On Saturday afternoon, I went for my annual RSPB members' weekend run south of York University campus. As I passed a man-made lake beside a new-ish development, I did a double-take as I saw two great crested grebes perform their spring courtship ritual. Along with the arrival of migrants (first swallow ticked this weekend) it is one of the great sights of spring and so I slowed, enjoyed the show and then moved on.
Just that morning, we had been reminded by Mike Clarke, my boss, that back in the mid nineteenth century, there were just 50 breeding pairs in Britain. They had been heavily persecuted for their feathers for use in hats and also by the clothing industry as 'grebe fur'. Following a long campaign by by the fore-fathers and mothers of the RSPB, this type of exploitation was banned. And today, there are about 12,000 breeding pairs in the UK.
It is perhaps understandable that many take the presence of this bird for granted. They are a common sight for this generation. Yet, the only reason why we have a chance to enjoy these majestic birds is because good men and women decided to take a stand nearly 150 years ago.
So what better ambition can there be than fighting to ensure species that are currently threatened are so common in the future that they are taken for granted? On our watch today, we are trying to save species such as the turtle dove whose population has crashed by 90% in my lifetime. As my colleague, Tara Proud, explained so eloquently to our members yesterday, the good men and women of RSPB, Conservation Grade, Natural England and Pensthorpe Conservation Trust have come together through Operation Turtle Dove try to give this species a lifeline.
Today's challenges seem more complex than those of the past: persecution still sadly persists, but so does habitat destruction from changing landuse and the insidious impacts posed by the introduction of non-native invasive species. This is now compounded by the threat of dangerous climate change. Yet, if we want turtle doves to be a common feature of our grandchildren's summer we have to take a stand today. And, with our members help, that is what we shall continue to do.
Photo credit: Andrew Parkinson (rspb-images.com)
Doubt you know the disappointment felt by myself (and probably others)I really thought I had a promise from both yourself and Mike Clarke to seriously back the e-petition of Chrissie's.I obviously realise both of you have lots of other things needing attention and of which you undoubtedly do good work but in this instance both of you gave a impression different to what in my opinion you actually carried out.
I actually feel more let down by as I see it both of you more or less breaking a promise than had you both replied to me that for x reasons your hands were tied or even saying you had other priorities.
It especially rankles that as a example the latest bird magazine came with a double page flyer asking to save the Cuckoo and migrant birds when a simple one page flyer asking members to back the e-petition may well have got the 100,000 signatures that may have had a big impact.
Their is some problem that needs solving on the Cuckoo front anyway before England can again enjoy them because lots of places abroad or even the Hebrides are doing well with them whereas we easily know the reason for the poor Hen Harriers disappearance in England and have missed another chance to help the bird.
You are so polite to say a little harsh Martin,it is a serious understatement.