After a lunch that was easily comparable to last year’s scrumptious affair, Daniel Jenkins-Jones from RSPB Cymru gave his update on the state of nature in Wales. There was a mixed bag to report. Chough and Lapwing numbers were up on RSPB reserves, but there had been a 50% drop in Kittiwake numbers at Ramsey Island from 2012 counts also lekking Black Grouse numbers had been affected by last year’s winter.
One of the interesting things that he mentioned was the use of the 5p carrier bag levy from Tesco. Within the last 12 months, the Tesco money has enabled RSPB Cymru to finance three additional new posts. These are a Woodland Officer to increase the amount of woodland habitat management; a Conservation Officer to work on developing habitat management strategy on 6 wetlands areas in the Three Rivers Futurescape in South Carmarthenshire; and finally a Special Sites Advocate, whose role will be to grow support for the protection and restoration of Wales’ sites which are designated for their wildlife value.
Arfon Williams addressed the conference to ask for assistance and input to the agri-environmental scheme, Glastir. Arfon summarised by saying that the design of the measures is good and the money is available, but the delivery of the scheme isn't working. There will be more on this on these pages in the coming weeks and months
Kelvin Jones from the BTO Cymru gave his round up of news and presented, along with Nigel Clarke, life time achievement awards to two long standing regional reps (Moira Convery (Ceredigion) and Jerry Lewis (Gwent)). Kelvin thanked the army of Breeding Bird Surveyors for all their hard work, without whom informed countryside policies could not be formed. Dan had mentioned during his round up that no Greenland White Fronted Geese had returned to the Dyfi this year (so far). Tony Fox is a world leading expert in this species. Despite these being a protected species around the world, the Welsh Assembly allows them to be hunted in Wales, a decision that he described as quite incredible, echoing Iolo William’s words at the start of the day. In areas with a shooting ban, numbers had increased by 6% year on year. Iceland had banned hunting of this bird as far back as 2006, which was backed by the hunters themselves. He thanked the Dyfi wildfowlers for their continued voluntary ban, but the birds remained vulnerable outside their areas of demarcation. There has been a 95% decrease in the reproductive rates of the birds in their native breeding sites. This is thought to be attributed to deeper snowfalls that have coincided with their arrival back to these sites. There is a lot of research still to be done he added. Tony ended by restating Mark Avery’s earlier clarion call to write to your Assembly Member and urge an outright ban on hunting of Greenland White Fronted Geese in Wales. The final two talks of the day were on two birds I would love to add to my life list. The Hawfinch is top of the desirable list, and 2014 will be the year I make a little more effort to see this stunning finch. Jerry Lewis explained another amazing use of radio tagging was explained, when ringed birds were geo-tagged and the field researchers were amazed to discover they foraged up to 5km from their nest sites. Something not even suspected until now. Jerry has ringed eight hundred Hawfinches since 2000, some thirty per cent of the UK population. Recapture rates in the Forest of Dean area indicate a population of around five hundred and fifty birds. The day was ended with a light hearted but info-packed talk on Honey Buzzards by Steve Roberts. Incidentally, I have no idea why they are called Honey Buzzards as they actually eat Wasp grubs mainly, and as was shown, the occasional frog. We were treated to some amazing video footage from nests, and photographs from the ringing sessions carried out. Steve said he had lost count of trees he had shimmied up, and undergrowth he had crawled through to see these secretive buzzards. It was a truly magnificent bird to end the day with, and as always left me in awe of the people who dedicate their lives to conservation. We are all off to North Wales next year. I for one can't wait already.
Thank you to Julian Hughes for allowing me to use his tweets and his report as the basis for my take on the day.
© All Photos Anthony Walton