Fineshade Wood update and request...

Hello again

Last Friday we had some disappointing news: our legal request to Eric Pickle’s department to enforce an Environmental Impact Assessment was rejected. This means that there is now nothing to hold East Northants Council back from making a decision.  This will be on 18^thFebruary.

We have also learned that members of the council’s Development Control Committee, the councillors who actually decide Fineshade’s future, have paid a visit to Forest Holiday’s existing site at Sherwood Pines and some of them were impressed by it. On the same day they were brought here and shown parts of the Fineshade site. It was an unpleasant January day, they were not taken to key positions to see, for example, the proximity of the proposed Retreat complex to the walking track. The Forestry Commission hosted this, no local residents were allowed anywhere near them.

All this may mean that the councillors who spoke strongly against the development at the previous meeting in November may well feel differently now.

So please could we have your strong support again in a final attempt to save Fineshade Wood from this exploitation?  There is no doubt that last time councillors had been very influenced by the number and quality of the individual communications that they had received through the post. Some spoke of “all the lovely letters” they had received, which had made them aware of just how strongly Fineshade is valued by local visitors and those from further afield, as well as local residents.  Councillors know that it is much easier to fire off an email than it is to write a letter so they tend to be more influenced by things that drop onto their doormat. Could you please spare the time to write to three, five, more (or all!) members of the planning committee now?

Timing is very important! Letters need to be sent so that they arrive ideally between Friday 13^th and Tuesday 17^th  February. There are suggestions as to what you could say below.  We believe it is best to keep to one issue and develop that strongly in your own words (even though you may feel strongly about many of the issues). Names and addresses of councillors are in the attached file. Some councillors do not often check their council email accounts.

Please help us to send some more “lovely letters”. We’ll be in touch again nearer the time advising about emails you could send later.  Thanks so much for your support.

On behalf of Fineshade Residents

!! STOP PRESS !! We have just heard that local labour MP Andy Sawford will be coming to visit on Friday 13th February between 10 and 11 am. We hope local press and television will be here. If you live locally please can you come along to help make clear the depth of local opposition to this development. More details later.

Ideas for letters

Address the councillor by name. Refer to planning application 14/01704/FUL, 70 Holiday cabins in Fineshade Wood. Give your name, address and perhaps phone number. Say that you have already filed a formal objection but want to bring a particular issue to their attention.

Possible issues: Choose one to develop with passion!  Don’t forget to use different words from these!

a) Loss of your amenity.  You visit Fineshade for its tranquillity  (see point d below), because it’s a great place to come with the family/walk the dog/cycle and that you value it as it is now. (It won’t help to say that you preferred it as it was a few years ago!). Make it as personal and touching as possible. The new development will turn a large part of Fineshade into effectively a holiday camp, you’ll be able to see the buildings through the trees, there will be cars moving through the woodland night and day, noise of children playing, noise from heat source pumps, hundreds of people (352 bed-spaces)

b) Wildlife. There are very special, but elusive, species such as Dormice, Great-crested Newts, Nightjars, Adders and other reptiles, rare butterflies, that have retreated away from the visitors into the large undisturbed area that is now to be changed into what’s effectively a housing estate. All the expert wildlife agencies agree this should not happen. The Council’s own ecology advisors (the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants) have produced the very strongest possible objection to the scheme. You do not believe that Forest Holidays will keep to their own wildlife surveyor’s very restrictive statements in their planning application e.g  She says: “Where access tracks and buildings are positioned in woodland areas unsuitable for reptiles, a fingertip search must be carried out for Amphibians prior to the commencement of works” and “Tree felling works must avoid the Crossbill and other bird nesting seasons (January through to end August).” Will East Northants be able to enforce that these necessary restrictions are carried out by this predatory applicant, who is in such a hurry? They will not.

c) Road issues. Despite the wishy-washy, non committal comment from Northants Highways, you know that the A43 junction is really dangerous (because….), that the single track lane up to the Visitor Centre is already at full capacity at peak times (because….), that the junction in front of the visitor centre is already confusing and dangerous, that running a new access route through the existing FC car park is foolhardy in the extreme, that there is an alternative access route around the Forest Road to the north of the site, that the proposed emergency access route using Duddington Lane has not been properly assessed or surveyed. (More details? see objection by Barrie Galpin on behalf of Fineshade residents.)

d) Planning policy is against this development. Refer to the detailed objection by Louise Duggan on behalf of Fineshade residents which uses the NPPF and existing local policy documents CSS, RNOTP etc.) Then point out that the new policy document which is currently out for consultation, the Joint Core Strategy 2011-2031 opposes the development. Policy 3 states that the development should preserve tranquillity within the newly recognised King’s Cliffe Hills and Valleys Landscape Character Area of which Fineshade is a part. National planning policy says there must be a presumption in favour of sustainable development… but this is not sustainable (For more detail see objection from Paul Hackett)

e) Comparison with FH Sherwood. Point out that, although they might have been impressed by Sherwood Pines, it is in old-style FC conifer woodland (the clue is in the name!). Fineshade is a mix of Ancient Woodland with naturally regenerating broadleaved woodland of very high landscape and biodiversity values. It’s a Local Wildlife Site which Sherwood certainly was not. There may be a place for such developments in low-grade plantation woodland but not here in East Northants’ wildlife gem. Also point out that once the initial Sherwood site was approved (60 cabins) there was a succession of further application and many more cabins squeezed in (now 86). Councillors will have seen that there are a lot of vehicles at the Sherwood site! You might also like to point to severe environmental problems at some of Forest Holidays other sites such as their most recent one in Norfolk. (see point f)

f) Sewage (and hot tub) problems. Refer to the way in which FH have slipped in a plan to install a Package Treatment Plant for sewage. Make a reference to the recent objection on website from Shirley Martin and in particular the photo showing industrial-scale excavation when one was installed at another FH site, the stench, the flies etc. At Fineshade the plans show that this will go in a currently unsurveyed area of coppiced woodland, thick with hazel, brambles and thick vegetation – the very best area for dormice but nobody knows if there are any there, as its almost impenetrable.  See also Mrs Martin’s most recent objection re discharge of chlorinated water from over 60 Hot tubs!

g) Fineshade Site Visit.  Point out the deficiency of their official Fineshade site visit and suggest they come to visit the site with you and/or residents. They are allowed to make "informal site visits" to properly see for themselves the problems.

h) Site of retreat. This will be immediately adjacent to one of the most used walking areas - now that there are no leaves on the hedgerows you can see its site and that of the adjacent large carpark and play area very easily indeed. Many large oaks will be felled. Prime butterfly habitat lost, close to houses etc. (More details, see objection from Tricia Galpin on behalf of Fineshade Residents)

Thank-you

Barrie Galpin

Dog-walking birds

Hello

Some incidental birding while I was out maintaining feed stations this morning provided a Raven in Kelmarsh village and a Willow Tit singing briefly at Scotland Wood (Kelmarsh Estate).

Exercising the dogs and jogging around Pitsford Reservoir south of the causeway late morning provided views of the pair of Ruddy Shelduck with Canada Geese in a grass field near to Pintail Bay. Two Snipe and two Jack Snipe were flushed and a Grey Wagtail noted.

More dog walking around Harlestone Heath this afternoon provided views of a Raven but little else of note.

Regards

Neil M

Raven
Harlestone Heath

Smew Portrait

Hello

Robin Gossage has kindly forwarded some images of three Smew at Pitsford Reservoir today (of four present). 

Pitsford is a regular winter venue for this striking 'sawbill' duck but regular birds are currently being reported at nearby Ravensthorpe Reservoir and Stanwick Lakes with a single bird at Stortons GP and a few being seen at Sywell Country Park too.

Relatively small numbers of Smew winter in the UK and Northamptonshire is an important area with both Pitsford and Ravensthorpe being ranked as nationally important for this scarce species.

Adult drakes sport the white elongated crest and are effectively known as 'white nuns' with their plumage combination and patterns of white, black and silver. The females and young males are known as 'redheads' and they display a rich chestnut crown and nape which dulls and is replaced in males as they moult in to nuptial plumage. 

Smew do not breed in the UK, probably the closest breeding area being Belarus, and occupy similar breeding habitat as the Goldeneye.

Regards

Neil M

Smew at Pitsford Reservoir
Courtesy of Robin Gossage.

Bramblings!

Hello

Yesterday Eleanor saw two Bramblings flying around at Harrington Airfield and 38 Blackbirds emerged from the bushes to feast on the distributed seed and other offerings!  This morning there was a female Brambling down on the seed by the concrete track entrance.

This morning a female Brambling visited us in the front garden here at Hanging Houghton, so it seems that small numbers of this species may be moving in response to some cold weather further to the north and east.

Regards

Neil M

The value of ringing re-traps

Hello

A ringing session took place at Brixworth Water Treatment Works today which resulted in a relatively modest catch of birds. This included six new Pied Wagtails, four Meadow Pipits and a re-trap Grey Wagtail.

Other birds noted on-site included 1-2 Chiffchaff, up to 3/4 Grey Wagtails, 2 Snipe and a Golden Plover flew over.

The ringed Grey Wagtail was first ringed there as a juvenile male on 26th August 2013 and a re-trap Long-tailed Tit was first ringed here at Hanging Houghton on 5th November 2011. 

Most Meadow Pipits that we notice moving through the county in the autumn seem to linger for a few days and then move on. An adult re-trapped today was first ringed at the same place in October 2014 and re-trapped again in December 2014. Clearly this bird is wintering successfully in and around the treatment works!

We have been fortunate to catch and ring good numbers of Pied Wagtails at this site during the winter months and await with interest any recoveries from these efforts. It is generally accepted that the southern half of the UK provides wintering quarters for Pied Wagtails that breed in northern England and Scotland.  The turn-over of birds is clearly significant to the degree that we have yet to re-trap a single individual.

Eleanor enjoyed a spectacle in the garden this afternoon when two Red Kites were attracted to some food put out for the local Jackdaws. A second helping including raw chicken ensured that one of the kites actually landed in our small enclosed garden, the first time we have actually seen one 'on the deck'!

Regards

Neil M

White-tailed Marsh Tit

Hello

Despite being out and about nearly all day today, neither Eleanor or I saw anything of note.

Andrew Tyrrell was out birding at the week-end and saw the four Pink-footed Geese at Blatherwycke Lake yesterday. A female Brambling and a male Blackcap have been visiting his Wootton garden recently on a regular basis, the Brambling was still there yesterday.

This afternoon Andrew was at Pitsford Reservoir and saw the three White-fronted Geese and a male Merlin, all the birds roughly half way between the causeway and dam.

The below images refer to a Marsh Tit caught yesterday at Pitsford Reservoir exhibiting a white tail (courtesy of Jacob Spinks).

Regards

Neil M

Bird Club Photographic Competition

Hello

This coming Wednesday evening (4th Feb) sees the annual Northants Bird Club photographic competition being held at the Pitsford Reservoir Fishing Lodge (NN6 9SJ), our usual venue for indoor meetings. John Showers has kindly received and indexed all the entries and Robin Gossage has been busy judging them. Please come along and savour the photographic skills of our members! It's not just birds as there are a number of wildlife categories of subjects photographed both locally and abroad during 2014.

As usual, tea, coffee and biscuits will be available as well as an opportunity to have a good natter! This meeting is available to both members and non-members of the Northants Bird Club. Please come and join us!

Regards

Neil M

Stonechat Portrait

Hello

Simon Hales has kindly forwarded some images of a couple of Stonechats currently on-site at Ditchford Gravel Pits...

Regards

Neil M

Ringing at Pitsford Reservoir

Hello

Some bird ringing took place at Pitsford Reservoir today resulting in 96 captures, the majority being common tits. A large proportion of the tits were adults and re-traps from previous years. Two Marsh Tits were re-trapped, one of them displaying a white tail, and six Coal Tits featured within the total.

Other birds included five new Chaffinches and a couple of Robins, three re-trap Moorhens, a Yellowhammer, a Fieldfare and seven Blackbirds. One of the Blackbirds was a re-trap, first being ringed at Harrington Airfield in November 2014.

Other birds noted were two Woodcock at Christies Copse and a pair of Grey Partridge near to Rectory Farm (close to the reservoir border). The gull roost off the yacht club provided views of a first winter Mediterranean Gull and two Ruddy Shelduck were discovered at dusk.

Regards

Neil M

Narnia Re-visited !

Late afternoon I retraced some of my steps from this morning's walk. By now much of the snow had melted leaving behind saturated muddy fields which were attractive to good numbers of Fieldfare, Redwing, Skylark and a few Meadow Pipits, all busy feeding.  In turn, these birds attracted a male Merlin who flew low over the field causing the birds to scatter and then he went off in pursuit of one of the smaller passerines. I've no idea whether he was successful as the hedgerow got in my way !!!

It would seem that the Otters are still being seen regularly along the River Welland in Market Harborough town centre. The local paper [Harborough Mail] has published a lovely photograph of an adult otter and two cubs taken on 16th January by a local resident. The paper also states that "their" own reporter has camped out for three days and as yet have failed to see the otters  !!. So although the otters are frequenting the stretch of river running through the town centre it is as with wildlife watching ,a case of being in the right place at the right time.  Good luck !

Regards Eleanor

Nania!

Hello

Fabulous winter weather this morning with a decent snowfall overnight. Eleanor spent some time in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton this morning, walking up to and around the Blueberry Farm complex. Birds included two pairs of Stonechat and a Barn Owl and the usual two Ravens plus fifteen mobile Golden Plovers.

Birds in the garden this morning attracted to the food included a Fieldfare and the regular Marsh Tit.

Regards

Neil M

Smeagol's circuit!

Hello

Cool and wintry out there today but it didn't stop Eleanor running around the southern side of Pitsford Reservoir this morning with her faithful companions Tor and Smeagol (yep that's the name of the latest canine family member)! The three White-fronted Geese were by The Holly Tree and two Jack Snipe also flushed up. Other birds of interest were restricted to a Grey Wagtail and a Kingfisher.

The ringing demonstration at Stanwick Lakes back on 18th January provided an opportunity of catching some birds previously ringed there from previous years. Ian Wrisdale who led the session and regularly rings at Stanwick has provided some interesting data concerning these birds, proving that some small birds are surviving well at this site.

A male Great Spotted Woodpecker caught was over five years old and two re-trap Long-tailed Tits were each over four and six years old respectively. A Great Tit was proven to be over six years old and a re-trap Reed Bunting was confirmed as being over five years old.

Regards

Neil M

Back home to the cold...

Hello

Neil H and I are just back from a week's birding in The Gambia which was very good, and my thanks to Eleanor for keeping the blog updated whilst we dodged those awful African sun rays! And yes it does seem a touch cold here after some very warm temperatures in near tropical conditions.

Today I noted a Nordic Jackdaw or at least a bird showing those features in the garden here at Hanging Houghton this morning. It was contained within the local Jackdaw flock and may be the same individual that has appeared in the village now for it's third winter.

John Finlayson maintains a wild bird feeding station at Grafton Park Wood in the north of the county. Like many of us he enjoys assisting birds during the cold hunger months, February to April probably being the critical months when there is very little natural food out there for our avian neighbours to exploit. Please see John's Nuthatch pictures below, an individual clearly benefiting from regular hand-outs.

The road causeway that passes over Pitsford Reservoir between Brixworth and Holcot is a favoured location for local bird photographers. Lapwings often loaf along the causeway parapets and water margins and Simon Hales has snapped the below picture for our benefit.

Regards

Neil M

Nuthatch
Courtesy of John Finlayson

Lapwing
Simon Hales

Quiet days

Another couple of "quiet" days. I have seen a Barn Owl at Blueberry but not the Stonechats.  The feeding area at Harrington remains frequently disturbed, muddy and smelly and indeed the airfield devoid of birds. I haven't faired much better at Pitsford although I did see a pair of Smew and the 3 White Fronted Geese today.  
At Sywell reservoir there were a handful of Siskins and Lesser Redpoll and a good walk around Salcey Forest failed to produce anything different, just the typical woodland birds, Nuthatch, Marsh Tit and Siskin.  The highlight of my visit here was a lovely lunch at the Forest Cafe, highly recommended.
Birds in/over the garden include 2 Raven, Marsh Tit, 2 Nuthatch and a Lesser Redpoll.

Regards Eleanor

Weekend Round Up

During the course of the weekend I have visited Blueberry area on several occasions. No new birds to report. At least one pair of Stonechat remain, along with 2 Barn Owls and frequent "fly overs" of a couple of vocal Ravens.
The feeding area at Harrington Airfield remains covered in thick mud and regularly disturbed by the steady stream of lorries which are continuing to bring lots of very smelly muck which will be spread onto the fields at a later date.  So birding here severely curtailed due to this disturbance and because the dogs are drawn to this muck like magnets !! yuk.
At Pitsford Reservoir this morning there were a pair of Smew and a Great White Egret north of the causeway and the 3 White Fronted Geese remain south of the causeway but very mobile.
I spoke to a local birder yesterday and he told me that he has a female Brambling and Blackcap in his garden at the moment, infact he had taken pictures of the Brambling.
Often I'm in and out throughout the day so perhaps do not appreciate the birds in my garden as much as I should, but as with so many folk this is where and how my passion for birds started.......by watching the birds visiting the garden.
I managed to spend a few hours tidying the garden today with my binoculars close at hand and by the end of the afternoon had notched up a good variety including Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Siskins, Grey Wagtail, Red Kite and Buzzard. Infact one of the Common Buzzards came through the garden literally a few feet from the ground. I could see why people might get worried that the Buzzard was going to take their cat or child.  A few minutes before the Buzzard did this low fly through I had been playing and training the dogs and I wonder whether it had spotted a discarded treat.
Whilst reading the local Harborough Mail newspaper I noted that up to 4 Otters have been reported last week along the town centre stretch of the river. The newspaper has also published a photograph of a Peregrine Falcon sitting on the roof of St Dionysius Church which is also in the town centre. So keep your eye's peeled if you are visiting Market Harborough.

Regards Eleanor

Quiet Day

My birding today was confined to a couple of visits to Blueberry Farm area. Nothing new to report. Two Barn Owls, pair of Stonechat and a Raven.

Regards Eleanor

Frustrating Day!

My day started on a good note with a Barn Owl and pair of Stonechat at Blueberry Farm . It went downhill thereafter.
I decided to run around the big side at Pitsford Reservoir with Tor and notched up 2 Grey Wagtail, a Kingfisher and 2 Goosander [first one's I've seen at Pitsford for a while]. There was at least one Smew although I didn't see it myself.  
I was aware that there was a tractor hedge cutting or rather to my eye's murdering the hedge as chunks of sharp branches etc were flying off in all directions leaving the hedge scarred and ugly. I was none too pleased when I trod on one of these sharp pieces....ouch.
I intended to spend some time birding the small side but this was not possible today as the Ruddy Duck cull was in progress!! . There were several boats secreted in the reeds/bushes each containing folk with riffles as well as folk with binoculars/radio's at various points along the shoreline. Consequently most of the wildfowl had vacated the area.  I really do have to question the cost of this project, how much does each Ruddy Duck death cost ?  and for myself it begs the question as to why this is allowed on a nature reserve ? !!
After I had calmed down I went to Harrington to feed the birds. More frustration as I was greeted by a very muddy feeding area and a constant stream of lorries bringing some extremely smelly muck which they have deposited half way along the track. The birds couldn't really feed at the entrance so I put some food further along the track hoping that they would at least be able to feed.  So if you intend visiting Harrington at the moment be prepared for mud and the famous "Harrington aroma".   The only birds of note were 2 Raven and approx 100 Golden Plover.

Birding will be limited tomorrow. Many of us knew Rodney Ingram who sadly died earlier this month.  Tomorrow there will be a service at the parish church , Ecton at 2pm to celebrate and give thanks for Rodney's life. Rod touched so many of us in a huge variety of ways. He was instrumental in starting up from scratch the Northamptonshire Bird Club and for many years served on the committee and remained supportive of the club. He was an extremely talented artist and used this gift to illustrate the birds in the Northamptonshire Bird Report and Christmas cards for the Rspb. He was passionate about all aspects of birds, but he was also one of life's true "gentlemen" and I believe left his mark on many of our live's and his legacy will continue.  Thanks Rod.

Regards Eleanor

The North !!

Today I headed north !! For weeks I have been promising myself a visit to the "north" of the county and today was the day it happened. Although the weather forecast was not good it was my only free day for a while.
First stop was Burn Coppice just outside Deenethorpe village, an area which I haven't visited for a while. I spent over an hour wandering along the bridle track whilst scanning the hedgerows and trees. This is a good area for viewing Red Kites and today was no exception. Despite the light rain and gloomy light these birds brightened the day with their graceful flight and evocative calls.
The air was filled with another favourite call of mine as a flock of 9 Pink Footed Geese flew over heading northwards.
I was almost back to my car when I realised that the Chaffinches were not happy birds and on scanning the hedgerow I could see the cause of this......the Great Grey Shrike, which sat up briefly before disappearing behind the hedge !  I never saw it again.
My next venue was Blatherwyke churchyard. What an amazing area and I was staggered by the amount of birds around the churchyard. Plenty of common species, notably winter thrushes, tits and finches. As I walked towards the church I saw the distinctive shape of two Hawfinch which were perched on the treetops against the skyline. It is such a pity that it was such a dull day as it was difficult to appreciate their colour. The churchyard itself was carpeted in snowdrops and gives a different vantage point for looking at the lake itself.
There were at least 14 Mandarin Duck visible around the edge of the lake, 2 Egyptian Geese, a few Siskin and of course plenty of Red Kite.
I then went to Wakerley Wood where a good walk around produced very little. It was extremely quiet. Great Spotted Woodpeckers were vocal with their drumming as were the Long Tailed Tits with their chattering as they moved through the trees. There just seemed to be the "odd" Siskin and Redpoll flying about. My highlight was two Roe Deer and a Fox !.
I finished my day out with a good walk around Fineshade Wood where I covered a lot of ground but saw very little. Again it was very quiet with the highlight being 4 Ravens .

Regards Eleanor

Dawn + Dusk Birding

My birding has been very limited today . Dawn found me and my canine companions at Blueberry Farm area. If you are out and about before it is light keep your eye's peeled skywards as the International Space Station is often visible and is usually quite easy to pick out from the stars and aircraft as it looks like a slow moving elongated bright star. Anyway, once it became daylight a beautiful scene of crisp white frosty hedgerows and trees making it seem magical greeted my eye's. This scene was crowned off by a lone hunting Barn Owl, showing well and totally oblivious to my presence., and a pair of Ravens flying about making "silly" noises, as they do sometimes..............and all before breakfast !!
My other birding slot was at the end of the day, just before darkness fell. A quick stop at Sywell Reservoir which was partially iced over produced a Bittern flying around the areas of reedbed, a lone Pink Footed Goose with the geese flock and the blood curdling shrieks of 2 Water Rails as they conversed with each other !!

Regards Eleanor

Market Harborough Otters

Hello

Eleanor paid an afternoon visit to Blueberry Farm, Maidwell today, locating two Barn Owls, a pair of Stonechat and two Ravens.

There is currently mixed information on the Otters in Market Harborough. The Harborough Mail newspaper suggests that the animals haven't been seen along the River Welland since November. However, there are reported recent sightings, particularly when the water was higher a week or two ago so it seems likely that they are still present but perhaps not showing as well as the last two winters. Neil Hasdell and Jim Dunkley have both visited several times but neither have managed a sighting. However if you want to experience good views of Grey Wagtails and Kingfishers, there are several individuals of both species present and showing regularly.

Regards

Neil M

Kingfisher River Welland,
Market Harborough.
Courtesy of Jim Dunkley.