Help birds survive the cold
This current cold spell, the coldest for 20 years, is likely to have a significant impact on the populations of our smallest birds such as wrens and goldcrests.
For small birds, finding a regular supply of food is a matter of life and death. A robin, for example, can use up to 10% of its body weight just keeping warm over one winter’s night. It must eat enough during the day so it can survive the cold of the night. Freezing temperatures and a covering of snow make food hard to come by so birds are more likely to visit our gardens.
Putting food out in your garden can make a big difference to their survival. Try putting out apples cut in half, cheese, fat and leftover cake, as well as seed mixes, crushed peanuts and a fresh supply of water. Whenever you are leaving food for birds: never put out any spicy or salty foods, anything that’s ‘gone off’ or dry bread (soak it in water first).
> Read more about feeding birds in your garden
January 2010
Lincolnshire Otter Survey
Volunteers taking part in the Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership Otter Survey have been searching for spraints and otter footprints. They have discovered that otters can now be found in five river courses in the county: Waithe Beck. Kingerby Beck, Great Eau, River Bain, and River Lymn/Steeping.
The survey was carried out by looking for signs of otters: footprints and droppings. Otter footprint has five distinct toes. The droppings are also known as spraints. They are used as territorial markings and often left on prominent rocks. Otter spraints have a distinctive and not unpleasant smell that is sometimes described as smelling like jasmine tea.
There's little chance of actually seeing an otter in Lincolnshire, as they are nocturnal, but it is wonderful news after the UK otter population neared extinction in the 1970s. Otters had probably been declining in England since the birth of industrialization in the 1800s. But it was the intensive nature of post-WW2 farming and development which accelerated the process, destroying habitat, putting more pressure on water resources and, from the 1950s, releasing organochlorines into our rivers and waterways.
These chemicals, particularly dieldrin and aldrin, built up in the tissues of top predators, causing blindness, immune system collapse and breeding failure. By the mid 1970's much of England had lost almost all its otters, with counties such as Lincolnshire taking the brunt of the force due to the predominance of arable land and widespread use of organo-chlorines. Fortunately the situation was recognized in time, and the otter became a flagship species – an indicator of the general health of our wetlands. Otter hunting was stopped in 1978, and DDT, its use drastically curtailed for many years, was finally banned in 1984.
November 2009
Badgers and Bovine TB
The badger is one of Britain's best loved animals and part of our national heritage. However, badgers to carry bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and have been implicated in the spread of the disease to cattle. A large scale cull of badgers in areas where bTB is prevalent has been under discussion for many years. The Trust works closely with many farmers because they play a crucial role in conserving wildlife and managing the countryside. We have a great deal of sympathy for farmers whose stocks are affected by bovine TB. It is a serious problem but a mass eradication of badgers is not the answer.
> Read the Wildlife Trusts' response to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee report on badgers and cattle TB.
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Avian influenza is a highly infectious disease affecting many species of birds.
The recent spread of avian influenza (bird flu), caused by the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, across Asia and into continental Europe poses challenges to those concerned with the health of domestic poultry and the conservation of wild birds.
The situation can evolve rapidly and it is now clear that wild birds can spread the disease across international boundaries.
The risk to human health in the UK remains low.
There is no evidence that H5N1 infections in humans have been acquired from wild birds. Human infections have occurred in people who have been closely associated with poultry.
Can I still feed the birds?
At the moment, yes. Make sure you wash your hands afterwards, and before touching your mouth or eyes, or eating food. This is good, common-sense hygiene and you should always do this after coming into contact with any animals, whether wild, farm animals or your pets.
What should I do if I find dead birds?
Birds die all the time, for all sorts of different reasons, and you are likely to come across them from time to time. Do not touch any dead birds - or any other animals - that you find.
If you notice sick or dead birds (wildfowl or gulls), you should inform Defra (ring 08459 335577). They will make an assessment on what further action should be taken.
Wild Bird Surveillance and Birdwatchers
Defra have selected Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve and Far Ings National Nature Reserve as priority areas for avian influenza surveillance. The Trust is calling on birdwatchers to help by reporting any sightings of dead birds of the target species.
> More information about how birdwatchers can help with the surveillance
> Avian Flu Update, 2 February 2007
November 2006
Good hygiene vital for garden birds
The Trust has received reports of birds, particularly greenfinches, dying in gardens. The most likely source of infections is contaminated bird tables, feeders or birdbaths. Birds can transmit infection, for example, by defecating on surfaces where other birds feed.
It is essential that all feeding stations or bathing surfaces are checked and cleaned regularly to remove any build-up of food particles.
> Read the press release
Trees threatened by disease
Horse Chestnut Bleeding Canker
In the summer of 2006, horse chestnut trees were affected by drought, a leaf miner moth and a bark fungus called bleeding canker. The leaf miner moth causes leaves to wither and fall but does not cause the death of the tree. Bleeding canker causes a black gummy substance to ooze from the bark. The tissue beneath is killed and badly-affected trees may not recover. According to estimates, horse chestnut bleeding canker is on the increase and struck around 40,000 horse chestnuts in 2006.
More information: www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/INFD-6KYBGV
Sudden Oak Death
The presence in the UK of sudden oak death, which can destroy trees, was confirmed at the end of 2002. Sudden Oak Death, caused by the fungus Phytophthora ramorum, has struck beech, horse chestnut and holm oak in Cornwall and southern red oak in Sussex. The fungus kills the trees by ringing the bark all the way round and cutting off the trees lifeline. There is no known cure.
Sudden oak death has killed many thousands of trees on the west coast of the USA but at this stage the affect of the disease on UK trees is not known.
Action: There have been outbreaks in plant nurseries mainly on rhododendrons, camellias and viburnum. Check shrubs carefully before buying them and if symptoms develop later contact your garden centre. See link for details of symptoms.
More information: www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pestnote/sudden.htm
Hummingbird Hawkmoths
Hummingbird hawkmoths look like tiny hummingbirds - hovering in front of flowers and feeding on nectar with their long proboscis. Most years, between June and August these moths can be seen in Lincolnshire. They are day flying and often seen in gardens. They dart from one flower to the next and are expert at hovering, beating their wings so rapidly you can hear them hum.
They are resident in the Mediterranean and migrate northwards through Europe in the spring. Hummingbird hawkmoths breed in the UK but unless it's very mild are unlikely to survive our winters.
Seal pups
Storms are a natural cause of mortalities among seal pups. From time to time the Trust receives reports to suggest that pups are being washed ashore as a result of bad weather. Without proper assessment and help, they may die, especially if they are sick or injured. If you find a seal pup, please follow these points:
Do not attempt to catch or handle pups. They bite.
Keep your distance, and keep dogs away.
Contact the experts right away.
Find out some more about our seals.....
Badgers, Otters, Rare Birds
For reasons of security, we avoid posting records of badgers, otters, rare bird nesting sites or other vulnerable wildlife. There are too many "low-life" egg collectors, badger diggers and the like who would take advantage of such information. However we do like to receive such reports to pass on to county recorders, who also treat information with discretion. You may pass this to us knowing we will do our utmost to keep such records secure.
If you suspect someone may be egg stealing or persecuting wildlife, don't tackle them alone ? they are not usually very nice people! Contact your local police wildlife liaison officer or the RSPCA who know the law and will know what to do.
Hare Coursing
The Hunting with Dogs Bill that came into force on 18 February 2005, makes all hare coursing illegal. If you see people pursuing hares with dogs, make a call to your local main police station and obtain an incident number (you will need to be prepared to make a written statement as to what you have witnessed). This will ensure the incident is formally logged on the police computer and will enable easier research of wildlife crime at a later date if it is required. There is no reason to approach individuals hunting with dogs, observation from a distance is the best policy.
