Monday, July 13, 2009

Crow Hill

7.30-9.00pm

Not a lot about.
One of the fields in the area suitable for snipe is being drained.

5 lapwing
1 curlew
2 reed bunting
swallows
2 pied wagtail
large nos of corvids, starlings, wood pigeons and meadow pipits

Also, one meadow brown butterfly, one weasel and five large lagomorphs.
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1 comment:

Steve Blacksmith said...

I know which Crow Hill you mean.(The other is straight opposite on top of Midgeley Moor.)
The bird and mammal life is recognisable. I have seen the "large lagomorphs" and noticed the great numbers of corvids. (Coincidence with the name or what?)
It usually holds nesting lapwings, a few pairs, and curlew, though I've not noticed any snipe. I get a few twite and wheatears in spring on the manure field on the ridge. I once came face to face with a stoat carrying a dead vole.
Like you I am sad that the local farmer is intent on ruining it for wildlife. The EU gives grants for "improving" farms whilst the Government tries to help biodiverity by supporting countryside stewardship.
Saddest of all is to see the heather top around the trig point being trampled out of existence by one farmer's highland cattle. This is supposed to be common land, also part of the South Pennines Protection Area. I have reported it to the Local Authority Countryside Service but they seem powerless against agribusiness/ agribully-boys. Perhaps we both (and others) should have another go at them.
Contact Hugh Firman, Chief Conservation Officer. He's a contientious chap - it just needs more than one voice, if nature is going to stand a chance.

10:58 pm

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