Feeding the birds. The Mantra of all the Buddhas

In the snow earlier in December, I wrote this mantra and filled it with windfall apples stored as food for the winter thrushes. A peak of 28 blackbirds and a fieldfare visited. In the milder weather since then, the birds have gone elsewhere, hopefully sustained by all that apple pulp.

Have you seen these missing birds?

I am making a somewhat feeble attempt to see 200 uk bird species in 2017. Just half a month to go and I have made it to 192.  I keep a record of this on birdtrack.

My good friend Stuart Ball, also based in Peterborough has seen at least 220 species so I am lagging far behind.

My excuses are that I do most of my birding locally by bike and don't tend to pursue birds found by others. I also live 40 miles or so from the sea and this year have missed out on many seabirds. I did have a trip to Scotland though to see some of the specialities up there.

So will I make it to 200 before the end of December?

If I do, these are 15 of the overwintering species that I might possibly see. Many of these are unlikely but you never know. I am not greedy, half of these would be good. How many of these can you identify?

Images screenshot from the Collins bird guide.

Of course I could start being a twitcher but it's a bit late in the year for that sort of malarkey. Maybe next year or maybe not.

Revisiting a question and answer feature from three years back

in 2014, whilst I was working for the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, I was nominated by the chief exec to feature in Defras in house magazine "60 seconds with" feature.

I have just been looking back at my answers. 

So what has changed? Not much really. From England's performance in the last football world cup it is obvious that I never managed to crack that whole invisibility thing. Two more DEFRA Secretary of States have come and gone in addition to Owen Patterson. "Flange" is no longer my favourite word after someone pointed out it has a rude alternative meaning. Oh I have moved onto retirement though.

Here is the piece - its quite amusing in parts: 

Dave Chambers is a Biodiversity Data Specialist at Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).

What’s the best thing about the town/region your office is located in?

Peterborough doesn’t have a good reputation, but it has great wildlife habitat very close to it, and a marvellous cathedral. It has a big cluster of people working for Environmental Organisations. I like living here.

Are you interested in sports and get to go to any of the events at the Olympics/Paralympics and/or volunteer?

I could say no, but my wife would laugh and highlight the numerous football matches I follow on TV and Radio.

Do you have any hobbies, interests or do any work for charity or do any volunteering work? if so, tell us a little bit about your hobbies.

I am passionate about wildlife especially birds and moths, and make sure I submit all of my records into Recording Schemes. In addition, I spend a quite a bit of time supporting our Local Buddhist Meditation Centre, and lead meditation classes.

Mental Health Day: 12 October Do you know anyone who suffers from dementia or mental health issues and have you had to help out?

Our Buddhist Centre has helped many people with mental health issues to improve their peace of mind.

What was your first ever job?

In the early 80s I spent three months counting trees and mapping open land in Croydon, although I must confess I have never set foot in this Borough. We used black and white aerial photos in pairs to create a 3D image when viewed through a stereoscopic microscope. The team covered the whole of Greater London and worked out land use change from 1971 to 1981.

Who inspires you?

In addition to being inspired by members of my Buddhist Community, I have to say that working with JNCC staff is a constant source of inspiration. There are some amazingly dedicated and talented people working for us.

What do you like most about your job?

The sheer variety of the different types of fascinating data I have to deal with. For example on one day recently I worked on bird trends, threatened lichens and Marine Protected Areas. I even enjoy working with Corporate Planning information – some people regard my enthusiasm for the latter as a bit odd.

What is your favourite place in the world?

The North East Peterborough Gravel Pits. Admittedly somewhat less attractive than say the Great Barrier Reef or a Tuscan hill village, but this is where I do most of my bird watching and exploration by bicycle. Getting to know an area really well gives you a real appreciation of wildlife and how it constantly changes.

Which real people (living or dead) would you most like to invite to dinner?

Owen Patterson and George Monbiot.

What TV show do you never miss?

I am enjoying the new comedy W1A. It lampoons not just the BBC but contemporary workplaces in general, and helps me to see the lighter side of office life.

What motto gets you through life?

“On every new thing there lies already the shadow of annihilation.” – W G Sebald. This may sound a bit bleak but it is a reminder of impermanence.

Who do you follow on Twitter?

JNCC of course (JNCC@JNCC_UK) plus lots of Nature Conservation organisations and amateur naturalists. In particular, staff working for the British Trust for Ornithology are excellent tweeters.

What is your favourite word?

Flange

What is your most embarrassing moment?

When I was a post grad student in London, I went chasing after a Waxwing (a scarce bird at the time) reported to be outside a girls’ school in Wimbledon. Having spent an hour there hanging around the entrance with my binoculars, I subsequently discovered that I had gone to the wrong school.

Tell us a joke

Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

If you were invisible for a day what would you do?

Fly without a ticket to Brazil and help England win the World Cup.

What is your pet hate?

Speaking of pets, I have to single out irresponsible dog owners who let their pooches run amok on Nature Reserves and other bird rich areas. One lady told me that the shore birds enjoyed teasing her dog every day by flying away just in time before the dog could catch them. Unbelievable.

How would you spend a fantasy 24 hours?

Become an enlightened being for a day and help to relieve the suffering of all living beings.

What is the unlikely interest that engages your curiosity?

Moth recording – they are such incredible creatures. The thrill of opening up a moth trap not knowing what lies inside is akin to Christmas – except without the prospect of sprouts.

What's this photo got to do with hen harrier persecution?

This is a photo centred on the handle of our wood burner. What on earth has this to do with the killing of rare birds?

Well, we had a chimney sweep in the other day. We got talking about all sorts of things including birds and the protection of wildlife.

When he opened our stove with the handle, he noticed it had a pronounced squeak. This stopped him in his tracks. "You see, I am a mechanic, and that noise upsets me as much, as the killing of rare birds upsets you."

Without hesitating, he took the handle apart, put some special lubricant on it and now it's totally silent. If only we could solve the hen harrier problem as speedily.

I jokingly complained to him that he should have just left it as it was because "when I heard that handle squeak I knew that the missus had put another log on the fire and that I would not have to interrupt my football viewing". A pathetic attempt on my part to bond with an old school cockney geezer.