I have just returned from holiday to be told by RSPB that someone has been out in front of our Jeff Youngs hide at Dorman's Pool and painted the fence posts in bright garish colours. This can not be tolerated, it is at least vandalism and could be classed as criminal damage.
Dorman's Pool is owned and run by RSPB as part of the Saltholme Reserve and no one has the right to just go on and do as they like. If you see anyone doing such things please contact me or the RSPB so that any necessary action can be taken.
If someone just thought that it would be a good idea as reference points then this should have been forwarded as an idea to myself or some other committee member to be brought up with the RSPB and not just done.
I can be contacted on davenelson.tbc@gmail.com
Always a believer in the conspiracy theory, the exercise could be bizarre attempt to discourage photography from the hide by creating a garish background to what ever bird is being snapped, and so perhaps preventing the small seating capacity being filled with photographers. Or of course it is just mindless vandalism!
Are the RSPB taking this up with their members as I would expect this to have been done by one of them rather than a TBC member? I do not like the way the above implies they think we are a club of vandals and they think we are responsible for everything bad that happens.
I assume you are only a contact for us? I tried contacting the RSPB salthholme twice recently about things and never got a reply about either. I therefore wonder if this is also in there inbox but they have not bothered replying to the suggester........
Hi Jamie. My original posting does not imply anything, it was posted to let people know what had happened and to ask for help in spotting such acts. This is the only place that I can reach a wide audience, not only TBC Members read this site.
Neither RSPB nor myself think of TBC Members as vandals, just this one person, whoever they are.
Yes I am a contact between the club and RSPB and if you would e'mail me with the things you asked them I will take them up and get back to you. Any member can do this through me.
Hi Dave,
thanks. The two things I messaged them about were a suggestion that they shorten or move the dormans sign which was 2 weeks before someone took it on themselves to alter it and the second was about hunting on Cowpen which you dealt with separately thanks.
I think the way I failed to get a reply about either point is very disappointing and would have expected more of them. If they had just said something like they were looking into changing to Dormans sign to people then perhaps someone would not have taken it upon themselves to alter it.
I think not even replying to the issue on hunting on Cowpen is even worse. I now assume that reporting any possible illegal activity to them is just a waste of time as they will do nothing. Its a pity they cant talk to birders directly rather than you having to prod them to respond to messages