Your day's wildlife

[Poacher]

Lead shot? Thorny issue. I haven't shot waterfowl since the ban. Steel shot is inefficient enough to be inhumane IMO and tungsten matrix is eyewatering expensive. Although I like eating Mallard and half-ducks, I don't value them enough to justify the extra cost of the shells, and none of the shoots I have been a member of have had duck to shoot anyway.

I'm sure there will be some unscrupulous shooters who continue to use lead over wetland, but I don't know any. The ban is not all that well thought out if you ask me. In a ruthlessly logical way, if there is a proven link between poisoned dabbling waterfowl and lead shot, then it stands to reason that shooters should not use lead shot over wetland or water. The ban should concentrate on that aspect. The jury is out on the level of damage caused, and I haven't read anything that conviñces me either way....the level of poisoning is disputed by some in the sport. To that end I would support the ban until it's proven unnecessary.

However, progress that argument to a duck lifting from a ditch on a pheasant shoot. If the duck is hit and killed, does it matter in any way at all what the cartridge contains? Dead from lead is just as dead as were it to be shot with tungsten. A shooter killing a duck in these circumstances with lead shot would be breaking the law, despite the fact that a second ago a shot was taken with lead at a pheasant flying over exactly the same piece of land.

A complete ban on lead would have very, very far reaching consequences for the approx 2 million shooters in the UK. Until it is proven beyond all reasonable doubt that lead poses a real (not just surmised) significant threat to wildlife, the cost to the economy would be enormous. All but the wealthy elite would be forced out of the sport, and that would mean a reversal of all the good that the current shooting fraternity bring through conservation and habitat management.

From the BASC's website:
"In the face of renewed attacks on lead shot BASC’s position on legal restrictions remains unequivocal – no evidence, no change. We refuse to countenance any decisions proposed by policy-makers, regulators or others that are not backed by solid, scientific evidence."

Back in the 1970's. anglers were being blamed for the poisoning of swans and other waterfowl with lead shot. Little or no blame was attached to shooters. This seemed nonsensical to me for two main reasons: 1) as an angler at the time, I never discarded lead shot, re-used it until it fell apart, and reckoned that my usage amounted to about an ounce per four years, contrast this with shotgun cartridges which each scatter an ounce or more of lead 2) the X-rays of poisoned birds showed lead pellets which had no sign of being split shot (as used by anglers - the line goes into the split and is held by the shot then being pinched), but instead were whole round shot. This opinion was reinforced by the sheer number of discarded cartidge cases along the banks of the rivers and drains.
Clearly the shooters had better connections and lobbying skills than the anglers, as split shot made from lead was made illegal at the start of 1987, except for the tiny size 8 / dust shot. Most anglers had already switched to the alternatives by the late 1970's anyway.

It wasn't until 1999 that some restrictions were placed on use of lead shot by shooters, specifically, a ban on use of lead shot over all foreshore, over specified SSSIs and for the shooting of all ducks and geese, coot and moorhen, wherever they occur (info from BASC). Ten years after the legislation came into force, it was clear that many, if not most shooters, were treating the law with contempt. A report commissioned by Defra, produced by the WWT with assistance from BASC, found that 70% of wild duck offered for sale by game dealers had been shot with lead. Quite remarkable how many ducks seem to lift from ditches during pheasant shoots, isn't it?

 

[Illaveago]

Wow! A peregrine falcon. I thought I was lucky with "my" sparrowhawk who likes to torment the birds in my garden. Growing up in west Wales, I took the red kites for granted (once counted fourteen overhead). I wish I had spent more time appreciating them.

On another subject, a moorhen nearly had me in the canal yesterday. I could hear one, presumably protecting its nest, but couldn't see it and was so busy looking that I failed to notice the bend in the canal and tow path... If you've ever seen the Taunton-Bridgwater canal, you'll appreciate why I was so relieved to have noticed and swerved in time.

You should be able able to hear the Bitterns down your way being near the Somerset Levels and those huge flocks of Starlings, so keep your eyes and ears open.

 

[coffeejo]

You should be able able to hear the Bitterns down your way being near the Somerset Levels and those huge flocks of Starlings, so keep your eyes and ears open.

I'm by the Quantocks rather than the Levels, but did see a murmuration of starlings on the day I moved here, which I took as a good omen.

 

[coffeejo]

Incidentally, I saw some grey wagtails today by the river.

 

[Illaveago]

I'm by the Quanto ther than the Levels, but did see a murmuration of starlings on the day I moved here, which I took as a good omen.

So being near the hills I would have thought that that would be ideal Peregrine country. I tend to be constantly looking skyward for planes and birds so when I see a small dot acting strangely I am naturally drawn to it. I may step in a lot of things I shouldn't though.

 

[Cubist]

From the BASC's website:
"In the face of renewed attacks on lead shot BASC’s position on legal restrictions remains unequivocal – no evidence, no change. We refuse to countenance any decisions proposed by policy-makers, regulators or others that are not backed by solid, scientific evidence."

Back in the 1970's. anglers were being blamed for the poisoning of swans and other waterfowl with lead shot. Little or no blame was attached to shooters. This seemed nonsensical to me for two main reasons: 1) as an angler at the time, I never discarded lead shot, re-used it until it fell apart, and reckoned that my usage amounted to about an ounce per four years, contrast this with shotgun cartridges which each scatter an ounce or more of lead 2) the X-rays of poisoned birds showed lead pellets which had no sign of being split shot (as used by anglers - the line goes into the split and is held by the shot then being pinched), but instead were whole round shot. This opinion was reinforced by the sheer number of discarded cartidge cases along the banks of the rivers and drains.
Clearly the shooters had better connections and lobbying skills than the anglers, as split shot made from lead was made illegal at the start of 1987, except for the tiny size 8 / dust shot. Most anglers had already switched to the alternatives by the late 1970's anyway.

It wasn't until 1999 that some restrictions were placed on use of lead shot by shooters, specifically, a ban on use of lead shot over all foreshore, over specified SSSIs and for the shooting of all ducks and geese, coot and moorhen, wherever they occur (info from BASC). Ten years after the legislation came into force, it was clear that many, if not most shooters, were treating the law with contempt. A report commissioned by Defra, produced by the WWT with assistance from BASC, found that 70% of wild duck offered for sale by game dealers had been shot with lead. Quite remarkable how many ducks seem to lift from ditches during pheasant shoots, isn't it?

As I said, it's not something I know much about, as there are no duck on any of the shoots I have been on since the ban. There isn't much foreshore in Huddersfield. That said, if there is evidence that it is being flouted, then the organisations need to act. I'll do a bit of reading.

However, duck will flight into any water and many are seen on farmland with dewponds, dykes and ditches. They are not confined to wetlands where a ban makes sense.

 

[Poacher]

As I said, it's not something I know much about, as there are no duck on any of the shoots I have been on since the ban. There isn't much foreshore in Huddersfield. That said, if there is evidence that it is being flouted, then the organisations need to act. I'll do a bit of reading.

However, duck will flight into any water and many are seen on farmland with dewponds, dykes and ditches. They are not confined to wetlands where a ban makes sense.

Too true! The pair of mallard I reported here on 17th March stuck around for a few days then saw sense and went away. They (or another pair - they all look much alike!) turned up again yesterday and spent much of the afternoon exploring the back garden, mainly in the pond area. I turned on the pump to feed the stream and waterfalls, thinking it might spook them. Instead, it seemed to heighten their interest - they paddled up the stream to investigate the source. Then I got out the hosepipe, ostensibly to water the patch under a conifer which never seems to get a useful share of rain, and while I was at it gave the ducks a shower. Dopey ducks still didn't get the hint. They finally went at dusk, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them again today. The pond is 370cm by 200cm at max, and much of that is overgrown marginal plants!

 

[Cubist]

Too true! The pair of mallard I reported here on 17th March stuck around for a few days then saw sense and went away. They (or another pair - they all look much alike!) turned up again yesterday and spent much of the afternoon exploring the back garden, mainly in the pond area. I turned on the pump to feed the stream and waterfalls, thinking it might spook them. Instead, it seemed to heighten their interest - they paddled up the stream to investigate the source. Then I got out the hosepipe, ostensibly to water the patch under a conifer which never seems to get a useful share of rain, and while I was at it gave the ducks a shower. Dopey ducks still didn't get the hint. They finally went at dusk, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them again today. The pond is 370cm by 200cm at max, and much of that is overgrown marginal plants!

Bless 'em. Mallard will nest anywhere near water where they can get a bit of peace and quiet, and often move away a bit from the main stuff if there's too much competition. There's even a chance they will have nested nearby.

MIL has a back garden that backs onto a beck near York. She also has a very dense hedge, leylandii style with loads of good cover underneath, and will often have a duck nesting there.

 

[Cubist]

There is a starling that perches on our TV aerial that fools me into thinking there is a buzzard about.

Brilliant mimics. We had one many years ago that did a very good trimphone, and another that used to yap at next door's Westie.

 

[Cubist]

Those eggs look like ordinary frogspawn now they've been rehydrated. Keep us posted as to what comes out!

 

[Illaveago]

I need to go up and see how they are doing. I sprinkled some fish food and put some tiny scraps of cooked chicken in yesterday, it had gone by the evening. When they get bigger they go at it like Piranahas.

 

[Cubist]

Half a dozen Goldfinches in the garden this morning, making the most of the emerging buds. In fact I've got the door open and I can hear one singing.

Yesterday we went down below the owls' territory, onto Scammonden and Deanhead, and spent a few minutes looking back up the valley head hoping for another glimpse. No sign unfortunately, but did see a couple of Peewits.

 

[biggs682]

A group of camera shy yellow hammers on this morning's ride flitting from bush to bush , really bright plumage.

 

[Illaveago]

I have put the frog spawn into a plastic box and placed it back into the pond. The tadpoles seemed too enthusiastic about it and may be nibbling at it. There is another small dollop of spawn in another part of the pond that is still in the dot state. I was wondering if you could describe their state of development in terms of punctuation marks. : ; " ! ?

 

[Illaveago]

The mysterious bird / Peregrine appeared in the same place and started soaring it must have climbed to about 1000 to 1500 ft before diving back in the opposite direction. My pictures are a bit blurry but when zoomed in you can see that it's wings are folded and it has it's undercarriage lowered.