Volunteering in your local community
As you are probably well aware, all of us officers here at your Local Authority work tirelessly to ensure we share good practice, resources and promote efficiencies whenever possible. We do, I promise.
With that in mind, Mark Pollard, Parks and Garden’s Development Officer here at East Devon District Council, came bounding into my office a couple of days ago. Now, normally I am able to hear Mark’s characteristic footsteps from the end of the hallway, and make the necessary evasive actions beneath my desk. But this time he took me by surprise and I was rooted to the spot, like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
I jest of course, but Mark does have that wonderful ability to pop in and substantially fill my ‘to do…’ list. This time was no exception. We’ve been working together in the on-going successful Green Flag Awards for Manor Gardens; me by providing a bit of biodiversity input, complimenting Mark’s extensive horticultural speciality.
Amenity parkland awards seem to be putting an increasing importance upon the wild animals which can be found in a well managed park, a significance I am particularly glad about. Now just to change their minds that ‘well managed’ always means ‘neat and tidy’ but one step at a time…
So, I’ve been spending a little time in the formal parks in Exmouth, keeping an eye out for birds prospecting nest boxes and evidence of the daytime occupants of bat boxes. But the amount of time I can commit to this observation is very limited, which is where you step in, dear reader.
By the mere fact that you have got to this point, suggests you have more than a passing interest in the subject matter; well, here’s an opportunity for you to get involved yourself.
Mark and I are looking to bring together a group of local residents to carry out casual surveys in Manor Park and Plantation Walk, monitoring bat boxes, nest boxes and other wildlife sightings. Don’t worry about your depth of knowledge or prior ecological experience; we’re not looking to man a Royal Geographic Society expedition! We will provide all the information you need and get you started with the survey techniques – ‘survey techniques’ being an overly technical term for sitting and watching.
So we’re looking for people who are interested in helping us out, if you would like to know more contact Mark Pollard at the District Council, on 01395 516551.
For those of you who won’t be able to get involved, but will be interested in our findings, worry not, as I will no doubt publish an article all about it in this column in future months!
The nest boxes and bat boxes in question were all made by local children involved in EDDC’s Junior Rangers club, and have been in the parks for a couple of seasons now. If they do indeed prove to be providing increased nesting opportunities for local birds, what a great result for volunteer effort!
One area locally that benefits from a very skilled level of volunteer observation is the estuary. There is a national programme of monitoring which is highly co-ordinated, called WeBS or the Wetland Birds Survey. Each month a dedicated band of few gather at set times and set places to record the number of birds of many key species. This on-going programme provides immensely important information about bird numbers and how they change, upwards and down, over time.
I’d like to share a few interesting observation this year from the Exe, and my sincerest thanks to David Price and his team for putting this data together. Brent goose numbers peaked on the Exe Estuary in November at 1,800 birds, a count slightly up on recent years. However, juvenile numbers were counted at 7% of population total, which, considering it is estimated that the Brent goose population needs an annual recruitment (a rather cold scientific term for new babies) of 15% is a worrying statistic.
Wigeon on the other hand peaked at 4,000 birds, which is again up on recent years, however numbers fell off quickly to 2,500 birds by December. Mallard, the ubiquitous village pond duck much loved by all peaked at 400 in November, but only reached two or three hundred at other months, a decline reflected in National figures.
It is only with these immensely valuable protracted surveys that long-term trends can be noticed. Indeed, all of us who get some level of life-affirming happiness from our internationally important bird populations, need to be grateful to David and his team of volunteers for getting out there come hellish winds or mean High Water, and keeping an observational eye on the flocks.