Surfbirds News

« June 2008 | Main | August 2008 »

July 25, 2008

Red Kite returns to Northern Ireland

A bird of prey extinct in Northern Ireland for at least two centuries is making a spectacular recovery as the first phase of a red kite reintroduction project began in southern County Down earlier today.

Northern Ireland Red Kites is the first species reintroduction in Northern Ireland and part of an All-Ireland project to bring back these exciting birds of prey to Northern Ireland. Project partners are the Welsh Kite Trust, the Golden Eagle Trust and the RSPB.

Red Kite © John Miller, from the surfbirds galleries

The project, which will release 27 kites this year, hopes to see these birds of global conservation concern become permanent residents in the rolling countryside of south Co Down.

Also today, more red kites took to the skies around Aberdeen, when Aberdeen’s Lord and Lady Provost released six birds of 35 gathered from nests around the UK. Today’s release in Scotland – part of the Aberdeen Red Kites Project - is the second year of a three-year reintroduction programme.

The Northern Ireland Red Kites project is the final piece in the jigsaw of red kite reintroductions across the UK and Ireland, where the return of this iconic species has proved to be one of the greatest conservation success stories of recent decades.

The RSPB worked with the Welsh Kite Trust to bring chicks from Wales – where conservation efforts and careful protection have succeeded in increasing the small population survive historical persecution. In a further boost to the population expansion in Ireland, the Golden Eagle Trust have also released Welsh chicks into the Co Wicklow countryside, south of Dublin, to supplement the 2007 reintroduction. This project is collaboration between conservation organisations in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Speaking after this morning’s launch in Co Down, Robert Straughan, RSPB Red Kite Officer said: 'This morning’s launch has been the culmination of a huge amount of work over this past number of years in order to make this project a reality.

'I have been looking after the birds prior to their release with important help from Forest Service and they are healthy and doing well. As they take their first flight in a new country the red kites should soon feel at home in the mixed woodland, farmland and rough grassland of south Co Down, as it offers ideal habitat for the birds.

'People will be able to easily identify red kites with their rusty-red colouring, forked tail, white patches under each wing and inky black wing tips, not to mention their five-and-a-half-feet wingspan.'

Kites, which will be the largest bird of prey to nest in Northern Ireland, are opportunistic scavengers; to conserve energy they feed mostly on worms and small dead animals, which they can see from a great height. They are a large bird, but are not designed to feed on mobile prey, so are not a threat to livestock, gamebirds or songbirds.

Robert Straughan added: 'Red kites have been absent from the skies of Northern Ireland for more than 200 years because of historical persecution and the RSPB is very proud to assist the global recovery of this beautiful bird - a species of global conservation concern.

'Not only is this an exciting and important conservation project, but it could also provide a tremendous tourist boost to the local economy in the Mournes area. The red kite has become a conservation success story from the north of Scotland to the south of England, and the UK population now stands at over 1,000 breeding pairs.

'It is our belief that the Northern Ireland Red Kite Reintroduction Project will provide a similar outcome for conservation and for the benefit of local people.'

Posted by Surfbirds at 8:49 AM | Comments (0)

India's riches left unprotected

A new and monumental book details more than 100 Indian wetlands that campaigners believe desperately need protection from pollution, development and other forms of misuse.

The 560-page tome describes 160 coastal and freshwater sites only 25 of which have been classified under the international Ramsar wetland treaty.

The areas range from the Deepor Beel bird sanctuary in Assam to the Tisgul Tso marshes of Lakakh in the Himalayas and Suchindram and Theroor wetlands at the southern most tip of India.

Common Crane © Katarina Paunovic, from the surfbirds galleries

The authors, Zafar ul Islam and Dr Asad Rahmani of the Bombay Natural History Society call these wetlands India’s "liquid treasures." They add in the book’s preface: "The 25 Ramsar sites in India do not represent even a fraction of the diversity of wetland habitats existing in the country.

"In a country like India, where nearly 80 per cent of the population depends on agriculture, rainwater, wetlands, rivers, wells and canals are important to sustain agricultural activities.

"Wetlands are also important for biodiversity conservation because some of the most endangered species survive on wetlands."

The BNHS will present the book, Potential and Existing Ramsar sites in India, to India’s Vice President, Mohammad Hamid Ansari, at a special event in New Delhi today (July 25).

The organisation, the oldest conservation group in India, together with the RSPB, is urging the Indian government to give many more of its wetlands Ramsar status at the next Ramsar convention in South Korea in October.

Many of the 135 sites not listed by Ramsar but included in the book do have some protection under Indian law and only last week, the Chhari-Dhand wetland in Gujarat was made a Conservation Reserve by the state government, after 20 years of lobbying.

These 1,500-square mile grasslands host 270 bird species including 32 different birds of prey and 40,000 common cranes in winter. Desert cats, desert foxes and wolves are found at the site too.

Dr Rahmani, the BNHS Director, said: "Wetlands play a major role in the ecological security of our country. With the looming threat of climate change and food scarcity, we must protect our existing wetlands and revive degraded ones so they can play their ecological role."

Ian Barber, an Asia specialist at the RSPB, said: "The new sites described in the book all meet the criteria necessary for Ramsar status. The book deliberately covers every Indian state because each one boasts some hugely important sites.

"The book is a major step forward in detailing India’s environmental riches. India is one of the world’s top ten countries for diversity of wildlife and we hope the Indian government will do all it can to recognise this and protect the ecological that wealth few other nations have."

Posted by Surfbirds at 8:45 AM | Comments (0)

Socotra recognised as World Heritage Site

The Socotra Archipelago was recently added to the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) list of World Heritage Natural Sites. Many international organisations including BirdLife have long campaigned for the Socotra Conservation and Development Programme's (SCDP) submission for this prestigious designation.

In the statement which accompanied the announcement, UNESCO explained that Socotra is of universal importance because of its rich and distinct flora and fauna and high level of endemism.

Socotra Cormorant © Mike Watson, Birdquest, from the surfbirds galleries

"37% of Socotra's 825 plant species, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in the world. The site also supports globally significant populations of land and sea birds (192 bird species, 44 of which breed on the islands while 85 are regular migrants), including a number of threatened species." Globally threatened species include Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis.

Bird species restricted to Socotra include the near-threatened Island Cisticola Cisticola haesitata, Socotra Warbler Incana incana, Socotra Starling Onychognathus frater, Socotra Sunbird Nectarinia balfouri, the Vulnerable Socotra Bunting Emberiza socotrana. Also only found on the island is the Socotra Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus socotranus, part of the complex of species which Yemen recently appointed as its national bird, the Golden-winged Grosbeak. A further 11 subspecies are endemic to the island. Surveys by BirdLife and SCDP have shown that all have healthy populations.

"This is an important step on the way to developing Socotra sustainably, with benefits for both the population of the island and its biodiversity," said Yemen's Environment Minister Abdul-Rahman al-Iryani, who opposes plans by other ministries for damaging road developments on the island. The minister believes that eco-tourism will make an important contribution to Socotra's economy.

This designation is a culmination of the process which began when Socotra was declared a UNESCO Man and Biosphere reserve in 2003.

"Socotra's rich biodiversity and endemism is now recognised at the highest level," said Ibrahim Al-Khader, Head of BirdLife Middle East.

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:45 AM | Comments (0)

Africa announces world’s largest protected freshwater site

The Ngiri-Tumba-Maindombe area in the Democratic Republic of Congo has become the world’s largest Wetland Site of International Importance, officially recognized by the Ramsar Convention. The 6,569,624-hectare site (65,696km²), more than twice the size of Belgium, is situated around the Lake Tumba region in the Central Western Basin of the DRC and contains the largest freshwater body in Africa, the second driest continent. Furthermore its rivers and lakes constitute a major sink for CO2.

Wetlands provide water for drinking and sanitation as well as food, fish, fuel and many raw materials and their total economic value is conservatively estimated to be in excess of $70 billion per year. Support for the DRC government in its effort to win recognition for the Ngiri-Tumba-Maindombe site began in 2004 and was provided jointly by the Central African Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE), a USAID initiative, as well as the Ramsar Convention and WWF, the global conservation organization which was also responsible for the technical aspects of the project.

Hippopotamus © Adam Scott Kennedy, from the surfbirds galleries

"WWF is delighted that Ramsar has recognized the importance of this extraordinary wetland and the efforts of the Democratic Republic of Congo to protect it," said James P. Leape, Director General of WWF International. "This is a significant step forward for the welfare of communities who depend on this wetland for their livelihoods and for the wildlife that lives there."

Cassava, sweet potatoes, sugarcane and bananas are all grown in the Ngiri-Tumba-Maindombe site while oil palm plantations, groundnuts and rice are the principal commercial products. Fish from the area also helps to stimulate the economies of big cities such as Kinshasa, Brazzaville and Mbandaka. Vegetation cover at the flood basin acts as a buffer zone against floods for towns all along the Congo River and provides fish with breeding sites, while different forest types help filter water and maintain its quality. It is estimated that, globally, 2.6 billion people lack adequate sanitation services and 1.2 billion people lack access to fresh water.

Until now the world’s largest Ramsar site was Queen Maud Gulf in Canada at 6,278,200 hectares, designated in 1982. The Lake Tumba landscape, encompassing approximately 80,000km2 in total, has one of the highest biodiversity concentrations anywhere in the world. It contains species of conservation concern such as forest elephants, forest buffalo and leopards, there are an estimated 150 species of fish, a wide variety of birds, and three types of crocodile as well as hippopotamus.

Near the centre of the site is Mbandaka, the capital of Equateur province with a population of approximately 750,000, and there are several smaller towns within the site populated by tribes of the Mongo people. Threats to the area’s welfare include illegal logging, fishing and poaching while a decline in water levels in Lake Tumba itself is most probably linked to climate change. Recognition of the site by the Ramsar Convention and the resultant proper management will offer much needed protection from unsustainable activities in future and should ensure the longevity of the water supply.

“The Ngiri-Tumba-Maindombe area contributes to the regulation of flooding and regional climate and ensures that the quality of the water remains good enough for millions of people who depend upon it,” said WWF Project Manager Bila-Isia Inogwabini. “Waters of this zone need to be managed appropriately and the classification of the site will help with a coherent planning process and mobilize all stakeholders to abide by the rules.”

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:38 AM | Comments (0)

Hundreds of penguins dead

Biologists are puzzled by the hundreds of young penguins that have been washing up along the Brazilian coastline since late June.

The Magellanic Penguins have been found dead or barely alive, along beaches all over south-eastern Brazil. The mainly young birds will have come from colonies about 2,500 miles south in Argentina. Penguins regularly move north into the waters off southern Brazil in search of food. While occasional birds are found washed up, the number of birds being found recently have rung alarm bells.

"The penguin population is intimately linked to their supplies of food, so this suggests something is happening to the population of fish they eat," said biologist Marcelo Bertellotti. "It appears the penguins are not finding fish where they normally do, and one reason could be that warming waters and climate change have impacted the fish population."

There have also been suggestions that overfishing could be the cause, or that a recent oil spill off the coast of Uruguay might have damaged fish populations. Perhaps melting ice in Antarctica could have strengthened the northbound Malvinas ocean current this year, bringing younger, more vulnerable penguins north.

Some of the young birds have been found covered in oil, and one weighed less than half of its normal body weight. About half of the rescued birds have not survived being taken to a rehabilitation centre.

source: Birdwatch magazine

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:33 AM | Comments (0)

Cattle Egrets breed in Somerset

A new British breeding species has been added to the list, and might herald colonisation, says the Somerset Ornithological Society.

Following the unprecedented influx of Cattle Egrets into Britain in late 2007 and early 2008, a pair established themselves at a site in Somerset and has successfully bred for the first time, raising one young. The event is all the more remarkable as the species is still an official rarity in Britain.

Cattle Egret, Somerset, July 2007 © Jeff Hazell, from the surfbirds galleries

Their arrival into south-west England began when about 15 birds were seen in November 2007, climbing to 50 by Christmas. In January 2008 numbers had grown to about 85 in January and stayed at about 75 until May when only 55 were seen.

Breeding has long been predicted as the species is renowned for its dispersal and colonisation. Originally found in Spain and Portugal in Europe, as well as tropical Africa and Asia, it arrived in South America in 1877, breeding there in the 1930s. North America records began in 1941, with first breeding there in 1953.

Britain’s first accepted record was in 1805, in Devon, with the next not until 1917 in Norfolk. With only five more records in the next 50 years, it started to be seen with greater regularity from the late 1960s. Since 1979 records have been almost annual with at least 20 seen in 1992. By 2000 there had been just less than 100 records in Britain. Between 2002 and 2004 there were only a handful of records, with double figures in 2005 and 2006.

Brian Hill of the Somerset Ornithological Society, said: “We are pleased to report that a pair of Cattle Egrets bred at a site in the county, rearing at least one young. As far as is known, this is the first time this species has been recorded breeding in the United Kingdom and, it is hoped, the event will prove a prelude to colonisation.”

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:26 AM | Comments (0)

Are your bird feeders empty?

The British Trust for Ornithology says that feeding our garden birds now could help them through the winter. Scientific research has shown that feeding the birds during the summer months can have far reaching benefits, one of which is a better chance of surviving the harsher winter months. By providing a reliable source of food now you will be giving young, inexperienced birds a great start in life, so that they will be in good shape when the weather turns colder.

Blue Tit © John Judge, from the surfbirds galleries

The summer months can be a tough time for young birds, as they become independent of their parents. Finding a regular source of food is vitally important for these inexperienced youngsters, saving them some searching and foraging time. Putting food out in our gardens can make all the difference. Once a reliable source of food has been found it is visited again and again so it is important to continue feeding. During extremes in the weather this food source becomes even more important. Prolonged spells of wet, cool and windy weather can make invertebrate food such as caterpillars very difficult to find, and birds such as Blue and Great Tits will come in search of an alternative. Conversely during hot, dry weather, Blackbirds and Starlings find it difficult to find earthworms and grubs that live in the soil, as they burrow deeper underground; a supplementary food source can be vital for them.

Hot weather can also make water difficult to find, as small pools and puddles begin to dry up. All birds need a daily supply of fresh, clean water, both for drinking and bathing. Bathing is particularly important, as it helps to keep the feathers in tip-top condition.

Paul Stancliffe, of the Garden BirdWatch Team at the British Trust for Ornithology, commented, “The benefits of feeding the birds during the winter months are obvious, but feeding them over the summer can be just as important. It is great to know that not only are we helping them now, we are also giving them a head start for the winter months. This could mean more birds surviving to go on to breed next spring and that has to be a good thing, not only for the birds, but also for garden birdwatchers.”

Since 1995, the BTO have been monitoring birds in our gardens throughout the year through its Garden BirdWatch survey, and have a wealth of information on how and why birds use them. Using this knowledge they have put together a free leaflet about summer feeding. The leaflet outlines the different kinds of food that can be put out during the summer months and the different kinds of birds that will benefit. For a free copy of the summer feeding leaflet please telephone 01842 750050 and ask for the GBW team, or write to GBW, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU.

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:17 AM | Comments (0)

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.

Meteoric rise of Stonechats in Wales

In the 1980s Stonechats were confined to the western fringes of the UK, driven by harsh winters and habitat fragmentation to coastal heathlands warmed by the Gulf Stream. Now their populations are recovering across the UK, and numbers in their Welsh strongholds are skyrocketing – Stonechat numbers increased by 338% since 1994, and continued to rise between 2006 and 2007. Is this an indication of climate change?

Stonechat © Kit Day, from the surfbirds galleries

Woodland birds Willow Warbler and Goldcrest down in Wales.

The woodland species Willow Warbler and Goldcrest, both birds of conservation concern, declined significantly in Wales by 20% and 33% respectively since 1994, despite increasing, or remaining stable, in the UK as a whole. Many woodland birds are declining generally, perhaps due to increasing numbers of deer browsing the forest under-story, or forest management practices changing the structure of our woodlands. However, it’s not all bad news for woodland birds in Wales – Long-tailed Tit (+58%) and Treecreeper (+60%) showed significant increases in Wales, despite no significant changes in the UK overall.

We need more birdwatchers!

We are able to follow the fortunes of birds in Wales thanks to volunteer birdwatchers, who walked a collective 1,500 km for the BBS in 2007, and counted over 76 thousand individual birds of 134 species. These counts are essential for keeping track of Welsh bird populations, but there are many birds for which we don’t have enough information to monitor in Wales. Welsh birdwatchers suspect that the Stonechat’s cousin, the Whinchat, is in serious decline in Wales, but to find out, we need more birdwatchers to cover BBS squares in Wales! We’d urge anyone interested in taking part next year to find out more at www.bto.org/bbs.

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.

Willow Tit © Sue Tranter, from the surfbirds galleries

People power:

Nearly 3,000 volunteer birdwatchers got up very early in the morning to take part in the annual Breeding Bird Survey in 2007, and counted over a million individual birds of 220 species throughout the UK. Here are some of the results of their work:

Woodland birds decline

BBS volunteers found that many woodland birds have decreased since the start of the survey in 1994, but those with the most specialist habitat requirements (some of which are also long-distance migrants), have shown the most dramatic declines, notably Willow Tit (down 77%), Spotted Flycatcher (down 59%), Wood Warbler (down 57%) and Pied Flycatcher (down 54%). This is not due to loss of habitat, as overall we probably have more woodland than ever, but the tree composition and age structure of our woods have changed. Deer have increased in numbers, browsing away the forest under-story on which the birds depend, and forest management practices are changing the structure of our woodlands.

Stonechat, Nuthatch and Buzzard expand across the UK

It’s not all bad news, and some species are increasing in numbers. Many of the species showing the biggest increases are also expanding across the UK, notably Stonechat (up 278%), Nuthatch (up 71%) and Buzzard (up 56%). Buzzards are spreading from their western strongholds, thanks to reduced persecution and the recovery of rabbit populations from the effects of myxomatosis. Stonechats are also spreading back eastwards from the temperate western coastal areas, and Nuthatches, previously found only in England and Wales, are increasingly breeding in Scotland. Is this an indication of climate change? The 2007-11 Bird Atlas, organised by BTO (with BirdWatch Ireland and the Scottish Ornithologists' Club), will track the geographical spread of these species, as BBS monitors changes in numbers.

Life looking up for Grasshopper Warblers

The secretive Grasshopper Warbler is more often heard than seen, identified by a mechanical-sounding song that has been compared to a spinning reel on a fishing rod. They had been lost from many areas by the 1980s, and are red-listed due to population declines. However, BBS results now show that life is looking up for Grasshopper Warblers, which have increased by 68% since the survey started in 1994, and also increased by 24% between 2006 and 2007.

More information can be found at www.bto.org/bbs, and the report can be downloaded from www.bto.org/bbs/results/BBSreport07.pdf

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.

Once again the survey will be concentrating on sightings of Balearic Shearwater, a Critically Endangered species which seems to be increasing using British waters. As well as monitoring them past the watchpoint, the survey is also collecting all records from around the coast of Britain and Ireland.

Balearic Shearwater © Ben Lascelles, from the surfbirds galleries

If you want to help out at the watchpoint, which is manned from 15 July to 15 October, there are still some opportunities for both seabird and marine wildlife observers - details can be found at www.seawatch-sw.org

Also, if you see a Balearic Shearwater anywhere around our coastline then send in details of the record to www.seawatch-sw.org, using the online form, or send it to Birdguides.

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.

Common Scoters © Sean Gray, from the surfbirds galleries

It was the 20,000 plus overwintering scoters that earned Carmarthen Bay the distinction of being the UK's first marine Special Protection Area (SPA). However, the last few years have seen the marine duck suffer. An aerial survey carried out by WWT earlier this year recorded just 13,100 birds. This is the second year in a row the count has come in at under 16,000 - the lowest level that makes a population of international importance, and numbers are at their lowest since 1997/8, when the Sea Empress oil spill wiped out many birds.

Peter Cranswick, WWT's Programme Manager for Threatened Waterbirds, said: "It is too early to draw firm conclusions about what may be happening in Carmarthen Bay, but the decline in this Biodiversity Action Plan species is of concern and merits close monitoring. We urge the Countryside Council for Wales to maintain a full programme of surveys of the SPA."

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).

The Great Blue Heron (herodias group) has a widespread breeding range in North America, from southeast Alaska, northern British Columbia, the central Canadian prairies, southern Ontario, southern Quebec, and the Canadian maritime provinces except Newfoundland, south to Florida, Texas, Baja California, and Central America at least to Belize and Guatemala. Its winter range extends from the Pacific coast south of 61°N through Central America, and mostly south of Canada and midwest United States. It includes the islands and coasts of the Caribbean south to Colombia.

Great Blue Heron, Isles of Scilly, St Mary's, December 2007
© Martin Goodey, from the surfbirds galleries

Various taxonomic arrangements have been proposed, but a single subspecies (herodias) is recognised for most of continental North America, with the exception of the northwest (fannini) and Florida (occidentalis).

Great Blue Heron should be placed after Grey Heron Ardea cinerea on the British List as follows:

Great Blue Heron A
Ardea herodias Linnaeus
One record: juvenile, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, 7 December 2007.
V race undetermined but probably herodias Linnaeus.

There are two previous records of Great Blue Herons which reached British waters after being fed whilst aboard ship: one which was transported to Avonmouth in November 1968 and another which died within 150 miles of the Isles of Scilly in May 1982. Although ship-assisted vagrancy is a complication when considering records of this species, there have now been records from France, the Canary Islands, the Cape Verde Islands, and the Azores (about 23 records) which suggest that unassisted vagrants do reach the Western Palearctic.

There was no reason to believe that the 2007 Scilly bird had been aboard ship, and the prevailing weather conditions (a near-continuous southwesterly airflow across the Atlantic created by two low pressure systems) were considered to support the case for unassisted vagrancy. Accordingly, Great Blue Heron joins three other Nearctic heron species, Snowy Egret, Green Heron and American Bittern, on Category A of the British List.

Bob McGowan, Chairman of BOURC, commented “This was one of the more straightforward assessments for a potential addition to Category A in the last few years, not least due to the very high standard of the submission documentation that included good quality images. Identification of a juvenile Great Blue Heron was easily established. There was no evidence to suggest the bird had benefited from assisted passage or any evidence of possible escape risk in Europe. Equally, the age of the bird, the date, weather and locality were convincing for genuine vagrancy. Without biometrics, a definitive statement on racial identity was impossible, though the Committee recognised that nominate herodias is the most likely on the basis of distribution and migratory behaviour. Following a speedy electronic circulation, Great Blue Heron was unanimously accepted to Category A”.

Adam Rowlands, Chairman of BBRC, commented “The identification of Great Blue Heron in a vagrant context has been well-covered (Birding World 11: 12-20). The occurrence of this species in the UK has long been anticipated, but it is still a considerable credit to the bird’s finder that he had an active search-image for this species and was able to confirm the identification and spread the news very quickly. Despite being a one-day occurrence, the finder also submitted excellent documentation in support of the claim, which made the assessment of the identification straightforward for BBRC”.

The British List stands at 580 species
(Category A = 560; Category B = 10; Category C = 10).

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.

During its 32nd session in Quebec the UNESCO World Heritage Committee announced this week that they were to include the territory of “Saryaka - Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan” into the list of UNESCO natural World Heritage Sites. The Tengiz-Korgalzhyn and Naurzum nature reserves, the two sites forming Saryaka, are located in the steppe zone of Kazakhstan and are two of the most important IBAs in Central Asia. Both are crucial migration stop-over sites for several million birds each year on the African-Eurasian flyway. They also hold large breeding populations of many globally threatened species.

“This World Heritage Nomination represents a significant step in the safeguarding of these vitally important sites”, Dr Lincoln Fishpool, BirdLife’s Global IBA Coordinator.

Siberian Crane © Roy de Haas, from the surfbirds galleries

Naurzum is particularly important for Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (Vulnerable), Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis (Endangered) and the Critically Endangered Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus. The Tengiz-Korglazhyn is used by an estimated 2 million waterbirds during migration, and is also a key site for global breeding populations of Dalmatian Pelican Pelacanus crispus (Vulnerable), Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni (Near Threatened) and Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius (Critically Endangered).

Both sites are located in the steppe zone and cover important steppe habitat. This is home not only to birds but for many rare species of mammal such as Saiga Antelope Saiga tatarica and Steppe Marmot Marmota bobak.

“Tengiz Korgalzhyn is under threat because of a need for fresh water for the growing capital city, as well as for waste water dumping. This nomination is a great and important day for conservation in Kazakhstan and will help to protect these globally significant wetlands and threatened steppe habitat”, says Vitaliy Gromov, Director of the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), BirdLife’s project partner in Kazakhstan.

The nomination process was initially started by the government of Kazakhstan, NABU (BirdLife in Germany) and WWF International while ACBK together with RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) and also the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kazakhstan played a crucial role in the phase of the submission of the final nomination dossier.

“NABU is very happy that we can finally see the results of this long process. This will be the first natural Heritage Nomination not only for Kazakhstan but also for Central Asia. These sites have now been given the recognition they deserve”, says Thomas Tennhardt, NABU’s Vice-President.

“We congratulate the government of Kazakhstan on this success. Kazakhstan has taken on major responsibilities to protect these globally important IBAs for the future”, says Dr. Norbert Schaffer, Head of the European Programmes and International Biodiversity Policy Department, RSPB.

IBAs form a worldwide network of sites for the conservation of birds. When complete, this global network is likely to comprise around 15,000 IBAs covering some 10 million km2 (c.7% of the world’s land surface) identified on the basis of about 40% of the world’s bird species. The effective conservation of these sites will contribute substantially to the protection of the world's biological diversity.

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.

Worryingly, evidence suggests these repeated annual breeding failures are now substantially reducing populations of certain species, with some experiencing massive population declines in recent years at cliffs that used to support huge colonies.

With the launch of the Marine Bill Consultation on Monday 14 July, RSPB Scotland calls on the Scottish Government to ensure that it puts the environment at the heart of new legislation to ensure it makes a real difference for our marine wildlife.

Kittiwake © Jon Lowes, from the surfbirds galleries

Different seabird species have experienced contrasting fortunes according to their location and feeding preferences, but colonies on the northern isles of Orkney and Shetland - together Scotland's most important 'seabird cities' - have been hit particularly hard.

Early in the season many guillemots and razorbills appeared to have given up any attempt to breed at RSPB's Sumburgh head reserve on Shetland, with eggs left abandoned on the cliffs as parent birds spent more time at sea in a desperate search for food.

Kittiwakes also had serious problems, and although many adults began nest building, significant numbers appeared to give up; others that did lay failed to incubate the eggs to hatching.

Further south on the Aberdeenshire coast at Fowlsheugh the picture was slightly more encouraging, with razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes appearing to be nesting successfully, although counts are still well down on historic numbers.

On the west coast, the breeding season has been more mixed, with both razorbills and kittiwakes experiencing a poor year, but some Arctic tern colonies fared well and were bringing in plentiful food supplies.

Doug Gilbert, an ecologist with RSPB Scotland, said: 'Regrettably the poor breeding performance of our internationally important seabird colonies is now an annual theme. When you look at the evidence over the last 15 years it is quite startling and cause for serious concern.

'At our Copinsay reserve on Orkney the kittiwake population has plummeted drastically since the mid 1980s, when there were at least 10,000 birds on the cliffs, but today there are just under 2,000, a pattern repeated in many areas of Scotland and the UK. This decline is a major conservation problem, as Scotland supports 45% of the nesting seabirds in the EU, and the colonies attract many visitors to marvel at the sight of the massed colonies.'

He continued: 'The declines are primarily being driven by changes in the availability of the fish that these birds depend on. Sandeels, sprats and other small fish are obviously just not available to kittiwakes and other birds in the way they used to be. The adult birds are having to spend more time away from their eggs and chicks to find food and many are just giving up their breeding attempts this year.

'These changes are almost certainly being driven by changes in the sea environment that we still know little about. Sea birds are indicators of the health of the marine environment and, like the canary in the coalmine, the decline in their fortunes should be a wake-up call to us all that we must pay attention to.'

RSPB Scotland is calling for the Scottish Government to put the environment at the heart of the Marine Bill to help improve the fortunes of our seabirds.

Kara Brydson, marine policy officer with RSPB Scotland, said: 'The Scottish Marine Bill will not be a silver bullet that will suddenly mean that the problems facing seabirds seabirds will be solved overnight. But it should represent a policy shift that means putting environment at the heart of decision-making and having proper sustainable management of the seas rather than treating them as something that is available to be exploited and used with impunity.

'The Marine Bill must include effective protection for our wildlife including a robust network of designated marine protected areas for marine life important to Scotland, and a comprehensive marine planning system founded on sustainable development principles to conserve and restore the marine environment.

'We also need a Scottish Marine Management Organisation to help deliver the tough targets required for the long term sustainable management and recovery of our seas, and this has to be integrated with action at a UK and European level.'

A full analysis of the season will only be possible at the end of the summer.

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.

Kamfers Dam near Kimberley, South Africa, is the only nesting site for lesser flamingos in the country and one of only six breeding areas for the birds in the world.

The wetland has hosted more than 50,000 lesser flamingos – about 50 per cent of the southern African population – and an incredible 9,000 chicks hatched on the dam's deliberately S-shaped artificial flamingo island this year.

Lesser Flamingo © John Dempsey, from the surfbirds galleries

But conservationists believe new homes planned for a buffer zone protecting the island could cause the birds to desert the site, where pollution from a sewage plant is thought to be causing deformities in lesser flamingo chicks.

Lesser flamingos are notoriously vulnerable to disturbance and human encroachment and the new development, and the pollution, could break South African Government commitments to international treaties safeguarding wildlife.

Duncan Pritchard, Acting Executive Director of BirdLife South Africa, said: 'Creating the breeding island at Kamfers Dam was a huge investment and its future should not be jeopardised by development or pollution.

'If tests prove the birds' deformities are being caused by poor water quality, many other species and possibly the entire aquatic system of the dam could be at risk.

'Without urgent action, the dam will become a polluted cesspool devoid of birdlife and a hazard to the people of Kimberley. If nothing is done and the housing development is allowed, our political leaders will have failed us.'

Kamfers Dam is being used to dump raw sewage from a malfunctioning treatment works close to the birds' breeding island. Yet the Sol Plaatje Municipality, which runs the sewage plant and includes a lesser flamingo in its emblem, is backing plans to build 6,500 upmarket homes on part of a buffer zone surrounding the island.

Lesser Flamingo with Greater Flamingos © Rami Mizrachi, from the surfbirds galleries

The South African Government has designated Kamfers Dam a Natural Heritage Site and Dr Brooks Childress, a world expert on flamingos, described the dam as 'arguably the single most important flamingo conservation project to have taken place anywhere in the world in recent years.'

He added: 'If left undisturbed, this new breeding island should have a significant beneficial effect in stabilising the southern African population of this species.'

Development and pollution pose the most serious threats to lesser flamingos in Africa. Between 1.5 and 2.5 million of the birds – 75 per cent of the world's population - have nested on Lake Natron in Tanzania but the Tanzanian government is backing the plans of Indian multinational TATA to develop the site.

TATA wants to take saltwater and freshwater from the area for the export of soda ash. Lake Natron forms an isolated and magical panorama, which for years has been the species' most important breeding site in the world.

Paul Buckley, an Africa specialist with the RSPB, said: 'Lesser flamingos are facing enormous threats most of which are being caused by man. Southern and eastern Africa are incredibly important areas for these birds and the loss of lesser flamingos from Kamfers Dam and Lake Natron would together be a very serious blow to an already gravely threatened species.

'Lesser flamingos have declined throughout Africa and Kamfers Dam should be allowed to become an important sanctuary for these birds.'

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.

An American Bird Conservancy report, Saving Migratory Birds for Future Generations: The Success of the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, reveals that habitat loss and fragmentation is the greatest threat to migratory bird populations. In addition, there are other threats contributing to population declines, including poisoning by pesticides, collisions with buildings and communications towers, over-fishing, predation by cats, and global warming.

“Congress can take a number of other steps act to ensure healthy bird populations such as protecting threatened shorebirds like the Red Knot by halting over-harvesting of horseshoe crabs whose eggs the birds rely on to fuel their migration,” said Wallace. “Legislation (H.R. 767) that passed the House to help halt the spread of invasive weeds choking off National Wildlife Refuges is now waiting for approval in the Senate.”

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.

Welcome or unwelcome?

House Martins breed under the eaves of houses and other buildings. Many people really treasure these summer visitors, waiting anxiously for their arrival in April or May, and marvelling as they dive into their nests, made of mud and lined with feathers. For these people, finding discarded eggshell and piles of droppings under a nest is a sign of a successful breeding season, even before the first begging youngster pops its head out of the entrance hole.

For other people, House Martins are a nuisance. In an attempt to avoid having to cope with a bit of mess, some people knock down House Martin nests – even in the breeding season, when there are youngsters inside. This is illegal. For some hints on how to live at peace with your House Martins, please see note 2 below.

House Martin © Steve Robinson, from the surfbirds galleries.

Having travelled thousands of miles from equatorial Africa and apparently having faced some really horrible spring weather in southern Europe, it seems just a little unfair that a pair of House Martins will find that last year’s nest has been knocked down by house-proud homeowners. If birds can re-use a nest from a previous year then they save themselves up to ten days of work. More information on nest building is given in note 1 below.

New BTO survey

As part of the new national Bird Atlas project, BTO scientists are keen to know where House Martins are breeding this year. They would also like to know whether there are fewer nests this year than last year.

Mark Grantham, who runs BirdTrack writes: “All summer we’ve been receiving emails and phone calls from recorders, wondering where their House Martins are and concerned at the lack of birds at traditional breeding sites. It appears that a few House Martins arrived quite early, in mid-March, but the main influx of birds was a good week later than in recent years. All our birds have arrived now and most will be hatching chicks, so it does look like we're missing a lot of our breeding birds.”

Notes about House Martins

1. Most House Martins breed under the eaves of houses and other buildings. They often breed in groups and nests are sometimes joined together in terraces. Mud is collected from the edges of puddles and streams. Birds rarely travel more than 150 metres to collect mud. If they can re-use a nest from a previous year then they save themselves up to ten days of work.

2. Living at peace with your House Martins: Place a large seed tray on your patio, under the nest, to catch most of the droppings. Then clean it out periodically. Grow a climbing plant, such as wisteria, over a patio door and under the nest, so the plant catches the droppings.
If the House Martins choose a really problematic nest site, put up something to deter them during the winter, in the hope that they will move somewhere more convenient in the spring. It is illegal to tamper with a bird’s nest during the breeding season.

3. To get involved in the House Martin Survey, visit www.bto.org and click on the House Martin link or phone 01842 750050 and ask for a survey form. Volunteers will be asked to count the nests on their houses and to look for evidence that chicks have been produced; discarded eggshells and piles of fresh droppings. Additional nest counts from 2007 will be exceptionally valuable.

4. If you want to tell the BTO about House Martins in your neighbourhood (ie birds that are not nesting on your house) you can ask for an Atlas Roving Record form. Phone 01842 750050 and we will send one out to you. These forms can be used to tell us about other birds too: any sighting, from a Goldcrest to a Golden Eagle, can contribute to the national Bird Atlas.

5. Facts and Figures: A pair takes a couple of days to repair a nest from last year but up to 18 days to build a new one. The female usually lays four or five eggs – and will have two broods during the summer. Average incubation is 16 days and chicks stay in nest for about 22 days.
House Martins feed mainly on flies and aphids.

See http://www.bto.org/birdfacts/index.htm for more facts and figures

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.

More than 80 square miles of the Tana River Delta will be destroyed and replaced with sugarcane for biofuel, some of which could be sold in the UK where oil firms are being forced to sell more biofuel.

Conservationists and villagers living in the Delta, which provides refuge for 350 species of bird, lions, elephants, rare sharks and reptiles including the Tana writhing skink, believe the decision is illegal and are determined to block the development. The groups are considering what action they might take.

Paul Matiku, Executive Director of Nature Kenya said: 'This decision is a national disaster and will devastate the Delta. The Tana's ecology will be destroyed yet the economic gains will be pitiful. It will seriously damage our priceless national assets and will put the livelihoods of the people living in the Delta in jeopardy.

Carmine Bee-eater © Chris Mills, from the surfbirds galleries.

'The environmental assessment for the scheme was poor yet the government has defied even those very modest recommendations. We refuse to accept that this decision is final. The development must be stopped at all costs.'

The proposal was approved by the Kenyan government's National Environment Management Authority, which put 14 conditions on the sugarcane plan. The conditions are weak and ignore the environmental assessment, which showed that irrigation of crops would cause severe drainage of the Delta.

The decision also overlooks an ongoing dispute over compensation for farmers and fishermen who would lose their land and fishing rights.

Paul Matiku said: 'This is the only dry-season grazing area for hundreds of miles and its loss will leave many hundreds of farmers with no-where to take their cattle.'

A report commissioned in May by Nature Kenya and the RSPB found that the developer's plans overestimated profits, ignored fees for water use and pollution from the sugarcane plant, and disregarded the loss of income from wildlife tourists.

The study said the Delta's ecological benefits 'defied valuation' and that the proposal would cause the 'irreversible loss of ecosystem services' – benefits such as flood prevention, the storage of greenhouse gases and the provision of medicines and food.

The Mumias Sugar Company says the income from sugarcane cultivation will be £1.25 million over 20 years but the report showed the revenue from fishing, farming, tourism and other lost livelihoods would be £30 million over the same period.

Paul Buckley, an Africa specialist with the RSPB, said: 'This decision is a very serious blow to Kenyan wildlife and to wildlife worldwide since many migrating species use the Tana Delta in internationally important numbers. Until now, Kenya's support for global agreements to protect wildlife has been excellent but this development could severely damage Kenya’s reputation for caring for its environment.'

The news comes just days before the UK government's review of the impacts of increased demand for biofuels. At least 2.5 per cent of petrol and diesel sold in Britain must already be biofuel and the EU wants to push that figure up to 10 per cent across Europe.

We are urging British and European politicians to scrap that target because some biofuels are increasing not cutting greenhouse gas emissions and are driving the destruction of rainforest, savannah and wetlands like the Tana Delta.

Dr Mark Avery, Conservation Director at the RSPB, said: 'The Tana Delta is one of many precious wildlife sites being put at risk by our reckless determination to use fuels that could hasten not combat climate change.

'The UK government has a last chance to persuade Europe to re-think its biofuels' plans. If it does not, wildlife will be lost because of policies that will line the pockets of producers but do nothing to cut our greenhouse gas emissions.'

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.

Because of the high numbers of bird casualties reported by the RSPB, the Environment Agency – the licensing authority - closed the fishery for two weeks in a voluntary agreement with the fishermen.

However, the RSPB is extremely concerned that many more birds will die with the reopening of the fishery today [Thursday 3 July, 2008]. The timing could not be worse, with the fishery due to reopen at a particularly sensitive time when there are likely to be large numbers of the birds using Filey Bay. Critically, the Environment Agency will be powerless to close the fishery again if high levels of bycatch are again observed, as it has not asked the fishermen to agree to such a measure.

Razorbill, Bempton, Yorkshire © Steve Valentine, from the surfbirds galleries.

Kate Tanner is a marine policy officer with the RSPB. She said: “RSPB observers have witnessed horrific scenes of scores of seabirds floundering and drowning in nets set by fishermen just offshore.

“We welcomed the temporary voluntary closure of the fishery, but we now have to work with all those involved to find a long-term solution to this terrible situation.”

The RSPB has been working with the Environment Agency – which licenses the fishery – and Natural England, the government’s statutory nature conservation agency, to solve this problem.

The RSPB wants to support a sustainable fishery in Filey Bay, but is concerned that the future of any such fishery would be compromised if the large-scale death of seabirds cannot be prevented. So far the majority of the seabirds caught have been razorbills, but it is possible that other locally-nesting seabirds, such as guillemots and puffins, may be caught up in the nets too.

The RSPB would like to see:

Opening of the fishery delayed by a further two weeks, to reduce the likelihood of reopening the fishery at the most sensitive period;

Reopening of the fishery subject to stricter management conditions including attendance of the nets while they are in the water, removal of nets overnight, timely release of any live birds caught in the nets, sensitive handling of trapped live birds, and full reporting of all bycatch;

Vastly improved monitoring of the fishery to ensure that fishermen are compliant with conditions, and details of all bycatch are recorded;

Recourse to further closures if the levels of bycatch on reopening the fishery are again found to be unacceptably high.

It is almost certain that the seabirds being caught by this fishery have come from the colonies in the nearby Flamborough Head protected sites, including the RSPB's Bempton Cliffs nature reserve. Bempton Cliffs is a major tourist attraction on the northern side of Flamborough Head, where the sight of thousands of seabirds nesting on the cliffs is a magnificent spectacle.

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.

Currently there are 440 breeding pairs of golden eagle in the UK, all in Scotland. Golden eagles haven’t nested successfully in England since 1996. Currently, there is one male golden eagle in the Lake District, and until persecution - particularly on grouse moors - halts in Scotland, there is little chance of the bird’s re-establishment in England.

Golden Eagle © Mike Nelson, from the surfbirds galleries.

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB’s Conservation Director, said: “The distribution map of ‘missing’ golden eagles is remarkably similar to a map of driven grouse moors in Scotland.

“The Golden Eagle Framework is a compelling report and provides strong evidence that illegal persecution of golden eagles has been the major factor in limiting both their recovery and spread across what should be prime available habitat in some parts of Scotland. Its publication is very welcome, not least because it sets out a comprehensive "roadmap" for the future conservation of this iconic species.

“Whilst there are 440 breeding pairs of golden eagles in Scotland, the report highlights that the health of this population is fragile. Combating human killing of golden eagles, particularly on driven grouse moors in the south and east of Scotland, as well as improving food availability through better habitat management in the west of the country, are identified as the key constraints.”

Posted by Surfbirds at 1:31 PM | Comments (0)

July 4, 2008

Raptor Camp 2008 - September 13 - September 28 2008 - Book now

Make a difference towards the conservation of wild birds. Join Raptor Camp Malta and participate in Illegal Hunting Surveillance and Raptor Migration Monitoring

About BirdLife Malta

BirdLife Malta is the most effective and successful organisation in the fight against illegal hunting of protected species in Malta. BirdLife Malta forms part of the BirdLife International partnership which includes organisations such as RSPB in the UK, NABU (Naturschutzbund) in Germany, VBN (Vogelbescherming Nederland) in Holland, SVS/BirdLife Switzerland, SOF (Sveriges Ornitholgiska Forening) in Sweden, LIPU (Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli) in Italy and many others.

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 with the express aim to curtail illegal hunting activity and collect data on bird migration. This is no bird watching holiday, but a serious conservation effort!

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. You will experience the positive effects of your work immediately on a day to day basis.

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 other conservation work and/or birding-related activities and also other leisure activities such as cultural visits to historic sites, trips to the other islands, and swimming and other social activities. In the evening work shops, discussions and films will be organized for the participants.

Illegal hunting surveillance

Volunteers will look out for hunters and watch for illegal hunting activities. Camp attendees will effectively be working as ‘look-out posts’ to inform police of illegal hunting activities and their whereabouts. The volunteers will record data on illegal activities 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.

One of the teams in the field monitoring migration

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. Data recorded includes species, age and sex (where possible), location, and time of sighting.

Other conservation work

Raptor Camp attendees will also be exposed to a variety of conservation work during their stay at the camp in the form of field work on BirdLife Malta’s project sites. Attendees will work at the camp for 5 days per week and have 1 day per week to work on a conservation site of their choice. (If you want to also take part in other conservation projects please write to nicholas.crockford@birdlifemalta.org two weeks before you arrive in Malta.)

Also, 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. Ringers will need to provide a copy of their licence prior to their arrival in order to obtain local ringing licence should they wish to participate in ringing activities while in Malta. In the evening work shops, discussions and films will be organized for the participants.

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 raptor identification skills. For those without raptor identification skills, a crash course in raptor ID will be provided at the beginning and in the middle 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 family run apart-hotel in Buskett Forest. This hostel also acts as the base of all activities during the camp. Depending on the number of attendees, a second hotel may also be rented in the north of the island. Accommodation, food, transport during the camp activities will be organized for the group. The attendees will pay for transportation from and to the airport.

How long does the camp last?

The camp starts on the 13th September and lasts for just over 2 weeks ending on the 28th September. Volunteers may come for one or two weeks depending on their availability and the flight schedule.

How much does Raptor Camp cost?

The cost per day for the camp is Euro 20 (£16Stg). This includes:

Shared accommodation in apartments
Continental breakfast (breads, jams, cold cuts, tea and coffee); packed lunch (sandwich and a whole fruit); and Cooked Dinner
All transport during working activities
Extras:

transfer from the airport to the hotel (and from hotel to airport) can be organised for you by the hotel. This roughly costs Euro 25 per trip
a minimal extra cost is charged for persons wishing to attend excursions to cover the cost of transport (excursions are optional)
any other personal costs one spends on leisure
For more information and to participate

Simply send an email to raptorcamp@birdlifemalta.org outlining what information you need.

To download the2007 Raptor Camp report please click here

Posted by Surfbirds at 6:11 AM | Comments (0)

July 2, 2008

Ten More Days Custody Without Charge for Greenpeace Japan Activists

A court in Aomori, Japan has ruled that two Greenpeace peaceful protestors who exposed a major scandal around the embezzlement of whale meat from the Japanese government-sponsored Southern Ocean whaling programme will spend the maximum time in custody without charge permissible under Japanese law - 23 days.

Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki were arrested on June 20th after exposing the scandal, despite offering to cooperate with any police investigation and having already submitted, under their own initiative, written statements about the undercover investigation, which revealed large-scale theft of meat from the tax-payer funded so-called scientific whaling programme.

"With this additional custody order, Junichi and Toru are to spend twenty three days in detention without charge, despite having given the police all the information they need. This is much longer than the time spent by the Tokyo District Prosecutor investigating the evidence presented by Greenpeace of an embezzlement ring within the so-called scientific whaling fleet," commented Greenpeace International Executive Director, Gerd Leipold. "The authorities in Japan must, as a matter of urgency, refocus their energy on investigating the crimes covered up by the whaling industry and sectors of the Government, not the method of exposing the evidence."

Since their arrest, nearly 190,000 people have sent letters to the Japanese Government calling for the release of Junichi and Toru and further demanding a full investigation into the whale meat embezzlement scandal. Protests have been held outside Japanese embassies in 33 cities across 29 countries.

In a message to supporters, sent via their lawyers, Junichi and Toru welcomed the support they have had from people all over the world, adding: "We still need your help. We have been ordered to remain in custody for ten more days without charge. Please encourage your friends to send an email to the Japanese government, if they have not already. Keep watching for news from Greenpeace of more actions you can take and make sure that the global demand to investigate the whale meat scandal we exposed is heard loud and clear here in Japan."

The "Stolen Japanese Whale Meat Scandal" dossier is available to download at:
http://www.greenpeace.org/whale-meat-scandal

Posted by Surfbirds at 7:07 AM | Comments (0)