Secret reserves categorisation

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

  • I hope the annoyed staff have communicated their views to the RSPB management and explained why they are so appalled. Talking about competitions, they recently ran a win a house competition with tickets going for £25 a go. I am reliably informed that they made £5 000 000 out of that competition…which could have covered all the cost savings they are making with his programme of cuts and sackings. I too would recommend that, untIL RSPB management…lets name them….Martin Randall and Becky Speight, start being up front and honest with the membership. You need to be aware that they have not announced what is happening to the Cat 4 reserves yet….this is when all the hard work, put in by volunteers, is disregarded and the volunteer’s are told that their services are no longer required….kind of belies the mantra that RSPB Managers, like the above mentioned, keep reeling out about how valuable us volunteers are.

  • Incidentally, are members aware that ALL schools work has stopped across all reserves…. So forget about encouraging the next generation from getting involved in conservations…all part of the new look, sleek, efficient RSPB…well done Becky, good decision. 

    1. Yes I did know that! But if the management of the RSPB don’t  come out publicly and tell us all  what is the reason behind these cuts(as looking at the finance of the RSPB look very good and with all the redundancies, closure of reserves along with all the education cuts which shouldn’t  be happening as the finances of the RSPB are good and, members of the RSPB could well walk away from the RSPB as members. Not all, but some member could well do that.. I have also being very interested in the new chairman of the RSPB and having a real look at who he actually is and I’m concerned  about that as well. Mark Avery sent an open email/letter which anyone can read in his regular blog. Also I do know Mark Avery his emailed/written to the charity commision as mentioned in his monthly newsletter! But no mention what was said in that email/letter.

    Regards,

    Ian.