Rare birds spotted nesting at Tarmac’s Herefordshire Quarry

 Save to read listPublished by Lucy Stewardson, Editorial Assistant
World Cement, Monday, 15 July 2019 10:22

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A pair of oystercatchers have spent more than a month nesting at a Herefordshire sand and gravel quarry. The wading birds – which are a protected species in the UK – were first seen at Wellington Quarry, near Hereford, in early June and have remained at the Tarmac-owned quarry ever since.

Since the birds were first spotted by quarry workers, a 30 m exclusion zone was put in place to prevent the birds from being disturbed from the field they are nesting on. The soils excavated from the site (to gain access to the sand and gravel) are being used to create the margins of a lake, as well as a gravel island that will provide additional bird nesting opportunities.

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IN PICTURES: Rare birds flock to Sandwell Valley nature reserve

Rare birds have been spotted at Sandwell Valley nature reserve following the unusually wet and warm winter.

At least two rare species have been seen this month roaming the reserve - which provides a key sanctuary for birds flying over the built-up area.

The extraordinary weather seen around Britain this winter has been cited as the reason why the birds have flocked there early.

Andrew Purcell, a volunteer of more than 40 years at the reserve, said: “We had a smew here not long ago, which is only the seventh time we have ever seen one at the valley.

“The oystercatcher came in mid-December too, they don't normally come until another six weeks.

“We think the warm weather is the reason why they have flocked here earlier.”

The smew is a small diving bird that migrates to Britain from northern European countries, such as Scandinavia and Russia, to escape the freezing weather.

Males are white with black masks and backs, and females are grey with reddish-brown heads.

Continued ...

'Action needed' after wading bird populations suffer decline

THE populations of four out of five wading birds on Scotland's farms have declined significantly over the past decade, a report has found.

Curlews, lapwings, oystercatchers and redshank have all decreased in numbers, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) found. However, the number of farmland seed-eating birds, such as linnets, skylarks, tree sparrows and yellowhammers, all rose.

Farmland birds in Scotland and further afield have been decreasing since the 1950s, with major declines in the 1970s and into the 1980s.

More intensive farming, climate change and changes in the areas where Scotland's farmland birds spend the winter have all contributed to the fall in numbers, according to SNH.

Susan Davies, the agency's director of policy and advice, said: "Many of our waders are struggling and that action needs to be taken.

"It's not all bad news though, and it's heartening to see some of Scotland's farmland birds increasing. The hard work by farmers and volunteers can pay dividends in helping wildlife.

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Endangered oystercatcher chick rescued

By Amy Cherry

An endangered bird that hatched on the wrong side of Route 1 has been relocated to safety. 

The four-day old oystercatcher chick hatched near the Indian River Bridge and was safely taken to the bayside of the Delaware Seashore State Park along with its parents. 

DNREC's state Division of Fish and Wildlife had to stop traffic both ways for a brief moment as they transported the birds in their hands across the busy roadway. 

Watch the chick's rescue:

http://www.wdel.com/story.php?id=51673

Tampa Bay oystercatcher count could help secure future of bird

Oystercatchers take wing in Tampa Bay with the skyline of Tampa in the distance. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is working with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and volunteers on an aerial and ground survey of East Coast oystercatchers.

The tall birds with pale pink legs and bright orange beaks congregated on a spit of sand in The Kitchen area of Hillsborough Bay Wednesday, making a census that much easier.

Mark Rachal, sanctuary manager for Audubon Florida, slowly motored toward the tiny sandbar. With binoculars and a GPS at the ready, he counted American oystercatchers in one of the more natural areas of Tampa Bay, filled with clear water, seagrass and mangrove islands, and in the more industrialized Port of Tampa area.

Scientists taking part in the first full count of oystercatchers since 2003 are following their East Coast range in propeller planes from New Jersey to South Texas. The goal of the count is to protect the birds' nesting and foraging habitat and figure out ways to get their population to a healthy level, Rachal said.

On Wednesday staff from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission took to the skies between Cedar Key and Tampa Bay.

Rachal and 14 others were out, verifying the count from the ground. The census can be used by government and various environmental groups when management plans are developed for the birds.

Continued:  http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2013/jan/09/tampa-bay-oystercatcher-count-could-help-secure-fu-ar-602628/