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February 15, 2005
Company helps bird lovers to "Enjoy Birds More"
A Solihull based entrepreneur has combined his passions for nature and technology to create a world first.
Peter Bubb, who has spent over 20 years in the IT industry, tapped into support from Mustard.uk.com to exploit a gap in the market, creating a unique nesting box, which allows ‘birders’ to watch wild birds close-up through the use of a wireless web cam.
"Having researched the field, it soon emerged that enthusiasts were crying out for a system that allowed you to witness what was going on without disturbing their natural habitat and nesting habits," explained Peter.
"Once I became aware of what these issues were, I paired up with ‘Foneapps’ and ‘Coventry Information Technologies’ to investigate ways of developing an effective solution. As a result of this partnership, we have applied for various patents to protect the technology involved."
The result is a revolutionary quick release video pod, which sends signals connecting to a standard TV or PC, removing the need for cable running from the nesting box.
As a result, owners can move the wireless camera about as many times as they want to ensure they find the ideal spot to capture images, and then, use their PCs to share their videos and photos with other enthusiasts.
Peter continued: "The development team also worked hard on the battery life of the device, which can last for a period of months compared to previous batteries that would run out in a matter of hours".
"However, possibly the final and most remarkable innovation is the ability of the device to automatically measure the amount of light in the box and quickly identify whether to add white or infra-red light This allows people to watch clear colour images throughout daylight hours and black and white night-vision images at other times."
Boosted by up to £8500 support from Mustard.uk.com, the local entrepreneur has launched a website-based company called www.enjoybirdsmore.co.uk, which will act as the primary sales channel for the products and a virtual world-wide network for showcasing wild birds.
A number of boxes have already been sold to bird-watchers and the general public, with the next stage set to target wildlife societies and schools, which could use the innovation to help educate children on the pastime of ornithology.
Doug Barrons, Mustard.uk.com Client Manager at Business Link Birmingham, added his support:
"Enjoy Birds More has all the ingredients of a successful company, having been able to combine significant technological know-how with a unique product. With targeted marketing and promotional support from Mustard.uk.com, 2005 looks like being an extremely exciting year."
He concluded: "The Company is already hitting the headlines for its work and, due to its collaboration with Warwick and Staffordshire Universities, has recently been short-listed for a Lord Stafford Award."
Managed by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Mustard.uk.com has provided high-growth start-up and business services to over 1800 enterprises across the West Midlands.
Posted by Surfbirds at 07:12 AM | Comments (0)
February 02, 2005
Prominent Scientists Join Call for UN Moratorium on Longline Fishing
World renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, has added her voice to 705 international scientists from 83 countries who are urging the UN to implement a moratorium on longline fishing in the Pacific Ocean to prevent the extinction of the critically endangered leatherback sea turtle.
The scientists are joined by 230 non-governmental organizations from 54 countries. The list of signers includes biologist E.O. Wilson, oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, and former U.S. astronaut Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr.
According to the statement, 3An International Call by Leading Scientists to Reverse the Pacific Leatherback's Extinction Trajectory,2 the scientists warn that 3The Pacific leatherback sea turtle is at the top of the list of species being driven to the brink of extinction by increased efforts of global industrial fishing.2 Also impacted are about 4.4 million sharks, seabirds, billfish and marine mammals maimed and killed by longlines in the Pacific each year.
3Sea Turtles are endangered everywhere. Unless there is a concerted effort by all the groups and individuals who care, the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle is almost certainly doomed to extinction. And these efforts would be greatly strengthened by the support of the United Nations,2 said Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE. 3How tragic it would be if future generations know these wonderful animals only from photographs and films.2
The female nesting population of highly migratory leatherback sea turtles in the Pacific Ocean has collapsed by 95 per cent since 1980. Eminent scientists warn that the leatherback could go extinct in 5-30 years unless we reduce the threat from longline fishing. Because sea turtles are migratory, traveling thousands of miles each year to nest, an international solution is needed.
3The UN General Assembly passed a resolution last November calling for prohibitions of destructive fishing practices. The first place to start is by implementing a moratorium on longline fishing,2 suggests Robert Ovetz, PhD, Save the Leatherback Campaign Coordinator. In the past, the UN has banned destructive fishing methods, such as through the international moratorium on high seas driftnetting.
The petitions, originally submitted to the UN in February 2003 with the names of 413 international scientists and 113 NGOs, have not yet received a formal response from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Sea Turtle Restoration Project is a California-based marine conservation organization that works to protect sea turtles and other marine species in the United States and in countries around the world.
For more information about sea turtles and the Sea Turtle Restoration Project, please visit:
www.seaturtles.org and www.savetheleatherback.com
SEA TURTLE RESTORATION PROJECT
POB 400/40 Montezuma Avenue =80 Forest Knolls, CA 94933 USA
Ph. +1 415 488 0370 ext. 106=80 Fax +1 415 488 0372
robert@seaturtles.org www.seaturtles.org
Posted by Surfbirds at 09:32 PM | Comments (0)
February 01, 2005
Essex farm wins plaudit for letting the sea in
The breaching of an Essex sea wall in October 2002 has created an award-winning 200-acre wildlife-rich saltmarsh haven, according to the judges of a major conservation award. This carefully planned scheme, which will save £500,000 in sea wall maintenance, has boosted internationally important habitats for a range of birds, fish, plants and other wildlife.
In recognition of the project's excellence, the Essex Wildlife Trust's Abbott's Hall Farm coastal realignment scheme, on the Blackwater Estuary, delivered in partnership with the Environment Agency, WWF, (Defra) English Nature, and the Heritage Lottery Fund, will tomorrow (Wednesday 2 February 2005) become the winner of the 2005 RSPB/CIWEM Living Wetlands Award.
Four centuries ago, saltmarshes in Essex covered more than 115 square miles, accommodating flooding and supporting a huge range of species. By 2002, this had shrunk by 90 per cent to an area of less than 3,000 hectares, with 20 per cent lost since 1980 due to coastal squeeze. The National Biodiversity target is to create 100 hectares of saltmarsh each year. With 40 hectares, the Abbott's Hall scheme provides a shining example of the great a contribution a single project can make towards achieving conservation targets.
The new wetland is providing a new haven for thousands of species, including many of the UK's most threatened, as listed under the Biodiversity Action Plan. Before the saltmarsh creation, winter-visiting Brent geese were feasting on crops behind the sea walls, bringing them into conflict with farmers. However, the saltmarshes now have an abundance of eel-grass, the birds' favoured food, which by the winter of 2003 had attracted over 1700 geese. Hundreds of other wading birds and ducks also arrived at the site soon after the wetland was created.
Birds including skylark and lapwing, and water voles all have breeding populations on the site. One of the site's most bizarre colonists has been the lagoon sea slug, and the new saltmarsh supports sea hog's fennel, one of the rarest coastal plants in Britain. In addition, at least 10 species of fish, including bass and herring, are frequenting the area as it reverts to a wetland paradise.
The Abbott's Hall Farm scheme, which includes facilities for visitors, has attracted thousands of wildlife fans since the site was opened to the public in April last year.
Ruth Davis, Head of Water Policy at the RSPB, said: "Coastal habitats in the UK are disappearing at an alarming rate and it is beyond the capacity of even all the conservation bodies together to redress the balance. Partnership schemes such as Abbott's Hall and the RSPB reserve at Freiston Shore, in Lincolnshire, are showing the way forward. But many more of these projects will be needed in the future to maintain our coastal wildlife."
Justin Taberham, Director of Policy at CIWEM, said: "This scheme solves in one go the problem of decreasing space for wildlife, recreation and flood waters. It is an excellent example of how consultation, imagination and environmental objectives can work together for biodiversity and the public interest."
John Hall, Director of Essex Wildlife Trust said: "What tremendous news. We are absolutely delighted with this award, which recognises that you can create important coastal wetlands and improve coastal defences thanks to [the Environment Agency, WWF, English Nature, the Heritage Lottery] or [Government bodies, funders, big environmental organisations], local people and everyone in Essex Wildlife Trust pulling together. What a struggle - but by jove, it was worth it!"
Two other projects were 'commended' by the judges:
* Knottingley Flood Alleviation Scheme and Wetland Creation
Project in Yorkshire was recognised for the measurable benefits it provided despite its small size, and its good restoration of flood plains. It was previously Commended for CIWEM's 2004 World of Difference Award;
* The creation and rehabilitation of stream and wetland
features at Tittesworth Reservoir in Staffordshire, on the edge of the Peak District National Park, demonstrated good community involvement and contribution to biodiversity.
The Abbott's Hall project partnership includes the Environment Agency, English Nature, WWF, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Winstred Hundred Local Parish. Defra supports the environmental schemes on the farm.
Posted by Surfbirds at 09:47 AM | Comments (0)