chough nestbox article 

A chough nestbox, designed by Ecology Matters Director Tony Cross has proved very successful in increasing the Welsh population of this threatened species. Ecology Matters is proud to be supporting this work, which is described in the attached article from ‘BTO News’.

If anybody sees a colour ringed chough, please note the colour combination, and date and place of observation and let us know via the ‘contact us’ feature on this website.

Ecology Matters has started surveys on three large forestry areas in Wales as part of the TAN 8 planning process. These areas were identified for their potential for wind generation and put out to tender by the Forestry Commission. The succesful windfarm companies were announced this year, and Ecology Matters have been chosen as the ecology contractors on three major sites.

The tendering process was very short, as surveys had to start in time for this field season. Ecology Matters were successful in part due to their knowledge of the ecology of the sites. We were able to focus in on the main issues and present a clear research and survey process. We were also able to put together a highly experienced team of field ecologists at short notice.

The whole process from tendering to starting survey took less than two months and we are now very busy in the field getting detailed surveys underway.

Ecology Matters have sponsored a recent survey of the Oman coast which, combined with our Dutch partners’ continued work on Barr al Hikman (see earlier posts), means that the whole of the Oman coast has been covered in one comprehensive survey for the first time. In addition, Ecology Matters coordinated counts by volunteer observers in the United Arab Emirates, resulting in coverage of a large section of the Arabian Coastline. Results are now being written up for publication.

Details below from the BBC - see www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/wildlife/pages/birdsurvey_oman.shtml

and further publicity from Oman - www.omanobserver.com/29/Daily/Local/Local2.htm

Ian Harrison from Aberaeron and Mick Green from Talybont are two ornithologists who undertook a large survey of waterbirds in Oman in January 2008. Ian was an ornithologist in Oman for 20 years until he left in April 2007. Mick is director of Ecology Matters, a company specializing in environmental issues and which is partly sponsoring the expedition. In February 2008 they explained more about the project:

“The three-week survey in January and February will endeavour to count all the wintering waterbirds between the southernmost part of Oman - Dalqut on the border with Yemen - and Musandam on the Straits of Hormuz in the north.The survey is being run under the auspices of the Oman Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs in conjunction with the Oman Bird Group/Environmental Society of Oman and the Ornithological Society of the Middle East and will provide crucial information on birds using the West Asian flyway between west and central Siberia and the Arabian Gulf, southern Arabia and East Africa.It will be the first time ever that such a comprehensive survey has been undertaken.Birds using this flyway need a number of places where they can stop off and feed in order to replenish their food reserves so that they can continue on their long journey.It is therefore very important to obtain data for the tidal creeks and mudflats such as those at Qurum, Shinas, Liwa and Yiti in the north, Duqm, Kahil, Dirif in the centre and Taqah, Mughsayl and Salalah in the south so that they continue to be protected.Large numbers of birds also use Oman’s beaches and seas for food and for roosting - over 70,000 waterbirds (herons, waders, gulls, terns) for example, use the stretch between Nuqdah and Al Ashkarah, which is only a small portion of Oman’s 1,000 kilometre long coastline.Article written by Mick Green and Ian Harrison

A team from Ecology Matters has just returned for the Atlas Mountains in Morocco where they have been continuing survey work on the wintering habitats of the ring ouzel. This is further work in our ring ouzel research programme, looking at all aspects of this declining bird.

Ring ouzels were located at a number of sites, and detailed recording of habitats at these sites, and where no ouzels were found, was undertaken. The results are now being analysed and it is hoped to publish these later this year.

We are also developing the project with our partners at the Marrakech Natural History Museum and will be looking for funding for a larger project in the near future.

Ecology Matters would be interested in receiving records of ring ouzel in Morocco from anybody who visits the area.

Offshore renewable energy is an exciting new development area. However, as with all forms of energy generation, there will be some environmental effects and it is important that these are understood and addressed as the industry develops. Ecology Matters Mick Green has been working on the policy and environmental implications of offshore energy developments for some years. Most recently, working with The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Mick has co-authored a paper summarising the current state of knowledge with regard to cetaceans. The paper was presented to the recent IWC meeting, and the issues raised will be fully debated at the next meeting.

 The paper - Marine Renewable Energy and Cetaceans -  can be downloaded from the IWC website at

http://iwcoffice.org/_documents/sci_com/SC59docs/SC-59-E10.pdf

For more details of our offshore energy and other policy work please contact the office.

The findings of a two year study into the breeding and foraging of Nightjars in upland conifer plantations has recently been published. The project was a collaboration between Ecology Matters Director Tony Cross, Jerry Lewis, the Forestry Commission and Brecknock Wildlife Trust and was funded under CCWs Species Challenge fund. The report can be downloaded below:

Forest Nightjar report PDF

As part of Ecology Matters policy of publishing research results as soon as possible two new papers have been published this month.

Both in the journal ‘Welsh Birds’ the papers details the results of the 2006 Ring Ouzel survey carried out by Ecology Matters (see earlier postings), and the results of research undertaken for CCW on the diet of the Little Owl on Skomer island. This volume of Welsh Birds also contains a short note on independent research on Nightjars carried out by Ecology Matters Director Tony Cross.

The recent British Ecological Sociaety conference supported by Ecology Matters on ‘What are the ecological consequences of wilding as a long term conservation strategy’ recently took place at Gergynog Hall in mid Wales.

With over 50 delegates from afar as Russia and Australia, representing ecologists, conservationisits, statutory bodies and individuals the conference was a huge success. Even torrential rain on the field trip to the Berwyn mountains did not dampen the lively debates and discussions.

 Ecology matters support has continued to provide a report of the meeting which is now available at http://www.wildland-network.org.uk/meetings/gregynog/wn_gregynog_reports.htm

Images from our recent work in the Sultanate of oman (See recent news below) are available on our partners website at www.wiwo.org Click on recent updates

Ecology Matters are pleased to be supporting a conference held by the British Ecological Society, in conjunction with The Wildland Network and Aberystwyth University.

Details of the conference are given below and booking forms can be obtained from Ecology Matters Ltd using the ‘contact us’ facility on this webiste.

British Ecological Society Conservation Ecology Group, in association with the Centre for Integrated Research in the Rural Environment, University of Wales Aberystwyth; The Wildland Network and Ecology Matters Ltd.

Conference.
Gregynog Hall, Montgomeryshire. July 12^th 2007  11.00am – 6pm.
Field visits on July 13^th  9.00 am – 4.00pm

To address the one of the top 100 ecological questions of high policy relevance in the UK

What are the ecological consequences of ‘wilding’ as a long term conservation strategy?

Wilding –  the conservation of sites using only, or largely, natural processes – has moved onto the conservation agenda in recent times. However, while there have been discussions of possibilities for large area conservation, re-introductions and so on, there has been little attempt to discuss the actual ecological implications of this approach. (See www.wildland-network.org.uk for examples) Will ecosystems recover to a previous, richer state, move forward to a new state or simply stagnate and lose some current features? How ‘wild’ can ‘wildling’ be, or will there need to be intervention in systems, at least in establishment phases?
Gregynog Hall is the University of Wales conference centre, near Newtown in mid – Wales. It is set in landscaped grounds and close to potential ‘wild’ areas for the field trips.
Outline agenda: (Final agenda and talk titles to be confirmed)
Each presentation will be around 30 minutes, with plenty of time for questions and discussions.
Introduction – what is ‘wildling’ and questions to be addressed.
Large scale and network approaches to conservation – Frans Vera,  Netherlands.
Reintroducing a large carnivore – how much land do we need? David Hetherington, Caringorms National Park. .
Natural grazing as a management tool – Peter Dennis CIRRE, IRS, Aberystwyth.
Size and connectivity – modelling ecological needs – Chris Thomas. CIRRE, IRS, Aberystwyth
Re-instating ecological processes. – Sarah Dalrymple,  Aberdeen .
Plenary Discussion – have we got anywhere near answering the question? What further work is needed and other questions raised?
  Discussions will continue over Dinner and in the bar!