British Waterways need a slap

Walwyn · #1 (**permalink**) 23-08-2007, 08:30 PM

One of my favourite sites is Napton Reservoir. A feed reservoir for the Oxford Canal which has a small SSSI along two sides of it. The reservoir is raised above the meadows by about 15 feet, giving a large slopping bank problem around three sides.

Each year British Waterways mow the banks in early June and late August.

Last year after complaints they left a strip uncut all around the site but not this year as you can see. Slowly the site has recovered over the weeks, but there has been depressingly little activity since the June scalping, both Common Blue and Blue-tail Damselflies are well down, precious few Red-eyed, and Large Red, a handful of Black-tailed Skimmers, no Emperor, no Four Spotted Chasers, and yes I know its been a horrid year but even so.

Then two weeks ago I photographed this on the site:

this evening I returned to see if there were any more about, only to find the banks have been scalped again. I didn't bother to get out of the car.

Pete Collins · #2 (**permalink**) 25-08-2007, 08:27 PM

What a depressing story. Surely if they have to cut the banks they could leave a reasonable strip to benefit wildlife.

RobSutton · #3 (**permalink**) 25-08-2007, 09:34 PM

Surely it should be easy for them to delay cutting until after the end of the summer? Stunning butterfly photo by the way.

Pete Collins · #4 (**permalink**) 25-08-2007, 09:41 PM

Yes, I meant to say that's a great photo as well!

glsammy · #5 (**permalink**) 25-08-2007, 10:11 PM

Mindless work is very common. The site where I've seen Spotted Flycatchers has a ditch nearby which has just been cleared, taking with it at least one Kingfisher nest, which I was told had a nesting pair.

This was their third attempt to raise young, they lost two with the floods on the Trent, now the third and possibly the last for this year is ruined by whoever is responsible for sending in that digger. What's the point of giving a bird special protection, when authorities can simply come in and destroy what they like?

glsammy · #6 (**permalink**) 25-08-2007, 10:13 PM

Oh, I forgot to say what a superb shot!

Deer Stalker · #7 (**permalink**) 25-08-2007, 10:14 PM

Destroying a Kingfishers nest is against the law.

Do you know if they were definatley breeding Graham?

glsammy · #8 (**permalink**) 25-08-2007, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deer Stalker

Destroying a Kingfishers nest is against the law.

Do you know if they were definatley breeding Graham?

I can only go on what I was told, that is the nest was being used. I know residents nearby have protested about it, but at the end of the day the birds have gone, that's the sad part. The law says I can't take a picture of them, but waterway workers can decimate the entire nest.