5 April 2014

People who can't read signs

Wanstead Flats has some new signs round it. One fewer, currently, than it used to have, but still quite a lot, in a rough circle surrounding the grasslands where the Skylarks and Meadow Pipits nest. Ideally we would have a fence, and landmines, but there you go. Anyhow, the signs that haven't been ripped down are on five foot high poles, are about A3 size, and very clearly point out that there are ground-nesting birds, and that dogs should not be allowed to roam freely during the period March to August. For anyone who can't read, that's right now. Oh, that was a bit pointless wasn't it?

The people below don't read. Or at least I don't think they can. The person in the bottom left had a good long look at the sign, and carried on, probably wondering why there was an image of a dog. The people in the bottom right asked if I had seen a Kestrel, leading me to believe they know what birds are. The person top right never took his eyes off the ground, so we clearly need lettering painted on the paths, and the people top left had five plus dogs between them and did a whole circuit possibly walking past every sign there is. A shame that they are all illiterate. Or perhaps it's that they can read and they don't give a shit?


Come on people, sort it out! You are the last bastion of selfishness. You don't have the God-given right you think you do, and if you could graciously go and walk your dogs on the playing fields rather than right through the middle of the closest breeding Skylarks to central London that would be much appreciated. Next time I'll go for close-ups of your faces so we can all see who you are. You know I can do it.

11 comments:

  1. Lovely people. Unfortunately even just 1% of the population behaving like this is enough to cause big problems for declining breeding birds. Really need other dog walkers to help point out their selfishness and that they are making all dog walkers look bad. Their argument is probably "I can do what I want" but I bet they'd have a problem with you saying the same ("OK then you won't mind me doing what I want and taking photos of you").

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  2. well ... as a birder and dog owner I have a different view. Taking the dogs for a walk, talking to other dog walkers, is both a physical and social good. Running free is good for dogs, spending a life on the lead is bad. The support of dog-owners is probably essential to stop the area being turned over to housing. With the exception of bird reserves just about all land is multi-use, so better to accept that and the limitations that come with it than wish for a world where large areas of open land in the world's most desirable city can be maintained so about 10 people can enjoy their hobby undisturbed, because that just isn't going to happen.

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    1. With all due respect you are completely missing the point

      1) This has nothing to do with (under) 10 people enjoying their hobby, it is 100% to do with ensuring the survival of a ground-nesting songbird whose numbers have crashed nationwide, and for which this is one of the last breeding locations in the world's most desirable city. They now number under 10 pairs.
      2) There are acres of playing fields right next to the nesting areas that dogs can run on, and this is what we always suggest when we talk (politely) to (rude and aggressive) dog-walkers. The long grass is preferred by dog owners for one single reason - you can't see where the dog CRAPS and thus they don't have to feel guilty about not picking it up.
      3) the land is protected by an Act of Parliament.

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  3. That's what I don't get - why it's such a hardship to exercise their dogs on the nearby acres of open space instead of using the exact area needed by a nesting bird that's in nationwide trouble and needs a bit of peace. It's not a lot to ask that one of our iconic wild creatures is allowed to survive in London - just exercise the dogs in the other fields instead of the long grass and everyone's happy, including the dogs! I think it is because 1) they don't want anyone to ask them to do anything, ever, no matter what the reason and 2) the walk of denial - they think they don't have to clear their dog's crap if it's in long grass and no one can see it. Neither of these petty reasons justifies destroying a declining bird that's asuch an important part of our wildlife, history and folklore and that brings so much pleasure to many people. That said, it sounds like there's a communication issue between birders and dog walkers that should be addressed to avoid the misunderstanding (as with Dorsetdipper's comment) that it's just becuase birders don't like dog walkers!

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    1. I am unfailingly polite. I do not shout. I say 'excuse me'. I am reasonable. I explain the problem I act as if I am at work, rather than how I would prefer to be. In return I get attitude, aggression and abuse, which falls into your point 1). Not once have I ever had somebody say "oh sorry, I didn't realise". Sorry just isn't in a dog-walkers vocabulary. You a right there is a communication issue, but it is not of my making.

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  4. Skylarks long gone from Leyton Flats. I do not bird at leyton Flats anymore, to much hassle and not enjoyable Though there are many decent dog walkers, its the few mindless and aggressive types who mess things up, not only for birds but other dog walkers. The Corp needs to sort its life out and get tough. G A James

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  5. I always pick up crap and I keep my dog on a lead in the nesting area. I suspect that birders do not want to hear that though.

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    1. That's good to hear. I have always maintained that it is is the actions of but a few dog-walkers that tarnish the rest. Perhaps you could help educate those you perceive to be those few, they would likely respond to you better than to us.

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    2. You are right about the communication problem though. The regular dog walkers (I'm not the main walker in our household) are a very social group and perceive the birders to be aloof. We don't recognise any of the people in the pics above so they are likely to be occasional visitors. Signs should say on leads throughout the area as well, cos a dog off a lead can be kept to the path but that isn't the idea is it. It's an improvement on previous years anyway. (and I can't resist saying MODEL PLANES AREA wtf?)

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  6. Can't believe people think Nick is aloof....

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