Hawfinches at Sizergh Castle HELP please.

[FUDGEY]

I am hoping I can get some advice here as I have just read this in my mail " Appalled to see they are at present building the the kids play area under
the feeding grounds of the Hawfinch! All they can say is as a compromise,
they will put no surface down and the play area is much smaller... How many
Acres of land do they own, so why put it there!!! Doesn't make sence! Once
again the public being put first and wildlife second...don't be surprised if
the Hawfinch now disappear to a new feeding area! if there is one!.
Is there anything that states this is wanton Disturbance of a rare bird!"
For those of you that are not familiar with this place the spot they are building this play area is a patch of grass under several trees that is about 20 metres long and 10 metres wide. This is the only known place that the Hawfinches come to ground regularly to feed and with out doubt one if not the best place in the UK for viewing them at close quarters. I believe it is the National Trust that own this land and where I need help is who or where do I call to try stop this? Is it the National Trust, RSPB or both? It probably isnt illegal, but surely common sense must be seen here. They have 1000s of acres to build a play arae and I cant understand why they have chosen here. I would be very grateful if others would complain once we have a contact to complain to. Even if you have no connection it would mean a lot to me and many others if this gets stopped. Please if you can help in any way I will be o grateful. I am not to clued up on how to complain about these things. Thanks so much for reading this.

[The Woodman]

The RSPB have nothing to do with Sizergh.

Speak to the NT at

The Hollens
Grasmere
Ambleside
Cumbria
LA22 9QZ

Tel:
0870 609 5391
Fax:
015394 35353

[FUDGEY]

Thanks for the quick reply and contact mate, that is brilliant. I was wondering if it would be better if the RSPB also contacted them to Woodman?

[The Woodman]

The NT have a very good ecologist working out of that office. It might be an idea to have a word with the NT first to establish what exactly is proposed and what steps they are going to take to mitigate for any potential loss of Hawfinch feeding area. I would be very surprised if it hasn't been addressed.

One aspect that I'm not sure about is the feeding area - is this just an area that has developed due to the seed scattering activities of those who like to see the finches? i.e. entirely unnatural. Good luck.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Without knowing the area. it isn't illegal, but it would make sense to site the play area elsewhere if possible. Very difficult to mitigate a feeding area unless the birds can be actively encouraged to feed at another seeded site, though I guess this could be prohibitively expensive and knowing Hawfinches it may well not work. From personal experience, the NT don't always exactly cover themselves in glory when it comes to nature conservation. At a site local to me they have flattened a large area of scrub where Nightingales are famously know to breed and have also cleared a wintering ground for Hawfinches, in the name of grassland conservation, which is of lesser importance to the other habitats present.
Anyhow, I hope you are able to get them to see sense and look forward to hearing how you get on.

Are the trees around the area Hornbeams?

Cheers,

Adam

[FUDGEY]

Ty again guys, firstly there are Hornbeams Adam and also Beech. I have contacted the RSPB in North England and they were aware of the situation. At first before they knew the facts they were alarmed to, but they now feel that disturbance will be minimal as the birds are usually there early morning or later on when no kids will be about. Still seems barmy to me to put it there when there are 100s of acres to choose from. Looks like we will have to grin and bare it. Once again thank you so much for help.

[FUDGEY]

Forgot to say that the NT must have some right loons on board doing that Adam. How frustrating that must be.