Headline birds - the three species making a splash on front covers of this month's ornithological magaziness

     

White-tailed Eagle, Arctic Warbler and Whinchat are the species featured on the front covers of the August editions of three frontline ornithological titles.

                               

                                                       

Bygone birding: Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint among waders spotted roosting on chemical factory rooves

                                                            

Unfortunately the photograph is not sharp enough to locate the factories, nor their sizes and the materials from which the rooves were built

The report below by J. Robbins appeared in the 1960 edition of Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union. In later years, another Courtaulds employee and birder, Roger Norman, also noted the phenomenon, not just on the rooves of the two original fibre-making  factories but also (less frequently) on those of two others which had been built more recently. His theory was that the factories had been built on the site of a former ground-roosting site or that the birds were mistaking the rooves (constructed of unknown material) for saltpans. Courtaulds no longer exists, and it is believed the factories have long since been demolished.

During the period August-November, 1959, I was on the staff of the Courtauld’s works at Great Coates, near Grimsby.

This works was completed in 1957 and rayon staple fibre is manufactured there. 

Much of the factory roof is flat and this is covered with a layer of water about 2 ins. in depth. 

This is to assist in maintaining equable conditions inside the buildings throughout the year.

Soon after my arrival, I author noticed that waders were using this roof as a resting place. 

Detailed observations were taken over the period 9th September-9th November inclusive.

The observations may be summarised as follows: 

(i) numbers varied widely (0-3,000); large numbers occurred during daylight only at high tide in the neighbouring River Humber; at night the roof seemed to be used more freely, but it was impossible to assess numbers;

(ii) the roof was used primarily for resting; some birds (mainly Dunlin) washed in the fresh water; a few hunted for food in the sediment that has accumulated; such feeding was not governed by the tide; 

(iii) Dunlin and Redshank were the species which visited the roof most regularly; their numbers and those of irregular visitors are given in the species notes below; these numbers represent only a small portion of those frequenting the Humber estuary.

The species observed were:

Lapwing: 1, bathing, 7/10.

Ringed Plover: 9 recorded on six occasions, max.: 3 on 7/10.

Common Sandpiper: Single birds on 21/9 and 29/9.

Redshank: Recorded on most days, max.: 500 on 14/10 and 4/11. This species was never observed to be feeding and rarely to be bathing.

Knot: 1, 23/9.

Little Stint: 1, 28/9; this bird fed desultorily and was associated with a Curlew Sandpiper and 9 Dunlin.

Dunlin: The commonest species, observed almost daily, max. 2,500 on 4/11, also 2,000 on 8/10. Numbers increased markedly during the first week of October. Bathing was often observed and small numbers (1-9) were observed to be feeding on several occasions in the shallower parts.

Curlew Sandpiper: 1, 28/9; 2, 7/10.

Ruff: A first-winter male fed on the drier part of the roof during the period 4-8/10. Most of this time it was escorted by a solitary Dunlin.

Other species of wader (Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit and Bar-tailed Godwit) were observed flying over the factory site but never on the roof. 

Black-headed Gulls, occasionally, and Common and Herring Gulls, more rarely, frequented the roof, but in general these species preferred the factory reservoir. 

Their numbers seemed to be independent of the state of the tide.

One passerine, the Grey Wagtail, used the roof; this species was seen on five occasions, max. 3 on 5/10; these birds were observed to feed.

House Sparrows and Pied Wagtails, both resident species at the factory, occasionally perched on the edge of the roof or, rarely, bathed.

New book will explore true story of how fall-out between two Scottish gamekeepers ended in tragedy

                                             

When it is published next month, there  is likely to be plenty of interest in this book which explores how friction between two Scottish gamekeepers resulted in fatal consequences. Along the way, it looks at  how the activities carried out on some estates  involve the illegal slaughter of birds of prey. Prelude to Murder will be published at £16.99 in paperback by Scottish company, Thirsty Books. 

What am I bid for two Dodo bones reported to have been recovered from a swamp in Mauritius?

                                                           

Colonisation of Mauritius by the Dutch is thought to have lead to the demise of the Dodo

BIDDING has begun at auction for what are said to be two foot bones from the world's most famous extinct bird species - a Dodo.

Both are about 4 cm long.

They are being sold as a single Lot - 50 - by Essex auctioneers  Sworders in their August 18 'Out of the Ordinary' sale.

Says a note in the catalogue: "The foot bones on offer are from a group of Dodo bones discovered in 1885 during the investigation of the Mare aux Songes swamp, Mauritius, by schoolmaster George Clarke. 

"Hearing that a few bones had been found in this area, Clarke hired local servants to wade through a swamp and feel for further bones with their feet.

"The dodo has been extinct since the 1680s. 

"Its story  is particularly important as it demonstrates one of the first occasions that humans realised that man's actions alone caused a species to die out.

"The Dodo was related to the pigeon family and successfully lived on the island of Mauritius. 

"With no natural predators, they became flightless and adapted to happily living life on the ground until the Dutch colonised the island in 1638, at which point they became hunted for sport. 

"With the colonisation came new species to the island, such as rats, dogs, cats and pigs which all contributed to the species' extinction.

The Dodo is one of the birds referred to in the famous fantasy book, Alice in Wonderland. 

Online bidding started at £2,000, but it is thought it may reach up to £4,000. 

                                                       

Them bones

What future Nightjars, Dartford Warblers and other rare birds as wildfire rips through precious Suffolk heathland?

Precious heathland habitat goes up in flames and smoke (photo: Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service)

RARELY-seen birds have been put in dire peril by a blaze that has been raging for more than 24 hours on a Suffolk heathland.

They include:

* Nightjar

* Nightingale

* Dartford Warbler

* Woodlark.

The flames have engulfed the National Trust's Dunwich Heath and threaten the RSPB's flagship Minsmere reserve as well as the Sizewell B nuclear power station.

The RSPB reckons the damage to habitat has been so intense that it could be another quarter of a century before it returns to how it was just 48 hours ago.

In a series of interviews with mainstream media, the society's Suffolk area manager Adam Rowlands has been explaining the gravity of the situation which affects rare reptiles and butterflies as well as birds.

For him, one of the most distressing moments was when he saw a a stricken Nightjar fluttering over scorched heathland in a smoke-filled sky.

He was taking some comfort from the fact that the breeding season is now almost all over and many birds would be able to flee the scene.

But specialist habitat of this sort is scarce and they face many other threats including that of predation as well as of absence of the right kind of food.

Mr Rowlands praised the work of the firefighters, staff at the RSPB and sister conservation organisations for their work to contain the fire which may take at least another 24 hours to bring under control.

There has also been praise for residents of the village of Westleton for their generosity  in helping the many individuals who  have been evacuated during the emergency. 

                                   

Dunwich Heath as it was before the wildfire (photo: National Trust)

 

Lucky 13! Titles in authoritative New Naturalist series sell for above estimate at book auction

The strength of the market for books in the Collins New Naturalist series was reflected in the £220 hammer price paid for 13 first editions that were included in the collection of books that formed Lot 80 of   an online auction conducted by Hansons. The pre-sale estimate was that they would fetch between £100 and £200.  

                                       

  

Belated perhaps - but at last the RSPB has now paid tribute to Britain's birdwatcher-in-chief

Bill, binoculars and bike (photo: RSPB) 

THE RSPB has now paid tribute to Bill Oddie - the man who probably did more than anyone to increase interest birds and hence membership of the society.

In a somewhat terse statement, it says: "The keen birdwatcher and broadcaster was an inspiration to many and will be fondly remembered."

Bill Oddie was a long-serving vice-president of the society who, for a while, also served on its council.  

Chief executive Beccy Speight is more effusive. "We are saddened by the death of Bill Oddie whose love and knowledge of birds inspired millions," she says. 

"As a much-loved broadcaster and naturalist Bill encouraged people not only to notice but also to respect and protect the natural world.

"His legacy will live on in every person he inspired." 

A tribute has also come from the chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, Craig Bennett, who said: "Everyone at The Wildlife Trusts is deeply saddened to hear of the death of  Bill Oddie. 

"He had been a vice-president of The Wildlife Trusts from 2000 and was a passionate supporter of our movement, inspiring countless people to discover the joy and wonder of nature. 

"Our thoughts are with Bill’s family, friends and all who knew him.

"His passion and commitment to the natural world leave a lasting legacy." 

There has been no word yet from the BTO, another organisation that will have gained benefit from Bill Oddie's commitment to the cause.