Record-breaking half a million people take part in RSPB’s 30th Big Garden Birdwatch

Tit makes tail-end of top ten for East of England

More than 552,000 people across the UK took part in this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch, counting over 8.5 million birds. 73 species were recorded in 279,000 gardens over the weekend of 24 and 25 January.

Across Eastern England the numbers are equally as impressive. A staggering 85,000 people took part in the RSPB’s wildlife survey around the region, a phenomenal increase on last year.

And the long-tailed tit has flown into the top ten for the first time in the survey’s 30-year history. Numbers of this highly sociable species nearly doubled around the region compared to last year.

Long-tailed tit - Sue Tranter rspb-images.com

The increase is being linked to the mild winters leading up to 2009. Small, insect eating birds like long tailed tits are particularly susceptible to the cold as the food they rely on is hard to come by in frosts and snow. These milder conditions have contributed to a higher survival rate.

Over the last ten years the long-tailed tit has also adapted to feeding on seeds and peanuts at bird tables and from hanging feeders. This behaviour has spread as they’ve learnt from each other that tables and feeders offer a wide variety of food.

Whereas a few years ago most people simply put out peanuts, the increasing range of food being left out may be more suitable for birds such as long-tailed tits.

The first Big Garden Birdwatch took place 30 years ago when 30,000 children started the survey. It is now the biggest bird survey in the world.

Big Garden Birdwatch co-ordinator Angi Davies said, "We’re thrilled to have this many people taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch across the region. It’s a great way for people to get closer to nature and enjoy the benefits of feeding their garden birds."

The starling retained its top spot with an average of 3.78 seen per garden across the whole region. The house sparrow came in at number two with an average of 3.65 per garden. The blackbird completed the top three with 3.25 per garden.

Starling - Gordon Langsbury rspb-images.com

Angi says, "Some species have seen a very slight increase in the last year. The significant increase in long-tailed tit sightings highlights the impact that feeding can have on some species. They have only started coming to feeders fairly recently, and more people are seeing them as this behaviour develops."

The goldfinch also made it’s way into the top ten this year after missing out by one place in 2008.

Goldfinch - Ray Kennedy rspb-images.com

From the competitive angle, Lincolnshire was the clear regional winner for house sparrows with an average of 6 seen per garden. Suffolk saw the most Chaffinches, but Norfolk holds the title for the most seen long-tailed tits in the region with an average of 2.16 per garden!

Angi added, "Gardens can be an excellent habitat for birds and as more and more people realise the importance of feeding and gardening for wildlife we are seeing an increasing variety of birds on our tables and feeders.

"Birds like waxwing for example are a surprising find in gardens. This winter we’ve had an influx of waxwings in the UK as the particularly cold weather in Scandinavia will likely have meant a poor crop of rowan berries.

"Gardens with berry bearing shrubs and trees are much more likely to attract these colourful visitors during their brief stay in the UK and this year the waxwing has leapt to number 59 compared to number 72 last year.

"This year’s survey took place on a chilly weekend and garden birds are heavily reliant on the extra food we put out. It seems we were suitably paid back for our efforts and we need to continue – the changeable weather means they still need our help!"

Some of the UK’s most familiar species have suffered huge declines in the last three decades. The house sparrow has declined by 63% since the survey began in 1979, and the starling has dropped by 79%.

A day in Norfolk CLICK HERE

Saturday 21 March
What a day, after an overnight frost the clear sky remained with full on sunshine all day and a very light breeze giving a real spring feel to the day.

Dropped in at Olley's Farm near Thetford, a fabulous area of coniferous woodland. Highlights here were woodlark a pair singing, crossbill a male showed very well and a dozen more distantly, goshawk a female being mobbed by a crow flew over and was on showfor around 7 minutes, wonderful views. The resident escaped red-tailed hawk showed very well perched and in flight, siskin three small flocks encountered, bullfinch a pair near the entrance, yellowhammer singing and showing well.
Hunstanton

Fulmar at least four were patrolling the cliff top, seawatching was limited to watching just off shore due to a dense sea mist. Amongst a dozen great crested grebes was a male red-breasted merganser.

RSPB Titchwell Marsh

Titchwell Marsh, on the north Norfolk coast, is one of the country's best loved and most visited nature reserves. It is also at risk from the sea – unless we do something now.

A visit to Titchwell is always special. Grey plovers and sanderlings fly over your head, having travelled non-stop from the Arctic circle. Marsh harriers display in front of you - an unforgettable sight, especially when you realise they almost disappeared entirely from the UK in the 70s. And don't forget the thriving colony of our very own emblem - the dainty and elegant avocet.

If the sea breaches the defences and floods the freshwater marsh with salty sea water, then much of the wildlife living on this reserve is at risk. We've already had to patch the sea wall in a number of places after the highest tides.

If we act now, we still have time to stop the reserve as we know it from being lost forever.

What do we hope to achieve?
You can't defeat the sea. But you can work with it.

We will reshape the seaward side of the reserve, creating new salt marshes and mudflats to absorb the power of the sea and protect the precious freshwater marsh and reedbed.

So as not to disturb the reserve wildlife, this massive and innovative project can only be carried out between August and October. We expect the work to take two years, but once finished, we'll have created freshwater reedbeds that will become a wonderful new refuge for the wildlife that rely on this special habitat. Click the title for more information.

Images above common snipe showed very well from one of the hides, many of the robins at Titchwell are so confiding, allowing excellent views.

Signs of Spring

Another glorious day at Wat Tyler Country Park, the violets are now flowering adding a splash of early spring colour. Also saw two brimstone butterflies, a comma and one red admiral.

Comma butterfly

Violet close-up

Holehaven Creek, Canvey Island

A glorious day for my monthly survey of the waterbirds in Holehaven Creek, temperature rose to a dizzy 17 c!

Highlights of the count were Black-tailed Godwit 1,380 and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits also 397 Curlew.

My personal highlight was this cracking male Wheatear on the seawall, this is my earliest ever recorded in the UK, my previous earliest was last year at RSPB Rainham Marshes on March 19. I have been recording my own earliest summer migrant dates since 1985, are things changing? is spring getting earlier? Wheatears seem to think so!

Also seen on the seawall was my first Common Lizard of the year.

Wheatear male on the seawall

Two images above of the Fobbing Horse.

RSPB Vange Marsh today

On the reserve today were single comma and red admiral butterflies near the wood yard entrance. Out on the marsh a pair of great crested grebes were displaying while a third adult looked a little left out!

Five avocets and two curlews were seen along with 3 mute swans, 21 wigeon, 16 shoveler, 5 pochard a drake tufted duck and a pair of little grebes.

A grey wagtail flew over calling and two cetti's warblers were singing. Two green sandpipers were in the saline lagoon.

View over the reserve from the welcome sign.

Small creek near the viewing screen

Reeds as you approach the viewing screen

Looking towards Pitsea flyover

Pitsea Mount in the distance

Blackthorn in flower

Guided walk at Hullbridge

Wednesday 11 March 2009

A glorious sunny morning, with no wind made for a really enjoyable walk east along the River Crouch from Hullbridge.

The mute swans all came across the crouch to see us!

Some of the highlights were a kestrel hovering almost over our heads, song thrush and mistle thrush feeding in the same area, enabled us to compare these two species.

Black-tailed godwits and grey plover jostled for position on the incoming tide.

Fifty plus shelducks out in the river, and of course a wonderful hour spent by all in the Anchor Pub afterwards!

The next Wildlife and Watering Hole walk is next Wednesday at Hockley Woods details below:

Wednesday 18th March: Wildlife and watering holes! Hockley Woods 10am.

Now heres a good idea a guided walk to see birds and wildlife in different locations, combined with the option of popping into a nearby pub for a drink or bite to eat. Perfect for a chilly day! Guided walks cost 3.00 for adults and 1.50 for children. RSPB members and RSPB Wildlife Explorers receive 1 discount. Booking essential, call 01268 559158. Click here to book on-line for this event.

This weeks events

Wednesday 11th March: Wildlife and watering holes! Hullbridge 10am.
Now heres a good idea a guided walk to see birds and wildlife in different locations, combined with the option of popping into a nearby pub for a drink or bite to eat. Perfect for a chilly day! Guided walks cost 3.00 for adults and 1.50 for children. RSPB members and RSPB Wildlife Explorers receive 1 discount. Booking essential, call 01268 559158. Click here to book on-line for this event.

Thursday 12th March: Thursday walk at Wat Tyler Country Park 10.30am.
Come for a walk each Thursday around Wat Tyler Country Park, discover the wildlife of the park and see the changes that each season brings. Free event, no need to book.

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March: Wild Treasure Hunt at Wat Tyler Country Park 10am 4pm.
A fun treasure hunt for all the family searching for wildlife gems and other things dotted around the park. Complete it and receive a prize! Free event.

Sunday 15th March: Guides in the Hide at Wat Tyler Country Park 11am 3pm.
The bird hides at Wat Tyler Park are a good place to watch and learn about birds. Each Sunday we will have friendly guides with telescopes and binoculars for you to use to see the birds. All welcome. Free event.

Monday 16th March: Healthy Living Walk at Wat Tyler Country Park, 12.30.
Come for a brisk 30-minute walk around Wat Tyler Country Park on a regular basis to improve your fitness in peaceful surroundings. Free event, no need to book.

Trip to Dungeness, Kent

Bit of a bushman's holiday, as today on my day off I led a trip to Dungeness in Kent!

We started at the RSPB Nature Reserve, the weather was again kind with sunny spells and very little wind.

Oystercatchers were extremely vociferous, have found a mate they were now staking out their nest sites and becoming very agitated when another pair approached too closely. Great Crested Grebes were also begin to perform their 'mirror' like courtship routine.

A Slavonian Grebe showed well on one of the pits and still in his winter plumage. A Bittern was seen briefly in flight over one of the reedbeds as was a female Marsh Harrier. A really good mornings visit with almost fifty different species noted.

Leaving the reserve we crossed the road and spent some time in the ARC pits where a Black-necked Grebe and 14 Goldeneyes (4 males) were seen amongst the large variety of waterfowl.

While looking for the reported Firecrests near the Hanson hide, one of which we did see briefly, we watched a pair of Long-tailed Tits building their nest beside the footpath, absolutely stunning to get such close views.

We finished the day around the power station, unfortunately we failed to find any Black Redstarts, but had wonderful views of the Iceland Gull feeding with other gulls at the outfall from the power station. A little further off shore half a dozen adult Gannets were fishing.

A great end to the day!

If you would like information regarding future trips (the next is to North Norfolk) email alan.shearman1@btinternet.com

Images:
Alan Shearman

CLIMATE CHANGE is AFFECTING East ANGLIA’s BIRDS NOW, SAY RESEARCHERS

Climate change is having a detectable impact on certain species already struggling to survive in East Anglia.

Today [Wednesday 4 March], a group of scientists is publishing findings that create the world’s first indicator of the climate change impacts on wildlife across Europe.

Published in the journal PloS ONE, scientists have shown a strong link between the already observed population changes of individual species and the projected range change associated with climate change, among a number of widespread and common European birds. By pulling both sets of data together, the team has compiled an indicator showing how climate change is affecting wildlife across Europe.

The findings of the report echo the current situation of certain species breeding in the East of England. Snipe are found to be performing worst across Europe. They can be found in good numbers at the RSPB Ouse and Nene Washes reserves in Cambridgeshire, as well as some parts of the Norfolk Broads, but are practically extinct elsewhere in the region.

Willow tit and lesser spotted woodpecker are also in the top ten worst performing European species. Both species still breed in East Anglia but in a dwindling number of sites.

Cetti’s warbler, currently found breeding in small numbers in the Norfolk Broads, is predicted as likely to increase its range.

The region’s relative nearness to mainland Europe means it will be one of the first parts of the UK to see other species attempt to extend their range as our climate changes.

The exotic-looking hoopoe is also likely to extend its range, possibly making it up to Lincolnshire, as are Sardinian warblers, subalpine warblers and bee-eaters.

Erica Howe, of RSPB East of England, said: “While we may soon start to see colourful and exotic-looking hoopoes and bee-eaters in the region more frequently, this paper shows us that on the whole, climate change is really bad news for wildlife.”

The paper and the indicator were produced by a team of scientists from the RSPB, Durham University, Cambridge University, the European Bird Census Council, the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, the Czech Society for Ornithology, and Statistics Netherlands.

The European Union has adopted the indicator as an official measure of the impacts of climate change on the continent’s wildlife; the first indicator of its kind.

The RSPB’s Dr Richard Gregory is the paper’s lead author. Commenting on the findings, he said: “We hear a lot about climate change, but our paper shows that its effects are being felt right now. The results show the number of species being badly affected outnumbers the species that might benefit by three to one.

“Although we have only had a very small actual rise in global average temperature, it is staggering to realise how much change we are noticing in wildlife populations. If we don’t take our foot off the gas now, our indicator shows there will be many much worse effects to come. We must keep global temperature rise below the 2 degree ceiling; anything above this will create global havoc.”

Dr Stephen Willis, of Durham University said, “Our indicator is the biodiversity equivalent of the FTSE index, only instead of summarising the changing fortunes of businesses, it summarises how biodiversity is changing due to climate change. Unlike the FTSE, which is currently at a six year low, the climate change index has been increasing each year since the mid-80s, indicating that climate is having an increasing impact on biodiversity.

“Those birds we predict should fare well under climate change have been increasing since the mid-80s, and those we predict should do badly have declined over the same period. The worry is that the declining group actually consist of 75 per cent of the species we studied.”

The Climate Change Indicator combines two independent strands of work; bioclimate envelope-modelling, which predicts species range through climatic variables, and observed populations trends in European birds, derived from the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme.
When a bird’s population changes in line with the projection, the indicator goes up. Species whose observed trend doesn’t fit the projection cause the indicator to decline.

Of the 122 species surveyed, 30 are anticipated to increase their range while the remaining 92 species are anticipated to decrease their range.

Dr Gregory added "This new work emphasises again the role played by skilled amateur birdwatchers right across Europe in advancing our understanding of the environment and the growing threat posed by climate change.”

Images:

Snipe Gallinago gallinago, adult perched on fence - Tom Marshall (rspb-images.com)

Willow tit Parus montanus, perched on branch - Sue Tranter (rspb-images.com)

From vision to reality – update on the RSPB’s Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project

The RSPB’s plans for Wallasea Island will produce a landmark conservation, landscape restoration and engineering project for the 21st century on a scale never before attempted in the UK, and the largest of its type in Europe. This will put Wallasea Island at the forefront of work to address the impacts of climate change and sea level rise on our coasts, as well as creating an important area for people and wildlife. In this article we review progress on this ambitious project.

In September 2007 the RSPB concluded a legal option to acquire the bulk of the island from the current owners Wallasea Farms Ltd. The option arrangement provides the RSPB with the time to carry out thorough studies and to develop the optimum design. The RSPB has employed Mark Dixon MBE to lead this project development stage. Mark Dixon is the acknowledged UK expert in coastal habitat restoration having spent most of his career on beneficial coastal management schemes including several large managed realignment projects. Coastal engineering is complex and the project development phase has been carried out through a project team involving expertise from ABPMer, experts in coastal processes, Faber Maunsell consultant engineers and from within the RSPB. More than £500,000 has been spent in understanding the estuary and in producing the best possible design.

The Crouch and Roach Estuary has been modified over centuries through land claim and large areas of low lying land, such as those on Wallasea Island where land is over two metres below sea level, it cannot simply be given back to the sea to allow nature to take its course. Allowing an unmanaged breach would lead to very large volumes of 11 million cubic metres of seawater entering and leaving the site on each tide. This volume would exceed estuary capacity and increase flows leading to erosion and disruption to commercial and amenity use. The project has therefore been designed to a much lower volume of 2 million cubic metres per tide, to avoid significant adverse effects.

Two main options were examined for restricting the sea water volume, the first was regulated tidal exchange and the second managed realignment with associated land raising. The tidal exchange option would have required the sea walls to remain in place for the next 50 years, with the real risk of sea wall collapse in that time. Managed realignment would be achieved by breaches in the seawall, similar to those on the Defra area of Wallasea Island, with new internal sea walls to prevent tidal flooding of the western part of the Island outside the RSPB project.

In January 2008 the RSPB was approached by Crossrail, seeking possible beneficial reuse of clean spoil from tunnelling beneath London for the new underground railway. The timing and type of material from Crossrail excavations was perfect and enabled design work to focus on the more sustainable managed realignment option. This will use Crossrail spoil and other suitable clean inert material brought by ship to complete the project.

In December 2008 a planning application with a comprehensive environmental statement was submitted by the RSPB to Essex County Council, comprising one of the largest areas of land to have ever been included in a single application in the County. Consultations on the application have been extensive with public events in Rochford and Burnham on Crouch with presentations and discussion meetings at the Royal Burnham Yacht Club, Crouch Harbour Authority, Burnham Town Council and Canewdon Parish Council. There has been considerable support for the principle of creating the new reserve and understandable concerns over possible impacts on sailing, navigation, shellfishing and from visitor traffic.

The RSPB and Crossrail are working with interest groups and the County Council to consider all the issues raised prior to the County Council making their decision this spring. Agreement is being sought through the Crouch Harbour Authority for arrangements for bringing in ships so that they do not cause unnecessary impact during peak sailing times. Many Burnham residents have highlighted the need to improve access by water to the new nature reserve. The RSPB feels this would be best done through the Defra site, and will require the agreement of Defra once their site’s bird targets have been met. The RSPB hope to have a better access in place by the time the first breach is made.

The Environment Agency has been closely involved with the development of the project and do not foresee any negative impacts from the project, with the consequence of not proceeding with the scheme having far reaching devastating effects in the estuary if the existing sea walls collapse. The issue of continuing to maintain the walls around the land has also been raised. The Environment Agency position is that given the size of Wallasea Island, the length of defence and the very limited number of people and property that it protects mean that it is unlikely that flood defence funds will be a priority for this area in the future. The RSPB scheme may make it more likely that the Western end of the island is protected as the RSPB scheme will shorten the length of wall that will need future maintenance.

Subject to receiving consents, the RSPB making a final decision to proceed, and final confirmation of the timing of the Crossrail programme, initial work including some freshwater habitat creation will start in summer 2009, with the main construction work starting in summer 2010.
On completion the newly restored landscape will be a wetland mosaic of mudflats and saltmarsh, shallow lagoons and pastures that will compliment the adjacent Defra scheme. These new areas will be criss-crossed by bunds with paths enabling visitors to access and enjoy the new Wild Coast. The new habitats will support nationally and internationally important bird populations and we hope re-establish lost breeding populations of birds such as spoonbills and Kentish plovers back to England.

Artists impression looking West rspbimages

View of the Veolia scrape. Wat Tyler Country Park

This view was taken from the Motorboat Museum hide looking out over reedbed, the fleet and Veolia scrape. Every Sunday during March the RSPB will be present in this hide with binoculars and telescopes for visitors to use between 11 am - 3 pm.

Sparrowhawk at Wat Tyler Country Park

male Sparrowhawk in the garden behind the RSPB offices at Wat Tyler this lunchtime.

Guided walks

Wednesday 4th March: Wildlife and watering holes! Westley Heights 10am.

Now heres a good idea a guided walk to see birds and wildlife in different locations, combined with the option of popping into a nearby pub for a drink or bite to eat. Perfect for a chilly day! Guided walks cost 3.00 for adults and 1.50 for children. RSPB members and RSPB Wildlife Explorers receive 1 discount. Booking essential, call 01268 559158. Click here to book on-line for this event.

Thursday 5th March: Thursday walk at Wat Tyler Country Park 10.30am.

Come for a walk each Thursday around Wat Tyler Country Park, discover the wildlife of the park and see the changes that each season brings. Free event, no need to book.

Saturday 7th March: Migrants over the marsh at RSPB Vange Marsh 10am.

March can be an exciting time to see unusual birds as they pass through en route to their summer destinations. Who knows what you might see in the lagoons on our Vange Marsh nature reserve or flying overhead? Guided walks cost 3.00 for adults and 1.50 for children. RSPB members and RSPB Wildlife Explorers receive 1 discount. Booking essential, call 01268 559158. Click here to book on-line for this event.

Sunday 8th March: Guides in the Hide at Wat Tyler Country Park 11 am - 3pm.

The bird hides at Wat Tyler Park are a good place to watch and learn about birds. Each Sunday we will have friendly guides with telescopes and binoculars for you to use to see the birds. All welcome. Free event.