The Wild Fishing Forum

Open Forums => Environmental => Open Boards Viewable By Guests => Nature => Topic started by: Wildfisher on September 21, 2011, 11:49:32 AM

Title: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Wildfisher on September 21, 2011, 11:49:32 AM
This has to be one of the most idiotic fishing related web sites ever and it has to be said that's against some pretty stiff competition. I see others think the same judging  by a few of the markers on the map.  :lol:

http://www.cormorantwatch.org/ (http://www.cormorantwatch.org/)    :roll:

One entry from Aberdeenshire

goosander colony sighting
Number of birds: 13
Date and time: 10 Jul 2011, 08:00
Main behaviour witnessed: swimming  (bastards eh?   :lol:)
Type of watercourse: river


A cracker  from east of Wick!

cormorant sighting
Number of birds: 21
Date and time: 4 Sep 2011, 17:00
Main behaviour witnessed: eating
Type of watercourse: large stillwater     :roflmao

Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Guddler on September 21, 2011, 10:07:59 PM
I investigated that site a few weeks ago and could hardly believe what I was reading. The whole thing looks like the worst piece of PR for anglers that you could dream up but they've got a list of notables and worthies voicing their support. One of them was Hugh Miles whose book "Track of the Wild Otter" was written about his experiences filming otters in Shetland. I wonder if he'll be after them now that their numbers are booming here?

I did report seeing a cormorant swimming in the sea off Shetland and I see it's on their map too  :lol:
I could send them daily reports of scores of the bloody things to keep them busy. Maybe they'd dispatch an eradication team to sort out our wild bird "problem".
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Dunbar on September 21, 2011, 11:05:45 PM
definitely some scope for mischief with reporting on that map:P
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Robbie on September 22, 2011, 09:03:21 AM
I did not realise at first that this website was set up by the Angling Trust,  is this not meant to be some sort of governing body representing the interests of all anglers?  Not quite what I would have expected from them.
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Robbie on September 22, 2011, 01:12:36 PM
Out of interest, does anyone know how accurate the RSPB population estimates are?

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/cormorant/index.aspx (http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/cormorant/index.aspx)
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Traditionalist on September 22, 2011, 01:30:49 PM
Quote from: Robbie on September 22, 2011, 01:12:36 PM
Out of interest, does anyone know how accurate the RSPB population estimates are?

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/cormorant/index.aspx (http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/cormorant/index.aspx)

Nobody really knows. These estimates are exactly that, estimates, and in some cases they may well be skewed by diverse conflicts of interest and vested interests. Various organisations are prone to give results which agree with or further their own agendas.  If you want better estimates then you need to take a wide cross section of such estimates, also from scientific groups, ( where you know the source of funding! :)  )  and you can then probably form a much more accurate estimate.

TL
MC
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Wildfisher on September 26, 2011, 10:24:47 PM
Quote from: Robbie on September 22, 2011, 09:03:21 AM
I did not realise at first that this website was set up by the Angling Trust,  is this not meant to be some sort of governing body representing the interests of all anglers?

They don't represent me anyway Robbie. No way I'd have anything to do with that nonsense. What I have seen of the angling trust so far they seem to be yet another right wing field sports body.

No thanks, I'd rather stop fishing.  :D
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Malcolm on September 27, 2011, 01:02:13 AM
Can you imagine something like Cormorant Watch having any effect at all? It looks undersubscribed and distinctly amateurish.
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Traditionalist on September 27, 2011, 01:31:10 AM
Quote from: Malcolm on September 27, 2011, 01:02:13 AM
Can you imagine something like Cormorant Watch having any effect at all? It looks undersubscribed and distinctly amateurish.

Depends what clout they have and what publicity they can drum up.  It's often a mistake to underestimate such things. One can be surprised by all sorts of things. On the face of it though, I would tend to agree with you.

TL
MC
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Wildfisher on September 27, 2011, 07:37:13 AM
Quote from: Malcolm on September 27, 2011, 01:02:13 AM
Can you imagine something like Cormorant Watch having any effect at all?
Other than damage angling,  no.
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: emc on September 27, 2011, 10:38:00 AM
I know I am probably being a bit thick but what do the numbers in the circles represent..... numbers of birds, numbers of anglers? And can someone name the river to the west of the Bay of Biscay.

Always had a lot of time for Hugh Miles, enjoyed his films and books. Rapid reassessment going on.
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Robbie on September 27, 2011, 01:48:15 PM
If you zoom in on the numbers in circles they will resolve out into separate reported sightings.

Don't see the value in this sort of data collection, surely it would not be taken seriously by whoever is responsible for issuing licences to cull these birds.
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Wildfisher on September 27, 2011, 01:52:15 PM
Quote from: Robbie on September 27, 2011, 01:48:15 PM
Don't see the value in this sort of data collection, surely it would not be taken seriously by whoever is responsible for issuing licences to cull these birds.

That's what I would have thought. Even as an angler I suspect that a vast number of these "sightings"  are completely bogus.
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: emc on September 27, 2011, 02:24:10 PM
Quote from: Robbie on September 27, 2011, 01:48:15 PM
If you zoom in on the numbers in circles they will resolve out into separate reported sightings.

Don't see the value in this sort of data collection, surely it would not be taken seriously by whoever is responsible for issuing licences to cull these birds.

Thanks Robbie. Thought I might just be being dense :shock:

At least it shows me where to go to get a decent chance of photographing some sawbills :8)
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Robbie on September 27, 2011, 04:26:29 PM
I contacted the angling trust and raised some concerns with the impression such websites create and the risk of bogus information being logged.

To be fair I did receive quite a prompt rely which stated that:

"Despite your concerns I can assure you that our database shows no evidence of attempts to bias the results either by exaggerated reports or repeated use. Each individual entry is moderated before it appears on the public facing map.

Part of our involvement in the Defra review involves assessing and addressing all the possible causes and solutions for the increase in inland cormorants and our Freshwater and Marine Campaign managers are both working with various agencies with this aim."

Must admit that I am not convinced.
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Traditionalist on September 27, 2011, 04:40:47 PM
The reason for the increase in inland cormorants is perfectly simple, they have adapted to the environment which man has affected, to the extent that they can now survive better inland, not only survive, but thrive.  They can not live in seas denuded of bait-fish, huge masses of which are extremely wastefully used to feed farmed salmon, stocked rainbows, and various other things.

All these people want to "manage" things as they see fit, but the fact is that they are unable to even manage themselves.

We have large contingents of people abroad killing and destroying things, mostly other people, but are apparently unable to do anything about convicted terrorists freely roaming our streets.  Or even about common criminals, who apparently enjoy more "protection" than any "average" law-abiding person.

Simple common sense no longer holds any sway.

TL
MC
Title: Re: I Saw A Cormorant
Post by: Malcolm on September 27, 2011, 09:32:30 PM
I thought part of the reason was that the continental cormorant - which normally lives inland on Dutch Canals and the like - established itself here about 30 years ago from an initial small influx in Norfolk.