Just returned from the Birdfair this last weekend, a three day event with the aim of raising as much money for conservation projects around the world. Both Inspiring and fantastic!
Described as the birdwatcher’s Glastonbury, The British Birdwatching Fair is jointly organised by the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust and the RSPB.
Birdfair encompasses the whole spectrum of the birdwatching community whilst at the same time supporting global bird conservation. This is the event of the year if you’re into birds and wildlife.
I met up with friends that I have been birding with since childhood from around the globe that I only get to see again at this event annually. This year I also met up with a number of nature friendly farmers such as Robert Law who is a finalist in this years RSPB / Telegraph Nature of Farming Award. (Please vote now if you haven't done so already!)
Thanks to James Lees @ Swarovski on getting Robert Law some votes at this years Birdfair!
I met and had a good chat with Patrick Barker who is a birder and a nature friendly farmer and all round good-egg. Patrick and I agree on something strongly; that it is right to expect the public to get a good return on their investment to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Indeed the RSPB are lobbying for just that and many farmers like Patrick recognise that approach is good for farming in the long-term, enabling them to have the resources needed to meet the challenges that agriculture faces today and in the future, including protecting and enhance wildlife.
So it’s fair to say that when I heard the severity of the declines involved in farmland species like Turtle Dove at the Birdfair talks I wasn’t just saddened, I was really very alarmed. Patrick has Turtle Dove on his farm and is taking measures to help them, he is protecting Turtle Doves on his farm for us and future generations, I think that is a pretty good return from the public money he gets to manage farmland bird friendly habitats.
The theme for Birdfair 2011 was Birdlife Internationals Flyways campaign, at this time of year Patrick's Turtle Doves will be starting to leave and heading into North Africa to finally spend the winter in scrub and savannah of countries such as Burkina Faso by October or November.
Analysis of the main threats shows that there are two key pressures which affect nearly 80% of migratory bird species like Turtle Doves. These pressures are agriculture which can result in habitat degradation and loss, and biological resource use which includes threats such as deforestation and unsustainable hunting. So Patrick's Turtle Doves have a perilous journey ahead of them, lets hope they make it back next year.
It’s clear to Patrick, Robert, all those friends I met up with and I that the CAP will need to ensure collaboration across member states so farmers can help migratory birds to have the resources they need as they breed and migrate on broad fronts across Europe. What future does the Turtle Dove have without farmers being funded to protect them?
Prasad thanks for the reference to your blog, great photos. Indeed all four finalists are great examples of nature friendly farming and you probably need a fag paper to separate them. One thing is for sure they are all doing a great job for wildlife, and as a result are all winners. Whether its Robert Law's Turtle Dove or Yellow Wagtails breeding and now beginning to head off to wintering grounds or Chalkhill Blue butterflies and Pasque Flowers being lovingly cared for on his chalk grassland - all four are brilliant examples of how to balance the needs of wildlife with the needs of the farm business and growing food. Just shows if you direct tax payers funding through the CAP in the right place you can deliver real benefits for wildlife and as a result benefit the public.
Congratulations Robert Law on becoming one of the finalist but before you vote please check out the Charrington's farm (a Turtle Dove flyway) on my blog. Treshnish Nature Log treshnishbirdlog.blogspot.com.