Ganaraska Forest logging during bird nesting season ruffles feathers

CLARINGTON -- Protests are rising over migratory birds, their nests and young being accidentally destroyed when the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority allowed logging during the spring nesting season.

“That’s just not acceptable, and it’s not necessary, that’s the most aggravating part,” said Clarington resident Jim Richards.

Approximately four per cent of the Ganaraska Forest -- 361 square miles -- is logged each year. Logging can let light into the forest floor, create new wildlife habitats and add to the biodiversity of the forest.

“It’s kind of impossible to plant a natural forest ... Most of what we’re doing in the forest is thinning the plantation (trees). Converting the plantation to a more natural forest,” said Bob Penwell, forester for the GRCA.

The problem with logging in the late spring and early summer is that migratory birds are mating, building nests, laying eggs and caring for young in those trees. Mr. Richards said in the Ganaraska Forest that breeding time is from April to the end of July.

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Only White-tailed eagle nest in Eastern Scotland destroyed.

Nest tree cut down 

June 2013. Police are investigating allegations that the only known white-tailed eagle nest in Eastern Scotland has been destroyed. The nest, believed to be the first white-tailed eagle nest in the east of Scotland for over a century, was on the Invermark Estate, inland from Montrose, but the tree holding the nest has been cut down.

Duncan Orr-Ewing, RSPB Scotland's Head of Species and Land Management said: "Over several months our staff had been monitoring this pair of white-tailed eagles from the East of Scotland release scheme in collaboration with local landowners. We confirm that a nest had been built, but the tree was felled. When this incident came to light, we notified the police immediately, since all nests of white-tailed eagles are fully protected. If anyone can provide further information on this deplorable incident, they should contact Police Scotland as soon as possible. This is a current police investigation."

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Parkgate marsh fire destroys birds' habitat

A fire that broke out on marshland in Cheshire has destroyed the the habitat of many nesting birds and local wildlife, the RSPB has said.

The blaze began near The Anchorage in Parkgate, near Neston, on Sunday afternoon and spread across a large area towards The Parade.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews used beaters and hosereel jets to put the fire out by about 17:50 BST.

Police said the fire was believed to have been started deliberately.

A spokeswoman said: "Cheshire Police are keen to speak to anyone in the local area who may have witnessed anything that may assist the investigation, to contact Ellesmere Port and Neston Neighbourhood Policing Team."

Colin Wells, RSPB site manager on the Dee Estuary Reserve, said conditions on the marsh were very brittle and dry, meaning the fire spread quickly.

"Part of the reed bed had been burnt and there were substantial areas of rushbeds and saltmarsh vegetation," he said.

"It's always a problem at this time of year if we have a dry spell, and the cold easterly winds had dried the vegetation out."

He added: "The area is important for nesting birds like reed warblers, reed buntings and water rail. They have lost their nesting areas.

"We have also got harvest mice, so they have lost their habitat and probably a lot of them have been burnt or killed."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-22062958