Forget the great white egret, the lesser scaup or the black kite treading the boards on one's local patch is the bread and butter of a jobbing naturalist and the grassroots of biological recording today. Without local patching where's that much needed raw data for those commoner more familiar species on which the UK Government can base its half baked nature conservation policy and legislation? That reminds me reversing the decline in biodiversity by 2010, thats this year isn't it? Never mind call a conference, write a report, set another date and hope it goes away.
Cefn garn yr erw near Blaenavon was at its best today, not because it was teeming with early spring migrants and rare raptors but just for the vital role this large expanse of molina grassland, spoil tips, ponds and reservoirs plays in supporting the 'quality of life' wildlife that is the perfect antidote to modern day living. A count of over 30 skylark many in full song puncuated by the odd meadow pipit and reed bunting was just so uplifting why was it I was the only one walking this landscape?
Where the calluna heath fades into molina grassland I found a sign. My recent Seymour butt.....see less grouse blog entry was a bit of dig at a landscape that once valued the red grouse but now sadly doesn't seem to care too much. Whilst the bird has declined alarmingly since its heyday in Victorian times its still possible to see birds if you put in the time and effort - but you won't see them by sitting in a hide! No birds today but I'm getting that little bit closer with every visit, hence the above grouse pellet picture.
you wouldn't want to be there with the masses now would you?
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