Handsomely-illustrated book which promises to open window on owl-rich birdlife of Finland

                                              

Finland boasts no fewer than 10 breeding owl species

IT  is a country probably not visited by many birders, but this could change following  the publication earlier this month of Birds of Finland.

The table of contents is as follows:

* Introduction

* Seasons

* Habitats

* Birdwatching in Finland

* How to find owls in Finland

* Best birdwatching sites in Finland

* How to use this book

* Species accounts

* Further reading and resources

* Acknowledgements

* Photo credits

* Index

It is described thus by publishers Helm Wildlife Guides (part of Bloomsbury Publishing): 

"Finland is one of the great European birding destinations. 

"The tundra is the breeding grounds for many of Europe's waders, while the Siberian taiga reaches its westernmost extent here, making Finland home to many forest species that are scarce or absent elsewhere. 

"Renowned for owls, with a remarkable 10 breeding species, Finland boasts an array of birding delights including Red-flanked Bluetail, Siberian Jay and Capercaillie.

"With photography by world-class photographer Markus Varesvuo and text by Mikko Oivukka, Birds of Finland is the perfect identification guide to 300 species regularly seen in the country. 

"Concise text for each species includes details on identification, songs and calls, behaviour, distribution and habitat, with photographs carefully selected to aid identification. 

"The book also provides a valuable guide to the best birdwatching sites.

"Portable yet authoritative, Birds of Finland is an essential companion for travellers and wildlife enthusiasts visiting this beautiful, bird-rich country in northern Europe."

The book is currently available in paperback from the publishers at the discounted price of £13.29.

Fifth spy thriller published by long-serving BBC defence correspondent and enthusiastic birder Frank Gardner

 

This summer has seen the publication by Penguin Random House of  Ballistic, the fifth spy-thriller by keen birder and BBC defence correspondent Frank Gardner. The author is president of the BTO.
 

 
 

                                                                

RSPB recruiting for licensed bird ringer to assist project which seeks ways of boosting population of Willow Tits

                                                

The RSPB is recruiting for a  licensed bird ringer on a two-month contract (October and November, 2026) to assist in an ongoing research  project into the viability of the Willow Tit (pictured) in the Midlands and northern England. The society is exploring how best to aid the species' recovery after years of population decline. The closing date for applications is September 9, and more details of the post are available from Paul Bellamy (paul.bellamy@rspb.org.uk).

Which is Britain's cutest and cuddliest bird? Author will make case for the Puffin in forthcoming book

                                           

An October 15 publication date has been set for this celebration  by Stephen Moss of one of Britain’s most beloved birds: the charming and comical yet mysterious Puffin. It follows  the lifecycle of the bird throughout a calendar year - from egg and nestling to juvenile Puffling, to the adult bird’s courtship, breeding and feeding habits. The Somerset-based author also explores the species' place in popular and literary culture. The book will be published at £14.99 in hardback - not by Puffin Books (!) but by parent company Penguin Random House.

It stinks! Celebrity farmer Jeremy Clarkson not best pleased with five-acre rewilding experiment

                                                                

Whitethroat - lover of  bramble patches

NEWBIE birder, broadcaster and TV farmer Jeremy Clarkson has had second thoughts about the benefits of rewilding.

Clarkson had  been so keen to encourage Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers and other species on his farm in the Cotswolds that he decided to leave some of the land to its own devices.

But, as he reports, in his latest column for The Sun newspaper, he has not been best pleased by the results.

He writes: "Initially I was a fan of rewilding and, ten years ago, decided to leave a patch of my farm completely alone.

"I did what Chris Packham and his Guardian mates want and put nature in the driving seat.

"And what I've ended up with is an impenetrable five-acre tangle of brambles which smells terrible because of all the rotting dead wildlife in there."

                                       

The Wryneck says: Here's hoping that the columnist does not give up on his bramble patch. Maybe, it temporarily smells unpleasant, but it doubtless provides excellent feeding, breeding and nesting habitat for songbirds such as Whitethroats. Who knows, in future summers, it may, if retained, even attract Nightingales.   

How much will these superb original studies of wildfowl make at auction next week? Surely more than £200

 

A group of six original gouache illustrations by Carol Ogilvie are set to go under the hammer at a sale to be held by auction house Dominic Winter at its premises in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, on Wednesday of next week (September 2). Some of the studies  will be familiar to many birders because they have appeared in  books such as Ducks of Britain and Europe and Wild Geese, both published by Poyser. The modest pre-sale estimate is that the six paintings will sell for a total of between £100  and £200.  

                                         

                                                                                                           

                                                                          

                                                                         

Happy birthday to super-popular actress Alison Steadman - longtime champion of birds and wildlife

                                          

Alison Steadman - important to enthuse children

IT'S many happy returns of the day to actress and birdwatcher Alison Steadman.

Although the comedy actress grew up in Liverpool, she  has lived in Highgate, North London,  for several years.

In her leisure time, she loves walking in the capital's green spaces.

 “My love of birds and nature started when I was young." she says. "We had a small garden which was my dad's pride and joy.

"He grew rhubarb, and I remember looking under the leaves and finding caterpillars - I didn’t know the names of them but I loved them.

"I don’t really see caterpillars in the garden anymore and I find that quite worrying."

After finding fame with the 1970s TV plays Nuts in May and Abigail’s Party, Alison began presenting nature programmes in the 1980s. 

“I did a show for children," she says. "One week it was about ants, and there was a boy of 11 who talked about how they lived and how they were better organised than us! 

"I loved doing that programme. My agent didn’t think I’d want it but I ended up having an absolute ball."

Subsequently, her  enthusiasm for wildlife saw  her travel around the Shetlands for an ITV documentary. 

“We had a great guide called Brydon Thomason who showed us  Puffins - they are the most wonderful creatures, I love the fact that they mate for life! 

"It was fascinating to learn about how their bright beaks are used for courtship.”

One of 24 on RSPB's list of bird-loving "celebrities and enthusiasts, Alison is also an ambassador for the London Wildlife Trust.

She insists: "It's really important to encourage people to look in the garden and turn over a stone or a leaf and see what’s there. 

"With the internet, you can look stuff up immediately so you know what you’ve found.

"And, if you can get children interested in nature, it stays with them for the rest of their lives."

She continues: "When my son was five, he brought a friend home for tea and there was a huge bumblebee at the window. 

"His friend wanted to kill it with a newspaper. I said ‘no’ and he looked at me like I was mad. 

"It was what he had been taught to do by his dad - children need to be taught that every creature is important and is not just something to be stamped on."

Alison is keen to ensure as much of London remains natural as possible.

"These big housing developments can be really unfriendly to nature and we need to do more to keep our green spaces,"  she maintains.