Royal Mail Stamps, Endangered Mammals and Conservation in London – all in one blog!

Conservation and rescue efforts are helping several of the animals featured on Royal Mail’s set of ten Mammals stamps issued on 13 April. They include otters, water voles, hedgehogs and bats.

“Mammals” is Royal Mail’s fourth Action for Species stamps series. It turns the spotlight on the UK’s mammal population and their struggle for survival in a changing world.

All 10 featured mammals, including the seemingly prevalent hedgehog, are the subject of conservation programmes. Their decline has caused by pollution, the growth in roads and housing developments, and in some cases, the introduction of non-native species. The UK has become increasingly aware of the threats to our mammal populations. Many now benefit from legal protection including otters, bats, polecats and since 2008 water voles too. Together with active conservation measures endangered mammals are showing encouraging signs of recovery.
By 1990 water vole populations had declined by 90 per cent. This was one of the most rapid and dramatic declines of any British wild mammal and occurred across the country. This huge decline over the last 50 years has been due to damage caused to riversides and predation by the American mink – a species that was introduced to this country for its fur. Nowadays, though, mink control and improved management of waterside habitats are encouraging their survival.

The Biodiversity Action Plan for London includes the water vole as a key species. The London Wildlife Trust's Water Vole Project started in March 2001 and is dedicated to the conservation of this species throughout Greater London. This project has had initial success and has contributed to London being a stronghold for this rare mammal.

In Greater London water vole distribution is sparse, however the project has identified a number of important locations where water voles still thrive. The most significant populations can be found in dykes in the marshes at Rainham and Crayford to the east of London. Other healthy populations live on rivers such as the Ingrebourne and Beam in the Havering area, the Crane, Colne and Frays in West London and waterways in the Lea Valley, North London.

The RSPB Reserve at Rainham, Wennington and Aveley Marshes is a key national site for the water vole. A united effort between the London Wildlife Trust and RSPB Rainham has helped to arrest the decline of the water vole population at Rainham.

In 2001, 147 voles bred in captivity at Wildwood, Kent were released by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) at their wetland centre in Barnes. Two further releases were subsequently carried out in order to mimic a natural immigration and diversify the gene pool. The water vole population at the London Wetland Centre has expanded successfully and the ultimate aim is to connect this population with others across London to ensure the species’ long-term survival in the region.

London Wildlife Trust’s London Water Vole Project also involves working with landowners, developers and relevant authorities throughout London to protect, enhance or create water-side habitat where water voles are living. Education is also important to help people recognise differences between water voles and rats to avoid the accidental destruction of colonies through pest control.

Otters, also featured on a stamp, are a rare site in London because of farming chemical seepage and road and housing developments. However during water vole surveys the London Wildlife Trust has found recent evidence of an otter at the River Wraysbury at Harmondsworth Moor, near Heathrow and at Denham Lock Woods, on the River Colne, Denham. The only two other fairly recent sightings in London were at Redbridge in 2002 and Enfield in 2003.

Featured on the new Royal Mail stamps are two types of bat; the brown long-eared bat and greater horseshoe bat. Over the last 50 years, Britain’s bats have suffered severely from disturbance to vital breeding and hibernating places as well as from a lack of insect food caused by changes in land management and pesticides.

Conservation efforts to protect and increase roosting sites, appropriate habitat management and raising public awareness are helping to stabilise and increase bat numbers. Bats can be seen in all of the London Boroughs, especially the tiny pipistrelle which manages to hang on even in the more built up areas of central London.

The sculptural Berkeley bat house opened last year at WWT’s London Wetland Centre in Barnes. The architects, Jorgen Tandberg and Yo Murata were chosen from an open competition to design a building of aesthetic and environmental excellence, using sustainable materials, which offers a home to bats and an educational visitor attraction for people.

The bat house offers a dry roosting area for pipistrelles and a damper area underneath the building for Daubenton’s bats - the species also known as the water bat – which only roost above water. Water is crucial for providing food for bats. The London Wetland Centre is important for the number of different bat species found there and also for the sheer number of soprano pipistrelles – the newest species of mammal to be identified in the UK.

More than 100 local ‘bat groups’ have been formed throughout Britain. These groups assist with the monitoring of existing bat colonies and the discovery and protection of new ones. Special bat boxes have been put up to provide secure roosting sites. Underground hibernation sites, including caves and old mine tunnels, are also being protected from disturbances by fitting steel grilles over the entrance. These activities are all co-ordinated by the Bat Conservation Trust, which runs various projects and initiatives, as well as operating the National Bat Helpline.

Many people do not realise that hedgehogs are in significant decline which is why that mammal is also featured on the stamps and has been included in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. The number of urban hedgehogs is falling with more gardens covered over for parking, or flower beds and lawns replaced with low maintenance decking and patios, and with every green space that is developed for housing or commercial use. Urban hedgehogs have fewer places to forage, and their routes are blocked by fences, new and busier roads and denser housing.

So as you place your stamp on your next letter – appreciate the beauty of the wildlife pictured and the need to ensure we don’t lose these mammals for ever.


You can hear interviews with many of the UKs leading conservation organisations on PASSION for the PLANET

Can golf courses help save threatened birds?

Environmentally friendly and rich in biodiversity are not phrases you often hear associated with golf course.

However they could be ideal places to provide sanctuaries for threatened birds and other wildlife.

In the past golf courses have been criticised by green groups for excessive water, pesticide and fertiliser use but a new joint publication, Birds and Golf Courses: A Guide to Habitat Management, marks a change in attitude by the industry.

The good news is there are golf courses across the UK, where wildlife friendly measures have been a success. Every golf course has the potential to be a sanctuary for wildlife, and to provide an important stepping stone for birds and other animals whose habitat is under threat.

The emphasis now is on encouraging more clubs to do their bit to help protect birds and other wildlife. For example planting native plants like heather and creating reed beds and hay meadows as well as reducing pesticide and fertiliser use can all make a big difference to birds like skylarks, woodlarks, and corn buntings.

Across the UK there is 140,000 hectares of rough and out-of-bounds areas on golf courses which could be managed for wildlife. This is the same sized area covered by all the RSPB’s UK nature reserves!

It’s good to know that there has been a growing awareness over the past decade or so that courses need to do more for wildlife. While there are some green-keepers who still put more water and pesticides on their courses than the environment can stomach, there are many golf clubs that are managing habitats for wildlife on their land.

One golf course owner who is blazing a trail for wildlife is Paul Stevenson, from New Malton Golf Club in Hertfordshire. As well as cutting down on chemical and water use he has used the 40 hectares of out-of-bounds areas on his course to create habitats for birds and other animals.

So next time you are out for a round, take a look around you and see what wildlife is watching the play. And if there isn’t any – ask the club to make their greens more welcoming.

Sharing Nest Boxes

I saw this story today and thought it was just soooo cute!

From the RSPB:

Renting out one of your rooms or moving in with friends are options that many people have taken during the recession but it seems some wildlife has had the same idea.

At the time of year when we're urging people to put up nestboxes ready for next spring, a surprising number of unusual shared occupancies have come to light.

Our wildlife enquiries team has been encouraging callers to clean out existing nestboxes and to put new ones in position so they are in place for when birds start to 'recce' possible nest sites in the spring.

Some birds will start to roost in them in the next few weeks as the weather turns colder too.
And the number of extraordinary reports of some species doubling up in nestboxes in recent years has come as quite a surprise.

Barn owl nestboxes seem to attract the most unusual tenants, with reports of the generous bird of prey sharing their nest boxes with birds like jackdaws, kestrels (see image) and stock doves.

Many birds are furiously territorial, especially when raising their young. And callers have reported that some birds sharing a home are constantly harassed when trying to get into their house-share, making it even more bizarre that they should persist.

Other birds that have been spotted nest sharing are blue tits and great tits and both of these species have been seen sharing with pied flycatchers too.

Experts believe one reason for the shared occupancies could include multiple cavities in some nest boxes, leading to the birds fledging from one cavity and returning to roost in the 'wrong hole' that is already occupied.

Another reason could be because they have unwittingly laid their eggs in the active nest of another species.

There may also be a lack of nesting sites in some areas. Many larger birds that nest in holes in trees or in older, undisturbed buildings are having difficulty finding suitable nesting sites, as buildings are knocked down or converted.

Richard James, one of our wildlife advisers says: 'Now is a great time to put up new nestboxes or give old ones a clean ready for the next round of breeding in spring. Long before eggs are actually laid and chicks hatched, the adult birds will start to scope out possible nest sites.

'It's great to hear that people are getting so excited about unusual lodgers and although its quite unusual, it just goes to show you never know quite what you might find in your nest box.
'You could be providing a home for all sorts of strange houseguests!'

If you discover that you have two species sharing a box, you should put up another box elsewhere in the garden for next year. Both species might want to breed in the area again the following year, so adding another box will ensure they have their own space.

Richard says: 'When two species both have young in it will get crowded, so the adults might have to wait their turn. They would both appreciate another box!

'Different species have different nesting requirements, but the general rule of thumb is to position a nestbox so it isn’t easy for predators to get in, and try and face it away from strong sunlight and prevailing winds.'

Visit the RSPB website to find out more.

Is your garden a wildlife heaven or hell?

Many gardens unintentionally contain items that can be hazardous to wildlife.

Every year thousands of birds and other creatures sustain injuries from hazards that could easily be prevented.

Typical problems reported to charities like the RSPB and RSPCA include birds crashing into windows, getting feet and beaks trapped and drowning in water butts, baby birds being abandoned because of hedge cutting and hedgehogs being injured when piles of leaves are swept away.

So what can you do to make your garden safer for wildlife?

Window strikes Thousands of birds fly into windows at this time of year with the sun lower in the sky and clumsy late youngsters around. Window strikes are often fatal. They can be prevented with window stickers that have a scarecrow effect. Garden mirrors can be equally hazardous so sticker them as well if you can.

Loose netting Loose fruit netting and mesh bags containing fat balls can easily trap bird’s feet and beaks and other wildlife like snakes could get caught in them too. Pull netting over fruit or ponds taught and remove fat balls from bags.

Hedge cutting Some late nesting birds stay in their nests long into September and hedge cutting and maintenance can disturb the adults so they abandon their chicks. Worse still, power tools can injure the birds or destroy the nest. Hedge cutting is best left until early October.

Leaf and log piles Many hedgehogs sustain horrific injuries when people clear log piles with rakes and power tools. Some have literally been sliced in half and others have lost legs and noses. So, always clear log piles, especially close to hibernation periods, with extra care and avoid using sharp tools.

Drowning Many birds drown in water butts and steep sided ponds at this time of year as they overstretch and fall in. Put a lid on butts if possible and if building a pond try to create gentle slopes so birds can drink easier and mammals like hedgehogs can get out. Putting in a secure sloping plank of wood can help animals get closer to the water and give them an easy, safe exit route.

Feeders Poor quality bird feeders are responsible for hundreds of birds getting trapped and being unable to escape, as well as squirrels. Feet get caught in cheap wire netting round the outside and some birds can even get their heads caught in the hole the food comes out. Make sure you check for any loose bits of wire and choose a feeder made from sturdy materials. Always opt for a feeder with a lid so birds don’t try and access food from the top and get stuck that way.

Slug pellets Some slug pellets can pose a threat to wildlife if used excessively. If birds or hedgehogs eat the slugs and snails that have been tempted by Metaldehyde pellets, this chemical can accumulate inside the unfortunate animal making them very poorly. It is best to use non-toxic control such as beer traps, barriers and hand picking.

These are just a few easy ways in which you can ensure your garden or allotment is a wildlife heaven, not a wildlife hell.