Single feather from bird thought to be extinct sells for much higher than expected at Yorkshire auction

The feather that 'took flight' at saleroom in Yorkshire 

A SINGLE feather from a bird thought to be extinct has sold at auction for more than double the highest pre-sale estimate.

The feather from an Ivory-billed Woodpecker was Lot 126 at the sale held earlier this month by Tennants of Leyburn in Yorkshire.

Bids were expected in a range between £80 and £120 but, in the event, it was not until £280 was reached that the hammer fell.

A note in the catalogue states: "Presumed extinct as of 1987, the  Ivory-billed Woodpecker is a species native to the southern United States and Cuba.

"Habitat destruction and hunting have reduced populations so severely that the last universally accepted sighting in the United States was in 1944, and the last universally accepted sighting in Cuba was in 1987. 

"In the 21st century, reported sightings and other evidence that the species persists in Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida, have been published, but the validity of these reports are disputed, with many sources arguing that the bird  is likely to be extinct. 

"Habitat protection and restoration efforts have been initiated in areas where the species might persist."

The feather came with a portrait and signed letter confirming the species and provenance from the vendor, Errol Fuller.

The identity of the successful bidder has not been revealed.

'Extinct' woodpecker and feather

RSPB recruiting for assistant warden at its Insh Marshes reserve on the edge of the Cairngorms mountain range

                                                      

The RSPB's Insh Marshes reserve in the Scottish Highlands

WOULD-BE candidates have until this Sunday August 17 to apply for the role of assistant warden at the RSPB's Insh Marshes reserve near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands.

The post carries a salary of between £27,123 and £28,956 per annum.

Says the job description: "This is a fantastic opportunity to work at the biggest and most naturally functioning floodplain wetland in Britain.

"Insh Marshes reserve is flanked by the stunning Cairngorm and Monadhliath mountain ranges. 

"The reserve is home to a fantastic array of habitats, including sedge fen, wet grassland and woodland, and an incredible array of wildlife, including breeding waders, Spotted Crake and Osprey, wintering Hen Harrier and Whooper Swan, and nationally important populations of invertebrates.

"This role will include delivering wetland and woodland management along with the upkeep of reserve infrastructure which will entail habitat and practical estate management and managing and working with volunteers. 

"You will need to be an excellent communicator because this role will involve working alongside a wide range of audiences including graziers, neighbours and reserve visitors. 

"The post holder will work closely with (and manage) local and residential volunteers therefore enthusiasm and experience of working with volunteers is essential."

The RSPB is  looking to conduct interviews for this position from September 4, 2025. 

"For further information, contact julie.ellis@rspb.org.uk 

Research on migratory geese suggests attachment of GPS tracking tags could create survival risk

                                    

Tundra Bean Geese - research species for Chinese ornithologists 

DO GPS tracking tags put birds at survival risk?

The question is prompted by Chinese ornithologists who, following research  in China's Poyang Lake region, have identified apparent peril for migratory geese.

In a report in the journal, Ecology and Evolution, they say that  tracking devices were discovered significantly to influence survival outcomes of the two species chosen for the experiment, Tundra Bean Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese.

Those fitted with neckband tags had higher survival rates than those fitted with backpack tags.

The researchers' report states: "This finding resonates with recent biomechanical studies demonstrating that dorsal-mounted backpack devices substantially alter avian aerodynamics by shifting the centre of mass and increasing drag coefficients, thereby elevating flight energy expenditure 

" A study  on Northern Bald Ibises demonstrated that back-mounted trackers (secured via wing loops above the back) significantly reduced their migratory flight distance. 

"The neckband design used in our study offers several biomechanical advantages over backpack-style tags. 

"Unlike backpacks, neckbands avoid contact with wings and major muscle groups, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag and minimizing interference with flight mechanics. 

"This design also prevents constriction of the thoracic cavity, which may be critical during periods of intense metabolic activity, such as pre-migration staging and sustained flight. 

"While initial behavioural impacts of neckband tags (e.g., increased preening) typically subside within six days post-deployment, backpack devices may impose chronic physiological costs through altered gait mechanics and feather abrasion during prolonged use.

"It is theoretically plausible that backpack-style harnesses may restrict thoracic expansion during hyperphagic periods prior to migration, potentially limiting fat accumulation and energy reserves.

" Although our study did not directly assess this hypothesis, future research could explore this mechanism through comparative studies of pre-migration body condition in tagged versus untagged birds. 

"This could help clarify the physiological costs associated with different tagging methods during critical staging periods. 

"Although our study provides evidence that neckband tags are associated with higher post-release survival compared to backpack tags, it is important to note that this conclusion is based on a relatively modest sample size (17 neckband, 20 backpack). 

"While consistent with prior biomechanical research, these findings should warrant replication in future studies with larger sample sizes and additional species to assess potential interspecific variation in response to device type."

The full report can be read at : The Fragile First Year: GPS Tracking Identifies Post‐Release Survival Risks in Migratory Geese - Zhang - 2025 - Ecology and Evolution - Wiley Online Library

South African artist's impressive study of grouse achieved only modest hammer price at Lincolnshire auction

                                                        

As a South African who now lives in Australia, artist Simon Barlow probably has only a limited following in Britain. Hence the unspectacular  price achieved for this original painting of grouse when it went under the hammer at a sale in Louth, Lincolnshire, last week.  Auction house John Taylors had a pre-sale estimate of between £70 and £100 for the gouache painting which measures  66.5cm x 80cm and was included in a frame. In the event, the hammer came down at the lower end of the range - £75. Barlow, incidentally, is the illustrator  of Gamebirds of Southern Africa.  

                                  

          

Bygone birding: John Gould applauds Dotterel for its 'succulency and flavour'

                                                    

Cute (and tasty) - the illustration of Dotterel in John Gould's book

Below is an extract of John Gould's account of the Dotterel in Volume 1 (1873) of The Birds of Great Britain:

From the unmistakable evidence of actual dissection, I have ascertained that the largest and most richly coloured birds are females, and that their average weight is about five  ounces while the comparatively dull-coloured birds, rarely exceeding  four ounces are males. 

I have often thought that the state of plumage in which they arrive in the spring is merely a seasonal dress, and that their winter garb is not characterised by that rich colouring. 

It would appear, too, that the young of both sexes, during their first autumn, are destitute of these colours and have the head of a nearly uniform brown.

A history of the Dotterel would be sadly incomplete without a passing sentence on the value of the bird as an article of food and of commerce. 

During its vernal migration, the Dotterel has from time immemorial been captured and shot for the purposes of the table.

Great numbers are annually forwarded to London where, in spring, it may be seen gracing the shops of the respectable poulterers, such as Mr. Bailey, of Mount Street, Grosvenor Square, and Mr. Fisher, of Duke Street, Piccadilly. 

The Dotterel in the month of May, when the London season is at its height, and game prohibited, is quite a godsend to the epicure, competing with the fattened Quail and Ortolan, both of which, in my opinion, it far surpasses in succulency and flavour.

Indeed, I think it may be regarded as the very finest of the British birds for the table, the Snipe, Woodcock, and Grouse not excepted. 

A gift of such has been, and still is deemed, worthy of royalty. Whoever may have an opportunity of partaking of this delicious viand will not be disappointed.

The autumnal migration of these birds does not afford the same opportunities for procuring them as that of spring, for they return more irregularly.

Neither do they keep so exclusively to the downs, but disperse more generally over the country; few autumn-killed birds are therefore seen in our markets.

Though perhaps not so swift as that of the Golden Plover, the flight of the Dotterel is extremely rapid.

When disturbed, they take long flights for a mile or more, and then, suddenly wheeling round, often return to the spot whence they bad risen. 

The usual mode of shooting them is to walk quickly round the trip, and gradually to diminish the circle until within range, when they become confused and are readily killed. 

They move over the ground with great rapidity, grace and elegance characterising all their movements. 

They so love to dust themselves in the fallows or on the hillsides, that a friend of mine, the late Mr. Hewitt of Reading, informed me he had frequently seen them cover themselves entirely, with the exception of the head, by scratching the dust over them.

Richly-illustrated five-volume Victorian bird publication likely to attract big-bucks bidding at August auction

Jays as depicted in Gould's masterpiece

                                                   

THE strength of the market for antiquarian bird books will be tested at auction next month.

The star lot in a sale to be conducted in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, on August 22 is John Gould's  five-volume The Birds of Great Britain, which was published over a period between 1862 and 1873.

The set contains no fewer than  367 fine hand-coloured lithographic plates by Gould himself and by other notaable artists of the day, namely, H.C. Richter, Joseph Wolf and William Hart.

Auction house Tennants describe it as " very good copy" of  a title which has been described as "the most sumptuous and costly of British bird books".

The pre-sale estimate is that the hammer will come down at a price of between £25,000 and £35,000, but any successful bidder will also have to pay a buyer's premium of 24 per cent. 

It is thought the five volumes could fetch as much as £25,000

                                          

The Red-footed Falcon was known as the Orange-legged Hobby in Victorian times

                                                                        

                                                              

'Louis Theroux, who are you?' Is that what that the Woodpigeon in the garden is asking?

 

What is is trying to tell us? The song of the Woodpigeon has several different  translations

The focus of  recent correspondence in The Daily Telegraph newspaper has been the song of the Woodpigeon. One reader said that the notes reminded and tone her of someone crying: "Mummy, my foot hurts". Other readers came up with different suggestions.