RSPB offers 'fantastic' job opportunity' to study Ring Ouzels - but applicants need to be well-qualified

                                     

'Charismatic' - a male Ring Ouzel

THE RSPB is recruiting for what it describes as a 'fantastic opportunity' to lead research  on Britain's Ring Ouzels.

The salary for the fixed term position is in the range £40,381 - £43,113, with applications closing on Thursday of this week, October 22.

Says the job description: "We are seeking a conservation scientist to head up  research on the Ring Ouzel, a charismatic but declining species of upland and montane areas.

The project aims to:

* Understanding habitat use on breeding, migration and wintering areas

* Assess threats faced and migratory connectivity between breeding populations. 

* Deployment the use of satellite tags on  breeding birds.

"Once this has been done, there will be a requirement to interpret the data and produce a report outlining options for a  recovery strategy

"The role location is flexible within the UK although the postholder must be able to undertake regular visits to northern England during the field season, plus occasional travel to attend events with some overnight stays. 

"The role will be home based with access to an RSPB office."

But the post is not for beginners. Essential skills, knowledge and experience are listed as follows:

• Scientific research experience (completed a PhD or managed equivalent project/s)

• Collaborative working - ability to build effective, respectful collaborations with colleagues, partners and funders.

• Digital and analytical skills - ability to use Microsoft Office, GIS/remote sensing tools (e.g. QGIS or ArcGIS) and R or equivalent statistical software to manage, analyse and present data.

• Advanced statistical analysis - experience working with complex datasets, ideally including movement or tracking data.

• Project and time management - ability to plan, organise and deliver work independently, balancing multiple priorities.

• Lead the publication of research in peer-reviewed journals

• Communication and presentation - ability to present research clearly to internal and external audiences.

• Fieldwork skills - experience working safely and effectively in challenging terrain, ideally upland environments, including nest finding (preferably songbirds) and monitoring nest, chick and adult survival.

• Bird handling - experience handling birds; ideally holding a BTO or equivalent ringing permit, with preference for experience with Ring Ouzel adults and nestlings, mist-netting, and deploying tracking devices.

• Upland ecology knowledge - understanding of UK upland habitats, species, land-use systems and interventions that support nature recovery.

• Supervision - experience supervising or supporting field staff.

• Driving licence - a full UK driving licence (or equivalent that permits driving in the UK).

The post runs from January 2027 to March 2029, dependent on confirmation of external funding.

For further information about the role contact david.douglas@rspb.org.uk

Along with other migratory thrush species such as Fieldfares, Ring Ouzels are regularly to be seen in horse paddocks in spring  

This book by Vic Farebrother and Ken Hutchinson is a useful introduction to the species which incidentally is the favourite of frontline birder David Lindo (the 'Urban Birder') 

                                                  

Auction house expects bids of up to £18,000 for striking study of parrot and insect in fruit tree

 

There has been one bid (of £9,000) so far for this study of an unspecified parrot and insect in a fruit tree by an unknown  17th Century Florentine artist. However, the pre-sale estimate of Christie's is that the hammer will fall at somewhere between  £12,000 and £18,000. The full picture comes in an ornate  giltwood frame (added later) plus another insect and ornamental flowers. The fact that the peaches (?) are ripe suggests this is a later-summer scene, but the flowers look more like those associated with spring. The online auction closes on October 28.

Bygone birding: Nutcrackers 'do occasionally get driven out of their course and come among us' in Britain

                                               

What prospect of seeing a Nutcracker in Britain this autumn? 

Amid predictions by frontline birder Jon Dunn and others that this week might see arrivals  of one or more Nutcrackers in the UK, here is an extract from John Gould's  account of the corvid-family species in his book, The Birds of Great Britain (1873).  

With the Nutcracker must ever be associated recollections of Alpine scenery for it is in the Alps where the bird is often seen by the British tourist.

There it dwells in the forests of pine which clothe the sides of the mountains as high as those trees can grow. 

Wherever the Pinus cemhra grows, the Nutcracker will certainly be encountered just as we see the Jay in the oak woods of Kent, and the Magpie in the valley of the Trent.

At times, it may be approached sufficiently near to admit a close observation of its sprightly and singular actions - actions which always remind me of those of the Great Tit, with a little of those of the Jay. 

At one moment, it may be seen climbing head downwards, and hammering away at a cone to obtain the seed within; at another, with its breast and tail well up, and its head thrown back.

If disturbed by the traveller, it merely flies a few yards further off or crosses the roaring torrent to the opposite side of the hill. 

Alpine Switzerland, however, is not the only place the bird inhabits.

It is found much further south and a long way toward the north. 

It not only visits the dark, gloomy forests of Germany, Scandinavia, and Russia, but also breeds there. 

It will be understood then, that if the kind of country I have described be essential to its existence and well-being, the British Islands can offer it but little temptation.

Still in its journeyings to and fro, like a mariner who has unshipped his compass and lost his way, individuals do occasionally get driven out of their course and come among us.

And that such accidental visits are not infrequent is certain, for I shall be within the mark when I say that there are at least 50 recorded instances of examples having been shot within the precincts of our islands. 

Sir John Crewe tells me that, some years ago, two were killed in Oakley Park, in Suffolk, the seat of Sir Edward Kerrison, in whose possession they now are. 

Macgillivray states that a specimen in the Museum of the University of Edinburgh was said to have been shot at Peterhead.

Two or three more have been shot in Devonshire, and others have been obtained in Northumberland, Somerset and elsewhere.

From the earliest date at which ornithology became a study, this bird has been an object of interest.

Nutcracker seen from a far on the edge of a Bavarian forest

                                     

Back in Grimsby - photographer who snapped last-known shot of a bird that has since become extinct

                                                             

Chris' famous last photograph of a bird alas now extinct

 

IT is  back to home turf  on Monday for a former Grimsby man who took the last known photograph of a bird that has subsequently become extinct.

Chris Gomersall grew up in Grimsby and neighbouring Cleethorpes, then went on to enjoy an adventurous career in wildlife photography - first as a staff man at RSPB, then as an award-winning freelance. 

In spring,  this year he was on board the ill-fated Dutch cruise ship, MV Hondius,  which made global headlines for the unhappiest of  reasons.

A total of 11 of the 27 on board contracted Andean Hantavirus while voyaging in the Antarctic. Three subsequently died and one became seriously ill.  

Chris escaped being infected, but the expedition had been interrupted in the most tragic of circumstances.

What is more, in common with fellow-passengers and crew, once back on dry land, he had to undergo hospital quarantine for three weeks before being allowed back to his home in Bedfordshire.                                     

Chris - award-winning photographer grew up in North East Lincolnshire

Because of  the continuing sensitivities, particularly for those who lost loved ones, Chris is unlikely to say much about  what happened on the MV Hondius in the illustrated talk he will be giving  at Holy Trinity parish  hall on Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes (DN35 7LH),  on Monday October 19.

Instead, he will describe other aspects of his career - most notably his mesmerising encounter in Morocco with the now-extinct Slender-billed Curlew.

That was back in February, 1995, since when the decline of this wading species has culminated, in November two years ago, in its being officially  declared extinct.

Much-travelled Chris will also describe many other highlights of his career in what what promises to be a captivating presentation.

The event will be an historic  first joint-meeting of Grimsby RSPB group and the Lincolnshire Bird Club.

However, it is also open to non-members of either group  with an admission charge of just £5 including a tea/coffee and biscuits during the interval.

The meeting starts at 7.30pm.

             

It may not be the tops for vagrant passerines, but north-west England still has plenty of great birding sites

A common lament among birders in the northwest of England is that the region seldom attracts as many vagrant passerines as the East Coast. But it is still a great place for birding on the evidence of this recently-published book by authors Stephen Dunstan, Ian McKerchar and Jane Turner. The contents provide a comprehensive review of top birding sites with detailed maps and advice on when to visit and potential target species. The book is published by Bloomsbury at £27.99 in paperback. 

Recently-launched duffle coat looks just the ticket for birding in cold and windswept places

                                                          

With colder days ahead, Cornwall-based fashion brand Seasalt hopes fashion-conscious female birders might take a shine to its recently launched £210 duffle coat which has mostly received favourable reviews, though with the occasional cavil about stiffness in fastening the buttons. The same company also offers within its range a £160 raincoat (below).   https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/

                                                

Boscaswell Waterproof 3-in-1 Duffle Coat - Seasalt Cornwall

Boscaswell Waterproof 3-in-1 Duffle Coat - Seasalt Cornwall

New book shows you don't have to get into a car to discover sites abundant with birds and other wildlife

Front cover of the new book which is priced at £20 in paperback

FRONTLINE publishing house Bloomsbury have backed four women with publication of a new book - Where to Watch Wildlife in Britain by Low-carbon Transport.

The quarter consists of Megan Shersby, Dan Rouse, Heather Devey and Rebecca Gibson.

For those who do not have access to car or who are concerned about their carbon footprint, the authors have pinpointed more than 100 sites which can be reached by train, bus, bicycle or foot.

Say Bloomsbury: "There are directions for all the sites, plus detailed information on travel options, access, species present and when best to visit, along with photographs of the sites and some of the special species you might see.

"Whether it is otters in Carlisle, butterflies in Norfolk seabird cliffs in coastal Wales or red squirrels in the Highlands, this book tells you where to go and how to get there while minimising your carbon footprint. 

"It is a new and unique way to enjoy Britain's wildlife heritage and one that we should all embrace."

 

Megan Shersby  

                                                                

Dan Rouse 

Rebecca Gibson  

Heather Devey 

Focus on RSPB South Stack in Wales . . .

                                                                  

and the Lossiemouth Estuary in Scotland . . .

Not forgetting England  . . . and  Liverpool