GOS Dipper

The first GOS meeting of the new decade will have a fresh feel to it, with attendees hearing details of personnel changes – along with a talk from the new CEO of Gwent Wildlife Trust.

As well as announcements of ‘retirements’ and replacements, the new man at the helm of GWT, Richard Park, will outline his vision for the future of the Trust.

The AGM will be held at Goytre Village Hall on Saturday, January 16, 2010, starting at 7.30pm.

The Hamar Bursary for 2009 was awarded to Jerry Lewis for his work on attracting Hawfinch to the woods in the Wye Valley, and the 2010 Bursary has been awarded to Steve Williams for his Pied Flycatcher nestbox project.

The treasurer has projected expenditure over the next few years and will propose that the annual subscription should increase by £3pa from January 2011 to seniors/juniors - £12, adults - £15,family - £18. Proposer - Keith Roylance, seconder - Dave Brassey.

The post of vice-chairman still stands vacant. The expectation is that the vice-chairman will succeed the chairman when Dave retires by rotation in a few years’ time.

Field secretary Luke Phillips had to resign following his appointment with the RSPB in Weymouth earlier in the year. Steve Butler kindly came out of ‘retirement’ to organise the 2010 outdoor programme and will groom Craig Constance to take on the role from 2011.

Report editors Verity Picken and Chris Field are standing down after four relentless years of producing four increasingly professional looking annual reports. John Coleman has bravely volunteered to step into their shoes, and they have promised to give him any help and support that he may require.

Trevor Russell will give up the role of indoor programme organiser and Rob Parsons has volunteered to replace him. Rob has already prepared the 2010 indoor programme and will simply need to be elected into his role.

Verity, Chris and Chris Hatch have all agreed to be elected as committee members, though more are needed - so please submit your name for nomination.

Both proposer and seconder should sign nominations with the agreement of the nominee, or e-mail them to me at trevor.russell7@virgin.net with details. Nominations must be received by January 1, 2010. In the event that any seat is contested, selection will be made by a show of hands at the AGM.

The AGM will be followed by a finger buffet. The trick here is to bring some finger food of your own to be shared by everyone, but then select something that looks far more appetising than your own offering!

The Dipper readers might have noticed mystery surrounding the article in the last newsletter about the White Wagtail. A technical glitch meant that half the article disappeared during the edit – apologies for baffling you!

To recap, Roger Price told us about his photograph of a White Wagtail, colour ringed on both legs, taken at SF (Sluice Farm) After details were sent to the BTO, the Slapton Lee (Devon) bird ringing group had contacted Roger to say that there were three groups dedicated to ringing Pied/White Wagtails in the UK. In addition to the Slapton group, they also ring at Abbotsbury in Dorset and East Kilbride in Scotland. Because this bird had its aluminium ring on the right leg, it meant that it was ringed in East Kilbride.

Alfred Russell Wallace Al Venables

Does the ornithologist, born in Usk, have a better claim than Darwin to be the originator of the theory of evolution by natural selection?

Some readers may remember the excellent talk on the subject of Alfred Wallace given at Goytre a few years ago by our former Chairman, Alan Williams. Since then, there has been some revival of the controversy concerning the relative roles of Wallace and Charles Darwin in the formulation of the theory of evolution (see the recent book The Darwin Conspiracy by Roy Davies). So with this in mind, it is worth revisiting the career of this eminent - but often overlooked - biologist.

Darwin’s story

Everyone has heard of Darwin and knows he was the first to understand the production of new species by evolution. Few, however, have heard of Wallace - and those who have will repeat the conventional story which runs along the following lines. In 1936, Darwin returned from a five-year voyage of exploration on the The Beagle, during which he had spent much time studying geology and wildlife in South America and other locations including the Galapagos Islands. This experience set him thinking about the evolution of species and by 1844, he had the basis of a theory, which he wrote in manuscript but did not publish.

For the next 14 years he worked tirelessly on the elaboration of his theory, studying specimens sent to him from around the world and becoming an expert on the variations in domestic animals, particularly pigeons. However, he still failed to publish it, and - apart from an outline sent to Dr Asa Gray in 1857 - also failed to show his friends a complete account of it.

Then in 1858, Darwin received a letter from Alfred Wallace, a specimen collector working in the East Indies. During a bad bout of malaria, Wallace had suddenly thought of a theory of evolution by natural selection that was essentially the same as Darwin’s and asked Darwin to pass it to Dr Charles Lyell for publication. After consulting with his friends, Darwin hastily produced a publishable account of his own theory, and both authors had their papers presented at a meeting of the Linnaean Society later that year.

The resulting theory of evolution was initially known as the Darwin/Wallace theory, but Wallace’s name was soon dropped, and Darwin failed to give him so much as a mention in the first edition of his Origin of Species. This tends to be regarded as a fair outcome, as Darwin had spent 20 years working out his theory - whereas Wallace had just happened think of it out of the blue, so to speak. This view, however, is inaccurate and grossly underestimates both Wallace’s scientific standing and his role in the development of the theory.

Wallace’s story

Alfred Wallace, a largely self taught surveyor and naturalist, was of humbler origins than Darwin - but with similar curiosity about the origins of living things. He was greatly influenced by the Victorian work on evolution, Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation (1844), which inspired him to seek out the answers to how new species had evolved. With this in mind, he undertook two great collecting and recording expeditions, firstly to the rainforests of Brazil (1848-52) and then to the islands of the Malayan archipelago (1854-62).

On the latter expedition, he travelled over 14,000 miles and collected around 126,000 biological specimens, of which 8,050 were birds. He discovered 16 previously undescribed bird species, including Wallace’s Standardwing Bird of Paradise, Wallace’s Fruit Dove and Wallace’s Owlet Nightjar.

He did groundbreaking work on the distribution of animal and plant species, discovering the line of demarcation between the Oriental and Australasian faunal regions (known to this day as Wallace’s Line), which was first published in Volume 1 of Ibis (1859), the newly launched journal of the BOU. After many other publications, in 1875 he published a book on the geographical distribution of animals that established him as the ‘father’ of the blossoming science of biogeography.

Evolution was never far from Wallace’s mind, and his publication in 1853 of A Narrative of Travels on the Amazon and Rio Negro hinted that he was studying the distribution of animals and their adaptations to their environments with a view to answering evolutionary questions. His studies in the Malayan archipelago, observing how different but closely related species were found on each island - and sometimes occupying different niches on the same island - prompted him to discuss evolution openly in an article published in 1855. In this, he stated an evolutionary law that ‘every species has come into existence coincident both in space and time with a pre-existing closely allied species’.

Written on Sarawak, this revolutionary idea became known as the Sarawak Law, and it prompted Charles Lyell to write to Darwin saying that Wallace seemed close to solving ‘the species problem’ and urging him to publish his own theory quickly. Darwin failed to act decisively on this advice, but his writings show that Wallace’s ideas had influenced his thoughts on evolution. Early in 1858, while suffering from malaria on the island of Ternate, Wallace had time to think deeply about his observations and ideas and – finally - all the pieces of the theory of evolution by natural selection fell into place. He wrote up the competed theory and posted it to Darwin on the boat that left Ternate on March 9 – and the rest is history. Or is it?

Wallace has an excellent claim to the theory

Firstly, it is obvious that when Wallace wrote from Ternate, he was not a ‘mere collector’ who had had a sudden brainwave about evolution; he was an accomplished scientist who had thought about evolution for many years and had published more about it than Darwin had. In some ways, Wallace was better placed to come up with answers than Darwin because he was actively thinking about evolution while still in the field. This contrasts with Darwin’s first account of his voyage on The Beagle, which makes little suggestion that he was thinking about evolution during the voyage. And the failure of his specimen labels to indicate from which island each of his Galapagos Finch specimens had been obtained would appear to support this view.

Why didn’t Darwin publish earlier and did he cheat Wallace?

It is often said, that knowing the furore that would be unleashed when his theory was published, Darwin felt compelled to continue striving for more and more supporting evidence - and consequently kept putting off the inevitable. Alternatively, some authors have suggested that he wished to spare his wife - who was deeply religious - from the unpleasantness that would arise from the condemnation of the theory by some Christians.

However, there is another possibility – perhaps he was still struggling to put together a complete and coherent theory, and was therefore not ready to publish. It is just such a suggestion for which Roy Davies presents evidence in The Darwin Conspiracy.

It seems that when Wallace posted his theory from Ternate he also sent a letter to England on the same boat addressed to Frederick Bates, the brother of his friend Henry Bates. This letter was received by Frederick Bates on June 3. On June 8, Darwin wrote to Joseph Hooker saying he had just found the ‘missing keystone’ to his theory of evolution, while on June 18, he wrote again to say that he had just received a letter from Wallace that proposed a theory of evolution identical to his own. Hmmm! Postal historians and philatelists are adamant that Darwin, like Frederick Bates, must have received the letter in the period June 3-5.

So what was Darwin’s missing keystone? And was it stolen, unacknowledged, from Wallace’s theory? It seems unlikely that we will ever be certain – the envelope for the Ternate letter, which might have provided the answer, has been lost. Another strange aspect of this affair is that following the publication of the Sarawak Law, Wallace began a correspondence with Darwin. But some of Wallace’s letters are missing from Darwin’s otherwise systematically organised correspondence. Might these have also contributed ideas to Darwin’s theory, and might they have been destroyed to cover the evidence?

Conclusion

Whatever the truth of the matter, it is clear that Wallace is at least an equal in the endeavour to produce the theory that underpins all modern biology, and the theory should be known as the Wallace/Darwin theory of evolution by natural selection.

Big Garden Birdwatch Richard Clarke

The Caerphilly Biodiversity Partnership's Big Garden Birdwatch event 2010 takes place on January 23 from 10am to 3pm at Parc Cwm Darran, Deri (two miles north of Bargoed, SO1103).

The event promises fun for all the family, with activities including birdbox and
feeder making, bird walks and talks and bird ringing demonstrations. There will also be Information and advice on garden birds, wildlife gardening and taking part in the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch.

Indoor facilities, including toilets, are provided in the country park visitor centre. Hot
refreshments are also available. There is car parking and disabled access. Entry is free, but donations are requested for some of the activities.

Event organiser: Caerphilly County Borough Council; contact: Maggie Iles on 01495 235450, e-mail ilesm@caerphilly.gov.uk

The Dipper March 2010

The deadline for submissions for the next Dipper is February 30, 2009. Please e-mail Jackie Huybs at jackiehuybs@btinternet.com or newsletter@gwentbirds.org.uk. Thanks!

Outdoor programme Nicholas Beswick

Silent Valley

After a period of unsettled weather, it was a delight to find the day dawn clear and calm. But sadly, this break from dismal conditions didn't tempt many out to Silent Valley, with the group comprising just Dave Brassey, Rob Parsons and myself.

Nor, it turned out, did the conditions tempt many birds from putting in an appearance. Most were to be found in the woods in the bottom of the valley, with parties of common Tits and Chaffinches active.

Two small groups of Bullfinches were a bonus. Out of the woods, a distant view of some 200 Herring Gulls spiralling up from the landfill site was impressive. But the Ravens, often plentiful over the ridge, were thin on the ground.

As I've adopted SO10Y as one of my Atlas tetrads, this served as the early winter timed tetrad visit, with a total of 23 species recorded. Doubtless there will be more on future visits, and I'm looking forward to going back.

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Here we are again – it’s Christmas and nearly the end of yet another year’s birding.

While I know that you’ll all be out enjoying yourselves Christmas shopping, entertaining, partying, etc, there is always another pastime to think about over the festive period - especially when you’re chilling out after the Christmas meal or twiddling your thumbs as you’re fed up with yet another repeat on the TV…

Could I ask that everybody makes it a New Year’s resolution to write/type up their records for inclusion in the 2009 Gwent Bird Report?

The deadline for submission of the records is January 31, 2010.

Let’s try to make the next report, for 2009, even larger!

Records can be submitted in two ways:

.hand written on ‘recording slips’, which are available from myself or from the library at indoor meetings at Goytre Village Hall
.electronically via e-mail

If members would like to submit their records electronically, these can be entered either into an excel spreadsheet, available from me, or by typing details into a Word-type document. If using this latter method, members must ensure the document is structured so that the records are grouped for each species and sorted in date order. There must be a new line for each entry, for which the details need to include species name, date of sighting, location/site name, number of birds, age/sex of birds and any other details, eg, direction of flight, behaviour etc.

Any queries / advice required, please do not hesitate to contact me: Chris Jones, 22 Walnut Drive, Caerleon, Newport, South Wales NP18 3SB. Tel 01633 423439, or via e-mail at countyrecorder@Gwentbirds.org.uk

Sightings, SEPTEMBER 2009

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Newport Wetlands Tom Dalrymple

SEPTEMBER

Birds

Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit have been present in nationally important numbers, with peak counts of 55 and 250 respectively. However, the migratory wildfowl are still in low numbers - we have approximately 10% of the Teal and Wigeon that should come to the reserve this winter.

It has been a good month for raptors on the reserve with a Hobby sighting in addition to the Marsh and Hen Harriers and Red Kite. Other notable bird sightings for the reserve this month were four Little Stint and a Ruff.

Management

The wet weather of July and early August has been replaced with hardly any rainfall. We have started to raise water levels in the saline lagoons and certain wet grassland fields in preparation for the wintering wildfowl. To do this, we have been using water pumped from the reedbeds.

Our chosen contractors, Caldicot and Wentlooge IDB, have begun work on the first phase of a three-year project on the NNR funded by a Biffa award. The project is part of an RSPB UK-wide project to improve coastal grazing marshes. The project will concentrate on improving the conditions of the reserve ditches for the SSSI plants and invertebrates. This will involve re-excavating filled in ditches, removing shading vegetation and installing water control structures.

A bat survey was carried out this month to assess whether it will be possible to add a cladding to the Redhouse office buildings to improve the weather proofing of the office and workshop.

Events and visits

Kevin and long term volunteer Chris Hurn ran a bird migration event to look at migratory wading birds on the 5th.

The RSPB field teachers ran ‘Hogweed’s School of Wildlife Wizardry’ on the 6th. The centre staff gave a guided walk to the Aberystwyth Univ. Old Students’ Association on the 19th.

OCTOBER

Birds

Despite the low water levels and the mild weather, the reserve has reached its bird targets for another year: Black-tailed Godwit and Shoveler both present in nationally important numbers, with peak counts of 280 and 163 respectively.

Other migratory waterfowl numbers are also beginning to pick up: Wigeon 633, Mallard 333 and Teal 190. Notable bird sightings for the reserve this month included a Brent Goose on the 19th and a Merlin on the 20th.

Management

The dry weather of September continued into the first half of October. It seems as though wet summers followed by dry autumns are becoming the norm. The October rainfall figures for the reserve are: 194mm in 2006, 64mm in 2007, 84mm in 2008 and 107mm in 2009.

The Caldicot and Wentlooge IDB continues to work on the project to improve coastal grazing marshes. The water control structures are in, grips have gone in one of the flat fields and work has begun removing unwanted hedgerows and reducing the height of others. The hedgerow work is necessary to regain the flora and fauna of the ditches for which they were notified SSSI.

Volunteers Sheila and Rhys have been busy cutting back over growing vegetation from the reserves many footpaths and tracks.

Events and visits

The first day of a two-day CCW Reserve Managers’ training event was held at the Reserve on the 6th. Kevin gave a talk for the Bristol Naturalists’ Trust on the 14th. RSPB South West director Tony Richardson was shown around the reserve on the 15th. ITV filmed from the centre and the saline lagoons on the 28th.

NOVEMBER

Birds

It feels like winter now. The wet grasslands are flooded and the sounds of Wigeon and Teal are everywhere. However, the winter bird numbers are still to peak: Wigeon 1,465, Teal 798, Lapwing 1,200 and Dunlin 3,000.

It has been a great year for watching Starlings in the reedbed, with flocks of up to 47,000 counted using the James method (count the wings and divide by two).

The most notable bird sightings this month were seen over the estuary – a Leach’s Petrel on the 26th and 25th and Little Gull on the 24th.

Management

The rains have come! Only two dry days on the reserve in November - lovely! Richie and the volunteers have made the best of the wet weather by painting the new workshop.

The Abergavenny team (Dave Charles, Lucy Roberts, Rob Parsons and Bryn Jones) have been cutting the path edges of the reedbed for us. The vegetation is being removed and composted in an effort to increase the flowering plants in the area for the rare Shrill Carder Bees.

We have had a local contractor in to pollard some willow trees that were in danger of damaging our neighbour’s property. The IDB have been forced to take a break from the Biffa award work, as the ground is so saturated that continuing would cause too much damage.

It has been a very bad month for undesirable activities. A member of the public found a mist net on the reserve. They managed to extricate a Blackbird and a Reed Bunting, but one Reed Bunting was already dead. Presumably, whoever set the net was trying to catch finches or buntings to sell. The police have been informed.

Chris Hearn our long time voluntary warden discovered some lengths of plastic and armour cabling that had been stripped off wires, presumably so the copper could be salvaged for its scrap value. Later that evening, I found approximately 400 meters of electric cable an inch and a quarter thick lying on the footpath. It had been stolen from the power station next door. Contractors working on the power station were able to retrieve the cable before any attempt to cut it up and remove it was made.

The fire brigade were called to the reserve when a member of the public spotted some chemical containers washed up on the salt marsh. Fortunately, the containers were empty - but the Environment Agency was alerted and is chasing up a contact name found on one of the containers.

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Tide Tables 2010

Tide Tables for 2010 are available at indoor meetings at a cost of £4.20. If obtaining by post from the membership secretary, Helen Jones, 104 Clodien Avenue Cardiff, CF14 3NQ

please send a cheque for £4.20 payable to GOS, and include a large letter stamp to cover postage.

Thank you.

Chairman’s Chatter Dave Brassey

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The Mainly Birds Prize Crossword Dave Brassey