What birds (are you/have you been) watching? What birds have been watching you?

[ardcarp]

A great account Vox. Were you anywhere near Ham Wall? Mrs A's Dad was a river engineer whose 'patch' was The Levels with its fascinating and often unpredictatble water-scapes. It was always a bit 'somewhere other', even in the days before wildlife conservation became a priority.

[Serial_Apologist]

Walking along the river today I saw a flock of seagulls in the water about half way across - (Richard, I mean the stretch of the Foyle between the Odeon Cinema on the City side and St.Columb's Park on the other side). They were in three distinct groups, a large group with a smaller group on either side. If I had been fishing I would have thought they were feeding and would have made for that area; but they seemed to be just drifting. The whiteness of the gulls in the water made the appearance of a pair of black heads twenty yards apart instantly noticeable. They disappeared as soon as I saw them, and I waited until they popped up again. They were the first I have seen this year, and I have been spotting cormorants in this area for many a year. Nice to see them right in the City centre, but being cold and windy there were not too many people about.

This far out from the centre of London (Trafalgar Square) and 5 miles from the nearest point on the Thames, we rarely get seagulls visiting around here. But my memories of Bristol a few years ago is of the area around the centre swamped by seagulls day and night constantly making their cries, resulting in sleepless nights, and leading me to wonder how people living in such seagull frequented districts ever manage to get used to them.

[Vox Humana]

A great account Vox. Were you anywhere near Ham Wall? Mrs A's Dad was a river engineer whose 'patch' was The Levels with its fascinating and often unpredictatble water-scapes. It was always a bit 'somewhere other', even in the days before wildlife conservation became a priority.

Thanks, Ardy. Indeed we were. The roost was at Shapwick Heath (the other side of Station Road), but we had a quick look at the Ham Wall side before traipsing off there. I remember a birding friend visiting these sites maybe 30 years ago when they were just beginning to be developed. He raved about the fabulous habitat and its potential to become a major magnet for birds. He wasn't wrong! We love going there, but it's a bit of a mission.

[Richard Tarleton]

Walking along the river today I saw a flock of seagulls in the water about half way across - (Richard, I mean the stretch of the Foyle between the Odeon Cinema on the City side and St.Columb's Park on the other side). They were in three distinct groups, a large group with a smaller group on either side. If I had been fishing I would have thought they were feeding and would have made for that area; but they seemed to be just drifting. The whiteness of the gulls in the water made the appearance of a pair of black heads twenty yards apart instantly noticeable. They disappeared as soon as I saw them, and I waited until they popped up again. They were the first I have seen this year, and I have been spotting cormorants in this area for many a year. Nice to see them right in the City centre, but being cold and windy there were not too many people about.

Gulls just roosting or loafing by the sounds of it Padraig - what time of day?

[greenilex]

I had a sad encounter with a young gull a few days ago in the city centre by our brook. But I think the fox was happy.

[Padraig]

Gulls just roosting or loafing by the sounds of it Padraig - what time of day?

Thanks Richard. It was around 1pm. There are quite a few gulls all along the river - mostly on the East Bank where there is mud and shallow water. They often loaf -nice word. The City Centre has pigeons, not gulls as a rule, but it is the cormorants which are the potential tourist attractions right there behind the Guildhall. That whole area has been tarted up since your time Richard.

Alas! Too late for City Centre reminiscing with Richard. He probably knew as much about environment issues here in Northern Ireland as our own experts, and he always remembered his time here, which was appreciated,

[Padraig]

I had hoped for a comment from Richard on this item, as he no doubt was familiar with the area and the issue. I also hope that members find something of common interest in these occasional news items.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-51399028

[Vox Humana]

I had hoped for a comment from Richard on this item, as he no doubt was familiar with the area and the issue. I also hope that members find something of common interest in these occasional news items.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-51399028

I can't comment on this specific case, but I am very cynical about environmental impact assessments. I have some experience. What happens is that officials call for an EIA, the applicant industry commissions one favourable to its case, the box is ticked, the scheme is approved and the environment is harmed. Every single time. The best an industry-funded EIA will achieve is to mitigate the worst effects. The conservation organisations need to do their own EIA, but would it be seriously considered?

[Padraig]

I can't comment on this specific case, but I am very cynical about environmental impact assessments. I have some experience. What happens is that officials call for an EIA, the applicant industry commissions one favourable to its case, the box is ticked, the scheme is approved and the environment is harmed. Every single time. The best an industry-funded EIA will achieve is to mitigate the worst effects. The conservation organisations need to do their own EIA, but would it be seriously considered?

Thank you V H. I share your cynicism. We have our own local reasons to suspect EIAs. But is there reason to believe that pressure is growing to regard the environment as a priority that demands to be no longer a box ticking exercise? I'm reading about the Cash for Ash scandal - the Renewable Heat Incentive for Northern Ireland which went badly wrong. Mind boggling. Official Report due in March should make for interesting reading if Burned (the book) is even half accurate.

[Vox Humana]

There is certainly more public awareness of environmental matters and this may perhaps force industry to take notice too. However arguments for jobs and wealth always seem to trump everything else in the end. It is difficult for local government to turn down projects that promise financial and economic benefits for their residents.

[ardcarp]

Probably off topic, but there's a good story from Norway. When Fornebu airport in the centre of Oslo had to close because it was inadequate to handle the volume of international flights, there was hot competition from Torp (to the south) and Gardemoen (to the north) NOT to have the airport in their back yard. The deciding factor was going to be the average number of foggy days which would restrict airport use. So the authorities set up apparatus to measure the density of fog over the course of a year. Torp 'won' because someone had crept out at night and smeared the lenses with Vaseline. The airport is now at Gardemoen, an inconvenient and expensive distance of 25 miles from central Oslo.

[agingjb]

We are delighted that a (female or immature) Marsh Harrier is regularly seen in a site near us.

The same site attracts a migrant Osprey each year, although we also miss the bird each year.

[HighlandDougie]

We are delighted that a (female or immature) Marsh Harrier is regularly seen in a site near us.

The same site attracts a migrant Osprey each year, although we also miss the bird each year.

You are very lucky! I've never seen one, although I thought I had done so outside Eureka in California when I was out running near some marshland - but it could not have been Circus aeruginosus as you don't find them in North America. I suspect that it was a not-exactly-uncommon Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus). Still, it was an impressive bird, perched on a post and glaring at me as I wheezed past. Here in France, where there isn't a cloud in the sky, I've just been distracted from writing a paper by the two local golden eagles, putting on a magnificent aerial display, seen to best advantage in the (strong) sunlight.

[Bryn]

Stick with it.

[greenilex]

Real conversational tone to the bird’s remarks. Wish I spoke capercaillie!