Some people say that there are two types of people, the glass half full type or the glass half empty. I tend towards the former but there are times, and this is one of them, when I simply cannot help pondering about the state of the natural world and how human activities are driving so many species towards extinction. is so much gloom and despondency around I find it hard not to be affected by it all.
I was shocked to recently hear that another 1m species are expected to become extinct worldwide within the next 10 years. It has also been announced that more than a quarter of Welsh birds have been placed on the red list. This is dreadful news, particularly as Wales really is not that far away from us and much of it is rural as in Devon.
On a brighter note, here in Devon we still appear to be on a reasonably level course, but we must not allow ourselves to be smug or complacent – it would only take bird flu to decimate bird populations, as has happened in many areas across the country. All is not, however, gloom and despair. In Payhembury 8m buffer strips have been created along some field margins, new hedgerows are being planted and tree planting continues, all of which should be of benefit to our local wildlife.
Our parish bird list now stands at a very respectable 93 species. We have excellent coverage for the village and the Hembury Fort area, but nothing at all for Tale. There must surely be folk over that way who keep a bird list and if they be willing to share it, then I will be delighted to hear from them.
Many species are bucking national downward trends. I have a pal who lives in north Kent on the edge of the Ore Marshes. He has told me that he has no birds at all on his feeders at the moment. Goldfinches have mysteriously disappeared, he has not seen any chaffinches all year and he has not seen any greenfinches for several years now. All three of them are the commonest birds on our feeders; goldfinches number well into double figures, chaffinches are less common but are still around and greenfinches have had a really successful breeding season and can number up to 8 at a time. Occasionally we have a real treat when a pair of bullfinches or blackcaps turns up but they feature very low in the pecking order, as they are bumped off the feeders by the goldfinches.
Paul Lister (841696)
