Surfbirds News

More Chatting and less Warbling in the Welsh valleys

Surfbirds — 2008-07-18T06:42:25+00:00

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.

Woodland birds show biggest declines

Surfbirds — 2008-07-18T06:36:16+00:00

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.

Seawatch SW survey starts

Surfbirds — 2008-07-17T07:01:04+00:00

This year’s Seawatch SW survey has begun, with observers watching from the Gwennap Head watchpoint (near Porthgwarra, Cornwall) until mid-October.

Scoter numbers fall for second year

Surfbirds — 2008-07-17T06:52:42+00:00

Common Scoter numbers wintering at Carmarthen Bay have dipped below 16,000 for the second consecutive year, according to figures released by WWT.

Great Blue Heron admitted to the British List

Surfbirds — 2008-07-17T06:36:37+00:00

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).

Kazakh IBAs get first natural World Heritage Site status for Central Asia

Surfbirds — 2008-07-13T07:11:10+00:00

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.

Seabird failure continues for another year

Surfbirds — 2008-07-13T07:04:18+00:00

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.

Twin threat heightens flamingo's plight

Surfbirds — 2008-07-13T06:53:01+00:00

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.

Congressional Hearing Today Investigates Declining Bird Populations

Surfbirds — 2008-07-12T06:20:02+00:00

(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.

Please give House Martins a chance

Surfbirds — 2008-07-07T13:52:52+00:00

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.

Flourishing wetland sacrificed for biofuels

Surfbirds — 2008-07-07T13:45:41+00:00

The Kenyan government has approved a controversial plan to grow biofuel crops on an internationally important coastal wetland.

Hundreds of Yorkshire seabirds drowning in fishing nets

Surfbirds — 2008-07-07T13:37:51+00:00

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.

Golden Eagle killing thwarts bird's recovery

Surfbirds — 2008-07-07T13:31:49+00:00

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.

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

Surfbirds — 2008-07-04T06:11:49+00:00

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

Ten More Days Custody Without Charge for Greenpeace Japan Activists

Surfbirds — 2008-07-02T07:07:01+00:00

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.