Countryman Diary - February 2011
The weather is, of course, our greatest topic of conversation and probably also the subject we complain about the most. It never seems to satisfy anyone: be it sun, rain, wind or snow and ice, there is always too much or too little, or it arrives at the wrong time.
I reckon that 2010’s weather was terrible but it seems the British wildlife thought differently. Reports are that our mammals, birds and insects largely flourished during a year of more traditional weather with a cold winter and warm, initially dry summer.
Matthew Oates, National Trust nature conservation advisor, tells me: “For the first time in a generation we have experienced a traditional year of weather and our wildlife has mostly responded favourably. A cold winter enabled wildlife to hibernate properly, while a warm spring and early summer created ideal conditions for insects and led to bumper autumn berry crops in our orchards, woods and hedgerows.”
There have probably been more winners than losers, and our native endangered species such as the heath fritillary butterfly on Exmoor, netted carpet moth in Cumbria and puffins on the Farne Islands have all enjoyed a good year.
Despite the late onset of spring, plants and flowers thrived in a riot of colour on National Trust property. It was a good spring and early summer for many flowers, as dry weather meant they were not overgrown by vigorous grasses. Bluebells were remarkably still in flower at the end of May in woodlands as far south-west as Devon, and autumn produced a fantastic colour display and was great for grassland fungi.
“However, after the coldest winter for over thirty years,” Matthew adds, “contrasting summer months across the UK and the winter freeze set to break more records, the extremes of weather patterns within a single year continue to provide a challenge for our wildlife.”
For a month-by-month report of the wildlife on National Trust land visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
The folly of the HS2 rail link
The Government’s revised proposed route for a white elephant — sorry, I mean high-speed rail link (HS2) — between London and Birmingham will be revealed this month. It will not be much different from the route put forward in March 2010 and will do little to reassure communities affected.
This incredibly expensive and environmentally disastrous way of knocking a few minutes off a journey will still cut through some of the most picturesque countryside in Britain, including the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and cause unnecessary disruption and stress — and change the way of life of thousands of country dwellers.
Protests have been raised by many groups, including high profile organisations such as the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and the Countryside Alliance. But despite the Government’s promises of letting residents have their say on local matters, the voices of ordinary people along the route have so far been ignored.
Alice Barnard, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, argues: “Despite rural people being most affected by the proposed HS2 route, communities living in the countryside will see no local benefits.
There are no proposed stations outside London and Birmingham, so high-speed rail travel will be accessible for people living in urban areas but the impact felt by those living in the countryside.
“The proposed route of HS2 will fundamentally alter large sections of the British countryside, hugely affect rural people living along the route and yet will not offer any benefits to those communities. The devastation this route would have on communities must be taken into consideration.
“The Countryside Alliance believes this project needs to be reappraised from an economic, social and environmental perspective. At a time when we are seeing twenty per cent cuts to most departmental budgets, it is certainly not a time to be spending billions of pounds on an unsound project.”
Just by drawing a line on a map, the Government has already blighted thousands of homes and businesses — for what?
I will be very interested to see the spin put on this proposal when the business plan is put forward in March, because most logically-thinking people must surely see the folly and crazy timing of such a scheme.
Animal compassion
Reader John Bland has sent me a disturbing photograph of a stoat caught in a wire trap. The animal was obviously distressed and suffering.
It’s impossible to say how long it had been in the trap, neither is it known if this was a trap set by a farmer or gamekeeper or one laid by a poacher or just some idiot. Whatever, it is not something you want to come across while out on a morning walk, as happened with Mr Bland.
Now I’m not some light-headed townie who looks upon all furry animals as cute and cuddly pets. In its raw state, Nature is very cruel; there’s no sympathy shown by animals when they are seeking out their prey.
But aren’t we humans, at the top of the pecking order, supposed to have developed the brain power to rise above barbaric action?
The sender of the photo proposed to forward his evidence to the authorities and hopefully, if the perpetrator is tracked down and has done anything illegal, he/she will be punished.
Perhaps a night in a man trap would be appropriate … or am I just sinking to their level?
A winter warmer
A reader tells me of an old friend who’s always getting his words mixed up. When they met up for the first time in ages, the friend asked: “Now then, Harry. I haven’t seen you for ages. Have you been inebriating for the winter?”
Competition Winners
John Leece, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Bruce Bramhall, Bradford
Rosie Burnell, Wadbridge, North Cornwall
Thank you to everyone who entered.
Paul Jackson
Editor
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