A beautiful collection of rare eggs and a stuffed avocet are not usually things you come across at fetes and urban shows but I must congratulate the Metropolitan Police for a great stand. They were at the Lee Valley Wildlife Weekend showing the sort of illegal stuff they deal with.
It's nothing like those exciting TV detective shows. Their work is more mundane, but vital. A typical job would be inspecting development sites to ensure breeding birds aren't disturbed, or, checks on trees to ensure no illegal logging is taking place, with just the odd high profile case where ivory, eggs, animal hides or protected species are involved.
The next day I received disturbing news of a run of recent attacks in Sussex, including the shooting of seven gulls, a duck with a dart in its head and witness reports of some men trying to strangle a swan! Just what goes through the minds of the troubled and disturbed individuals that carry out these attacks, we'll never know. I just hope they are soon caught and in secure therapy. Today they target defenceless birds, who knows what tomorrow?
Vigilance is crucial and I'd urge as many people as possible to help by getting out into your local outdoor spaces. Get a breathe of fresh air, a bit of exercise and take time to really look at what's around you. There's a growing volume of research on the physical and mental benefits of being active outdoors but there are social benefits too. Casual acts of violence against nature diminish, anti-social behaviour declines and fly-tipping becomes too risky. Go on, be brave and reclaim the parks with your presence.
Research on the benefits of getting outdoors is now so convincing that the Government's considering ways of promoting it to help address the demands put on the NHS. Of course, it does mean some investment in outdoor space, such as better signage, better facilities like toilets and improved public transport links. All of this is welcome news and has the potential to give everyone access to a clean, green space where they can escape the stresses and strains of modern life.
With Summer almost here it's an ideal time to get out and explore all that London has to offer. There's a wealth of outdoor areas and of course the Thames. The river is a giant wildlife corridor leading from the sea to the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire. At 346 kilometres long it's England's longest river. Visit ThamesWatch to find out more about it and some of the birdlife you'll find on a stroll along it. Later this year there will be a draw for children's clubs and groups that could bring the winning team £250 worth of goodies.
Of course there are always RSPB reserves to visit, like Rye Meads in the Lee Valley or our new reserve, Rainham Marshes, sitting alongside the Thames at Purfleet to the east of the city. Both are really easy to get to by rail or bike, so you don't have to worry about queueing for fuel.
If you're out enjoying wildlife in any of London's open spaces, just remember, these spaces don't exist by accident. They were created and are kept this way by the sheer hard work and determination of many people for the enjoyment of everyone. You may well find yourself confronted by an election candidate this week, ask them to do more for our wildlife and open spaces so that more people can benefit physically and mentally from the sanctuary such spaces provide.