On your marks, get set …. Twitch!!
15 May 2010
Environmental organisations were under starter’s orders with binoculars and Oystercards today to race each other across London in the annual "Oystercatcher Bird Race" to help celebrate International Year of Biodiversity.
In the competition, organised by Natural England and supported by Transport for London, teams travel to different wildlife sites and greenspaces within London where they have to spot as many bird species as possible.
This year wildlife celebrities Chris Packham and Martin Hughes-Games from the BBC Springwatch team are aiming to outpace and out-spot the twitchers.
The teams must follow their own routes using only public transport. Once they reach the finishing line at the newly refurbished London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, the results will be compared and the winner’s announced.
Speaking about the race, Adam Wallace, Natural England’s London Manager said ‘Today’s event is all about showcasing London’s fantastic wildlife and greenspaces and how accessible they are using public transport. Half term is coming up soon, leave the car behind and explore the wild side of London.’
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London said ‘Hopping on a bus, tube or train to see the best of green London is a fantastic environmentally-friendly way to appreciate the capital's wildlife. From kingfishers in Kingston to swifts in Stratford, your Oystercard provides you with a 'ticket to twitch'. Well done to all the Oystercatcher teams who have shown how easy it is to explore London's natural attractions.'
There have been over 200 species of wild bird recorded in London, so the teams will be hoping to track down more than just pigeons and swans. In fact with an early start in May, it’s possible that they could record a great number of different birds, including the elusive Oystercatcher*
* See notes for editors
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Notes for editors
For more information, photographs or to arrange interviews please contact:
Adam Elwell (Natural England)
Telephone: 0207 932 2212 or 07814501780 Email: adam.elwell@naturalengland.org.uk
Nigel Ellway (Natural England)
Tel no: 0207 932 2244 or 07900608204 Email: nigel.ellway@naturalengland.org.uk
Kristy Marshall (Transport for London)
Tel no: 0207 126 4607 Email: kristymarshall@tfl.gov.uk
Oystercatcher
The oystercatcher is a large, stocky, black and white wading bird. It has a long, orange-red bill and reddish-pink legs. In flight, it shows a wide white wing-stripe, a black tail, and a white rump that extends as a 'V' between the wings. Because it eats cockles, the population is vulnerable if cockle beds are overexploited. Breeds on almost all UK coasts; over the last 50 years, more birds have started breeding inland. Most UK birds spend the winter on the coast; where they are joined on the east coast by birds from Norway.
In London, you may see Oystercatchers on the banks of the Thames adjacent to Rainham Marshes, Barking Riverside and Crayford Marshes.
Teams taking part in the race
RSPB, City of London, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Transport for London, Natural England, BBC Springwatch, Royal Parks, London Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency and London Biodiversity Partnership.
NB: The race will be finishing at 17:00 at the Transport Museum.
International Year of Biodiversity
2010 has been declared the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations – the year that celebrates the diversity of life on Earth, including every plant, animal and micro-organism. In the UK, IYB has over 200 partners ranging from universities, media organisations and museums to theatre companies and artists.
They have come together to promote the understanding of biodiversity during the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB). This year is your chance to learn more about the rich tapestry of life around you, discover why it’s important for a healthy environment and get involved in monitoring and conserving your local wildlife. To find out more visit the IYB website
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Wildlife Sites in London that can be accessed by public transport
London Wetlands Centre: The 43 hectare London Wetland Centre is one of the best urban sites in Europe to watch wildlife, an international award winning visitor attraction and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Birds you can see include Lapwing, Sedge Warbler and Little Winged Plover.
You can get to the London Wetlands Centre by travelling to Hammersmith on the District, Piccadilly or Hammersmith and City Line, and then taking the Route 283 bus directly to the Wetlands Centre.
Directions to the London Wetlands Centre.
Farthing Downs: A large area of grassland, ancient woodland and scrub on the chalky soil of the Downs, which supports a wide variety plants, birds, insects and animals. Birds you can see include Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting and Linnet.
You can get to Farthing Downs by travelling to West Croydon using the Croydon Tramlink, and then travel down to Coulsdon on the route 60.
Directions to Farthing Downs.
The Chase and Eastbrookend Country Park: A large area of former gravel workings beside the River Rom, comprising a mosaic of grazed wetland and terrestrial habitats. The country park was restored later than the Chase, although the two sites are complementary in terms of their habitat diversity. Birds you can see include White Throat, Kingfisher and Meadow Pipit. For more information, visit the The Chase and Eastbrookend Country Park website.
You can get to The Chase by travelling to Elm Park on the District Line, and then travelling on a route 252 bus to Harrow Lodge Park.
Sydenham Hill Wood: Sydenham Hill Wood forms the largest remaining tract of the old Great North Wood which once stretched from Deptford to Selhurst. The wood forms a unique mix of old woodland, Victorian garden survivors and recent woodland. Sydenham Hill Wood is home to over 200 species of trees and flowering plants including wild garlic, early dog violet and bugle. Birds you can see include Nuthatch and Green Woodpecker.
You can get to Sydenham Hill Wood by travelling to Elephant and Castle Underground Station on the Northern Line, then travelling southbound on a route 363 bus.
Directions to Sydenham Hill Wood.
Camley Street Natural Park: The park offers a landscape inspired by nature: a mosaic of meadow, marsh woodland and open-water habitat. These habitats are intensively managed to maintain their diverse wildlife value and include many species of birds, bees, butterflies, amphibians and a rich variety of plants. Birds you can see may include Reed Warblers and Kingfisher.
You can get to Camley Street Natural Park by travelling to Kings Cross St Pancras Underground station, then travelling northbound on a route 214 bus.
Directions to Camley Street Natural Park.
Natural England
Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.
Transport for London
Transport for London (TfL) is one of the world's largest transport authorities providing transport and services for more than 10 million people across the Capital every day. Among the areas managed by TfL are London Underground, which carried a record 1.1 billion journeys last year, and the London bus network which carried 1.9 billion passengers last year, up 45% since 2000.
Oyster is the quickest and greenest method of using public transport in London. Over 38 million journeys a week, more than three-quarters of all Tube and bus journeys, are made using Oyster.
TfL is committed to help protect London’s rural and urban wildlife and has a number of schemes in place to help reduce its impact on the environment.
Further information on Transport for London’s commitment to local wildlife and the environment can be found on the TfL website.
London Transport Museum
London Transport Museum explores the heritage of London and its transport system, and the stories of the people who have travelled and worked in the city over the last 200 years. The Museum's collections explore the extraordinary design heritage of London's transport system, as well as London transport at war and the expansion of the capital through the development of the London Underground. This includes original artworks and advertising posters that have been used to promote the city's transport over the last century, as well as outstanding examples of transport vehicles and objects that are evocative of times gone by.
New galleries tell the story of the development of London, its transport systems and the people who travelled and worked on them over the last 200 years. As well as exploring the past, the new Museum looks at future transport developments and how transport has shaped five other world cities - Delhi, New York, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo. For more details go to the London Transport Museum website.
