Basingstoke Local Group

BBAASSIINNGGSSTTOOKKEE LLOOCCAALL GGRROOUUPP

FEBRUARY 2015 NEWSLETTER

http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/basingstoke

Contents:

 From The Group Leader

 Complaints Against The RSPB Rejected

 Notices

 What’s Happening?

 February’s Outdoor Meeting

 March’s Outdoor Meeting

 January’s Outdoor Meeting

 Going Off For Rails

 Local Wildlife News

 Quiz Page

 And Finally!

Charity registered in England and Wales no. 207076 From The Group Leader

Welcome to, hopefully, the end of the winter!

A brighter day today, at least weather-wise, and so we can indeed now perhaps start to see hints of spring – Early Purple Orchid already above ground, Common Dog Violet in flower and, of course, myriads of Snowdrop that carpet areas of almost woodland flooring. Less obvious, at least visually, are the songsters that have now taken on the manmade chaos of noise that we are all so unfortunately accustomed to – Song Thrush, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Collared Dove and, if you’re still lucky enough to have them, House Sparrow all now to be heard on a daily basis. I’m sure there are others that you are hearing, and I’m sure appreciating, personally and this upsurge of testosterone-fuelled has thoughts of spring and the hoped-for return of many migrants to the forefront of pleasing birding soon to be had.

It’ll only be days from now that the first local Sand Martin and Wheatear are seen and by the time that we all gather for the March Indoor Meeting both Blackcap and Chiffchaff will have been heard in song by many of you – soon, again hopefully, to be followed by the likes of ‘real’ spring birds such as Cuckoo, Swallow and Nightingale. When you eventually encounter these harbingers of spring do let us know, and not just for the Newsletter but for all to see how things are progressing as the warmer, longer days creep up on us.

With regard to migrants the B.T.O. is surveying House Martins this year, so any news of these would be more than appreciated. This declining species was at last surveyed in the Parish of Overton last year, every building, property, shack, shed and outhouse being looked over and, as unfortunately anticipated, there was a dramatic decline in the numbers of birds being found to be nesting – just two small colonies and a single nest or two! A rather demoralising decrease in these little pied torpedoes that so many of us have grown up with nesting on the exterior of our dwellings. The lack of cooling air in to bedrooms during the summer months, the windows of course not being allowed to be opened as they so often nested on the hinges, and the annual removal of their little souvenirs far outweighed by their presence, the joy of watching them build their nest cups and the eventual release from this of the young out on to the local telegraph wires before they all moved off to far pleasanter climes for the winter months – leaving us behind to make do with the oh so unpredictable British weather! If you’d be interested in helping with the B.T.O. surveying do please get in touch with me as I’m sure that I / we can find somewhere that needs your surveying skills.

So, we’re nearing the winters’ end with the weather, both local and migrant birds and the Group’s activities all also warming up; do make the most of and enjoy them all.

Peter E. Hutchins Complaints Against The RSPB Rejected

David Tipling

You may have seen that we have come under concerted attack from some quarters in the national press in recent months.

You may also have read that the Countryside Alliance and 'You Forgot the Birds' – an organisation linked to shooting interests and fronted by Sir Ian Botham – made two formal complaints through the Charity Commission about our charitable work.

We felt it important you should know that neither complaint was upheld by the Charity Commission. We welcome the fact that these attacks have been systematically rejected. We will continue to play a proper role in campaigning for nature in the wider countryside and speaking out against wildlife crime.

The RSPB was not subject to a formal investigation, but the Charity Commission have invested time in examining our processes and activities in the light of the complaints. The Commission are clear that the RSPB has not breached charitable regulations or guidelines, or our own charitable objectives, on any of the issues raised.

We felt it important you should know that neither complaint was upheld by the Charity Commission.

The RSPB always seeks best practice, and we have welcomed the opportunity to learn all that we can from the guidance offered by our regulator. We were complimented by the Charity Commission for the speed and thoroughness of our uptake of their advice. Transparency and accountability are important to us. So we wanted you to see for yourself the allegations, our response and the Charity Commission’s ruling. We trust that this provides both confirmation and reassurance that the RSPB operates according to the highest standards.

Here are the formal complaints made by 'You Forgot the Birds' and the Countryside Alliance, our responses and the Charity Commission responses in full.

 'You Forgot the Birds' complaints response from Charity Commission (Nov 14).  Countryside Alliance complaints response from Charity Commission (Jan 15).

These documents show clearly the challenges we face, the calibre of our responses and that the RSPB has nothing to hide.

Solid track record

We welcome scrutiny of our position and practices. We have a solid track record of results based on sound science and good governance. We will always robustly challenge unfounded allegations from unaccountable interests both via our regulators and through answering enquiries from the media.

Thanks to the support of people like you – our members, partners and supporters – the RSPB is an effective organisation. It is understandable that, when we challenge the actions of others, they will seek to undermine us.

As we forge ahead with our conservation work and grow support through our Giving Nature a Home Campaign, we are likely to face renewed challenges from particular interests.

When we do, you can rest assured that the RSPB’s activity will conform with the legislation and guidelines upheld by the Charity Commission (and its counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland) and with our charitable objects, which you can read here.

We have been both grateful for, and touched by, the support we have received from so many of you during this period. Globally, nationally and locally wildlife is in trouble.

Someone has to be prepared to speak out for nature and, with your help, that is exactly what we are going to carry on doing.

Rob George Head of Corporate Services (Legal, Performance and Knowledge) [letter sent by e-mail only] PO Box 1227 Liverpool, L69 3UG Blwch SP 1227 Lerpwl, L69 3UG tel/ffôn: 0300 065 1803 Your Ref/Eich Cyf : Our Ref/Ein Cyf: C-402202 Date/Dyddiad: 11 November 2014 2 4. It hides the fact that to protect birds on its 206 reserves, the charity shoots hundreds of foxes and deer every year. 5. The charity lobbies for measures to tackle global warming, and supports wind turbines – which kill thousands of birds every year. 6. RSPB has undue influence. It intimidates politicians and farmers with its 1 million membership. Defra is scared of the RSPB. 7. RSPB is a dictatorship. Only 3 people stood for the 3 Council seats at the AGM. Analysis I have analysed these concerns in relation to our Risk Framework as follows: 1. The charity is required to fund pensions for employees. They have explained in the accounts the impact of a higher actuarial valuation of their liabilities as long term interest rate projections continue to worsen. The RSPB have a long term financial plan agreed with the Pension Trustees for dealing with this additional provision which will cost 3% of total income. There is no evidence of financial mismanagement that would give grounds for regulatory concern. 2. Commission contacted charity about need to clarify their web statement. This was changed within 2 days to make it clear that 90% of net income is used for conservation. This has now been further improved to give very clear information about income and expenditure. It is for the charity to decide how much to spend on fundraisers and TV adverts. The charity funds wide range of activities to promote conservation, not just confined to bird reserves. Given the positive response by the charity, there are no further grounds for regulatory concern identified here. 3. Wildlife management methods and questions about the best way to conserve birds are not for the Commission. 4. Communication about the wildlife management methods employed by the RSPB is not a matter for the Commission. The charity gives details about this aspect of their work at: http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/martinharper/archive/2014/04/16/managingp redation.aspx 5. There was no specific allegation in the article that the RSPB had acted contrary to our guidance on campaigning as set out in CC9 - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/speaking-out-guidance-on-campaigning-and- politicalactivity- by-charities-cc9/speaking-out-guidance-on-campaigning-and-political-activity-by-charities. Whilst there are no issues raised in the article that give rise to concern, I will be writing to the trustees about the issue of campaigning separately. 6. No evidence provided. 7. RSPB advertises trustee vacancies. They have explained that only three people stood for the Council posts, but this was their member’s choice. No evidence that AGM conducted improperly. 3 Conclusion The concern we raised about the way the RSPB explained how their income was spent was quickly acknowledged and your web-site now gives a very clear graphic breakdown of how money is raised and spent in a way that is easily understandable to the public. As explained in my analysis above, I can confirm to the trustees that, the Commission has not identified further regulatory concerns raised in the Daily Mail article of 2 November and I have now closed my case in relation to this. Campaigning I should explain that we have received a further complaint in relation to the RSPBs campaigning activity. I think it might be useful if I were to meet with trustees and officers of the charity to discuss this in more depth. Please give me a ring to discuss this issue and to arrange a suitable time. Yours sincerely Harry Iles [email protected]

Adrian Blackmore Director of Shooting Countryside Alliance [letter sent by e-mail only] Charity Commission PO Box 1227 Liverpool, L69 3UG t: 0300 065 1803 Your Ref: Our Ref: C- 403152 Date: 7 January 2015 2 activity. Our guidance also recognises that campaigning and political activity can be legitimate and valuable activities for charities to undertake. Our guidance explains that emotive or controversial material may be used by charities when campaigning. However, the use of emotive language or images must be based on well- founded evidence and be factually accurate. It is also important for trustees to consider the reputational impact of a campaign that may be controversial and take steps to mitigate any damage to the charity's reputation. Steps taken to examine the complaint Given the high public profile of the charity, we felt it important to ask them to review and explain the evidence relied on in relation to the specific issues you raised. I have also met with the trustees to gather further information to inform our assessment. I have provided a summary of the issues you raised below, together with their response and our conclusion for each issue. 1. Grouse moor gamekeepers’ prosecutions RSPB statement – “over the years, a steady stream of grouse moor gamekeepers have been prosecuted for raptor persecution crimes” Countryside Alliance comment – “Over that 13 year period, 20 gamekeepers employed on grouse moors (an average of 1.5 per year) are shown as having been prosecuted” RSPB’s response – The sentence is immediately linked to a table on page 21 of the report and has to be read in that context. The table lists the convictions of all the grouse moor gamekeepers known to the RSPB with their sentences between 2001 and 2103. The reader is therefore able to see for himself or herself what the evidence is and to decide whether it supports the statement. It is our view that the position as stated in the report is consistent with the accepted use of ‘steady stream’ Commission’s Conclusion – the evidential context for this phrase is provided and I do not find the expression used to be unsupported by the facts. 2. Shooting industry responsibility for raptor persecution RSPB statement "it believes it is the shooting industry as a whole, not individual gamekeepers, that is primarily responsible for raptor persecution in the UK". Countryside Alliance comment – “It is unclear on what grounds it has based that belief, as the evidence to support it is missing. It is, however, using these unsubstantiated claims to repeat its call for: political parties to introduce licensing of driven grouse shooting after the election; the introduction of an offence of vicarious liability in England; increasing the penalties available to courts for wildlife offences; and for game shooting to be regulated with an option to withdraw the 'right' of an individual to shoot game or businesses to supply shooting services for a fixed period following conviction for a wildlife or environmental offence.” The Countryside Alliance also lists a number of factual matters, together with their conclusion that - “the RSPB is continuing in its efforts to promote an anti-shooting agenda, especially against driven grouse shooting. It has less to do with a concern about birds and more about ideology and a political agenda. Like reports of recent years, the 2013 Birdcrime Report is deliberately misleading, and many readers will invariably take at face value the claims and accusations that have been made. Many of these are serious, and made without the necessary evidence with which to substantiate them.” RSPB’s response – The RSPB rejects entirely the accusation that it is promoting an anti- shooting agenda or promoting a particular ideology or political agenda. They state that despite several decades of full legal protection, raptor persecution has been persistent over wide geographical areas with negative conservation impacts for several species. The RSPB believes the conservation impact of offences on wild birds and the relationship with different types of land management and use can be demonstrated clearly and quotes evidence from scientific studies, geographical location of incidents, profile of those prosecuted and intelligence information. The RSPB refer to a number of peer-reviewed studies that have identified that persecution of hen-harriers, golden eagles and peregrine falcons is a significant conservation problem on land managed for grouse shooting. The RSPB also quote from the National Wildlife Crime Unit 2013 Strategic Assessment that “intelligence continues to indicate a strong association between raptor persecution and grouse moor management”. In relation to their call for increased regulation, the RSPB quote the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee’s 2012 report on wildlife crime “given the scale of ongoing persecution of birds of prey, the current law appears to carry insufficient deterrent weight. We recommend that the Government evaluates the effect of the introduction of an offence of vicarious liability in relation to raptor persecution in Scotland and considers introducing a similar offence in England and Wales in that light”. The RSPB state that “In all the circumstances, particularly with the highly vulnerable conservation status of the hen harrier as breeding species in England, the RSPB believes there are strong conservation grounds to ask for increased licencing, and ultimately accountability, for this area of game bird management. The RSPB believes this type of regulation should have minimal impact on sporting estates operating within the law.” Commission’s Conclusion – it is not for the Charity Commission to engage in or decide on these issues; our role is to assess whether the assertions and position of the RSPB can be supported by reference to the evidence, as set out in our guidance on Campaigning and Political Activity by Charities. On the basis of the information provided, I do not uphold the complaint that the RSPB’s position is unsubstantiated. 3. Research data 1990 – 2006 on Peregrine breeding success Countryside Alliance comment - “For the third year running, the RSPB has included a piece of research in its Birdcrime Report that is intentionally misleading. Both the 2011 and 2012 reports covered in detail a research paper which claimed that peregrines on or close to intensive grouse moor areas bred much less successfully than those in other habitats, and that persecution was the reason for this. That same research paper is covered again in the 2013 Birdcrime report. The research in question used data from 1990 – 2006 and at the time it was published a representation was made to the National Wildlife Crime Unit which resulted in a caveat being circulated to all Police Wildlife Crime Officers in the UK explaining that the data used in the paper was out of date, and that in using such information there was danger that the research paper suggested a current situation. For the RSPB is well aware of that caveat, and to include this once again makes a complete mockery of its previously stated belief that reliable data are essential to monitoring the extent of wildlife crime.” RSPB response – The RSPB had asked the National Wildlife Crime Unit for clarification in relation to the caveat that had been circulated to all Police Wildlife Crime Officers in the UK. The NWCU explained that - “As the NWCU holds a comprehensive contact list of all police wildlife crime coordinators across the UK, we were contacted by Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) and were asked to circulate a ‘response’ paper (from the Countryside Alliance) along with a caveat (which was provided to us by SLE). We duly circulated the caveat to all our PWECO’s as requested. The caveat was clearly marked as being from the Countryside Alliance and was never stated to be the opinion of the NWCU”. The RSPB states that the research paper on Peregrine breeding success is a peer reviewed scientific paper published in the journal Biological Conservation 2012. It is based on monitoring between 1980 and 2006 across seven widely separated areas of northern England. The RSPB do not accept the paper is out of date and state that this is the latest available peer-reviewed scientific research of its kind on this subject. Commission’s conclusion – it appears that the research findings on Peregrine breeding success remain relevant to the issues under consideration. Summary Complaints that a charity may be breaching the guidelines on campaigning and political activity are serious and I have set out above the steps we have taken to look into your concerns. I would emphasis again that it is not for the Commission to make any judgement on the issues of conservation and wildlife management that are under debate. Your central complaint is that the RSPB has misused data and made unfounded allegations in their Birdcrime Report. Having examined the issues raised and met with the trustees, we have concluded that we have not found the RSPB has breached our guidelines on Campaigning and Political Activity by Charities. The Charity Commission therefore does not uphold your complaint. Thank you for contacting us about this matter. Yours sincerely Harry Iles CC – Professor Steve Ormerod – Chair of RSPB Council

Notices

Evening Walks Programme

You’ll be pleased to hear that the majority of the dates during May and June on which it’s proposed that Evening Walks take place this year are now filled, both with sites to visit and Leaders to take you around them. However, there are dates still to be filled so if you’ve any ideas on local sites / areas to visit, birds that you or others might like to see locally or even feel like throwing yourself in to the role of a Leader please do let us know as soon as you’re able. It’s anticipated that the finished Programme will be advertised by the April Indoor Meeting at the latest, hopefully the March one, and so any input or feedback from those that are yet to be involved in this would be appreciated as soon as is possible.

House Martin Surveying

During June and July surveying of House Martins throughout Britain will be takin place. If you’d be interested in helping with this, just two visits to check for nesting activity being needed over this period, please do make the Group Leader or the B.T.O aware of your interest. Both will then be happy to supply you with further details of the surveying and the areas still in need of surveyors.

Stockbridge Down Surveying

During November to March surveying of the birds on / about the National Trust site at Stockbridge Down will be taking place*. A small team has been assembled to carry out this work, with more hopefully planned for the coming breeding season, but any help with this would be more than appreciated, even if only on an ad hoc basis. if you don’t feel able to contribute but find yourself wandering over the down in the coming months do please make a note of that which you find and pass it on the Group Leader; who’ll be co-ordinating the collation of all records received over this period, whether from surveyors or other less anticipated visitors. * A recent survey found Firecrest on site whilst Raven, Red Kite, Brambling and Crossbill have been noted overhead.

Brian’s Bees

The honey that was on sale at recent Indoor Meetings will hopefully continue to be available for some time yet! Thank you to all those that purchased this locally sourced product, and to all those that do you in the future! Please do remember when considering to source honey in the future that this both locally produced, some of you may even know the bees, and that a donation to the Group is made on each purchase!

Local Group Website

The Local Group website continues to be worked upon by our trustee band of computer- literates, so if you haven't been to the site for a while, why not have a look and tell us what you think. Any thoughts on what we should include within the site will always be appreciated, this then helping to make the site more relevant to current group members, and helping to get across the right message to potential members.

Link: http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/basingstoke/

The continuing and ever-increasing work on the website has seen your Local Group website become the 2nd most visited in Britain not too long ago; an exceptional rise in the use of this and something to be justifiably pleased with – there are people out there interested in the Local Group and what it’s doing! 

Newsletter Mailings

Do we have your email address? If not, please do pass it on so that the Group can communicate with you in a more environmentally manner! The monthly Newsletter being an example of this, saving resources, money and time by being mailed to you, rather than hard copies being created and perhaps only sitting partially read until the next one appears.

Bird Food

We are happy to supply any bird food to you at any time, just call on 01256 – 770831, 07895 – 388378 or mail us on [email protected] and we will arrange delivery to you. If you have any requirements that are not listed, please do let us know and we will ensure that they are available when you, or your birds, need them.

Bird Food Pricelist:

The below are examples of just a few of the items that we can supply. Please do enquire after anything else and we will provide you with a cost, time of delivery etc. As both of us are currently working in / about Basingstoke delivery can be expected to be completed within a day of an order being received – can you get that service anywhere else? Prices vary according to the seasonality of the foods, where we are able to source them from, and so on, but a few for reference are:

Wild bird Mix 40p/lb. or 88p/kg

Peanuts £1/lb. or £2.20/kg

Black Sunflowers £1/lb or £2.20/kg

Sunflower Hearts £1.10/lb or £2.42/kg

Niger £1/lb or £2.20/kg

Fat Squares £1 each

Fat Pecker Balls 25p each

Also available are a range of birdboxes and feeders.

A variety of items will be available at most Indoor Meetings but if there is something ‘missing’ that you want, please do let us know.

Peter & Alison

What’s Happening?

A few of the forthcoming local events that will hopefully help keep you entertained as the days continue to disappear under darkness:

Basingstoke Natural History Society [email protected]

The Small Scale Wildlife Of The Oak

Date 10th March

Time 20:00pm

An illustrated talk by Martin Woolner of the Berkshire Wildlife Trust.

United Reformed Church, London Street, Basingstoke.

For further information please contact:

Patricia & Colin Stubbs: 01256 323324; Diane Rampton: 01256 467533 or Nicola Williams: 01256 353194.

Dummer Nature Group www.dummernaturegroup.co.uk

Social Evening, Buffet, Talk and AGM

Date 6th March

Time 19:30pm

Brighten up the end of winter and enjoy the company of DuNG members and locals by coming along to our brief AGM at a social evening at Dummer Village Hall, including a buffet, raffle and talk on the nestbox scheme for owls and hawks

by Matt Stevens from the Hawk Conservancy. Everyone welcome, not just DuNG members, the more the merrier!

Hampshire & Isle Of Wight Wildlife Trust http://www.hwt.org.uk/

Snowdrops & Woodland Birds

Date 20th February

Time 10:30am to 12:30pm

A walk to watch winter birds.

Join us for a walk and to watch winter birds at the Chase Nature Reserve (run by the National Trust).

Meet at the Station Road car park, Broad Laying near Woolton Hill, south of Newbury, Hampshire, RG20 0NB; Map reference SU 442627

Basingstoke Wildlife Watch

Date 28th February

Time 14:00pm to 16:00pm

Bush Whacking at Hazeley Heath.

Fun wildlife-themed and outdoor activities for children aged 5-15 years.

Wildlife Watch events are for families and young people that want to get out and about and more involved with nature. The activities are based mostly outdoors, in natural surroundings. Please make sure you come prepared with a waterproof coat and some wellies.

For further details, please contact: Clare Lloyd Williams 01256 782665

Andover Bird Spotting Challenge

Date 7th March

Time 10:30am to 12:45pm

A guided three mile walk to spot as many bird species as possible.

We shall form two groups for a guided walk around a three mile loop in opposite directions in the Clatfords area south of Andover. The winner will get the glory of most bird species found!

Meet in the car park opposite Upper Clatford Church, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 7HB.

Wildlife Havens in a Changing World

Date 11th March

Time 19:30am to 21:30pm

The importance of Trust nature reserves and future of wildlife on our doorstep.

John Durnell, the Trust's Head of Estate and Enterprise, will give us an insight into the ever growing importance of the Trust's nature reserves in the face of current increasing pressures and a look into the future prospects for the wildlife on our doorstep.

Badger Farm Community Centre, Badger Farm Rd, Winchester, (access via Sainsburys car park), Hampshire, SO22 4QB; Grid reference SU462275

Springtime Wolverton Walk

Date 19th March

Time 10:30am to 12:30pm

Join us for a walk through the farmland, common & woods around Wolverton to see the early spring fauna and flora.

Meet and park at Wolverton Townsend Village Hall (Map Ref: SU553 583) this in Ramsdell Road, Wolverton a few hundred yards from its junction with the A339.

For details please contact Gerry Gardner on 01189 700859.

Please note that all the events noted above may be filmed and photographed for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's fundraising and publicity purposes. If you have any concerns, please speak to a member of staff.

Overton Biodiversity Society http://www.overton-biodiversity.org/

Bumblebees – Identification And Ecology & Annual General Meeting

Date 26th March

Time 19:30pm

A, short, A.G.M. will be followed by an illustrated presentation by guest speaker Brian Pinchen – Bumblebees – Identification And Ecology.

Overton Community Centre, Winchester Street, Overton.

For further information please contact:

Ken or Jane on 01256 – 771121 or email [email protected]

Admission: Members £2.00, non-members £2.50, to include refreshments.

Local Opportunities for Conservation Volunteering

Are you interested in your local environment? Do you have a passion for conservation and wildlife? If yes, try the following the site to check on what’s happening locally that you could become involved in. http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/2BEA9CA3-DD29-414A-AAE4- 0F8A916F61E4/0/Conservationworkparties.pdf

There are opportunities for you as an individual, a family or a social group to join the groups of volunteers already working in the following areas:

Black Dam Ponds and Crabtree Plantation Mill Field Local Nature Reserve Chineham Oakley Cliddesden Old Down, Kempshott Glebe Gardens, Victory Park and King Overton George Vth Playing Fields (Brookvale) Popley Kempshott South View

February’s Outdoor Meeting

Lepe Country Park: 22nd.

For this Outdoor Meeting please meet in the car park by the Information Centre for a 10:00 start (SZ 455 985, OS Landranger map 196; SO45 1AD).

This is just off Lepe Road that runs south from Langley, this an extension of Hampton Lane which can be accessed off the roundabout on the A326 at Holbury.

 For further details of the starting point, to offer or request a lift etc. please contact a Committee Member prior to the weekend of the outing.

The RAC Route Planner gives a distance of 46.93 miles between Basingstoke and the site, the AA site 45.1; a travelling time of 58 and 74 minutes being quoted by these sites; this via the M3, M27, M271 and A326. As always, it’s best to leave ample time to reach the site for the start time, so please do bear this in mind when deciding on when to leave.

 The outing this month will take in a site that has risen in popularity with birders, both local and from further afield, recently due to the presence of an over-wintering Lesser Yellowlegs. It’s not there now but there are still good numbers of visitors finding many birds of interest as I’m sure the Group will do on its’ visit!

On the outing commencing The Solent will be looked over for wildfowl, grebes and the less likely but still possible divers and auks, their numbers in some part relating to the prevailing weather. Dark-bellied Brent are regular close inshore, Great Crested Grebe in rafts a little further out whilst the shoreline attracts waders of all sizes, especially on the ebbing tide. The closeness of the car park to the shore encourages Rock Pipit in, both to feed and bathe in the puddled areas.

Dark-bellied Brent Branta bernicla There are sure to be good numbers of these wintering geese about The Solent

Moving off eastwards the hedgerow above the car park may hold wintering passerines, Firecrest a bonus but definitely worth looking for. The adjacent grass draws in further pipits, Meadow this

time, with Pied Wagtail and even the occasional wader joining them, again this often determined by both the weather and disturbance prior to any visit.

The now famous pools inland of Stansore Point will be scanned for waders, wildfowl and wintering finches, buntings and pipits, Water a possibility to make a hat-trick of the latter. The groynes penetrating The Solent here are worthy of attention, being used as roost sites by smaller waders and the occasional over-wintering tern, as is the open water of Stanswood Bay. The latter may well be more sheltered than other areas of The Solent already covered and so can attract further sea-going wildfowl, grebes and the like.

Sandwich Tern Thallassues sandvicensis Another species over-wintering locally and another with a recently changed scientific name!

Undisturbed farmland flanked by woodland north of the pools attracts game birds, further waders, often the larger species, and raptors; a day of good weather sure to see Buzzard, at least, over the latter. Peregrine, Merlin and Kestrel are all local winter residents, Sparrowhawk even commoner than these and who knows what else might just be passing through.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta A day / meeting at the coast without seeing these nowadays would be exceptional

Walking back through scrub and woodland atop the ‘cliffs’ should add flocks of foraging tits etc. and both of the larger woodpeckers become more likely on moving away from the coast, finches and buntings also becoming perhaps more evident.

The almost riverine woodland about Dark Water, where hides allow for a break and bottom-based birding, is more temperate than that elsewhere locally and so will hold greater numbers of insectivores, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Goldcrest and tits to be found in the denser woodland adjacent to the boardwalk; Firecrest again a possibility and Cetti’s Warbler perhaps ‘shouting’ at the Group from dense in cover.

The Solent, Isle of Wight and water-borne hobbyists

If time and enthusiasm allow the walk will then continue further westwards towards Exbury, taking in further shoreline, wet pasture and the copse spread about the latter and then to look out over Needs Ore Point where Peregrine are regular, as is also the case for wintering Spoonbill and Avocet, amongst others. The muddier edges to The Solent here attract yet more waders and therefore the birds that may associate with them, Dark-bellied Brent, Wigeon, Pintail, Teal, Shelduck, Little and Great Crested Grebe all likely in the shallower and less disturbed waters and saltmarsh.

 It’s winter, so please be prepared for any inclement weather we might just encounter, especially as we’ll be on the edge of The Solent for some time. Also, please be aware that there are car parking fees in place, even at this time of year. The latest update on these was £2 for up to 2 hours, £3.50 all day.

 The walk will take us through to early afternoon when there will be the options to head home, linger about the area / café or complete a further walk nearby.

March’s Outdoor Meeting

Fleet Pond: 22nd.

For this Outdoor Meeting please meet in the car park on the north-eastern side of the pond for a 10:00 start (SU 825 552, OS Landranger map 186; GU51 2RT (*Wychwynd – the

house opposite the track to the car parking area). This is signed off the A3013, reached by either heading eastwards off the main road through Fleet, signed towards Cove, or from the M3 J4a, signed towards Fleet.

 For further details of the starting point, to offer or request a lift etc. please contact a Committee Member prior to the weekend of the outing.

The RAC Route Planner gives a distance of 15.73 miles between Basingstoke and the residence noted above, the AA site 15.9; a travelling time of 18 and 23 minutes being quoted by these sites; this via the M3. As always, it’s best to leave ample time to reach the site for the start time, so please do bear this in mind when deciding on when to leave.

 An easily reached, easily accessed and easily watched over site that will be familiar to many of you.

The range of habitats, open water, reedbeds, mixed woodlands, scrub and heath ensure that a good range of birds are always present with the area being especially attractive to certain winter visitors such as crests, gulls, finches, buntings, thrushes and wagtails.

Time looking out over the pond should allow several species of gull, possibly including Yellow-legged, to be seen, the local wildfowl-feeders helping to facilitate closer views as they bulk up the ducks etc. for the winter months. The islands can hold Mandarin and Egyptian Goose while the more man-made structures allow Cormorant, Grey Heron and more gull to linger ‘above’ the water.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis Alex Berryman Will this regular bird be on site during our visit, only time, and looking, will tell?

The flanking woodland is home to all three woodpeckers, Lesser Spotted particularly busy at this time of year, and during the winter months good numbers of the smaller birds come to feed here, Firecrest join the Goldcrest, redpoll, perhaps several species, and Siskin join the other more expected finches, as may Brambling. Redwing and Fieldfare unite the resident thrushes and chats, the later perhaps to include lingering Stonechat. Warblers are encouraged to overstay the winter in the waterside vegetation, where Water Rail and Reed Bunting may also be seen, or perhaps just heard.

Stonechat Saxicola rubicola Doug. Kelson

The heath holds some of the more open area species, such as the aforementioned Stonechat, Linnet, Dartford Warbler, Coal Tit among the conifers and Green Woodpecker, likely to be heard first, or if not, flushed up from the shorter undergrowth as they forage for insects.

The time of year we will be visiting should have us seeing, or at least hearing, both incoming and outgoing migrants, the wintering thrush the most likely of the latter whilst Sand Martin may be hunting over the pond, Wheatear foraging on the more open areas of heath and both Blackcap and Chiffchaff singing in the woodland and flanking gardens.

 As this is a popular site be prepared for gaggles of people, and their canine companions!

 The walk will last to at least early afternoon. For those wishing to a further walk will take place after lunch, this under the HOS banner.

More updated information on the site, the wildlife present and places to visit on the journey home, such as the Tundry Pond, Dogmersfield Lake, Odiham and Hook Commons and The Millfield LNR will be available closer to the day of the trip, and during the outing itself. If you have any queries, no matter what, please ensure that these are addressed as soon as is possible.

January’s Outdoor Meeting

Poole Harbour Boat Trip / Brownsea Island: 25th.

11 members joined the throng of birders on Poole quayside for the trip across to Brownsea Island. The boat was full, with large groups from Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire taking the majority of tickets. We set off from the quayside at 10.30 and headed across to the island, seeing our first Cormorants and Shags en route. An excellent commentary was provided by Paul Morton who runs Birds of Poole Harbour, a charity aiming to promote Poole Harbour and its wildlife to a wider audience.

As we approached the landing stage a Red Squirrel ran across in front of the cottages, pausing briefly before scampering off. A Kingfisher was more obliging, perching on the edge of a building that looked like a miniature castle. We disembarked for a 2 hour visit to the Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve on the north-east of the island. Some of the birders dashed along to the hides overlooking the lagoon but we took our time and wandered along the paths, seeing Siskins, Long-tailed Tits Goldfinches and Grey Wagtail. John and Joe saw the Firecrest which has been around for a while. A feeding station near The Villa provided views of Nuthatch and Coal Tit, and a Green Woodpecker was also seen by some.

However, the lagoon is the main focus of attention for birders and we scanned it from the three hides which overlook it. It was full of waders, with 200 Avocet, 100+ Black-tailed Godwit, 100+ Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshanks and Oystercatchers, and small numbers of Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Dunlin and Grey Plover. Wildfowl included Shelduck, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler and Gadwall, while 3 Spoonbill (2 of them awake!) were joined by a couple of Little Egrets and at least 15 Grey Heron.

Although 2 hours seems quite a long time at the outset it goes surprisingly quickly when you are birding, so we made our way back to the boat, pausing briefly to check for the Firecrest. Unfortunately we could only find its commoner cousin.

Back on board we prepared ourselves for a cold trip around the harbour as the wind had increased somewhat. In the event it wasn’t too bad, although people were glad of the hot drinks available on the lower deck. The most obvious birds out in the harbour were Red- breasted Mergansers (probably in excess of 100) and Goldeneye (50+). A few Black-necked Grebes were near the Studland side, but were far outnumbered by the many Great-crested

Grebes scattered across the vast areas of open water. Again, the commentary from Paul was excellent, giving salient facts about the area and its wildlife.

As we headed towards the Arne peninsula we kept an eye out for divers, but with no luck. It seems that the milder conditions so far this winter have meant that fewer divers and seaducks have needed to shelter in the harbour. At Shipstal Point a collection of large white objects turned out to be at least 30 Spoonbills. Flocks of Brent Geese were feeding in the fields and some were spooked into flight by a passing Marsh Harrier. Other raptors in the area were Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Mammals were also in evidence, with sightings of Sika Deer and a Common Seal, the latter seemingly playing hide and seek with us!

Returning to Poole we reached the quayside at 14.30 having recorded at least 60 species of bird.

Geoff Sharp

Going Off For Rails

This was our final full-day in Venezuela and we were spending it on and near the Caribbean coast. We had seen much but there was time, still, to see more and an early start enabled us to pack in as much as possible. Just before sunrise, we found ourselves at a Mangrove marsh, not far from a town sounding like a mnemonic for a bird-call: Chichirivice, which is west of the capital, Caracas; about half way between there and Morrocoy National Park. Parts of this northern coast of Venezuela are classic Caribbean; white sands and swaying coconut palms. Indeed, we had passed by such beaches for the joys of foetid, muddy Mangrove swamps because that is where the birds are.

We were in a more rural and remote area than the Mangroves of the previous day and birds were more numerous. Again, we saw masses of pink, scarlet and white as American Flamingos, Roseate Spoonbills, Scarlet Ibis and various white egrets fed or flew over the marshes. As well as the above there were Glossy Ibis, White Ibis, Great White Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Reddish Egret, Little Blue Heron, Great Blue Heron, Cocoi Heron, Striated/Green Heron, Tri-coloured Heron, Black-capped Night Heron and Yellow- crowned Night Heron. Obviously, there was an abundance of food for them in the rich mud of the marshes.

Top: Yellow-crowned Night-heron. Middle: Southern Lapwing, Little Blue Heron. Bottom: Willet, wading past Greater Yellowlegs flock; Least Sandpipers.

Waders, too, were well represented and the rising sun lit small parties of diminutive Least Sandpipers, standing on their reflections. Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Willet, Short-

billed Dowitcher and Stilt Sandpiper were busy probing and pecking for food. Black-necked Stilts stood or strode through the shallow film of water over the mud and Southern Lapwings poised and pounced in typical plover fashion. Ducks were represented by the neat Blue-winged Teal and slightly larger White-cheeked Pintail; the white of the cheek accentuated by the red bill, doing typical duck-dabbly things in the water. At least three Ospreys were in the area and we watched one individual settle on a dead trunk to rip into a substantial fish it had probably caught in the sea beyond the Mangrove forest Some Ospreys may be seen at any time of year along this coast, probably immatures, during the northern summer, but none seem to breed in South America. A large proportion of all the species listed above were migrants from North America, wintering in this place of plenty, emphasising how important such habitats are for areas far away as well as for their local environment

Around the fringes of the marsh, small, leathery-leaved trees of the Cassia family formed a kind of loose hedge and this was worth looking at, too. A bright yellow warbler with a blue- grey back and wings turned out to be a migrant Prothonatory Warbler and several equally bright warblers, with the yellow of the breast streaked with rust, the crowns a similar colour and the wings a dusty yellow were identified as male Yellow Warblers of the local resident race. If plain-breasted, they were females. If streaky, without the “rusty” cap, they were migrants, from North America. It was fun, trying to get good enough views to tell which was which.

Flycatchers were, as usual, well represented and we found the punk-crested Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Northern Scrub Flycatcher, Southern Beardless Tyrannulet and Pale-breasted Inezia in the Cassia trees. As they are all completely identical, (I might have exaggerated just a little, there) one representative image will do for all. A Pale-Breasted Spinetail was finally seen clearly, after chasing it around the dense interior of a Cassia clump, and a dusty- blue, warbler-like Bi-coloured Conebill was good enough to perch close to me as I stood some distance from the rest of the group. A “flocklet” of dainty White-winged Swallows chose to perch and preen in the bare twigs of a Mangrove sapling, chattering as they did so and the Magpie-shapes of a couple of Groove-billed Anis perched close together close by, mutually preening.

Bi-coloured Conebill, White-winged Swallow. Yellow-bellied Elaenia, Groove-billed Ani.

Lots to keep us interested but Cecilia, our guide, urged us onward. We were on a mission. We walked along a causeway between two lagoons, towards a thicket of Mangroves in the corner of one of the lagoons. To our right, a selection of Egrets and waders, to our left, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, White-faced Pintails. A movement in the branches of trees on a small island to the right attracted our attention. A russet-thighed and “shouldered” Harris's Hawk was hanging, upside-down from thin branches, flapping vigorously until a small branch snapped off. The hawk dropped away, regained its aerial composure and took the branch to a nearby nest, high and bulky in the branches of another tree. We delayed to watch both birds of the pair collecting nest material. Sometimes there would just be tugging to snap a twig or small branch away; once, a bird stooped at a branch, to add force to the action. Harris's Hawks are favourites of falconers and escapes are sometimes met with in the wild in England. I once saw one over Hayling Island, circling with a Honey Buzzard, a Peregrine and two Common Buzzards. They are also known for co-operative hunting, in which two or more birds will co-operate to flush and capture prey. A trait which, I think, has made them more amenable to the falconer's training.

Fascinating and entertaining as this was, we still had our objective to pursue. At the thicket, recorded calls were deployed and we waited, quietly, watching the antics of little Fiddler Crabs as they brandished their “fiddles” from burrow entrances. Eventually, there was an answering, “Chk-chak-chak” call from close by, in the undergrowth at the edge of the marsh. Peering intently into the twigs we became aware of movement; an eye; a flap, as the bird climbed an obstruction. The neat form of a rail began to appear; at first, piece-meal but, eventually, clearly enough for all to see the Plain-flanked Rail, well... plainly. Eventually, its mate showed, too and both came within a couple of metres of one or two of us. Not very striking or spectacular to look at; basically a cryptic, mud-coloured rail, proportioned much like a Water Rail but nearer the size of a Moorhen. This bird, though, has the charisma of being rare and little-known and difficult to see. And, from my angle, impossible to photograph. We were lucky just to see it and see it well. It is closely related to the much more widely distributed and much better-known Clapper Rail. Only identified in 1943, in a location they have never been found in again, Plain-flanked Rails have a very restricted range along a short, narrow strip of coastal Mangrove swamps, only in this part of Venezuela. It is seriously threatened in all of that small range.

A brief look at the information supplied by “BirdLife International” informs me that it is thought that this rail may have a world-population (in only four known sites) of between two hundred and forty to just under a thousand. A wide margin of error, and reflective of the difficulty surrounding study of this secretive rail. This remnant population is threatened by housing developments, oil exploration, squatters, hotel development, tourism, illegal hunting, pollution from domestic sewage, pesticides and mercury, a proposed golf-course, the restriction of water-flow by road development and a dyke diverting water to transform Mangrove-mud into holiday-resort beach-sand. Obviously, such pressures afflict many other species in the same environment but few are as sedentary and as specialised in their requirements as Plain-flanked Rail. Yet, this specialisation formerly helped it to survive successfully, until humans came and changed things. A familiar story.

Hopefully, conservation proposals may be implemented and, eventually allow this bird to be removed from the I.U.C.N. Red List.

Fiddler Crabs Yes, they can be left or right-”handed”; an immature, on my left hand.

Well satisfied, we waved back at the Fiddler Crabs (which the rails eat, amongst other things) and returned to the mini-bus, passing the Harris Hawks, still busy, piling more onto their great lump of a nest. A typical raptor's nest. It works, for them, though and we wished this pair luck.

We paused, conscious that this was to be our last chance, on this tour, to scan the Mangrove-fringed mud-flats again, to enjoy the sight of long legs carrying American Flamingos and Black-collared Stilts as they paddled for food, making good use of this threatened habitat, so important to so many species; the ducks, waders, ibises, many herons and egrets, rails and gallinules; the many species of birds of prey which hunt over and in the marshes and Mangrove woodlands; the bustling variety of small birds amongst the leaves or, like the swallows and flycatchers, hunting in the air. Not, perhaps the most beautiful of the habitats we had explored but, certainly a rich and varied one, sandwiched between the sea and the land. And it was inland we were heading, next. Not far, though. I'll give an account of that visit, in the next chapter.

Blue-winged Teal, White-faced Pintails Black-bellied Whistling-ducks

Mud, Mangroves, Black-collared Stilts and American Flamingos; in harmony, in danger

Doug Kelson

Local Wildlife News

The following ‘highlights’ reports received over the latter part of the winter. If you’ve anything further to add, please feel free to let us know at any time. All reports will be appreciated, whether they relate to birds or any other form of local wildlife. Also, as they say, this is “Just the tip of the iceberg” – there’s a great deal more out there to be found, especially as we head towards what’s perceived as the start of the spring and the busiest of the migration seasons.

Barn Owl – the most readily viewable birds were to be found at Bransbury Common where at least three were often on the wing from mid- / late afternoon. Blackcap – one was vocal at dusk in Oak Tree Park, Overton on 25th whilst one began to visit a Basingstoke garden from 3rd.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla The Harroway Estate, Basingstoke Doug. Kelson

Further reports of this species showed that at least a small wintering population was being maintained locally, though seemingly not anywhere near as strong as it once was.

Early Purple Orchid – the first locally were above ground, though not showing any of the perhaps anticipated spotting on the leaves, soon after entering February. Golden Plover – several small flocks were seen about the Borough, almost all of which were on the wing and didn’t linger. Goshawk – a male was seen on several occasions over / near The Mill Field LNR. Great Grey Shrike – the bird wintering at Bransbury Common continued to be seen, often giving stunning views. Green Hellebore – a large patch of these continued to adorn the roadside verge between Whitehill Farm and The Test Valley Golf Club. House Sparrow – yes, there are still some out there locally; for how long though?

House Sparrow Passer domesticus Winklebury, Basingstoke Sheila Harris

Hi Peter, I just thought I'd share with you a photo I took earlier today, when I noticed a gathering of sparrows keen to get their little beaks on my suet nibbles feeder! This bush comes in very handy, not least for them all to dive into when we get the odd visit from a Sparrowhawk - odd that eh?!

Little Egret – the largest gatherings were at The Mill Field LNR, ten, and The Source of The Test, three+. Little Owl – one was seen by the railway bridge over Pack Lane on 10th. Peacock – one was found hibernating in Overton on 20th, a further individual found as a RTC there on 10th.

Red Kite – the largest gatherings were c.ten at the previously mentioned roost one evening, seven at The Mill Field LNR

Red Kite Milvus milvus Sheila Harris “I managed to catch this one, which is quite nicely lit up by the setting sun”

At least six were about Overton on 26th, four ‘playing’ over there on 20th. Snowdrop – a ‘few’ were now to be seen!

Snowdrop Galanthus nivalis Barton’s Mill, Old Basing James Andrews Galanthus coming from the Greek for milk flower

Stoat – possibly the most notable of ‘local’ wildlife was one at Bransbury Common – nothing remarkable there you may say, but it was in ermine! Winter Aconite – these were seen in flower in several more shaded and ‘quiet’ areas; a species however always much less frequently noted and nowhere near as flamboyant as their celandine cousins.

Yellow Bird Spotted in Basingstoke

Hi,

I hope you don't mind me emailing you. Whilst driving through the roadworks at the Black Dam roundabout in Basingstoke yesterday I spotted a small part- yellow coloured bird sat on the metal barriers. I am not particularly a bird spotter but I thought it was unusual because I did not recognise it as a native British bird, but equally it did not seem colourful enough to be an escaped caged bird.

I have attached a photo which is not the greatest photo as it was taken with a phone from the car. Although I would be interested to know what it is, I decided to email you primarily in case it was of interest to you and the rspb group (perhaps a lost migratory bird etc.). I did try to identify it on the web, and the closest seems to be a yellow chat, which resides only in the USA, so I suspect it isn't that!

Regards,

Anne Carter

Peter,

Thank you so much for identifying my bird and sending me all this detailed information. Now I think about it, it was a very 'perky' bird, seeming to bounce up and down, so the name wagtail is very appropriate. I was indeed lucky to see one. I took the photo into work with me and nobody else had seen one before.

I sometimes take my dog to Crabtree Plantation and walk down the hill so next time I will keep an eye out and see if I can spot any others in that area.

Thanks again, Anne

Wild Clematis Clematis vitalba Doug. Kelson Also known as Old Man’s Beard and Traveller’s Joy

And from just a little further afield, from one of our ex-Members, on a quick trip to a local park!

Harlequin Duck Histrionicus histrionicus, Otter Lutra lutra & Dipper Cinclus cinclus Seaton Park, Aberdeen Stewart Woolley So, a visit to the Black Dam or Eastrop might just be worthwhile!

As always, thank you to all those that have contributed to this report; if I have missed anything, please do let me know and be sure to keep me updated as we head yet further in to the winter. If you find anything you consider particularly notable, or you would like an update on what is happening locally, please do feel free to contact me at any time. I can assure you that you will always get a favourable response! 07895 – 388378 is the hot line, well my mobile number anyway! 

Quiz ‘Page’

Now that we’re, in theory, deep in the coldest part of the winter here’s a wintery-themed selection of questions to keep you warm! No matter how frosty you feel, you know it’s an awful lot colder where they are!

1: Which animal is at the base of all the important food chains in Antarctica? Ice fish Krill Squid

2: Which is the only penguin that breeds in the depths of the Antarctic winter? Adelie

King Emperor

3: Put these whales in the correct order of adult size, smallest first: Orca - Blue - Humpback Orca - Humpback - Blue Humpback - Orca - Blue

4: Which one of these Antarctic animals is the world's second most numerous large mammal after humans? Crabeater Seal Minke whale Fur seal

5: What do Antarctic Ice-Fish not have? Gills Red pigment in their blood A dorsal fin

6: What do many Antarctic fish have that other fish don't have? The ability to generate their own heat Sonar to detect ice Anti-freeze in their blood

7: Albatrosses have the biggest wing span of any bird, they can also live longer than nearly any wild bird, how long can they live? Up to 20 years Up to 47 years Up to 85 years

8: Which species of seal is a regular predator of penguins? Leopard Seal Elephants Seal Weddell Seal

9: Which one of these whales has teeth?

Sei Whale Right Whale Sperm Whale

10: When penguins need to move fast in soft snow, do they: Waddle faster, taking bigger steps Lay down on their fronts and push themselves along with their feet Lay down on their fronts and paddle along with their flippers

And from last month, did you enjoy the ‘quiet’ start to the quizzing year? If not, you’ll at least have these to look forward to in the coming months. If you’ve not tried it before a visit to the woodlands about Micheldever and flanking the M3 is well worth the effort as these carpet the Beech woodland floor.

1. In which parts of the world is the Bluebell found?

In the UK but around 10% are found in some parts of Eastern Europe.

Worldwide but it is estimated that around 40% are found in the UK alone.

In Northern Europe, but it is estimated that 70% of the world’s common Bluebell population is found in the UK. 2. All parts of the Bluebell are considered poisonous, but to one of our native mammals the bulbs are a popular food source. Which one of these is it?

Red Squirrel. Although too many can make them a bit poorly too!

Badger. Wild Boar are known to find them tasty too!

Mole. They spot them quicker than everyone else! 3. The sticky sap of the Bluebell was traditionally used for which purpose?

Insect traps.

Wallpaper paste.

Sticking feathers to arrows (fletching). 4. The Bluebell is a protected species – true or false?

True, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

False, countryside lovers merely ask that you don't pick them. 5. The Bluebell is used as an indicator species to identify ancient woodland – true or false?

True, especially in the east of England.

False, Bluebells are in nearly all woods. 6. The flowers of the Bluebell are sometimes white, true or false?

False - although similar to Bluebells they are actually a kind of hyacinth.

True - they are sometimes white due to a genetic mutation. 7. How can you tell the native Bluebell from the Spanish Bluebell?

The Bluebell is a much paler blue than the Spanish Bluebell.

The Spanish Bluebell has a beautiful spicy aroma, but the Bluebell has no scent.

The Spanish Bluebell is stiff and upright, but the Bluebell droops or nods to one side. 8. People once believed that Bluebells rang to summon the fairies to their gatherings and that any human who heard them would soon:

Win the lottery.

Die, it was thought to be very unlucky to hear a Bluebell ring!

Be spirited away to the underworld. 9. Some believed that by wearing a wreath made of the flowers, the wearer would:

Be compelled to speak only the truth.

Have the gift of second sight.

Find their true love. 10. What is the colour of the Bluebell’s pollen?

Pale green.

Deep blue.

Pale cream.

Pale blue. 11. Bees can 'steal' the nectar from Bluebell flowers by:

Lying in wait for other insects who have visited the Bluebell and forcing them to give up their nectar.

Biting a hole in the bottom of the bell to reach the nectar, which is considered ‘stealing’ because by doing this the bee does not pollinate the flower.

Working in pairs - while one turns the flower upside down the other collects the nectar.

And finally!

Conservationists v Chainsaws: the RSPB's Battle To Save An Indonesian Rainforest.

In 2007 an RSPB-led group bought up a series of logged-out Indonesian forests to bring them back from the brink. But in a country that’s losing trees faster than any other and where farmers are desperate for land, it’s an uphill effort

Brad Sanders, a forest manager working for the RSPB in Sumatra, Indonesia, surveyed an area of cleared forest within Harapan Rainforest. The project aims to restore an area of degraded forest close to the size of London. Colm O'Molloy

Indonesia is no stranger to conflict over its shrinking forests. But this fight does not involve the usual players. Harapan, a rainforest the size of greater London whose name means ‘hope’, is majority-owned and managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Founded by a group of Victorian women protesting the use of rare bird feathers in ladies hats, this household name in British conservation now defends endangered habitats across Europe and further afield in both Indonesia and Sierra Leone.

Harapan came about in 2007 after an RSPB-led group decided to buy up a series of logged- out forests. Their mission: to bring Sumatra’s last dry lowland rainforest back from the brink.

Harapan is damaged, but still very much alive. An estimated 30 Sumatran tigers live here. There are only 300 left in the wild. The forest is home to over 260 species of birds, many of them endangered. RSPB hidden cameras, intended to study tigers, have even photographed little-known tribes hunting deep in the jungle.

But in recent years, Harapan has become mired in conflicts with migrant farmers. Satellite data shows that since 2007, Harapan has lost at least four times as much forest as it has replanted with trees. By early 2012, increasingly organised groups were cutting into the forest at a rate of one square mile per month. In 2013, this slowed to a quarter square mile per month, due to enforcement efforts and high rainfall which makes land clearance difficult. The pace increased slightly in 2014, to 0.34 square miles per month.

There is a lot at stake at Harapan. Indonesia, one of the world’s great rainforest nations, is losing trees at a rate faster than any other country. Half its forests disappeared between 1985

and 2007, eaten up by the ever-expanding palm and acacia plantations that feed global demand for palm oil and paper.

But in Southeast Asia’s largest economy the hunger for forests reaches far beyond big business. Unprecedented growth has brought increased competition for land. Up to 50 million landless farmers vie with corporate giants and conservation projects alike for ever scarcer forests and the fertile earth they shelter.

Powerful companies control around 70% of Indonesia’s agricultural land and forests. National parks and forests earmarked for conservation make up most of the rest. Little remains for small-scale farmers.

A farmers’ settlement within Harapan Rainforest in Sumatra, Indonesia. Colm O'Molloy

Migrant farmers from overcrowded Java cut trees and set fires to clear land for cash crops like palm, rubber and rice. This brings them into inevitable conflict with forest managers.

Many of these migrants have been in Sumatra for generations. Up to 15 million of them were coaxed from overcrowded Java during the administration of president Suharto, who ruled Indonesia for 31 years after seizing power in a 1966 coup.

But many more are newcomers. Ruthless frontiersmen and well-connected local speculators lure them with the promise of cheap land, selling bogus land rights in poorly guarded forests and plantations. Since 2000, the number of settler families living within Harapan’s boundaries has grown from 12 to 3,000.

The week before Sanders and his team were standing guard at the Harapan camp, police had arrested 11 settlers within the forest. They claimed to be members of Serikat Petani Indonesia (SPI), a national movement of landless farmers and member of the global peasant movement, Vía Campesina.

The arrests took place at an SPI settlement within the forest known as Sei Jerat, located less than 32km (20 miles) along rough muddy trails from the Harapan camp. Police heard the sound of chainsaws, caught a group of men cutting deeper into the forest, and packed them off to a jail in Jambi.

Shortly afterwards, police sent word that settlers planned to retaliate for the arrests with an attack on Harapan’s headquarters. It was the latest escalation in the fight for Harapan and the reason why Sanders and his men were keeping watch that October morning.

But the threatened assault never came. Faced with the possibility of conflict, police released the prisoners on the eve of the promised attack, along with their chainsaws. The 40 officers that had gathered to defend the camp went home.

Harapan employs around 60 unarmed forest guards at any given time. They use satellite imagery, analysed 7,000 miles away by a Dutch company called SARvision, to track changes to the forest from month to month. Using this intelligence, teams of forest guards investigate the changes on the ground. More often than not, it is farmers cutting down trees and setting fires to clear land for crops.

Two migrant farmers originally from Java sat by a house inside the Harapan Rainforest in Sumatra, Indonesia. Colm O'Molloy

But despite their technological edge, Harapan has been unable to keep the encroachment at bay. Forest police seldom move to enforce forest law in Harapan. It is easy to understand why.

In April 2012, a group of farmers kidnapped two Harapan guards and held them overnight. They demanded the release of six men arrested for cutting down trees the day before. Police gave in to the demands and released the six men, along with their confiscated chainsaws. The two Harapan guards were released. This set a precedent that would determine the outcome to subsequent standoffs within the forest.

Tensions within Harapan reached their peak in December 2012. Forest police moved in to destroy houses built by SPI affiliated farmers within the forest. A house owned by an influential local SPI leader known as Sukiran was set alight and burned to the ground. Police withdrew when a crowd of 300 or so men confronted them with knives, machetes and wooden clubs.

Three months after the standoff that October morning, a handful of paramilitary police officers, known as BRIMOB, sat around on metal cots at a Harapan guard post. They wore t-shirts and camouflage basketball vests with pictures of commandos in body armour and slogans in English that read ‘terrorist buster’ and ‘Indonesian Special Police.’ They stood and slung their automatic rifles as Sanders arrived for a visit.

Their guard post was a makeshift pondok, or wooden house, surrounded by a five-foot deep moat with crisscross lines of barbed wire at the bottom. A list of previous groups of officers to rotate through the post was scrawled in black paint on the outside of the house. In the middle distance, across barricades and a stretch of tree stumps and charred scrub, pale yellow SPI flags flew against a blue-gray sky over the settlement at Sei Jerat.

Sukirana, center, a farmer and local leader within Serikat Petani Indonesia - a peasant farmers movement - sat by his house within Harapan Rainforest in January 2013.

Colm O'Molloy

Sei Jerat is reached by motorbike along rough winding trails through vast areas of cleared forest. There, one morning in late December 2012, the farmer known as Sukiran sat in front of a small wooden house with a tin roof. He drank hot sweet tea with a group of SPI lieutenants as his wife prepared food inside.

“We are going to stand” he said, speaking through an interpreter. “If Harapan once again tries to remove us, we will fight. We have nowhere to go. This is where we belong.”

Six months later, on July 4th 2013, Sukiran was arrested and imprisoned in connection with the kidnappings that took place in April 2012.

Negotiations with some settler communities living within the forest have the potential to bear fruit. Harapan recently proposed a ‘collaboration zone’ made up of the forest’s most encroached areas. Under the plan, settlers could remain for an agreed period in return for a 30% share of proceeds from the sale of their crops. They would also have to move towards livelihoods that don’t harm the forest.

Sumatra's rainforest View gallery http://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2007/dec/08/forests.conservation

Tim Stowe, the RSPB’s international director, said in a statement: “There are few conservation issues as vital or as challenging as safeguarding rainforests. Harapan rainforest in Sumatra accounts for a quarter of this type of forest left in the world. Thankfully, the situation has moved on considerably since 2012 and the rate of illegal encroachment has slowed.

“But across Indonesia and, indeed, across the tropics, clearance is still a massive issue threatening these great forests’ future. Given this imperative, the RSPB is proud to work with our BirdLife International partners to conserve one of the world’s richest wildlife habitats.”

Over time, Harapan aims to become the leading centre of knowledge on how to bring damaged forest ecosystems back to health. Tropical rainforests develop over thousands of years. It is not yet known how long it takes to fully restore a damaged rainforest to health, or if it is possible at all.

There is little doubt that the forests that make up Harapan would have been completely destroyed by now was it not for the efforts of the RSPB and its partners to protect and restore them.

Despite ongoing losses to encroachment, Harapan still has a relatively large percentage of forest cover within its boundaries. Much of the surrounding forests have been completely decimated and replaced by palm plantations.

Brad Sanders, an American forestry manager in Jambi province on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, stood with members of his Harapan rainforest team, sharpening bamboo poles in anticipation of an attack.

A stout, elderly ex-military officer who worked as a camp security guard asked Sanders’ advice on that morning in October 2012. “What should we do if they come into the camp and try to hurt us? Try to swing their machetes or shoot us, pak [sir]?”

Sanders responded that they should stand behind the line of police who had made the day’s drive from the provincial capital, the people with guns and uniforms. “But pak,” the guard said, “they will be the first to run.”

Birds of Harapan

Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormii Rufous-bellied Hawk-eagle Lophotriorchis kienerii

Crested Fireback Lophura ignita Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx xanthorhynchus

Worth fighting for? I think so!