Surfbirds News: June 2007 Archives

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June 27, 2007

Bald Eagle to be Removed from Endangered Species List

Growing Population Heralds Conservation Success

(Washington, D.C. – June 27, 2007) The administration will announce tomorrow that the Bald Eagle will be removed from the Endangered Species Act’s list of threatened species.

“All Americans have reason to be proud. Our nation’s symbol, the Bald Eagle is once again thriving,” said George Fenwick, President of American Bird Conservancy (ABC). “The conservation of the Bald Eagle is a true success story and a reflection of the concern Americans have for the environment. We strongly support delisting the eagle.”

Bald Eagle © Mark Hows

Although the Bald Eagle is our national symbol, eagles were hunted and poisoned until the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act was passed in 1940. By this time, only a small population remained, and eagles had completely disappeared from many states. By 1963, only 417 pairs of Bald Eagles remained in the lower 48 states. Then, DDT caused the remaining populations outside of Alaska to plummet.

“The Endangered Species Act works,” said Fenwick. “Because of this safety net, a flourishing legacy of Bald Eagles can be passed on to future generations.”
Bald Eagles were declared an endangered species in 1967 under a law that preceded the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Congress banned most uses of DDT in 1972 and the eagle began to rebound. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) also stepped up efforts to protect habitat and reintroduce eagles in areas where they had been extirpated.

FWS changed the Bald Eagle’s status from endangered to threatened in 1995 to reflect its growing numbers. The Bald Eagle population in the lower 48 states and the District of Columbia is now 11,040 pairs. This is a nearly 1,300-pair increase from the 2006 estimate of 9,789 pairs according to the Center for Biological Diversity.

While the Bald Eagle is perhaps the ESA’s most famous success story, 44% of bird species listed under the Act have seen increases in their populations. American Birds: An Endangered Species Success Story, a report by ABC, highlights many conservation triumphs, with nine species having experienced more than tenfold population increases since they were first protected by the Act. These include the Bald Eagle, Brown Pelican, Peregrine Falcon, Aleutian Canada Goose, California Condor, San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike, and Whooping Crane.

The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act will be the principal safeguard for Bald Eagles after they are removed from the endangered species list. FWS recently issued new regulations to ensure that eagle populations are monitored and that they will be sufficiently protected after delisting.

“ABC commends the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for working cooperatively with national conservation organizations in ensuring that Bald Eagles, though no longer on the threatened species list, will receive appropriate federal protection so their numbers will continue to grow,” said Fenwick.

Posted by Surfbirds at 10:37 PM | Comments (0)

Commission puts its foot down to ensure nature protected in new Member States, Germany and Austria

The European Commission opens infringement procedures against almost all new Member States for insufficient implementation of EU nature law – Poland and Germany taken to the European Court.

Brussels, Belgium - The European Commission took a strong stance today by starting new and stepping up ongoing infringement proceedings against ten EU Member States for failing to implement the EU Birds Directive [1]. Together with the Habitats Directive this law forms the cornerstone of EU action to address the decline of biodiversity, which in combination with climate change is seen as the most pressing environmental problem of the 21st century. EU governments have committed to halting the loss of wildlife by 2010, and to implementing its nature legislation.

SPAs have proved important for conservation of Ferruginous Duck in Slovakia. © Nigel Blake

Konstantin Kreiser, EU Policy Manager at BirdLife International in Brussels states: “We welcome the legal actions announced today, but regret that so many governments need to be forced to turn their nice words into action. We hope the affected Member States will now speed up their efforts to comply with EU legislation. We need healthy and diverse ecosystems to ensure long-term economic development. After all, this is about the well-being of Europeans!”

The Commission decided today to take Germany, Austria and Poland to the European Court of Justice because of insufficient designation of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) as required by the Birds Directive. It was also decided to send first warning letters on the same issue to eight more countries that joined the EU in 2004. This means, that apart from Estonia, all the new Member States from the 2004 round are in legal trouble on bird protection. Cyprus will receive a first warning letter related to bird hunting.

Posted by Surfbirds at 10:32 PM | Comments (0)

Mediterranean countries fail again to protect bluefin tuna

La Valletta (Malta), June 21st 2007 - The Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior
arrived this morning to the port of La Valetta (Malta) after five weeks
documenting and reporting the activities of bluefin tuna fishing fleets in the
central Mediterranean. Greenpeace has found evidence of widespread illegal
activities in contravention of the regulations of the International Commission
for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) (1).

"This is yet another year of a fishery out of control,” said Sebastian Losada,
Greenpeace Spain oceans campaigner. “It is a mockery that the new management
rules agreed by the international community to halt illegal fishing have only
entered into force two weeks before the fishing season comes to an end. But it
is even worse that we have demonstrated that they are not even being
respected.”

In addition to the Rainbow Warrior’s presence in the Mediterranean fishing
ground, Greenpeace has been monitoring several ports and airports in the
region. Greenpeace has documented the activity of Tunisian, Italian and French
fishing vessels operating in the area, as well as a multinational fleet of
vessels such as tug boats and support vessels taking part in operations linked
to the bluefin tuna farming industry.

Last week, Greenpeace showed that the use of spotter planes to find tuna schools
is still common in the area, despite being banned under the new bluefin tuna
recovery plan agreed by ICCAT. The Rainbow Warrior documented the fishing
activities of three Italian purse seine fishing vessels surrounded by spotter
planes during their entire fishing operation (2).

Greenpeace also found several Tunisian purse seiners operating without a
license. These vessels are not included in the ICCAT register of vessels
authorised to fish for tuna species in the region (3).

Transhipment activities (transfer of cargo for shipment) also seem to be common
in the area, despite the fact that they are one of the main ways in which
illegal catches are laundered (4). On June 11 Greenpeace observed the
transhipment at sea of bluefin tuna between the Italian fishing vessel Vergine
del Rosario and the refrigerated cargo vessel Daniela, flagged to Panama. On
June 12 the French vessel Jean Marie VI transferred its cargo to the Panamanian
flagged reefer Astraea 102. These transhipments took place just a few hours
before the new ICCAT management plan entered into force (5).

Yesterday, June 20, Greenpeace found the Panama flagged reefer Daniela in the
middle of the fishing ground, showing that reefers continue to carry out at sea
operations despite the current ban on transhipments.

“The plan agreed by ICCAT countries allocates quotas at twice the level
recommended by their own scientists. It simply does not deserve the name
‘recovery plan’,” said François Provost, Greenpeace France oceans campaigner
onboard the Rainbow Warrior. “Greenpeace is demanding the immediate closure of
the bluefin tuna fishery, a management plan that is in line with scientific
advice, and the creation of a network of fully protected marine reserves to
protect the Mediterranean Sea”.

Greenpeace is campaigning for a global network of fully protected marine
reserves covering 40% of our oceans as an essential way to protect the full
range of marine life and restore the health of fish stocks.

Greenpeace is an independent campaigning organisation that uses non-violent
creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems to drive
solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.

Posted by Surfbirds at 7:11 AM | Comments (0)

One river’s flood is another’s drought – river basin transfers threaten world’s most vital resource

Gland, Switzerland - Increasingly popular schemes to pour water from one river into another less endowed are putting the very source of life at risk, says WWF in a new report entitled Pipedreams? Inter-basin transfers and water shortages.

The report from the global conservation organization shows that inter-basin transfers are inevitably costly schemes that damage the natural environment, interrupting flows between rivers and compromising their ability to provide food and water.

Along with dams and other highly technical approaches to make up for water shortages, transfer schemes entail elaborate systems of canals, pipes and dredging over long distances. Already less than 40 per cent of the world’s rivers over 1,000km long remain free-flowing and this fact along with the water crisis is no mere coincidence.

“An overemphasis on engineering to address growing water needs is an artificial way to fix the water crisis,” says Jamie Pittock, Director of WWF’s Global Freshwater Programme. “More lasting is a commitment to healthy rivers and wetlands as the first step to water conservation, complemented by other methods as sustainable as possible and only if necessary.”

The report explores schemes completed in Australia, South Africa and Spain and others proposed in Brazil, China, Greece and Peru. It is worth noting that hundreds more exist including some that are not publicly known because of their often controversial nature.

Almost all cases share common flaws: cost overruns, insufficient transparency, irreversible damage to rivers, lack of stakeholder consultation, displacement of communities, planned benefits falling short, and a lack of exploration of alternative sustainable options.

“In many cases, water transfer schemes are a ‘pipedream’, reflecting simplistic thinking that transferring water between rivers will solve the problem without bringing new ones,” adds Pittock. The solutions to the water crisis must be rooted in conserving wetlands while properly assessing and managing local demands for water.”

“We must also use traditional local water management methods where suitable and recycle waste water. Basin transfers must be the last resort after all other sustainable approaches have been explored.”

Posted by Surfbirds at 7:08 AM | Comments (0)

June 24, 2007

Another Night Parrot Corpse Gives Hope of Its Existence

THE park ranger Robert "Shorty" Cupitt was repairing a section of track in a remote part of Diamantina National Park, Queensland, when the blade of his grader exposed the headless corpse of a bird he could not immediately identify.

The yellow-bellied bird, which appeared to have flown into a nearby barbed-wire fence and had been decapitated, was eventually passed to experts at Queensland Museum. They identified it as a juvenile night parrot. The ultimate, real-life dead parrot.

Click Here for The Brisbane Times Article

Posted by Surfbirds at 5:12 AM | Comments (0)

June 17, 2007

Success as rarest bird in Northern Ireland hatches three chicks

RSPB NI are excited to announce that the rarest bird in Northern Ireland – the chough - has successfully boosted its numbers by three, after three chicks hatched on Rathlin island.

Liam McFaul, RSPB Warden at Rathlin said, 'We are obviously delighted that the only breeding pair of chough in Northern Ireland have now become a fully fledged family.

'After a shaky start, the 'choughlets' seem healthy and happy to be free from their cramped cliff ledge, begging and feeding from their parents along the Rathlin cliffs and flying off to explore as a family party of five.

Chough
Chough, copyright Pete Hadfield

'There is much excitement on Rathlin as these are the first 'choughlets' born on the island since 1989, when a solitary chick was born. In the intervening period, we were seriously concerned for the survival of the species, and whilst this is great news the next few months will be critical. Threats from predators and poor habitat management could place the birds in danger.

'We have been working over this past number of years, at times when we wondered if we would ever see choughs breed again on Rathlin, to ensure that the land was fit for the breeding pair. Choughs require a short sward grass on the cliff and adjacent fields to feed on small insects and hopefully our persistence has paid off.

'The chough is a highly intelligent bird and a member of the crow family and we feel honoured that the chough pair have saw fit to make the island their home and to raise their three young here on Rathlin'.

Dr Gareth Bareham, recently employed as the RSPB’s Chough Project Officer concluded, 'This is wonderful news; yet we still have a long way to go before we can talk about the successful recovery of the chough in Northern Ireland. Continued co-operation between conservationists, land managers, island farmers and government agencies is essential if we are to protect and retain this wonderfully charismatic species.

'It has been fantastic to watch several chough families to develop on the Scottish island of Isla, on the recent BBC Springwatch programme, but is even more exciting to have our very own family here in Northern Ireland.'

Adding his voice Hugh McCann from Environment and Heritage Service said, 'EHS and RSPB have been working towards providing the appropriate conditions to allow chough to re-colonize on Rathlin. I am delighted that chough have responded to the habitat management and bred successfully on our reserve.'

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:25 AM | Comments (0)

Volunteers rally to help safeguard rare birds

A task force of volunteers has rallied round to help with a 24-hour security operation to watch over a pair of rare birds of prey that are nesting at a secret location in Northumberland.

The pair of hen harriers – one of the least familiar and most spectacular birds in the UK - has settled in north Northumberland, and the RSPB, Forestry Commission, National Wildlife Crime Unit and Northumbria Police are working together to safeguard the nest, with funding support from SITA Trust. There are only 15 active harrier nests known in the whole of England this year. All but three are in one area of Lancashire, where most of the land is owned by United Utilities, and the nests are monitored by the RSPB and others.

Hen Harrier, copyright Steven Round

More than 25 volunteers are helping to watch over the Northumberland birds and they are working day and night alongside RSPB officers, Forestry Commission rangers, members of the Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club and the Police. The harrier ‘task force’ is equipped with high-powered optics, cameras, specialist night vision equipment and other security measures are in place in the area where the birds are nesting.

The importance of protecting the harrier nest has been highlighted by an incident last year, when a female harrier nesting in Northumberland disappeared in mysterious circumstances. The bird is believed to have been shot while away from her nest, which contained two eggs. Another nest 2 km away failed when the eggs vanished.

This year there have already been several reports of hen harriers disappearing from suitable nesting areas in England, and incidents in North Yorkshire and Northumberland are already under investigation by the police.

Amanda Miller, RSPB Conservation Manager for North East England said: 'The English hen harrier population is perilously low, so every nest is precious and it’s wonderful news that these magnificent birds are nesting in Northumberland. The dedication and commitment of local volunteers has been tremendous and we are very grateful to them for giving of their time to help guard these special birds.

Hen Harrier, copyright Pete Hadfield

'However, it’s a sad state of affairs that in the 21st Century, the RSPB still has to spend so much time and money safeguarding hen harriers and other birds of prey even though they are fully protected under UK law.'

Tom Dearnley, Forestry Commission Ecologist, said: 'These are incredibly charismatic birds. But they can also be very unpredictable in their nesting habits, making this site even more important. This area of Northumberland is exceptional for its bird of prey populations thanks to sensitive habitat management. We look forwards to working with partners to secure a future for this exceptional and rare species.'

Studies have shown that the hen harrier should occur across most of the uplands of northern England and estimates suggest there should be at least 230 hen harrier nests in England. In recent years, however, only a handful of hen harriers have nested in England. The only regular breeding area in England is the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire. Sadly, hen harriers are often the victims of illegal persecution; including egg theft, the killing of adults, deliberate disturbance of nesting birds and destruction of nests.

Steve Downing of the National Wildlife Crime Unit is the national co-ordinator of Operation Artemis, the police campaign set up in 2004 to combat the illegal killing of hen harriers. He said: 'Illegal persecution is the single most important factor limiting the spread of hen harriers in England. The absence of harriers from large swathes of uplands across England indicates the scale of illegal killing and interference this bird faces. There is absolutely no excuse or justification for persecuting these birds and if anyone is caught persecuting a hen harrier, the courts have made it clear that a prison sentence is a likely outcome.'

Hen harriers are one of the least familiar but most spectacular of the UK’s birds of prey. The male bird performs a magnificent aerobatic display or ‘sky dance’ in spring and provides food to his mate in spectacular food passes.

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:14 AM | Comments (0)

Bank holiday washout for breeding bitterns

Bank holiday downpours have dealt a blow to one of the UK's rarest birds. Bitterns breeding at the RSPB's nature reserves on the Suffolk coast have had their nests washed away after last month's torrential rain led to flash flooding at many sites.

Bittern
Bittern, copyright Graham Catley

The year had promised to be a good one for the bittern, whose population had fallen to 44 booming males from a 50-year high of 55 in 2004.

Before the wet weekend, there had been 20 booming male bitterns along the coast, including 10 at the RSPB's Minsmere reserve and three at the neighbouring North Warren reserve.

A survey in May found nine nests, including five at Minsmere and one at North Warren. However, the heavy rain and flooding now appears to have washed out all but two of the nests, with any chicks likely to have been killed.

One of the surviving nests is at Minsmere, where the reserve's famous ‘V' female is still feeding young. V – so named for a distinctive kink in her neck – has been breeding continuously since 1996 and is mother to a large proportion of the UK's bitterns.

Adam Rowlands, site manager for Minsmere and North Warren, said: 'This is a serious set back for the bittern. Suffolk has been the engine room of the species recent recovery in the UK with the RSPB's reserves playing a key role.

'Anything that affects breeding success here is likely to have a knock on effect across the country.'

He added: 'The one glimmer of hope is that the birds did get off to an early start this breeding season and there may still be time for some of them to try again, but it is getting late in the year.'

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's Director of Conservation, said: 'Despite our success in recent years, bittern numbers remain perilously low. That one spell of bad weather can have such potential serious consequences is proof of that.

'Bitterns need large areas of wet reedbed if they are to breed and find enough food. Far too many of the UK's reedbeds have been lost and this is another reminder that we must continue to create new ones – as the RSPB is doing – if the bittern and many other species are to have a future in our islands.'

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:07 AM | Comments (0)

June 15, 2007

Research confirms extent of Europe’s disappearing farmland birds

New research has shown that Europe’s farmland birds have declined by almost 50% in the past 25 years – a trend caused by EU-wide agricultural intensification being driven by a policy in need of urgent reform.

The results, released today, bring together the most comprehensive biodiversity indicators of their kind in Europe, collated by the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS) - a partnership led by scientists from the European Bird Census Council, BirdLife International, the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) and Statistics Netherlands.

Corn Bunting, copyright Jim Duncan

The data was collected from 20 independent breeding bird survey programmes across Europe over the last 25 years, all of which were coordinated thanks to the concerted efforts of national programmes involving thousands of dedicated volunteer birdwatchers.

The results confirm the extent to which farmland birds have declined. Across Europe as a whole from 1980 to 2005, common farmland birds have on average fallen in number by 44%–the most severe decline of the bird categories monitored.

“Birds can be vital barometers of environmental change – their declines are clear evidence of the environmental degradation that has occurred across European farmland,” said Dr Richard Gregory, Chairman of the European Bird Census Council, and Head of Monitoring and Indicators at the RSPB. “The data are staring us in the face: many farmland birds -and the species and habitats with which they coexist- are under serious threat.”

Species like Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis, Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio, Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra, Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus and Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus are familiar names in the long list of declining farmland bird species.

The bird organisations involved in the study are calling for a reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), a system of European Union subsidies and programmes that has led to considerable agricultural intensification in EU Member States. Although this drive has lessened with successive reforms, the CAP still appears to fail farmland birds and the European environment in general.

“These results show how urgently we need a complete reform of the Common Agriculture Policy, to deliver targeted support for high nature value farming systems and farmed Natura 2000 sites, and to support farmers in delivering environmental improvements throughout the countryside,” said Ariel Brunner, BirdLife’s EU Agriculture Policy Officer, based in Brussels.

Most concerning is the likelihood of rapid farmland bird declines in new EU Member States that hold some of Europe’s largest concentrations of farmland birds. The study indicates that declines in farmland birds in new EU Member States mirror those declines of more established EU Member States. The fear is that EU accession may accelerate and worsen the situation.

“The EU has made encouraging strides forward in environmental legislation, yet for farmland -which accounts for nearly half of the total land surface of Europe- we are working to an outdated policy that still encourages unsustainable intensive farming, while failing to support those extensive farming systems that are vital for biodiversity conservation and rural economies,” said Brunner.

Findings from the study also show declines for forest birds: across Europe as a whole from 1980 to 2005, numbers of common forest birds have fallen on average by 9%.

The researchers highlight that the speed with which forest ecosystems react to changes in management are much slower than in farmlands, so this decline may carry a very serious warning. They are now urging for further studies to investigate the driving factors, management regimes in particular.

Forest bird declines have been particularly severe in the boreal forests of Northern Europe, where they are thought to be threatened by highly intensive forestry exploitation.

Overall, for both forest and farmland birds, the findings from the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBMS) paint a worrying picture of the state of Europe’s wildlife:

"We have the data and the knowledge to help farmland and forest birds, but we need urgently to look deeper into the reasons behind these declines – and to design effective policies that will ensure further losses do not occur,” said Dr Gregory.

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:51 AM | Comments (0)

June 12, 2007

Join Raptor Camp Malta and participate in Illegal Hunting Surveillance and Raptor Migration Monitoring

What is Raptor Camp Malta about?

BirdLife Malta, since the late 1990s, has organised a camp during the annual autumn raptor migration period. Both local and international volunteers join this camp to curtail illegal hunting activity and collect data on bird migration, in particular raptors. This is no bird watching holiday, but a serious conservation effort!

Eleonora's Falcon, copyright Marc Thibault

What’s in it for you?

This is an excellent chance to make a genuine contribution to wildlife conservation and experience life in another country. You will be given the opportunity to get involved in serious conservation work and, more importantly, play a part in Malta’s fight to stop the illegal hunting of protected species.

What does the camp consist of?

Illegal hunting surveillance and raptor migration monitoring are the two main elements forming the camp. These are carried out every day during the morning and afternoon. As well as monitoring raptor migration, participants will also record migration of a range of other species, including herons, bee-eaters, orioles, thrushes and doves.

When not working on the main Raptor Camp objectives, participants are free to choose from a variety of planned and non-planned activities. These include both birding-related activities and other leisure activities such as cultural visits to historic sites, trips to the other islands, swimming and other social activities. In the evening work shops, discussions and films will be organized for the participants.

Illegal Hunting Surveillance and Raptor Migration Monitoring

Groups of volunteers numbering between 5 and 10 people will be dispatched to areas of Malta which are known for illegal hunting activities and raptor migration. The volunteers will be given tasks relating to either illegal hunting surveillance or raptor migration monitoring.

Illegal hunting surveillance

Volunteers will look out for hunters and watch for illegal hunting activities. Illegal activities will be immediately communicated to base camp and the police will be informed. Volunteers will effectively be working as ‘look-out posts’ to inform police of illegal hunting activities and their whereabouts, as well as trying to gather evidence through cameras and video cameras. At times, in the absence of police, volunteers’ presence is used to curtail illegal hunting activities through a cautionary approach. Past experience shows that the mere presence of birdwatchers who will report infringements to the police is an active deterrent. For the safety of camp participants, security will be provided for each mobile team.

Raptor Migration Monitoring

Volunteers will look out for raptors, identify the species and record basic data. The most common migrants at this time of year are Marsh Harrier, Honey Buzzard, European Hobby and Common Kestrel, while other migrants include Osprey, Montagu’s Harrier, Eleonora’s Falcon and Lesser Kestrel. Other, rarer, species, including Pallid Harrier, Short-toed and Lesser Spotted Eagles are recorded annually. Data recorded includes species, age and sex (where possible), location, time of sighting, and information about illegal hunting activities such as number of shots heard and whether or not the raptors were targeted.

What skills do you need to join Raptor Camp Malta?

All one really needs is enthusiasm and motivation to fight against illegal hunting of protected species. However, a number of volunteers are required to have basic raptor identification skills. For those without raptor identification skills, a crash course in raptor ID will be provided at the beginning of the camp. All volunteers will be required to participate in chores to look after the camp.

What about accommodation, food and transport while in Malta?

BirdLife Malta organizes group accommodation in a small family run hotel. Accommodation, food, transport (to and from airport and during the camp) will also be organized for the group.

How long does the camp last?

The camp starts on the 8th September and lasts for just over 2 weeks ending on the 23rd September. Volunteers may come for any number of days during this period. Most volunteers spend either one or two weeks depending on their availability and the flight schedule.

How much does the cost?

A small contribution is required to cater for food and accommodation. At EURO 20 (£14 Stg) per person per night or Euro 140 (£98 Stg) for seven nights, the camp includes:

Accommodation in a small family run hotel in the form of two or three bedroom apartments booked specifically for the camp (double rooms also available)
Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner (catering also for vegetarians)
Transfers on arrival and departure from the airport to the camp
Lectures/presentations/workshops by local experts ornithologists
All transport during working activities and also leisure activities*
* does not include tickets for boat trips to other islands and entrance tickets during cultural visits. These activities are optional.

For more information and to participate simply send an email to raptorcamp@birdlifemalta.org outlining what information you need.

Posted by Surfbirds at 9:10 PM | Comments (0)

Forest fire no barrier to the birds

Conservationists at RSPB's Corrimony reserve in the Central Highlands were appalled when a major fire wreaked havoc at the newly acquired site in June 1997, wiping out huge swathes of woodland and scorching the earth on over a tenth of the land.

Black Grouse, copyright Tom Marshall

But 10 years on, the reserve has just had its best ever black grouse survey - 57 lekking males - testament to the terrific habitat management that's been carried out since.

The 1,530 hectare reserve had just been purchased in April 1997 as a threatened upland habitat in need of sensitive management to aid recovery of black grouse, as well as iconic Scottish species including golden eagle and Scottish Crossbill. But disaster struck just weeks later when as forest fire spread from neighbouring land into trees on Corrimony.

Pete Mayhew, Senior Conservation Manager with RSPB Scotland said: 'I remember the fire starting on a Thursday evening, and the fire brigade came out and spent a whole the evening and next day battling the blaze. When they left we thought it was out, but it was very dry and the fire must have got into the peat, because by Saturday morning it had flared up again.

'It was dreadful, as we'd just acquired the reserve and thought we were going to lose 40-50 year old pines plus important habitat for black grouse, which would have been nesting at the time.

'We had to spend £30,000 hiring a helicopter to dump water round the clock, and it could have been a scene from Vietnam, with all the smoke, and the chopper going overhead. Eventually the combined efforts of the helicopter, the fire brigade, Forestry Commission staff and many volunteers managed to dampen it sufficiently, but it burned for a week in the end - all told the 'great fire of Corrimony' wiped out 170 hectares of woodland from the 1530 hectare reserve.'

It was feared that this would have a terrible impact on the fragile state of black grouse on the reserve, as at that time there were just 16 recorded lekking males on the site. The timing of the fire is likely to have destroyed several nests, not only of black grouse but also short eared owl.

Thankfully, 10 years on, it appears as if the fire may actually have aided regeneration of the site. Most of the affected area was commercially-planted coniferous woodland, which is not an ideal habitat for the black grouse or other native species. This has allowed sensitive, native planting to take its place, and the grouse this year reached an all time high of 57 lekking males.

Dan Tomes, the current Site Manager, said: 'While distressing, fires are actually important, natural occurrences in forests from time to time, and can play a role in allowing vigorous new vegetation growth to come through.

'While the black grouse probably took a hit that year, the numbers now are evidence of the work we've done since then in replanting native trees and in sensitively managing the whole ecosystem, including removing fences (which can kill grouse) and carefully grazing moorland habitats. We've replanted 130 ha of woodland in that decade and another 60 ha has developed naturally, and this year alone expect to plant 28,000 thousand more trees with the funding we received through the Scottish Forestry Alliance.

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:49 AM | Comments (0)

Cornwall choughs celebrate five years of chicks

A bumper crop of chough chicks has fledged in Cornwall this week, five years after the pioneering pair of choughs that returned to the county in 2001 first bred.

The original choughs and the two birds that paired up last year have produced nine young between them this spring - six males and three females.

The now world famous pair of wild choughs came back to the county six years ago after the species had been absent from Cornwall, and extinct as a breeding species in England, for nearly 30 years.

One of the reasons behind their natural recolonisation of the area was sensitive land management by local farmers, the National Trust and Natural England, who have since joined forces with the RSPB to form the Cornwall Chough Project which both monitors the birds and makes sure they have what they need to stay in the county.

RSPB conservation officer Claire Mucklow said: 'In 2002 there was one pair of wild choughs in Cornwall rearing three young which was exciting enough, but two pairs raising nine young is an amazing feat!

'Burgeoning numbers mean the choughs are doing a great job of naturally repopulating the county, giving much pleasure to all who are privileged to see them on their coastal walks.'

Both nest sites, the second of which remains a closely guarded secret, have been protected round the clock by a team of volunteers to ensure the choughs were not disturbed or their eggs stolen.

Claire added: 'Without the help of our volunteers, many of whom have been with us since 2002, we could not be sure that the choughs would nest safely.'

As well as the ongoing success of the Cornwall choughs, there have been confirmed sightings of the species on the north coasts of Devon and Somerset. Conservationists are excited by the reports as the birds have come across from the Gower peninsula in Wales, suggesting a new population of choughs in South West England is not far away.

Back in Cornwall, work supported by Natural England's environmental stewardship schemes continues to restore suitable coastal habitats for the increasing numbers of choughs in the county.

'What better sight to see than a flock of choughs flying overhead then coming to land and feed on grassland that a few years ago was covered in bracken. It's good to know that all the encouragement and good partnership working is now bearing fruit - or choughs in this case!' said Peter Bowden, Cornwall Land Management Team Leader for Natural England.

The new young choughs are likely to be seen roaming along the coast anywhere between the Lizard and Cape Cornwall, and perhaps beyond, in the near future.

The birds have been colour-ringed and the Cornwall Chough Project continues to collect people's sightings of them, preferably stating when and where they were seen and precise details of the colour rings, if possible. These can be sent to: cornishchoughs@rspb.org.uk

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:43 AM | Comments (0)

Warblers advance on all fronts

Britain's most colourful warbler is spreading its territorial wings because warmer winters and better heathland management have increased its chances of survival.

The latest UK survey of Dartford warblers, by the RSPB, BTO, Natural England and Forestry Commission England, shows that numbers have soared by 70 per cent since the last count in 1994. The bird has returned to Wales, the Midlands and East Anglia and now there are more than 3,000 pairs – the highest tally for more than 40 years.

But while the Dartford warbler is flying north, west and east from its strongholds in southern England, conservationists say that more is needed to protect and restore heathlands to help the bird further its advance.

Simon Wotton, Research Biologist at the RSPB, said: 'This survey is fantastic news for a very vulnerable bird, particularly because it has moved to higher ground not used by Dartford warblers for many years.

'Warmer winters mean the birds are likely to push even further north but they can only do that if there are heathland sites available, which are protected from development. If the government is to help wildlife adapt to climate change it should be assigning more land for the creation of habitats to help birds like these.

'The Dartford warbler is a wonderful species but its vulnerability to the cold and wet, which could still be a problem as our climate alters, means all safeguards possible must be put in place.'

Two harsh winters left just 11 pairs of this attractive bird in 1963 and the warbler's revival, to an estimated 3,208 pairs from 1,890 in 1994, is due both to milder winters and heathland improvements, partly funded by the £25 million Tomorrow's Heathland Heritage (THH) initiative.

But the bird remains vulnerable, and on the Thames Basin Heaths in Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey, where surrounding land is being targeted by house builders, numbers fell by 40 per cent from 2005 to 2006.

The reasons are unclear but losses like that underline the importance of the THH and of protection and management of the bird's existing strongholds. The creation of new heathland sites is vital to help Dartford warblers move further afield.

The Dartford warbler is an active, inquisitive bird rarely allowing us more than a fleeting glimpse before diving for cover in gorse and heather. If they are lucky, heathland visitors may now see males singing from low perches or skulking with their mates between dense bushes and scrub.

Greg Conway, Research Ecologist at the BTO, said: 'We are all very grateful to the hundreds of birdwatchers across England and Wales that made this survey such a success. Not only did they go out and count birds on traditional Dartford warbler sites, they also found new sites in areas where the species had been absent for 40 years or more. We organise lots of surveys of disappearing species and it is great to be involved in a survey with some good news.'

Phil Grice, senior ornithologist at Natural England, said: 'Part of the spectacular increase in Dartford warbler numbers is no doubt down to the massive £25 million plus investment in the Tomorrow's Heathland Heritage, a 10-year programme led by Natural England together with a consortium of 140 partners, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

'The result is the restoration of many of England's treasure trove of heathlands to a healthy condition supporting delightful native wild species like the marsh gentian, Dartford warbler, natterjack toad and silver-studded blue butterfly that depend on it for survival.

'We remain concerned about the very recent decline in numbers on the Thames Basins Heaths which reflects the vulnerability of this beautiful bird, which is why we are working hard for to maintain the right conditions for Dartford warblers and other key species on the internationally important wildlife site.'

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:34 AM | Comments (0)

Long-billed Murrelet admitted to The British List

Long-billed Murrelet Brachyramphus perdix

Dawlish Warren and Dawlish Town, Devon
7–14 November 2006

Admitted to Category A of the British List

The British Ornithologists’ Union Records Committee (BOURC) has accepted the record of a Long-billed Murrelet Brachyramphus perdix seen off Dawlish Warren, Devon, on 7 November 2006, and off Dawlish town from 11–14 November (Birding World 19: 457-464), as the first British record.

Long-billed Murrelet is a small auk from the North Pacific. It closely resembles Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus of which it was considered a subspecies until only recently (Friesen et al. (1966) Condor 98: 681-690 & AOU (1998) Checklist of North American Birds (7th Edn.).

The species is found from the Sea of Okhotsk to Kamchatka with most birds wintering in seas around Japan south to South Korea.

This is the second European and Western Palearctic record, the first being one found dead in a fishing net in Lake Zurich, Switzerland between 15-18 December 1997. The Dawlish bird was quickly followed by the third European record from Romania on 21-23 December 2006.

Bob McGowan, Chairman of BOURC, commented “Once correctly identified, the Long-billed Murrelet at Dawlish resulted in one of the most significant birding events of 2006. A generally unpredicted species for Britain, this North Pacific auk was observed in the same county as the Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus that appeared in the early 1990s. It is indicative of the vagrancy potential of both species that Long-billed and Ancient are casual visitors to interior North America. It is noteworthy that the only British records of these Pacific alcids have occurred in Devon, though the later Romanian occurrence perhaps lends support to the Arctic route proposed by Maumary & Knaus (British Birds 93: 190-199).

Long-billed Murrelet remains a particularly poorly known species and detailed information on its breeding biology is scant. Nests are believed to be mainly platforms of lichens in old-growth forest and some parts of this habitat across its range are threatened by logging interests and oil exploration. It is on the IUCN Red List of near-threatened species.

A comment must be made on the superb quality of many of the images of this bird; these were considered to be among the best ever taken of any rarity and their availability greatly assisted the Committee’s deliberations.”

As there was no ground to doubt the birds wild origins, the Committee agreed to accept this to Category A of the British List.

The British List stands at 574 species
(Category A = 554; Category B = 10; Category C = 10).

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:27 AM | Comments (0)

June 5, 2007

Should the last Ivory-Bills be collected?

Millions of dead bird specimens lie in trays in the world’s museums. These collections form the foundation of much of today’s ornithological knowledge, but recent events have led us to conclude that changes are needed in some specimen collecting activities.

We recently spoke with one of the scientists involved with the Ivory-billed Woodpecker search effort about the problem of collecting extremely rare species as scientific specimens. We were advised not to touch this sensitive issue that has deeply divided some conservationists and scientists...

When we replied, “So you wouldn’t mind if the last Ivory-bills were collected?” he immediately recoiled and said emphatically, “Yes, I would!” Collecting the last Ivory-bills may sound absurd, but elsewhere in the world, species that are down to tiny populations are still being collected.

ABC believes that from this point forward, the world’s rarest birds should not be collected, especially given recent advances in genetics and digital recording media. As an ethical foundation to collecting, the survival of a species or subspecies should take precedence over the reference value of a skin or specimen. We were struck by some recent examples that provoked our thinking on this topic.

On 6 January 2004, a team of biologists from ABC’s Colombian partner group, Fundación ProAves, trapped a distinctive brush-finch during an exploration of the Yariguíes mountains. The description of the bird, now recognized as a subspecies new to science, was published in June 2006 in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. The description is noteworthy in that the type specimen was released unharmed after a DNA sample and photographs had been taken. It was the first time a live type specimen had been used for the description of a new bird in the Americas, and follows last year’s approval of the technique by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.

By contrast, a collecting expedition conducted by another institution during the summer of 2006 visited a previously little studied region of northern Peru, and following up on reports of the Endangered Jocotoco Antpitta there, collected two of only three known individuals in Peru. Even with the most optimistic estimations of the Ecuadorian population, this represents at least 1% of the species ‘ maximum global population of 200 birds - perhaps much more - and two-thirds of the known, recently-discovered Peruvian population.

Jocotoco Antpitta, Ecuador, Tapichalaca 11 May 2007 © Mark Harper

In another recent case, approximately seven Recurve-billed Bushbirds were collected in Santander, Colombia, shortly after this Endangered species was discovered there in 2005. The bushbird had been lost to science for forty years, before being rediscovered in western Venezuela in 2004, and then in Colombia the following year. Despite its rarity, this species is already well represented in the world’s museum collections from historical specimens.

Given that habitat loss is the most significant threat to most species, why is it important that we also consider the mortality of what might be only be a tiny fraction of their populations caused by collecting? Firstly, for some species it is not at all clear how large their populations are, and the loss of genetic diversity caused by the removal of even a few individuals could be costly. Also, the most easily accessible sites for rare species are where collections are most likely to take place; these are also likely to be the sites where ecotourism based around these species could help to pay for habitat protection. More importantly though, as demonstrated by the Colombian brush-finch example, the collection of these specimens is no longer necessary to establish the validity of species (ABC believes that potentially new species should be assumed rare until proven otherwise).

ABC and others are investing significantly in the conservation of species, such as those mentioned above, many of which are teetering on the brink of global extinction. It is a philosophical contradiction for national governments and conservation organizations and their donors to invest in protecting these birds while others are shooting them for collections. It is ABC’s mission to ensure these species survive. In recognition of the contribution to ornithological knowledge that collecting has made historically, we begin our approach to this issue by calling on our friends in conservation and ornithology to suggest how we might find common ground that both enables us to advance science and protect species. We look forward to hearing from you with your views on this topic.

Posted by Surfbirds at 8:10 AM | Comments (0)

June 1, 2007

Calling America: can you hear

Your attention please. Thank you for choosing earth as your planetary vehicle. We hope you enjoy the many wonderful features of this planet......

The most important video on the planet

Posted by Surfbirds at 2:33 PM | Comments (0)