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Lists updated

The 2007 UK & Ireland year list rankings have been updated as have the 2007 county list rankings.

Members can access and download the updated versions when logged in, if you are a not a member and would like access please contact BBA for details.

LGRE

The UK400 Club UK and Ireland Combined Life List Totals

UK lifelist totals have been updated to include the following birds as at 23rd March 2007

2007 Additions

DESERT WHEATEAR, Irlam, Greater Manchester, March 2007

GYRFALCON, juvenile, Stepper Point, Padstow, 15th February to at least 14th March 2007

WHITE-BILLED DIVER, moulting adult, Hayle Estuary, Cornwall, March 2007

GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL, River Tywi, Carmarthenshire, 2nd-3rd & 5th March 2007

BLACK-THROATED THRUSH, Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Argyll, Jan-March 2007

PACIFIC DIVER, Llys y Fran Reservoir, Pembrokeshire, February to March 2007

PACIFIC DIVER, adult, Mount’s Bay, Penzance, Cornwall, February 2007

PACIFIC DIVER, Farnham GP, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, 12th Jan to 4th Feb 2007

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Ruddy Ducks

RUDDY DUCK

Following a four month campaign, led by Community Action Party leader Councillor Peter Franzen, an Extraordinary Meeting of Wigan Council was held on 21st March 2007 to debate the issue of the proposed cull of the Ruddy Duck population on Wigan and Leigh flashes.

At the meeting, in an amazing display of cross party unity, the following motion was passed unanimously:

QUOTE
“This Council requests DEFRA to reconsider its decisions permitting the culling of the Wigan Ruddy Duck population in Wigan and elsewhere in Britain that could adversely affect the Wigan Ruddy Duck population, and calls for the implementation and completion of a proper examination of the validity of the claimed reasons for the cull and an investigation of all the up to date scientific information including the research and observations of internationally renowned bird expert Tom Gullick, the County Bird Recorder for Greater Manchester, Judith Smith, the Leigh Ornithological Society, the RSPCA, Animal Aid and other wildlife organisations.”
UNQUOTE

Wigan Council´s Chief Executive will now write to DEFRA advising them of the Council´s request

Wigan Council also voted to recommend the Council´s ruling Cabinet to reverse its decision to allow the cull on Council owned land at least until the end of the breeding season and to obtain further evidence and advice on the matter.

Councillor Peter Franzen said:

QUOTE
Thanks to “People Power” and the support of conservationists and animal welfare groups we have saved the Wigan Ruddy Duck population at least until September 2007 and hopefully beyond.

The decision of Wigan Council to request DEFRA to reconsider its policy and in particular to conduct a proper examination and consider up to date expert advice on the matter is a significant victory for the campaign to save the Ruddy Duck not only in Wigan but also nationally.

It is now up to us all during the coming months to put pressure on The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) and the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to reverse their policy of exterminating Britain´s Ruddy Ducks.” UNQUOTE

Gyr at Pentire Point

The Gyr proved as difficult as ever today – I spent five hours at Pentire Point and saw the bird badly for 3 seconds!!! Did however manage to get lots of useful information about seeing this bird.

It is roosting at Pentire Point but appears to be roosting on the vertical cliffs at the headland and there is no way of seeing it perched at its roost. Most people are seeing it leave or coming into roost. Everytime it has been seen it shows along the west cliffs (i.e. facing the estuary).

The best chance is to get there at 5.30 (park in the mine or farm car parks) and take the central/upper track to the point. Then turn and look down the west cliffs. The bird has been seen flying from its roost along these cliffs and for a lucky few preched on the grassy slope below you or the fence posts further ‘inland’.

The last two mornings it has been flushed by birders using the lower track along the west cliffs and has flown across the sea towards the estuary by 0615. It is probably best to avoid using this track if possible. During the week when fewer birders were present it has showed in the area until 0800ish. This morning 30 birders were present and only a handful of people saw it.

In the evening it tends to come in late (apart from one early sighting at 1700 on Thursday), fast and low! Use the same spot as described above and look for the bird coming in over the sea or along the point. Tonight it didn’t appear until 18.50 by which time was almost dark. It appeared over the central/upper track before dropping down to sea level along the west cliffs and then out of view and presumably to roost on the headland (all that took about 3 seconds!)

Where it gets during the day is anybody’s guess but there have been reports in recent days of the bird as far ‘inland’ as Wadebridge.

Hope that information helps and good luck to those going for it.

Best wishes

Paul Marshall

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