Volume 7 Issue 1 SUPPORTING April 2020 Wader Quest the newsletter SHOREBIRD CONSERVATION Confirmed talks by Rick and Elis Simpson: all ‘Wader Quest’ unless Editorial - Rick Simpson otherwise stated. This newsletter comes to you in newly set up Executive will not be so widely hunted and extraordinary circumstances; Committee (see page 2) can more of them will reach their Due to the ongoing Covid-19 humanity is looking in the mirror similarly function. breeding grounds, we can but outbreak all talks have been and wondering what happened? Obviously the groups hope. cancelled up to and including at It is a sobering experience to live that we visit have come to the We heard the good least September 2020. at a time when our very existence same conclusion and many of news recently from Adelaide in is vulnerable and we face them have very kindly offered us Australia that 17 Hooded Plovers Events for 2020 challenges with potentially tragic a postponement to next year have fledged in that region, one consequences. When I think instead of cancellation. This of the best outcomes for a Due to the ongoing Covid-19 about the concern that the Covid- means we will still have the decade (see page 19). This may outbreak all events have been 19 disease is causing, and rightly pleasure of visiting these groups, have been assisted by fewer cancelled up to and including at so, it makes me wonder why just a little later than planned. people being around but is a sure least September 2020. another life-threatening problem, We learned early in testament to the dedication and that of climate change, does not April that the British Birdwatching hard work of those involved in have the same effect on people. Fair (BBF) at Rutland is now protecting this species. What faces us now, even though definitely cancelled. This news did Wader Quest has to STOP PRESS: sad news has it is likely we will overcome this not come as a surprise to us, but move on, as we all do, and we reached the Wader Quest office. pandemic, is the realisation that nevertheless was disappointing as hope that in order to continue to John Ward, better known as ‘Big we are not invulnerable. What we the BBF is a highlight in our social grow, we will be able to produce Jake’, passed away on the 24th of do has consequences, not just for calendar. This very fact of it being more online content and update April 2020. us, but for every living thing on very much a social occasion the website. We will, whatever His amazing talent at this planet. It is a timely reminder means that clearly the decision happens, continue to spread imitating birds and waders in that what we do can have a was the correct one to make, awareness about waders and the particular has brought much devastating effect for entire however painful it was for the challenges they face, whatever pleasure to many. species, even our own. organisers, exhibitors and occurs in the next few months. Hearing the calls of However, the subject of potential visitors alike. Things look glum for we these wonderful birds has no climate change is not for this It seems unlikely that humans right now, but this will doubt inspired many to view and column today, we need to look at the Swedish Bird Show in early pass, all being well. The problems appreciate waders in a new way. the most immediate threat, that September will take place too, that waders face however are of the pandemic virus sweeping but as yet no decision to that more long term and complicated the world and how it is affecting effect has been announced. to resolve. Covid-19 will go away, what we do. Amid all the gloom that or at least likely be controlled and Clearly, as with all other surrounds us there are some humankind is likely to prevail, but organisations and people in all incredible acts of kindness and the problems facing the world’s walks of life, we need to make compassion being displayed by waders cannot be solved so sure that all volunteers’ and people from all walks of life quickly, and it will therefore trustees’ health and welfare is not towards fellow human beings. We remain our duty to remind people compromised. With that in mind hope that maybe this augurs well that these problems still continue, all public and group activities for a more caring and selfless even when we are not paying connected to Wader Quest up to society that may also see the attention to them. and including September of this environment, and the life forms All that remains is for us year have been cancelled or that share this earth with us, to say, observe local and national postponed, pending further getting a fairer crack of the whip. advice given to you by the advice from the authorities. There are few positives authorities; it is there to protect Inside this issue: However, this does not to be drawn from such trying you, your loved ones, your family, mean that Wader Quest is times, but the beach nesting birds the wider community and above 1: Editorial grinding to a halt altogether. in the Northern Hemisphere (see all the over stretched health 2: Wader Quest News Trustee meetings can and have page 19) may at least get a bit of workers who are on the front line, 3-4: Colour-ringed Curlews. 4: Wader Quest subs policy change. taken place virtually; it is possible a break from the disturbance they helping to save lives under 5-8: Sands of Change - S2: Ep 3 to discuss ideas and make plans endure from recreational unprecedented pressure. 8-10: Waders in art. Jose Arcas without actually meeting, and the activities. Maybe migrant birds Keep well; keep safe. 11-12: Making of a felt Curlew. 13: Felt brooches for sale. 14: Waders in poetry/From the library. 15: Featured Photo Far Eastern Curlew. Waders in Art: 16-17: Waders on Reunion Island 18-19: World Wader news in Brief Featured Artist 20: Wader Gallery Jose Arcas 21: Wader Quest books. 22: Wader Conservation World Watch7 Pages 9-11 23: Grant application guidelines 24: Contact details and sponsors © Wader Quest 2020. All rights reserved. Page 2 Wader Quest the newsletter Wader Quest news - Rick Simpson The biggest news we have since the last out more, please email [email protected] The second occasion was when Rick newsletter is that before Covid-19 hit the UK in the first instance and we’ll take it from took part in a podcast by Trees a Crowd for with such voracity, is that following appeals there. World Curlew Day (see page 19). for help in running the charity, we have The Covid-19 pandemic has With all the isolating that is going formed the core of an Executive Committee. brought tremendous restrictions and changes on these days technological wizardry is This committee, which we hope will expand to everyone’s movements and routines. invaluable in enabling people and in time, will press on with the administrative Conservationists are no less affected than organisations like ours to function, despite changes needed to allow Wader Quest to anyone else and this slowing down of the inability to meet in person. Much of our grow and fit into a changing and more conservation work has inevitably meant that technological knowhow is provided for us by challenging world. Needless to say the work Wader Quest’s correspondence has similarly Andrew Whitelee, who has been is slightly on hold at the moment due to diminished. We receive a very small fraction instrumental in driving the modernisation of difficulties in handovers of responsibilities, of emails and post requiring our attention Wader Quest forward in his new role as but we are very pleased to announce that we compared to earlier in the year, before the Executive Committee Chair. Our thanks go to now have a new Treasurer, Louise Hathaway, virus broke out. him for the time and effort he is putting in to and a new Membership Secretary, Corinne With so many talks and events no keep things moving in these difficult times. MacGarvey. longer taking place, all the work and One of our recent grants was to We held our inaugural Executive preparation that goes into facilitating Wader purchase an incubator for the Wildfowl and Committee meeting at Linford Nature Quest’s presence at them has more or less Wetlands Trust (WWT) to use as part of their Reserve in Milton Keynes on the 1st of March disappeared overnight. This provides us with Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 2020. The meeting was attended by Andrew a silver lining in dark times, it is our headstarting programme. The purchase took Whitelee (Chair), Andrew MacGarvey opportunity to take on some of the tasks that place and the photograph below, sent to us (Secretary), Corinne MacGarvey have needed doing for some time, but by the WWT, shows the incubator in use (Membership), Rick and Elis Simpson somehow always seemed to be way down complete with four Curlew eggs. Eurasian (Trustees), Dylan Parry-Davies and Kirsty the to-do list, there always seeming to be Curlews, indeed curlews of most species, are Yeomans. Phil Hadley and Ellie Wise were something more pressing to deal with. facing major declines due to habitat loss and invited but were unable to attend although As a result we are pressing ahead an increased susceptibility to predation. they expressed an interest in being involved. with improvements to the website, adding Predator numbers seem to be soaring whilst Much was discussed about the way new information.