20 MILLION Disappearing Sparrows !

Noted on the RSPB website  that we have lost 44 MILLION birds since the 1960s. Apparently  20 MILLION fewer sparrows now than in 1966. It sort of ties in with my local argument, about removing small bird habitat and shelter which they rely on for survival. It's all very well people thinking there are plenty of trees etc for the birds, but bushes and dense shrubbery are more important than trees to small birds !
My plea once again to the local powers that be, please leave all bushes and shrubs intact for the sake of the disappearing birds !

Short Memories

People have amazingly short memories, so maybe a quick reminder of what the rats were probably living on back in the summer time. The large pond of raw sewage at the Merryton bridge which was a regular feature, compliments of Scottish water ! We didn't see Mr Alan Bentley doing his principal waste management duties then - just because the rats couldn't be seen under the summer growth doesn't mean they weren't there.

Strictly for the Birds

The more I learn about people and human nature, the more I appreciate all the other living creatures on the Planet. I think too much time is given over to human activity and interests, to the detriment of all other life forms and the whole fantastic Planet we are lucky enough to live on. We are obsessed with our own species while ignoring almost everything else, and sleepwalking ourselves day by day into an ever diminished world.
How little time is given on TV or news media to the myriad of life that covers the globe, nothing but human trivia seems to be thrown endlessly at us. Anyone who is more interested in another species is considered weird or eccentric, maybe they know something that the rest of us should! I'm strictly for the birds, and I think they know it !

The Meaning of Life - or - A Life of Meaning

Everyone needs a reason to get up in the morning, and people need to feel valued and have a goal and purpose in life, this is a fundamental truth about human nature. This is something I learned a long time ago and it goes some way to giving me contentment, and being happy with myself. Many people of course don't realise that this inner desire can lead them into a fixation cul de sac. It seems my care and feeding of the wildlife has provoked some very sad people into looking for any excuse to have a go at me, and what I do. This morning I was met by Highland Regions principal waste management officer Mr Alan Bentley, about the Rat situation at the sewage bridge more on this link. A pest control operative was baiting the area, hoping to get rid of the rat family there. The dense bushes at the side of the bridge are home to many small species of birds, and is one of the few spots that is kept free from snowfall and frost, allowing the small birds access to the ground for winter survival. It would be a tragedy if this life saving cover was removed, all because a family of rats are in the area! In the interests of the wildlife, I would ask people to allow the rat catcher to do his job, and not to throw foodstuff onto the riverbank thus inadvertently feeding the rats. I have many photo's and names of locals feeding the gulls and throwing food all over the place. The photo above is an example of a local man having done the wrong thing. Mixed Grain( which I don't use) has been thrown all over the beach area where the Swans can't actually get it, but they won't allow the ducks to get it either ! I will refrain from publishing all pest feeding culprits at this stage, but those calling for my head should be careful that they don't end up in a noose of their own making ! When the brown stuff hits the fan, it has a tendency to spread all over the place. I think much of this situation is a case of, If I cant do it, then I'm going to try and make sure you cant either !

Lucky 7 Move Home

The lucky 7 ducklings will be 3 weeks old tomorrow, and good fortune still falls on them in the form of benign mild weather. Today I decided to move them into the coop and Aviary since the weather was favourable. Although only 3 weeks old, their size is equivalent to 6 weeks good summer growth in the river - the result of adequate food being available at all times. This was their first time outdoors since I brought them home. The coop is heated against the night time chill. (short wary vid in the shower tray below)

Eyes Wide open

Penny our resident Mother Swan, is in great condition and still the head of the Family. This morning she saw off another incoming swan on her own, and left Popeye and the three cygnets eating their breakfast.
Meanwhile the Ducklings still cuddle up to the photo of their Mum, one thing for sure - when they go back to the river they'll certainly know who she is !

Must Watch Attenborough !

Tonight I must watch David Attenborough's 60 years in the Wild. I reckon this Man has done more for the understanding of the World's wildlife than any man since Darwin.When you see the volume of Trash Television that is churned out, all David Attenborough's  programs are a breath of pure fresh air and spiritually uplifting ! Maybe the Nairn wildfowlers should watch as well !

This Weeks Sundry Items

This weeks High tides, shows the potential for the "regenerated" area to be partly used by the waterbirds as a dabbling area. When the tide is high they have very little areas to use other than the small bit at the Seaman's hall. Planting some reeds and rushes would complement the low flooded part and encourage frogs, toads and small creatures to benefit the wildlife. 

It appears the road bridge re-painting is finished, and it looks a lot smarter - I hope the Swans ability to see the rails, avoids any future collisions !
The lucky 7 ducklings are thriving, and I should be able to get them out into the Aviary next week. Short video of this mornings bath time below.

For those of you seeking the 10 keys to happiness check out this link 

PS With the high tides I've seen no sign of the rat hoard !

Roland in The Raw

Following on a previous post regarding river rats, I think my viewers will find the following video taken this morning very interesting. It was on a receding high tide at the Merryton /Sewage bridge where it was claimed at last nights RCC meeting to be infested with rats. Lo and behold as luck would have it, a salmon kelt washed onto the bank, and Roland Rat was presented with a feast ! I don't know why the claimed hoards were not present - maybe just a wee bit exaggerated perhaps. I really must stop buying them Salmon !

Letter to River Community Council

The following letter I sent to River Community Council prior to last nights meeting :

RE : Nairn River Regeneration Project

Dear River Community Councillors,                                                   6  November 2012

I note that the above project will be discussed at the next meeting on the 13^th November.

While I appreciate any efforts to improve the riverside, I am also concerned with the welfare of the river wildlife, in particular the water birds. Over the years I have invested a great deal of my time and money caring for the riverside and local birds, these have proved to be a great attraction to locals and visitors alike.

I was therefore disappointed that I was not given the courtesy of any input to the riverside regeneration project. Having asked around I found out that the main purpose of the project was to extend the sewer overflow into the river, and the removal of fallen and broken trees, and the elimination of alien species, I also heard that a “light touch” would be used in this process.

Over the last 3 winters I have been feeding small birds within the project area, this is no longer possible because of the removal of cover which protected the small birds from larger species like crows. However what is done is done, but I would like to make some suggestions based on my observations of the lower river over the years.

The removal of any more trees in this area should be avoided. An unofficial riverbank path already exists between the road bridge and railway bridge, this should not be allowed between the road bridge and sewage footbridge. As you are probably aware this area is tidal and gets flooded monthly, but this could be used to good effect for the wildlife, and benefit people too.

Can I suggest the following be carried out, several sacks of daffodil bulbs could be planted right now at 5 metre intervals along the verge of the riverside path between the bridges. The lower area that gets flooded monthly could be planted with reeds and rushes, this would provide an area for the water birds to use when flood conditions apply, it would also allow frogs, toads and other small creatures to live for the benefit of the wildlife, like Herons etc.

On the sloping bank, bushes and shrubs like gorse / whins, broom , wild woodbine/ honeysuckle, brambles, and creepers like clematis could  provide cover, fragrance and food for the wildlife. Trees to compliment this, like Rowan / mountain ash, Hawthorn, and Elderberry could be interspersed on the upper flat area.

This sort of regeneration would be natural looking, fragrant, colourful, yet offer cover and feeding for the wild birds in the area, such as various finches, Wren, Robin, and Yellowhammer etc.

In addition it would help the adjoining duck roosting area by reinstating the cover and security they lose to alien species removal, and shrub clearance.

I believe these measures would enhance the area, and give a proper balance between human needs and wildlife conservation/ habitat.

Opening up the riverside too much to people and dogs will only drive away the wildlife that so many come to see and love.

It’s worth noting, that the only area currently available to the waterfowl in high water and flood conditions, is the swans Island and adjacent wild grass area beside the Seaman's hall. They need places to conceal their young, and also to forage for seeds and food during the summer time.

I hope the council members will endorse the above suggestions and regenerate a balanced habitat for wildlife and human needs.

Yours  Sincerely          Joe Telfer. 

Rat - a - tat - tat Thousands of Rats Claim !

Attended the River community council meeting tonight, for I had a strong suspicion that I would be in the firing line for feeding the wildlife at the Merryton Bridge. Sure enough, true to form and right on cue, community chair Tommy Hogg said there were "Thousands of rats" at the Merryton bridge due to people throwing food from the bridge! I think he's been reading too many pied piper novels. Over the past fortnight I have only seen the same family of 2 adults and 2 young ones, They have been photographed several times by different people over the past two weeks, and these have been passed no doubt to RCC perhaps giving him the impression that there are thousands of rats at the bridge. Today I happened to see one of the adults coming out of an old drain adjoining the Merryton bridge, unfortunately by the time I got the camera out it had gone, however enclosed pics of the drain cover which has a gap at the bottom big enough for the rats to gain entrance. I get the impression this is a very old defunct drain, perhaps from the days of the old slaughterhouse site ? Also included is a pic of the drain that has just been extended into the river - (before it was extended.) You can see clearly the scope for rats to use it, and with a very unsavoury menu at their disposal ! This is the same drain that I reported to SEPA back in 2007 or thereabouts, and they confirmed that it was indeed spewing raw sewage over the area. Now it will happily spew it into the river when conditions are right ! Over many years I have seen rats from the west pier all the way up the river to Cantrybridge, they are common brown rats and part of the river scene, but I have never seen thousands.

On the question of Brodie of Brodie, I was impressed by the Man 's arguments over the Kingsteps issue, and I share his anti wildfowl shooting stance. It may be sport to some, but it is the killing and wounding of innocent birds never the less.

Two Weeks Old

The Ducklings are two weeks old and growing strongly, the extra living space allows them to move away from under the lamp and not to overheat. I take them to the bath 4 times a day and allow them up to an hour to eat and play around, this simulates what the mother would be doing in the wild,(if the food and summer temperatures were there). In another week their oil glands should be working, and this will allow them to completely waterproof their feathers, needed to keep out the cold. The lamp gets raised higher each week to gradually let them get used to more normal temperatures. When they are fully waterproofed and acclimatised they can be moved into the coop and let outdoors. (Short video of morning bath time below)

Ducklings New Mobile Home

You would imagine finding a Plastic box nowadays would be easy, but I suppose it depends on the size. I tried several sources including the internet, but finding a box about a metre long by half a metre deep and wide was either impossible or cost a small fortune ! In the end, I realised that if I laid a wheelie bin on its back, cut out the front and sealed the lid, it would do the job. Before I get accused of stealing and vandalising council property, I did buy the wheelie bin from the council for £35, sorry to disappoint my rabid pack of critics ! The ducklings have now moved from a one room flat, to a luxury purpose built mobile home ! Short video below.

River Rats ?

Seems like we have a new family of brown river rats conveniently at the sewage bridge. Bold as brass, they gave me a lively show this morning on the riverside. (short video below )They seem to have appeared quite suddenly in the past week or two, maybe coincidentally with the nearby sewer pipe having been opened up and extended recently. There are brown rats from the west pier right up the riversides of course, normally not as easily seen, but with the removal of the undergrowth just up from the sewage bridge their cover has been blown, so to speak. This lot appears to be a family of 2 adults and two young ones from what I've seen. Some locals just dump bird seed, grain, carrot peelings and bread around the pillars and edges of the bridge. I have tried to educate them to put the stuff in the water but it falls on deaf ears, born and bred they think they know best - some folk just don't listen ! Mind you, it's the two legged local malicious variety you have to watch out for !

Ducklings Tea Party

The ducklings are now 10 days old and have virtually doubled in size. (Short video below) They are full of life and it's adorable to watch their antics, but they poop constantly - one of the joys of being a bird ! The metabolic rate of birds is much greater than animals, and food passes through them 4 times faster. Ducklings need a constant supply of food and water at all times for proper growth rate. This lot are into everything , anything they can reach, including shoelaces and teapots !

Thank You Nairn Co-op Shoppers !

A big Thank you to all those King street Co-op shoppers, who contributed to the Donation buckets at the checkout over the past month . Tonight I received £125-21p for support of the Nairn Wildlife. Every Penny of it will go on feeding approx 110 ducks and swans for the next month. Thank you also to Paul the Manager, and all the staff at King street Co-op.

Kudos from Colorado

My recent actions taking home the late hatched ducklings, has been lauded by some and not all local either. One of my viewers, who also happens to be a volunteer bird rehab helper, sent me the following email regarding the ducklings - extracts here:    Great job rescuing the ducklings and giving them a chance of survival. Probably the only batch for this year that you have helped survive in your neck of the woods. I totally agree with your actions. I volunteer with a Wild Bird Rehabbing Center in Denver.  We get variety of injured birds, baby birds that fall out of the nests, ducklings, goslings, pelicans, great blue herons, and even a swan one time, mostly wild but also domesticated birds.  We provide rehabilitation for all injured birds including medical, therapy as well as nutritional support. When they have been rehabilitated and are ready to go, we release them to the wild – usually end of summer, or if domesticated, we find homes for them, exactly what you do just on a slightly bigger scale.

Enjoy the rescued ducklings, hope you have a source that will provide you with a good and high in protein scratch to feed them, with and to make them grow fast and be strong. At the WILD Bird we use duck mash which we mix with water to make it mushy + plenty of fresh water to drink and swim. And they love the lettuce. When getting much bigger they might also love those red wigglers – full of protein snacks.

My American email friend was recently involved with the rescue of a Goose which had been shot with an arrow, details and amazing Vet video can be seen on this link. 

It's nice to see a good outcome whether on this side of the pond or the other !

The Snacks That Got Away

The ducklings are thriving and full of life, checking out all the new things around them which include my feet ! They are a joy to have around, but they are messy.

A paint tray makes an ideal feeding and paddling pool for five day old ducklings ! (short vid below)

Pintail is Back !

Last year we had a Pintail duck who overwintered for the first time on the River, I am pleased to report that he has returned today. These rare ducks have only around 50 breeding pairs in the UK, although we have about 28,000 that winter in the UK from Iceland Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltic states. He has joined our local ducks for the feeding that I gladly provide throughout the winter. The pintail has beautiful patterns on his feathers, and these will get more pronounced as winter heads to spring, welcome back Mr Pintail !

Heads

Another crisp day and a distinctive wind chill, but dry and pleasant at least. The ducklings are doing well and for the most part sleeping and eating like most baby creatures do. Getting them into a routine in  order to clean out the brooder etc and reduce the workload on me, for it will consume more of my time as they get older. They are content to snuggle up to the pic of Mum with the heat lamp directly above, it's as near as I can reproduce home from home.

Morning means bathtime while I clean out the brooder, refresh the water and feed tray, and clean towel bedding, easier and less messy than straw ! This allows them to preen and dry themselves off  before breakfast and another sleep.(short video below). I checked on their Mum today and she is back with her partner, he is a hybrid of the old blondie, hence the reason we have two lighter coloured ducklings in this brood.
With high tide, the seal made it's usual visit searching for early kelts or late salmon, he gave me the once over before diving. The head was almost human looking !

 The heads of the ducklings are very very cute, but will also include a Salmon I saw jumping earlier this year, and the Swans in this post too !

The Magnificent Seven

Waking up to hard frost outside I think the ducklings were saved in the nick of time, I'm glad I took decisive action to save them yesterday. This morning they enjoyed a salad breakfast by way of soft lettuce and a dip in the sink.( short video below). Meanwhile I posted a life size pic of their Mum inside their brooder, they have settled nicely and cuddled up to the pic of their Mum ! I saw their mum today, she has rejoined her mate and seems none the worse for her loss. It's good to see all the ducks safely on the lower river, this being the shooting season they can legally be shot, even Mothers with late young, how cruel and inhumane is that !