The Redbridge Nature Conservation Rangers are all hoping that you are enjoying some of this beautiful British weather and have a chance to get out and about in some of our parks and open spaces.....and indeed your gardens!
This is a request for all the residents of the borough to please spend just 5 minutes filling in our new garden questionnaire. Please tell all your friends and family [see note below] even if they don't have "conventional" gardens - we want to know about paved or concreted spaces as well. Everybody that does the quiz will be in with a chance to win some wildlife friendly garden prizes and some advice for your open space.
The results of this are really important for us to inform decisions about various protected species and green spaces, help towards the Redbridge Biodiversity Action Plan, inform decisions about the threat of climatic change and help us learn about garden trends.
We really appreciate your help and thank you in advance.
Best regards,
Naomi Collingham
Nature Conservation Ranger
Note: If your friends or family don't have internet access they can call 020 8501 1426 and complete the survey by telephone.
Noah Here!
ReplyDeleteARKIVE image not available?
Why not ring-round for an up-to-date image - Noah, as far as I "noah" did not have a mobile phone or a digital camera! Nor did he have Spell-Checking (Archive)- no even the pseudo-USA Version (ARKIVE)!
Once again I would like to have seen at least a season succession of Record-Reports - not just the one - which is at the breeding season of the Year and thus will inherit a bias of exaggeration - the Martins and Swifts are late arriving this year as are the more-rare finch species.
The Tits have started on their second brood so; being close to the first brood will undoubtedly cause much confusion to many.
The origination of this Census is well known to the writer. However, I hope you will collate the hard-surface evidence with the Roding Flood Forum who liaise with the EA Defra etc. on a daily basis where necessary.
Richard Cooper RSC & RFF etc.
This morning we had a fledgeling Wren bouncing around the patio and bashing into things. It made its way into the honeysuckle where we presume there is a nest. We have seen adults in and out of there previously.
ReplyDeleteNo bias or exageration - just observation.
No bias or exag(g)eration - just observation.
ReplyDeleteB21 you miss the point entirely!
The context for this form of survey is that of a record in the singular in the natural environment at one moment which has to be balanced to make a valid record.
You, for some reason miss out many other contributing factors to your observation.
One fledgling on a hard surface does not constitute a valuable record, albeit, it does contribute two determined factors required by the survey. A presumption is not a valuable contribution, it would be more helpful ascertaining the location of the nest, the type of species of lonicera and how it grew etc., the aspect of the species, the supplement feed that you contributed or was available in your patio area, and, of course if it were being fed by the parent birds - or only one of them, and how it competes with other birds in that location.
All these factors and others would provide evidence if the bird-family was resident or a one-off nesting etc.
Richard Cooper.
Exactly Richard – observation not intervention.
ReplyDeleteIf you think I’m going to rummage around in my honeysuckle [lonicera?] to establish “the location of the nest” you are wrong!
That would probably frighten the birds to abandon their nest and their fledgling. Is that what you want?
“A presumption is not a valuable contribution” Oh I think it is when it does not disrupt the natural order. When nature chooses to make itself visible I will take note, but when it chooses to be secretive I will respect its privacy.
Flipping heck, boys!
ReplyDeleteThe weather has gone cuckoo, that's true, but do you have to follow the trend?
I could be cheeky and give you lines but then,... I might be asking for punishment myself!
annesevant
Now now you two,order, sounds like a mini row going on. I can understand Reps point of view. I think the Survey could have been a little more inquisitive, but then if its too long people avoid it.
ReplyDeleteWhat worries me is, this will not reflect a true picture. Who is going to own up to having 100% of their front gardens paved? Who will put their hands up to being environmentally unfriendly? The long and short of this is that this survey will mainly be answered by the converted, bragging that they are wildlife friendly. Just like me, I have responded, but I have nothing to hide.I'm quite happy with my efforts.
Ron King.
Does anyone other than complete anoraks really know the square metreage of their garden?
ReplyDeleteI just put in '?small'.
Have you never bought a carpet, Judith?
ReplyDeleteOne's Chief Steward handles all that kind of stuff, old boy.
ReplyDeleteAnd then one's tax advisor claims it on expenses.