Conservation and voluntary work
The DBC conservation team consists of:
Conservation Officer - John Olley;
Assistant Conservation officer - Steve Skelton;
and volunteers!
The main roles are:
- Respond to ecological and environmental consultant requests for ornithological research and data.
- Support the project and survey group.
- Liaison and advocacy work.
- Co-ordination of volunteers.
- Advice and support to landowners and environmental organisations.
- Features and articles for the Club Bulletin.
- Conservation grant scheme.
- Networking.
- Guided walks programme.
- Supporting the Durham Upland Bird Study Group
- Supporting the DBAP.
- School and education support.
- Nest box schemes.
- Mid-Wear website and database coordination.
- Support and advice to community groups.
Here is a brief overview of the current conservation projects in the county:
Mid-Wear Wetlands
Research and monitoring of birds along the river its wetlands and farmland
Nest box and ringing schemes
Wetland creation
Landowner advice and liaison
Advocacy and support for conservation organisations.
Click here for a more detailed look at
this area.
Bishop Middleham Wetlands
Research and monitoring of birds across the catchment area wetlands and
farmland.
Nest box and ringing scheme
Wetland creation
Advice and liaison to farmers and DEFRA
Support and advice to the local community group
Click here for a more detailed look at
this area.
Grant Scheme Support
Barmston Pond - control of marginal vegetation to create muddy margins
for waders.
Brandon Infant School - development of feeding station for outdoor
classroom activities.
Hamsterley Forest - Spotted Flycatcher Trail.
St. Johns Chapel School - feeders and food for the school feeding
tables.
St. Johns Chapel School - purchase of binoculars
Page Bank Wildlife Group - development of ponds, meadows, hedgerows,
feeding station and nest box scheme.
Clara Vale - wetland project
Morley Farm - pond and meadow project
Whitburn Coastal Park - wetland project
Rainton Meadows - Durham Wildlife Trust tern raft
Bede Primary School - wildlife Garden
Kibblesworth - bird feeding station
INCA Little Tern wardening
Durham Upland Bird Study Group Support
Common Buzzard - survey and monitoring
Hen Harrier Monitoring
Reports and sightings of key upland species
Durham Biodiversity Action Plan (key species)
The species below are supported by the club in carrying out research, recording and survey work. Reports and actions are delivered to the DBAP to deliver key targets.
Spotted Flycatcher
Corn Bunting
Reed Bunting
Black Grouse
Grey Partridge
Skylark
Song Thrush
Hen Harrier
Lapwing
Roseate Tern
Reed Bunting (© M Newsome)
Grey Partridge (© I Forrest)
Stewardship Schemes
Within the last year (2004 - 2005), the conservation team has been very active in developing links with the Rural Development Service (RDS) the organization assigned to develop and implement the new Stewardship Scheme. With the club having a large amount of knowledge of the status of birds over the farmed area over the county, it is in a position to advise and support the RDS and farmers of the distribution and populations of key species.
From 2006, the conservation team is setting up important projects with farmers at Sharperley, Murton and Burdon, with the emphasis of support from club members and the voluntary task force. We are still working with farmers within the Bishop Middleham and the Mid Wear areas, again supporting them through the new volunteer task force.
The two farmland species that the RDS has targeted for the Higher Level Stewardship within the Durham area are Tree Sparrow and Corn Bunting. Both have core populations in the above areas, so targeting and involving farms over these catchments is especially important.
Hedleyhope Fell
The Durham Wildlife Trust produce a regular newsletter about this vitally important upland site. Click here if you would like to read it.
Osprey platform project
The well established and increasing Osprey population in Scotland and parts of England and Wales has prompt the Club to look the possibility of nesting platforms at strategic sites. Northumbrian Water and Forest Enterprise have been approached and have responded positively.
The Osprey has been a regular autumn passage bird over the county with summering birds in some years. In 2003 a bird fished the river wear near Black Bank for a short time and the most recent sighting was along the river Wear near Low Barns Nature Reserve from the 20th to the 23rd of September 2004. Birds were also located in the Frosterley and Waskerley areas during 2005.
A way forward hopefully within the coming months will be developed with the Club Conservation team and interested parties. Sites will need to be examined but with a number of good wetlands in the County and with a little financial support we may have this fantastic fisherman joining the Red Kite as a new breeding raptor on the Durham list.
Update 2006: Funding for the project is in being looked at and sites have been located.
Voluntary activities
Many of the Durham Bird Club projects and conservation efforts would not be possible without the help and goodwill of club members and other like-minded people. Voluntary effort is essential if we are to keep and improve our local habitats for birds and other wildlife.
Conservation Grants
A proportion of the club's money (i.e. your membership fees) is given to good conservation causes in the county. Winter feeding stations, nestbox schemes, habitat improvement - all these are areas which have received money in recent years. Maybe you know of somewhere near you which could benefit? Maybe there's a population of Tree Sparrows which need nest boxes, or a flock of wintering Corn Buntings in need of assistant.
To apply for a conservation grant, we obviously need details from you of what the money is intended for and what the benefits will be.
Click here for the
application form to complete and send to the DBC Secretary.
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