July 18, 2008
More Chatting and less Warbling in the Welsh valleys
Latest results from the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) show that the distinctive orange-and-black Stonechat has increased by 338% in Wales since 1994. The BBS is the primary source of information about our countryside birds, and results from the 2007 survey show that while Stonechats are increasing, woodland birds such as Willow Warbler and Goldcrest are doing less well in Wales than in the rest of the UK.
Continue reading "More Chatting and less Warbling in the Welsh valleys"
Posted by Surfbirds at 6:42 AM | Comments (0)
Woodland birds show biggest declines
Latest results from the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) put our woodland birds at the top of the list of declining species. The BBS is the primary source of information about our countryside birds, and now shows that Wood Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher and Willow Tit have all declined by over 50% since the start of the survey in 1994.
Continue reading "Woodland birds show biggest declines"
Posted by Surfbirds at 6:36 AM | Comments (0)
July 17, 2008
Seawatch SW survey starts
This year’s Seawatch SW survey has begun, with observers watching from the Gwennap Head watchpoint (near Porthgwarra, Cornwall) until mid-October.
Continue reading "Seawatch SW survey starts"
Posted by Surfbirds at 7:01 AM | Comments (0)
Scoter numbers fall for second year
Common Scoter numbers wintering at Carmarthen Bay have dipped below 16,000 for the second consecutive year, according to figures released by WWT.
Continue reading "Scoter numbers fall for second year"
Posted by Surfbirds at 6:52 AM | Comments (0)
Great Blue Heron admitted to the British List
The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has admitted Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias to Category A of the British List following the record of a juvenile on 7 December 2007 on St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly (sight record, photographed).
Continue reading "Great Blue Heron admitted to the British List"
Posted by Surfbirds at 6:36 AM | Comments (0)
July 13, 2008
Kazakh IBAs get first natural World Heritage Site status for Central Asia
Two of central Asia’s most important steppe-wetland Important Bird Areas (IBAs), Tengiz-Korgalzhyn and Naurzum have been recognised as being of the same outstanding natural value as sites such as Yellowstone National Park and the Galapagos Islands.
Continue reading "Kazakh IBAs get first natural World Heritage Site status for Central Asia"
Posted by Surfbirds at 7:11 AM | Comments (0)
Seabird failure continues for another year
Early reports of seabird breeding performance on RSPB Scotland's coastal reserves indicate continuing problems for the country's internationally important populations of guillemots, kittiwakes and other seabirds, with nests abandoned and empty cliffs which should now be teeming with thousands of nesting birds at this time of year.
Continue reading "Seabird failure continues for another year"
Posted by Surfbirds at 7:04 AM | Comments (0)
Twin threat heightens flamingo's plight
A second major threat is facing endangered lesser flamingos in Africa after the announcement of development plans close to a man-made breeding site, built less than two years ago to help reverse the birds' decline.
Continue reading "Twin threat heightens flamingo's plight"
Posted by Surfbirds at 6:53 AM | Comments (0)
July 12, 2008
Congressional Hearing Today Investigates Declining Bird Populations
(Washington, D.C. – July 10, 2008) American Bird Conservancy (ABC) will testify today at a hearing before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans to alert Congress to the plight of bird species in the United States. Dr. George Wallace, ABC’s Vice President for International Programs, will ask Congress to act to protect habitats, eliminate threats, and boost funding for bird conservation programs. The hearing will be webcast live at http://resourcescommittee.house.gov. Dr. Wallace’s testimony is available at www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/information/afs_testimony.pdf
“With 127 species of neotropical migratory birds in decline, including 60 species that have plummeted 45% or more in the past 40 years, I wonder if future generations will hear these birds singing each spring,” said Wallace. “Congress can help stem this decline by reauthorizing the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act and boosting funding for this very effective program that conserves migratory birds.”
Prothonotary Warbler from the Surfbirds Galleries, Indianapolis, Indiana 06-25-06 © Tim Avery
Representatives Ron Kind (D-WI) and Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) have introduced H.R. 5756 which reauthorizes the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) at a significantly higher funding level to help halt this decline.
Continue reading "Congressional Hearing Today Investigates Declining Bird Populations"
Posted by Surfbirds at 6:20 AM | Comments (0)
July 7, 2008
Please give House Martins a chance
BTO scientists are pleading with Britain’s homeowners to be tolerant of the mess made by House Martins, especially this year, as numbers seem to be down on normal levels.
Continue reading "Please give House Martins a chance"
Posted by Surfbirds at 1:52 PM | Comments (0)
Flourishing wetland sacrificed for biofuels
The Kenyan government has approved a controversial plan to grow biofuel crops on an internationally important coastal wetland.
Continue reading "Flourishing wetland sacrificed for biofuels"
Posted by Surfbirds at 1:45 PM | Comments (0)
Hundreds of Yorkshire seabirds drowning in fishing nets
The RSPB believes hundreds of seabirds have died so far this summer after becoming entangled in fishing nets set for salmon and sea trout in Filey Bay, North Yorkshire.
Continue reading "Hundreds of Yorkshire seabirds drowning in fishing nets"
Posted by Surfbirds at 1:37 PM | Comments (0)
Golden Eagle killing thwarts bird's recovery
The Golden Eagle Framework, published July 2nd 2008 by Scottish Natural Heritage, proves relentless persecution is halting this magnificent bird of prey’s recovery in Scotland and is thwarting the bird’s return to northern England.
Continue reading "Golden Eagle killing thwarts bird's recovery"
Posted by Surfbirds at 1:31 PM | Comments (0)
