We have an insurance policy through the North West Naturalsts' Union. It covers us for field trips etc. Without this cover we would probably have to stop doing organised field outings.

The NWNU treasurer has resigned and is no longer prepared to run the insurance scheme.

If any members or forum readers are prepared to become involved with the administration of this scheme (which I am assured is not onerous), please contact me at secretary@chorleynats.org.uk

Phil Kirk

Introduction of offence of vicarious liability for raptor persecution in England

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Scotland, recognising that those who persecute birds of prey frequently do so at the direction of their employers or others with vested interests, has introduced an offence of vicarious liability, the purpose of which is to bring those parties to justice.

A petition has now been placed on the Government web site which calls on the government to introduce an offence of vicarious liability to bring to justice those who direct or turn a blind eye to raptor persecution in England. As an indication of how bad thing are, in the last year only four pairs of hen harriers successfully reared chicks in England, fourteen peregrine falcon territories failed on grouse moors in Lancs forest of Bowland, and only one successful goshawk nest was recorded in the Derwent Valley, Derbyshire. Current legislation is not enough to deter those who break the law and destroy our heritage; the introduction of vicarious liability would hit those directing the slaughter.

If you agree with this, you can sign the petition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/23089

Forum readers will be sad to hear that Colin Smith died on November 13th.

He was a founder member of the society and arranged all of the speakers for our indoor meetings. Additionally his superb photographs were used time and again for society publications and displays. He was a great supporter of the society. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Our sympathy goes to his wife, Joan, and daughter, Janet.

I haven’t seen anything in this forum about the Chorley Local Development Framework, which surprises me, as large areas of Chorley countryside are proposed to be taken for housing and other development. It may have been discussed by the committee or at evening meetings that I can’t get to.

The area I know most about is Euxton where a large area is to be developed west of Pear Tree Lane for offices and for housing. There is also housing proposed on parts of Chorley Rugby Club and on the field between Dunrobin Drive and the main line railway that slopes down to the River Yarrow.

The last is the one that offers me the greater personal concern as I look out onto it at present and it gives open access to my garden for all sorts of wildlife. It offers a wide variety of habitats with the woodland, the river and its valley with the old mill race alongside, the field itself with two neglected ponds and the suburban gardens. It also provides new opportunities for recreation and conservation and could be an extension of the Yarrow Valley Park across the railway line, one which would offer good views of the impressive railway viaduct and would allow a continuous riverside walk along or close to the Yarrow (although Euxton is so close to the river, there is no riverside footpath passing through it).

At present public consultation into the “preferred Options” for development has just been extended until 18th November – there has been a lot of criticism that the consultations have been ineffective and people have not known that they were happening. If any members want to know more they can find it at the Boroughs website (www.chorley.gov.uk) and by following the path through planning and LDF.

There will be another chance to do something later when the new Development Framework is formally published and open to representations.

I would be interested to know if Chorley Naturalists has any relevant data for these sites that might be helpful in resisting them

For anyone who is interested in survey work, a km square has become available at Rivington for the BTO's Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). The square in question is SD6415 and is by the side of the Rivington to Belmont Road just above Lower House car park. The survey involves three visits - one to record the habitat and then an early and late visit during the breeding season to record all species encountered along two transects across the square. The survey should be completed in under two hours.
Judith Smith is the BTO's Regional Organiser for the square. If anyone is interested, please send me a pm and I will let you have Judith's contact details.