-------- Forwarded Message --------
| Subject: | Article for the mailing list - thank you! |
|---|---|
| Date: | Wed, 13 Feb 2019 16:41:24 +0000 |
| From: | Claire Backshall <c_backshall@hotmail.com> |
| To: | Yoland Brown <brownhill@eleventowns.co.uk> |
Join the search for Lapwings and Curlews!
The Tanat to Perry Community Wildlife Group is about to begin the second year of its Lapwing and Curlew study. Last year's fieldwork revealed an estimated 11 to 15 breeding pairs of Curlew and 42 to 45 pairs of Lapwing, an encouraging start. This year we aim to confirm the locations of the birds found in 2018 and find any that we missed; but we need more helpers!
These once familiar birds are vanishing from our countryside, nationally and locally. In Shropshire, the breeding population of Curlew has fallen from approximately 700 pairs in 1990 to around 160 in 2010, and that of Lapwing from an estimated 3,000 pairs to only 800 over the same period; declines of 77% and 73% respectively.
What can we do? Firstly, it's essential to establish where Curlews and Lapwings remain; then we can work with landowners and farmers to attempt to reverse the decline.
This is where you can help! You don't have to be an expert birdwatcher to join in: Curlews and Lapwings are easy to identify and you'll receive guidance to get started. The survey is straightforward and requires only three visits – around the beginning of April, early May and mid June – on dates to suit you.
Our study area extends from Oswestry in the north to Kinnerley in the south, and eastward from Nantmawr to Ruyton-XI-Towns: a lot of ground to cover! Our data feeds into the county-wide 'Save Our Curlews' campaign, led jointly by Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Shropshire Ornithological Society.
As well as volunteer fieldworkers, we also need the involvement of local farmers and landowners to develop the project.
Our next meeting is at 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th March at Morda Village Hall. Project co-ordinator Leo Smith will give a presentation about Curlews and Lapwings in Shropshire and set out our plans for this year's fieldwork. Whether you're interested in becoming a surveyor or simply wish to learn more about these charismatic birds, you will be sure of a warm welcome. If you'd like to get involved but can't make the meeting, please contact me.
Finally, local knowledge is priceless: if you know where these birds have nested in recent years, please tell us!
Claire Backshall
01691 830691 or tpcwg@shropscwgs.org.uk
Next Meeting: 7.30pm Tuesday 5th March 2019 at Morda Village Hall, Weston Road, Morda, Oswestry SY10 9NS
(turn opposite the Miners Arms, then 200 yards on the left)
Pictures by John Harding.
