Sunday, 12 January 2020

The dead Sparrowhawk, the RSPB and the PBMS

This week (6th Jan), Derek T found a male Sparrowhawk in the hedge of his front garden, freshly dead but, rather mysteriously, with no obvious reasons for its demise.

After discussing this with Andy M, Derek decided to contact the RSPB who are very interested to understand the reasons behind why birds of prey die.  Whilst many die of natural or accidental causes, sadly there are cases of birds of prey being illegally shot or poisoned.

Derek therefore contacted the RSPB Investigations Intelligence Office at the Lodge (01767 680551, or crime@rspb.org.uk.) who were very interested and, having requested photographs, made arrangements for the dead bird to be send to the Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme (PBMS) for analysis ... more to come on this story, once the PBMS results are known!

 More information on what to do if you find a dead bird of prey can be found here:  
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-to-report-crimes/
https://pbms.ceh.ac.uk/content/how-send-us-dead-bird
and this You-Tube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v--bVMWyO90 (you may recognise someone!)







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The Aims of Abington Naturewatch

At their meeting on 9 April 2005 the members approved this revised version of the aims of Abington Naturewatch:

  • To monitor and record the wildlife (fauna & flora) within the borders of the Abingtons;
  • To encourage protection of our wildlife, maintain its quality and foster its diversity;
  • To promote awareness of the richness, potential and problems of the natural environment of the Abingtons;
  • To cooperate in improving access to the local natural environment for the benefit of all Abington villagers.

Pat Daunt, Founder

The organisation is informal and communication is by email if possible; members are notified of events from time to time. Contact details are maintained by a small "project team". There is currently no membership fee as costs are covered by voluntary contributions at events.

Members are encouraged to report notable sightings of flora and fauna within the Abingtons to the appropriate sector coordinator and an illustrated record is published annually.

A map of the area covered, with some features noted, is available here: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=213774935674882866424.00000111dca2be9f06ab8&z=13>

For more information or to join, please contact David Farrant on (01223) 892871.

Contributions to our records should be sent to sector contacts or either of the above. Photographs may also be submitted to Andy Merryweather (amerryweather61@gmail.com)