Hammer comes down at £480 on superb painting of Spoonbill by Suffolk artist Raymond Watson

                                            

This handsome study of a Spoonbill achieved a hammer price of £480 when it sold at an auction conducted earlier this month by Tennants of Leyburn in North Yorkshire. It is the work of  Ipswich-born Raymond Cyril Watson (1935-1994) who particularly loved to observe and paint in Norfolk and Scotland. Even in birding circles, he is far from well known, but many of his studies are so lifelike that they almost take the breath away. Watson illustrated two book, Birds of the British Coast and Song Birds. 

Is the Dotterel heading for same British breeding fate as the Wryneck?

Dotterel - fears of a 2025 breeding catastrophe (photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Worrying comments are being heard from those involved with  this summer's research survey of the breeding population in Britain of a much-cherished member of the plover family - the Dotterel.

Indications are that the species has fared disastrously in 2025 - possibly with as few as just three breeding pairs in the whole of Scotland, traditionally where it has its stronghold.

When, one afternoon earlier this month, expert Ian Francis spent seven hours scanning a mountain range spots in The Cairngorms where he has been accustomed to watching them in the past, he encountered not a single bird.

"It's not looking good," he said on Twitter.

It is thought that climatic change and dry weather have contributed to the demise of a bird which has been in decline since the second half of the last century.

A survey in 1988 recorded 980 breeding males in Britain, but,when the exercise was repeated in 2011, just 423 breeding males were counted.

There had been high hopes for 2025, with  spring sightings of resting migrant birds from various places in Britain - most notably a trip of seven which tarried for a few days at the North Gare golf  course in County Durham.

But this year, the moist and boggy conditions favoured by Dotterel and their insect prey have been absent.

The species is they are particularly associated with altitudes above 600 metres where moss–sedge is a predominant plant.

The best hope is that birds that would have nested In Scotland in favourable conditions  may have taken flight to join their counterparts in Arctic Norway and/ or or Siberia.

This is a notably itinerant species, and it is not uncommon for males and females to breed in different countries within the same season. 

In autumn, birds that have bred in Britain chiefly migrate to Morocco and other parts of north-western Africa while those that migrate further east head for north-eastern Africa and the Middle East.

In these regions, the species is under pressure during winter as a result of changed farming practices and industrial development.

In England and Wales, it is thought a combination of atmospheric nitrogen deposition and increased sheep grazing may have been responsible for its absence in former breeding locations as a result of degradation of moss-sedge and its replacement with grass.

Predation, hunting and other human disturbance are also likely to have been factors in the species' decline.

The summer 2025 'Montane Bird Survey', now drawing to its conclusion, has  been a collaboration between RSPB Scotland and NatureScot under the supervision of Dr Leah Kelly.

Hill-hiking volunteers taking part between May and July have also been monitoring two other high-altitude breeding species, Ptarmigan and Snow Bunting. 

It is not known when survey's results will be published.

New printer found for British Birds journal after Receivers were called in at previous contractor

After a two-week delay, the July edition should be reaching subscribers by the end of this week

A NEW printer has been found for esteemed ornithological magazine British Birds after its previous contractor went into receivership.

In a statement issued earlier this week, British Birds said: "A new printer has now been found, and the July issue has gone to print. 

"We are hopeful that the July print-issue will arrive with subscribers by Saturday of this week."

The statement continues: "At this stage, it seems unlikely that we will be able to deliver the August 2025 issue by the first of the month, and a mid-month delivery may be the norm for the next few months. 

"Due to the current production process, the late printing schedule is also having (less significant) knock-on effects on the release of the digital issue."

It was at the end of last month that Norfolk-based Swallowtail Print went  into administration. 

When no buyer could be found, Receivers were appointed.

British Birds, which has been published monthly since 1907, has not revealed the identity of the replacement printers, but it says it is unlikely that the £73 print-subscription price will be held at the current rate next year.

It adds: "The board will, as ever, work to minimise cost increases where possible and subscribers will be kept informed."

Council issues appeal to drone enthusiasts: 'Don't get too close to roosting or feeding shorebirds'

 

Irresponsible use of a drone over the rock armour off North Promenade, Cleethorpes, a favourite roosting spot for gulls and other birds

A COUNCIL has urged drone enthusiasts not to fly their devices over areas of  beach and saltmarsh where they may disturb wildlife - particularly birds.

Between next month and March, the  stretch of coastline between Cleethorpes and Humberston in northern Lincolnshire will provide feeding and roosting habitat for scores of thousands of  shorebirds, such as godwits, plovers and wild geese.

But they can be spooked by drones which they probably deem to be predators. 

North East Lincolnshire Council has today issued a statement which reads: "Forcing birds to take flight while  they are resting or  feeding is very disruptive - it can even affect breeding in the following season.

"Indeed, excessive disturbance can lead to exhaustion and death." 

Says NELC's portfolio holder for the environment, Cllr Henry Hudson: "Drones are becoming more and more popular as a means of getting literally a bird’s eye view of an event or a location.

"We have no objection to licensed drone use, but we do urge people to make sure they refrain from causing any unnecessary disturbance to our birds and wildlife., or accidents because of them."

NELC has published an advice leaflet at:  NELC-Use-of-Drones.docx

                                                        

Drone being flown over the fringes of the pools at Humberston Fitties 

Six years after the blaze, Fair Island Bird Observatory back in business with a brand new accommodation building

                                   

Artists at work on a mural of Fair Isle at the 2019 Birdfair

FAIR Isle Bird Observatory has re-opened for guests in  a brand new building.

Since late May, birders have been returning to probably Britain's hottest of hottest rarity hotspots.

The re-opening has come just over six years after an unexplained fire - which is believed to have started in the roof - destroyed the former observatory.

Plans are afoot for occasional live music performances, and it is understood that an application has also been submitted for a drinks licence.

During October, various discounts will be offered for those staying for a stay of longer than seven nights.

More information at: https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk

                                

Fair Isle lies between the Shetlands and the Orkneys (photo: Neil Farebrother via Wikimedia Commons)

Police seek information following damage to Sand Martin nesting bank at Northamptonshire reserve

                                                   

Shattered panel on one of the nesting banks

POLICE are appealing for information after one of two artificial Sand Martin nesting banks was severely damaged  at a  nature reserve in Rushden, Northamptonshire.

The banks had been installed three years ago by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trsut at a cost of £3,000 each. 

Last year, they were occupied  by Sand Martins for the first time.

It is understood that two nests were destroyed in the incident in which panels were broken and nesting tubes were thrown into the lake.

                                                    

Juvenile Sand Martin at rest

Says conservation manager for Northamptonshire Matt Johnson: "This is a very distressing incident for staff at the reserve and visitors who come here to enjoy wildlife. 

"Disturbing a bird nest is a wildlife crime and sets back our ambitions to create a healthy population of Sand Martins at the Nene Wetlands.

"As a wildlife charity, we are here to create space for nature and protect species so to have to deal with criminal behaviour and harm to birds in this way is quite shocking. 

"We hope those responsible will think very hard about what they've done and the loss of these beautiful birds.

"We will do our best to repair the bank but it will take time that we should be spending looking after the reserve."

PC Emerson Knights, of Northamptonshire police's rural crime team, comments: "Our team is dedicated to tackling wildlife crime and take reports like this very seriously.

"What happened to these nests was a mindless act of criminal damage that has harmed defenceless birds and caused a lot of upset for Trust staff and visitors. 

"We are appealing for anyone with information about this incident to contact us on 101, quoting incident reference 25000372274, or  Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."

                                                

One of the two nesting banks at the Rushden reserve

Stars of the reedbed - and stars of the saleroom! Bumper price achieved for Harrison painting of Marsh Harriers

 

This captivating painting of two Marsh Harriers in a watery habitat exceeded expectations when it went under the hammer at an auction held yesterday in Leyburn, North Yorkshire. Before the sale, auction house Tennants estimated that the study, by John Harrison (1898-1985), would achieve a  price of between  £300 and £500, but the bidding reached £1,300  before the hammer fell. The identity of the successful bidder has not been revealed, but his good taste is to be commended.