People’s Walk for Wildlife fills London with birdsong

Several dozen people from North Wales were among thousands of placard-waving nature enthusiasts who filled central London with birdsong from their smartphones on Saturday afternoon, supporting The People’s Walk for Wildlife.

The event, organised by TV naturalist Chris Packham , culminated with a Manifesto for Wildlife handed to 10 Downing Street.

This proposes 200 actions to save nature, triggered by the shocking statistic that 56% of species monitored in Britain have declined since 1970.

For me, there were two take-home messages. Firstly, there were many people aged under 30 present, and 15-year old Bella Lack summed up the mood with powerful words from the stage about hers being the generation to turn the tide.

The second is that one of the biggest cheers in Hyde Park went to Martin Lines, chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network , who spoke passionately about how an increasing number of farmers want to save wildlife through their land management.

So often, arguments are framed as a choice between nature and agriculture, when most conservationists I know are strong supporters of keeping farmers on the land to deliver public goods paid by financial support.

What’s around at the moment?

While we marched in London, RSPB Conwy had a rarity weekend, with a showy Spotted Crake, Little Stint, Knot and Short-eared Owl.

Last week’s gales blew two Grey Phalaropes to Porthmadog , two to Pwllheli and one to RSPB Ynys-hir. Leach’s Petrels, Sooty Shearwaters, Black Terns and Long-tailed Skua also passed coastal watchpoints.

A Red-backed Shrike was photographed recently near Erddig Country Park, Wrexham , with a Woodchat Shrike found at Ynys-las on Monday.

A Chough was spotted on Hilbre, at the mouth of the Dee estuary, before flying west towards Point of Ayr.

If anyone sees a Chough in Flintshire , do let me know if it has coloured rings on its legs: [email protected] .

Go birding: Talks, walks and activities in North Wales this week

You can turn up to any of these events unless a phone number to book is provided.

• Wed, Sept 26, 9am-1pm: Farmers’ Market, RSPB Conwy, LL31 9XZ.
• Wed, Sept 26, 10am: Muddy Puddles, activities for toddlers. RSPB Conwy, LL31 9XZ.
• Wed, Sept 26, 10am-3pm: Wild About Mold, bulb planting, Ruthin Road, CH7 1QQ.
• Thu, Sept 27, 9.30am: Ladies birdwatching walk, RSPB Conwy, LL31 9XZ. Bookings: 01352 750118.
• Fri-Sun, Sept 28-30: Artly Sparkly photographic and seaglass jewellery exhibition, RSPB Conwy, LL31 9XZ.
• Sat, Sept 29, 10am-2pm: Wildflower seed collection, Caeau Pen y Clip, Menai Bridge, LL59 5QL.
• Sat, Sept 29, 11am: Guided walk, RSPB Conwy, LL31 9XZ.
• Sat, Sept 29, 11am-3pm: Feathered Friends Food Festival, RSPB Conwy, LL31 9XZ.
• Sun, Sept 30, 11am: Fungus Foray, Erddig Country Park, Wrexham, LL13 7RF.
• Sun, Sept 30, 11am: Under One Rock story-telling and activities for 3-6 year olds, RSPB Conwy, LL31 9XZ.