tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699498022364463633.post8005221628999002297..comments2023-12-21T23:17:51.728+00:00Comments on St Margaret's at Cliffe Photo Diary: Pocket sized AssassinTony Morrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01516463619239374331noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699498022364463633.post-34380986145828881452010-04-16T20:37:02.174+01:002010-04-16T20:37:02.174+01:00The RSPB owes her a debt of gratitude.The RSPB owes her a debt of gratitude.Tony Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01516463619239374331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699498022364463633.post-65608005044652005742010-04-16T19:30:42.871+01:002010-04-16T19:30:42.871+01:00Intellectual, probably not, in fact I remember the...Intellectual, probably not, in fact I remember the kid who came top in the biology exam being a bit put out that I had been given the prize instead of him. I think the teacher wanted to reward and encourage my obsessive interest in wildlife which was very good of her.Bullofthe Boghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14227993046337262102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699498022364463633.post-13173903520369832032010-04-15T22:49:32.726+01:002010-04-15T22:49:32.726+01:00Thanks for that Steve, I'd forgotten the Skome...Thanks for that Steve, I'd forgotten the Skomer problem. Well done with the book prize, I always knew you had a hidden intellectual side.<br />TonyTony Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01516463619239374331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699498022364463633.post-44186122229793881862010-04-15T22:36:50.193+01:002010-04-15T22:36:50.193+01:00Great pics Tony, particularly #1Great pics Tony, particularly #1Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699498022364463633.post-73153213806837888712010-04-15T21:32:25.821+01:002010-04-15T21:32:25.821+01:00Hi
A useful source of information on this and oth...Hi<br /><br />A useful source of information on this and other introductions to the UK is "The Naturalised Animals of the British Isles" by Christopher Lever. I have a 1977 editin which contains my Lower School Biology Prize certificate [I bought the book with the book token I won]<br /><br />The first UK introductions were in 1842 by an eccentric Yorkshire squire Charles Waterton of Walton Hall.<br /><br />These were followed up in the 1870s by Leiutenant Colonel EGB Meade-Waldo, who explicitly stated that his purpose was "to rid belfries of sparrows and bats, and fields of mice".<br /><br />I can think of one instance in the UK where Little Owls have had a negative effect and that is on Skomer where they made heavy inroads into nesting Storm Petrels until being relocated on the mainland.<br /><br />As an aside I have seen very few this Spring compared to previous years I wonder if the hard winter has knocked them back, at least in North Norfolk where I live?Bullofthe Boghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14227993046337262102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699498022364463633.post-58906936543098229482010-04-15T19:35:22.996+01:002010-04-15T19:35:22.996+01:00Tina, I can't really. Many things were done th...Tina, I can't really. Many things were done then that wouldn't be done now, Skylarks on Vancouver Island for instance. Presumably because they are so endearing various people wanted to add them to our avifauna. Fortunately the Little Owl really doesn't seem to have a major affect on the balance in the ecosystem, unlike that destructive little beast the Grey Squirrel which really does have an affect on the population of our woodland birds.Tony Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01516463619239374331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1699498022364463633.post-82191118662595930412010-04-15T18:18:18.448+01:002010-04-15T18:18:18.448+01:00Tony - Can you explain the reasoning behind the 19...Tony - Can you explain the reasoning behind the 19th Little Owl introduction? I'm so used to hearing about owls and raptors being wiped out, it's interesting to hear about a deliberate introduction at that time. Thanks!<br /><br />Tina <br />San Antonio, TexasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com