Ever Decreasing Circles

I have just taken a break for munch and was reading the 2007 edition of "Where To Watch Birds WEST MIDLANDS" (Graham Harrison, Steve Coney, frank Gribble, Helen J. Griffiths, Jim Winsper. Published by Christopher Helm, an imprint of A&C Black Publishers Ltd).

I was pleased to see Smestow Valley was at the top of the list of just 6 areas in the Black Country, mentioned for birding.

But as I read the section covering our Local Nature Reserve I became saddened.

Firstly it mentions that "the outstanding feature (of Smestow Valley)...is the population of Willow Tits, which at around six pairs, is one of the largest in the region". Just 6 years on and we have only occasional sightings of Willow Tit in the valley, and the species no longer breeds here at all.

Just as disturbing is the fact that the publication mentions breeding Northern Lapwing, Skylarks, Tree Sparrows and Yellowhammers at Wightwick Fields. Today, all of these species have retreated from this end of the reserve into South Staffordshire, although singing Yellowhammers and Skylarks can be heard on the border from Castlecroft Bridge. Also vanished, are the Grey Partidges which are mentioned, and only the odd rare encounter with the commoner Red-legged Partridge may be enjoyed. Barn Owls have also now abandoned the reserve, bar rare Winter encounters.

Aside from the above species, the 2007 list for the Smestow Valley remains intact, though there has to be cause for concern for the future status of Kestrel, Little Owl, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper and Reed Bunting.

Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat, have a bare toehold as a Summer visitor to the valley now as well.

Passage migrants; Cuckoo, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear and Spotted Flycatcher all have an ever-decreasing prescence in the Smestow Valley on Spring and Autumn passage.

It is so easy to pass all of this off by saying decline in species is happening all across Britain, so we cannot do anything at local level to prevent it. This is nonsence, as the success of so many schemes mentioned in the "State of Nature" report demonstrates. Nature's whole food-chain is under threat from weaknesses within it and we need to have strong, positive minds in order to turn things around.

The whole of nature is affected, not just birds. Does anyone know what plants, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles or mammals have vanished from the reserve in recent years?

There is hope!!! The vast majority of species mentioned above remain on the valley's yearly sightings list. With good management, these can be attracted back into the valley, through the protection, enhancement or introduction of suitable habitat, where strong eco-systems can be built. These measures will also ensure that no further species become threatened or extinct in what surely is Wolverhampton's jewel and only Local Nature Reserve.

Through the efforts of so many scientists, naturalists and organisations, the U.K. appears busier than ever, trying to protect our natural heritage. However 70% of species remain in rapid decline. More effort, from some yet more decline - something is not right. We have to act as a nation of communities that care for nature and who understand it's fragility.

In it's recent history, this valley provided the template for management of urban parks in this country. Lets try now to show the steel of Black-country folk by setting an example to the rest of the U.K and showing that we have the strength to break the trend of these truly ever-decreasing circles.