With the newly imposed full lockdown I'd just like to emphasise the need for users of the forum to bear the Government's most recent guidance in mind when posting please. Posts which clearly breach such guidance will unfortunately have to be removed but users remain welcome to contact me privately to discuss any eventuality.
I will happily though, reopen the COVID 19 Garden lockdown blog thread for those users who wish to make the most of their time spent garden watching if there's the demand, Please contact me privately if yours is on there and you feel its worth reopening (or you'd rather start a new list for this new lockdown!).
Stay positive and safe.
Ian
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 5th of January 2021 06:09:51 PM
I live in Leigh which is classed as part of Wigan borough in Greater Manchester. Can anybody clear up for me, the rules are that I shouldn't leave a tier 4 area, in my case does that mean Wigan or Greater Manchester?
I'm not 100% on the finite detai but I think it means that you are advised not to travel outside your borough or county, unless it is essential travel for health or work reasons. I've gone to south Manchester (a mile away) for food shopping and I have been driving to Keele University for work but not into Cheshire for birding.
My specific birding example, living in Stockport, it meant that (in my humble opinion) I should not travel the 20 miles into Cheshire to see the Congleton Dusky Warbler or 12 miles to Chelford for a Smew.
But, in my view, this is the conundrum. Were advised this and that rather than being given proper guidance.
Spot on Mike
I have cut & pasted from the web the areas defined below for the NW:
North West
Cumbria
Greater Manchester
Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen, and Blackpool
Warrington and Cheshire Region
So staying within GM for you guys and within Warrington & Cheshire for me is the 'rule'. I can't nip to Chorlton WP, my old patch, and stay in, and sit in my car to add RnParakeet or even to the top of The Wirral (Merseyside) and as you say Mike those Cheshire birds are off limits for you. Of course today Boris has said that stricter measures are now planned, so this could all change soon and it could be just sites within a short distance from your house are permissable!! Thank goodness that a lot of us on here have a Local Patch!!
I live in Leigh which is classed as part of Wigan borough in Greater Manchester. Can anybody clear up for me, the rules are that I shouldn't leave a tier 4 area, in my case does that mean Wigan or Greater Manchester?
I'm not 100% on the finite detai but I think it means that you are advised not to travel outside your borough or county, unless it is essential travel for health or work reasons. I've gone to south Manchester (a mile away) for food shopping and I have been driving to Keele University for work but not into Cheshire for birding.
My specific birding example, living in Stockport, it meant that (in my humble opinion) I should not travel the 20 miles into Cheshire to see the Congleton Dusky Warbler or 12 miles to Chelford for a Smew.
But, in my view, this is the conundrum. Were advised this and that rather than being given proper guidance.
I live in Leigh which is classed as part of Wigan borough in Greater Manchester. Can anybody clear up for me, the rules are that I shouldn't leave a tier 4 area, in my case does that mean Wigan or Greater Manchester?
Adding to whats already being said, here is something I've learnt:
When the first lockdown started, all my planned trips were cancled. My year list for 2020 may have been much smaller, but is it really the point of birding? In my view, staying local has opened new opportunities to enjoy the birds in my area and I can say with confidence, some of the years experiences I've enjoyed in 2020 has been very surprising, and sometimes it just takes a little patience and care....
So please do follow the guidelines, its to everyone's benefit in the longer term. It can be hard, that i know, but its those who break the rules is why it gets harder and it costs lives and health for those who need other medical attention.
And my thanks goes out to the forum administrator, Ian, for his persistent hard work and dedication behind the scenes to help everyone enjoy their birding safely.
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Saturday 2nd of January 2021 04:04:50 PM
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Which bird is ideal for keeping cakes in? I asked. The answer: a Bun-tin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/135715507@N06
Well said Ian, I noticed a post that was a birder breaking guidelines and pleased to see it removed, a massive shame that some folk feel that birding comes above peoples health and pressure on the NHS. A friend who has always stuck to the rules messaged me this evening saying he was birding tomorrow and his plans break the rules, I am very disappointed in him, especially when he preached about the rules in the past. You will get criticism for your stance, a lot of it behind your back, I am sure, but you have my full support and that of many other forum members. Well done again, keep up your fantastic work
Since April 2020, its has been the policy of this forum to follow the Government's guidance on Covid restrictions in regards to allowing the continued posting of sightings and I ask users to please bear in mind the current Tier 4 restrictions too.
Whilst I don't intend to repeat the conditions or limitations imposed, nor in any way, shape or form wish to dictate what users can or cannot do in their private lives (that's obviously entirely up to you!), I do ask that when posting on the forum your posts follow the Government's guidance with regards travel, meeting others etc. and posts breaching this will be removed without recourse.
Please also think long and hard when releasing any bird news which may encourage the gathering of birders, especially in groups where social distancing may be difficult.
Stay safe,
Ian
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Tuesday 5th of January 2021 06:10:24 PM
