Author.

News Items

Rare albatross lands in pensioner's garden
see: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=465661&in_page_id=1770

Brown pushed over marine wildlife
See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6263772.stm

Manky Mallards

I came across this excellent blog regarding all of the different varieties of Mallard out there. Great sight to point people to who tell you that they have seen a 'strange' duck.

See: http://10000birds.com/manky-mallards-domestic-feral-or-just-plain-odd-mallards.htm

Web Author.

Red and Black Kite Mating

I came across this article in the Times Online: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/court_and_social/article2005988.ece

The last paragraph interested me a great deal as it mentions the mating of a Black Kite with a Red Kite. I was aware that there was a record of unintentional breeding at a falconry center where a male Black Kite refused female Black Kites but mated with two female Red Kites.

Has anyone else heard of this and does anyone know how common it is in the wild. Better still are there any photographs available of the offspring?

Web Author.

Sea Eagles Return to Eastern Scotland Today

See article at:

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=975612007