As from yesterday (8th January) a voluntary restraint on waterfowl and wader shooting was requested across England and Wales. If the freezing weather continues, a statutory ban on wildfowling should come into force next Saturday (16th January) - source CCW/JNCC (and also see BASC website for more info). For more background info about the cold weather wildfowling situation I have extracted this from the BTO website:
"Since 1983, an alerting system has been in place enabling statutory agencies and non-governmental organisations to work together to minimise the level of disturbance to waterbirds in frozen conditions. This includes mechanisms for the voluntary restraint (after 7 days of frozen conditions) and then statutory suspension (after 14days) of wildfowl shooting. Under the criteria by which the number of days are calculated see www.jncc.gov.uk/page-2894 for details. This website also includes a downloadable form allowing you to report any observations you make on the condition of birds in your local area".
For those birders who are getting out and about, it is worth being aware of these important conservation measures and to make sure that our own actions to watch flocking/feeding/roosting birds don't cause unnecessary disturbance at this time of extra stress on the natural environment.
Should anyone become aware of significant bird (notably waterfowl/waders etc) mortality or bird concentrations then it would be useful to have records. RJH is trying to collate records that might help inform the statutory conservation agencies of the effects of the hard weather on birds in Pembs. Also, although a bit grim, if you do find any dead birds don't forget to check for rings and report these via www.ring.ac or send to: recoveries@bto.org
