I stand by my original point that, to mix metaphors, it’s horses for courses and much though I would enjoy seeing them locally, beavers are not the answer to all flood management issues. 2/2

Interesting replies both here and in the original Facebook article. The canal I had in mind in my original post was constructed for river traffic not flood relief. Currently in times of heavy rain it over-tops into fields that cope with standing water and into the upper reaches of an estuary. 1/2

www.facebook.com/share/1DuQr4...

Whilst I am generally a fan of Beavers, there are too many saying they are the answer to everything.
A further uncertainty is their impact on canals- if they damage the banks there could be massive flooding if we have water levels like we had at start of the year.

Just shows how variable farms are. Skylark and Fieldfare were only two ‘farmland’ birds on my survey…

Hi all. Here at last is my summary of wildlife around Maldon & Heybridge for last Spring & Summer. Many thanks to all who have contributed records & photos!
gannetrockbooks.com/spring-and-s...

I find it interesting that the various Black Brant within the different Brent flocks in Essex don’t group together. They are clearly very comfortable in the company of the Dark-bellied Brent.

A well marked Light-bellied Brent

Sunset over Maldon

Glossy Ibis record shot

Out with @johnbuchanan.bsky.social this pm where at last knockings we had both Glossy Ibis, flying S over Osea Island, near Maldon, viewed from Osea Rd, and a Great Northern Diver between Osea and the north shore - then a little inland off Wash Lane, a Light-bellied amongst 300 Dark-bellied.

Hi Matt- where was the Black-throat? Was it west of Osea?

You won’t believe what degrading practice the pope just condemned Communication must be freed from clickbait and misguided thinking, head of Catholic church tells journalists

I am not religious but I am liking the new pope. He has a big audience and he is saying things that need to be said.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

I think people should now be posting where they are not seeing Wall Brown as it would save on typing 🤣

Another of your blogs that will inspire me to look closer.
I have already started investigating leaf mines of various plants as a way of passing the time while waiting at bus stops!

Bottom trawling to continue in English protected waters, government rules Defra says blanket ban on ‘destructive’ fishing practice disproportionate as MPs urge minister to reconsider

This is infuriating. What is the point of a Marine Protected Area if trawlers are allowed to keep ploughing it?
Yet again, the government has succumbed to commercial lobbying.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Great UK WaterBlitz - Earthwatch Europe Join the Great UK WaterBlitz and help fight for healthy freshwater. Help us measure water quality across the UK.

I've just signed up to take part in the #GreatUKWaterBlitz by @earthwatcheurope.bsky.social. Join the fight for healthy freshwater here: earthwatch.org.uk/greatukwater...

Encouraged by @darylrhymes.bsky.social posting about seeing Norfolk Hawkers along the Chelmer near Chelmsford I went for a look by Beeleigh toiday and found at least one - the first 100% local record. Unfortunately photo a bit rubbish. Also loads of 'not so' Scarce Chasers and a Mink.

Crazy!

Our rooks are saved!!!
Maldon District Council has refused the Permission In Principle application to build houses within the strip of woodland alongside the car park at Morrisons.
Many thanks to all those who took the time to object to the application on the planning website- it all helped!

Great to see this. Wonderful photos by Simon Stirrup.

Latest update on Maldon's Wildlife, covering the end of last autumn and this past winter.
Not too many birds about but some good fungi and inverts.

gannetrockbooks.com/autumn-2024-...

Many thanks for trying Andy. Not sure what the issue may be... I know others have been able to get through somehow.
All the best

SAVE OUR ROOKS!
An application has gone in for houses along the old railway line beside Morrisons, home for Maldon’s largest rookery. It's a Local Wildlife Site and acts as a reservoir of wildlife for nearby housing.
Please object publicaccess.maldon.gov.uk/online-appli... (application 25/00222/PIP)

Petition: Ban driven grouse shooting Chris Packham, Ruth Tingay and Mark Avery (Wild Justice) believe that driven grouse shooting is bad for people, the environment and wildlife. People; we think grouse shooting is economically insignifi...

Red Grouse is our only endemic species of bird and we shoot it. How crazy is that?
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/70...

Richest nations ‘exporting extinction’ with demand for beef, palm oil and timber

So here I am now landed on BlueSky after getting generally hacked off with the politics of Twitter and its owner.
And my first post here- my summary of Maldon's wildlife in Summer 2024. gannetrockbooks.com/summer-2024-...
A poor year for many species but still new discoveries to be made.