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Hartland dust bowl: |
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Tony Phelps Forum Specialist Joined: 09 Mar 2003 No. of posts: 575  View other posts by Tony Phelps |
Posted: 04 Apr 2004 In the words of Victor Meldrew - "I can't believe it!!" I was feeling quite content, good adder counts, a couple of smooth snakes, and good numbers of sand lizards, grass snakes mating etc etc. - then I went to Scotland at Hartland, and I just could not believe what I was looking at. You may recall the fuss about the so called management here quite recently, and the promise of cooperation, proper liaison ah well! A strip of about 50M stretching for about 500M has been reduced to bare ground. This has been done in the last week, so such management at this time was cutting it fine; especially if anyone wants to take any note of phenological changes. For example, Dartfords were nesting here a week ago, so they have had it. But for me this is a disaster - this is/was a part of my study area embracing ID'd snakes for a good number of years. i.e. 23 smooth snakes - 31 adders (adults), 29 grass snakes, and high density sand lizard population. I will know better when I look at the margins, where some cover remains, but the 'management' has gone straight through the middle of the hibernation area, so I expect a high mortality. The best part is that NT and EN knew this. This is really thr last straw for me and right now, Africa is looking more appealing, I don't see any future here, if they can do this in Purbeck. I will post a photo if I manage it, I think I may have sent one to Wolfgang. Sad day, busy phonecalls tomorrow!!! Tony |
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Wolfgang Wuster Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 326 View other posts by Wolfgang Wuster |
Posted: 04 Apr 2004 (Admin edited picture to make the text more readable) Wolfgang Wüster School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor http://sbsweb.bangor.ac.uk/~bss166/ |
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Tony Phelps Forum Specialist Joined: 09 Mar 2003 No. of posts: 575 View other posts by Tony Phelps |
Posted: 04 Apr 2004 I don't know the reasoning Wolfgang, it's too big to be regarded as a fire break, maybe Jim will be online sometime, he will hear from me very soon anyway. This really is a slap in the face for me, why do I bother, am I the only one who values intesive long term study? I should go away and lie down for a while now, I am ver very angry, I need to think upon nicer things - Italy, Africa, Gaboons, spitting cobras, hot sun , mangroves , etc etc. Bye |
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-LAF Senior Member Joined: 03 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 317 View other posts by -LAF |
Posted: 04 Apr 2004 WTF? Why would anyone expose heathland back to topsoil? That makes no sense. Especially when everything is breeding/nesting etc. Maybe there's going to be picnic tables and posters showing the wildlife that was just wiped out there. Or maybe someone from the NT saw what looked to be a bit of gorse...  Lee Fairclough |
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Wolfgang Wuster Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 326 View other posts by Wolfgang Wuster |
Posted: 05 Apr 2004 Lee, There can be a rationale for it. Part of the idea is to remove nitrogen from the top layer. Too much nitrogen in the soil fertilises it, and puts heather at a competitive disadvantage compared to grasses - heath turns into grassland. Obviously, the timing of it could not be worse. If Tony can provide firm evidence that Dartford warbler nests or any reptiles were destroyed during the operation, then this would constitute a prima facie breach of the Wildlife and COuntryside Act, which prohibits intentional or reckless disturbance or killing of these species, and I would like those responsible prosecuted. "Reckless" would be putting it mildly in this context. Cheers, Wolfgang Wolfgang Wüster School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor http://sbsweb.bangor.ac.uk/~bss166/ |
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Wolfgang Wuster Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 326 View other posts by Wolfgang Wuster |
Posted: 05 Apr 2004 Here are some photos Tony took of casualties and survivors at the Hartland site: 
Dead female sand lizard 
Dead male smooth snake 
Dead male adder 
Live male smooth snake Again, the pics speak for themselves. Cheers, Wolfgang Wolfgang Wüster School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor http://sbsweb.bangor.ac.uk/~bss166/ |
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Colin Dunlop Member Joined: 15 Mar 2004 No. of posts: 20 View other posts by Colin Dunlop |
Posted: 05 Apr 2004 I'd be chasing this up quicksmart with the local wildlife liason officer with the police for a start! This area is a crime scene and should be looked at as soon as possible by a specialist and acted on, all to often people are getting away with wildlife crimes like this. What is it? 5 grand per animal killed that is under the protection of the 1981 act?
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Tony Phelps Forum Specialist Joined: 09 Mar 2003 No. of posts: 575 View other posts by Tony Phelps |
Posted: 05 Apr 2004 Hi Colin, In your dreams!! this is EN we are talking about, they are apparently immune. They do not come more specialised than me, and they like to pretend that I do not exist, even though i have been stalking these heaths for 35 years. If you have looked at past postings then you will know that this is not an isolated incident. The body count grows year by year, all in the name of conservation. I am keeping all data and evidence, (more than frozen peas in my freezer!), and will write up a report. Might also get my chums from the BBC down. What EN cannot get a handle on is that when ecologists work on a species, after a while, long while whatever, you feel responsible, and that the animals are somehow in your care. I certainly have the information to promote their well being and survival. But nary a phone call, e mail, carrier pigeon, smoke signal. In this case I am only five miles from the site. Tony |
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Gareth Member Joined: 05 Apr 2004 No. of posts: 1 View other posts by Gareth |
Posted: 05 Apr 2004 Tony What can I say? - gutting. The pictures say it all. Site managers of important herp-sites (especially Schedule 5 species) need to take on board these 'hot spots' as any disturbance to the ground resulting in damage to habitat and animals, is a potential breach of the wildlife laws. This should be taken-up (maybe by yourself Tony or HCT?) at the Heathland Conference in September, especially as I understand this is not an isolated incident. Site managers need to consult with local experts and agree appropriate management to minimise damage to protected species. It is so rare that someone has the knowledge you do about a given site and therefore defies belief the powers that be have not used your knowledge to fine-tune the management. The loops developers have to jump through to get a licence on a GCN site with minimal damage to habitat, when the government's conservation advisory body can allow this sort of management on a pristine herp-site with two Schedule 5 species makes a mockery of the wildlife laws!
Gareth |
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-LAF Senior Member Joined: 03 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 317 View other posts by -LAF |
Posted: 05 Apr 2004 Hi folks. Well, what Wolfgang says about nitrogen levels does make sense so thanks for that, still doesn't seem like sound management given that's it's spring. Out of interest, was this site burnt or flattened mechanically? The first picture looked bulldozed but the two dead snakes look burnt? I have a friend in the RSPB who is now chasing up nesting date records for Dartford's in that area, which I will post as soon as (or email privtely if sensitive). And they could probably be much more effective if some sabre rattling was needed than other smaller bodies. On a more cursory note. EN may be pretty immune from our own legislative systems but some of these animals are on the EC protected schedules. Hence you can't get an EN license to disturb them solely for photography. Is there someone out there EN DOES have to answer to? Finally, does anyone know if there there is a published management strategy in place for these incredibly important places or is this a 'generic heathland' management by numbers approach? Places like this must have a publicised policy, mustn't they? Perhaps there should be a peer reviewed Journal for site management in the UK, and that all SSSI management should be published in it 6 mnths prior to being carried out. Ho-hum. Lee. Lee Fairclough |
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David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 06 Apr 2004 BHS had a survey day on Sunday and we went over to Hardy's cottage Blackheath reserve as a member had said there had been a bulldozer there and notices of conservation in the name of E.N.'s Hardy's Heathland Heritage. The area that had a large number of Adders and Grass Snakes in previuos years had been bulldozed right down to the mineral layer, we saw 2 adders basking next to a minimum of cover around the edge the rest were probably buried under the pile of Birch roots and stumps that had been piled up to one side of the area that looked worse than most development sites. This type of management, if that is what it is, is just pure vandalism and seeing the Hartland moor photos can see no alternative but to try to get E.N prosecuted. They are totally out of control. I do not have digital photographs but will have to wait until I finish the film and have them processed. Dave Bird British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
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Wolfgang Wuster Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2003 No. of posts: 326 View other posts by Wolfgang Wuster |
Posted: 06 Apr 2004 Prosecution is one way, but how about public embarrassment? In these times where spin reigns supreme, headlines along the lines of "Conservation body kills endangered species", "Expert advice ignored", etc., will cause some gnashing of teeth at EN headquarters. Tony, I hope you kept the dead beasts in the photos or can retrieve them for use as evidence. Then, take a local rag reporter to the site and show them what has happened. And, better, send a press relase to all major national newspapers, with photos. And, of course, reiterate Gareth's excellent point about the hassle anyone who even contemplates just looking at a GCN (a much more common species) has to go through, while EN happily bulldoze their way through sand lizards and smooth snakes. Too many sites are being lost due to *#$%witted "habitat management" - this is an example of criminal negligence recklessness on a grand scale, and seems like a pretty good test case to make a stand on. Just my ú .02 Cheers, Wolfgang Wolfgang Wüster School of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Bangor http://sbsweb.bangor.ac.uk/~bss166/ |
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Tony Phelps Forum Specialist Joined: 09 Mar 2003 No. of posts: 575 View other posts by Tony Phelps |
Posted: 06 Apr 2004 I got in touch with BBC South Today yesterday and this morning Jay Andrews their enviroment corr. has been in touch, so I guess I will take it from there. Dave, I am sad to hear about Blackheath, I know the site; have you been in touch with anybody? Tell Jim at least and HCT. As Dave says, this type of 'management' is the norm, but it has to stop. All this dreamworld of 'Hardy's Egdon Heath', its not about turning the clock back, its not an historical excersise its, or should be Natural History backed by good research and knowledge of the populations concerned. That knowledge is available, but it is a resource that EN seem reluctant to tap in to. Tony |
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Colin Dunlop Member Joined: 15 Mar 2004 No. of posts: 20 View other posts by Colin Dunlop |
Posted: 06 Apr 2004 please keep us up to date on how you get on... good luck!!! colin |
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Tony Phelps Forum Specialist Joined: 09 Mar 2003 No. of posts: 575 View other posts by Tony Phelps |
Posted: 06 Apr 2004 I have asked Jay Andrews from the BBC to look at the Forum, she can then put things in peespective, she should have also been in touch with Jim at EN. Otherwise if I appear to stand alone then could come across as some eccentric old git! I will also be getting in touch with the Police wildlife liaison officer, not necessarily re possible prosecution, but as he is mainly concerned with urban heath and kids setting fires or riding motorbikes, then if he came and looked it might put things into perspective for him. EN sings from a different hymn sheet, but they also hold the purse strings for various grants re various conservation organisations, so this is why I often find myself standing alone on such occasions. Tony |
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GemmaJF Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 No. of posts: 2090  View other posts by GemmaJF |
Posted: 06 Apr 2004 I haven't commented before but I'm totally appalled by what I have seen in this thread. I wonder now whether or not I should be forming stronger links with EN and the NT at some of my study sites. If I arrived at Hindhead and saw this sort of 'management' I would wonder if any of it was worth it. Tony, please don't let this one drop, I agree with Wolfgang that you have a possible test case here and it needs to be pushed. Gemma Fairchild, Independent Ecological Consultant |
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Tony Phelps Forum Specialist Joined: 09 Mar 2003 No. of posts: 575 View other posts by Tony Phelps |
Posted: 06 Apr 2004 No, I will not let this drop, too many sites, to many dead animals. I have the corpses Wolfgang, also as you saw photographed in situ. Am meeting Police Liaison Officer on site later this week. I think I have to accept that I am very much on my own regardless of the consensus that you have all shown, ah well there goes my OBE. At the end of the day the animals that matter and also my research, which I at least value, and perhaps also my professional integrity. Thanks all for your support Tony |
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Martin Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 87 View other posts by Martin |
Posted: 06 Apr 2004 I would recommend that you write to Margot Wallstrom member of the european commision. Rue de la Loi, 200 - B - 1049 Bruxelles or Wetstratt, 200 - B -1049 Brussel. At the bottom of her letter is a phone number 298 18 99 298 18 00 and email margot.wallstrom@cec.eu.int. i hope that all these addresses and telephone nos are not out of date, as all the correspondance I have dates from the end of December 2000. Hi I just copied the above from an e-mail to me about another site! May be worth a try contacting her or her replacement if this proves to be out of date. Martin. |
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calumma Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2003 No. of posts: 351 View other posts by calumma |
Posted: 06 Apr 2004 I am surprised that nobody from EN or HCT have posted back on the forum about this incident. I am waiting with baited breath for explanations. For those who may contemplate such activities in Kent please know that I would personally pursue a prosecution and endeavour to generate maximum publicity. I have already approached several conservation organisations to discuss unsympathetic management of nature reserves in Kent, but nothing compares to what has been reported here. For a statutory nature conservation organisation to be involved in such activities I find very depressing. I am also absolutely appalled that the National Trust may also be involved. I will ask for their comments. Please do keep us all up to date with developments... Lee Brady Kent Herpetofauna Recorder | Independent Ecological Consultant |
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Tony Phelps Forum Specialist Joined: 09 Mar 2003 No. of posts: 575 View other posts by Tony Phelps |
Posted: 06 Apr 2004 The NT member of staff who actually did the deed is totally despondent and very unhappy, he knows me well and I do not attch blame on him he as working under the auspices of EN Slepe. They actually came out and told him what a good job he had done!! It says something when he has taken my word over there blissful praise!!! I will take this to its bitter end regardless of personal consequences. This will include the catalogue of disasters from past years, many of you have seen the photos. I also have a depresing body count-you see thats what you can do when you know the site and animals intimately. Tony |
- Hartland dust bowl |
