Chatbox

I just wondered why the editors of AOL have decided to close down these posts? I thought they've been interesting and informative, and any debate has been very civilised – unlike some other subjects discussed on here.

My apologis to your readers for committing the unforgiveable sin of failng to check spelling and typos in my commernts on the hedgehog issue. No excuse except getting older with too much to do with not enough time
Chris Lewis

I see the editor has summarily decided to close yet another thread for no particular reason other than some one comments about how long the hedgehog thread has run. We see this time and time again with different topics and I can see no real basis for it. It's not like it's preventing other stuff being posted and we often go days with nothing new up. If some people don't like a thread running a long time they can always exercise the option to not read it – I do with some of the posts. What's the problem? Stop being so restrictive, or do the editors just enjoy wielding petty power?

I do hope that the 'free debate' controllers will allow me to make one final point relating to the hedgehog saga as I (with all the innocence of Mae West) raised the issue, and that is as follows.
Approximately four or five years ago I had a conversation with a local lady who has connections with RSPCA Stapely Grange. They contacted her and asked if she could help them to release some rescued hedgehogs into the countryside, which she agreed to do. When she collected the young animals, the staff advised her to make sure that they were not released anywhere near badger setts and if possible, not within several miles of any badger sett. Ask yourself this question. What was it that the rescue centre staff knew, that appears to have alluded the learned researchers whose work has been so liberally quoted in this column?

Have just watched a very interesting video on YouTube, regarding canal funding the channel is called "cruising the cut" in-depth interview with Chief executive officer Richard Parry worth a watch for anyone who works or uses the canals.

Rest of last post:

It seems likely that only the widescale deployment of an improved bovine TB skin test for cattle and a vaccine for Bovine TB in cattle, together with increased vaccination of cage-trapped badgers, which some wildlife trusts and badger groups have been doing for several years, will finally bring an end to this highly polarised debate. Government-funded field trials of the former are ongoing: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/field-trials-for-bovine-tb-cattle-vaccine-and-skin-test-move-to-next-phase--2

6 day's of Hedgehog / Badger posts......WOW

Badgers and hedgehogs have coexisted for thousands of years in Britain.

Any claim that the badger cull has led to the 'return' of hedgehogs and has made ground-nesting birds safer fails to take into account that there is a long list of birds and mammals that predate on ground-nesting birds, their eggs and their chicks and that the mammal predators include hedgehogs.
See for example the following:

https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/land-and-sea-management/managing-wildlife/uist-wader-research

https://www.welovestornoway.com/index.php/articles-auto-3/25849-hedgehog-clearances-for-isles

Predation of ground-nesting birds is a complex subject, as this RSPB report makes clear; (clicking or tapping on the link downloads a file that can then be opened):

https://www.google.com/urlsa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjVnenGy5qAAxU50AIHHTkvCoMQFnoECCQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rspb.org.uk%2Fcontentassets%2F74cdb15f90964d7d80b21091db5708a4%2Fgibbons-et-al.-2007-the-predation-of-wild-birds-in-the-uk.pdf&usg=AOvVaw0OZe1pA0n_KSBEkOs1MYK7&opi=89978449

The merits or otherwise of the badger cull is arguably an even more complex subject.

Since 2013 over 210,000 badgers have been killed, a significant majority by the inhumane method of shooting of 'free-running' badgers in the countryside, i.e. not in cage traps. All the leading wildlife protection organisations in the UK, including the Mammal Society, the RSPCA, the
Wildlife Trusts, the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, the People's Trust for Endangered Species, RSPB, Wildlife and Countryside Link and of course the Badger Trust oppose the badger cull.

It seems likely that only the widescale deployment of an improved bovine TB skin test for cattle and a vaccine for Bovine TB in cattle, together with increased vaccination of cage-trapped badgers, which some wildlife trusts and badger groups have been doing for several years, will
finally bring an end to this highly polarised debate. Government-funded field trials of the former are ongoing: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/field-trials-for-bovine-tb-cattle-vaccine-and-skin-test-move-to-next-phase--2

....plus; Mr Cornes was tall and slim whereas Mr Anderson was short and dumpy so why on earth I chose to impersonate Mr Cornes when I was halfway there with Mr Anderson in the looks and physique department I've no idea! And anyway, Mr Anderson didn't teach anything as far as I can remember but Mr Cornes tried to teach me Maths. On one occasion the Maths classroom was moved to one overlooking the Tennis Courts and there were more sparrows about in the 1960's so I thought I'd hold my breath and see how many sparrows I could count that landed on the chain link fence. I counted 15 until the room started spinning, I went all blue and landed underneath Peter Nettleship's desk. Not the idea place to be when your gasping for air and Peter Nettleship had just partaken in the Cooks specialty; Cabbage stew.
Thinking back about it; I don't remember exactly how many sparrows I counted...it could have been any number really....Mr Cornes fault that was. He was the maths teacher.

Just wondering if the bull on Woore road near to the chapel is ok. I reported it as out and loose and a danger to traffic this morning around 8 o'clock. I've had no feedback from the police.

I'm sorry Chris but I have to disagree, the research I quoted is an academic paper that appears to have been peer reviewed.

I think some drivers have noticed the change Steve, it's just that some drivers don't bother about speed limits and other such nonsense. Talking of which; I think a few people on the Shropshire and Cheshire Councils have a touch of Dyscalculia (I know I have) My reasoning being is those new 30MPH speed limit signs should have really been put at the Cox Bank junction and vise versa, not that some drivers would bother about.. (see above) My reason I have Dyscalculia is instead of listening what Mr Cornes, the Maths teacher was saying, I was too busy impersonating Mr Cornes, the Maths teacher, trying to teach me Maths...which he didn't do because I was too busy impersonating Mr Cornes, the Maths teacher and not listening. They say the things you learn in School will be useful in later life; my impersonation of Mr Cornes, the Maths teacher hasn't be useful in the slightest. In fact, I wish I'd never bothered learning how to impersonate him and instead concentrated on learning how to impersonate Mr Anderson, the Deputy Head as he would have been far easier to impersonate!

The hedgenog debate is interesting. A talk to AWEG indiatedthat one of he rasons for decline and injuryt was due to the useof strimers. I have to agree with Peter Morgan as I question the research which suggest badger culls play no part in the re-apparance. Sadly much of this research is biased and used selectively, alhough well meaning
Chris

Ryan will be pleased to know that there is a management plan for Turnpike Fields which includes hedgerow management and enhancement. Over the past three years two areas where the "corridor" was weak have been addressed. The first is a length adjacent to the canal near where the new notice board is sited. 40 saplings of various species suitable for a hedgerow were planted in January 2022 . The other is at the top of the second field where the new gate is situated where some 20 saplings have been planted . In addition the management plan for the hedgerows follows the guidance set out by Natural England in their Hedgelink publication. This includes the provision of a two metre wide unmown length beside the hedge.
Further to the hedgehog sightings, a hedgehog has been very active in our garden also during the day. I think that this is not surprising that with the hot, dry weather and the short nights, they must be quite desperate to find enough food during the night. Hopefully the wetter weather recently will give them more joy.

Long-term, widespread declines in hedgehog numbers are due to a combination of factors, including habitat loss or degradation, and road casualties.

The conservation of rural hedgehog populations is better achieved by increasing the extent and quality of habitat that supports both hedgehogs. This could be achieved by restoring and planting more hedgerows, for example, to provide foraging sites and shelter, and managing field margins and grasslands to increase the abundance and diversity of invertebrates. Has TPWG increased the field margins to help with the local population growth. Is this part of their habitat plan?

Peter, whilst Badgers are the only mammal that predate on Hedgehogs there is plenty of research that shows that the culling of Badgers makes an insignificant difference to Hedgehog numbers. One example of this research can be found here -https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/bitstream/handle/10871/26378/Impacts%20of%20removing%20badgers%20on%20localised%20counts%20of%20hedgehogs.pdf

With regard to ground-nesting birds, again academic research shows that the culling of Badgers has had a virtually insignificant effect on bird breeding numbers where culling has taken place. Again, one example of this type of research is here – https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00063657.2021.1889460

Other research supporting these papers can be found easily online.

It is thought that the main reason for the decline in ground-nesting birds is changes in agricultural practice – almost entirely due to increased mechanisation.

Hi thanks for the info, but I was questioning when Green Lane would be opening. It is closed from the turning into green lane to when it usually floods.

position statement by British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES)
A position statement by British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), October 2020.
Nationally, the hedgehog population in Britain has declined over the last thirty years. While badgers may play a role locally, hedgehogs are absent in many areas where there are no badgers and, in areas where nesting and feeding sites are plentiful, the two species co-exist.
Identifying badgers as the primary reason for the fall in hedgehog numbers isn't backed by the science.
Competition and predation
Badgers are known to kill and eat hedgehogs, but they feed mainly on soil invertebrates, such as earthworms and beetle larvae, which are also favoured by hedgehogs. Competition for the same food, and predation, may result in fewer hedgehogs in areas where badger numbers are high. When foraging, hedgehogs will avoid areas where badgers have recently been active.
Long-term, widespread declines in hedgehog numbers are more likely to be due to a combination of factors, including habitat loss or degradation, and road casualties.
Will culling badgers help hedgehogs?
Culling badgers to control the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) isn't supported by the scientific evidence. Vaccination of cattle and badgers offers a more effective and humane method of control and, while factors such as habitat loss and road mortality remain, culling badgers is unlikely to save hedgehogs.
A better approach
The conservation of rural hedgehog populations is better achieved by increasing the extent and quality of habitat that supports both hedgehogs and badgers. This could be achieved by restoring and planting more hedgerows, for example, to provide foraging sites and shelter, and managing field margins and grasslands to increase the abundance and diversity of invertebrates.

It's lovely to see the return of pricklebums in the neighbourhood again. Another reward of the badger cull campaign. In addition, all the ground nesters are much safer.

Could someone advise me roughly when the dip between the supports for the former railway bridge at Swanbach first started flooding with anything close to the frequency and intensity it does now.

Be aware that hedgehogs aren't generally around during the daytime although mothers feeding youngsters may forage in the daylight. We had a daytime visitor for a couple of weeks before it suddenly collapsed and Stapeley Wildlife couldn't help as it was too far gone. Disease may force them to hunt during the day. If we'd taken our little chap to Stapeley earlier they may have been able to treat him.

I am in burleydam and used to work for Kare plus, just asking if anyone needs help with cleaning or general help with daily jobs if your strugling

Nick,

I assume you're referring to the A529 closure for work at the site of the 'temporary' traffic lights a short distance north of Adderley.

AOL published the following post from me on Chatbox on 28th June at 1.12pm:

'The following item has appeared on one.network, detailing a road closure between 0930 & 1445 on 10th to 14th July inclusive in order to carry out work on the A529:
https://one.network/?tmi=GB26459208

I have checked the year in the .pdf attached to the entry. :-)'

I travelled to Market Drayton and back yesterday at approx 5.30pm yesterday and the road closure sign almost opposite Adderley School had been removed, as had some diversion signs before that, so I assumed that the road works had been completed.

On 5/7 I put in a formal complaint to Shropshire Council regarding the lack of road closure hours on their road closure signs for this closure, stating that it could mislead motorists into thinking the road was closed all day between 10/7 and 14/7 inclusive.
I received an initial response that the road was indeed closed between 0930 and 1445 on the relevant days!
I've complained again and my complaint is now being reconsidered.

Do anyone know when Green Lane will reopen. It took me over 1 hours to find an alternative route to Market Drayton on Wednesday.

Andy
I've noticed a drop in numbers visiting this Spring and Summer compared to last year, but still at least 2 per night.
I've not noticed any road casualties during this period.