Oct 26 Combined JW - Flipbook - Page 36
Hayling Herald
Gunner Point Ringed Plover Project
Helene Maziere, RSPB Field Officer
THIS year at Gunner Point, a total of eight ringed plover nests were
recorded over the course of the breeding season.
The first nest was discovered on April 13th, while the last was found on
July 10th.
This final nest was certainly a relay – it is quite common for ringed
plovers to lay a second or even a third clutch of eggs, whether their first
attempt has been successful or not. Of the eight nests recorded, only one
was located inside the protected enclosure.
It is a shame that ringed plovers cannot read, otherwise, they would
know that the enclosure offers them a much safer place to raise their
young, away from some of the dangers they face on the beach.
A protective cage (see photo) was installed over one of the nests found
outside the enclosure. These specially designed cages allow the adult ringed
plovers to come and go freely, while protecting the eggs from being accidentally stepped on and from predators such as crows and foxes.
However, even these cages have their limits. Once the chicks hatch and
begin to roam beyond the protection of the cage, they are once again vulnerable to predators, which is what happened in this case.
Of the eight nests at Gunner Point, only three hatched. In total, nine
chicks emerged from those nests, but only three survived long enough to
take their first flight.
In summary, it has been a tough year for ringed plovers at Gunner Point.
Alongside the threat from predators and the potential disturbance on the
beach, it is also likely they suffered as a result of the extraordinary heat.
There is, however, some more encouraging news from elsewhere in the
Solent. The RSPB reserves at Medmerry and Pagham Harbour had a particularly successful season, producing a combined total of 42 ringed plover
fledglings. This is a very encouraging result for the species as a whole in the
region.
There is no way of knowing yet how the ringed plovers at Gunner Point
will do next year. What we do know is that the Ringed Plover Project team
will continue their hard work, doing everything they can to give these endangered birds the best possible chance of successfully raising their young.
For this small, beach-nesting bird, every fledgling counts.
Gun clubs revive old tradition
By Philip Gooch
THE Gales inter-pub clay
shoot, which had run for
many years, dwindled away
when the brewer was taken
over by Fullers, and stopped
completely The Maypole pub
closed.
It was a great loss because it
raised funds for the Community First Responders.
Steve Adams resolved that
it should be brought back and
set about recruiting teams. A
venue was booked when Simon
Walters agreed to the free use
of his farm. Insurance was
arranged and a police permit
obtained.
The south Hayling Gun
Club (The Gentlemen) and the
North Hayling Gun Club (The
Hooligans) laboured hard and
set up the traps and stands and
spent the day trapping and
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scoring and a lot of time afterwards clearing up.
As first responders were
to benefit again they quickly
dispatched three members to
assist with registration, issuing
score cards and selling an enormous number of raffle tickets.
The shooters were greeted with a bacon butty and a
hot drink and rewarded after
shooting with a burger lunch.
With the scores scrutinised
Steve presented trophies to the
top three shooters, top lady
shooter the top three teams
and the wooden spoon. There
followed a very long raffle as
the shooters had supplied over
50 prizes.
We had expected to raise
around £1,000 but were astonished to find we had topped
£2,500 which will be presented
to First Responders.
