Surfbirds News

UK Minister stands up for seabirds

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:26:22 +0000

We must act now to prevent the world's seabirds from sliding towards extinction, that's the message that Huw Irranca-Davies, the UK's Fisheries Minister, will deliver to his European counterparts at the November 2009 Fisheries Council meeting.

Europe's red kites in peril

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:22:04 +0000

Poisoning has led to huge declines in Europe’s red kite population.

Ocean Carbon Central to Climate Challenge

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:16:28 +0000

World leaders should recognize the immense potential of the ocean to reduce global warming by capturing carbon, if we are to avoid a serious climate crisis.

New study sheds light on nightjar

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:09:01 +0000

A new study of the Critically Endangered Puerto Rican Nightjar Caprimulgus noctitherus suggests that the species's geographic range is greater than previously estimated. This is the major finding of Geographic distribution of the Puerto Rican Nightjar:

ABC News Reports on Dangers to Birds Posed by Wind Power

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:58:41 +0000

As wind energy production grows, efforts to mitigate the impacts to birds and other wildlife are receiving greater attention. ABC's Channel 7 in San Francisco reports that Altamont Pass wind farm has been responsible for thousands of raptor deaths. American Bird Conservancy's Dr. Michael Fry is interviewed.

Early hedge cutting could starve birds of berries

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:44:44 +0000

Cutting back hedges and bushes too early this year could starve birds of late autumn berries.

RSPB calls for protection of marine sites

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:39:39 +0000

The passing of a Marine and Coastal Access Act this week should safeguard wildlife above and below the waves in England and Wales.

Brown Pelican's 40-year recovery

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:33:50 +0000

National conservation groups focusing on the restoration of coastal Louisiana are hailing the announcement by federal officials that the state bird of Louisiana, the Brown Pelican, is being removed from the Endangered Species List. Audubon, the Environmental Defense Fund and the National Wildlife Federation view the recovering pelican as powerful proof that a healthy coast and strong environmental protections can benefit people and nature alike.

Painted Ladies head South for winter sun

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:30:06 +0000

Butterfly Conservation believe they have solved one of nature’s long-standing mysteries – thanks to the help of the public.

Big Wins for Birds on National Forests

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:23:11 +0000

A federal judge has struck down the 2008 forest planning regulations that eliminated a key wildlife protection provision known as “viability”. The Wildlife Viability Requirement of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 provides important protection for the hundreds of bird species that inhabit the 193 million-acre U.S. National Forest System. This rule requires that as the Forest Service develops plans for each National Forest, it must maintain “viable populations” of native vertebrates across their range. Viability has been instrumental in protecting habitat for Northern Spotted Owls, and Black-backed and Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Because viability has proven to be one of the strongest wildlife protection rules for National Forests, it is a frequent target of interests seeking to eliminate environmental safeguards.

Falling Amazon deforestation rates create opportunity for other damaged forests

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:12:07 +0000

Fewer trees were cut down in the Amazon this year, creating an opportunity to apply sound government policies to halt deforestation in other damaged forests, WWF says.

Fighting to get Atlantic albatrosses off the hook

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:42:20 +0000

As scientists gather in Recife, Brazil, to agree on quotas for the Atlantic and Mediterranean stocks of tuna and swordfish in the latest round of fisheries talks, the RSPB and BirdLife International are reminding delegates that at least 37 species of seabird are at risk from these fisheries.

Guyana's Forests and the World's Climate Get a Boost From Norway

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:30:45 +0000

A monumental agreement signed today between Norway and Guyana will mean that up to $250million will be invested in protecting Guyana’s forests to tackle climate change. It is the first time that a nation with a history of conservation will be financially rewarded its continuing efforts to mitigate climate change through protecting its forests.

First Super Whooper completes migration in 'Supersonic' time

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:22:51 +0000

A satellite-tracked Super Whooper swan has lived up to his name and completed the migration between Iceland and Scotland, flying 800km non-stop over the ocean in just 14 hours. The aptly named Supersonic Bill was just three hours short of the shortest ever recorded journey time by a whooper swan.

Tawny Owls - Autumn Survey 2009

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:14:25 +0000

The BTO has teamed up with the BBC’s Autumnwatch team in a bid to map Britain’s Tawny Owls as part of the 2007-11 bird Atlas project. We are asking people to go out on calm evenings over the next few weeks and listen for Tawny Owls and then more importantly report them to us.