Wildlife March 2012

[mark smyth]

two weeks ago word reached me that builders has detroyed two local sand martin colonies on one site. They blamed health & safety and children playing on the site. Why then did they, allegedly, do the work under the cover of darkness?

Word broke on Friday a.m. but those contacted took no action. I got to hear about it on the Saturday, took photos and sent emails. Many phone calls took place and emails were sent on the Monday.

A site meeting took place last Thursday. Present were local group RSPB, Environment Agency, planners, builders, architects and me.

On Friday the site was fixed and they agreed to fix a small bank that collapsed during the winter
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw25d_Q7qFY&feature=g-upl&context=G28fe910AUAAAAAAABAA[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtFPG_5c3rY&feature=channel[/youtube]

[ronm]

Bloody well done!! Respect to you for sticking your neck out and having a go, and of course all those with you. Good job.

[mark smyth]

Thanks.

The biodiversity officer for my council said to a worried local who phoned
"This isn't council business"

[ronm]

Well done Mark. I agree with him, ........ its all our business and only when people bother and group together do things happen. Forget Councils, as long as they get their extentions built FOC they're happy.
You made a difference.

[mark smyth]

Fly with a peregrine and a goshawk - amazing
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-_RHRAzUHM&feature=g-all-lik&context=G299476bFAAAAAAAABAA[/youtube]

[annew]

Just realised I was holding my breath the whole time I was watching that - amazing!

[Anthony Darby]

I agree. My memory of a peregrine on the slopes of Meall Corrananich, Perthshire is the noise as it made an otherwise silent pass at speed over another sitting on a rock. The rush of air over wings.

[scatigaz]

Well done Mark brilliant. First Swift today at one of our local reservoirs flying north and the earliest ever for our area. I will be looking out at my local colony for these birds in about a week or so.

[mark smyth]

Thanks Gary

Saw my first swallow today

A swift! Definitely very early

[scatigaz]

Yes it is exceptionally early. Hopefully i will get Swifts in my nest boxes this year. I have three but Starlings have occupied one of them so i have reduced the hole size of the other two so Starlings cannot get in. Fingers crossed.

[mark smyth]

Gary any photos of your swift box set up?

[scatigaz]

Mark they are on last years April wildlife forum (page nine). The Starlings are in the right box and i have reduced the holes to the correct size on the other two.

[mark smyth]

http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7024.120 I forgot you had posted photos. Did the sparrows continue to nest under the eaves? Was there any interest from swifts last year?

[scatigaz]

Not sure about the sparrows last year but they are certainly showing interest this year. Swifts were flying very close to the nest boxes on a regular basis and on at least one occasion i saw a bird fly up to one of the boxes but i was in the house and could not be sure if it entered. I feel confident at least one will be used this time around and if any get used i will put some more up for the following year. 

[mark smyth]

fingers crossed for mid May when the bulk of breeding swifts will be back here