Restoration and rewilding

More excellent news here!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-66661915

Looks like it could be well worth a future visit. I guess the nearest CaMC site would be Wharfedale. 

Did you know research has shown that Curlews rear 4 times as many chick on keepered moors than others. Not mentioned on countryfile I guess.

Sadly,  smoke and mirrors I’m afraid! This bird, the Curlew, was present across Britain’s  lowland environments in significant numbers too but has been ‘driven’ away through land use practices which have not recognised the need to work with nature. These shooting estate owners and keepers, through this narrow focus, attempt to justify their almost sterilisation of what could be nature rich land to justify their enjoyment of shooting birds. They are choosing an iconic bird, the curlew, to justify their selfish actions. They need to focus on whole ecosystems which should contain grouse but many more species. Oh and they need to stop spreading toxic lead across the land not all are choosing to adopt that is voluntary and maybe a total ban is now needed.

An interesting read here!

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-66923930

Perhaps you might be interested to read the NFU's response to the recent 'State of Nature Report' which gives an alternative viewpoint.

https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/environment/biodiversity/farmers-reject-claims-they-are-anti-nature?utm_campaign=Morning%20Briefing&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=76760560&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8l-RPRO1QWNFZUxBOVbgKMrBb5yZxrdLIM7TbnOC1PNmPjJmzQYCmT6D5zt4aPZY9wf6v3BxSG0jtMq9fXfRHthuuraQ&utm_content=76760560&utm_source=hs_email

  I am very much aware from my own farming friends that they are under immense pressure from all directions at the moment - particularly environmental and financial (including reduced subsidies) that many are struggling to maintain a viable business at all. I would suggest that the improvements that have been made in respect of preserving wildlife, in the circumstances, are nothing short of commendable.

Moderator comment: Post partly edited as contravened guidelines

Curlew once commonly bred across lowland habitats right across England but unfortunately no longer.

However, we in the Humber region are fortunate, we still have Curlew breeding populations in the Lincolnshire Ancholme Valley. This area  is only a few metres above sea level but is managed with nature in mind. Unfortunately curlew have been driven to be mainly a breeding bird of the high moors.What is needed is much more nature friendly land use across our nation.

You can visit the Ancholme area and witness this though sadly there isn’t a CaMC within a 50 mile radius. Maybe it’s an area which needs one. There are however several excellent CLs close by, one at Alkborough and one at Barnetby to name two. There are also several other fantastic nature reserves close to hand for those interested in nature.

Yes, some fantastic farmers out there doing their best to work alongside nature and some willing to help restore the lowland breeding populations of curlew!

Which side is that?  Management of the outdoors is necessary and it has a cost. If rich people want to go shooting and pay for the management everyone wins. The state of Curlews on managed moors is an example. When we come to the lowlands successive government incentives have driven to make them more productive. More housing etc. All these have consequences and we can not stop progress. It would be much better if the zealots  devoted their energies to securing the existing wilder places and supporting the landowners and farmers in their work. Always remember all these lands are owned by someone and they have to make a living.

Well that’s one view, Fish. Not necessarily everyone’s! At the end of the day it’s how we leave ‘our World’ a better place in my opinion. 

Strange how these who want to change things dont own a single acre themselves, always on someone else's land.

Strange how some protested when the hunting of Curlew was to be banned and now they are advocates for the species. What is particularly strange is that some in this number still suggest they were more numerous because of hunting. This ban happened in my life time and still they shoot golden plover, snipe and woodcock. May be need a ban on those being shot too!