Any one got any thoughts on the RSPB’s central management decision to categorise all their woodland reserves as Category 4…Of no value to the RSPB strategy… and is mothballing (at best) or SELLING (at worst) despite the fact that woodland has, as a resource for nature, been identified as poorly managed nationally and, since the 1970s 70 to 80 percent of the birds living in woodland have been lost to us? A free thoughts come to mind for discussion: 1. RSPB management have forgotten what they are about, 2. Birding ids much more difficult, and therefore not as profitable as it is in Category 1 and 2 reserves… Wetland, Estuarine, Cliff
Likewise I'll echo Jim's thanks for Andrew's information.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Thanks for the support guys, all i can say is pass this information on to as many people as you can. If the membership of the RSPB work together we can collectively get the message across to the RSPB leadership that it is not acceptable to keep its members in the dark over massive issues, like the selling of RSPB reserves. It is our subscriptions and the absolutely massive amount of work done by the volunteers that enable the RSPB to work. Without us the organisation is nothing. It does not look like they are going to shut this chat line down after all, despite the multiple requests to me to do so, so if anyone has questions i will post the answers where i can.
I've thought of another question. Is the reserve at The Lodge included in the category document? What are its ratings?
Interestingly, and perhaps not unexpectedly, the Lodge has been classified as Ecology 2 and Volunteer Operations as 2. It is odd that it looks like there is very little impact on staffing there other than line management changes.
Hello, could you comment on the category that my local reserve falls into - Saltholme, and perhaps say a few words about the implications? I am new to this horror story and I’m very concerned for the Reserve staff. Thank you, Mike
Hi Mike...Saltholme has been classified as: 1 for Ecology and 2 for Visitor Operations which means it is safe from Mothballing or Disposal. The reserve staff look pretty safe too.
Thank you Andrew - my perception is that the staff don’t feel that way, although they are not allowed to talk about matters (even though the volunteers seem to be in on matters, but equally sworn to secrecy). Best regards, Mike
I suspect all staff feel pretty let down by the RSPB management. I cannot understand this secrecy thing… the RSPB senior managERS have shown huge incompetence in this initiative and shown no loyalty to both paid and volunteer staff, so, to my mind, deserve no loyalty at all… hence my speaking out.
The volunteers might be sworn to secrecy but that clearly isn't happening. An angry workforce will talk, and I don't blame them.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Concerning news all round
If possible can you share the ‘scores’ for Mersehead please? One I visit a lot!