This is my first post in ages, mainly because I haven't been birding that much unfortunately. Its a shame I'm prompted to write because of something negative.
I am conflicted.
I have been a member of the RSPB for something like 20 years or more and I was a member of the Young Ornithologists Club before that. So, apart from those teenage years where beer and girls and nightclubs took over, I think its fair to say I have been a member for nigh on 50% of my time on the planet. I have flirted with membership of other environmental organisations over the past 20 or so years, but have always maintained my RSPB membership as it reflected my first, and still my main interest - birds, and so I have continued to pay my subs.
A while ago I started to have doubts about the aims of the RSPB. Not the fact that they were focussing more on all wildlife, I think thats sensible. No, it was their reluctance to really take a stand on persecution of raptors, and specifically Hen Harriers. However I continued to give them the benefit of the doubt; trusting that they knew what they were doing as well as the other perceived benefits of supporting such an organisation. Namely the way they protect vast areas through their reserves, and also by campaigning and working to protect the wider environment.
Unfortunately, today my membership hangs even more in the balance.
The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) have submitted a planning application to construct a visitor centre at Spurn National Nature Reserve. It is something that I fundamentally disagree with, as do numerous others, including Spurn Bird Observatory Trust and many of the local residents. My objection to the plans are not 'nimbyism'. They are based on my knowledge of the area, having visited twice a year for 20 or so years, my knowledge as a birder and (perhaps most importantly) my knowledge and experience as an environmental professional who has spent the last 18 years working in conservation and ecology related fields. Neither are mine or others objections against a centre per se, but the chosen location. I feel it is the wrong location and there were/are other alternatives. However YWT went ahead with their application and I have objected to it.
So what has this got to do with the RSPB? Well today they have made a post here that to me means that the RSPB have no objection to this centre. Quite honestly I am dumbfounded. I support the organisation on the basis that they are primarily a bird protection charity but also an organisation that campaigns to protect habitats and wild areas. Spurn ticks all those boxes. It is massively important for birds, it is a protected site under UK legislation and it is a comparatively 'wild' area. Even if you disagree with the wild factor, two out of three aint bad as the saying goes. By the YWTs own admission, they are hoping to bring in upwards of 40,000 people into an incredibly sensitive area. Thats 20,000 or so more than currently visit, and the RSPB are happy that a package including signage and roving wardens is enough to protect such a sensitive area? I'm sorry but that is too much for me to take and I really do wonder why I should continue to support them as they do not reflect my views as things stand.
Its sad really. I had flirted with joining YWT for years, but following recent events there's no chance of that. I am also now seriously considering my membership of the RSPB. Two environmental charities that depend on their memberships - one that will never get my money and the other at risk of losing it.
There is still a chance that East Riding Council will refuse permission - my fingers are crossed. Ultimately it shouldn't depend on whether the RSPB support it or not, it should be down to whether the development is in line with the policies covering that area. We'll see what happens. I guess its 50:50 which is slightly better odds that the RSPB have of retaining my membership.
