Pigeons and Kingfishers

Whilst out walking this morning around Priory Park I was treated not only to a fleeting glimpse of a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Redwing and the usual Woodland birds but a particular fat pigeon and a very at ease Kingfisher.

The kingfisher was fishing on St Johns Brook and allowed me to get quiet close and take the best photos I have managed to despite many hours sat beside the river at the Saxon Mill.

A tasty treat for a Peregrine

The Peregines continues to frequent St Mary's Tower and as they do more evidence of their feeding habits. Excellent photos have been taken by Steve Valentine this morning of the pair - http://steve-valentine.fotopic.net/



In previous years birders have told me of the various wader and pigeon carcasses found around the roost site, this year further grisly sights have been recorded and reported in the Courier.


Whilst out this morning I found evidence of perhaps last nights meal - the severed head of a Green Woodpecker.

A Peregrine at Last

Each winter a Peregrine Falcon roosts on St Marys Church Tower unfortunatly I have never been able to see it.

Assured that it was showing well I started trying agin this year. After several disappointing trips I went on the spur of the moment on Sunday. I went at 4.30pm. I wandered around the churchyard for awhile and the took up post on a bench. By 5pm I decided to do another loop of the churchyard it was here I met another birder looking for the Falcon. As the light started to fade I began to leave just as a Male flew in.

The bird was magnificent. It had a full crop and looked in great condition. I watched it until it grew too dark. Unfortunatly the light was too poor for a photograph as you can see from this digiscoped image - its a Peregrine...just.

Apparently a female has also been sighted roosting on the tower and I m hoping they stay into the breeding season.

Sightings at the Saxon Mill

On my usual survey of my patch at the Saxon Mill at Guys Cliffe I had begun to despair of anything interesting. It was cold and there seemed to be very little about. That was until a Water Rail emerged from the reeds. It wasnt very timid and I was able follow it for some 20-25 minutes as it moved downriver along the bank. I last saw a Rail there 2 years ago.

I also saw a dog Fox on the opposite bank the first I ve seen on the site in nearly 3 years.

Sign petition against the Cull

There is a petition on the Government Website to ask the Prime Minister not to cull the Badger.

Please take the time to sign up.

Thanks

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/stop-badger-cull/

Badger Cull on the cards?

The Badger (Meles meles) is perhaps my favourite animal in the UK. They are an elusive species and even I have only seen them on a handful of occasions.

There has been a link between Badgers and Bovine Tuberculosis. The Badgers act as carriers and reservoirs of the bacteria. They help to spread the disease amongst the UKs cattle population. TB is currently at epidemic proportions on many farms and Farmers are looking to cull the Badger to help eradicate the disease and save their herds.

There have been many long term surveys of the link between Badgers and the spread of TB. A recent report detailing a long term study revealed that a cull was not an appropriate way to control the spread of TB however this month the Governments chief Scientist has come out in favour of an organised cull.

To be successful many farmers want a complete cull of all badgers in vast areas. It is only in this way - essentially a local extinction of the species in an area that TB may be effected. This I believe is erroneous. The overwhelming scientific data suggests culling actually increase TB as missed badgers leave the arae carrying the disease and it is incredibly difficult to kill every badger in every sett.

There is also the question of humane tactics. Gassing is sometimes prefered but is impractical which leaves trapping which can leave a badger in agony until discovery or live capture and shooting.

It is my guess the government will attempt to please both sides and sanction a limited cull which will have little or no impact on TB and will result in the needless death of badgers.

Farming is in a difficult place at the moment and that is no thanks to the government and I understand the despair of loosing a herd to the disease but surely the best approach is vaccination of herds and using the money that would have been spent on a cull to compensate farmers.

The Song Thrush

When was the last time you saw a Song Thrush in your garden?

There was a time when they were abundant but in recent years there has been a major decline. On the Woodloes in Warwick at least to see a Thrush in your garden is a rarity.

Song Thrushes have fallen foul of changing climate patterns they are very susceptible to cold winters and rely on seasonal foods in the form of berries and invertebrates.

In the last few years there does seem to be some recovery in the species and there are several pairs breeding in Warwick and there continue to be good numbers at DM Kineton.

You can help continue this success by recording Song Thrushes seen on Birdtrack (http://www.birdtrack.net), putting out food for wintering birds and leaving berries on fruit trees before pruning.