Dances With Voles.

[Vaughan]

The BBC Norfolk News website has an article about the new extension to the RSPB reserve at Lakenheath Fen, where a large area of normal farmland was recently acquired to create an area of artificial wetland.  This, according to the reserve manager, has been welcomed by marsh harriers.

The birds, which are of conservation concern, are breeding elsewhere on the reserve and have found the new habitat a rich source of prey.

Marsh harriers are known for their spectacular "sky dancing" courtship routines, in which the males need to show they are able and willing to pass food to the female.

Now there's a lot more vegetation there's a lot more prey items for the marsh harriers to go after, a lot more mammals like voles, water voles and young hares.

 

Hang on a minute??  I seem to remember that the new Herring Bridge in Lowestoft had to be delayed by months, owing to the need to re-locate a vole burrow?

So it would seem that a peaceful life for "Ratty" in Norfolk these days, is a bit of a Postcode Lottery.  Either your protected status is to be respected by being graciously re-housed regardless of expense : or only a few miles away you are taken up from an artificial wetland by a high-end predator with no natural enemies and tossed around the sky in a prolonged aerobatic display before being eaten.

Why is it that the RSPB seem to insist on buggering about with nature?

I am reminded of my good friend Andrew Lees, of Friends Of The Earth;  who saved the Halvergate Marshes and whose epitaph is carved on his grave :

"Who will speak for the butterflies?"