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SUMMER 1990 NUMBER 41
EDITORIAL
This year seems to be flying by - perhaps it's
because the seasons have tended to merge into
each other in recent years, regularly producing
new weather records. This spring is quoted as
being the driest for over ninety years!
The changing weather pattern has affected some
of the tree species locally, causing them to
produce and drop seed earlier than usual. The
Horse Chestnut, especially, has produced small
'Conkers' which are falling in June.
Most birds are nesting successfully, but the
situation regarding wildlife and litter -
particularly fishing line and hooks — gives
rise to grave concern (locally at least).
Plastic bottles can trap small mammals and
plastic loops which hold cans together are a
danger to ducks which become entangled in
them. The greatest danger to ducks, geese and
swans is fishing line and hooks. The fishing
season is less than two weeks old and I
personally know of the deaths of coot, moorhen
arid probably a cygnet. There have also been
quite a few incidents of line caught on or in
birds. Some can be removed or released on the
lakeside, but others have to be taken away for
treatment. Swans are still suffering and in
some cases dying from lead poisoning because of
their need to take grit from the lake or river
to aid their digestion. Even though lead is
banned there is still years," worth in the silt