More on heron watch

At heron towers things are progressing. Saw three young adolescent herons lurking around the bank trying their luck at hunting for dinner. I assumed that it must be all three of the youngsters who I have been stalking observing during the past couple of weeks but no as two of them were standing in the nest so the other two must have flown in from elsewhere (one of them must have been from the nest).

Canada geese were screeching and chasing each other around the pond, the ducks …well they seem to have quieten down though the past few weeks have been horrible watching male ducks dragging off female ducks by the neck who are trying to protect their young. I also saw lots of feathers that looked like they had been torn off a female duck

There seems to be more heron nest building. One is being built at the top of a high tree (they abandoned their other one possibly finding a more suitable alternative). Another one is being built in a smaller tree I watched two herons flying around grabbing twigs and branches.

One of the herons scared off one of the adolescent herons who possibly wandered too close the nest. And it is also seems that the hunting skills of the adolescents are getting impressive as one of them caught some prey.

Support Clara Osagiede!

Clara Osagiede is an RMT representative employed by Initial Cleaning Services on London Underground. On 4th March 2011 Clara witnessed members being forced to clean graffiti off a tube train in the ‘acid shed’ at Hainault Depot. Aware that the staff involved had no appropriate training to carry out what could be a very hazardous task she raised concerns with the manager on duty who told her it was none of her business and to get out of his office. 

Clara explained she was a Health and Safety rep and that it was her business. The manager became aggressive and shoved her out of the office slamming a door behind her. She reported the incident to other management and to British Transport Police. The manager was suspended but not for long. A few days later Clara reported for work to find the manager back at work without due internal processes being completed. Terrified she withdrew to a safe place of work locking herself in an office. Clara is now suspended for standing up for vulnerable workers being made to undertake dangerous duties in the acid shed for which they are not trained.

Please send your messages of support for Clara to camden3@rmt. org.uk