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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. |
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| 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.
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| Them bones |
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| 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.
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| Dunwich Heath as it was before the wildfire (photo: National Trust) |
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.
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| 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.
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| Goosanders |
MPs are to discuss whether the go-ahead should be given for "management" (= culling) of Goosanders, Red-breasted Mergansers and Cormorants in areas where they are perceived to be a threat to fish stocks.
A debate is triggered if a petition reaches 10,000 signatures.
Well before deadline of Boxing Day this year, this figure has easily been surpassed for the petition which states:
"Amend Schedule 2.1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to list Cormorants, Goosanders and Red-breasted Mergansers that they may be managed, enabling proportionate control to protect inland fisheries and migratory fish populations where serious damage is evidenced.
"Evidence points to Atlantic salmon being at crisis point - around 90 per cent of principal salmon rivers in England are now classified as at risk and declared catches are at their lowest since records began.
"Millions invested in river restoration are being undermined by predation. Coarse fisheries are also under threat.
"We believe Natural England licensing is too slow for fisheries managers to respond effectively.
"Adding these species to Schedule 2.1 will in our view enable targeted, evidence-based management to protect inland fish stocks."
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| Cormorant |
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| Red-breasted Merganser |
Black Woodpecker - sighting in Dutch park brought Bill Oddie moment of bliss
With live wildlife programmes such as BBC-TV's Springwatch, Bill Oddie paved the way for many other broadcasters, not least Chris Packham who today paid him this tribute.
A renegade polymath with binoculars and a beard, Bill was invariably funny and occasionally furious.
He loved birds and loathed those who harmed them .
He was delightfully unpredictable, sparky, smart and at times a bit spiky.
Critically, he really knew his stuff , and his passion was true - he didn’t just pick up his binoculars on telly, he went birding whenever he could.
So he was genuine - and that’s why we loved him.
He never needed a script, and took scant interest in any he was given.
He did not like rules and often neglected to play by them.
This may have frustrated the serious and the worthy, but it always amused his audience - he was an utter joy to be with.
I recall once watching a Black Woodpecker in a damp Dutch park with him once.
He gazed at it intently, sighed , put down his bins, turned to me and just smiled.
A massive grin.
No words, just a beautiful childlike bliss.
That says all you need to know about Bill Oddie .
Sadly, we have lost not only lost a 'goodie', but one of the besties!
* See also previous blog
