In case you have not seen this article yet I am posting a couple of local media stories here and here and the RSPB press release here. We are livid that this has been done after working with them for many years for the benefit of local people and wildlife. We are also concerned about the population of cirl buntings that inhabited this area, their chances of survival this winter have taken a severe blow.
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
Check out the latest update and what you can do to help regarding this incident here
Makes for very sad reading Ian, I cannot believe they have totally destroyed the habitat - is nothing sacred any more and does everything have to come down to more homes and big profits. If we don't look after nature and keep these important areas it will eventually come back to bite us in the future. Shame on Devon NHS Trust.
_____________________________________
Regards, Hazel
I have been following this story Ian it has been covered on the local TV and in both North Devon newspapers, have they taken down the hedges completely, do you think there are any other hedges close by for the buntings to settle back in?
Pat Adams - Flickr - BLOG
Hi Pat, sorry I didn't get back sooner, the hedges were flailed right back leaving little cover, not grubbed out completely, the ploughing of the stubble and seed rich margins has taken away a key food source for them through the winter as well. There are some hedgerows nearby that could offer an alternative site for the buntings to shelter, the south west team were in the process of working out some mitigation ideas for the winter to help them through.
Sad as this is surely it needs keeping in perspective as it sounds as if it is only something like one field while I believe something like the total acreage of 200 farms take part in helping Cirl Buntings if what I read is correct,just one instance of how many farmers are trying to improve wildlife,if only one more farm comes on board then it would probably cover many times this loss.
Lets hope the rspb regional head can chat to some extra farmers to take part.
I think the main problem is Sooty is that we have been working on this site for over 15 years, it might only be one field but to throw away all that good work in one fell swoop must be geuninely disheartening for all those involved who care about Cirl Bunting conservation in the UK whether that be us, local volunteers etc.
Ben,understand that perfectly,and my first word said it was sad and especially so of course for those directly involved but surely there will always be setbacks as some farmers will do things that will hamper the project and surely anything belonging to NHS which has obviously got building potential and must have always looked likely to be a problem was in fact a bonus to have been part of the program so far.
It has so far been a massive success and think it involves something like Paignton Zoo,farmers and rspb so in my opinion think we just need to concentrate on the positives and thank those party's putting such a big effort into what is a relatively low publicity effort.
Well done to all those continuing to take part.
I don't think you should get too disheartened for the hedges that have been cut right back. Where we are the cirl buntings nest in the rows of vines. Each winter they are cut back to 2 small sticks. They start to grow at the end of April but don't get biggish branches until June. When I worked on the vines they nested towards the end of June in amongst all the new shoots.
I'm sure they'll love the new hedges just as much. As for winter feeding over here they tend to fly around in bunches with other buntings & finches.
Best wishes
Hazel in Southwest France