A
Plea for help
For the past fifteen years or more the
occasionally-used military training ground, Groot Schietveld, in the north of
Belgium near the Dutch border has been a haven for wild life. With very restricted access limited to those
taking serious scientific work there has been very little disturbance to the
wildlife and flora so enabling a fragile habitat to survive and prosper. Studies on flowers, insects, butterflies and
especially birdlife, etc have been undertaken on a regular basis and, in terms
of the birdlife, much, if not all, has been centred on raptors, especially
Goshawk and Honey Buzzard, by friend Marieke Berkvens (also a member of the
Andalucia Bird Society) who lives in nearby Wuustwezel. Other breeding birds to be found here include
Nightjar, Woodcock and tree Pipits to name but three more. These are very much endangered species and
Marieke’s contribution to their study is invaluable. Indeed, given that Honey Buzzards feed on
wasp lava, she has now extended her research to take on the lives and
development of the local wasp population.
The site itself is a mixture of small woodland and heather more with the
occasional pond and steams so a very special and isolated site in the
surrounding countryside.
In the past the local clay pigeon shooters had used
the area and took much effort by the local population to have the group removed
so not only bringing peace and quiet to the local residents but also preserving
this valuable natural site as described above.
Think army training on Salisbury Plane then divide by ten or more and
you will see that this is a site where nature can survive in almost pristine
condition. But now a local clay shooting
club wants once more to return to this fragile site to recommence their
shooting activities. Not only will the
residents be faced with continuous noise at the week-end as opposed to the very
occasional disturbance during the working week but wildlife will be greatly
damaged both the habitat and noise pollution which will surely pose a very
severe threat to the raptors that are only just beginning to thrive and are having
to face many other problems in their lives.
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| Discarded clay rubbish |
In addition to the noise and presence of many people
on site comes the added pollution of the discarded clays. These clays do not break down and disappear
but very quickly become a blot on the landscape and a potential problem for the
creatures great and small. When the
shooters were finally evicted over fifteen years ago the photograph above gives
an indication of the resulting mess left behind.
The local inhabitants and those who support wildlife
have raised a petition to keep the wildlife, as well as their peace, from being
once more pollutes. If you, too, would
like to help in this matter then please do follow the link below and sign up,
as I have done.
The petition in short says: “..... I wish to protest against a
permit clay pigeon shooting on Groot Schietveld etc…. importance for
local residents etc… nature reserve protected animals and plants etc”
Once you complete the link you will need to visit
the site, if does not automatically come up on your screen, and “tick” the
appropriate box at the top to confirm that you have actually signed. Every one of us needs to help each other or
soon it could be you trying to protect your little bit of wildlife habitat that
comes under threat.
Many thanks for reading this request and please do
help if you can. Any problems with the
actual process than please do contact me and if I cannot help then I am sure
that Marieke will.
Bob Wright
On behalf of Marieke Berkvens, the people of
Wuustwezel and all those who seek to protect this valuable site
Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information
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