On 11th February 2014 I went to see Peter Holden talk at the local Solihull RSPB Group. What a fascinating talk and what great stories Peter told us. The name of the talk was called “Natural Secrets from the RSPB” and I did learn a few things.

One surprise was back in the 50’s RSPB had its own film production unit and it started showing various films of birds, but competition was soon on the way when the BBC started filming their own Nature shows. Even though the RSPB could not compete with this, they  still have a film unit and if you click here it will take you to the website.  There are some amazing short films.

According to Peter the first RSPB reserve was Dungeness, although I am not one to contradict someone who has spent many years with RSPB, but I have found it was originally Romney Marsh in 1930 and then it was sold in 1950. Now, it is very possible that I may have misheard Peter, since my fact findings tells me that in 1932 RSPB announced a new reserve being Dungeness although the land was acquired in 1930.  However, (yes there is always an “however’) I started to dig a little deeper and discovered in 1912 Charles Rothschild formed the ‘Society for the Promotion of Nature Reserves’ (SPNR). They were keen to preserve the coastal habitats at Dungeness, and in 1913 they carried out a survey of Dungeness and it became part of the SPNR. So, one could argue that Dungeness was indeed the first reserve, albeit not RSPB. 

There were two points this survey highlighted, one was the breeding of Kentish Plover and the second the Holly Trees, as we all know a good source of food. The birds make use of the Holly leaves which have spine-tipped lobes as protection from predators in the winter when they often inhabit the trees. Did you know that, in the past it was considered bad luck to cut down holly trees, the green leaf was thought to be linked to eternal life and supernatural powers.

I was very excited when I discovered the original survey and click here for  access to the documents. Makes for interesting reading (er, if you can read the handwriting)

Dungeness was an important reserve for various reasons, it has a series of apposition beaches (One of a series of parallel beaches formed on the seaward side of an older beach) and this is helpful for flowers. It was and still is a breeding area for the Kentish Plover and the Stone Curlews. There are a series of lakes and this adds to the biodiversity  of the area. The reserve was and in some areas is still made up of shingle. Back in the 1940’s a majority of this shingle was sold off and this then created the lakes. A bit like Middleton Lakes, which was once a gravel quarry up until 2007.

Peter not only talked of Dungeness, but of other reserves and the type of insects, animals and botany that we can find such as common cow wheat. Did you know if common cow wheat is growing in a wooded area that it could be an indicator it may be an ancient wood.  At RSPB Middleton we do have an area of ancient woodland, so keep a look out to see if you can this flower growing.

This is a picture I have found. It is not mine, the credit goes to Kristian Peters 


In Middleton Lakes woods you may see coppicing, which is (for those that don't know) a method where trees will make new growth from a stump. Did you know that an oak stump can take over a 100 years to decompose, and that is why it is so useful in helping various vegetation and insects to survive. I think we all know that the loss of ancient woodlands can be severe for many species of invertebrates and lichens which depend on native trees.

This is an example of how over the years trees have grown from stumps, this was obtained from abortec tree care.             


Back in the 1950’s RSPB started to become involved in preventing Osprey egg stealing and this saw the launch of RSPBs role with conservation. The societies involvement led to many discoveries of declining species, such as the Aspen Hoverfly. Their decline was caused by the low number of Aspen trees. The hoverfly will lay their eggs in the rotting pine and the larvae needs this to survive.  Not only did the Hoverfly almost become extinct, there was loss of the medicinal leech, the short haired bumble bee and the Purple Heron at Dungeness. These are now reintroduced. Not sure we will see these at Middleton Lakes though.

So from an evening talk with a great guy, I could see some comparisons linked to our lovely reserve at Middleton and it has opened up my eyes even more to explore conservation.

Next month it will be “Pirates of the Caribbean"  I cannot wait.


References

Arbotec Tree Care (ND) Example of coppicing before and after by our Cumbria tree surgeons. [accessed 26.2.14] http://www.arbortectreecare.co.uk/tree-pruning-and-trimming

Holden P (2014) The RSPB's Natural Secrets. RSPB Solihull Group: Solihull. 11.2.

Kew Gardens (ND) Holly Ilex aquifolium {accessed 26.2.14] http://apps.kew.org/trees/?page_id=74

Peters K (2006) (UTC) (photographed by myself) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)

RSPB (ND) Reserve FactFile {accessed 25.2.14] http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/factfile.aspx

RSPB (ND) Conservation [accessed 26.2.14] https://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/species/casestudies/osprey.aspx
 
Thompson R, Humphrey J, Harmer R and Ferris R (2003)  of Native Woodland on Ancient Woodland Sites.Edinburgh: Forestry Commission