Far from the Madding Crowds

I was going to head down to Connah's Quay for the high tide today, but en route I remembered it was open day, so in pursuit of a more peaceful couple of hours I changed tack and headed for Bagillt Marsh.

With the tide galloping in, I decided to sit on top of the small hill next to Bagillt Dock and look for some Grebes, but it wasn't Great Cresties I saw on the water, but three Brent Geese - dark bellied by the look of it too, although the light was pony.

In actual fact, I was surprised at just how much activity there was on this stretch of the estuary: lots of small wader flocks zipped by, containing modest numbers of Oystercatchers, Blackwits, Knot and Redshank, but the star bird of the vigil was a female Merlin that flew in to the marsh from across the water.

Feeling jolly pleased with myself I headed home only to discover that four Little Stints had been reported from Connah's Quay - a much sought after Flintshire year tick. Do'h!

Continuing with the Connah's Quay NR theme, I emailed David Jones yesterday about the crew cut that has been inflicted on the vegetation around the Bunded Pools.

All credit to DJ, he responded quickly, although I don't think he took too kindly to my inquiry, Here is his communication:

I note your comments, I can assure you that we do liaise with EON and infact have a 5 year management plan which includes a cutting regime, we meet once a year to see whether our actions are working. The following bodies are involved in the discussions; Richard Toft Consultant Ecologist, Fenella Bellinger Consultant Landscape Designer, RSPB, Countryside Council for Wales, EON and ourselves.

Your comments about making stupid (I didn't say stupid - Ed) decisions are not helpful, if you want to be involved in the decision making process our AGM is on Friday 10th December, you need to get a member to nominate you as a Trustee.

Regards
David Jones
Chairman

Sort of prompts the question, how many ecologists does it take to cock-up a nature reserve?

Seriously though, it is fairly obvious to many of us that use CQNR on a regular basis that obliterating the cover around the pools was not a wise move.

In all fairness, the Deeside Naturalist Society do an excellent job - especially when you consider that it is staffed by volunteers and run on a shoestring budget. Ever since I have joined they have bulit an extra hide and put up a couple of screens; heck if they had been in charge over at Inner Marsh Farm and had the RSPB's resources behind them they would have constructed an exact replica of the Taj Mahal down at the Point of Ayr by now.

Still, I would like to put a couple of points forward at the AGM, so if anybody out there wants to nominate me as a trustee them I would be very grateful. I can also raise the issue of the slits in the West Hide that really need widening...

Until later.