First of the wintering Redwings are now here, also this week whilst walking through a local woodland I watched in awe as I found a Goshawk (female) plucking at a wood pigeon on the path, it was a momentary observation as the Goss saw me then took off, but what a great sight (don't even ask where the camera was :( They are now breeding locally which is great news I'm keeping in close touch with one private landowner who really does like them, and doing well at protecting them. .
Tuesday night I did my first real wild talk which went down really well, this talk is a bit controversial and asks the question what is real wild? Also goes into how we manage nature reserves, the question is asked is it for wildlife or people? Climate change and the real cost on wildlife rears its head, and also discussed is the predation issue which leads very well into how we all seem to have lost our connectivity with the natural world, it was only supposed to be 45 minutes long, but I went on for an hour and half, but no one complained. My, lay off the Bramble Bush speech, also seemed to hit the spot especially when backed up with a species list that Bramble can contain. I met a really interesting man after the talk who has written a book about climate change and agreed with my stance on the issue, in fact if you are that person please get in touch as I do want to buy a copy of your book.
Indeed someone else after the talk did say I should write a book about the talk. Yea like I have the time.
This weekend is a busy one, starting Friday night is the Hawk and Owl Trust annual members conference, this year its in Somerset at Shapwick. I'm chairing the sessions and Friday night sees the first speaker and what a great start we have this year with Jemima Parry-Jones talking about Vulture decline, will be good to see Mima again. Saturday morning is more lectures then in the afternoon walks around the reserves on the levels, such as our own Shapwick Moor, and Natural Eng lands Shapwick Heath and the RSPB's magnificent Ham Wall. In the afternoon I have to slop off to Dillington House to join up with the Somerset Wildlife Trust this because its the Wildlife Trusts AGM and I'm one of its Trustees. I will be back with Hawk and Owl Trust by 1800hrs to welcome everyone back and to also welcome Fred Domeloff from Cotliegh Brewery.
Fred will be bringing with him the new Long-eared Owl Beer and I will do the first tasting (just to make sure its OK) After which is the members social evening.
Sunday is the local members groups round up, or what they have done in the last year, followed by Hawk and Owl Trust AGM.
Sunday night back home and bed.
2 comments:
I saw my first redwings of the autumn today while I was doing my otter survey, also two ravens, a kingfisher, a grey wagtail and small flocks of goldfinches and long tailed tits. Starlings have now replaced the swallows on the telegraph wires.
Goshawks! How exciting! :D
I'm 99% certain have *heard* a Fieldfare but not seen anything yet. Luckily we've got a particularly heavy crop of juicy berries and a good number of apples in the little tree this year so I hope that entices them back to my garden as we only had one or two last year :).
Looking forward to watching JPJ on Autumnwatch tonight too.
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