Through a glass darkly

Simon Emmerson’s Weirdy Birdy Mix

Way back in the dim-and-distant past I worked as a tour manager for some bands I really liked, including Cheikh Lo, and Afro Celt Sound System. Simon Emmerson of Afro Celts has always been a man involved with musical developments that have interested me too, and it was no surprise to find he’s something of a birder as well, with a keen interest in birdsong. These days he’s involved with the team behind Sound Approach to Birding, too. Check out this mix he put together for Folk radio UK.

Simon Emmerson’s Weirdy Birdy Mix

October 12, 2010 Posted by Simon Glinn | Announcements & Events | Leave a Comment

Guided Walk at Marshside, Sunday 19th

The RSPB are providing a guided walk at Marshside tomorrow, Sunday 19th April at 9am. Meet at the car park. Displaying waders and ducks, migrants and hopefully a raptor or two will be on the menu.

April 18, 2009 Posted by Simon Glinn | Announcements & Events | Leave a Comment

2008 Marshside Report, and Newton Marsh Black-tailed Godwits

The 2008 Marshside Bird Report is now available to download from the Marshside Info and Map page. I’ll print off some decent hard copies and get them to Sandgrounders Hide sometime this weekend for anyone who throws a bit of cash in the donation box.

We’ve also been asked to let you know about this …

THE RSPB MARKS TEN YEARS OF NEST PROTECTION ON THE RIBBLE WITH AN APPEAL FOR YOUR HELP

Fylde Bird Club and the RSPB began monitoring Black-tailed Godwits after Fylde Bird Club Secretary Paul Ellis became aware that a pair was nesting on the Ribble in 1997. In 1998, a nest had its eggs stolen and it became evident that egg thieves were a serious threat.

In 1999, the first official nestwatch was launched by the RSPB and ten years on the RSPB is still providing a 24-hour watch on the nesting birds thanks to the help of a team of volunteers, local people and the police.

Black-tailed Godwits are a tall elegant wading bird whose numbers are threatened across Europe, due to loss of its natural nesting habitat and persecution by egg collectors. Fewer than 60 pairs of the long-legged wading birds breed in the whole of the UK and the godwits on the Ribble are the only ones to nest in northwest England.

Carol Coupe, the RSPB’s project officer, said, “With so few of these birds nesting in the whole of the UK, the Ribble Estuary birds need all the support we can give them. We are appealing to local people to help us protect our gorgeous godwits by volunteering a little time to help with the nest watch.”

Anybody who would like to find out more about volunteering to help conserve these beautiful birds, is invited to come along to the Ribble Discovery Centre, Fairhaven Lake, Lytham St Anne’s at 7pm on 1 April 2009, or contact Carol Coupe on 01524 581008 or e-mail carol.coupe@rspb.org.uk.

Carol added, “The meeting is on 1 April but protecting these birds is no April Fool joke. We really need support from local people.”

Black-tailed Godwits are protected by UK law and anyone convicted of raiding their nests, taking their eggs or disturbing them can face a fine of up to £5,000 for each incident or six months in prison.

April 1, 2009 Posted by Simon Glinn | Announcements & Events | Leave a Comment