Occasionally you stumble across events that reverse years of diligent, hard work by armies of volunteers on behalf of nature. Events that defy all logic, set hackles rising and generate rage.
On the greatest scale the continued destruction of rain forest endangers animals and birds and, the experts tell us, contributes towards global warming. On a slightly smaller but no less frustrating scale an RSPB decision to spend members cash eliminating Ruddy Duck from the UK still rankles with many. Then someone decided it would be a good idea to cull badgers because they may pass disease to cattle. The RSPB’s role is to protect birds not wipe them out and killing badgers is supposed to be illegal.
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Bee Orchid by Jim Butler
Sadly the litany of crimes against nature rolls on. The Blue Bell Hill reserve near Chatham is possibly the loftiest nature reserve in Kent with spectacular views across the Weald. Its chalk grassland habitat attracts 20 butterfly species including Adonis Blue, Chalkhill Blue and Brown Argus, Peregrine Falcons zoom overhead and Bank Voles forage.
There were estimated to be around 9,000 Pyramidal Orchids, nearly 8,000 Common Spotted Orchids, Bee Orchids and the scarce Man Orchid.
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Were ? Well yes because around 17,000 of these plants were bulldozed in April. It seems Kent County Council, which owns the site, forgot to inform Kent Wildlife Trust, which manages it, that they would be using heavy machinery for drainage improvements. Contractors then turned the roadside nature reserve fondly tended by KWT volunteers for 15 years into a muddy wilderness.
Common Spotted Orchid by Jim Butler
Orchid lovers reacted with rage in a series of on-line volleys, demanded council heads roll and queried whether laws had been broken. Others predicted bleak futures for bees and butterflies that relied on the plants.
KCC are funding equipment, tools and refreshments for volunteers and staff now carrying out restoration of the site by hand. It will probably take years.
I can't find an announcement on any council employees being invited to quit as a result of this vandalism or indeed any internal investigation. If I hear of one I will let you know. Don’t hold your breath.
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