All eyes on Landseer's magnificent stag - but note, too, there is a Golden Eagle in flight with its prey

                                                     

The Red Deer, the Mountain Hare, the Golden Eagle - and what's that bird perched (left) on a rock?

AUCTION house Sotheby's have high hopes for this painting by Sir Edwin Landseer (1802-73). 

It reckons Scene in Braemar - Highland Deer will fetch between £3-million and £4-million  when it goes under the hammer in London on Wednesday July 1.

The artist is better known for his sister painting, Monarch of The Glen, which hangs in the Scottish National Museum  in Edinburgh, but this one has comparable power.

The catalogue note states:  "Thick-maned and massive of body, the stag is a  grizzled warrior, his immense brow points declaring his power.

"In the left foreground, a mature hind nestles in the sparse heather at his feet, whilst to the right a mountain hare has emerged from its burrow among the rocks -  a feature which suggested to at least one contemporary reviewer a scene from Aesop’s Fables. 

"Behind, another hind and a young stag, with their backs to the viewer, gaze up at a Golden Eagle carrying prey in its talons. 

"Some unknown presence has disturbed the creatures' restful tranquillity, and the scene is one of momentary tension and alertness."                              

The mystery bird - could it be a male Snow Bunting in breeding plumage?

Former assistant warden at Fair Isle bird observatory and Birdgirl author among those lined up for Islay festival

TWO birders are among the luminaries whose names are on the programme for the 2026 Islay Book Festival.

They are Mya-Rose Craig whose book, Birdgirl, published in 2023, won plenty of plaudits for its thoughtful and often touching exploration of birdwatching, conservation, racism and her mother's struggles with a debilitating illness.

As well as giving a talk, Mya-Rose will also be leading a family nature-watching event at Loch Gruinart.

The other frontline birder is Peter Roberts who has been an enthusiast since childhood in London, but after travelling 110 countries of the world, is now settled on Islay.

His career has included spells as assistant warden at Fair Isle bird observatory and as warden of Bardsey bird observatory, plus a year managing the Aldabra Research Station in the Indian Ocean.

He has an MSc in woodland invertebrate ecology and has published research on various subjects including the feeding ecology of fruit bats, bird migration and the ecology of seabirds and  Choughs.

In recent months. he has been putting the finishing touches to a  book on the birds of Islay and Jura though it is not known if this will be published in time for the book festival.

In November, he will be leading the latest of his many birding  tours to one of his favourite countries, Tanzania.                                                              

Mya-Rose Craig - author of Birdgirl

                                                      

Peter Roberts - Islay is where he has made his home

"The most intense moment of a twitch is when the bird is both there and not there." Discuss

                                                 

Mya-Rose has fascinating story to tell about her challenging childhood

AN unwritten rule among birders is that you should "always try to share your sightings".

So says Mya-Rose Craig in her fascinating book, Birdgirl.

Another of her observations - which requires more reflection from the reader - is that "the most intense moment of a twitch is when the bird is both there and not there."

And she further notes: "The harder you work for the bird, the greater your reward and the sweeter the pleasure."

Mya-Rose is one of  the most interesting of the new generation of birders.

As a child, she was encouraged by her parents - both keen birders.

Even before completing her schooldays in Bristol, she had visited no fewer than 40 countries across seven continents and seen more than 5,000 of the world's species. 

Her book recalls some of her most memorable experiences to date, not least of them watching a  Green-breasted Pitta deep in a Ugandan rain forest.

She writes: "Watching a small bird sing and dance its heart out, my own heart felt like it was exploding.

"Such a display of extraordinary beauty made tears prick my eyes. 

"There wasn't anywhere else on earth I'd rather have been than here in the clearing, watching this little bird call for a mate."

Even if were book dedicated solely to matters ornithological, Birdgirl would be a compelling read. 

But is is given added texture by other elements, for instance her disquiet at  the lack (at least in the UK) of racial diversity within  birding circles.

As the daughter of a White father and a Bangladeshi mother, she laments the casual racism and Islamophobia that she regularly used to encounter at school.

Also threaded into her narrative - with extraordinary frankness - is the challenges she and her father faced  as a result of her  mother's unpredictable bipolar behaviour which  variously sparked night-terrors, depression and mania.

Despite many fabulous moments, life has clearly often been difficult for the author.

As she ruefully concludes: "I have not enjoyed an easy migration into adulthood."

Birdgirl is published in paperback (£10.99) by Vintage/ Penguin.

Soaring ever upwards! Bids for scarce copy of Californian artist's 1865 bird book now exceeding pre-sale guide price

                                                  

                                   

A 'Northern Sea Eagle' and 'Californian Woodpecker' are among the species depicted in the 50 hand-coloured plates that feature in John Cassin's Illustrations of The Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian America that was published in 1865. A scarce copy is due to go under the hammer on Wednesday (July 1) at an online  auction being conducted by Bonhams of Knightsbridge. The pre-sale estimate was that it could be  expected to fetch between £400 and £700, but, as of 5pm today (Saturday), bidding had already reached £850.

                                               

                                                 

Swift conservation campaigner Hannah Bourne-Taylor is subject of full-page spread in red-top tabloid

 

It's not necessarily in the way that she would have wished it but Swift nestbrick campaigner Hannah Bourne-Taylor today finds herself splashed on Page 3 of The Sun newspaper following her starring role in Jeremy Clarkson 's Prime TV series about the trials and tribulations of being a newbie farmer. Former motoring journalist Clarkson called on her to offer tips on how to encourage birds such as Skylarks and Corn Buntings in the fields and hedgerows of his farm in the Cotswolds.

County wildlife trust slams 'shocking disregard' for nesting sites of uncommon coastal birds

Some of the vulnerable shingle-and-sand sites on the Essex Coast

ANGER has been expressed by a county conservation organisation  over "a series of shocking incidents"- especially at its coastal reserves.

Says Essex Wildlife Trust: "These have caused significant damage and, in some cases, a devastating impact on wildlife."

In a statement, it says: "On one coastal nature reserve, a group of individuals smashed through the fences with motorbikes, riding around the reserve right next to protected nesting sites for birds. 

"These birds are highly sensitive Schedule 1 listed nesting birds, meaning it is a criminal offence to disturb them. 

"This disturbance can cause adult birds to abandon their nests, leaving eggs and newly hatched chicks doomed."

The trust's marine & coastal engagement officer is Alex Smith who says: "We cannot reverse the damage these individuals have caused. 

"When birds abandon their chicks or nests due to disturbance, that nest is lost. 

"With breeding season well underway, it may be too late for those birds to try again

"These species are red or amber-listed birds with significant population decreases in recent years.

"Last year we were able to increase nesting bird success dramatically thanks to our hard-working staff and volunteers, so for a small number of people to be this reckless with a complete disregard for nature is shocking." 

Elsewhere, an off-lead dog killed a young gosling, despite clear signs saying dogs must be on a lead and kept under close control at all times.

The Essex trust says that, on some nature reserves, a police report is being filed as frequently as every week due to repeated acts such as:. 

* The destruction of gates, fences, signs and bird hides which in some instances have been set alight.

* Fly-tipping of waste and rubbish, including hazardous materials.

* Graffiti artists tagging trees.

* Dog fouling left or bags left in trees.

* Motocross and quad bikes accessing Sites of Special Scientific Interest 

* Unofficial cycling trails created over sensitive areas such as badger setts.

* Use of disposable BBQs posing a huge risk of fires.

* Theft of equipment including life-saving buoys.

Essex Wildlife Trust manages almost 100 nature reserves in Essex. 

The  incidents are having a direct impact not just on  wildlife but also on the morale of staff plus, of course, on the trust's finances.

The trust is urging anyone who witnesses vandalism, fly tipping, illegal off-road vehicle use or suspicious behaviour on nature reserves to report it immediately to  Essex police on 101.

Motorbike tracks next to a nest that, fortunately  was protected by a cage.

                                                          

All eyes will be on stunning Grey Heron and Golden Orioles at sale next month in Yorkshire

                                           

Heron with fishy prey

A LIFE-SIZE stick stand depicting a Grey Heron, plus prey, is expected to attract plenty of  interest at a sale next month.

Auctioneers Tennants of Leyburn, in North Yorkshire, are expecting Lot 139 - the 1885 Minton Majolica work by French sculptor  Paul Comolera (1818 - 1895) - to attract bids upwards of £1,000.

The stand is 104cm high.

Earlier in the sale, Lot 120 consists of  a late 19th Century pair  of Meissen porcelain male Golden Orioles for which the guide price is £500 to £700.

The sale is being held at the Leyburn Auction Centre at 11am on July 11.

Orioles - one silent, the other vocal (or yawning)