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Rare Spanish Sparrow attracting hundreds of birders to quiet Hampshire village
An adult male Spanish sparrow, likely to be from either Spain, Turkey or North Africa, has moved into the gardens and hedgerows of a quiet coastal Hampshire village, Calshot.
The Spanish sparrow, one of only eight birds ever recorded on British soil, has wasted no time in settling in to his new surroundings, as it's believed the lothario has already mated with native house sparrows producing hybrid species, according to the Hampshire Ornithological Society. The species are a common sight in countries such as (you guessed it) Spain, Turkey and North Africa but are extremely rare visitors to the British Isles. The most recent Spanish sparrow sighting in Britain was in 2000 in Cornwall, where the bird was only seen for one day. Previous to this, a Spanish sparrow was also spotted in Cornwall during 1996. This bird however, stayed around for two years. Calshot residents are welcoming birders from all over the UK as locals set up stalls selling tea and cakes in the village hall, with all profits going towards charities such as the RSPB. You can see more of this lovely bird and also the Dark-eyed Junco registered by birders on the same twitch, seen nearby at Hawkhill Inclosure, in the excellent video footage posted to YouTube below. Leica announces new all-in-one super-zoom compact camera - V-Lux 3
Leica Camera AG has announced the all-new Leica V-Lux 3, a versatile all-round compact camera with a 24x optical zoom lens, ideally designed for creative photographers who enjoy shooting wildlife, landscapes, portraits or architecture, as well as sports and other fast-moving subjects.
Perfect for travel photography where flexibility is vital, the V-Lux 3 features a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 4.5 - 108mm f/2.8 - 5.2 ASPH. super-telephoto zoom lens with an enormous range of focal lengths equivalent to 25–600mm in 35mm format, making it ideal for almost all photographic situations. A newly-developed 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor ensures exceptional image quality, performing particularly well in low light and at high speeds. The high contrast, low noise, and rich and natural colours delivered by this sensor set new standards in a camera of this class for both still images and movies. Furthermore, the V-Lux 3’s high-speed continuous shooting function (12 frames per second at full resolution, or 60 frames per second at a resolution of 3.5MP), make it one of the fastest burst-shooting cameras in its category. In addition to still image functionality, the Leica V-Lux 3 offers an extensive range of video options and exceptional quality comparable with premium-range camcorders, capturing full HD video in AVCHD format with 1920 × 1080 pixels and 60 full frames per second, known as 1080p60. This video format not only guarantees the perfect rendition of fast movement with outstanding detail, but is also ideal for conversion to alternative resolutions and refresh rates. In addition, the V-Lux 3 can record footage directly in MP4 format, which can be used directly on mobile devices and on the web, conveniently and without conversion. The entire 24x zoom range is available during video recording, and an integrated stereo microphone with an electronic wind noise filter guarantees a crystal-clear soundtrack. Peter Kruschewski, product manager for Digital Compact Cameras, Leica Camera AG, said, “The Leica V-Lux 3 combines exceptional performance with the handy size of a compact camera, thus uniting the product features of two camera systems, and offering the user numerous benefits. The enormous range of focal lengths covers almost all photographic situations, normally requiring the use of cameras with interchangeable lenses. The V-Lux 3 is therefore an attractive alternative to entry-level DSLR cameras, particularly where size and convenience are paramount.” The Leica V-Lux 3 features a 3" LCD display with 460,000 pixel resolution, delivering an extremely bright and clear view, and enabling precise and reliable composition, framing and review of images. For maximum flexibility, the monitor can be twisted and turned in almost any direction, opening up entirely new horizons for image composition – from even the most unusual or challenging angles. Even if it is necessary to shoot stills or video from above the head or close to the ground, the photographer remains in full control. Characterised by its ergonomic, compact design and extremely simple handling, the V-Lux 3’s integrated handgrip and light weight allow the photographer to produce outstanding images in all situations, including one-handed shooting. The camera controls are clearly laid-out, enabling fast and easy operation. For example, video recording can be started and stopped at the touch of a button on the top of the camera. For maximum protection of the Leica V-Lux 3 in outdoor conditions, a strong, black camera case will be available as an optional accessory. The case is made from the same hard-wearing and water-repellent material used for convertible roofs in the automotive industry. Full specifications for the Leica V-Lux 3 can be found here but here's a quick overview below. Software The Leica V-Lux 3 is supplied with a comprehensive suite of software. Adobe® Photoshop® Elements® provides users with a comprehensive and versatile image editing solution that offers viewing, organisation and a wide range of processing options for still images in compressed or RAW format. Also included is Adobe® Premiere® Elements®, an easy-to-use package offering video processing for movie files recorded by the V-Lux 3 in AVCHD format, and also enabling the creation of professional audio and video effects. Both programs are available as free downloads from the Leica web site after registration of the camera. Leica warranty and added value services The Leica V-Lux 3 comes with a two-year warranty and a one-year Leica UK ‘Passport’ (complimentary accidental damage cover). UK customers are also welcome to visit the Leica Store and Akademie in Mayfair, London, for a complimentary demonstration or training session on the features of the camera. Technical support by telephone is available via Leica’s London-based Client Care department. Pricing and availability The Leica V-Lux 3 is scheduled to be available in the UK from January 2012 from authorised Leica dealers including the Leica Store Mayfair: www.leica-storemayfair.co.uk, tel: 020 7629 1351. A full list of authorised UK Leica dealers is available at www.leica-camera.co.uk. The suggested retail price of the Leica V-Lux 3 is £690 inc. VAT. The black outdoor case will be available at an SRP of £135 inc. VAT. www.uk.leica-camera.com Well stocked British garden feeders spark biggest seen species rise since the Seventies
Fresh off the press today (Oct 27), arrives heartening news that will please all caring garden owners as official new results from the British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) Garden Bird Feeding Survey (GBFS) show that the number of species seen during autumn and winter is up by almost 50% since the 1970s.
The results from the GBFS show that during the 1970s an average garden feeding station hosted 16 species during autumn and winter. This figure rose sharply to 21 species last decade before reaching an all-time high of 23 species last winter – up by half (49%) on the winter of 1970–71, when the GBFS commenced. During this winter the BTO's GBFS examined the increasingly popular activity of providing food for birds in gardens and is the longest-running study of its kind in the world. Observations are made on a weekly basis from October to March, with the maximum number of each species seen using food or water provided, or observed hunting the birds that are using these resources, recorded. The GBFS encompasses approximately 250 gardens in each year that are selected carefully from the larger BTO Garden BirdWatch survey to ensure good geographical coverage across the UK, and a roughly even split between rural and suburban garden types. While numbers of some species – including House Sparrow, Song Thrush and Starling – have declined, the huge influx of other species has resulted in an overall increase. The main winners have been:
Gone are the days when feeding garden birds was centred on kitchen scraps, suet-filled coconut shells and monkey nuts threaded on string. Today, garden bird feeding is a multi-million pound industry, with a bewildering array of nutritious food and feeders on offer. Some 40–50% of UK householders are now thought to feed birds in their gardens, with an estimated 50–60 thousand tonnes of bird food provided per annum. With feeding opportunities changing rapidly, the BTO and their GBFS is playing an essential role in charting effects on birds. GBFS data show that many species – including Great Spotted Woodpecker, Woodpigeon, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, Jay and Chaffinch – use garden feeding stations more when natural foods are in short supply. While the trend for more species using garden feeders is great news for householders, it does raise important questions about the availability of food for birds in the wider countryside. Tim Harrison, BTO Garden Ecology Team, commented: “Changes in farming practices and woodland management appear to be pushing individuals of many species out of these habitats, while increased availability of specialist bird foods and feeders is pulling them into gardens.” David Glue, BTO Research Ecologist, added: “Over its 41-year history, a total of 177 species have been recorded using garden feeding stations through the GBFS, highlighting the important role that gardens can play.” www.bto.org Farming reforms must deliver for wildlife say RSPB Cymru amid concerns over CAP proposals Photograph: Jill Pakenham/BTO
RSPB Cymru has today (Thursday 13 October) warned that the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) could have a damaging and long-term effect on wildlife right across Europe, aswell as in Wales.
The CAP reform proposals published by the European Commission yesterday (Wednesday 12 October) will eventually determine how approximately £300 million of taxpayers’ money will be spent in Wales in the near future. The budget is split into two pillars – direct payments for farmers, and funding for rural development schemes. It is believed that EU ministers want to divert already inadequate rural development money away from environment schemes, and into other areas such as research and competitiveness. In Wales, farmland birds such as lapwing, yellowhammer and curlew rely heavily on wildlife friendly farming methods for their survival. But lately, changes in these farming methods - encouraged by past CAP subsidies, have led to substantial declines in the population of these birds and other wildlife from farms and the surrounding areas. Agri-environment schemes, paid for by the CAP, can and do play a key role in supporting Welsh farmers who help wildlife. Without them it is possible some farmland species could disappear completely in the future. However, only a small proportion of the overall CAP budget is dedicated to these measures and the reform proposals will do little to shift more of the funding in this direction. One specific proposal, will actually allow some countries, including the UK, to move funding from rural development programmes – of which agri-environment schemes are part – and into direct payments (Pillar I of the CAP). Such a move would spell disaster for farmland wildlife. Under the new rules there will be a ‘greening’ element of direct payments. Farmers will be required to include 7 per cent of their land in environmental management. While this is a welcome addition to conservation efforts, the RSPB believes it must not be viewed as a substitute for targeted agri environment schemes. Arfon Williams, Countryside Manager for RSPB Cymru, said: “The CAP must start showing a real delivery for the environment. This means a strong and meaningful ‘greening’ of both CAP pillars including strong greening measures in the first pillar and enough funding going to environmental measures such as agri-environment in the second pillar.” He adds: “If we’re not careful, we will have even less support for wildlife friendly farming in the future than there is now. For the sake of our wildlife we cannot afford to take a backward step.” As they stand, the legislative proposals will fail to address the challenges facing Europe’s natural resources of water, soil, biodiversity and the climate. Not only will the EU set itself up to fail the 2020 target to halt biodiversity decline, it will erode citizens’ quality of life and will harm the very resources upon which farming itself depends. It is now up to the Member States and the European Parliament to work out the details of this reform and it is vital that decision-makers take into account wider societal expectations from agriculture. The way our farmland is managed is critical for food production, natural resource protection and biodiversity conservation the CAP must reflect all these issues. RSPB Cymru believes that at a time of economic hardship the CAP, which represents 40% of the EU budget, must be spent effectively and with clear and positive objectives in mind. This will benefit both the farming community and wider society. www.rspb.org.uk/wales Cyprus: glorious holiday island for humans... but a deathtrap for birds The mist nets used to capture the birds.
Cyprus is highly regarded as a Mediterranean holiday hotspot, and sun-seekers looking for the last of the autumn rays may just be heading there as i type this article.
However, this idyllic holiday destination has a rather darker side. According to BirdLife Cyprus, nearly half a million birds on the island have been caught in a deathtrap in the first two weeks of September, as the island's illegal bird-trapping season gets into full swing. The toll has been estimated following BirdLife's field-monitoring of trapping activity with mist nets and limesticks, as part of its ongoing systematic surveillance programme. The birds, including robins and blackcaps, are killed to supply restaurants with the local delicacy ambelopoulia. The autumn trappers target birds which are migrating between Europe and Africa. 'We estimate that, so far this autumn, some 395,000 birds have been killed illegally using mist nets and limesticks in Cyprus. We know that the autumn season is the main trapping period and this number is certain to get much bigger over the next two months, unless decisive action is taken now to back up enforcement efforts', said Martin Hellicar, Campaigns Manager of BirdLife Cyprus. Tim Stowe is the RSPB's International Director. Commenting on the slaughter, he said: 'Almost 400,000 birds are estimated to have been killed in Cyprus in the first half of September; that's an average of one bird every four seconds. 'This is shocking enough, but the real surprise for many people is the fact that many of these birds will have been killed within a short distance of the island's holiday hotspots, such as Ayia Napa, and a substantial number have been killed inside the UK administered Sovereign Base Areas, especially Dhekelia. Almost 400,000 birds are estimated to have been killed in Cyprus in the first half of September: an average of one bird every four seconds. 'This slaughter is completely illegal under European, Cyprus and Sovereign Base Area law. It beggars belief how Cyprus – a member of the European Union – and the Sovereign Base Area authorities can allow this massacre to continue year after year. It's time that Cyprus and the UK administrations got a grip of this problem before the island becomes the shame of Europe.' This death toll reported here represents the estimated number of birds killed up to Sunday 19th September 2011. The estimate will be updated on the BirdLife Cyprus website every Monday until the end of October. BirdLife Cyprus has also launched an appeal to gather signatures for a petition to be sent to Cyprus ministers urging them to take action. Hundreds of thousands of migrant birds are being slaughtered in Cyprus to feed an appetite for illegal delicacies. We can all try to help end this now by signing this petition with the hope that action will be taken sooner, rather than later. www.birdlifecyprus.org |
'Unique' Isles of Scilly enjoying a fine year for rare bird migrations
Birders in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have reported one of the finest years for rare bird migrations since the 1960s.
A combination of warm weather, hurricanes and wind direction caused changes to migrating patterns this year, with the Scillies' unique geographical position benefiting hugely as rare birds took advantage of a "crossroads for migration". RSPB conservation officer Paul St Pierre said a combination of hurricanes and warm weather had brought some birds from the United States and added that high-pressure systems had caused the direction of the wind to bring in rare bird species such as the desert wheatear from central Asia and dusky warblers from south-east Asia. Asked why some birds ended up far away from usual migration spots, Mr St Pierre said: "In the autumn, we often get something called 'drift migrations'. "Birds that have come across from the continent and are making their way from northern Europe down to Africa get blown across runs of easterly winds. "We then have something called 'reverse migration' where birds are travelling from northern Asia down to south-east Asia. "Rather than going into south-east Asia, they can almost get 180 degrees wrong and go into western Europe. "Another type of migration that is taking place is 'storm riding' where birds make these amazing journeys across the Atlantic off the back of these hurricanes that come out of the Caribbean. "If these storms track low enough, and they come through south-west England, then the Scilly Isles is the ideal location for birds to land." www.simplyscilly.co.uk www.rspb.org.uk 103 critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper's discovered at threatened stopover site in China
A third of the global population of the critically endangered spoon-billed sandpiper has been discovered at a key stopover site in China. A world record 103 birds were recorded at a new site within the Rudong mudflats in China last week.
The estimated total global number of spoon-billed sandpipers is thought to be less than 300 adults, meaning the site is depended upon as a stopover for around a third of the world’s population. This discovery has further highlighted plans to redevelop the site, which may/will have a serious impact on the suitability of the area for spoon-billed sandpipers, plunging the birds’ future into perilous danger. Declining at a rate of a quarter each year, the spoon-billed sandpiper could be extinct within a decade unless action to halt development on the bird’s flyway is taken. Members of the Shanghai Wild Bird Society (SWBS) were responsible for the find and have been financially supported by the East Asian Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP). Tong Menxui from the SBWS discovered the unusually high numbers over a series of days, peaking at 103 on October 12. He said: “The sudden cold spell and bad weather might have triggered the birds to stop migrating further so the birds are assembling on Rudong before crossing larger distances. Among the flocks were only two juveniles, which are known to migrate separately and usually later. We intend to continue to monitor the site for more birds passing through over the coming days and weeks.” The spoon-billed sandpiper is threatened by loss of essential intertidal feeding sites along its 8000km migration route from Russia to its wintering grounds in south and south-east Asia, and also by trapping on its non-breeding grounds. While these issues are being tackled by the joint efforts of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force - a programme has begun to create a captive breeding population of the bird in the UK. An emergency rescue mission to save the spoony got underway in May. A partnership of conservationists, including experts from the RSPB, Birds Russia and WWT, travelled to the remote far east of Russia to take eggs and hatch them in captivity. The birds will soon be brought to the UK where they will be part of a captive breeding programme. It is hoped offspring of the birds will be used to supplement the wild population in years to come. The conservation-breeding programme is just part of an international campaign to save the spoon-billed sandpiper and will benefit many endangered species that use the same migratory flyway. The RSPB and Birds Russia, together with BirdLife International, WWT and the BTO as well as other partners in the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force are encouraging governments to conserve the most important wildlife sites, and recognise their great natural value to human society. Christoph Zöckler, the Coordinator of the EAAFP Spoon-billed Sandpiper Task Force, said: “These are very exciting findings and I congratulate Tong Menxui on finding such a big flock. The fact that so many of the world’s population of spoon-billed sandpipers have been spotted here means this site is extremely important to them. “Immediate and urgent action is required to stop any further development and to protect the intertidal mudflats in Rudong and at other sensitive areas on the Chinese coast, such as the Minjiang Estuary, in order to prevent the extinction of this and potentially many other species for which this area is of great significance. “This is an opportunity for China to lead the way, just as the country has with its work to save the Giant panda. By simply safeguarding this site, the Chinese Government could do more for the future of this endangered bird than the rest of us put together.” Migration series: commuting, risks, complex movements, gardens, diets and science - phew!
In part one of this series, we take a closer look at migration and the various complex elements and scenarios to this annual odyssey for birds.
Migration is simply amazing behaviour, and birds undertaking these long journeys accept the risks associated with it. Some of the risks a small bird may encounter involve simply running out of fuel, getting blown off course due to weather conditions or worst of all, being taken by a predator. This begs the question, why move around? Well, its a case of needs must - and the benefits far outweigh the risks. It is staggering to think that a small bird weighing around 22g will commute back and forth from southern Africa to your UK garden, but that is just what the swallow does. However, it isn't just swallows that make this long and potentially perilous journey. When we talk about migratory birds, we mainly pick out summer visitors like swallow, spotted flycatcher and cuckoo but many small birds undertake a range of different and in some cases, complex movements for many different reasons. Most of these movements go unnoticed by the casual observer, as familiar species are seen in the garden all year round. Now though, thanks to the efforts of bird ringers and scientists up and down the land, we now know more about certain birds' migrating patterns of behaviour to find valuable resources such as garden bird feeders than ever before. The process of natural selection favours individuals that have certain characteristics or behaviour that increase their lifetime reproductive success. For instance, we know that by breeding in one area and wintering in another, a bird will increase its reproductive success rate over another bird which remains in one place of habitat. This means natural selection should result in a population of individuals that move around rather than staying put. A birds diet will also vary according to seasons. Birds that feed on insects while in the northern hemisphere can take advantage of large insect populations during the summer months, but come the autumn, when insects are in short supply, they will either switch to another type of food such as seed or berries or retreat south where insects remain in good supply. Seasonal changes however, are very unpredictable and seed and berry crops may vary between years and areas. The result of this unpredictability will trigger movements in birds such as waxwing that make the predictability of seeing these birds even more difficult. Another interesting fact when we study migration is that not all species behave in the same way - as is life. Populations like blackbird for instance are partial migratory birds. Most blackbirds tend to be sedentary over much of their breeding range but birds that breed in the north are migratory, as they seek warmer climes of the south or western Europe. Blackbirds tend to be at their peak travelling through Britain in mid-October, so you will notice a few more in the garden at this point, as they seek a final destination of France or Spain. Some though, will have had enough by then, and may just choose to hang around in Blighty. More to come in our migration series soon. |
Rare Sandhill Crane blown into RSPB Loch of Strathbeg reserve by Hurricane Katia
Photograph: Pauline Johnson
A rare adult sandhill crane, only the fourth ever to be recorded here in Britain, has been spotted at the RSPB's Loch of Strathbeg nature reserve. The reserve may be currently playing host to thousands of wintering geese but it is this rare American visitor that is attracting all the attention in Aberdeenshire.
The species normally breeds in North America and Canada, migrating south in the autumn months. Reserve staff believe the bird may have been blown off course by Hurricane Katia.
Diana Spencer, Visitor and Publicity Officer at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg said: “We’ve had a few ‘lost’ American birds on the reserve recently, but we’ve never had one as large as this. It’s quite unmistakable, similar in size to a heron with a bright red forehead, and long dark pointed bill. Despite having 12,000 geese on the reserve, all eyes, binoculars and telescopes have been on this new arrival. We’re expecting it’ll attract a lot of interest over the weekend from birders across the country.”
Staff are also keen to hear from a visitor who reported a crane on the reserve last Saturday. It was presumed at the time this was a common crane but it’s now thought this may have been the first sighting of the new arrival.
Birds like the Sandhill crane, which turn up miles from where they are supposed to be, are called vagrants. There is no way of knowing where this bird will go next. It has been seen preening itself, which suggests it is moulting. It is therefore likely it will remain at Loch of Strathbeg until it is in perfect condition to continue travelling south.
Footage of the bird taken by a reserve visitor on Sept 22,19:00 hours can be viewed below.
The species normally breeds in North America and Canada, migrating south in the autumn months. Reserve staff believe the bird may have been blown off course by Hurricane Katia.
Diana Spencer, Visitor and Publicity Officer at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg said: “We’ve had a few ‘lost’ American birds on the reserve recently, but we’ve never had one as large as this. It’s quite unmistakable, similar in size to a heron with a bright red forehead, and long dark pointed bill. Despite having 12,000 geese on the reserve, all eyes, binoculars and telescopes have been on this new arrival. We’re expecting it’ll attract a lot of interest over the weekend from birders across the country.”
Staff are also keen to hear from a visitor who reported a crane on the reserve last Saturday. It was presumed at the time this was a common crane but it’s now thought this may have been the first sighting of the new arrival.
Birds like the Sandhill crane, which turn up miles from where they are supposed to be, are called vagrants. There is no way of knowing where this bird will go next. It has been seen preening itself, which suggests it is moulting. It is therefore likely it will remain at Loch of Strathbeg until it is in perfect condition to continue travelling south.
Footage of the bird taken by a reserve visitor on Sept 22,19:00 hours can be viewed below.
RSPB issues good advice to eager gardeners...
The RSPB is appealing to gardeners and local authorities to wait a while longer before trimming hedges, trees and bushes. The wildlife charity says that the ‘short back and sides’ approach in the garden is bad news for birds, as many plants will still have an abundance of berries which could see them and their families through the winter. Its fairly obvious, but chopping them down could starve birds of a vital fruit supply.
You could also disturb late nesting birds as you hack away at greenery as they may still be resident in shrubs and hedges. Peak breeding season has ended but garden birds like pigeons and collared doves have extended breeding periods and may still be nesting. Most garden birds breed between March and August but some species will be on their nests until late into September.
The RSPB’s Val Osborne commented: “If you can possibly wait a while to cut your foliage, please do. In chopping down hedges, bushes and trees you could be wiping out a vital food source for birds, and other creatures.
“Last year’s winter larder of berries on shrubs and hedges meant the difference between life and death for many resident birds and winter visitors, and if they are removed this early in the year, it could be disastrous.
“Never rule out the possibility that a little face might be staring back you when you chop back leaves too – it is extremely distressing for both the bird and the gardener when a potential nest or shelter is disturbed.”
The RSPB is also appealing to local councils to heed their advice, after receiving numerous calls from members of the public reporting that long stretches of hedgerows are being trimmed almost bare.
Some councils have to cut hedges for path access or horticultural reasons, but where there is flexibility, the wildlife charity suggests waiting until the end of summer. If however, maintenance is unavoidable at this time, the RSPB asks that gardeners, local authorities and contractors consider nesting birds and do preliminary inspections before undertaking any work. The wildlife charity has been heartened by the number of people calling in to report hedge cutting and find out whether they are right to suggest if they should stop.
If you discover a nest, the advice is to try and restore any covering and leave it alone until the young birds have flown. All bird’s nests and eggs are protected by law and it is illegal to deliberately destroy nests in the garden and the wider countryside. (Not that you would - ed).
For more info, head on over to the RSPB's website.
www.rspb.org.uk
You could also disturb late nesting birds as you hack away at greenery as they may still be resident in shrubs and hedges. Peak breeding season has ended but garden birds like pigeons and collared doves have extended breeding periods and may still be nesting. Most garden birds breed between March and August but some species will be on their nests until late into September.
The RSPB’s Val Osborne commented: “If you can possibly wait a while to cut your foliage, please do. In chopping down hedges, bushes and trees you could be wiping out a vital food source for birds, and other creatures.
“Last year’s winter larder of berries on shrubs and hedges meant the difference between life and death for many resident birds and winter visitors, and if they are removed this early in the year, it could be disastrous.
“Never rule out the possibility that a little face might be staring back you when you chop back leaves too – it is extremely distressing for both the bird and the gardener when a potential nest or shelter is disturbed.”
The RSPB is also appealing to local councils to heed their advice, after receiving numerous calls from members of the public reporting that long stretches of hedgerows are being trimmed almost bare.
Some councils have to cut hedges for path access or horticultural reasons, but where there is flexibility, the wildlife charity suggests waiting until the end of summer. If however, maintenance is unavoidable at this time, the RSPB asks that gardeners, local authorities and contractors consider nesting birds and do preliminary inspections before undertaking any work. The wildlife charity has been heartened by the number of people calling in to report hedge cutting and find out whether they are right to suggest if they should stop.
If you discover a nest, the advice is to try and restore any covering and leave it alone until the young birds have flown. All bird’s nests and eggs are protected by law and it is illegal to deliberately destroy nests in the garden and the wider countryside. (Not that you would - ed).
For more info, head on over to the RSPB's website.
www.rspb.org.uk
Record number of Golden Eagles among victims as illegal bird of prey killing remains high
Four golden eagles, the most recorded in a single year since the RSPB began keeping records, were amongst 29 birds illegally poisoned
last year, according to the latest annual report by RSPB Scotland.
The report, The illegal killing of birds of prey in Scotland in 2010, indicates that persecution remains at high levels and continues to pose a serious risk to the long-term populations of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable birds of prey. This unique record covers all forms of illegal killing of birds of prey and compliments the annual Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture report which focuses on illegal poisoning of wildlife and other animals, including cases related to birds of prey.
Thirteen buzzards, seven red kites, two peregrines and one white-tailed eagle were amongst those confirmed by Scottish Government testing to have been poisoned, in addition to the golden eagles above. A further eight birds of prey were also confirmed as victims of shooting, trapping or nest destruction.
However, as many of these crimes were discovered purely by chance, by walkers or birdwatchers, in remote areas of countryside, it’s likely that these figures represent 'the tip of the iceberg.' Recent studies published in scientific journals investigating the populations of golden eagle, hen harrier and red kite indicate
that this is indeed the case.
The majority of incidents involving banned poisons took place in areas managed for driven grouse shooting
As in recent years, the majority of incidents involving banned poisons took place in areas managed for driven grouse shooting, particularly in the eastern and central Highlands and the southern Uplands of Scotland.
2010 also saw an increase in the confirmed use of highly toxic banned agricultural pesticides, such as Aldicarb and Carbofuran. Both chemicals have been previously linked with illegal poisoning cases involving birds of prey.
Today, RSPB Scotland is raising fresh concerns that if this illegal behaviour continues, the Scottish populations of long-lived and slow breeding raptor species, including the golden eagle will continue to suffer and remain well below natural levels.
Stuart Housden, Director of RSPB Scotland, said: 'The criminal practice of illegally killing birds of prey remains a most serious conservation issue.
'Following welcome new measures to tackle this crime, we are working hard with the authorities and responsible land managers to see how we can use both intelligence and scientific information to better target enforcement against the perpetrators.
'We look forward to this yielding the visible results of an increase in the population and range of vulnerable species such as the hen harrier, red kite, golden eagle and white-tailed eagle.'
Duncan Orr-Ewing, Head of Species and Land Management at RSPB Scotland, added: 'We thank the public for their continued vigilance and encourage any suspected crimes to be reported quickly to the police and RSPB Scotland.
'Such reports were pivotal in finding illegally killed birds, sadly including four poisoned golden eagles, in 2010. Everybody can play a part in supporting efforts to bear down on these crimes in our countryside, which are so detrimental to some of Scotland’s tourism and other rural industries.'
www.rspb.org.uk/scotland
last year, according to the latest annual report by RSPB Scotland.
The report, The illegal killing of birds of prey in Scotland in 2010, indicates that persecution remains at high levels and continues to pose a serious risk to the long-term populations of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable birds of prey. This unique record covers all forms of illegal killing of birds of prey and compliments the annual Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture report which focuses on illegal poisoning of wildlife and other animals, including cases related to birds of prey.
Thirteen buzzards, seven red kites, two peregrines and one white-tailed eagle were amongst those confirmed by Scottish Government testing to have been poisoned, in addition to the golden eagles above. A further eight birds of prey were also confirmed as victims of shooting, trapping or nest destruction.
However, as many of these crimes were discovered purely by chance, by walkers or birdwatchers, in remote areas of countryside, it’s likely that these figures represent 'the tip of the iceberg.' Recent studies published in scientific journals investigating the populations of golden eagle, hen harrier and red kite indicate
that this is indeed the case.
The majority of incidents involving banned poisons took place in areas managed for driven grouse shooting
As in recent years, the majority of incidents involving banned poisons took place in areas managed for driven grouse shooting, particularly in the eastern and central Highlands and the southern Uplands of Scotland.
2010 also saw an increase in the confirmed use of highly toxic banned agricultural pesticides, such as Aldicarb and Carbofuran. Both chemicals have been previously linked with illegal poisoning cases involving birds of prey.
Today, RSPB Scotland is raising fresh concerns that if this illegal behaviour continues, the Scottish populations of long-lived and slow breeding raptor species, including the golden eagle will continue to suffer and remain well below natural levels.
Stuart Housden, Director of RSPB Scotland, said: 'The criminal practice of illegally killing birds of prey remains a most serious conservation issue.
'Following welcome new measures to tackle this crime, we are working hard with the authorities and responsible land managers to see how we can use both intelligence and scientific information to better target enforcement against the perpetrators.
'We look forward to this yielding the visible results of an increase in the population and range of vulnerable species such as the hen harrier, red kite, golden eagle and white-tailed eagle.'
Duncan Orr-Ewing, Head of Species and Land Management at RSPB Scotland, added: 'We thank the public for their continued vigilance and encourage any suspected crimes to be reported quickly to the police and RSPB Scotland.
'Such reports were pivotal in finding illegally killed birds, sadly including four poisoned golden eagles, in 2010. Everybody can play a part in supporting efforts to bear down on these crimes in our countryside, which are so detrimental to some of Scotland’s tourism and other rural industries.'
www.rspb.org.uk/scotland
Thousands of wintering Pink-footed Geese arrive back at reserve hotspot in Scotland
Follow www.rspb.org.uk/goosewatch
The first of tens of thousands of wintering geese have started to arrive back in Scotland as part of their annual migration. Over 1,000 pink-footed geese were recorded at RSPB Scotland’s Loch of Strathbeg nature reserve in Aberdeenshire over the weekend.
In recent years the reserve has acted as a night-time roost for one of the biggest flocks in the UK, with up to 70,000 geese touching down.
Often described as Scotland’s equivalent of the wildebeest migration in Africa, every year hundreds of thousands of geese stop off in the UK as they migrate from their summer breeding grounds in the Arctic circle.
In Scotland the most commonly sighted species are the pink-footed goose, greylag goose and barnacle goose. Numbers of the birds usually reach their peak in October but smaller flocks can be spotted at lochs and estuaries right through until March time.
Louise Smith of RSPB said: “It’s always an exciting time when the geese return, not only does the reserve burst with activity again but it also provides visitors with a chance to see one of Scotland’s most stunning winter spectacles. The sight of tens of thousands of geese lifting off as one is a truly magical experience."
Over the next few months, the geese will feed and rest on the reserve before continuing on their passage south. During that time RSPB will conduct regular counts to monitor the population. RSPB reserves at Mersehead, Vane Farm and Loch Gruinart are also well known goose ‘hotspots’ with thousands of geese arriving throughout the Autumn.
You can follow all migratory goose news via www.rspb.org.uk/goosewatch as it happens and for the more adventurous, why not wrap up warm and join RSPB staff throughout the season on a range of morning or evening guided goose walks. Simply log on to the RSPB site to find a goose 'hotspot' near you and follow the reserve links for up-to-date information.You can also report your own goose sightings via Twitter using the hash tag #goosewatch or by e-mail to goosewatch@rspb.org.uk - the conservation charity would be delighted to hear from you i'm sure.
www.rspb.org.uk
In recent years the reserve has acted as a night-time roost for one of the biggest flocks in the UK, with up to 70,000 geese touching down.
Often described as Scotland’s equivalent of the wildebeest migration in Africa, every year hundreds of thousands of geese stop off in the UK as they migrate from their summer breeding grounds in the Arctic circle.
In Scotland the most commonly sighted species are the pink-footed goose, greylag goose and barnacle goose. Numbers of the birds usually reach their peak in October but smaller flocks can be spotted at lochs and estuaries right through until March time.
Louise Smith of RSPB said: “It’s always an exciting time when the geese return, not only does the reserve burst with activity again but it also provides visitors with a chance to see one of Scotland’s most stunning winter spectacles. The sight of tens of thousands of geese lifting off as one is a truly magical experience."
Over the next few months, the geese will feed and rest on the reserve before continuing on their passage south. During that time RSPB will conduct regular counts to monitor the population. RSPB reserves at Mersehead, Vane Farm and Loch Gruinart are also well known goose ‘hotspots’ with thousands of geese arriving throughout the Autumn.
You can follow all migratory goose news via www.rspb.org.uk/goosewatch as it happens and for the more adventurous, why not wrap up warm and join RSPB staff throughout the season on a range of morning or evening guided goose walks. Simply log on to the RSPB site to find a goose 'hotspot' near you and follow the reserve links for up-to-date information.You can also report your own goose sightings via Twitter using the hash tag #goosewatch or by e-mail to goosewatch@rspb.org.uk - the conservation charity would be delighted to hear from you i'm sure.
www.rspb.org.uk
Up close and personal with: Swarovski Optik's CL Companion 30mm Binoculars
We especially like the all-black CL model.
We'll come straight out with it - Swarovski's 2011 CL range of binoculars provide good value for money and performance, all things considered. Whether you're a novice or fairly decent birder, these binoculars are just the all-round everyday ticket.
Swarovski's reputation for making high quality products with proven precision is clearly evident in the CL Companion range despite their compact size and price point. At just 4.7 inches in length and weighing around 18 oz., the CL Companion is among the smallest 30mm binoculars available on the market, and the compact design allows you to keep them close at hand, to grab whenever opportunity knocks, as they will fit in most outdoor jacket pockets.
The unique ergonomics and compact construction of the CL binoculars helps to ensure excellent manageability and simple handling. They offer fast focusing with just one turn, straightforward dioptric adjustment, as well as twist in eyecups that offer a full field of view for spectacle wearers (such as us.) The brightness and clarity of the optics is quite special given these binoculars are under a £1000.
Below is a quick technical overview and some options available:
OPTICS
- High reproduction quality and transmission for bright, high-contrast images
- SWAROBRIGHT, SWARODUR and SWAROTOP coatings
- 3m (9.8 ft) shortest focusing distance
- Slender construction due to high-precision roof prism system with phase-corrected coating (P-coating)
MECHANISM
- Non-slip, easy-to-handle focusing wheel
- Individually adjustable twist-in eyecups made from allergy-tested material
- Dirtproof and dustproof
- Submersion tightness: 4m / 13ft water depth due to interior focusing
- No fogging due to nitrogen filling
- Shock absorbing, non-slip full rubber armouring
DESIGN
- Ergonomically designed for comfort and ease of use
- Slender bridge construction and thumb depressions on the underside of the binoculars for steady, balanced viewing comfort
The full rubber coating on the CL Companion binoculars protects against damage and provides an excellent grip, even in the most adverse weather conditions. Available in all-black (our favourite), green or tan, the CL Companion binoculars come complete with a water repellent field bag, carrying strap, wrist strap, and objective lens covers and eyepiece cover.
They certainly aren't for Sunday best - you need the premium EL's, but well worth looking at for everyday usage in our humble opinion.
www.swarovskioptik.com
Swarovski's reputation for making high quality products with proven precision is clearly evident in the CL Companion range despite their compact size and price point. At just 4.7 inches in length and weighing around 18 oz., the CL Companion is among the smallest 30mm binoculars available on the market, and the compact design allows you to keep them close at hand, to grab whenever opportunity knocks, as they will fit in most outdoor jacket pockets.
The unique ergonomics and compact construction of the CL binoculars helps to ensure excellent manageability and simple handling. They offer fast focusing with just one turn, straightforward dioptric adjustment, as well as twist in eyecups that offer a full field of view for spectacle wearers (such as us.) The brightness and clarity of the optics is quite special given these binoculars are under a £1000.
Below is a quick technical overview and some options available:
OPTICS
- High reproduction quality and transmission for bright, high-contrast images
- SWAROBRIGHT, SWARODUR and SWAROTOP coatings
- 3m (9.8 ft) shortest focusing distance
- Slender construction due to high-precision roof prism system with phase-corrected coating (P-coating)
MECHANISM
- Non-slip, easy-to-handle focusing wheel
- Individually adjustable twist-in eyecups made from allergy-tested material
- Dirtproof and dustproof
- Submersion tightness: 4m / 13ft water depth due to interior focusing
- No fogging due to nitrogen filling
- Shock absorbing, non-slip full rubber armouring
DESIGN
- Ergonomically designed for comfort and ease of use
- Slender bridge construction and thumb depressions on the underside of the binoculars for steady, balanced viewing comfort
The full rubber coating on the CL Companion binoculars protects against damage and provides an excellent grip, even in the most adverse weather conditions. Available in all-black (our favourite), green or tan, the CL Companion binoculars come complete with a water repellent field bag, carrying strap, wrist strap, and objective lens covers and eyepiece cover.
They certainly aren't for Sunday best - you need the premium EL's, but well worth looking at for everyday usage in our humble opinion.
www.swarovskioptik.com
Residents battling to help save Northern Ireland's dwindling Yellowhammer population
Beautiful Yellowhammer in full song.
Local bird lovers are battling to boost numbers of yellowhammer - once a familiar sight in Northern Ireland’s hedgerows, but unfortunately now an endangered species.
It is estimated that the Yellowhammer population in Northern Ireland has declined by a dramatic 90% over the last 12 years and the species is now on the RSPB’s Red List of birds of high conservation concern.
In 2006 the RSPB set up a five year project in the east Co Down area to try and rally numbers. The scheme has just come to an end and although the statistics are currently being analysed, the initial results look promising.
Claire Barnett, NI farmland bird recovery officer for the RSPB, said: “At one time you’d have seen Yellowhammers all over Northern Ireland but we estimate that there are now only around 5,000 pairs left, which represents a dramatic drop in the local population.
”Yellowhammers are seed-eating farmland birds. They are sparrow-sized and the males have a bright yellow head and a rusty back. They also have a very distinctive song and will fly to the highest perch they can find - a telegraph pole, a tall tree or the highest hedge - and sing their hearts out. Their song is supposed to sound like ‘A little bit of bread and no cheese!’
“They are absolutely gorgeous and a beautiful addition to our natural environment. It is such a shame that it is now a threatened species.”
Claire added: “The decline in numbers is most likely a result of modern farming practices: more grass and less cereals are being grown across the country and the autumn sowing of cereals like wheat and barley that are being grown mean the loss of winter stubble, which is affecting many other seed eating farmland birds, such as skylarks, linnets and tree sparrows.
“Our work has been concentrated in eastern Co Down, an area of largely arable and mixed farms and one of the last remaining strongholds in Northern Ireland for Yellowhammer. We’ve been giving farmers in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Countryside Management Scheme advice - they have grown sources of seed specifically for birds over the winter and reduced the use of insecticides and herbicides on their crops.
“This provides an essential winter seed source for the birds and adequate supplies of insects in the spring and summer for the birds to raise their chicks. Other farmers didn’t change their practices so we were able to make comparisons. More than 50 farms were involved and the signs so far are very positive,” she said.
“The general public can help too. Yellowhammers can be attracted into gardens with bird food such as corn and seed, especially in winter and spring when natural food supplies are short.”
www.rspb.org.uk
It is estimated that the Yellowhammer population in Northern Ireland has declined by a dramatic 90% over the last 12 years and the species is now on the RSPB’s Red List of birds of high conservation concern.
In 2006 the RSPB set up a five year project in the east Co Down area to try and rally numbers. The scheme has just come to an end and although the statistics are currently being analysed, the initial results look promising.
Claire Barnett, NI farmland bird recovery officer for the RSPB, said: “At one time you’d have seen Yellowhammers all over Northern Ireland but we estimate that there are now only around 5,000 pairs left, which represents a dramatic drop in the local population.
”Yellowhammers are seed-eating farmland birds. They are sparrow-sized and the males have a bright yellow head and a rusty back. They also have a very distinctive song and will fly to the highest perch they can find - a telegraph pole, a tall tree or the highest hedge - and sing their hearts out. Their song is supposed to sound like ‘A little bit of bread and no cheese!’
“They are absolutely gorgeous and a beautiful addition to our natural environment. It is such a shame that it is now a threatened species.”
Claire added: “The decline in numbers is most likely a result of modern farming practices: more grass and less cereals are being grown across the country and the autumn sowing of cereals like wheat and barley that are being grown mean the loss of winter stubble, which is affecting many other seed eating farmland birds, such as skylarks, linnets and tree sparrows.
“Our work has been concentrated in eastern Co Down, an area of largely arable and mixed farms and one of the last remaining strongholds in Northern Ireland for Yellowhammer. We’ve been giving farmers in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Countryside Management Scheme advice - they have grown sources of seed specifically for birds over the winter and reduced the use of insecticides and herbicides on their crops.
“This provides an essential winter seed source for the birds and adequate supplies of insects in the spring and summer for the birds to raise their chicks. Other farmers didn’t change their practices so we were able to make comparisons. More than 50 farms were involved and the signs so far are very positive,” she said.
“The general public can help too. Yellowhammers can be attracted into gardens with bird food such as corn and seed, especially in winter and spring when natural food supplies are short.”
www.rspb.org.uk
RSPB asking for one final 'Swift' push forward...
Swiftly heading back to Africa.
Summer? What Summer! Although summer might not have been immediately obvious for many of us, one thing that brightened the days was screaming swifts in full majestic flight through UK skies.
Sadly though, after just a few weeks, the summer migrants are starting the long journey to their winter homes over Africa.
The RSPB reports that its been delighted by the number of swift sightings they’ve received since they launched their annual ‘swift search’ at the start of summer, to find out where the rapidly declining birds are nesting. And now the wildlife charity is making a final call for last reports as the final few birds leave for Africa.
Kevin Goodwin, who has swifts nesting near his home, says: “I live in a Victorian terraced house and all summer we’ve had swifts screaming up and down our street, darting between the rows of houses.
“They’ve become an unofficial guest at BBQs and parties and we’ve grown to love having them around. But a few days ago we noticed that there are far fewer and this week there have hardly been any except one or two in the evening. We’re sad to see them go but know we’ll be able to set our clock by them next year. And let’s hope they’ll bring more sunshine with them too!”
Swifts have declined by a third in recent years and they have been placed on the amber list, meaning they are of serious conservation concern. The exact causes of the decline aren’t clear, but a loss of nest sites due to building improvement or demolition is a major problem.
Swifts nest almost exclusively on buildings, especially old structures with lots of gaps and nooks. Almost all sightings in last year’s survey were swifts found nesting on buildings and over three quarters of them (77%), were found nesting in houses. Over half of the buildings were over ninety years old and exactly a quarter were built between 1919-1944. By their nature such buildings often need repair and maintenance work and this often leads to loss of nest sites, some of which may have been in use for many years.
As the swift search kicked off in June, the RSPB highlighted the good, the bad and the ugly, as reports proved that although lots of people are helping swifts when they arrive in the UK for summer, sadly there are many who are making their lives harder.
Worryingly, the RSPB has received reports of people intentionally damaging nest sites, by putting up scaffolding and fitting plastic spikes around swift nest sites, preventing access. Swift nests are protected by law whilst in use.
As swifts will only be seen for a few more days, the wildlife charity is asking for any sightings they’ve not yet heard about of groups screaming at roof level, a good sign they are breeding nearby, or where they have seen swifts nesting – perhaps entering a hole in the building or under a roof.
The RSPB has now made almost 25,000 records of swifts around the UK available on the internet, via the National Biodiversity Network. It uses the information to encourage developers, local councils and building companies to retain or create nest sites.
The survey is ongoing, and the RSPB would like any sightings reported to them via their website at www.rspb.org.uk/helpswifts - so head on over for more info.
www.rspb.org.uk
Sadly though, after just a few weeks, the summer migrants are starting the long journey to their winter homes over Africa.
The RSPB reports that its been delighted by the number of swift sightings they’ve received since they launched their annual ‘swift search’ at the start of summer, to find out where the rapidly declining birds are nesting. And now the wildlife charity is making a final call for last reports as the final few birds leave for Africa.
Kevin Goodwin, who has swifts nesting near his home, says: “I live in a Victorian terraced house and all summer we’ve had swifts screaming up and down our street, darting between the rows of houses.
“They’ve become an unofficial guest at BBQs and parties and we’ve grown to love having them around. But a few days ago we noticed that there are far fewer and this week there have hardly been any except one or two in the evening. We’re sad to see them go but know we’ll be able to set our clock by them next year. And let’s hope they’ll bring more sunshine with them too!”
Swifts have declined by a third in recent years and they have been placed on the amber list, meaning they are of serious conservation concern. The exact causes of the decline aren’t clear, but a loss of nest sites due to building improvement or demolition is a major problem.
Swifts nest almost exclusively on buildings, especially old structures with lots of gaps and nooks. Almost all sightings in last year’s survey were swifts found nesting on buildings and over three quarters of them (77%), were found nesting in houses. Over half of the buildings were over ninety years old and exactly a quarter were built between 1919-1944. By their nature such buildings often need repair and maintenance work and this often leads to loss of nest sites, some of which may have been in use for many years.
As the swift search kicked off in June, the RSPB highlighted the good, the bad and the ugly, as reports proved that although lots of people are helping swifts when they arrive in the UK for summer, sadly there are many who are making their lives harder.
Worryingly, the RSPB has received reports of people intentionally damaging nest sites, by putting up scaffolding and fitting plastic spikes around swift nest sites, preventing access. Swift nests are protected by law whilst in use.
As swifts will only be seen for a few more days, the wildlife charity is asking for any sightings they’ve not yet heard about of groups screaming at roof level, a good sign they are breeding nearby, or where they have seen swifts nesting – perhaps entering a hole in the building or under a roof.
The RSPB has now made almost 25,000 records of swifts around the UK available on the internet, via the National Biodiversity Network. It uses the information to encourage developers, local councils and building companies to retain or create nest sites.
The survey is ongoing, and the RSPB would like any sightings reported to them via their website at www.rspb.org.uk/helpswifts - so head on over for more info.
www.rspb.org.uk
Booming Bitterns enjoying best year ever say RSPB and Natural England
Britain’s loudest bird - the bittern, once extinct in the UK, has enjoyed its best year since records began according to a new survey by the RSPB and Natural England.
The bittern – a threatened relative of the more familiar grey heron – is bouncing back thanks to intensive conservation efforts, which has seen its population rise over the last 15 years from 11 males in 1997 to 104 this year.
Bitterns are highly secretive wetland birds and spend most of their time within dense stands of reed, making them very difficult to count. However, the males have an amazing ‘beatbox’ ability, where they fill their gullets with air which they release to make a booming ‘song’ which can be heard several kilometers away. Incredibly, it's this booming which has enabled scientists to determine the bird’s population.
The bittern is one of 52 species on the UK Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. 246 species are listed in total on either red, amber or green lists, depending upon their current conservation status. But, this summer, researchers found evidence of at least 104 ‘singing’ or ‘booming’ males, principally in East Anglia. It seems the species has also recolonised the Somerset Levels (in 2008), where surveyors found 25 males, up from 14 in 2010. Following an intensive period of habitat management since the mid 1990s, Somerset is now the second most important county for booming bitterns in England, after Suffolk, which recorded 33 boomers. Norfolk (where Birding24/7 has most bittern success - Cley marshes) was third in the list with 23 booming males recorded.
The bittern has had a rollercoaster history in Britain, as the bird was extinct as a nesting species between 1886 and when it recolonised the Norfolk Broads in 1911. The bird’s population rose once more until the 1950s when another decline brought the population to a recent low in 1997.
Natural Environment Minister Richard Benyon said: “To see a species that was once extinct in the UK rise to a population of over one hundred is a real achievement. This is largely down to the work of the RSPB and Natural England, and shows what can be achieved if we work together. This partnership work is vital as we work to meet the commitments set out in the Natural Environment White Paper and the England Biodiversity Strategy.”
Martin Harper is the RSPB’s Conservation Director. He said: “To lose the bittern once in Britain was regrettable, but to have lost it twice would have been unforgiveable. Concern for the bittern in the 1990s led to an intensive species-recovery programme, with research and habitat improvement and creation playing major roles. Focussed work on bitterns has led to great gains for reedbeds and all the wildlife associated with this priority habitat.
“This species-led approach to bittern conservation has been vital for the recovery of the bird in England. We look forward to seeing an extension to this approach for other threatened species as a central theme in the England Biodiversity Strategy delivery plan.”
Seventeen out of every 20 English booming bitterns (85%) were recorded on nature reserves and overall almost two thirds (65%) of booming bitterns in 2011 were recorded on Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Still facing threatsThe bittern still faces several threats, including sea level rise, where freshwater sites along the coast could be inundated by saltwater. Additionally, a potential issue is the need for sites suitable for nesting bitterns to receive on-going management.
Dr Pete Brotherton, Natural England’s Head of Biodiversity said: “The bittern’s recovery is a great conservation achievement and shows what can be done when government, conservationists and landowners work together. This is an encouraging sign that we can restore and improve our wetland habitats, which bring vital benefits to both people and wildlife.”
The number of booming males recorded in the top five counties during the 2011 survey is highlighted below (The figures in brackets refer to the figures in 1997): Suffolk 33 (4); Somerset 25 (1); Norfolk 23 (3); Cambridgeshire 7 (0); Lincolnshire 4 (0).
The survey also recorded the number of nesting bitterns. A minimum of 63 nest have been confirmed in England at 26 sites, compared to the low point of six nests at four sites in 1996. With 21 confirmed nests, Suffolk was also the best county for nesting bitterns in 2011. Somerset was second with 19 confirmed nests and Norfolk was third with 11 confirmed nests.
Since the mid 1990s the European Commission has provided EU LIFE funding for two bittern conservation projects to create new reedbeds or manage existing ones. Of the 63 nesting bitterns, 37 were recorded on sites included within these projects. The bittern monitoring programme is jointly funded by the RSPB and Natural England, through the Action for Birds in England programme.
www.rspb.org.uk
www.naturalengland.org.uk
The bittern – a threatened relative of the more familiar grey heron – is bouncing back thanks to intensive conservation efforts, which has seen its population rise over the last 15 years from 11 males in 1997 to 104 this year.
Bitterns are highly secretive wetland birds and spend most of their time within dense stands of reed, making them very difficult to count. However, the males have an amazing ‘beatbox’ ability, where they fill their gullets with air which they release to make a booming ‘song’ which can be heard several kilometers away. Incredibly, it's this booming which has enabled scientists to determine the bird’s population.
The bittern is one of 52 species on the UK Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. 246 species are listed in total on either red, amber or green lists, depending upon their current conservation status. But, this summer, researchers found evidence of at least 104 ‘singing’ or ‘booming’ males, principally in East Anglia. It seems the species has also recolonised the Somerset Levels (in 2008), where surveyors found 25 males, up from 14 in 2010. Following an intensive period of habitat management since the mid 1990s, Somerset is now the second most important county for booming bitterns in England, after Suffolk, which recorded 33 boomers. Norfolk (where Birding24/7 has most bittern success - Cley marshes) was third in the list with 23 booming males recorded.
The bittern has had a rollercoaster history in Britain, as the bird was extinct as a nesting species between 1886 and when it recolonised the Norfolk Broads in 1911. The bird’s population rose once more until the 1950s when another decline brought the population to a recent low in 1997.
Natural Environment Minister Richard Benyon said: “To see a species that was once extinct in the UK rise to a population of over one hundred is a real achievement. This is largely down to the work of the RSPB and Natural England, and shows what can be achieved if we work together. This partnership work is vital as we work to meet the commitments set out in the Natural Environment White Paper and the England Biodiversity Strategy.”
Martin Harper is the RSPB’s Conservation Director. He said: “To lose the bittern once in Britain was regrettable, but to have lost it twice would have been unforgiveable. Concern for the bittern in the 1990s led to an intensive species-recovery programme, with research and habitat improvement and creation playing major roles. Focussed work on bitterns has led to great gains for reedbeds and all the wildlife associated with this priority habitat.
“This species-led approach to bittern conservation has been vital for the recovery of the bird in England. We look forward to seeing an extension to this approach for other threatened species as a central theme in the England Biodiversity Strategy delivery plan.”
Seventeen out of every 20 English booming bitterns (85%) were recorded on nature reserves and overall almost two thirds (65%) of booming bitterns in 2011 were recorded on Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Still facing threatsThe bittern still faces several threats, including sea level rise, where freshwater sites along the coast could be inundated by saltwater. Additionally, a potential issue is the need for sites suitable for nesting bitterns to receive on-going management.
Dr Pete Brotherton, Natural England’s Head of Biodiversity said: “The bittern’s recovery is a great conservation achievement and shows what can be done when government, conservationists and landowners work together. This is an encouraging sign that we can restore and improve our wetland habitats, which bring vital benefits to both people and wildlife.”
The number of booming males recorded in the top five counties during the 2011 survey is highlighted below (The figures in brackets refer to the figures in 1997): Suffolk 33 (4); Somerset 25 (1); Norfolk 23 (3); Cambridgeshire 7 (0); Lincolnshire 4 (0).
The survey also recorded the number of nesting bitterns. A minimum of 63 nest have been confirmed in England at 26 sites, compared to the low point of six nests at four sites in 1996. With 21 confirmed nests, Suffolk was also the best county for nesting bitterns in 2011. Somerset was second with 19 confirmed nests and Norfolk was third with 11 confirmed nests.
Since the mid 1990s the European Commission has provided EU LIFE funding for two bittern conservation projects to create new reedbeds or manage existing ones. Of the 63 nesting bitterns, 37 were recorded on sites included within these projects. The bittern monitoring programme is jointly funded by the RSPB and Natural England, through the Action for Birds in England programme.
www.rspb.org.uk
www.naturalengland.org.uk
BirdLife scientists discover largest Sociable Lapwing flock in Kazakhstan for 72 years
BirdLife International scientists monitoring migrating Sociable Lapwings in Central Asia have discovered the largest single flock seen in Kazakhstan since 1939.
The study team from BirdLife’s Kazakhstan Affiliate ACBK found the record flock of more than 500 birds on 16 August at Arykty, about 35 km east of their main study site with help and support from RSPB (BirdLife in the UK). The team are conducting breeding research and migration monitoring around Korgalzhyn, Central Kazakhstan - the heart of the Great Steppe.
ACBK project leader Ruslan Urazaliyev reported: “Our autumn migration monitoring kicked off with a bang when we located a huge flock of Sociable Lapwings at Arykty. It is often quite difficult to accurately assess the size of an active flock, but during my first count I recorded 523 birds and a little later my colleague Timur, who was watching from another viewpoint, estimated that by then it probably contained more than 650 individuals!”
Data gathered in previous years indicates that many local breeders from around Korgalzhyn depart during July. It is therefore likely that the majority of the birds in this record flock had originated from breeding sites further east in the steppe and had joined the few remaining juvenile Sociable Lapwings that had hatched locally. The site at Arykty is now regarded as a regular staging site for migrating Sociable Lapwings and sizeable post-breeding flocks have been recorded there in July and August for the past six years. The maximum previous counts at Arykty was 400 in 2009.
Until very recently, the origin of these migrating birds was uncertain but last year it was confirmed that birds from more eastern areas of the steppe pass west through central Kazakhstan. this discovery was made when Raushan, a bird satellite-tagged on her nest near Kanterlau in Eastern Kazakhstan – was subsequently located close to the main study site on 14 September, 2010. At that point she had moved some 600 km west of her breeding site to just north east of Lake Tengiz, near Tyngylykty.
Despite around 100 birds being marked with colour rings in central Kazakhstan this year, only two birds in the flock at Arykty were seen to be colour-ringed. One of these birds was positively identified and carried the colour sequence orange-blue-orange-orange, confirming that it was ringed as a chick on 5 June at Korgalzhyn.
You can read more about the four Sociable Lapwings BirdLife are satellite tracking this autumn by going to the Amazing Journey website. You can also sign up for email alerts here that will inform you of any new information BirdLife produce on their website.
www.birdlfe.org
The study team from BirdLife’s Kazakhstan Affiliate ACBK found the record flock of more than 500 birds on 16 August at Arykty, about 35 km east of their main study site with help and support from RSPB (BirdLife in the UK). The team are conducting breeding research and migration monitoring around Korgalzhyn, Central Kazakhstan - the heart of the Great Steppe.
ACBK project leader Ruslan Urazaliyev reported: “Our autumn migration monitoring kicked off with a bang when we located a huge flock of Sociable Lapwings at Arykty. It is often quite difficult to accurately assess the size of an active flock, but during my first count I recorded 523 birds and a little later my colleague Timur, who was watching from another viewpoint, estimated that by then it probably contained more than 650 individuals!”
Data gathered in previous years indicates that many local breeders from around Korgalzhyn depart during July. It is therefore likely that the majority of the birds in this record flock had originated from breeding sites further east in the steppe and had joined the few remaining juvenile Sociable Lapwings that had hatched locally. The site at Arykty is now regarded as a regular staging site for migrating Sociable Lapwings and sizeable post-breeding flocks have been recorded there in July and August for the past six years. The maximum previous counts at Arykty was 400 in 2009.
Until very recently, the origin of these migrating birds was uncertain but last year it was confirmed that birds from more eastern areas of the steppe pass west through central Kazakhstan. this discovery was made when Raushan, a bird satellite-tagged on her nest near Kanterlau in Eastern Kazakhstan – was subsequently located close to the main study site on 14 September, 2010. At that point she had moved some 600 km west of her breeding site to just north east of Lake Tengiz, near Tyngylykty.
Despite around 100 birds being marked with colour rings in central Kazakhstan this year, only two birds in the flock at Arykty were seen to be colour-ringed. One of these birds was positively identified and carried the colour sequence orange-blue-orange-orange, confirming that it was ringed as a chick on 5 June at Korgalzhyn.
You can read more about the four Sociable Lapwings BirdLife are satellite tracking this autumn by going to the Amazing Journey website. You can also sign up for email alerts here that will inform you of any new information BirdLife produce on their website.
www.birdlfe.org
BTO news: Houses with gardens are officially great news for declining House Sparrows
House Sparrow: in decline
New research aired this week has underlined the importance of gardens for the declining House Sparrow. By looking at the location of House Sparrow colonies in towns and cities across Britain, BTO researchers have discovered that houses with gardens are preferred over other forms of urban green space (e.g. parks). This knowledge can be used to help urban planners in the decision-making process and gives hope that House Sparrow decline can be reversed.
Urban House Sparrow populations have been in decline across much of Europe since the late 1970s and the humble sparrow is now listed as a species of conservation concern. It is thought that urban sparrow populations may be influenced by several factors, including pollution levels, insect abundance, nest site availability and the presence of predators.
The importance within urban areas of houses with gardens has just been established by researchers working on the BTO House Sparrow Survey dataset. Residential areas with gardens are, it seems, preferred over all other forms of urban green space. As Mike Toms, BTO Head of Garden Ecology, explains:
"Our research suggests that much of the green space in our towns and cities is unsuitable for breeding sparrows. When you think about it this makes a lot of sense. Urban parks, for example, tend to be rather open habitats, with little in the way of the dense scrubby cover that sparrows favour and few nesting opportunities. Large urban gardens, or groups of smaller gardens that back onto one another, usually have some thick bushes in which the sparrows can gather and, importantly, they have nesting opportunities in nest boxes and the cavities under roof tiles."
He continued: "Understanding the importance of urban gardens for House Sparrows means that we can advise planners and developers on how to retain and encourage House Sparrow populations within our changing urban landscape. Our research suggests, for example, that urban infilling through ‘garden grabbing’ is likely to be highly detrimental to House Sparrows."
The BTO advise that Individual homeowners can encourage House Sparrows by planting Cotoneaster, Berberis and other suitable shrubs, and by offering nesting opportunities in the form of nest boxes with a 32mm diameter entrance hole.
More information can be viewed by following this link to the Spatial distribution and habitat preferences of the House Sparrow, Passer domesticus in urbanised landscapes report from the BTO.
www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/about/background/projects/sparrows/field-survey
Urban House Sparrow populations have been in decline across much of Europe since the late 1970s and the humble sparrow is now listed as a species of conservation concern. It is thought that urban sparrow populations may be influenced by several factors, including pollution levels, insect abundance, nest site availability and the presence of predators.
The importance within urban areas of houses with gardens has just been established by researchers working on the BTO House Sparrow Survey dataset. Residential areas with gardens are, it seems, preferred over all other forms of urban green space. As Mike Toms, BTO Head of Garden Ecology, explains:
"Our research suggests that much of the green space in our towns and cities is unsuitable for breeding sparrows. When you think about it this makes a lot of sense. Urban parks, for example, tend to be rather open habitats, with little in the way of the dense scrubby cover that sparrows favour and few nesting opportunities. Large urban gardens, or groups of smaller gardens that back onto one another, usually have some thick bushes in which the sparrows can gather and, importantly, they have nesting opportunities in nest boxes and the cavities under roof tiles."
He continued: "Understanding the importance of urban gardens for House Sparrows means that we can advise planners and developers on how to retain and encourage House Sparrow populations within our changing urban landscape. Our research suggests, for example, that urban infilling through ‘garden grabbing’ is likely to be highly detrimental to House Sparrows."
The BTO advise that Individual homeowners can encourage House Sparrows by planting Cotoneaster, Berberis and other suitable shrubs, and by offering nesting opportunities in the form of nest boxes with a 32mm diameter entrance hole.
More information can be viewed by following this link to the Spatial distribution and habitat preferences of the House Sparrow, Passer domesticus in urbanised landscapes report from the BTO.
www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/about/background/projects/sparrows/field-survey
Your chance to see 50,000 Manx Shearwaters in feeding frenzy before they migrate for winter
Spectacular event awaits.
50,000 Manx Shearwaters are in a feeding frenzy at Borth Beach, Wales and you won't want to miss this spectacle if you can make a visit. Once the birds have eaten enough food and their young have fledged, they will start preparing for a long winter migration, so be sure not to miss your chance to witness this spectacular event.
Manx are a small shearwater with long, straight and slim wings. They are black above and white below. They fly with a series of rapid stiff-winged flaps followed by long glides on stiff straight wings over the surface of the sea, occasionally banking or 'shearing'.
RSPB staff and volunteers will be at the viewpoint most days over Borth Beach, from 10.30am - 5pm, although they might be there earlier at high tides. To find them, simply follow the signs to Borth and Ynys Las. The viewpoint is in the car park at the junction in Ynys Las. It is adjacent to the beach, and the entrance to the car park is next to the bus stop. There will be a RSPB flag in the car park. Make sure you bring some change with you – the car park costs £2!
For information on arriving by public transport you're advised to visit the arriva bus timetable and for all other enquiries you can phone RSPB Cymru on 029 2035 3008, or alternatively drop them an email cymru@rspb.org.uk
www.rspb.org.uk
Manx are a small shearwater with long, straight and slim wings. They are black above and white below. They fly with a series of rapid stiff-winged flaps followed by long glides on stiff straight wings over the surface of the sea, occasionally banking or 'shearing'.
RSPB staff and volunteers will be at the viewpoint most days over Borth Beach, from 10.30am - 5pm, although they might be there earlier at high tides. To find them, simply follow the signs to Borth and Ynys Las. The viewpoint is in the car park at the junction in Ynys Las. It is adjacent to the beach, and the entrance to the car park is next to the bus stop. There will be a RSPB flag in the car park. Make sure you bring some change with you – the car park costs £2!
For information on arriving by public transport you're advised to visit the arriva bus timetable and for all other enquiries you can phone RSPB Cymru on 029 2035 3008, or alternatively drop them an email cymru@rspb.org.uk
www.rspb.org.uk
Ground-breaking birds exhibition to get London showing this November
Creativity to the max for a good cause.
A ground-breaking exhibition, which highlights the growing global extinction crisis and promotes the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme - will be held at the Rochelle School in Shoreditch, E2 this November. The event is called 'Ghosts of Gone Birds' and will run from 2 - 23 November.
More than 80 leading artists, sculptors, musicians, writers and poets are contributing to the event and each artist has chosen a different extinct species to be inspired by and focus their work on. For those who are interested in collecting original art from the show - as well as many limited editions, all pieces will be for sale, with a contribution from each sale going to BirdLife. Individual artworks range in price from £200 to around £50,000. In all, 200 or so fabulous artworks that will be on display in London. Many of the contributing artists are still producing their pieces, but among selections already made are Jamie Hewlett's Hawaiian Crow, Rob Ryan's Stephens Island Wren, Ralph Steadman's Pallas’s Cormorant, Dodo and Liverpool Pigeon, and Greg Poole's Jamaican Red Macaw.
The natural rate of bird extinction is just one bird per century but in the last 30 years alone, 21 species have disappeared. At present, 189 are classified Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and without immediate action many of these will not exist in 10 years’ time. One clear example is the albatross family, which is fast becoming the most threatened entire family of birds in the world. Dying at a rate of around one every five minutes, albatrosses are disappearing faster than they can actually breed; 18 out of the 22 species of albatross are now facing global extinction.
Ghosts of Gone Birds has been created by film-maker Ceri Levy - best known for his documentary film 'Bananaz' about the rock band Gorillaz - and Chris Aldhous, award-winning director of London creative consultancy GOODPILOT. Ceri Levy commented: "We’re aiming to raise a creative army for conservation and it’s fair to say that we have been floored by the response of the artists we’ve asked to create new work for us. To have the likes of Sir Peter Blake, Ralph Steadman and Margaret Atwood producing new work for the exhibition is a clear illustration of the enthusiasm and support that exists for the cause. The project is reaching out to involve new audiences in conversations about conservation through their collective interest in contemporary art, music and poetry. We want to get people thinking about the diverse range of birds that have already been lost to extinction and introduce them to the work of BirdLife International."
"To find so many creative people engaged with the subject of birds and the threat of extinction that faces so many of them today, is truly inspiring." said honoured author Margaret Atwood, who is also contributing to the exhibition by knitting a Great Auk. "This magnificent show will reconnect us to the natural world, teach us about our past and fuel our interest in saving what we are losing daily. See the show, love the show, add to the show and learn how to help.!"
Dr. Marco Lambertini, Chief Executive of BirdLife International, said, "In modern times, species are going extinct at least a thousand times the natural background rate. Many are so threatened that they are on the verge of disappearing and urgent action is needed. Ghosts of Gone Birds is a provocative new way to reach out and inspire a wide audience about today’s extinction crisis and mobilise action to rescue the species at risk today. There is still hope and the BirdLife Partnership has shown that, with the right resources and targeted action, species can be saved. Please join BirdLife and help us in the fight to stop any of the magnificent species threatened today from joining the Ghosts of Gone Birds."
"As well as being a great way to raise awareness, Ghosts of Gone Birds is also helping us find new Species Champions to fund the vital conservation action that can help us prevent extinctions today," said Jim Lawrence, BirdLife’s Preventing Extinctions Programme Manager. "The London show provides a fantastic opportunity to sponsors who wish to get involved as well. We will be working closely there with RSPB, our UK Partner, to highlight the globally threatened species they are acting for. More than 250,000 people are following us on twitter already. In future years we hope to build on this momentum and take Ghosts to other major cities where we can further support the BirdLife International Partnership’s extraordinary work preventing extinctions."
You can get a sneak preview of some of the artwork that will be on display in London by visiting the Ghosts of Gone Birds facebook page - the facebook page also provides more detailed info on the event and how to get there.
www.birdlife.org
More than 80 leading artists, sculptors, musicians, writers and poets are contributing to the event and each artist has chosen a different extinct species to be inspired by and focus their work on. For those who are interested in collecting original art from the show - as well as many limited editions, all pieces will be for sale, with a contribution from each sale going to BirdLife. Individual artworks range in price from £200 to around £50,000. In all, 200 or so fabulous artworks that will be on display in London. Many of the contributing artists are still producing their pieces, but among selections already made are Jamie Hewlett's Hawaiian Crow, Rob Ryan's Stephens Island Wren, Ralph Steadman's Pallas’s Cormorant, Dodo and Liverpool Pigeon, and Greg Poole's Jamaican Red Macaw.
The natural rate of bird extinction is just one bird per century but in the last 30 years alone, 21 species have disappeared. At present, 189 are classified Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and without immediate action many of these will not exist in 10 years’ time. One clear example is the albatross family, which is fast becoming the most threatened entire family of birds in the world. Dying at a rate of around one every five minutes, albatrosses are disappearing faster than they can actually breed; 18 out of the 22 species of albatross are now facing global extinction.
Ghosts of Gone Birds has been created by film-maker Ceri Levy - best known for his documentary film 'Bananaz' about the rock band Gorillaz - and Chris Aldhous, award-winning director of London creative consultancy GOODPILOT. Ceri Levy commented: "We’re aiming to raise a creative army for conservation and it’s fair to say that we have been floored by the response of the artists we’ve asked to create new work for us. To have the likes of Sir Peter Blake, Ralph Steadman and Margaret Atwood producing new work for the exhibition is a clear illustration of the enthusiasm and support that exists for the cause. The project is reaching out to involve new audiences in conversations about conservation through their collective interest in contemporary art, music and poetry. We want to get people thinking about the diverse range of birds that have already been lost to extinction and introduce them to the work of BirdLife International."
"To find so many creative people engaged with the subject of birds and the threat of extinction that faces so many of them today, is truly inspiring." said honoured author Margaret Atwood, who is also contributing to the exhibition by knitting a Great Auk. "This magnificent show will reconnect us to the natural world, teach us about our past and fuel our interest in saving what we are losing daily. See the show, love the show, add to the show and learn how to help.!"
Dr. Marco Lambertini, Chief Executive of BirdLife International, said, "In modern times, species are going extinct at least a thousand times the natural background rate. Many are so threatened that they are on the verge of disappearing and urgent action is needed. Ghosts of Gone Birds is a provocative new way to reach out and inspire a wide audience about today’s extinction crisis and mobilise action to rescue the species at risk today. There is still hope and the BirdLife Partnership has shown that, with the right resources and targeted action, species can be saved. Please join BirdLife and help us in the fight to stop any of the magnificent species threatened today from joining the Ghosts of Gone Birds."
"As well as being a great way to raise awareness, Ghosts of Gone Birds is also helping us find new Species Champions to fund the vital conservation action that can help us prevent extinctions today," said Jim Lawrence, BirdLife’s Preventing Extinctions Programme Manager. "The London show provides a fantastic opportunity to sponsors who wish to get involved as well. We will be working closely there with RSPB, our UK Partner, to highlight the globally threatened species they are acting for. More than 250,000 people are following us on twitter already. In future years we hope to build on this momentum and take Ghosts to other major cities where we can further support the BirdLife International Partnership’s extraordinary work preventing extinctions."
You can get a sneak preview of some of the artwork that will be on display in London by visiting the Ghosts of Gone Birds facebook page - the facebook page also provides more detailed info on the event and how to get there.
www.birdlife.org
Farmland birds are most threatened species group in Europe - numbers fall to an all time low
Grey Partridge has declined by 90 per cent.
Farmland bird populations across Europe are at their lowest levels since records began, new figures reveal. The Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme looked at population figures for 145 of the most common bird species in 25 European countries between 1980 and 2009. The results show that farmland birds are the most threatened species group, and are at an all time low.
Half of the top ten most threatened birds across Europe are farmland birds including grey partridge, which has declined by 90 per cent in the UK, and linnet, which has declined by 57 per cent. The Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme is a joint initiative of the European Bird Census Council and BirdLife International, supported by the RSPB.
Conservationists say the results prove the need for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy so that it rewards and encourages farmers who put conservation measures in place on their land.
Proposals for the upcoming reform of the CAP are set to be published in October and the RSPB is concerned that it does not contain enough support for agri environment schemes which fund wildlife friendly farming measures.
Jenna Hegarty, RSPB CAP policy officer, said: “We know that farmland birds have halved in number in the UK since the 1970s, but these shocking figures show that the story is the same across Europe.
“This is no coincidence – the one thing that farmed landscapes in European countries all have in common is that they are shaped by the Common Agricultural Policy. This policy has helped farmers to produce more food, but wildlife has suffered as a result.
“Now we have an opportunity to reform the CAP and make it address today’s challenges – one of which is a massive loss of biodiversity across Europe. With proper targeted funding for wildlife friendly farming and effective and efficient schemes in place we can reverse these declines and make our countryside richer and healthier for birds, plants, insects and people as well as producing food.
“I hope that these stark figures on wildlife population declines bring home to policy makers the vital importance of a CAP that works for people and nature. Many farmers are doing brilliant things for wildlife but there still isn’t enough money in the pot. It’s not a choice between food and birds, because we can have both.”
Recent EU Budget announcements have made it clear that decision makers plan to allocate less money to Pillar 2 environmental payments, such as England’s Entry Level Stewardship and Higher Level Stewardship schemes. A recent leaked CAP document has also revealed that they plan to allow member states to move money away from agri environment schemes and into other areas.
The results of the European bird population survey suggest that after missing its 2010 biodiversity conservation target, the EU will go on to miss the 2020 biodiversity conservation target unless further action is taken.
The new EU Biodiversity Strategy commits the EU to "halt the deterioration in the status of all species and habitats covered by EU nature legislation”. Although Member States endorsed the new strategy in June this year, they have yet to make any commitment to deliver the actions needed to achieve its aims.
www.ebcc.info
Half of the top ten most threatened birds across Europe are farmland birds including grey partridge, which has declined by 90 per cent in the UK, and linnet, which has declined by 57 per cent. The Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme is a joint initiative of the European Bird Census Council and BirdLife International, supported by the RSPB.
Conservationists say the results prove the need for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy so that it rewards and encourages farmers who put conservation measures in place on their land.
Proposals for the upcoming reform of the CAP are set to be published in October and the RSPB is concerned that it does not contain enough support for agri environment schemes which fund wildlife friendly farming measures.
Jenna Hegarty, RSPB CAP policy officer, said: “We know that farmland birds have halved in number in the UK since the 1970s, but these shocking figures show that the story is the same across Europe.
“This is no coincidence – the one thing that farmed landscapes in European countries all have in common is that they are shaped by the Common Agricultural Policy. This policy has helped farmers to produce more food, but wildlife has suffered as a result.
“Now we have an opportunity to reform the CAP and make it address today’s challenges – one of which is a massive loss of biodiversity across Europe. With proper targeted funding for wildlife friendly farming and effective and efficient schemes in place we can reverse these declines and make our countryside richer and healthier for birds, plants, insects and people as well as producing food.
“I hope that these stark figures on wildlife population declines bring home to policy makers the vital importance of a CAP that works for people and nature. Many farmers are doing brilliant things for wildlife but there still isn’t enough money in the pot. It’s not a choice between food and birds, because we can have both.”
Recent EU Budget announcements have made it clear that decision makers plan to allocate less money to Pillar 2 environmental payments, such as England’s Entry Level Stewardship and Higher Level Stewardship schemes. A recent leaked CAP document has also revealed that they plan to allow member states to move money away from agri environment schemes and into other areas.
The results of the European bird population survey suggest that after missing its 2010 biodiversity conservation target, the EU will go on to miss the 2020 biodiversity conservation target unless further action is taken.
The new EU Biodiversity Strategy commits the EU to "halt the deterioration in the status of all species and habitats covered by EU nature legislation”. Although Member States endorsed the new strategy in June this year, they have yet to make any commitment to deliver the actions needed to achieve its aims.
www.ebcc.info
New round of oil and gas exploration licenses could cause more pain and suffering for wildlife
Kittiwakes face difficult future on all fronts.
Conservationists are calling on ministers to rethink a new round oil and gas exploration licences – some of which are within a few miles of sensitive seabird colonies which are home to Puffins, Gannets, Kittiwakes and other species.
This week sees the close of the public consultation on the 26th Oil and Gas Licensing Round, being overseen by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The RSPB has responded by highlighting several key wildlife sites close to the areas under consideration.
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: “We are extremely concerned. This process will result in exploration licences, allowing companies to go out looking for oil and gas. If they are successful, that is highly likely to lead to full scale drilling and exploitation. We’ve seen off the coast of Aberdeenshire that no matter how carefully drilling is done, there is always the risk of an oil spill. In this case the spill happened far away from any vulnerable wildlife colonies – but just imagine if that oil was washing ashore a globally important Puffin colony.
“These risks are real, and are clearly untenable. We cannot stand by and allow demand for fossil fuels to increase the pressure on our already threatened coastal wildlife. Instead of investing in new oil and gas infrastructure we should be doing the right thing and investing in renewable energy like wind power, and the development of green technology such as electric cars.”
The RSPB has identified several European designated wildlife sites which are threatened by new oil and gas exploration. The charity is calling for the Government to turn down the applications for exploration licenses close to the following Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs):
As well as the potential for oil spills, the RSPB is also concerned about the potential impact on sensitive seabird colonies, disturbance of sea / air traffic and the potential need for new pipelines and other infrastructure associated with oil and gas rig developments. All this would cause pollution and waste to delicate ecosystems.
Earlier this week, the Scottish First Minister announced that an inquiry would be staged following the events at Shell’s Gannet Alpha platform. The RSPB has called for a full and open investigation into the spill to determine whether the preparedness of the authorities and industry standards are adequate.
www.rspb.org.uk
This week sees the close of the public consultation on the 26th Oil and Gas Licensing Round, being overseen by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The RSPB has responded by highlighting several key wildlife sites close to the areas under consideration.
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: “We are extremely concerned. This process will result in exploration licences, allowing companies to go out looking for oil and gas. If they are successful, that is highly likely to lead to full scale drilling and exploitation. We’ve seen off the coast of Aberdeenshire that no matter how carefully drilling is done, there is always the risk of an oil spill. In this case the spill happened far away from any vulnerable wildlife colonies – but just imagine if that oil was washing ashore a globally important Puffin colony.
“These risks are real, and are clearly untenable. We cannot stand by and allow demand for fossil fuels to increase the pressure on our already threatened coastal wildlife. Instead of investing in new oil and gas infrastructure we should be doing the right thing and investing in renewable energy like wind power, and the development of green technology such as electric cars.”
The RSPB has identified several European designated wildlife sites which are threatened by new oil and gas exploration. The charity is calling for the Government to turn down the applications for exploration licenses close to the following Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs):
- Rathlin Island SPA and SAC, Northern Ireland - home to Puffins, Razorbills and Kittiwakes;
- Sites in the Western Solent and west towards Portland - home to internationally important numbers of breeding terns, gulls and wintering geese, ducks and waders; Balearic Shearwater - extremely vulnerable to oil spills and on the IUCN Red List Critically Endangered and UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List - also uses the area;
- Liverpool Bay SPA -home to thousands of Common Scoters and hundreds of Red-throated Divers each winter;
- Flamborough and Bempton Cliffs SPA, Yorkshire - home to the only mainland-breeding colony of Gannet in Britain and large numbers of breeding Kittiwakes and auks;
- SPAs in Shetland and Orkney - notably Foula, West Westray and Papa Westray - home to Great and Arctic Skuas and Europe’s largest concentrations of Common Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes and Fulmars;
- East Caithness Cliffs SPA and the Troup, Lion and Pennan Head SPA, Scotland - home to internationally important numbers of cliff-breeding seabirds;
As well as the potential for oil spills, the RSPB is also concerned about the potential impact on sensitive seabird colonies, disturbance of sea / air traffic and the potential need for new pipelines and other infrastructure associated with oil and gas rig developments. All this would cause pollution and waste to delicate ecosystems.
Earlier this week, the Scottish First Minister announced that an inquiry would be staged following the events at Shell’s Gannet Alpha platform. The RSPB has called for a full and open investigation into the spill to determine whether the preparedness of the authorities and industry standards are adequate.
www.rspb.org.uk
RSPB staff left amazed as adventurous juvenile Red Kite gets itchy feet and heads south early
Staff from RSPB Scotland have been surprised by the adventurous travels of a newly-fledged red kite. The bird which was satellite-tagged while still in the nest on the Black Isle near Inverness was tracked as far south as Ayrshire just a few days after leaving the nest.
RSPB conservation officer Stuart Benn said: “Juvenile red kites are well known for undertaking extensive travels during their first year but they usually spend some time around their home area before moving on. This bird, however, seems to have had itchy feet and has flown south almost immediately. He has spent some time near Prestwick Airport – not too far from other travellers seeking the sun and warmer weather!”
RSPB staff and volunteers regularly monitor the movements of a number of satellite-tagged red kites and their movements are uploaded on to a dedicated website: www.eyestotheskies.org.uk
The movements of the red kite have been recorded as follows:
www.eyestotheskies.org.uk
RSPB conservation officer Stuart Benn said: “Juvenile red kites are well known for undertaking extensive travels during their first year but they usually spend some time around their home area before moving on. This bird, however, seems to have had itchy feet and has flown south almost immediately. He has spent some time near Prestwick Airport – not too far from other travellers seeking the sun and warmer weather!”
RSPB staff and volunteers regularly monitor the movements of a number of satellite-tagged red kites and their movements are uploaded on to a dedicated website: www.eyestotheskies.org.uk
The movements of the red kite have been recorded as follows:
- 6 August – bird close to nest where it fledged. Munlochy Bay
- 8 August – Coignafearn, upper Findhorn, later in woodland north of Dalwhinnie
- 9 August – between Stirling and Loch Lomond, later over the south side of Glasgow then to south-west Lanarkshire where it spent the night
- 10 August – spent day in east Ayrshire
- 11 August – spent day at sand and gravel quarry south of Kilmarnock
- 12 August – north-east of Prestwick then stayed in north Ayrshire until the 17th
- 17 August – tracked south of Glasgow to the Strathaven area and then Douglas
- 18 to 20 August – south of Muirkirk and then did a tour down to Sanquhar across to Cumnock and then back up towards Muirkirk.
www.eyestotheskies.org.uk
Experts warn the UK Government: time to focus, or more species will become extinct!
Recently announced Government plans will not do enough to save wildlife species threatened with extinction, conservationists have warned.
Last Friday, environment secretary Caroline Spelman MP unveiled the latest England Biodiversity Strategy – intended to be a blueprint for the Government to meet its target of halting biodiversity loss by 2020.
However Buglife, Butterfly Conservation, Plantlife and the RSPB have warned that despite the good intentions the strategy will fail unless it is followed up with an ambitious and urgent programme of action for the recovery of threatened species.
Plants, animals and insects are the basic components of the healthy ecosystems that we depend on for human health, food, fibre and medicines, and millions of people enjoy the sound and colour that they bring to towns, cities and the countryside, they are a superb measure of our quality of life.
Mike Clarke, RSPB Chief Executive, said: “Species are the fundamental building blocks of biological diversity and must be a central part of this plan. Without this focus it will not be a plan for nature.
“In the past Government policies have meant action plans have been put in place to save threatened species like cirl buntings and stone-curlews, and they have begun to return to our countryside. But species that are still in decline like lapwings and turtle doves have an uncertain future.
“This document has some very positive objectives on improving important habitats and protected sites but we need a more determined focus on the health of individual priority species. These are the currency of biodiversity, a vital part of our natural capital. “
Matt Shardlow, CEO Buglife, commented: “Caroline Spelman played a leading role in agreeing a good global target on improving the status of threatened species. We are disappointed that this has not been strongly addressed in the strategy for England.
“There are almost 1,000 species formally listed as needing conservation action in England from the fen orchid, white-clawed crayfish, and marsh fritillary butterfly to the cuckoo. Our ambition should be to improve the status of all of these fantastic parts of our wildlife heritage by 2020.”
Victoria Chester, Plantlife CEO, added: “We welcome the commitment to support data sharing and recording in the voluntary sector. To track our progress towards 2020 we need a stock take of the conservation status of all the most threatened species and habitats in England.
“This should quickly pull together all the latest information on our priority species and most sensitive wildlife sites as well as wider vital habitats like woodlands, heathlands and meadows. If we don’t have a clear idea of the status of biodiversity now, then how can we judge whether it is improving?”
Dr Martin Warren, Butterfly Conservation CEO, said: “We should learn from what has worked in the past. It is good to see reference to targeted species recovery work, which has been essential to bring species like bitterns and the large blue butterfly back from the brink of extinction, but without committing the necessary resources we will not restore a rich, vibrant and healthy countryside.”
The four charities have made a joint call on the Government to ensure the England Biodiversity Strategy is a springboard for taking co-ordinated, targeted action for wildlife. They have raised concern that, even though it includes some laudable aspirations, the strategy is missing key elements.
A delivery plan to turn the strategy into action may still be six months away and chief executives of all four organisations have offered to work with Defra to ensure this plan is effective, ambitious and sets out a clear recovery plan for England’s wildlife.
www.rspb.org.uk
www.buglife.org.uk
Last Friday, environment secretary Caroline Spelman MP unveiled the latest England Biodiversity Strategy – intended to be a blueprint for the Government to meet its target of halting biodiversity loss by 2020.
However Buglife, Butterfly Conservation, Plantlife and the RSPB have warned that despite the good intentions the strategy will fail unless it is followed up with an ambitious and urgent programme of action for the recovery of threatened species.
Plants, animals and insects are the basic components of the healthy ecosystems that we depend on for human health, food, fibre and medicines, and millions of people enjoy the sound and colour that they bring to towns, cities and the countryside, they are a superb measure of our quality of life.
Mike Clarke, RSPB Chief Executive, said: “Species are the fundamental building blocks of biological diversity and must be a central part of this plan. Without this focus it will not be a plan for nature.
“In the past Government policies have meant action plans have been put in place to save threatened species like cirl buntings and stone-curlews, and they have begun to return to our countryside. But species that are still in decline like lapwings and turtle doves have an uncertain future.
“This document has some very positive objectives on improving important habitats and protected sites but we need a more determined focus on the health of individual priority species. These are the currency of biodiversity, a vital part of our natural capital. “
Matt Shardlow, CEO Buglife, commented: “Caroline Spelman played a leading role in agreeing a good global target on improving the status of threatened species. We are disappointed that this has not been strongly addressed in the strategy for England.
“There are almost 1,000 species formally listed as needing conservation action in England from the fen orchid, white-clawed crayfish, and marsh fritillary butterfly to the cuckoo. Our ambition should be to improve the status of all of these fantastic parts of our wildlife heritage by 2020.”
Victoria Chester, Plantlife CEO, added: “We welcome the commitment to support data sharing and recording in the voluntary sector. To track our progress towards 2020 we need a stock take of the conservation status of all the most threatened species and habitats in England.
“This should quickly pull together all the latest information on our priority species and most sensitive wildlife sites as well as wider vital habitats like woodlands, heathlands and meadows. If we don’t have a clear idea of the status of biodiversity now, then how can we judge whether it is improving?”
Dr Martin Warren, Butterfly Conservation CEO, said: “We should learn from what has worked in the past. It is good to see reference to targeted species recovery work, which has been essential to bring species like bitterns and the large blue butterfly back from the brink of extinction, but without committing the necessary resources we will not restore a rich, vibrant and healthy countryside.”
The four charities have made a joint call on the Government to ensure the England Biodiversity Strategy is a springboard for taking co-ordinated, targeted action for wildlife. They have raised concern that, even though it includes some laudable aspirations, the strategy is missing key elements.
A delivery plan to turn the strategy into action may still be six months away and chief executives of all four organisations have offered to work with Defra to ensure this plan is effective, ambitious and sets out a clear recovery plan for England’s wildlife.
www.rspb.org.uk
www.buglife.org.uk
BirdFair 2011 begins, over 20,000 birders are expected to visit this weekend - are you going?
Nick Baker signs a young fans book.
Wildlife celebrity spotting, minibeast safaris, watching African entertainment or browsing the worldwide wares of nearly 350 trade stands. These are just some of the activities that have been attracting thousands of visitors to this year’s British Birdwatching Fair today, held at Rutland Water, between Peterborough and Leicester.
This year’s event, running through to Sunday 21st August - is the 23rd to be held at the site and the fair’s co-organisers are expecting this year’s BirdFair to be bigger and even better than previous years, as the three-day event is expected to attract 22,000 visitors and celebrities including: Simon King OBE, Bill Oddie OBE, Nick Baker and the One Show’s naturalist, Mike Dilger.
This year, the money raised by the fair is going to help UK and European migratory birds in trouble, such as the cuckoo, turtle dove and spotted flycatcher. These birds visit the UK in summer, including the East Midlands and East Anglia, and spend the winter in Africa. But over the last few decades researchers have noted a massive decline in these and other species, propelling the disappearance of summer-visiting birds to become one of the most concerning conservation problems in the UK.
The RSPB’s Martin Davies, one of the co-founders of the event said: “For some, cuckoos are the highlight of summer, providing a comforting vocal backdrop to picnics and village cricket games. However, we are in danger of losing this sentinel of summer, as the bird’s population has slumped since the mid 1990s. This year’s BirdFair will be raising funds for threatened birds migrating between Europe and Africa.
“Birds do not recognize international boundaries and all the countries along their migration routes in Europe and Africa have a shared responsibility to look after these remarkable species.”
"Birds "do not recognize international boundaries and all the countries along their migration routes in Europe and Africa have a shared responsibility to look after these remarkable species"
The fair has a long history of funding conservation projects. Over the years, the fair has raised well over £2 million and has funded a range of projects from albatrosses in the southern Ocean to the rainforests of Ecuador and Indonesia. Last year’s focus was the threatened birds of Ethiopia. The event raised £242,000 for vital conservation work for those birds confined to the south of the country.
Tim Appleton of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust is the fair’s co-founder and organiser. He said: “Birdfair has grown enormously over its 23-year history, but it still manages to capture a great atmosphere of friendliness and relaxed enjoyment. In fact, it is a great day out for anyone interested in the countryside. For many exhibitors and visitors alike, it is firmly established as the international wildlife event of the year.”
Tracing the journeys of thousands of migratory birds which commute between Africa and Europe, visitors and representatives from Ghana will be amongst the guests at this year’s British Birdwatching Fair and the event was opened this morning by His Excellency Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo, the Ghanaian High Commissioner in London.
In a closely-related project, the RSPB and the British Trust for Ornithology are also working in partnership with local conservation groups in Ghana and other West African countries to study migrant birds which are shared between the two continents, with birds nesting in Europe and moving south each autumn to spend the winter in Africa.
If you're attending this year, why not tell us what you think on twitter @birding247 or by using the hash tag #birding247.
www.birdfair.org.uk
This year’s event, running through to Sunday 21st August - is the 23rd to be held at the site and the fair’s co-organisers are expecting this year’s BirdFair to be bigger and even better than previous years, as the three-day event is expected to attract 22,000 visitors and celebrities including: Simon King OBE, Bill Oddie OBE, Nick Baker and the One Show’s naturalist, Mike Dilger.
This year, the money raised by the fair is going to help UK and European migratory birds in trouble, such as the cuckoo, turtle dove and spotted flycatcher. These birds visit the UK in summer, including the East Midlands and East Anglia, and spend the winter in Africa. But over the last few decades researchers have noted a massive decline in these and other species, propelling the disappearance of summer-visiting birds to become one of the most concerning conservation problems in the UK.
The RSPB’s Martin Davies, one of the co-founders of the event said: “For some, cuckoos are the highlight of summer, providing a comforting vocal backdrop to picnics and village cricket games. However, we are in danger of losing this sentinel of summer, as the bird’s population has slumped since the mid 1990s. This year’s BirdFair will be raising funds for threatened birds migrating between Europe and Africa.
“Birds do not recognize international boundaries and all the countries along their migration routes in Europe and Africa have a shared responsibility to look after these remarkable species.”
"Birds "do not recognize international boundaries and all the countries along their migration routes in Europe and Africa have a shared responsibility to look after these remarkable species"
The fair has a long history of funding conservation projects. Over the years, the fair has raised well over £2 million and has funded a range of projects from albatrosses in the southern Ocean to the rainforests of Ecuador and Indonesia. Last year’s focus was the threatened birds of Ethiopia. The event raised £242,000 for vital conservation work for those birds confined to the south of the country.
Tim Appleton of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust is the fair’s co-founder and organiser. He said: “Birdfair has grown enormously over its 23-year history, but it still manages to capture a great atmosphere of friendliness and relaxed enjoyment. In fact, it is a great day out for anyone interested in the countryside. For many exhibitors and visitors alike, it is firmly established as the international wildlife event of the year.”
Tracing the journeys of thousands of migratory birds which commute between Africa and Europe, visitors and representatives from Ghana will be amongst the guests at this year’s British Birdwatching Fair and the event was opened this morning by His Excellency Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo, the Ghanaian High Commissioner in London.
In a closely-related project, the RSPB and the British Trust for Ornithology are also working in partnership with local conservation groups in Ghana and other West African countries to study migrant birds which are shared between the two continents, with birds nesting in Europe and moving south each autumn to spend the winter in Africa.
If you're attending this year, why not tell us what you think on twitter @birding247 or by using the hash tag #birding247.
www.birdfair.org.uk
BTO news: Wetland bird numbers in decline as UK feels fallout from harsh winters
After a run of mild winters in the UK during the last decade, the two most recent have been much, much colder. Wetland birds often respond strongly to freezing conditions, moving to milder areas in search of better feeding opportunities, and the latest BTO report on numbers of wintering waterbirds in the UK shows that in 2009/10 (when the UK experienced its coldest December for 14 years) influxes of ducks such as Mallard and Teal, presumably from even colder parts of continental Europe, occurred. There were also lower numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover wintering in the UK at this time.
Wintering population trends, covering a ten-year period since 1997/98, show that numbers of Avocet have risen by 95% and Black-tailed Godwit by 54%; both species are using our estuaries in greater numbers than ever before. However, some familiar waders are declining, such as Dunlin (down 39%), Ringed Plover (down 26%), Curlew (down 16%) and Redshank (down 13%).
There have been changes at inland wetlands too. For example, 2009/10 was the first winter ever when the total number of Gadwall counted by WeBS exceeded that of another duck, the declining Pochard. Whereas the number of Gadwalls in Britain and elsewhere in Europe has risen in recent years, the Pochard has decreased substantially, probably as a result of a shift in wintering range towards central Europe. UK counts are thus essential for helping us to understand such long-term distributional changes.
Chas Holt, WeBS Organiser at BTO, said: “In 2009/10, WeBS volunteers made over 34,000 visits to wetland sites to count waterbirds. Once again this is a fantastic effort, and fundamental in helping to illustrate what is happening to Britain’s internationally important waterbird populations. Although some familiar waders are declining in the UK partly because of range shifts in response to generally milder winters, a period of freezing conditions can have profound effects on some species. Collaboration with other national bird monitoring schemes helps us to place into context the increases and decreases experienced in the UK”.
Richard Gregory is the head of the RSPB's species monitoring and research section. He said: "We have every right to be concerned about the impacts of climate change on wildlife, but we have to consider the impacts of extreme weather too. Mobile species, such as ducks and wading birds, often escape the harshest conditions, highlighting the importance of maintaining a UK-wide and international network of protected sites, where millions of birds can continue to find a safe refuge."
David Stroud, JNCC’s Senior Ornithologist said:“The UK submits these WeBS counts to international monitoring programmes which allow us to understand changes of these migratory waterbird populations at wider, international scales. To that end they are a critical means by which the UK contributes to obligations under a number of international conservation treaties.”
Richard Hearn, Head of Species Monitoring at WWT said: "This year, as every year, our conservation team and reserve managers have been eagerly awaiting the WeBS results. They are a vital part of our conservation and management toolkit, and they show that many waterbird species in the UK, are now decreasing. This is worrying, but it confirms the need for WWT’s conservation activities on species such as Bewick's Swan and Greenland White-fronted Goose. Other species, such as Pochard, still visit some WWT reserves in large numbers, despite decreasing by almost a half in the UK as a whole, so we’re developing plans to further investigate their declines."
www.bto.org
Wintering population trends, covering a ten-year period since 1997/98, show that numbers of Avocet have risen by 95% and Black-tailed Godwit by 54%; both species are using our estuaries in greater numbers than ever before. However, some familiar waders are declining, such as Dunlin (down 39%), Ringed Plover (down 26%), Curlew (down 16%) and Redshank (down 13%).
There have been changes at inland wetlands too. For example, 2009/10 was the first winter ever when the total number of Gadwall counted by WeBS exceeded that of another duck, the declining Pochard. Whereas the number of Gadwalls in Britain and elsewhere in Europe has risen in recent years, the Pochard has decreased substantially, probably as a result of a shift in wintering range towards central Europe. UK counts are thus essential for helping us to understand such long-term distributional changes.
Chas Holt, WeBS Organiser at BTO, said: “In 2009/10, WeBS volunteers made over 34,000 visits to wetland sites to count waterbirds. Once again this is a fantastic effort, and fundamental in helping to illustrate what is happening to Britain’s internationally important waterbird populations. Although some familiar waders are declining in the UK partly because of range shifts in response to generally milder winters, a period of freezing conditions can have profound effects on some species. Collaboration with other national bird monitoring schemes helps us to place into context the increases and decreases experienced in the UK”.
Richard Gregory is the head of the RSPB's species monitoring and research section. He said: "We have every right to be concerned about the impacts of climate change on wildlife, but we have to consider the impacts of extreme weather too. Mobile species, such as ducks and wading birds, often escape the harshest conditions, highlighting the importance of maintaining a UK-wide and international network of protected sites, where millions of birds can continue to find a safe refuge."
David Stroud, JNCC’s Senior Ornithologist said:“The UK submits these WeBS counts to international monitoring programmes which allow us to understand changes of these migratory waterbird populations at wider, international scales. To that end they are a critical means by which the UK contributes to obligations under a number of international conservation treaties.”
Richard Hearn, Head of Species Monitoring at WWT said: "This year, as every year, our conservation team and reserve managers have been eagerly awaiting the WeBS results. They are a vital part of our conservation and management toolkit, and they show that many waterbird species in the UK, are now decreasing. This is worrying, but it confirms the need for WWT’s conservation activities on species such as Bewick's Swan and Greenland White-fronted Goose. Other species, such as Pochard, still visit some WWT reserves in large numbers, despite decreasing by almost a half in the UK as a whole, so we’re developing plans to further investigate their declines."
www.bto.org
Top 10's: Digiscoping tips for beginners
How often, when out birding, have you ever wished you could capture that "perfect moment" forever? Well, digiscoping could be the answer to your prayers. Digiscoping is the art of attaching a digital camera to a spotting scope to create powerful telephoto pictures.
Perfect for wildlife photography, especially bird watching, digiscoping lets you use the powerful zoom of your spotting scope, coupled with the ease of use and convenience of your digital camera - enabling you to get right in to your chosen subject and capture amazing images of wildlife, without having to get to close to risk disturbing the wildlife.
However, most will say, that the real beauty of digiscoping, is enabling you to shoot DSLR-quality imagery, at a fraction of the cost using a DSLR camera with a large telephoto lens would.
Here's 10 top tips to get you started.
Research
Doing your research can save you both time and money. If you currently don't own any digiscoping equipment like a spotting scope or a digital camera, be sure to search the web for relevant articles and videos, read independent reviews and get lots of forum advice on the correct tools for the job before making any purchase. Alternatively, a chat with a respected online or bricks and mortar optics shop should see you get good buying advice also.
Preperation
Digiscoping is heavily reliant upon the LCD of your digital camera, make sure your digital camera batteries are fully charged before you set off and take spare batteries with you in the field. As a rule, try to always carry three spare batteries with you when out on a days digiscoping. The same principles apply if you are using an electronic shutter release.
Conditions
Good light is super-important when digiscoping. Good light conditions will allow for faster shutter speeds in order to freeze bird motion and limit camera shake. Before setting off, note that warm and humid days can cause heat haze which will vastly reduce the quality of your results and strong winds will increase the chance of camera shake, no matter how well placed your tripod is.
Practice
Practice makes perfect, it does indeed. Before you venture out for shots of wildlife, make sure you test your camera and scope settings by focusing on objects in your back garden. Use a shrub, plant or bush as a subject and experiment until you are confident you are using the best settings for your needs.
Gear
Before you start digiscoping, its important to make sure you can operate (practice) your scope and camera functionality individually, thus making it easier when you combine the two. Digiscoping requires a good understanding of your equipment and dual processing in order to get the best quailty images.
Expectations
Its possible that 80-90% of your imagery shot on a digiscoping field session will be discarded, but don't be too disheartened. This is normal. That's the beauty of digital photography, we can take as many pictures as we like as film doesn't run out anymore! This enables us to only keep the good ones, and discard the poorer images when you're relaxing in the evening with a good glass of wine. The joy you will find when scrolling through your images and finding one that's just perfect will be a fantastic achievement.
Taking a picture
As discussed, light is so important and a successful digiscoped image is all about light. We need good light to illuminate the subject matter and more importantly to give us faster shutter speeds to eliminate motion blur. The position of the subject is also all-important, you need to be in between the light and your subject so that the light is behind you, that way the bird(s) in question will be nicely lit so that you don't get silhouette with no detail. These quick and simple snapping rules should bring you lot's of happy images.
Image software
All your images will require further work on your computer to tweak where needed. This is perfectly normal and its important that you purchase good image software and get to know your way around this when editing. This is just as important as your scope and camera, and will vastly improve your imagery. Here at Birding24/7 towers, we use an Apple MacBook Pro (just our preference) with Adobe Photoshop CS5.
Enjoyment
Don't get too frustrated if you are out on a days digiscoping and your images are disappointing, there are many factors including the weather that can hinder your performance, but remember why you are there and this is all part of the fun - its part and parcel of birding.
Care
Just a word of caution here, no need to panic, but viewing direct sunlight while using optics can cause permanent eye damage. Try to never view the sun with any optical equipment or even with the naked eye and always follow the manufacturers instructions when attaching adapters to your optical equipment.
Perfect for wildlife photography, especially bird watching, digiscoping lets you use the powerful zoom of your spotting scope, coupled with the ease of use and convenience of your digital camera - enabling you to get right in to your chosen subject and capture amazing images of wildlife, without having to get to close to risk disturbing the wildlife.
However, most will say, that the real beauty of digiscoping, is enabling you to shoot DSLR-quality imagery, at a fraction of the cost using a DSLR camera with a large telephoto lens would.
Here's 10 top tips to get you started.
Research
Doing your research can save you both time and money. If you currently don't own any digiscoping equipment like a spotting scope or a digital camera, be sure to search the web for relevant articles and videos, read independent reviews and get lots of forum advice on the correct tools for the job before making any purchase. Alternatively, a chat with a respected online or bricks and mortar optics shop should see you get good buying advice also.
Preperation
Digiscoping is heavily reliant upon the LCD of your digital camera, make sure your digital camera batteries are fully charged before you set off and take spare batteries with you in the field. As a rule, try to always carry three spare batteries with you when out on a days digiscoping. The same principles apply if you are using an electronic shutter release.
Conditions
Good light is super-important when digiscoping. Good light conditions will allow for faster shutter speeds in order to freeze bird motion and limit camera shake. Before setting off, note that warm and humid days can cause heat haze which will vastly reduce the quality of your results and strong winds will increase the chance of camera shake, no matter how well placed your tripod is.
Practice
Practice makes perfect, it does indeed. Before you venture out for shots of wildlife, make sure you test your camera and scope settings by focusing on objects in your back garden. Use a shrub, plant or bush as a subject and experiment until you are confident you are using the best settings for your needs.
Gear
Before you start digiscoping, its important to make sure you can operate (practice) your scope and camera functionality individually, thus making it easier when you combine the two. Digiscoping requires a good understanding of your equipment and dual processing in order to get the best quailty images.
Expectations
Its possible that 80-90% of your imagery shot on a digiscoping field session will be discarded, but don't be too disheartened. This is normal. That's the beauty of digital photography, we can take as many pictures as we like as film doesn't run out anymore! This enables us to only keep the good ones, and discard the poorer images when you're relaxing in the evening with a good glass of wine. The joy you will find when scrolling through your images and finding one that's just perfect will be a fantastic achievement.
Taking a picture
As discussed, light is so important and a successful digiscoped image is all about light. We need good light to illuminate the subject matter and more importantly to give us faster shutter speeds to eliminate motion blur. The position of the subject is also all-important, you need to be in between the light and your subject so that the light is behind you, that way the bird(s) in question will be nicely lit so that you don't get silhouette with no detail. These quick and simple snapping rules should bring you lot's of happy images.
Image software
All your images will require further work on your computer to tweak where needed. This is perfectly normal and its important that you purchase good image software and get to know your way around this when editing. This is just as important as your scope and camera, and will vastly improve your imagery. Here at Birding24/7 towers, we use an Apple MacBook Pro (just our preference) with Adobe Photoshop CS5.
Enjoyment
Don't get too frustrated if you are out on a days digiscoping and your images are disappointing, there are many factors including the weather that can hinder your performance, but remember why you are there and this is all part of the fun - its part and parcel of birding.
Care
Just a word of caution here, no need to panic, but viewing direct sunlight while using optics can cause permanent eye damage. Try to never view the sun with any optical equipment or even with the naked eye and always follow the manufacturers instructions when attaching adapters to your optical equipment.
Osprey chick takes first flight at Kielder as visitors watch live footage
Photograph: Forestry Commission/PA
A male osprey chick has taken their first flight from its eyrie in Kielder Water and Forest Park in Northumberland.
Visitors at Kielder Castle Visitor Centre watched in emotional awe as the flight was captured with live footage from a camera near the nest. The juvenile bird is unfortunately the only survivor of three eggs, laid after stormy weather in May.
There is another nest in Kielder with two chicks, which Birding24/7 brought you a report on earlier this year. Kielder is the only place in England for more than 170 years to have two breeding families of the birds.
The Forestry Commission's shop manager, June Banks commented: "It was quite emotional. The youngster perched himself on the edge of the nest and eventually plucked up the courage to take a leap in the dark. Everything else went like clockwork and after a circuit around the nest he arrived back safe and sound."
The Commission said the chicks in the other nest had also been seen flexing their wings, indicating more flight activity is not too far away which is super news as the young ospreys' development is a few weeks behind previous years as the adult birds arrived late into the county in the spring. They now face a race against time to learn how to fish on Northumbrian Water's Kielder Reservoir. By the beginning of September they will be ready to head south to avoid the winter.
You can follow all the Kieder ospreys daily routines as they prepare for life outside of the nest, by clicking the link below.
www.visitkielder.com/site/kielder-ospreys
Visitors at Kielder Castle Visitor Centre watched in emotional awe as the flight was captured with live footage from a camera near the nest. The juvenile bird is unfortunately the only survivor of three eggs, laid after stormy weather in May.
There is another nest in Kielder with two chicks, which Birding24/7 brought you a report on earlier this year. Kielder is the only place in England for more than 170 years to have two breeding families of the birds.
The Forestry Commission's shop manager, June Banks commented: "It was quite emotional. The youngster perched himself on the edge of the nest and eventually plucked up the courage to take a leap in the dark. Everything else went like clockwork and after a circuit around the nest he arrived back safe and sound."
The Commission said the chicks in the other nest had also been seen flexing their wings, indicating more flight activity is not too far away which is super news as the young ospreys' development is a few weeks behind previous years as the adult birds arrived late into the county in the spring. They now face a race against time to learn how to fish on Northumbrian Water's Kielder Reservoir. By the beginning of September they will be ready to head south to avoid the winter.
You can follow all the Kieder ospreys daily routines as they prepare for life outside of the nest, by clicking the link below.
www.visitkielder.com/site/kielder-ospreys
Sixteen White-tailed Sea Eagles take to the Scottish skies for first time
Photograph: Pauline Johnson of Ken Jack Agencies.
16 glorious white-tailed sea eagles have taken their first flight in Scottish skies, as a successful reintroduction programme enters its penultimate year.
The birds, 10 males and 6 females were released from a secret location in Fife, arrived from Norway in June as part of the East Scotland Sea Eagle project, a partnership between RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland.
Since their arrival, they have been reared in specially built aviaries on a hearty diet of grey squirrel, roe deer and haddock, until they were old enough to fledge. The young eagles will now join Scotland’s growing white-tailed eagle population and help restore the species to its former range. Since the reintroduction initiative began in 2007, a total of 80 birds have been released in the east coast of the country.
The first wild bred chick since UK extinction was born on Mull in June 1985 and the latest figures for 2010 found there are now more than 200 sea eagles in Scotland, including 52 breeding pairs on the west coast.
With a wing span of 8ft, the white-tailed sea eagle is the UK’s largest bird of prey. It was completely wiped out in Britain in the early 20th century and only returned when a reintroduction programme began on the island of Rum in 1975, aimed at bring these majestic raptors back to Scotland’s skies.
Claire Smith, RSPB Scotland East Scotland Sea Eagle Officer said: “It’s great to see these birds fit, ready and raring to try out those impressive wings for the first time. Each bird has been fitted with a radio and wing tags so both project staff and the public can follow their progress. For 2011 we’ve chosen red wing tags with white letters and numbers, and as usual any sightings can be reported to us via email. Every day our older birds are spotted in locations up and down the country and we’re hopeful in the next couple of years the east of Scotland could have its first wild bred chick. “
Susan Davies, SNH policy & advice director, said: "More and more people in the east of Scotland are starting to spot these spectacular sea eagles in places like Loch Leven and throughout Fife, as well as further afield. This is a firm sign that the sea eagle is spreading back out into areas of its former range in Scotland. All of this is of course about protecting and restoring our wildlife; something that is everyone's responsibility and to all our benefit."
For more information on East Scotland Sea Eagle reintroduction programme, head this way to view. Sightings by the public can also be reported via email to eastscotlandseaeagles@rspb.org.uk
The birds, 10 males and 6 females were released from a secret location in Fife, arrived from Norway in June as part of the East Scotland Sea Eagle project, a partnership between RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland.
Since their arrival, they have been reared in specially built aviaries on a hearty diet of grey squirrel, roe deer and haddock, until they were old enough to fledge. The young eagles will now join Scotland’s growing white-tailed eagle population and help restore the species to its former range. Since the reintroduction initiative began in 2007, a total of 80 birds have been released in the east coast of the country.
The first wild bred chick since UK extinction was born on Mull in June 1985 and the latest figures for 2010 found there are now more than 200 sea eagles in Scotland, including 52 breeding pairs on the west coast.
With a wing span of 8ft, the white-tailed sea eagle is the UK’s largest bird of prey. It was completely wiped out in Britain in the early 20th century and only returned when a reintroduction programme began on the island of Rum in 1975, aimed at bring these majestic raptors back to Scotland’s skies.
Claire Smith, RSPB Scotland East Scotland Sea Eagle Officer said: “It’s great to see these birds fit, ready and raring to try out those impressive wings for the first time. Each bird has been fitted with a radio and wing tags so both project staff and the public can follow their progress. For 2011 we’ve chosen red wing tags with white letters and numbers, and as usual any sightings can be reported to us via email. Every day our older birds are spotted in locations up and down the country and we’re hopeful in the next couple of years the east of Scotland could have its first wild bred chick. “
Susan Davies, SNH policy & advice director, said: "More and more people in the east of Scotland are starting to spot these spectacular sea eagles in places like Loch Leven and throughout Fife, as well as further afield. This is a firm sign that the sea eagle is spreading back out into areas of its former range in Scotland. All of this is of course about protecting and restoring our wildlife; something that is everyone's responsibility and to all our benefit."
For more information on East Scotland Sea Eagle reintroduction programme, head this way to view. Sightings by the public can also be reported via email to eastscotlandseaeagles@rspb.org.uk
Amazing seabird feeding frenzy recorded as 10,000 Manx Shearwaters feast in Land's End
Manx Shearwater numbers stunned Scientists.
Marine scientists from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, have witnessed a remarkable feeding frenzy of seabirds and dolphins off the Land’s End peninsula in southwest Cornwall.
The observations were made as part of the SeaWatch SW project which involves continuous dawn-to-dusk monitoring of all marine wildlife from Gwennap Head at the southwest tip of the UK mainland. The project is now in its fifth year, but this is the first time during the survey that such a large gathering of animals has been recorded feeding in the area.
Project co-ordinator, Dr Russell Wynn, was on duty at the watchpoint for the first 17 days of the survey from 15-31 July. Russell said: “the number of seabirds and marine mammals involved was staggering. In a single hour we counted over 10,000 Manx shearwaters passing the watchpoint, with several thousand feeding offshore accompanied by hundreds of plunge-diving gannets”.
A total of 250 Balearic shearwater sightings were also recorded at Gwennap Head in July, which represents up to 1% of the World population of this Critically Endangered seabird and highlights the increasing importance of southwest waters for this species.
The seabird flock was joined by hundreds of common dolphins, tens of harbour porpoises and small numbers of minke whales and risso’s dolphins. The survey team are now combining their visual observations with detailed seafloor maps and tidal flow measurements to investigate why these feeding frenzies are concentrated in certain areas. They are also collecting acoustic records of the dolphins and porpoises, which will enable them to assess nocturnal activity.
Dr Wynn added: “to see all these animals pursuing mackerel and smaller baitfish in such a small area was spectacular. The different types of data we have collected will now help us to assess how tide and topography influence the location of these foraging hotspots”.
However, a recent incident has highlighted the vulnerability of these large feeding aggregations to oil spills. On 3 August, a 9000-ton container ship ran aground just offshore of the rocky coast a few miles north of Gwennap Head.
Helen Booker, Senior Conservation Officer at RSPB said: "this near-miss highlights the continuing threat from pollution to our internationally important seabird populations in the western English Channel, which is one of the busiest shipping highways in the World. Luckily there was no leakage of oil during this latest incident, otherwise with such large numbers of feeding seabirds and cetaceans in the area we could have been facing an environmental catastrophe".
The RSPB has also this week expressed concern about the UK Government’s potential failure to recognise seabirds as important features in the designation of marine protected areas. (Read the below article - Ed)
Tony Whitehead, Public Affairs Officer for the RSPB in the south west said: “Finding Sanctuary have led talks over the past two years on the identification of important marine areas. The place where these huge flocks of seabirds have been feeding has been much discussed.
“However, we are worried that the UK government may not include the needs of mobile species such as seabirds in the designation of sites. This fails these wonderful creatures and we are strongly urging the UK government to include them.”
The SeaWatch SW project involves intensive monitoring of seabirds, marine mammals, basking sharks and other marine life off southwest UK between 2007 and 2011. The project is run by scientific researchers supported by a large number of volunteer observers, and is being undertaken in partnership with RSPB and several other conservation organisations.
Daily sightings from the Gwennap Head watchpoint can be viewed on the SeaWatch SW website, head this way for a closer look.
The observations were made as part of the SeaWatch SW project which involves continuous dawn-to-dusk monitoring of all marine wildlife from Gwennap Head at the southwest tip of the UK mainland. The project is now in its fifth year, but this is the first time during the survey that such a large gathering of animals has been recorded feeding in the area.
Project co-ordinator, Dr Russell Wynn, was on duty at the watchpoint for the first 17 days of the survey from 15-31 July. Russell said: “the number of seabirds and marine mammals involved was staggering. In a single hour we counted over 10,000 Manx shearwaters passing the watchpoint, with several thousand feeding offshore accompanied by hundreds of plunge-diving gannets”.
A total of 250 Balearic shearwater sightings were also recorded at Gwennap Head in July, which represents up to 1% of the World population of this Critically Endangered seabird and highlights the increasing importance of southwest waters for this species.
The seabird flock was joined by hundreds of common dolphins, tens of harbour porpoises and small numbers of minke whales and risso’s dolphins. The survey team are now combining their visual observations with detailed seafloor maps and tidal flow measurements to investigate why these feeding frenzies are concentrated in certain areas. They are also collecting acoustic records of the dolphins and porpoises, which will enable them to assess nocturnal activity.
Dr Wynn added: “to see all these animals pursuing mackerel and smaller baitfish in such a small area was spectacular. The different types of data we have collected will now help us to assess how tide and topography influence the location of these foraging hotspots”.
However, a recent incident has highlighted the vulnerability of these large feeding aggregations to oil spills. On 3 August, a 9000-ton container ship ran aground just offshore of the rocky coast a few miles north of Gwennap Head.
Helen Booker, Senior Conservation Officer at RSPB said: "this near-miss highlights the continuing threat from pollution to our internationally important seabird populations in the western English Channel, which is one of the busiest shipping highways in the World. Luckily there was no leakage of oil during this latest incident, otherwise with such large numbers of feeding seabirds and cetaceans in the area we could have been facing an environmental catastrophe".
The RSPB has also this week expressed concern about the UK Government’s potential failure to recognise seabirds as important features in the designation of marine protected areas. (Read the below article - Ed)
Tony Whitehead, Public Affairs Officer for the RSPB in the south west said: “Finding Sanctuary have led talks over the past two years on the identification of important marine areas. The place where these huge flocks of seabirds have been feeding has been much discussed.
“However, we are worried that the UK government may not include the needs of mobile species such as seabirds in the designation of sites. This fails these wonderful creatures and we are strongly urging the UK government to include them.”
The SeaWatch SW project involves intensive monitoring of seabirds, marine mammals, basking sharks and other marine life off southwest UK between 2007 and 2011. The project is run by scientific researchers supported by a large number of volunteer observers, and is being undertaken in partnership with RSPB and several other conservation organisations.
Daily sightings from the Gwennap Head watchpoint can be viewed on the SeaWatch SW website, head this way for a closer look.
UK Seabirds are being let down by 'woefully inadequate' number of protected sites
Gannets - need more protection.
Despite the UK being globally-renowned for its immense populations of seabirds – including puffins, shearwaters, petrels, kittiwakes, terns and gannets - laws to designate marine protected areas in England and Wales are failing these iconic species because too few seabird sites are being protected, says the RSPB.
Kate Sugar is an RSPB marine policy officer. Commenting on the relative failure of seabird protection, she said: “The UK Government has an international commitment to designate a comprehensive network of marine protected areas by the end of next year. But for seabirds, at least, we’re on course to fail because the number of sites being considered is woefully inadequate and in some cases seabirds are being excluded from the designation process.
The seas around the UK are rich in wildlife, but they also important for economic interests too. Fisheries, renewable-energy projects, oil and gas exploration, tourism, shipping and aggregate extraction are just some of the industries that are competing with each other and the environment for growth. Wildlife must be safeguarded alongside the marine ‘gold rush’ that’s currently underway. Protecting the most important sites would take them out of jeopardy and would provide much-needed clarity for marine developers and industry.
“Thankfully, most seabird nesting sites are already protected, but the areas where seabirds feed at sea are not, meaning that these species are only generally afforded protection on land. This is a nonsense: it’s like having robust laws preventing burglary, while having no laws preventing mugging. Seabirds need protection at sea too.”
It is likely that the seabird interests of some important seabird sites will miss out on protection. These sites include: the Mid-Irish Sea; the Celtic Deeps (100km off the north Cornish coast); the waters around Beachy Head; and the Flamborough and Helgoland Front, in the North Sea.
Since 1979, the UK Government has had the power to designate marine sites of European importance for birds under the European Union Birds Directive. But, so far, it has dragged its feet and is currently running 30 years behind schedule, with only a minimum number of sites designated so far.
There is also new legislation in England and Wales enabling the designation of marine sites that are important at a national level. Currently, there are four English projects and one Welsh project – involving a range of stakeholders – selecting a network of nationally-important marine protected areas under the Marine and Coastal Access Act, enacted in 2009. But these projects have been guided to largely exclude seabirds from the designation process around English coasts and restrict the number and size of sites around Wales, meaning that some of the best and most important sites are not even being considered. Furthermore, the UK Government has recently revealed that it does not expect to complete its ecologically-coherent UK network of marine protected areas until at least 2015 – three years after the internationally-agreed deadline of next year.
Kate Sugar concluded: “It is ironic that despite our global importance for seabirds we’re consistently failing to protect them at sea. The UK has the largest European Union population of 15 species of seabird, including puffin, gannet and kittiwake. Therefore, it doesn’t seem appropriate that countries with shorter coastlines and smaller sea areas, like Germany and Denmark, are shaming the UK with the extent of their marine protected area networks.”
The RSPB is urging everyone to support a campaign to ensure seabirds are fully protected. To sign the RSPB pledge and call on UK Government ministers to ensure that seabirds are safeguarded at sea please visit: www.rspb.org.uk/marinepetition to ensure your vote is counted.
Kate Sugar is an RSPB marine policy officer. Commenting on the relative failure of seabird protection, she said: “The UK Government has an international commitment to designate a comprehensive network of marine protected areas by the end of next year. But for seabirds, at least, we’re on course to fail because the number of sites being considered is woefully inadequate and in some cases seabirds are being excluded from the designation process.
The seas around the UK are rich in wildlife, but they also important for economic interests too. Fisheries, renewable-energy projects, oil and gas exploration, tourism, shipping and aggregate extraction are just some of the industries that are competing with each other and the environment for growth. Wildlife must be safeguarded alongside the marine ‘gold rush’ that’s currently underway. Protecting the most important sites would take them out of jeopardy and would provide much-needed clarity for marine developers and industry.
“Thankfully, most seabird nesting sites are already protected, but the areas where seabirds feed at sea are not, meaning that these species are only generally afforded protection on land. This is a nonsense: it’s like having robust laws preventing burglary, while having no laws preventing mugging. Seabirds need protection at sea too.”
It is likely that the seabird interests of some important seabird sites will miss out on protection. These sites include: the Mid-Irish Sea; the Celtic Deeps (100km off the north Cornish coast); the waters around Beachy Head; and the Flamborough and Helgoland Front, in the North Sea.
Since 1979, the UK Government has had the power to designate marine sites of European importance for birds under the European Union Birds Directive. But, so far, it has dragged its feet and is currently running 30 years behind schedule, with only a minimum number of sites designated so far.
There is also new legislation in England and Wales enabling the designation of marine sites that are important at a national level. Currently, there are four English projects and one Welsh project – involving a range of stakeholders – selecting a network of nationally-important marine protected areas under the Marine and Coastal Access Act, enacted in 2009. But these projects have been guided to largely exclude seabirds from the designation process around English coasts and restrict the number and size of sites around Wales, meaning that some of the best and most important sites are not even being considered. Furthermore, the UK Government has recently revealed that it does not expect to complete its ecologically-coherent UK network of marine protected areas until at least 2015 – three years after the internationally-agreed deadline of next year.
Kate Sugar concluded: “It is ironic that despite our global importance for seabirds we’re consistently failing to protect them at sea. The UK has the largest European Union population of 15 species of seabird, including puffin, gannet and kittiwake. Therefore, it doesn’t seem appropriate that countries with shorter coastlines and smaller sea areas, like Germany and Denmark, are shaming the UK with the extent of their marine protected area networks.”
The RSPB is urging everyone to support a campaign to ensure seabirds are fully protected. To sign the RSPB pledge and call on UK Government ministers to ensure that seabirds are safeguarded at sea please visit: www.rspb.org.uk/marinepetition to ensure your vote is counted.
Scientists reveal fears as Avian pox spreads across Britain's garden birds
Great Tit particularly at risk.
Scientists have revealed details of how avian pox is spreading across Britain's garden birds. Avian pox has been recorded in bird species such as House Sparrow and Woodpigeon for several years, but its recent emergence in Great Tit is causing real concern as the birds develop severe symptoms of the disease.
Scientists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the University of Oxford recorded the first occurrence of the disease in Oxford last year. Prior to this, affected birds had most often been sighted in Surrey, Kent and Sussex. The researchers are now calling on the public to report sightings of garden birds with symptoms of avian pox to the RSPB Wildlife Enquiries Unit to help the research team track the spread of the disease.
Infection by the avian pox virus leads to warty, tumour-like growths on different parts of a bird’s body, particularly around the eyes and beak. The disease can be relatively mild, but Great Tits have been shown to suffer severe symptoms which can prevent them from feeding and may increase their susceptibility to predation.
Wildlife Vet, Dr Becki Lawson from ZSL said: “We now believe avian pox has spread as far north as Staffordshire. Public reports of sick birds are essential in helping us to track the disease and determine the wider impact it is having on our garden birds.”
The virus is spread between birds by biting insects that carry the virus, direct contact with other birds and, indirect contact, possibly via contaminated bird feeders. The disease is not known to be infectious to humans or other mammals.
Professor Ben Sheldon of the Edward Grey Institute at the University of Oxford said: “We have been studying Great Tits at Wytham Woods near Oxford since 1947 - the longest running study of its kind in the world - so we were very concerned when we first detected this disease in 2010. We're using our detailed observations to try to understand how this new form of pox affects survival and reproductive success."
Avian poxvirus was first recorded in Great Tit in Scandinavia in the 1970s and has recently been seen in Central Europe. Funded by NERC, the research team from ZSL and the University of Oxford are now undertaking molecular analysis of the virus to determine whether this new strain in Britain is the same as that seen on the continent.
Sightings of birds displaying symptoms of avian pox should be reported to the RSPB Wildlife Enquiries Unit on 01767 693690. Alternatively you can report sightings on-line by heading this way for more info.
www.ufaw.org.uk/gbhi.php
Scientists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the University of Oxford recorded the first occurrence of the disease in Oxford last year. Prior to this, affected birds had most often been sighted in Surrey, Kent and Sussex. The researchers are now calling on the public to report sightings of garden birds with symptoms of avian pox to the RSPB Wildlife Enquiries Unit to help the research team track the spread of the disease.
Infection by the avian pox virus leads to warty, tumour-like growths on different parts of a bird’s body, particularly around the eyes and beak. The disease can be relatively mild, but Great Tits have been shown to suffer severe symptoms which can prevent them from feeding and may increase their susceptibility to predation.
Wildlife Vet, Dr Becki Lawson from ZSL said: “We now believe avian pox has spread as far north as Staffordshire. Public reports of sick birds are essential in helping us to track the disease and determine the wider impact it is having on our garden birds.”
The virus is spread between birds by biting insects that carry the virus, direct contact with other birds and, indirect contact, possibly via contaminated bird feeders. The disease is not known to be infectious to humans or other mammals.
Professor Ben Sheldon of the Edward Grey Institute at the University of Oxford said: “We have been studying Great Tits at Wytham Woods near Oxford since 1947 - the longest running study of its kind in the world - so we were very concerned when we first detected this disease in 2010. We're using our detailed observations to try to understand how this new form of pox affects survival and reproductive success."
Avian poxvirus was first recorded in Great Tit in Scandinavia in the 1970s and has recently been seen in Central Europe. Funded by NERC, the research team from ZSL and the University of Oxford are now undertaking molecular analysis of the virus to determine whether this new strain in Britain is the same as that seen on the continent.
Sightings of birds displaying symptoms of avian pox should be reported to the RSPB Wildlife Enquiries Unit on 01767 693690. Alternatively you can report sightings on-line by heading this way for more info.
www.ufaw.org.uk/gbhi.php
Commercial farmers up for top award after helping conserve Corncrake habitat
An upland livestock farm on the Isle of Mull has been shortlisted for this year’s prestigious Nature of Farming Award.
Somerset and Carolyne Charrington of Treshnish Farm impressed the selection panel with their efforts to conserve priority habitats and species such as the corncrake, the transparent burnet moth and wood bitter vetch.
Now, they face a nervous wait as we the public start the voting process throughout the summer along with 3 other farms to determine the overall UK winner.
The shortlisted farmers have strong environmental credentials and manage their farms with bird, plant, mammal and insect populations in mind while running commercially viable businesses.
The Charringtons took over the 750 hectare farm in 1994, and soon sought advice on the local biodiversity priorities and agri-environment schemes available to them. The variety of habitats across the farm - ranging from ancient native broadleaf woodland to wetlands, species-rich grasslands, peat bog and moorland – provides an abundance of suitable habitat for rarer wildflowers, butterflies, birds and aquatic insects.
Speaking after winning the award for Scotland, the Charrington’s said: “We never thought that what we have achieved over the last 16 years was prize-worthy and so being up for this award is, for us, confirmation that we are on the right track.”
Chris Bailey, RSPB Scotland Advisory Manager, said: “The standard of the nominations this year has been very high. It is great that Somerset and Carolyne’s efforts have been further rewarded now their farm has been selected to go forward for the public vote. The Charrington’s demonstrated that they have successfully managed for important farmland habitats, whilst maintaining a profitable enterprise.”
It’s inspiring to see the hard work and care that many farmers across Scotland are putting in to ensure that there are safe havens for wildlife in fields, woodlands and hedgerows. These farmers show there is still space for nature alongside modern farming.”
From 22 July, the UK public will be invited to decide the UK winner by casting their votes by phone, post, online, via The Telegraph, or at various country shows until the end of August. Information on how to vote can be found at www.rspb.org.uk/farmvote and everyone who votes in this year's competition will be entered into a prize draw to win a two night break for two people at a luxury hotel. The prize includes a full English breakfast each morning and a three-course dinner each evening. The winner can choose from one of Hallmark Hotels’ fabulous boutique hotels in Bournemouth, Hull, Carlisle, Derby or Gloucester.
Votes can be cast until 31st August 2011 and the winner will be announced in September.
www.rspb.org.uk/farmvote
Somerset and Carolyne Charrington of Treshnish Farm impressed the selection panel with their efforts to conserve priority habitats and species such as the corncrake, the transparent burnet moth and wood bitter vetch.
Now, they face a nervous wait as we the public start the voting process throughout the summer along with 3 other farms to determine the overall UK winner.
The shortlisted farmers have strong environmental credentials and manage their farms with bird, plant, mammal and insect populations in mind while running commercially viable businesses.
The Charringtons took over the 750 hectare farm in 1994, and soon sought advice on the local biodiversity priorities and agri-environment schemes available to them. The variety of habitats across the farm - ranging from ancient native broadleaf woodland to wetlands, species-rich grasslands, peat bog and moorland – provides an abundance of suitable habitat for rarer wildflowers, butterflies, birds and aquatic insects.
Speaking after winning the award for Scotland, the Charrington’s said: “We never thought that what we have achieved over the last 16 years was prize-worthy and so being up for this award is, for us, confirmation that we are on the right track.”
Chris Bailey, RSPB Scotland Advisory Manager, said: “The standard of the nominations this year has been very high. It is great that Somerset and Carolyne’s efforts have been further rewarded now their farm has been selected to go forward for the public vote. The Charrington’s demonstrated that they have successfully managed for important farmland habitats, whilst maintaining a profitable enterprise.”
It’s inspiring to see the hard work and care that many farmers across Scotland are putting in to ensure that there are safe havens for wildlife in fields, woodlands and hedgerows. These farmers show there is still space for nature alongside modern farming.”
From 22 July, the UK public will be invited to decide the UK winner by casting their votes by phone, post, online, via The Telegraph, or at various country shows until the end of August. Information on how to vote can be found at www.rspb.org.uk/farmvote and everyone who votes in this year's competition will be entered into a prize draw to win a two night break for two people at a luxury hotel. The prize includes a full English breakfast each morning and a three-course dinner each evening. The winner can choose from one of Hallmark Hotels’ fabulous boutique hotels in Bournemouth, Hull, Carlisle, Derby or Gloucester.
Votes can be cast until 31st August 2011 and the winner will be announced in September.
www.rspb.org.uk/farmvote
Pink-footed Geese under threat as Lancashire wind turbine plans given go-ahead
Plans for two wind turbines off the Lancashire coast have been given the go-ahead by the high court today.
This project could threaten the lives of pink-footed geese and other species as the proposed turbines will be located about 5km (3.1m) from Morecambe Bay, where a special protection area plays host to many species including pink-footed geese.
Local residents of Eagland Hill tried to challenge the legality of the plans. But the judge, sitting in Manchester, rejected all their grounds for challenge.
The proposed turbines would stand 80m (262ft) high at the hub, with a blade tip height of 125m (410ft).
Pink-footed geese commute inland for up to 10km (6.2m) from their roosting sites on the north-west coast to feed on grain and winter cereal crops near the site on which they are due to be built. Internationally-important numbers of pink-footed geese now spend the winter in the UK and in the 1960s, only 50,000 birds wintered in the UK – now there are more than 200,000. However, Pink-footed geese are highly susceptible to human disturbance and research suggests that they avoid feeding in fields less than 6 hectares (ha) in size and fields that are close to roads.
The judge heard that all sides in the case had agreed that there was a risk of up to 50 geese a year would collide with the turbines - but rubber stamped the plans anyway.
The developers, Cornwall Light and Power Company Ltd - were eventually given the go-ahead by a planning inspector after agreeing to provide compensatory feeding grounds for the geese.
The anti-turbine Eagland Hill Action Group (EHAG) fought a last-ditch High Court bid to block the scheme, arguing the inspector, David Pinner, erred in law by failing to reconsider whether an environmental impact assessment was necessary, and failing to conduct an appropriate assessment under EU wild birds and habitats directives. However, this was rejected by Judge Pelling QC.
The EHAG had also argued there was procedural unfairness because the group had not been invited to take part in the discussion on the compensation proposals for the geese.
How do you feel about this? Tell us more on twitter @birding247 or on our facebook page.
This project could threaten the lives of pink-footed geese and other species as the proposed turbines will be located about 5km (3.1m) from Morecambe Bay, where a special protection area plays host to many species including pink-footed geese.
Local residents of Eagland Hill tried to challenge the legality of the plans. But the judge, sitting in Manchester, rejected all their grounds for challenge.
The proposed turbines would stand 80m (262ft) high at the hub, with a blade tip height of 125m (410ft).
Pink-footed geese commute inland for up to 10km (6.2m) from their roosting sites on the north-west coast to feed on grain and winter cereal crops near the site on which they are due to be built. Internationally-important numbers of pink-footed geese now spend the winter in the UK and in the 1960s, only 50,000 birds wintered in the UK – now there are more than 200,000. However, Pink-footed geese are highly susceptible to human disturbance and research suggests that they avoid feeding in fields less than 6 hectares (ha) in size and fields that are close to roads.
The judge heard that all sides in the case had agreed that there was a risk of up to 50 geese a year would collide with the turbines - but rubber stamped the plans anyway.
The developers, Cornwall Light and Power Company Ltd - were eventually given the go-ahead by a planning inspector after agreeing to provide compensatory feeding grounds for the geese.
The anti-turbine Eagland Hill Action Group (EHAG) fought a last-ditch High Court bid to block the scheme, arguing the inspector, David Pinner, erred in law by failing to reconsider whether an environmental impact assessment was necessary, and failing to conduct an appropriate assessment under EU wild birds and habitats directives. However, this was rejected by Judge Pelling QC.
The EHAG had also argued there was procedural unfairness because the group had not been invited to take part in the discussion on the compensation proposals for the geese.
How do you feel about this? Tell us more on twitter @birding247 or on our facebook page.
'Cry of the Curlew': Urgent appeal launched by BirdWatch Ireland to save species
Under threat - Irish Curlew.
BirdWatch Ireland are hoping to raise €99,000 in public donations for the country's declining Irish Curlew population by launching a new appeal. Curlew and other waders are now among the most threatened Irish breeding birds, but with the help of the Irish and British public, BirdWatch Ireland hopes to carry out a programme of work to bring the birds back from the verge of extinction.
To underline how important this campaign is, it is thought only a few hundred pairs of Curlews remain in the Republic and Northern Ireland, and the bird's haunting cry may become a mere memory on the island's uplands and marshes - unless action is taken.
The iconic species has been suffering severe declines for many years in Ireland and BirdWatch Ireland estimates that around 80 per cent of the Curlew breeding population has been lost since the 1970s.
They are requesting donations to carry out a national breeding survey of Curlews and other waders to find out how many breeding pairs remain and where they are located; fund research into the factors influencing their survival and distribution; devise ways of restoring their unique habitats; and advocate legislation to better protect Curlews year round.
Curlews are still a regular sight along Irish coasts in winter, when migrants from northern Europe arrive to take advantage of the relatively mild winters on the estuaries and wetlands, the resident breeding population is now in danger of extinction.
Curlews can nest in a range of Irish habitats, from wet grasslands such as the River Shannon Callows to marginal hill land. They favour damp pastures grazed lightly by cattle, with a scattering of rush tussocks for nesting in and some wet areas to provide insects for their chicks to feed on.
Huge changes in the uplands, such as the destruction of peat bogs, afforestation, more intensive management of farmland and the abandonment of some lands leading to encroachment by scrub, gorse and dense rushes, have all affected Curlew breeding habitat. In the lowlands, drainage of wetlands and intensive management of grasslands have destroyed much of the species' habitat.
If you would like to make a donation, please head this way for more info.
www.birdwatchireland.ie
To underline how important this campaign is, it is thought only a few hundred pairs of Curlews remain in the Republic and Northern Ireland, and the bird's haunting cry may become a mere memory on the island's uplands and marshes - unless action is taken.
The iconic species has been suffering severe declines for many years in Ireland and BirdWatch Ireland estimates that around 80 per cent of the Curlew breeding population has been lost since the 1970s.
They are requesting donations to carry out a national breeding survey of Curlews and other waders to find out how many breeding pairs remain and where they are located; fund research into the factors influencing their survival and distribution; devise ways of restoring their unique habitats; and advocate legislation to better protect Curlews year round.
Curlews are still a regular sight along Irish coasts in winter, when migrants from northern Europe arrive to take advantage of the relatively mild winters on the estuaries and wetlands, the resident breeding population is now in danger of extinction.
Curlews can nest in a range of Irish habitats, from wet grasslands such as the River Shannon Callows to marginal hill land. They favour damp pastures grazed lightly by cattle, with a scattering of rush tussocks for nesting in and some wet areas to provide insects for their chicks to feed on.
Huge changes in the uplands, such as the destruction of peat bogs, afforestation, more intensive management of farmland and the abandonment of some lands leading to encroachment by scrub, gorse and dense rushes, have all affected Curlew breeding habitat. In the lowlands, drainage of wetlands and intensive management of grasslands have destroyed much of the species' habitat.
If you would like to make a donation, please head this way for more info.
www.birdwatchireland.ie
RSPB scientists publish new study with solution on how to plug 'hungry gap'
Yellowhammer set to profit from study.
Conservationists have come up with a solution to the ‘hungry gap’ – the annual problem of farmland birds struggling for survival in late winter and early spring.
Small birds like yellowhammers and reed buntings often suffer from a lack of seed food during winter. This is a particular problem in the grassland areas of western Britain. Even the best measures by farmers to tackle the problem run out of seed long before the winter ends leading to what conservationists call the ‘ hungry gap’. But RSPB scientists have published a study proposing a new answer.
The study, funded by Defra and published in the journal Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment this month, shows that by simply leaving patches of common ryegrass to go to seed instead of cutting them for silage, birds have an abundant supply of seeds to last them through the winter.
RSPB conservation scientist David Buckingham said: “We carried out trials on 12 farms in the West Midlands and found that when small patches of ryegrass around the edge of fields was left to go to seed we managed to attract high numbers of birds.
“Because of the way our countryside has changed over the years the supply of seeds that small birds like yellowhammers rely on often runs out in the depths of winter, leaving them struggling to survive. It is vital that these birds make it through the winter so they can produce a healthy new brood in the spring and help restore population numbers.
“Farmland bird numbers have declined by half since 1970 and we want to work with the many farmers out there who are doing their bit to reverse this trend. Ryegrass is grown for grazing and silage across the UK so this is a simple, effective measure that can be put in place on any dairy or mixed farm to help struggling farmland birds.
“We hope this study will eventually lead to a new measure in the Government’s environmental stewardship schemes for farmers. If this happens then farmers will get support and advice to put this measure in place and the birds will have a better chance of making it through the winter.”
The study found that ½ hectare patches around the edge of ryegrass fields which were left after the first silage cut in May put seeds needed by wintering birds back into the farmland.
Other agri-environment measures to help wintering birds include leaving over-winter stubble and sowing seed-rich cover crops – however these often run out of food before spring arrives.
The seeded ryegrass measure is of particular importance in the West of England where the problem of winter seed food hits birds the hardest. Defra are currently considering the proposal to include the measure in the Entry Level and Higher Level Stewardship schemes.
www.rspb.org.uk
Small birds like yellowhammers and reed buntings often suffer from a lack of seed food during winter. This is a particular problem in the grassland areas of western Britain. Even the best measures by farmers to tackle the problem run out of seed long before the winter ends leading to what conservationists call the ‘ hungry gap’. But RSPB scientists have published a study proposing a new answer.
The study, funded by Defra and published in the journal Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment this month, shows that by simply leaving patches of common ryegrass to go to seed instead of cutting them for silage, birds have an abundant supply of seeds to last them through the winter.
RSPB conservation scientist David Buckingham said: “We carried out trials on 12 farms in the West Midlands and found that when small patches of ryegrass around the edge of fields was left to go to seed we managed to attract high numbers of birds.
“Because of the way our countryside has changed over the years the supply of seeds that small birds like yellowhammers rely on often runs out in the depths of winter, leaving them struggling to survive. It is vital that these birds make it through the winter so they can produce a healthy new brood in the spring and help restore population numbers.
“Farmland bird numbers have declined by half since 1970 and we want to work with the many farmers out there who are doing their bit to reverse this trend. Ryegrass is grown for grazing and silage across the UK so this is a simple, effective measure that can be put in place on any dairy or mixed farm to help struggling farmland birds.
“We hope this study will eventually lead to a new measure in the Government’s environmental stewardship schemes for farmers. If this happens then farmers will get support and advice to put this measure in place and the birds will have a better chance of making it through the winter.”
The study found that ½ hectare patches around the edge of ryegrass fields which were left after the first silage cut in May put seeds needed by wintering birds back into the farmland.
Other agri-environment measures to help wintering birds include leaving over-winter stubble and sowing seed-rich cover crops – however these often run out of food before spring arrives.
The seeded ryegrass measure is of particular importance in the West of England where the problem of winter seed food hits birds the hardest. Defra are currently considering the proposal to include the measure in the Entry Level and Higher Level Stewardship schemes.
www.rspb.org.uk
Young Sand Martins flock to purpose built 'Sand Martin wall' at Brockholes
The Sand Martins arrive.
Young Sand Martins are flocking to the purpose built 'Sand Martin wall' at the freshly designed Wildlife Trusts Brockholes nature reserve which was completed in March. The wall was started last summer but its completion was held up because of the harsh winter weather.
The birds are comfortably moving in and now nesting – and because the average age of the birds is about a year, the Brockholes wall is something of a youth club for these stealthy birds.
The older Sand Martins had already arrived back from Africa (one was recently identified as having been ringed in France). They were busy nesting in their traditional site on the River Ribble by the time the wall was completed so the wall could have been an empty house - thankfully not the case.
Brockholes Reserve Manager Sophie Leadsom explains: “The wall wasn’t completed until late March and so the older birds bypassed us but when the young Sand Martins which were born last year arrived and started looking for nest sites last month they found this ready-made wall.
“At first they just landed,had a bit of a look about in the holes and flew away, but over the past couple of weeks one or two have settled and we are seeing signs that some of the birds are flying away and returning with food to some of the holes. This means birds have laid their eggs or are feeding their newly hatched chicks.”
And to lower the average age of the birds in the wall even more, this year’s fledglings who have flown their nests on the Ribble are now flocking around the wall making it a hive of activity and making the nearby viewpoint a great spot for anyone interested in birds.
The architects clearly did their homework as the holes were made to be 40mm wide - the perfect dimensions for Sand Martins, and each nesting hole is surrounded by roof insulation so the martin chicks can stay warm and dry. The chambers surrounding the nesting holes are filled with sand and the exterior has been treated with a special render that will quickly blend into the natural surroundings.
Sand Martins are not the only species flocking to Brockholes since it opened on Easter Sunday and there is much to see from the paths and hides around the nature reserve. A recent BioBlitz recorded 450 species of plants and wildlife in a 24-hour period. Quite something.
Brockholes nature reserve can be found off junction 31, M6 and features a unique and award-winning 'floating' visitor village and facilities include an education and interpretation area, shop, children’s play area and conference facilities. A restaurant provides stunning views across the reserve and serves a selection of Lancashire’s finest produce. 250,000 visitors a year are expected.
For more experienced bird watchers a series of trails will take you through the 110 hectare site including those alongside the River Ribble and the Ribble Way long distance footpath. The reserve is bordered by ancient woodland which together with the flooded gravel pits, scrapes,species rich meadows and tidal reaches of the River Ribble provide an attractive habitat for many resident and migratory birds.
www.brockholes.org/
The birds are comfortably moving in and now nesting – and because the average age of the birds is about a year, the Brockholes wall is something of a youth club for these stealthy birds.
The older Sand Martins had already arrived back from Africa (one was recently identified as having been ringed in France). They were busy nesting in their traditional site on the River Ribble by the time the wall was completed so the wall could have been an empty house - thankfully not the case.
Brockholes Reserve Manager Sophie Leadsom explains: “The wall wasn’t completed until late March and so the older birds bypassed us but when the young Sand Martins which were born last year arrived and started looking for nest sites last month they found this ready-made wall.
“At first they just landed,had a bit of a look about in the holes and flew away, but over the past couple of weeks one or two have settled and we are seeing signs that some of the birds are flying away and returning with food to some of the holes. This means birds have laid their eggs or are feeding their newly hatched chicks.”
And to lower the average age of the birds in the wall even more, this year’s fledglings who have flown their nests on the Ribble are now flocking around the wall making it a hive of activity and making the nearby viewpoint a great spot for anyone interested in birds.
The architects clearly did their homework as the holes were made to be 40mm wide - the perfect dimensions for Sand Martins, and each nesting hole is surrounded by roof insulation so the martin chicks can stay warm and dry. The chambers surrounding the nesting holes are filled with sand and the exterior has been treated with a special render that will quickly blend into the natural surroundings.
Sand Martins are not the only species flocking to Brockholes since it opened on Easter Sunday and there is much to see from the paths and hides around the nature reserve. A recent BioBlitz recorded 450 species of plants and wildlife in a 24-hour period. Quite something.
Brockholes nature reserve can be found off junction 31, M6 and features a unique and award-winning 'floating' visitor village and facilities include an education and interpretation area, shop, children’s play area and conference facilities. A restaurant provides stunning views across the reserve and serves a selection of Lancashire’s finest produce. 250,000 visitors a year are expected.
For more experienced bird watchers a series of trails will take you through the 110 hectare site including those alongside the River Ribble and the Ribble Way long distance footpath. The reserve is bordered by ancient woodland which together with the flooded gravel pits, scrapes,species rich meadows and tidal reaches of the River Ribble provide an attractive habitat for many resident and migratory birds.
www.brockholes.org/
Excitement grows for UK birders as Sweden reports massive increase in sightings
Male Two-barred Crossbill.
Excitement is growing among UK birders as a fresh invasion of Two-barred Crossbill is widely expected. it's been a few years since the last, but Sweden has put UK birders on red alert as they report an increase of 177 per cent more sightings than normal, including flocks of 50, 60 and 130, all passing through southern Sweden in a roughly south-west direction.
That's the good news, here's the bad news - it's being speculated that being a larch specialist, Two-barred Crossbill numbers are growing due to a failure in the larch cone crop, whereas Parrot Crossbill is either staying put in its core range or moving in a more easterly direction. Parrot Crossbill, which actually breeds in Sweden on a regular basis, is down by 58 per cent.
Birders who have a bit of spare time for a twitch have fingers and toes crossed at the moment as the route with which the birds are taking takes them almost directly to Spurn, Yorkshire in a straight line.
The last Two-barred Crossbill invasion was captured forever in delightful photography during early August 2008, when there were 28 records involving 65 birds, mostly on the Northern Isles.
In other news, sightings of the marvelous Northern Hawk Owl are up by 199 per cent in Sweden, indicating a very good breeding season for the species. A British visit by this legendary Arctic predator would cause much excitement among birders and is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Our shores might also expect to see more Black-necked Grebes this autumn, as this species' sightings are up by an incredible 342 per cent.
That's the good news, here's the bad news - it's being speculated that being a larch specialist, Two-barred Crossbill numbers are growing due to a failure in the larch cone crop, whereas Parrot Crossbill is either staying put in its core range or moving in a more easterly direction. Parrot Crossbill, which actually breeds in Sweden on a regular basis, is down by 58 per cent.
Birders who have a bit of spare time for a twitch have fingers and toes crossed at the moment as the route with which the birds are taking takes them almost directly to Spurn, Yorkshire in a straight line.
The last Two-barred Crossbill invasion was captured forever in delightful photography during early August 2008, when there were 28 records involving 65 birds, mostly on the Northern Isles.
In other news, sightings of the marvelous Northern Hawk Owl are up by 199 per cent in Sweden, indicating a very good breeding season for the species. A British visit by this legendary Arctic predator would cause much excitement among birders and is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Our shores might also expect to see more Black-necked Grebes this autumn, as this species' sightings are up by an incredible 342 per cent.
Confirmation: Almost half of Scotland's Wren population wiped out last winter
Beautiful wren singing away.
Confirmation has been released that recent harsh winters have devastated Scotland's wren populations. According to the latest figures from BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), released today, the report states that numbers fell by 40% between 2009 and 2010.
As one of Britain's smallest birds, wrens lose body heat very easily. During cold winters they are known to roost huddled together for warmth, but, despite this, mortality during harsh weather is often high. Fortunately, they are also able to reproduce very quickly, so numbers often bounce back when conditions improve.
Numbers of stonechats also fell by 77% between 2009 and 2010, following several years of increases – presumably also due to cold winters.
Wren and stonechat are just two of the 60 species monitored by the BBS in Scotland, and the latest figures also show that two amber-listed upland birds, meadow pipit and curlew, have fallen to their lowest levels since the start of the survey, showing declines of -31% and -53% respectively since 1994. However, a number of other species are doing better in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, including the red-listed tree pipit (+51% since 1994), house martin (+114% since 1994) and the amber-listed willow warbler (+21% since 1994).
Kate Risely, BBS organiser at the British Trust for Ornithology, commented, “Bad weather can have a really severe impact on bird numbers, and many birdwatchers in Scotland have noticed the decline in wren numbers. The BBS allows us to accurately measure these changes, and we’ll be keeping an eye on the trends to see if numbers recover in future.”
Dr Andy Douse, Ornithological Policy & Advice Manager at Scottish Natural Heritage, added “The 2010 BBS report yet again highlights the tremendous contribution made by volunteers to bird recording in Scotland. The results clearly show the short-term effect of the recent hard winters, yet also provides powerful testimony to the effects of other, longer-term changes in the Scottish countryside. We simply wouldn't be able to understand the magnitude and scale of these changes without the many hours of surveying carried out by committed volunteers."
Louise Smith of RSPB Scotland said: “The Breeding Bird Survey is an important piece of the jigsaw when building a clear picture of Scotland’s bird populations. Whilst some species seem to be exceeding our expectations, others it appears are giving real cause for concern. The sharp decline of wading birds, in particular the curlew, is something that through our work with farmers, landowners, agricultural bodies and the Scottish Government we hope to reverse before this distinctive bird vanishes from our countryside completely.”
For a full pdf report, visit this link.
As one of Britain's smallest birds, wrens lose body heat very easily. During cold winters they are known to roost huddled together for warmth, but, despite this, mortality during harsh weather is often high. Fortunately, they are also able to reproduce very quickly, so numbers often bounce back when conditions improve.
Numbers of stonechats also fell by 77% between 2009 and 2010, following several years of increases – presumably also due to cold winters.
Wren and stonechat are just two of the 60 species monitored by the BBS in Scotland, and the latest figures also show that two amber-listed upland birds, meadow pipit and curlew, have fallen to their lowest levels since the start of the survey, showing declines of -31% and -53% respectively since 1994. However, a number of other species are doing better in Scotland than in the rest of the UK, including the red-listed tree pipit (+51% since 1994), house martin (+114% since 1994) and the amber-listed willow warbler (+21% since 1994).
Kate Risely, BBS organiser at the British Trust for Ornithology, commented, “Bad weather can have a really severe impact on bird numbers, and many birdwatchers in Scotland have noticed the decline in wren numbers. The BBS allows us to accurately measure these changes, and we’ll be keeping an eye on the trends to see if numbers recover in future.”
Dr Andy Douse, Ornithological Policy & Advice Manager at Scottish Natural Heritage, added “The 2010 BBS report yet again highlights the tremendous contribution made by volunteers to bird recording in Scotland. The results clearly show the short-term effect of the recent hard winters, yet also provides powerful testimony to the effects of other, longer-term changes in the Scottish countryside. We simply wouldn't be able to understand the magnitude and scale of these changes without the many hours of surveying carried out by committed volunteers."
Louise Smith of RSPB Scotland said: “The Breeding Bird Survey is an important piece of the jigsaw when building a clear picture of Scotland’s bird populations. Whilst some species seem to be exceeding our expectations, others it appears are giving real cause for concern. The sharp decline of wading birds, in particular the curlew, is something that through our work with farmers, landowners, agricultural bodies and the Scottish Government we hope to reverse before this distinctive bird vanishes from our countryside completely.”
For a full pdf report, visit this link.
BTO news: Blackcap and Whitethroat numbers are highest for fifteen years
Distinctive male Blackcap.
The summer of 2010 brought good news for those who enjoy listening to birdsong, as numbers of two warbler species, Blackcap and Whitethroat, reached their highest levels in fifteen years, according to a BTO news report released a short while ago.
The latest figures highlight the fact that shorter-distance migrants, such as Blackcap and Chiffchaff, are doing better than those that travel further, such as Turtle Dove, Cuckoo and Nightingale, which are showing continuing declines.
Many birds that fly south for the winter are showing dramatic declines, but several species of warbler are bucking the trend. Whitethroats appear to be benefiting from increased rainfall in the Sahel, the arid zone south of the Sahara where they spend the winter. Whitethroat populations crashed in the 1960s, following drought in the Sahel, but are finally starting to recover. Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, which are also increasing in numbers, migrate only a short distance, down to southern Spain and northern Africa, and do not make the arduous crossing of the Sahara Desert.
However, these increases are in sharp contrast to other migrant birds, such as Turtle Doves, Cuckoos and Nightingales, which winter even further south. These are still showing severe declines, compounded by problems in their breeding habitats in the UK. Check out some of the stand-out figures for yourselves below. For those wanting to read the full report, there is a pdf here for reference.
Since 1994
We owe this detailed knowledge of bird population trends to the thousands of volunteer birdwatchers who take part in the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey, which has been the main method of keeping track of our bird populations since 1994. By listening out for the scratchy song of the Whitethroat in country lanes, or the liquid notes of the Blackcap in wooded areas, and noting down the numbers they hear during their survey visits, they help us to build a detailed picture of how our bird populations are responding to environmental pressures.
Kate Risely, BBS organiser at the British Trust for Ornithology, commented, “These BBS trends are of critical importance for research into declining bird populations. We are learning so much about our summer migrants, and it’s fascinating to see how numbers of our familiar countryside species respond to conditions thousands of miles away in Africa. So much of this knowledge is due to dedicated volunteer birdwatchers, and we are very grateful to them”
Deborah Procter, Senior Monitoring Ecologist at the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, added “The Breeding Bird Survey provides a rich source of data to help understand the conservation status of UK birds. UK population trends from the BBS enable us to investigate how species respond to multiple challenges, not only in the UK but further afield. This is illustrated in this year’s report by reference to the impacts of climate change on UK bird communities and to the perils that face migrants on their journey. Such knowledge helps government’s agencies and others target scarce resources to where conservation action is most needed. The huge volunteer effort that goes in to the survey is invaluable and makes a major contribution to the conservation of the UK’s birds”
Dr Mark Eaton, Principal Conservation Scientist in Species Monitoring and Research at the RSPB, said “The BBS tells us that many of our greatest conservation concerns are for common and widespread species, which we might otherwise take for granted. It is sobering to see that three out of every four Turtle Doves have gone in under 20 years, and we have growing concern over what happens to our summer migrants once they leave for Africa. That said, we should also celebrate those species that are increasing, particularly the Whitethroat which is finally recovering from a catastrophic crash in numbers in 1969 caused by drought in the Sahel”
www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/bbs
www.bto.org
The latest figures highlight the fact that shorter-distance migrants, such as Blackcap and Chiffchaff, are doing better than those that travel further, such as Turtle Dove, Cuckoo and Nightingale, which are showing continuing declines.
Many birds that fly south for the winter are showing dramatic declines, but several species of warbler are bucking the trend. Whitethroats appear to be benefiting from increased rainfall in the Sahel, the arid zone south of the Sahara where they spend the winter. Whitethroat populations crashed in the 1960s, following drought in the Sahel, but are finally starting to recover. Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, which are also increasing in numbers, migrate only a short distance, down to southern Spain and northern Africa, and do not make the arduous crossing of the Sahara Desert.
However, these increases are in sharp contrast to other migrant birds, such as Turtle Doves, Cuckoos and Nightingales, which winter even further south. These are still showing severe declines, compounded by problems in their breeding habitats in the UK. Check out some of the stand-out figures for yourselves below. For those wanting to read the full report, there is a pdf here for reference.
Since 1994
- Blackcap +73%
- Whitethroat +25%
- Chiffchaff +52%
- Turtle Dove -74%
- Cuckoo -48%
- Nightingale -60%
We owe this detailed knowledge of bird population trends to the thousands of volunteer birdwatchers who take part in the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey, which has been the main method of keeping track of our bird populations since 1994. By listening out for the scratchy song of the Whitethroat in country lanes, or the liquid notes of the Blackcap in wooded areas, and noting down the numbers they hear during their survey visits, they help us to build a detailed picture of how our bird populations are responding to environmental pressures.
Kate Risely, BBS organiser at the British Trust for Ornithology, commented, “These BBS trends are of critical importance for research into declining bird populations. We are learning so much about our summer migrants, and it’s fascinating to see how numbers of our familiar countryside species respond to conditions thousands of miles away in Africa. So much of this knowledge is due to dedicated volunteer birdwatchers, and we are very grateful to them”
Deborah Procter, Senior Monitoring Ecologist at the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, added “The Breeding Bird Survey provides a rich source of data to help understand the conservation status of UK birds. UK population trends from the BBS enable us to investigate how species respond to multiple challenges, not only in the UK but further afield. This is illustrated in this year’s report by reference to the impacts of climate change on UK bird communities and to the perils that face migrants on their journey. Such knowledge helps government’s agencies and others target scarce resources to where conservation action is most needed. The huge volunteer effort that goes in to the survey is invaluable and makes a major contribution to the conservation of the UK’s birds”
Dr Mark Eaton, Principal Conservation Scientist in Species Monitoring and Research at the RSPB, said “The BBS tells us that many of our greatest conservation concerns are for common and widespread species, which we might otherwise take for granted. It is sobering to see that three out of every four Turtle Doves have gone in under 20 years, and we have growing concern over what happens to our summer migrants once they leave for Africa. That said, we should also celebrate those species that are increasing, particularly the Whitethroat which is finally recovering from a catastrophic crash in numbers in 1969 caused by drought in the Sahel”
www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/bbs
www.bto.org
Wildlife wardens go the extra mile to protect Sandwich Tern nest site in Dorset
Fantastic Sandwich Terns on Brownsea
Wildlife wardens on Dorset's Brownsea Island have been taking it in turns (no pun intended) to sleep in a hide near a Sandwich tern nesting site to scare away predators. The wardens helped protect the site by shining torches at herons when they came near. Fences were also erected to stop deer and other mammals from trampling on the nests.
Dorset Wildlife Trust have said that about 30 sandwich terns successfully fledged this year, compared with just three in 2010.
The trust's island manager, Chris Thain, said: "One expects a certain amount of predation, but we were determined to try to improve on last year when so many chicks were lost.
"We have been taking it in turns to sleep in the hide that overlooks the lagoon. When we heard the alarm calls of the terns, a torch was enough to scare off an intruding heron.
"This seems to have been effective and the numbers of terns fledging has improved."
The Trust said sandwich terns have RSPB amber status as birds of conservation concern and depend largely on nature reserves for breeding sites in the UK.
The after work to provide the right habitat for the terns by the trust's wardens and volunteers has the population has grown from six pairs in the 1960s to a healthy sized colony today.
www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/brownsea_island_nature_reserve.html
Dorset Wildlife Trust have said that about 30 sandwich terns successfully fledged this year, compared with just three in 2010.
The trust's island manager, Chris Thain, said: "One expects a certain amount of predation, but we were determined to try to improve on last year when so many chicks were lost.
"We have been taking it in turns to sleep in the hide that overlooks the lagoon. When we heard the alarm calls of the terns, a torch was enough to scare off an intruding heron.
"This seems to have been effective and the numbers of terns fledging has improved."
The Trust said sandwich terns have RSPB amber status as birds of conservation concern and depend largely on nature reserves for breeding sites in the UK.
The after work to provide the right habitat for the terns by the trust's wardens and volunteers has the population has grown from six pairs in the 1960s to a healthy sized colony today.
www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/brownsea_island_nature_reserve.html
Fears for wildlife grow as Government unveils new National Planning Policy Framework
Which direction Gov?
Wildlife is set to face a new threat today (Mon 25 July) as the biggest overhaul of the English planning system in a generation gathers pace. That’s the message from concerned conservationists as Westminster unveiled its draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
The RSPB, among other concerned charitable organisations, has warned that the short-sighted current proposals will let the public and conservation down by undermining the planning system’s ability to protect nature outside internationally-recognised wildlife sites. The draft NPPF is therefore a missed opportunity to bring to life the ambitions that are set out in the Government’s recent Natural Environment White Paper.
A public consultation on the plans is now underway, and the RSPB will be asking its members and supporters to push Government to address these concerns as the final document will provide new guidance to planning officers in councils across England.
The most controversial item unveiled in the plans is the presumption in favour of ‘sustainable development’ – a major change in emphasis from the current system which sees planning officers weighing up a range of concerns before making a decision. Instead, the default assumption will be that development proposals will be approved.
Martin Harper, RSPB Conservation Director, said: “We recognise that economic growth is an immediate and pressing issue, but if it comes at the expense of nature then we are simply saving up bigger problems for ourselves further down the road. As the recent National Ecosystem Assessment showed, our economy and well-being depends on a healthy natural environment.
“The planning system is what protects the England we all hold dear - our iconic landscapes and our wildlife-rich habitats. It is there to represent the interests of the public in the face of complex decisions, and it will fail us all if one factor – economic growth – is set higher than any other.
“There are welcome phrases within the draft NPPF, but these could turn out to be green-wash unless they are strengthened. If the right checks and balances are not put in place through this reform of planning policy then the Government’s ambitions as laid out in the Natural Environment White Paper will fall at the first hurdle.”
The RSPB, among other concerned charitable organisations, has warned that the short-sighted current proposals will let the public and conservation down by undermining the planning system’s ability to protect nature outside internationally-recognised wildlife sites. The draft NPPF is therefore a missed opportunity to bring to life the ambitions that are set out in the Government’s recent Natural Environment White Paper.
A public consultation on the plans is now underway, and the RSPB will be asking its members and supporters to push Government to address these concerns as the final document will provide new guidance to planning officers in councils across England.
The most controversial item unveiled in the plans is the presumption in favour of ‘sustainable development’ – a major change in emphasis from the current system which sees planning officers weighing up a range of concerns before making a decision. Instead, the default assumption will be that development proposals will be approved.
Martin Harper, RSPB Conservation Director, said: “We recognise that economic growth is an immediate and pressing issue, but if it comes at the expense of nature then we are simply saving up bigger problems for ourselves further down the road. As the recent National Ecosystem Assessment showed, our economy and well-being depends on a healthy natural environment.
“The planning system is what protects the England we all hold dear - our iconic landscapes and our wildlife-rich habitats. It is there to represent the interests of the public in the face of complex decisions, and it will fail us all if one factor – economic growth – is set higher than any other.
“There are welcome phrases within the draft NPPF, but these could turn out to be green-wash unless they are strengthened. If the right checks and balances are not put in place through this reform of planning policy then the Government’s ambitions as laid out in the Natural Environment White Paper will fall at the first hurdle.”
Weather warning: Another bad winter could wipe out Dartford Warbler from Devon
Dartford Warbler could be on the brink.
The Dartford warbler, which is found on east Devon heaths, has been badly affected by the last two harsh winters and as a result, one of Devon's rarest birds faces disaster. The RSPB reports that recent gorse fires and another bad winter could wipe them out in the county.
Dartford warblers rely entirely on insects and spiders for nutrition and in cold conditions there is very little to eat because of the freezing temperatures the UK has experienced of late.
Toby Taylor, site manager at Aylesbeare Common nature reserve, said: "This year on Aylesbeare we've only had three singing males, when last year we had 13, and we're receiving similar reports from other sites.
"The best we can do is continue to maintain the heathlands in pristine condition and keep our fingers crossed we don't have another bad winter."
The RSPB is also calling on people attending East Devon Heath Week, which started yesterday, to look out for the birds and record the sightings.
Organiser Gemma Dunn said: "While we think we know where the remaining birds are there's always a chance we've missed the odd one."
Dartford warblers rely entirely on insects and spiders for nutrition and in cold conditions there is very little to eat because of the freezing temperatures the UK has experienced of late.
Toby Taylor, site manager at Aylesbeare Common nature reserve, said: "This year on Aylesbeare we've only had three singing males, when last year we had 13, and we're receiving similar reports from other sites.
"The best we can do is continue to maintain the heathlands in pristine condition and keep our fingers crossed we don't have another bad winter."
The RSPB is also calling on people attending East Devon Heath Week, which started yesterday, to look out for the birds and record the sightings.
Organiser Gemma Dunn said: "While we think we know where the remaining birds are there's always a chance we've missed the odd one."
New stamp issue to help raise funds for Henderson Island Restoration Project
The endangered Henderson Petrel.
A new stamp issue from the Pitcairn Islands Philatelic Bureau will help raise money for a RSPB project to protect the endangered Henderson Petrel. Henderson, which is part of the Pitcairn group of islands, is a UK Overseas Territory. It is home to some 55 endemic animal and plant species. Four endemic birds are depicted on the stamps: Henderson Petrel, Henderson Crake, Henderson Fruit Dove and Henderson Reed Warbler.
It is the plight of the petrel that has captured the attention of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and they have initiated the Henderson Island Restoration Project which involves the planned eradication of introduced rats that are driving the Henderson petrel towards extinction. Over 95% of petrel chicks on Henderson are killed by rats within one week of hatching - over 25,000 chicks every year. These rats are also competing with the other land birds and therefore may be limiting their populations.
During August-September 2011, the RSPB operational vessel will be at Henderson, carrying two helicopters that will use GPS technology to methodically drop poison bait across the entire island. This highly targeted, short-term intervention will bring really long-term benefits: the Henderson petrel saved from its slide towards extinction, a large island restored and at least ten further unique species safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. The overall cost of the eradication project is in the region of £1.5 million. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps will help towards these costs.
Sir David Attenborough had this to say on the project: “Step ashore onto Henderson Island and you will see fairy terns arguing on bare branches and a tiny black flightless crake emerging from the dense underbrush. The ground of the forest floor is strewn with coral heads and giant clamshells, symbols of the rich wildlife on these distant shores. Climb a small tree and listen to sounds heard nowhere else on earth: crooning doves and chattering pairs of courting petrels flying overhead. “Yet, all of these birds are under threat because of Pacific rats, one of the few human legacies. Rats simply cannot resist eating a fluffy day-old petrel chick. Luckily, technical expertise is advancing in leaps and bounds. We now have an opportunity to rid Henderson forever of the rats and ensure the island remains a natural jewel. I am sure that you share my concern for Henderson Island’s exceptional wildlife and you will want to ensure its survival. With your help, it will be secure for generations to come.”
You can buy the stamps by heading this way and for all those interested, here is a short YouTube Henderson Island Restoration Project video.
It is the plight of the petrel that has captured the attention of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and they have initiated the Henderson Island Restoration Project which involves the planned eradication of introduced rats that are driving the Henderson petrel towards extinction. Over 95% of petrel chicks on Henderson are killed by rats within one week of hatching - over 25,000 chicks every year. These rats are also competing with the other land birds and therefore may be limiting their populations.
During August-September 2011, the RSPB operational vessel will be at Henderson, carrying two helicopters that will use GPS technology to methodically drop poison bait across the entire island. This highly targeted, short-term intervention will bring really long-term benefits: the Henderson petrel saved from its slide towards extinction, a large island restored and at least ten further unique species safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. The overall cost of the eradication project is in the region of £1.5 million. Proceeds from the sale of the stamps will help towards these costs.
Sir David Attenborough had this to say on the project: “Step ashore onto Henderson Island and you will see fairy terns arguing on bare branches and a tiny black flightless crake emerging from the dense underbrush. The ground of the forest floor is strewn with coral heads and giant clamshells, symbols of the rich wildlife on these distant shores. Climb a small tree and listen to sounds heard nowhere else on earth: crooning doves and chattering pairs of courting petrels flying overhead. “Yet, all of these birds are under threat because of Pacific rats, one of the few human legacies. Rats simply cannot resist eating a fluffy day-old petrel chick. Luckily, technical expertise is advancing in leaps and bounds. We now have an opportunity to rid Henderson forever of the rats and ensure the island remains a natural jewel. I am sure that you share my concern for Henderson Island’s exceptional wildlife and you will want to ensure its survival. With your help, it will be secure for generations to come.”
You can buy the stamps by heading this way and for all those interested, here is a short YouTube Henderson Island Restoration Project video.
New project announced to tackle decline in Ring Ouzel numbers on Dartmoor
Male Ring Ouzel - Dartmoor decline.
A new project set to tackle the alarming decline in Ring Ouzel numbers on Dartmoor, Devon has been announced. The RSPB will team up with environmental funder SITA Trust and the Dartmoor National Park Authority in an attempt to stem the flow of decline of these beautiful thrushes.
The birds are closely related to Blackbirds, but breed only in upland areas. The male’s black plumage, broken by a white breast band and silvery wing panels, is distinctive and gives the birds their name.
The new project is the absolutely vital first stage in stemming the decline and potential extinction of the Ring Ouzel in southern England. Since 1979, this Red-Listed species has declined by 63% on Dartmoor, which was formerly one of its breeding strongholds.
Thanks to a grant of over £30,000, conservationists and volunteers will survey the fragile remnant Dartmoor population over two breeding seasons, to research the reasons for the ongoing decline, and to try to work out how future populations can be made more sustainable. Jools Granville, of SITA Trust, said: “The rate of decline has been so steep that it was vital that the RSPB undertake this work immediately on Dartmoor, while there is still a breeding population of Ring Ouzels, so that they may implement emergency measures to protect the population.
“The loss of breeding birds over the past decade on Exmoor in Somerset and the Long Mynd in Shropshire is testament to the urgency of this work. Naturally we were only too happy to be able to provide the necessary capital for this project to go ahead.”
The survey work is being co-ordinated for the RSPB by Dartmoor resident and TV naturalist Nick Baker.
Nick said: “For me this bird has a special place; it’s a wild, rugged and windswept place and there is nothing more poignant than its plaintive tri-syllabic song — it is the soundtrack of the remote and secret spaces. Listening to those notes being snatched by the wind on a blustery tor or rugged and rocky valley in springtime encapsulates for me the essence of what is so special about Dartmoor National Park.
“If the decline continues and this population goes the way of the birds on Exmoor (that have not bred there since 2002), then for me we’ve lost one of the fundamental elements of the moors. Without the Ring Ouzel we lose the beating heart of Dartmoor.”
The work is also being supported by the Dartmoor National Park Authority. Norman Baldock, Senior Ecologist for the National Park, said: “The reasons for the decline in Ring Ouzel numbers nationally are poorly understood, so it is vital that every effort is made to learn what measures can be taken on Dartmoor to help maintain the small breeding population of this special upland bird.”
You can view a detailed pdf file of the Dartmoor Ring Ouzel project here.
www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
The birds are closely related to Blackbirds, but breed only in upland areas. The male’s black plumage, broken by a white breast band and silvery wing panels, is distinctive and gives the birds their name.
The new project is the absolutely vital first stage in stemming the decline and potential extinction of the Ring Ouzel in southern England. Since 1979, this Red-Listed species has declined by 63% on Dartmoor, which was formerly one of its breeding strongholds.
Thanks to a grant of over £30,000, conservationists and volunteers will survey the fragile remnant Dartmoor population over two breeding seasons, to research the reasons for the ongoing decline, and to try to work out how future populations can be made more sustainable. Jools Granville, of SITA Trust, said: “The rate of decline has been so steep that it was vital that the RSPB undertake this work immediately on Dartmoor, while there is still a breeding population of Ring Ouzels, so that they may implement emergency measures to protect the population.
“The loss of breeding birds over the past decade on Exmoor in Somerset and the Long Mynd in Shropshire is testament to the urgency of this work. Naturally we were only too happy to be able to provide the necessary capital for this project to go ahead.”
The survey work is being co-ordinated for the RSPB by Dartmoor resident and TV naturalist Nick Baker.
Nick said: “For me this bird has a special place; it’s a wild, rugged and windswept place and there is nothing more poignant than its plaintive tri-syllabic song — it is the soundtrack of the remote and secret spaces. Listening to those notes being snatched by the wind on a blustery tor or rugged and rocky valley in springtime encapsulates for me the essence of what is so special about Dartmoor National Park.
“If the decline continues and this population goes the way of the birds on Exmoor (that have not bred there since 2002), then for me we’ve lost one of the fundamental elements of the moors. Without the Ring Ouzel we lose the beating heart of Dartmoor.”
The work is also being supported by the Dartmoor National Park Authority. Norman Baldock, Senior Ecologist for the National Park, said: “The reasons for the decline in Ring Ouzel numbers nationally are poorly understood, so it is vital that every effort is made to learn what measures can be taken on Dartmoor to help maintain the small breeding population of this special upland bird.”
You can view a detailed pdf file of the Dartmoor Ring Ouzel project here.
www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
Mythbusters: RSPB clear up all those questions about when and what to feed birds
Ever heard that birds don’t need feeding in summer? Or that peanuts aren’t suitable for them? Or that fruit is a no no?
These are just some of the questions the RSPB is asked at this time of year and the wildlife charity wants to clear them up once and for all. They have released a series of questions and answers to firmly put wildlife enthusiasts at ease once and for all. Read on for the full Q's and A's.
Q: Birds don’t need feeding in summer?
A: FALSE
In winter, supplementary food is often the only option for birds as natural food sources like berries get buried under snow and ice and insects are few and far between. But in summer birds will still be grateful for extra treats, as many are busy raising their young. The RSPB recommends little and often, and says that birds probably won’t eat quite as much as during the colder months.
Q: Peanuts are fine for birds?
A: TRUE
Peanuts can be fed to birds but with caution at some times of year. They are often difficult for young birds to digest because of the size, so the RSPB suggests alternative food like sunflower hearts and live food during the breeding season, or crushing them into smaller pieces. Peanuts can be high in a natural toxin, which can kill birds, so buy from a reputable dealer to guarantee freedom from aflatoxin.
Peanuts are rich in fat and are popular with tits, greenfinches, house sparrows, nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers and siskins.
Q: Salted peanuts are dangerous to birds?
A: TRUE
Salt is toxic to birds so salted peanuts are completely unsuitable.
Q: Bread and milk are good for birds and hedgehogs?
A: FALSE
Many animals are intolerant of the lactose in milk which can lead to diarrhoea, dehydration and death. It is also bad for hedgehog’s teeth. Milk is iron deficient so in excess can cause dietary imbalance. In drought conditions animals may drink milk rather than water, to their detriment. It is bad for garden hygiene and the spread of disease as it will readily curdle if left for any length of time.
Whilst bread won’t do birds any harm, it doesn’t offer any nutritional value either and acts as a ‘filler.’ Crumbled up cake or plain biscuits would be more suitable and porridge oats are popular with many birds too.
Q: Fruit is bad for birds?
A: FALSE
Fruit is an excellent supplementary food for many birds, particularly slightly soft apples and pears and soaked fruits. Rotten fruit isn’t as suitable – birds don’t like food that’s past its best anymore than we do!
Q: Mealworms shouldn’t be fed live?
A: FALSE
Live mealworms are readily available and are a great source of food for birds like robins, blackbirds and tits. Many people believe that they need to be chopped up and shouldn’t be fed live, but this is incorrect.
Val Osborne, Head of Wildlife Enquiries at the RSPB says: “At this time of year we get so many calls from people wanting to know what the ‘rules’ are on bird feeding. In short, it’s no different to any other time of year and birds will appreciate our help. They probably won’t take the huge amounts of extra food that they do in winter, as there is a lot more natural food around.
“But instead, during the breeding season especially, they need to find even more food for their chicks so just bear that in mind and break things into smaller pieces, or use suitable feeders where necessary.”
www.rspb.org.uk/advice/
These are just some of the questions the RSPB is asked at this time of year and the wildlife charity wants to clear them up once and for all. They have released a series of questions and answers to firmly put wildlife enthusiasts at ease once and for all. Read on for the full Q's and A's.
Q: Birds don’t need feeding in summer?
A: FALSE
In winter, supplementary food is often the only option for birds as natural food sources like berries get buried under snow and ice and insects are few and far between. But in summer birds will still be grateful for extra treats, as many are busy raising their young. The RSPB recommends little and often, and says that birds probably won’t eat quite as much as during the colder months.
Q: Peanuts are fine for birds?
A: TRUE
Peanuts can be fed to birds but with caution at some times of year. They are often difficult for young birds to digest because of the size, so the RSPB suggests alternative food like sunflower hearts and live food during the breeding season, or crushing them into smaller pieces. Peanuts can be high in a natural toxin, which can kill birds, so buy from a reputable dealer to guarantee freedom from aflatoxin.
Peanuts are rich in fat and are popular with tits, greenfinches, house sparrows, nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers and siskins.
Q: Salted peanuts are dangerous to birds?
A: TRUE
Salt is toxic to birds so salted peanuts are completely unsuitable.
Q: Bread and milk are good for birds and hedgehogs?
A: FALSE
Many animals are intolerant of the lactose in milk which can lead to diarrhoea, dehydration and death. It is also bad for hedgehog’s teeth. Milk is iron deficient so in excess can cause dietary imbalance. In drought conditions animals may drink milk rather than water, to their detriment. It is bad for garden hygiene and the spread of disease as it will readily curdle if left for any length of time.
Whilst bread won’t do birds any harm, it doesn’t offer any nutritional value either and acts as a ‘filler.’ Crumbled up cake or plain biscuits would be more suitable and porridge oats are popular with many birds too.
Q: Fruit is bad for birds?
A: FALSE
Fruit is an excellent supplementary food for many birds, particularly slightly soft apples and pears and soaked fruits. Rotten fruit isn’t as suitable – birds don’t like food that’s past its best anymore than we do!
Q: Mealworms shouldn’t be fed live?
A: FALSE
Live mealworms are readily available and are a great source of food for birds like robins, blackbirds and tits. Many people believe that they need to be chopped up and shouldn’t be fed live, but this is incorrect.
Val Osborne, Head of Wildlife Enquiries at the RSPB says: “At this time of year we get so many calls from people wanting to know what the ‘rules’ are on bird feeding. In short, it’s no different to any other time of year and birds will appreciate our help. They probably won’t take the huge amounts of extra food that they do in winter, as there is a lot more natural food around.
“But instead, during the breeding season especially, they need to find even more food for their chicks so just bear that in mind and break things into smaller pieces, or use suitable feeders where necessary.”
www.rspb.org.uk/advice/
Swarovski Optik launch 2011 Digiscoper of the Year competition
Birding super-brand, Swarovski Optik, has announced the launch of this year’s eagerly awaited Digiscoper of the Year competition. The competition is now in its sixth year, and the contest is open to photographers from around the world.
Simply by uploading a picture to the dedicated Swarovski digiscoper of the year website - entrants have the chance to win a complete Swarovski digiscoping kit by demonstrating your digiscoping skills. Entries must be received by 30 September 2011. The winners will again be selected by public vote and an international judging panel of industry names.
For the first time, a selection of images will be uploaded to Swarovski Optik’s Facebook page each month and followers can ‘Like’ their favourite. The photographers of the three most popular images will win a fleece jacket. The three prizes for the main competition are:
The art of digiscoping is holding a compact camera to your telescope so that it doubles as a long-distance lens. Digiscoping started out as a handy way to take and record shots of birds in the distance and has developed into an artistic and great work way of sharing birding moments with friends and fellow birders. Anyone who's recently been on a twitch will have noticed how competitive some of the video and picture capturing has become as birder's compete for the best shots of rarities. I'm sure the competition will be a lot of fun.
http://digiscoperoftheyear.com/en
Simply by uploading a picture to the dedicated Swarovski digiscoper of the year website - entrants have the chance to win a complete Swarovski digiscoping kit by demonstrating your digiscoping skills. Entries must be received by 30 September 2011. The winners will again be selected by public vote and an international judging panel of industry names.
For the first time, a selection of images will be uploaded to Swarovski Optik’s Facebook page each month and followers can ‘Like’ their favourite. The photographers of the three most popular images will win a fleece jacket. The three prizes for the main competition are:
- First prize: complete set of Swarovski Optik digiscoping equipment (telescope, eyepiece, adapter, telescope rail, tripod CT101 and DH101)
- Second prize: EL42 binocular
- Third prize: EL32 binocular
The art of digiscoping is holding a compact camera to your telescope so that it doubles as a long-distance lens. Digiscoping started out as a handy way to take and record shots of birds in the distance and has developed into an artistic and great work way of sharing birding moments with friends and fellow birders. Anyone who's recently been on a twitch will have noticed how competitive some of the video and picture capturing has become as birder's compete for the best shots of rarities. I'm sure the competition will be a lot of fun.
http://digiscoperoftheyear.com/en
Pair of Osprey chicks found at Kielder Water and Forest Park
Rather excitingly, a pair of osprey chicks have been discovered by rangers in Northumberland. The Forestry Commission team had only expected to find one chick in the tree 15m (49ft) above Kielder Water and Forest Park, but instead they found two.
This second nest in the 155,000 acre woodland makes Kielder the only place in England for over 170 years to have two osprey families at the same time.
Rangers lowered chicks to the ground in a bag before being ringed and weighed while their mother kept watch from a nearby tree. The rangers climbed the tree using ropes and harnesses before the gentle operation of placing them into a rucksack and lowering them to the ground.
Rings carry vital information like where and when the birds were born and because they can be read over a distance using a telescope, it is the best method of finding out what becomes of the young birds after they leave the nest.
Until now, all the observations of the nest had been made from a distance as the Forestry Commission was keen not to disturb the birds.
Forestry Commission ornithologist Martin Davison said the population of ospreys was slowly growing. He said: "We have two pairs here in Northumberland and there is a very famous pair in the Lake District.
"It is so good to be able to come out here and see the birds because we built the nest then kept an eye on it, but always from a distance so we did not disturb it.
"So to come to the nest and actually get our hands on the chicks is really exciting, because they are big chicks and they are very docile and very beautiful, with big yellow eyes.
"They are absolutely gorgeous."
www.visitkielder.com/site/kielder-ospreys
This second nest in the 155,000 acre woodland makes Kielder the only place in England for over 170 years to have two osprey families at the same time.
Rangers lowered chicks to the ground in a bag before being ringed and weighed while their mother kept watch from a nearby tree. The rangers climbed the tree using ropes and harnesses before the gentle operation of placing them into a rucksack and lowering them to the ground.
Rings carry vital information like where and when the birds were born and because they can be read over a distance using a telescope, it is the best method of finding out what becomes of the young birds after they leave the nest.
Until now, all the observations of the nest had been made from a distance as the Forestry Commission was keen not to disturb the birds.
Forestry Commission ornithologist Martin Davison said the population of ospreys was slowly growing. He said: "We have two pairs here in Northumberland and there is a very famous pair in the Lake District.
"It is so good to be able to come out here and see the birds because we built the nest then kept an eye on it, but always from a distance so we did not disturb it.
"So to come to the nest and actually get our hands on the chicks is really exciting, because they are big chicks and they are very docile and very beautiful, with big yellow eyes.
"They are absolutely gorgeous."
www.visitkielder.com/site/kielder-ospreys
BirdLife news: Hope for Albatross and Petrels as new 'safe fishing' gear tested
BirdLife International in collaboration with Fishtek (UK) are trialling new 'safe fishing' weights in South Africa, the purpose of the trial being to sink baited hooks quickly and reduce seabird by catch, while also being safe for fishermen to use.
Seventeen of the world’s twenty-two albatross species are threatened with extinction, with longline fishing responsible for much of the problem. A single tuna longline vessel can set more than 100 km of line, with 3000 hooks per day. Seabirds, especially albatrosses and petrels, are attracted to the baited hooks, but die in unsustainably high numbers as they get hooked when the baited hooks leave the vessel, and before they sink to their target depth. BirdLife International has been at the forefront of attempts to reduce the incidental capture and death of albatrosses in longline fishing. In 2006 they established the Albatross Task Force, and BirdLife South Africa hosts the first team to have been established.
“The science of avoiding seabird by catch has evolved to the point where we know what needs to be done. BirdLife promotes a suite of safe, simple and effective measures” said Dr Ross Wanless, Seabird Division Manager for BirdLife South Africa.
Dr Wanless continued: “The trouble is that fishermen are reluctant to use new measures until they’ve been proven to have little or no impact on their fishing profitability” he continued. BirdLife has been trialling an ingenious new device, called the Safe Lead, to demonstrate that not catching seabirds is not only good for the environment, but it’s also good business. With assistance from Rob Giddey, a South African tuna rights holder and owner of several longline vessels, they’ve been attaching Safe Leads of different weights.
“The aim of the experiment is to see if heavy weights, which are better for reducing seabird bycatch, have any effect on numbers and size of fish caught” said Mr Tshikana Rasehlomi, Albatross Task Force instructor, who is conducting the experiment. When they were fishing last week off the KwaZulu-Natal coast, during stormy weather, Tshikana noticed that only the hooks with heavy weights were catching fish. “Fishermen know that when there’s a storm, the fish dive deep and they don’t catch much. The heavy Safe Leads appear to be changing that – which is good news!” said Tshikana. The stormy weather produced a rather big surprise for Tshikana, and absolute delight for the fishermen. A hook with a heavy Safe Lead caught a 120 kg big-eye tuna. As soon as they landed it, the big fish was flown to an auction in the Far East, where it was the highest-priced fish on the day, netting an incredible $7000.
Dr Ben Sullivan, Coordinator of BirdLife’s Global Seabird Programme, and the driving force behind the development of the Safe Leads, expressed his delight. “This is exactly the sort of result we’ve hoped for. Although there’s still more work to be done, and one fish doesn’t change a fisherman’s attitude, the results of the experiment so far could not be better. We’re confident that heavy Safe Leads will help BirdLife and fishermen to solve the seabird bycatch problem.”
www.birdlife.org.za
Seventeen of the world’s twenty-two albatross species are threatened with extinction, with longline fishing responsible for much of the problem. A single tuna longline vessel can set more than 100 km of line, with 3000 hooks per day. Seabirds, especially albatrosses and petrels, are attracted to the baited hooks, but die in unsustainably high numbers as they get hooked when the baited hooks leave the vessel, and before they sink to their target depth. BirdLife International has been at the forefront of attempts to reduce the incidental capture and death of albatrosses in longline fishing. In 2006 they established the Albatross Task Force, and BirdLife South Africa hosts the first team to have been established.
“The science of avoiding seabird by catch has evolved to the point where we know what needs to be done. BirdLife promotes a suite of safe, simple and effective measures” said Dr Ross Wanless, Seabird Division Manager for BirdLife South Africa.
Dr Wanless continued: “The trouble is that fishermen are reluctant to use new measures until they’ve been proven to have little or no impact on their fishing profitability” he continued. BirdLife has been trialling an ingenious new device, called the Safe Lead, to demonstrate that not catching seabirds is not only good for the environment, but it’s also good business. With assistance from Rob Giddey, a South African tuna rights holder and owner of several longline vessels, they’ve been attaching Safe Leads of different weights.
“The aim of the experiment is to see if heavy weights, which are better for reducing seabird bycatch, have any effect on numbers and size of fish caught” said Mr Tshikana Rasehlomi, Albatross Task Force instructor, who is conducting the experiment. When they were fishing last week off the KwaZulu-Natal coast, during stormy weather, Tshikana noticed that only the hooks with heavy weights were catching fish. “Fishermen know that when there’s a storm, the fish dive deep and they don’t catch much. The heavy Safe Leads appear to be changing that – which is good news!” said Tshikana. The stormy weather produced a rather big surprise for Tshikana, and absolute delight for the fishermen. A hook with a heavy Safe Lead caught a 120 kg big-eye tuna. As soon as they landed it, the big fish was flown to an auction in the Far East, where it was the highest-priced fish on the day, netting an incredible $7000.
Dr Ben Sullivan, Coordinator of BirdLife’s Global Seabird Programme, and the driving force behind the development of the Safe Leads, expressed his delight. “This is exactly the sort of result we’ve hoped for. Although there’s still more work to be done, and one fish doesn’t change a fisherman’s attitude, the results of the experiment so far could not be better. We’re confident that heavy Safe Leads will help BirdLife and fishermen to solve the seabird bycatch problem.”
www.birdlife.org.za
Brand new Fair Isle Bird Observatory now complete
The impressive new Fair Isle bird observatory.
The brand new Fair Isle bird observatory is now complete and combines modern spacious guest accommodation with improved research facilities.
The new building sits in the same location in Maver’s Cup, close to the picturesque North Haven. The completion of the new bird observatory coincides with the departure of Deryk and Hollie Shaw who have been Warden and Administrator for the past 12 years.
In their place comes in David and Susannah Parnaby, who arrived on the Fair Isle at the beginning of March and have now taken over the reins of running the Observatory and taking FIBO forward into the future. You can follow David's latest bird news blog at http://fibowarden.blogspot.com/
Some of the splendour on offer includes spectacular cliff and coastal scenery, wild flowers, dramatic seabird colonies and a wealth of spring and autumn migrants.
During July, there has already been one outstanding highlight with the unexpected appearance of a stunning adult WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN in the afternoon on the 16th. Found as the Warden returned from Stackhoull with the shop order, the bird was hawking insects over the fields around Setter.
Another highlight is the continued presence of a BLACK-HEADED BUNTING - you could be forgiven for assuming this was some far eastern European locality, not Fair Isle.
Further birds of note include a Teal on 17th, 2 Storm Petrels on 16th, building numbers of Oystercatchers and Lapwings, with 212 and 11 respectively on the 17th, along with 6 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 3 Redshank (with 5 on 16th), Greenshank and 6 Turnstones. Two juvenile Cuckoos arrived on the 16th (though an adult Meadow Pipit with food circling over one bird on the 17th aroused suspicions of breeding on the island), along with 2 Swifts, 8 Swallows (including the first fledged brood of 3 at Setter) and 5 Siskins and a Mealy Redpoll on the 16th-17th.
Fair Isle is Britain’s most remote inhabited island, situated 25 miles south of Shetland and 25 miles north of Orkney. During the Summer it is easily accessible daily by boat or by plane.
Fair Isle Bird Observatory now has vastly improved visitor facilities, including en-suite bedrooms, a visitor centre and modern touches such as Wi-Fi available.
www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/
The new building sits in the same location in Maver’s Cup, close to the picturesque North Haven. The completion of the new bird observatory coincides with the departure of Deryk and Hollie Shaw who have been Warden and Administrator for the past 12 years.
In their place comes in David and Susannah Parnaby, who arrived on the Fair Isle at the beginning of March and have now taken over the reins of running the Observatory and taking FIBO forward into the future. You can follow David's latest bird news blog at http://fibowarden.blogspot.com/
Some of the splendour on offer includes spectacular cliff and coastal scenery, wild flowers, dramatic seabird colonies and a wealth of spring and autumn migrants.
During July, there has already been one outstanding highlight with the unexpected appearance of a stunning adult WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN in the afternoon on the 16th. Found as the Warden returned from Stackhoull with the shop order, the bird was hawking insects over the fields around Setter.
Another highlight is the continued presence of a BLACK-HEADED BUNTING - you could be forgiven for assuming this was some far eastern European locality, not Fair Isle.
Further birds of note include a Teal on 17th, 2 Storm Petrels on 16th, building numbers of Oystercatchers and Lapwings, with 212 and 11 respectively on the 17th, along with 6 Sanderling, 3 Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, 3 Redshank (with 5 on 16th), Greenshank and 6 Turnstones. Two juvenile Cuckoos arrived on the 16th (though an adult Meadow Pipit with food circling over one bird on the 17th aroused suspicions of breeding on the island), along with 2 Swifts, 8 Swallows (including the first fledged brood of 3 at Setter) and 5 Siskins and a Mealy Redpoll on the 16th-17th.
Fair Isle is Britain’s most remote inhabited island, situated 25 miles south of Shetland and 25 miles north of Orkney. During the Summer it is easily accessible daily by boat or by plane.
Fair Isle Bird Observatory now has vastly improved visitor facilities, including en-suite bedrooms, a visitor centre and modern touches such as Wi-Fi available.
www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/
Nesting success for Middle East's rarest bird
Conservationists have feared that Syria’s current political unrest may have affected the fortunes of the northern bald ibis – currently the most threatened bird in the Middle East with just one breeding pair left.
But counter to the trepidation, for the first time in the last three years the remaining pair has successfully reared two healthy young, which have left the nest and have begun their migration to the highlands of Ethiopia.
The northern bald ibis – named for its distinctive bald-headed appearance - is distantly related to storks, herons and spoonbills.
TeeteredChris Bowden is the RSPB’s international species recovery officer, coordinating the northern bald ibis programme for BirdLife International. He said: “This species has teetered on the brink of extinction in the Middle East for several years, but we’re delighted to report that the fledging of two chicks has reignited our hopes for the recovery of this bird.” The Syrian Desert Commission has successfully protected the birds.
Chris Bowden added: “This species has been an important cultural and religious icon in the Middle East and it had special significance to the Egyptian Pharaohs, but now it has become a symbol of optimism too.
“As we trace their migration route across the Middle East, we have colleagues across the region poised to monitor them on their journey. However, difficulties, such as petrol shortages are confounding our efforts. One of our Yemeni colleagues was forced to wait nine-hours for fuel before starting to search for the birds!”
Feared extinct
The wild population of northern bald ibis was feared extinct in the Middle East, when in 2002 birds were found nesting in the mountains of Syria, near Palmyra - after not being seen in Syria for 70 years. Since then conservationists have sought to give the birds protection by working with local people and by using state-of-the-art technology to track the birds’ movements. This research has identified that the Syrian adult birds head to the highlands of Ethiopia to spend the winter, but where the juveniles go still remains a mystery.
The Critically Endangered northern bald ibis was once widespread across North Africa and the Middle East. Aside from Syria, the only other nesting population occurs in Morocco, where just over 100 breeding pairs still occur in two coastal locations near Agadir, on the Atlantic coast. The outlying birds in Syria will be an important addition but only if the population can be sustained.
Two of the three adult birds carry tracking devices and their daily progress can be followed by visiting the following website: www.rspb.org.uk/ibistracking and for more background visit www.iagnbi.org
But counter to the trepidation, for the first time in the last three years the remaining pair has successfully reared two healthy young, which have left the nest and have begun their migration to the highlands of Ethiopia.
The northern bald ibis – named for its distinctive bald-headed appearance - is distantly related to storks, herons and spoonbills.
TeeteredChris Bowden is the RSPB’s international species recovery officer, coordinating the northern bald ibis programme for BirdLife International. He said: “This species has teetered on the brink of extinction in the Middle East for several years, but we’re delighted to report that the fledging of two chicks has reignited our hopes for the recovery of this bird.” The Syrian Desert Commission has successfully protected the birds.
Chris Bowden added: “This species has been an important cultural and religious icon in the Middle East and it had special significance to the Egyptian Pharaohs, but now it has become a symbol of optimism too.
“As we trace their migration route across the Middle East, we have colleagues across the region poised to monitor them on their journey. However, difficulties, such as petrol shortages are confounding our efforts. One of our Yemeni colleagues was forced to wait nine-hours for fuel before starting to search for the birds!”
Feared extinct
The wild population of northern bald ibis was feared extinct in the Middle East, when in 2002 birds were found nesting in the mountains of Syria, near Palmyra - after not being seen in Syria for 70 years. Since then conservationists have sought to give the birds protection by working with local people and by using state-of-the-art technology to track the birds’ movements. This research has identified that the Syrian adult birds head to the highlands of Ethiopia to spend the winter, but where the juveniles go still remains a mystery.
The Critically Endangered northern bald ibis was once widespread across North Africa and the Middle East. Aside from Syria, the only other nesting population occurs in Morocco, where just over 100 breeding pairs still occur in two coastal locations near Agadir, on the Atlantic coast. The outlying birds in Syria will be an important addition but only if the population can be sustained.
Two of the three adult birds carry tracking devices and their daily progress can be followed by visiting the following website: www.rspb.org.uk/ibistracking and for more background visit www.iagnbi.org
New Research: Fact - some birds can’t stand the heat
The latest research from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), just published in the journal Global Ecology and Biogeography, shows that the diversity of Britain’s birds has increased with a warming climate, but this was accompanied by a loss of habitat specialists.
Using Breeding Bird Survey data from 1994 onwards, scientists at the BTO found that recent temperature increases had a positive effect on the number of bird species. However, rising temperatures also had a negative effect on species with specific habitat requirements or ‘specialists’. It appears that the winners from recent climate change were already common habitat generalists that have expanded their ranges, likely at the expense of habitat specialists such as the Grey Partridge and Corn Bunting (pictured), which have declined by 50% and 29%, respectively, over the period of the study.
Overall, this means that with climate change, bird communities across the UK are becoming more similar to each other as vulnerable range-restricted species are outcompeted by more resilient common species.
Alison Johnston, BTO, commented, “This study is one of the few which has looked at the overall impact of recent climate change upon bird communities, and the first such assessment for the UK. It provides stark evidence of the impact that climate change has already had on the birds we see around us. The winners are those species that are already common and widespread, while more specialised, rarer species have lost out. If these processes continue it will lead to the homogenisation of bird communities across the UK.”
She added, “Whilst most studies on the impact of climate change on bird communities in the UK have focused on single-species, this is one of the first to explore how future climate change may continue to impact on bird communities across a large spatial scale.”
This important survey is carried out by volunteer birdwatchers throughout the UK, who receive no financial reward or expenses for their efforts. We are indebted to them for their tremendous support - BTO. To register your interest in the Breeding Bird Survey and to find out more info, head this way.
Using Breeding Bird Survey data from 1994 onwards, scientists at the BTO found that recent temperature increases had a positive effect on the number of bird species. However, rising temperatures also had a negative effect on species with specific habitat requirements or ‘specialists’. It appears that the winners from recent climate change were already common habitat generalists that have expanded their ranges, likely at the expense of habitat specialists such as the Grey Partridge and Corn Bunting (pictured), which have declined by 50% and 29%, respectively, over the period of the study.
Overall, this means that with climate change, bird communities across the UK are becoming more similar to each other as vulnerable range-restricted species are outcompeted by more resilient common species.
Alison Johnston, BTO, commented, “This study is one of the few which has looked at the overall impact of recent climate change upon bird communities, and the first such assessment for the UK. It provides stark evidence of the impact that climate change has already had on the birds we see around us. The winners are those species that are already common and widespread, while more specialised, rarer species have lost out. If these processes continue it will lead to the homogenisation of bird communities across the UK.”
She added, “Whilst most studies on the impact of climate change on bird communities in the UK have focused on single-species, this is one of the first to explore how future climate change may continue to impact on bird communities across a large spatial scale.”
This important survey is carried out by volunteer birdwatchers throughout the UK, who receive no financial reward or expenses for their efforts. We are indebted to them for their tremendous support - BTO. To register your interest in the Breeding Bird Survey and to find out more info, head this way.
BTO news: Satellite tagging to help track Cuckoo migration
Five cuckoos have been tagged as part of a new scientific study this year before they set off on their annual migration to Africa, in fact, the BTO have gone one step further and given the birds VIP treatment by naming them and setting up blogs in their honour on the British Trust for Ornithology website so that everyone can keep track of their progress.
The first bird left Britain surprisingly early this year, a whole month before in fact – which could confirm the suspicion that young birds of one year old, like Clement, leave earlier than more mature ones.
Clement departed these shores at the very beginning of June. By the 5th of that month he was already south of Paris and by the 11th he had travelled down the country, past Burgundy and Toulon and was in Spain. By yesterday morning, the 13th, Clement was resting on the northern slopes of the Atlas Mountains in Algeria, which is about the last place with good vegetation before you hit the huge expanse of the Sahara.
For the other tagged Cuckoos, the road to Italy is the favoured one. Kasper was near Rome yesterday, Martin is near Milan, and Chris moved on from Florence on the 11th and is now somewhere near the PO Delta.
To read more about the adventures of the five Cuckoos and the valuable scientific information that will come out of this year-long study by the BTO, head this way.
You will also get information on how you can sponsor a Cuckoo and get your own personal updates on your favourite, as well as helping to support the research that will tell us so much more about our migrating birds.
The first bird left Britain surprisingly early this year, a whole month before in fact – which could confirm the suspicion that young birds of one year old, like Clement, leave earlier than more mature ones.
Clement departed these shores at the very beginning of June. By the 5th of that month he was already south of Paris and by the 11th he had travelled down the country, past Burgundy and Toulon and was in Spain. By yesterday morning, the 13th, Clement was resting on the northern slopes of the Atlas Mountains in Algeria, which is about the last place with good vegetation before you hit the huge expanse of the Sahara.
For the other tagged Cuckoos, the road to Italy is the favoured one. Kasper was near Rome yesterday, Martin is near Milan, and Chris moved on from Florence on the 11th and is now somewhere near the PO Delta.
To read more about the adventures of the five Cuckoos and the valuable scientific information that will come out of this year-long study by the BTO, head this way.
You will also get information on how you can sponsor a Cuckoo and get your own personal updates on your favourite, as well as helping to support the research that will tell us so much more about our migrating birds.
RSPB news: Chance to see rare Little Tern colony at Caister
Little terns are Britain's second rarest tern, with 1,900 breeding pairs in the UK each year - the roseate tern is the rarest. The Norfolk coastline is a stronghold for breeding little terns, supporting at least one third of the national population. With such low populations across the UK, this delightful chattering seabird is becoming a species of increasing national conservation concern.
Little terns can travel over 11,000 miles each year, flying from their winter homes in South Africa in May each year to spend summer on a select few locations on the UK coast. And with some individuals living up to 14 years, these little sea birds could have covered over 100,000 miles in that time – more than the average car! The RSPB has run a protection scheme at Great Yarmouth North Denes since 1986, with the permission of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, the landowner. Natural England (formerly English Nature) has supported the project for most of that period
Until last year, the largest breeding colony in the area could be found at North Denes, but this year the graceful birds have colonised a variety of locations along the Norfolk coast including Winterton, Caister and Eccles, as well as just across the border at Kessingland. Due to the rarity of the birds, the RSPB are providing round-the-clock protection at the largest colony at Caister. and are using the new ‘flying’ fence and dedicated wardens at key coastal sites.
To date, the little tern colony at Caister has exceeded all expectations, currently home to over 40 nests, with over 30 chicks hatched and 1 fledgling already taking tentative flights under the watchful eye of its parents.
As part of their ‘Date With Nature’ scheme, RSPB staff and volunteers will be on hand with binoculars, stories and buckets of passion and enthusiasm, to bring the plight of this special sea bird to life for local residents and visitors. To make a date with the little tern colony, look out for the RSPB’s branded fisherman’s tent on Caister sea-front every day from 9am – 8pm until mid-August.
Daniel Hercock, RSPB Warden, says: “Much like in the story of Goldilocks, the Caister’s coastline is ‘just right’ for the little terns, and it is my job, supported by my team, to help them breed successfully during their stay with us. We are delighted with the success of the colony at Caister so far, although we are not counting our ‘chickens’ yet as a lot can still happen.
“And it is not just down to me. To protect these birds we all need to step up for nature together. Many of the threats to little terns involve disruption to their nests, so it is important that everyone in the area knows to be considerate to the birds during their crucial breeding season, and observe them from a distance.
“The colony at Caister is an ideal opportunity to show visitors this amazing bird without causing any disturbance to their nests. We would welcome the public to come and have a chat with us to understand how best to view the little terns and to learn more about one of the rare species of wildlife the area attracts.”
In addition to welcoming the public to their little tern ‘Date With Nature’ at Caister, the RSPB are urging the public to help by reporting any sightings of nesting little terns on 01603 660 066.
Little terns can travel over 11,000 miles each year, flying from their winter homes in South Africa in May each year to spend summer on a select few locations on the UK coast. And with some individuals living up to 14 years, these little sea birds could have covered over 100,000 miles in that time – more than the average car! The RSPB has run a protection scheme at Great Yarmouth North Denes since 1986, with the permission of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, the landowner. Natural England (formerly English Nature) has supported the project for most of that period
Until last year, the largest breeding colony in the area could be found at North Denes, but this year the graceful birds have colonised a variety of locations along the Norfolk coast including Winterton, Caister and Eccles, as well as just across the border at Kessingland. Due to the rarity of the birds, the RSPB are providing round-the-clock protection at the largest colony at Caister. and are using the new ‘flying’ fence and dedicated wardens at key coastal sites.
To date, the little tern colony at Caister has exceeded all expectations, currently home to over 40 nests, with over 30 chicks hatched and 1 fledgling already taking tentative flights under the watchful eye of its parents.
As part of their ‘Date With Nature’ scheme, RSPB staff and volunteers will be on hand with binoculars, stories and buckets of passion and enthusiasm, to bring the plight of this special sea bird to life for local residents and visitors. To make a date with the little tern colony, look out for the RSPB’s branded fisherman’s tent on Caister sea-front every day from 9am – 8pm until mid-August.
Daniel Hercock, RSPB Warden, says: “Much like in the story of Goldilocks, the Caister’s coastline is ‘just right’ for the little terns, and it is my job, supported by my team, to help them breed successfully during their stay with us. We are delighted with the success of the colony at Caister so far, although we are not counting our ‘chickens’ yet as a lot can still happen.
“And it is not just down to me. To protect these birds we all need to step up for nature together. Many of the threats to little terns involve disruption to their nests, so it is important that everyone in the area knows to be considerate to the birds during their crucial breeding season, and observe them from a distance.
“The colony at Caister is an ideal opportunity to show visitors this amazing bird without causing any disturbance to their nests. We would welcome the public to come and have a chat with us to understand how best to view the little terns and to learn more about one of the rare species of wildlife the area attracts.”
In addition to welcoming the public to their little tern ‘Date With Nature’ at Caister, the RSPB are urging the public to help by reporting any sightings of nesting little terns on 01603 660 066.
Nikon launch Birding Adventures TV
Super-brand Nikon have launched Birding Adventures TV which they say focuses on destination and adventure bird-watching.
Nikon claim you can explore the best and most exotic birding destinations on the planet; the most unusual, rare and highly sought after bird species; amazing cultures and wildlife.
The host, BATV, portrays a unique blend of information and adventure, making bird-watching refreshing, contemporary, interesting and exciting. The program has a strong conservation emphasis and highlights the importance and urgency of preserving the planet’s incredible birdlife.
Whether trawling the pine flat-woods of South Florida for the rare Red-cockaded Woodpecker or creeping through the undergrowth of moist, primary rain forest in Madagascar in search of bizarre Ground-rollers, hold on for the birding ride of your life.
You can learn more about Birding Adventures TV by visiting http://www.birdingadventures.com/
Nikon claim you can explore the best and most exotic birding destinations on the planet; the most unusual, rare and highly sought after bird species; amazing cultures and wildlife.
The host, BATV, portrays a unique blend of information and adventure, making bird-watching refreshing, contemporary, interesting and exciting. The program has a strong conservation emphasis and highlights the importance and urgency of preserving the planet’s incredible birdlife.
Whether trawling the pine flat-woods of South Florida for the rare Red-cockaded Woodpecker or creeping through the undergrowth of moist, primary rain forest in Madagascar in search of bizarre Ground-rollers, hold on for the birding ride of your life.
You can learn more about Birding Adventures TV by visiting http://www.birdingadventures.com/
Rare Spoonbills spotted at SWT's Montrose reserve
Three of the rare waders have been spotted at the Scottish Wildlife Trust's (SWT) Montrose Basin Reserve.
There are only about 75 sightings a year of the bird in the UK - and the trust said they had never been spotted at the Montrose reserve before.
For those unaware of Spoonbills as a species, they have a long black flattened bill, which resembles a spoon at the tip and the species is a European conservation concern. A rare opportunity to tick one off the list.
SWT Perthshire ranger Anna Cheshier commented it was a rare opportunity for bird-watchers to see an "unusual visitor" to the UK. "The spoonbill is unmistakable. It really stands out at Montrose Basin and we have been watching them carefully since the first sighting on the 28 June. I have never seen more than one spoonbill at Montrose Basin so it is great news to see a group."
The group has been at the basin for over a week and Ms Cheshier said rangers hoped they would stay for a while.
There are only about 75 sightings a year of the bird in the UK - and the trust said they had never been spotted at the Montrose reserve before.
For those unaware of Spoonbills as a species, they have a long black flattened bill, which resembles a spoon at the tip and the species is a European conservation concern. A rare opportunity to tick one off the list.
SWT Perthshire ranger Anna Cheshier commented it was a rare opportunity for bird-watchers to see an "unusual visitor" to the UK. "The spoonbill is unmistakable. It really stands out at Montrose Basin and we have been watching them carefully since the first sighting on the 28 June. I have never seen more than one spoonbill at Montrose Basin so it is great news to see a group."
The group has been at the basin for over a week and Ms Cheshier said rangers hoped they would stay for a while.
Insects: RSPB ups the ante
They might not be colourful, pretty or elegant like some insects, but ants are a fantastic addition to any wildlife garden. And as the tiny creatures are currently at their most active and noticeable, the wildlife charity RSPB is asking householders and gardeners to be sympathetic to what are actually fascinating, clever insects.
The RSPB says that outdoor ants should be completely left alone where possible, as small, ground feeding birds in particular, like wrens, robins, dunnocks, house sparrows will welcome them as a snack.
Ants help plants by suppressing other insects that eat them, by carrying seeds to new areas and by aerating soil. Lots of other invertebrates depend on ants for food or shelter.
Some butterflies attract ants to their caterpillars, where the ants guard them and they may finish their development inside the ant nest, and some woodlice live only in ant nests.
Flying ants are also beneficial to the garden and other creatures. The warm temperatures and damp conditions are building towards the annual flying ant swarm when black garden ants emerge in their millions to mate, but the weather conditions have to be just right.
It’s thought this mass mating evolved to increase the ants’ chances of reproducing and as a self-defence mechanism; safety in numbers you see.
Flying ants have very short lives and the males die soon after mating while the females shed their wings once they’ve flown to a new site.
The wildlife spectacle of the mass of insects that gather is with us for a very short time and will attract the attention of birds like starlings, gulls, house martins and swifts. It’s estimated that birds, particularly swifts, eat one out of every ten. It helps the birds, especially the young, beef up their body mass and get fit for the long migratory journey back across Europe and down to Africa, where they’ll spend the winter.
Many people try to destroy ants using chemicals like insecticides, gasoline or soap. Some try to drown them with water, particularly boiling water from the kettle but the RSPB says these methods are often ineffective.
Ants are social insects just like humans, they build elaborate nests in walls or under stones in soil, logs and paving stones. They also perform important roles such as suppressing other pests like aphids and aerating soil.
Mark Gurney, from the RSPB says: “Ants are farmers, workers, conquerors and thieves.
“They’re fascinating creatures, and a vital part of the food chain in gardens. The RSPB would urge people to leave them to go about their business without trying to get rid of them wherever possible.”
The RSPB says that outdoor ants should be completely left alone where possible, as small, ground feeding birds in particular, like wrens, robins, dunnocks, house sparrows will welcome them as a snack.
Ants help plants by suppressing other insects that eat them, by carrying seeds to new areas and by aerating soil. Lots of other invertebrates depend on ants for food or shelter.
Some butterflies attract ants to their caterpillars, where the ants guard them and they may finish their development inside the ant nest, and some woodlice live only in ant nests.
Flying ants are also beneficial to the garden and other creatures. The warm temperatures and damp conditions are building towards the annual flying ant swarm when black garden ants emerge in their millions to mate, but the weather conditions have to be just right.
It’s thought this mass mating evolved to increase the ants’ chances of reproducing and as a self-defence mechanism; safety in numbers you see.
Flying ants have very short lives and the males die soon after mating while the females shed their wings once they’ve flown to a new site.
The wildlife spectacle of the mass of insects that gather is with us for a very short time and will attract the attention of birds like starlings, gulls, house martins and swifts. It’s estimated that birds, particularly swifts, eat one out of every ten. It helps the birds, especially the young, beef up their body mass and get fit for the long migratory journey back across Europe and down to Africa, where they’ll spend the winter.
Many people try to destroy ants using chemicals like insecticides, gasoline or soap. Some try to drown them with water, particularly boiling water from the kettle but the RSPB says these methods are often ineffective.
Ants are social insects just like humans, they build elaborate nests in walls or under stones in soil, logs and paving stones. They also perform important roles such as suppressing other pests like aphids and aerating soil.
Mark Gurney, from the RSPB says: “Ants are farmers, workers, conquerors and thieves.
“They’re fascinating creatures, and a vital part of the food chain in gardens. The RSPB would urge people to leave them to go about their business without trying to get rid of them wherever possible.”
ABA news: Red Knot could be heading for endangered species list
As reported by Nate Swick via his popular DC Birding blog - Birders, environmentalists and conservation groups have been concerned about the precipitous population decline in that gorgeous and quintessential Mid-Atlantic shorebird, Red Knot, for several years now. The rufa subspecies, which gathers in large numbers at staging areas on Delaware Bay, Delaware, to gorge on Horseshoe Crab eggs while shuttling between tundra nesting grounds and a winter range in southern South America, has plummeted from a high count of 95,000 in the 80s and 90s to fewer than 10,000 earlier this year. Cause of the decline has been attributed primarily to commercial overharvesting of Horseshoe Crabs for fish bait, but there is concern that climate change may affect the precise time required for the bird's migration to sync up with the glut of laying crabs every spring.
Conservationists have pushed for the Red Knot to be protected under the Endangered Species Act for some time, and the ruddy shorebird has sat in limbo as a "candidate species" for several years, but it looks like they may finally get federal protection as the US Fish and Widlife Service has stepped up and in some cases expidited, reviews of some species including, at long last, the Red Knot:
"Right now, we need to see more adult crabs breeding, and we're not," [New Jersey biologist Larry] Niles said. Fisheries officials that govern the crab harvest keep saying to give it more time, he said. "That would be fine, except we were promised signs of recovery six years ago."
He suspects further restrictions in the harvest are needed. Or the problem now may lie elsewhere. The illegal harvet may be greater than estimated. The blood of the crab is used as an indicator for contamination in medical devices, and the crabs are caught, partially bled and then returned to the wild. But a recent study suggested that mortality from this may be higher than estimated.
"The insistence that we wait and see means we're not dealing with these other problems," Niles said.
Federal ESA listing would probably mean protection of much of the Red Knot's stopover habitat, including barrier islands in Delaware and New Jersey. Hopefully, this long overdue action means we've seen the nadir of the rufa Red Knot's population decline, and the continuation of one of the most amazing bird spectacles on the continent.
Conservationists have pushed for the Red Knot to be protected under the Endangered Species Act for some time, and the ruddy shorebird has sat in limbo as a "candidate species" for several years, but it looks like they may finally get federal protection as the US Fish and Widlife Service has stepped up and in some cases expidited, reviews of some species including, at long last, the Red Knot:
"Right now, we need to see more adult crabs breeding, and we're not," [New Jersey biologist Larry] Niles said. Fisheries officials that govern the crab harvest keep saying to give it more time, he said. "That would be fine, except we were promised signs of recovery six years ago."
He suspects further restrictions in the harvest are needed. Or the problem now may lie elsewhere. The illegal harvet may be greater than estimated. The blood of the crab is used as an indicator for contamination in medical devices, and the crabs are caught, partially bled and then returned to the wild. But a recent study suggested that mortality from this may be higher than estimated.
"The insistence that we wait and see means we're not dealing with these other problems," Niles said.
Federal ESA listing would probably mean protection of much of the Red Knot's stopover habitat, including barrier islands in Delaware and New Jersey. Hopefully, this long overdue action means we've seen the nadir of the rufa Red Knot's population decline, and the continuation of one of the most amazing bird spectacles on the continent.
Familiar call returns to NI Countryside...
Corncrake is an iconic species in Northern Ireland that migrates here from South Africa every spring. Although a very secretive bird it is their distinctive call that gives these birds their iconic status. In the early summer months, the evening mating call of the corncrake was once deafening as it rang through fields of long grass across Northern Ireland’s countryside. However, in the last 30 years the number of corncrake has declined dramatically because of changes in grass cutting timings (due to the increase of silage being grown in replace of the later cut hay) and land management on farms, today our fields have fallen silent of the corncrake call and the species are on the verge of extinction in Northern Ireland.
A recovery programme in Scotland has been hugely successful. A Scottish survey in 2007 found 1,273 calling males the highest corncrake numbers in Scotland in 30 years!!
Northern Ireland is not without its own potential success story even if it is on a much smaller scale. Recently the McGrath family who own land outside Benburb called the RSPB reporting hearing a male corncrake calling from a silage field outside their house for over a month now. RSPB’s Farmland Bird Recovery Officer, Claire Barnett visited the site and confirmed that there was a male corncrake calling. Jody and his wife Angela have happily agreed to allow the field to be cut for hay giving the corncrake a chance to breed successfully on their farm.
The McGraths enthusiasm and cooperation over the potential breeding of corncrake on their land is a great example to all Northern Ireland farmers that production and wildlife friendly farming can co-exist. This family’s positive reaction to the corncrake’s arrival on their land is good news for RSPB staff who have just started managing land on Rathlin Island to cater for corncrakes. RSPB are using a mixture of land belonging to their reserve on Rathlin, the NIEA and local farmers.
This combined effort involves planting nettles, and other tall vegetation to provide early cover for corncrake to spot as they fly overhead, land and use as a nesting site. These plants are perfect for corncrake as they grow to reach heights of 8-10inches, which is tall enough to give them the secrecy and security they like but are also open so the birds and their fledglings can move easily amongst the vegetation.
These areas are known as “corncrake corridors” and run along suitable field edges. This early cover will be protected from grazing in late winter and spring. The RSPB will also be planting wild bird cover, left un-grazed this grows into tall open cover ideal for corncrakes whilst also providing winter seeds for farmland birds. Two-year bird cover will also be planted. By next spring, this will have grown to provide early cover for migrating corncrakes and will hopefully attract and host breeding corncrakes.
It is hoped that these first steps towards corncrake conservation and recovery will eventually lead to a success that matches the species revival in other parts of the UK.
To find out what you can do for corncrakes on your land please contact the RSPB head quarters on: 02890 491 547
A recovery programme in Scotland has been hugely successful. A Scottish survey in 2007 found 1,273 calling males the highest corncrake numbers in Scotland in 30 years!!
Northern Ireland is not without its own potential success story even if it is on a much smaller scale. Recently the McGrath family who own land outside Benburb called the RSPB reporting hearing a male corncrake calling from a silage field outside their house for over a month now. RSPB’s Farmland Bird Recovery Officer, Claire Barnett visited the site and confirmed that there was a male corncrake calling. Jody and his wife Angela have happily agreed to allow the field to be cut for hay giving the corncrake a chance to breed successfully on their farm.
The McGraths enthusiasm and cooperation over the potential breeding of corncrake on their land is a great example to all Northern Ireland farmers that production and wildlife friendly farming can co-exist. This family’s positive reaction to the corncrake’s arrival on their land is good news for RSPB staff who have just started managing land on Rathlin Island to cater for corncrakes. RSPB are using a mixture of land belonging to their reserve on Rathlin, the NIEA and local farmers.
This combined effort involves planting nettles, and other tall vegetation to provide early cover for corncrake to spot as they fly overhead, land and use as a nesting site. These plants are perfect for corncrake as they grow to reach heights of 8-10inches, which is tall enough to give them the secrecy and security they like but are also open so the birds and their fledglings can move easily amongst the vegetation.
These areas are known as “corncrake corridors” and run along suitable field edges. This early cover will be protected from grazing in late winter and spring. The RSPB will also be planting wild bird cover, left un-grazed this grows into tall open cover ideal for corncrakes whilst also providing winter seeds for farmland birds. Two-year bird cover will also be planted. By next spring, this will have grown to provide early cover for migrating corncrakes and will hopefully attract and host breeding corncrakes.
It is hoped that these first steps towards corncrake conservation and recovery will eventually lead to a success that matches the species revival in other parts of the UK.
To find out what you can do for corncrakes on your land please contact the RSPB head quarters on: 02890 491 547
Scientists scale new heights to monitor Scotland's mountain birds
Scotland’s elusive mountain birds have formed the focus of an important research project led by RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage. Conservationists are now looking for some help from the public to provide sightings of some of our rarest birds.
For the past 10 weeks, surveyors have been climbing to some of Scotland’s highest ground to survey the population of two species, the dotterel - a type of wading bird - and the snow bunting – a seed-eating bird a little larger than a sparrow.
Both species breed only on the highest mountain tops of Scotland and as such could be affected by changes in habitat, prey abundance and climate.
LimitedMany species may adapt to climate change by moving north and in some cases further uphill. This has prompted concern that species already limited to the highest, coolest conditions, may have nowhere else left to go in the UK.
The study is looking at current populations of dotterel and snow bunting to establish whether there have been changes, and if further research and conservation effort is needed.
Smaller and more compact than its commoner relative, the golden plover, the dotterel is unusual in that it turns the tables on traditional gender roles. The brightly-coloured females lead in courtship before leaving the smaller, drabber males to incubate the eggs and raise the young.
Found most commonly in the Cairngorms, the dotterel has not been surveyed across the country for more than a decade.
Some of Scotland’s highest mountains are also the preferred breeding location of the very rare snow bunting, the most northerly breeding songbird on earth. Its stark black-and-white summer plumage helps it blend into landscapes of snow and scree. Scotland represents an edge of their breeding range, and it is believed the estimated population may stand at as little as 50 breeding pairs.
Mark Eaton, RSPB Principal Conservation Scientist, is leading the survey: “This research could shed light on the fortunes of two of our mountain species. Both birds breed in some of the highest parts of the country, and in some of the harsher conditions. Will their numbers be affected by changes to their habitat? Have the recent wetter and warmer summers impacted on numbers? These are just some of the things we want to learn, so in the coming months we will be analysing our findings in the hope of building a clearer picture of dotterel and snow bunting populations in the UK. “
Far from complete pictureAndy Douse, SNH Senior Ornithologist, said: "I'd encourage walkers to report any sightings of these mountain birds to help with this important survey. Dotterel and snow bunting are both fascinating birds, but we are far from having a complete picture of how they're faring in Scotland in recent years. This survey, as well as help from the public, should make all the difference."
As the survey draws to a close, we are asking the public to help contribute to the survey by reporting any sightings made of either species in 2011. Sightings including details of which species, how many, along with the date and location (including grid reference, if possible) can be emailed to dotterel@rspb.org.uk.
The snow bunting and the dotterel are protected by Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it an offence for anyone to intentionally or recklessly disturb these species at their nesting sites.
For the past 10 weeks, surveyors have been climbing to some of Scotland’s highest ground to survey the population of two species, the dotterel - a type of wading bird - and the snow bunting – a seed-eating bird a little larger than a sparrow.
Both species breed only on the highest mountain tops of Scotland and as such could be affected by changes in habitat, prey abundance and climate.
LimitedMany species may adapt to climate change by moving north and in some cases further uphill. This has prompted concern that species already limited to the highest, coolest conditions, may have nowhere else left to go in the UK.
The study is looking at current populations of dotterel and snow bunting to establish whether there have been changes, and if further research and conservation effort is needed.
Smaller and more compact than its commoner relative, the golden plover, the dotterel is unusual in that it turns the tables on traditional gender roles. The brightly-coloured females lead in courtship before leaving the smaller, drabber males to incubate the eggs and raise the young.
Found most commonly in the Cairngorms, the dotterel has not been surveyed across the country for more than a decade.
Some of Scotland’s highest mountains are also the preferred breeding location of the very rare snow bunting, the most northerly breeding songbird on earth. Its stark black-and-white summer plumage helps it blend into landscapes of snow and scree. Scotland represents an edge of their breeding range, and it is believed the estimated population may stand at as little as 50 breeding pairs.
Mark Eaton, RSPB Principal Conservation Scientist, is leading the survey: “This research could shed light on the fortunes of two of our mountain species. Both birds breed in some of the highest parts of the country, and in some of the harsher conditions. Will their numbers be affected by changes to their habitat? Have the recent wetter and warmer summers impacted on numbers? These are just some of the things we want to learn, so in the coming months we will be analysing our findings in the hope of building a clearer picture of dotterel and snow bunting populations in the UK. “
Far from complete pictureAndy Douse, SNH Senior Ornithologist, said: "I'd encourage walkers to report any sightings of these mountain birds to help with this important survey. Dotterel and snow bunting are both fascinating birds, but we are far from having a complete picture of how they're faring in Scotland in recent years. This survey, as well as help from the public, should make all the difference."
As the survey draws to a close, we are asking the public to help contribute to the survey by reporting any sightings made of either species in 2011. Sightings including details of which species, how many, along with the date and location (including grid reference, if possible) can be emailed to dotterel@rspb.org.uk.
The snow bunting and the dotterel are protected by Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it an offence for anyone to intentionally or recklessly disturb these species at their nesting sites.
12.5 million birds rely on Britain’s coasts and wetlands
Issued by the BTO on behalf of the Wetland Bird Survey partnership (BTO, JNCC and RSPB, in association with WWT).
In a scientific paper just published in the journal British Birds, a team of waterbird experts from the BTO, JNCC, RSPB and WWT estimate that 12.5 million waterbirds, of 85 different species, used our coasts and wetlands during the five winters of 2004/5 to 2008/09. Many of these breed in remote areas of the north, some arriving from as far west as Canada and as far east as Siberia, whilst others remain here all year round. These waterbirds include everything from the resident Mute Swans (74,000) and Grey Herons (61,000) in our local parks, to real globe-trotters such as Bewick’s Swans (7,000) and Turnstones (48,000).
Having reliable estimates of the number of wintering waterbirds visiting Britain is crucial for the birds’ conservation, both for assessing the health of their populations, and for the identification and protection of nationally and internationally important sites (such as the 147 Ramsar sites and 252 Special Protection Areas in Britain).
The newly published paper reveals that the numbers of some wintering species have increased, notably the Gadwall (25,000), Avocet (7,500) and Little Egret (4,500); the latter was considered a national rarity as recently as 1990. Some non-native introduced species have also increased, with an estimated 190,000 Canada Geese now at large in Britain. However, a number of others have declined alarmingly, causing concern for birds such as the Greenland White-fronted Goose (13,000), Dunlin (350,000) and Pochard (38,000).
The most numerous wintering waterbird in Britain is revealed to be the Black-headed Gull, with an estimated 2,200,000 flooding in from across northern Europe to spend the winter with us. At the other end of the scale, only about 20 Spoonbills typically spend the winter in Britain, mostly on estuaries along the milder south coast.
Dr Andy Musgrove, Head of Monitoring at the BTO, commented, “The calculation of these estimates really emphasises the enormous importance of Britain’s wetlands for waterbirds in winter. To put the figure of 12.5 million waterbirds into context, this is more than the combined human population of our ten largest cities. The figures will be used to underpin the ongoing implementation of conservation policy for coastal and wetland birds, a fitting tribute to the extraordinary effort of thousands of volunteer birdwatchers who go out in all weathers to collect the information needed to produce the estimates.”
Richard Hearn, Head of Species Monitoring at WWT, said, “Periodic reviews of waterbird abundance are essential to ensure that our conservation activities remain well prioritised. Ensuring that these national estimates are put into an international flyway context is equally important, and these new estimates for the UK will be an important part of revised international estimates currently being produced by Wetlands International.”
Simon Wotton, RSPB, said: "Our world-class coastal wetlands provide vital links in the chain of waterbird migration around the world. Designation of these areas is fundamental to their protection, not only for the millions of birds which depend on them, but also to secure the other benefits they provide from flood protection to nursery grounds for fish. Understanding bird populations and recognising the immense importance of the sites where they congregate in winter is key to protecting these places for birds and for people."
David Stroud, JNCC’s Senior Ornithologist, said: “These data provide essential context for a range of conservation programmes not only in the UK, but also more widely. Contributing these UK estimates to international assessments is important to help governments and conservation organisations prioritise scarce resources for those species most needing conservation action.”
In a scientific paper just published in the journal British Birds, a team of waterbird experts from the BTO, JNCC, RSPB and WWT estimate that 12.5 million waterbirds, of 85 different species, used our coasts and wetlands during the five winters of 2004/5 to 2008/09. Many of these breed in remote areas of the north, some arriving from as far west as Canada and as far east as Siberia, whilst others remain here all year round. These waterbirds include everything from the resident Mute Swans (74,000) and Grey Herons (61,000) in our local parks, to real globe-trotters such as Bewick’s Swans (7,000) and Turnstones (48,000).
Having reliable estimates of the number of wintering waterbirds visiting Britain is crucial for the birds’ conservation, both for assessing the health of their populations, and for the identification and protection of nationally and internationally important sites (such as the 147 Ramsar sites and 252 Special Protection Areas in Britain).
The newly published paper reveals that the numbers of some wintering species have increased, notably the Gadwall (25,000), Avocet (7,500) and Little Egret (4,500); the latter was considered a national rarity as recently as 1990. Some non-native introduced species have also increased, with an estimated 190,000 Canada Geese now at large in Britain. However, a number of others have declined alarmingly, causing concern for birds such as the Greenland White-fronted Goose (13,000), Dunlin (350,000) and Pochard (38,000).
The most numerous wintering waterbird in Britain is revealed to be the Black-headed Gull, with an estimated 2,200,000 flooding in from across northern Europe to spend the winter with us. At the other end of the scale, only about 20 Spoonbills typically spend the winter in Britain, mostly on estuaries along the milder south coast.
Dr Andy Musgrove, Head of Monitoring at the BTO, commented, “The calculation of these estimates really emphasises the enormous importance of Britain’s wetlands for waterbirds in winter. To put the figure of 12.5 million waterbirds into context, this is more than the combined human population of our ten largest cities. The figures will be used to underpin the ongoing implementation of conservation policy for coastal and wetland birds, a fitting tribute to the extraordinary effort of thousands of volunteer birdwatchers who go out in all weathers to collect the information needed to produce the estimates.”
Richard Hearn, Head of Species Monitoring at WWT, said, “Periodic reviews of waterbird abundance are essential to ensure that our conservation activities remain well prioritised. Ensuring that these national estimates are put into an international flyway context is equally important, and these new estimates for the UK will be an important part of revised international estimates currently being produced by Wetlands International.”
Simon Wotton, RSPB, said: "Our world-class coastal wetlands provide vital links in the chain of waterbird migration around the world. Designation of these areas is fundamental to their protection, not only for the millions of birds which depend on them, but also to secure the other benefits they provide from flood protection to nursery grounds for fish. Understanding bird populations and recognising the immense importance of the sites where they congregate in winter is key to protecting these places for birds and for people."
David Stroud, JNCC’s Senior Ornithologist, said: “These data provide essential context for a range of conservation programmes not only in the UK, but also more widely. Contributing these UK estimates to international assessments is important to help governments and conservation organisations prioritise scarce resources for those species most needing conservation action.”
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