Second UK record of Black-winged Kite pulls birders into Gloucestershire - then goes AWOL

 

Black-winged Kite - as depicted in Gould's Birds of Europe

IT has been destination Gloucestershire this week for birders eager to catch a glimpse of a vagrant  Black-winged Kite.

It is thought to be only the second UK record - the first being in Montgomeryshire in April 2023 and subsequently, three months later, in various parts of East Anglia.

A medium-sized raptor, its is not globally rare, being found widely in sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian sub-continent and increasingly in South-east Asia.  

It is spreading its range and is now familiar in many parts of Europe, including the Netherlands.

Some believe the two UK birds could be 'pioneers', heralding more sightings in the years to come  (as with Collared Doves and Little Egrets). 

Nineteenth-century writer-artist John Gould has some interesting words about the species in his Birds of Europe (1837).

"When we consider the wide range of this beautiful species, scattered as it is over all the temperate and warmer portions of the Old World, it is a matter of no surprise that its capture has of late years been so frequent in Europe. 

"It is abundantly dispersed along the banks of the Nile, and, in fact the whole of Africa and India is inhabited by it.

"Spain, Italy, and the Grecian Islands are the portions of our quarter of the globe most frequented by the Black-winged Kite, but there are also  instances on record of its having been captured in the middle of Germany.:

"In all probability, however, no part of Europe affords it a permanent residence.

"It must, therefore, be regarded  merely as an irregular visitor which has crossed the Mediterranean from the opposite shores of Africa. 

"From the great length of its wings, together with its short and feathered tarsi, we are led to infer that it is capable of rapid and powerful flight, and that it possesses the power of remaining suspended in the air for a great length of time.

"Its food consists principally of insects, chiefly captured in the air, to which are sparingly added lizards, frogs, snakes, and birds.

"The sexes are very much alike in colour, but the female is said to be rather larger than her mate.

"The young of the first autumn may be distinguished from the adults by their having the back strongly tinged with brown, and the end of each feather encircled with buffy white; the sides of the chest brown, and the feathers on the breast streaked down the centre with dark brown.

"The adult has the head and the whole of the back of a fine grey; the centre of the wings black; the primaries and secondaries greyish brown, with lighter grey edges."

Meanwhile, back in Gloucestershire, this week's Kite was variously  seen on Wednesday and Thursday at Splatts Bridge, Saul Worth and Frampton-on-Severn, but it is proving elusive and may now have left the county.

As of noon, there had been no confirmed sightings today. 

RSPB identifies recreational disturbance as 'key cause' for 2024 breeding flop of Slavonian Grebes and Dotterel

                                                           

Slavonian Grebe - population dip at former breeding stronghold on Scottish loch

A NOTE of real concern has been sounded on the declining breeding status of  three species associated with upland habitats.

According to the RSPB's report for its nature reserves, the species that fared "particularly badly" in 2024 were;

* Ring Ouzel

* Slavonian Grebe

* Dotterel

Says the report: "Ring Ouzels declined to an all-time low on those of our reserves where they are  monitored.

"Numbers of Slavonian Grebes fell to their lowest level in modern times on the whole of Loch Ruthven, near Inverness.

"And there were no breeding Dotterels recorded for the first time on the area of the Cairngorms plateau covered by our Abernethy reserve."

It continues: " Recreational disturbance is likely to be a key cause of the decline in the last two species, with climate change also a cause of concern for the future of Dotterel."

On the plus side, last year saw populations of Bitterns, Cranes, Spoonbills and Great White Egrets continued to increase in both number and range. 

Says the report: "These rare wetland birds make use of the high-quality wetland habitat created and maintained on RSPB nature reserves."

Meanwhile,  Capercaillie and Black Grouse numbers increased, while, outside reserves, site-specific interventions proved successful at maintaining the breeding populations of under-pressure ground-nesting birds such as Corncrakes, beach-nesting Ringed Plovers and other waders such as Curlews.

The RSPB says Roseate Terns had a productive breeding season at Coquet Island, off Northumberland  - their main UK breeding colony - but populations of Sandwich, Arctic, Common and especially Little Terns were all low on RSPB reserves.

Meanwhile,  productivity has also been "very poor" for two wet grassland-breeding species -  Black-tailed Godwits and Stone Curlew.

                                      

Dotterel - no longer breeding on Cairngorms plateau near Aviemore (photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Ring Ouzels are now at an all-time breeding low on RSPB reserves

                                           

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Single feather from bird thought to be extinct sells for much higher than expected at Yorkshire auction

The feather that 'took flight' at saleroom in Yorkshire 

A SINGLE feather from a bird thought to be extinct has sold at auction for more than double the highest pre-sale estimate.

The feather from an Ivory-billed Woodpecker was Lot 126 at the sale held earlier this month by Tennants of Leyburn in Yorkshire.

Bids were expected in a range between £80 and £120 but, in the event, it was not until £280 was reached that the hammer fell.

A note in the catalogue states: "Presumed extinct as of 1987, the  Ivory-billed Woodpecker is a species native to the southern United States and Cuba.

"Habitat destruction and hunting have reduced populations so severely that the last universally accepted sighting in the United States was in 1944, and the last universally accepted sighting in Cuba was in 1987. 

"In the 21st century, reported sightings and other evidence that the species persists in Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida, have been published, but the validity of these reports are disputed, with many sources arguing that the bird  is likely to be extinct. 

"Habitat protection and restoration efforts have been initiated in areas where the species might persist."

The feather came with a portrait and signed letter confirming the species and provenance from the vendor, Errol Fuller.

The identity of the successful bidder has not been revealed.

'Extinct' woodpecker and feather

RSPB recruiting for assistant warden at its Insh Marshes reserve on the edge of the Cairngorms mountain range

                                                      

The RSPB's Insh Marshes reserve in the Scottish Highlands

WOULD-BE candidates have until this Sunday August 17 to apply for the role of assistant warden at the RSPB's Insh Marshes reserve near Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands.

The post carries a salary of between £27,123 and £28,956 per annum.

Says the job description: "This is a fantastic opportunity to work at the biggest and most naturally functioning floodplain wetland in Britain.

"Insh Marshes reserve is flanked by the stunning Cairngorm and Monadhliath mountain ranges. 

"The reserve is home to a fantastic array of habitats, including sedge fen, wet grassland and woodland, and an incredible array of wildlife, including breeding waders, Spotted Crake and Osprey, wintering Hen Harrier and Whooper Swan, and nationally important populations of invertebrates.

"This role will include delivering wetland and woodland management along with the upkeep of reserve infrastructure which will entail habitat and practical estate management and managing and working with volunteers. 

"You will need to be an excellent communicator because this role will involve working alongside a wide range of audiences including graziers, neighbours and reserve visitors. 

"The post holder will work closely with (and manage) local and residential volunteers therefore enthusiasm and experience of working with volunteers is essential."

The RSPB is  looking to conduct interviews for this position from September 4, 2025. 

"For further information, contact julie.ellis@rspb.org.uk 

Research on migratory geese suggests attachment of GPS tracking tags could create survival risk

                                    

Tundra Bean Geese - research species for Chinese ornithologists 

DO GPS tracking tags put birds at survival risk?

The question is prompted by Chinese ornithologists who, following research  in China's Poyang Lake region, have identified apparent peril for migratory geese.

In a report in the journal, Ecology and Evolution, they say that  tracking devices were discovered significantly to influence survival outcomes of the two species chosen for the experiment, Tundra Bean Geese and Greater White-fronted Geese.

Those fitted with neckband tags had higher survival rates than those fitted with backpack tags.

The researchers' report states: "This finding resonates with recent biomechanical studies demonstrating that dorsal-mounted backpack devices substantially alter avian aerodynamics by shifting the centre of mass and increasing drag coefficients, thereby elevating flight energy expenditure 

" A study  on Northern Bald Ibises demonstrated that back-mounted trackers (secured via wing loops above the back) significantly reduced their migratory flight distance. 

"The neckband design used in our study offers several biomechanical advantages over backpack-style tags. 

"Unlike backpacks, neckbands avoid contact with wings and major muscle groups, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag and minimizing interference with flight mechanics. 

"This design also prevents constriction of the thoracic cavity, which may be critical during periods of intense metabolic activity, such as pre-migration staging and sustained flight. 

"While initial behavioural impacts of neckband tags (e.g., increased preening) typically subside within six days post-deployment, backpack devices may impose chronic physiological costs through altered gait mechanics and feather abrasion during prolonged use.

"It is theoretically plausible that backpack-style harnesses may restrict thoracic expansion during hyperphagic periods prior to migration, potentially limiting fat accumulation and energy reserves.

" Although our study did not directly assess this hypothesis, future research could explore this mechanism through comparative studies of pre-migration body condition in tagged versus untagged birds. 

"This could help clarify the physiological costs associated with different tagging methods during critical staging periods. 

"Although our study provides evidence that neckband tags are associated with higher post-release survival compared to backpack tags, it is important to note that this conclusion is based on a relatively modest sample size (17 neckband, 20 backpack). 

"While consistent with prior biomechanical research, these findings should warrant replication in future studies with larger sample sizes and additional species to assess potential interspecific variation in response to device type."

The full report can be read at : The Fragile First Year: GPS Tracking Identifies Post‐Release Survival Risks in Migratory Geese - Zhang - 2025 - Ecology and Evolution - Wiley Online Library

South African artist's impressive study of grouse achieved only modest hammer price at Lincolnshire auction

                                                        

As a South African who now lives in Australia, artist Simon Barlow probably has only a limited following in Britain. Hence the unspectacular  price achieved for this original painting of grouse when it went under the hammer at a sale in Louth, Lincolnshire, last week.  Auction house John Taylors had a pre-sale estimate of between £70 and £100 for the gouache painting which measures  66.5cm x 80cm and was included in a frame. In the event, the hammer came down at the lower end of the range - £75. Barlow, incidentally, is the illustrator  of Gamebirds of Southern Africa.  

                                  

          

Bygone birding: John Gould applauds Dotterel for its 'succulency and flavour'

                                                    

Cute (and tasty) - the illustration of Dotterel in John Gould's book

Below is an extract of John Gould's account of the Dotterel in Volume 1 (1873) of The Birds of Great Britain:

From the unmistakable evidence of actual dissection, I have ascertained that the largest and most richly coloured birds are females, and that their average weight is about five  ounces while the comparatively dull-coloured birds, rarely exceeding  four ounces are males. 

I have often thought that the state of plumage in which they arrive in the spring is merely a seasonal dress, and that their winter garb is not characterised by that rich colouring. 

It would appear, too, that the young of both sexes, during their first autumn, are destitute of these colours and have the head of a nearly uniform brown.

A history of the Dotterel would be sadly incomplete without a passing sentence on the value of the bird as an article of food and of commerce. 

During its vernal migration, the Dotterel has from time immemorial been captured and shot for the purposes of the table.

Great numbers are annually forwarded to London where, in spring, it may be seen gracing the shops of the respectable poulterers, such as Mr. Bailey, of Mount Street, Grosvenor Square, and Mr. Fisher, of Duke Street, Piccadilly. 

The Dotterel in the month of May, when the London season is at its height, and game prohibited, is quite a godsend to the epicure, competing with the fattened Quail and Ortolan, both of which, in my opinion, it far surpasses in succulency and flavour.

Indeed, I think it may be regarded as the very finest of the British birds for the table, the Snipe, Woodcock, and Grouse not excepted. 

A gift of such has been, and still is deemed, worthy of royalty. Whoever may have an opportunity of partaking of this delicious viand will not be disappointed.

The autumnal migration of these birds does not afford the same opportunities for procuring them as that of spring, for they return more irregularly.

Neither do they keep so exclusively to the downs, but disperse more generally over the country; few autumn-killed birds are therefore seen in our markets.

Though perhaps not so swift as that of the Golden Plover, the flight of the Dotterel is extremely rapid.

When disturbed, they take long flights for a mile or more, and then, suddenly wheeling round, often return to the spot whence they bad risen. 

The usual mode of shooting them is to walk quickly round the trip, and gradually to diminish the circle until within range, when they become confused and are readily killed. 

They move over the ground with great rapidity, grace and elegance characterising all their movements. 

They so love to dust themselves in the fallows or on the hillsides, that a friend of mine, the late Mr. Hewitt of Reading, informed me he had frequently seen them cover themselves entirely, with the exception of the head, by scratching the dust over them.

Richly-illustrated five-volume Victorian bird publication likely to attract big-bucks bidding at August auction

Jays as depicted in Gould's masterpiece

                                                   

THE strength of the market for antiquarian bird books will be tested at auction next month.

The star lot in a sale to be conducted in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, on August 22 is John Gould's  five-volume The Birds of Great Britain, which was published over a period between 1862 and 1873.

The set contains no fewer than  367 fine hand-coloured lithographic plates by Gould himself and by other notaable artists of the day, namely, H.C. Richter, Joseph Wolf and William Hart.

Auction house Tennants describe it as " very good copy" of  a title which has been described as "the most sumptuous and costly of British bird books".

The pre-sale estimate is that the hammer will come down at a price of between £25,000 and £35,000, but any successful bidder will also have to pay a buyer's premium of 24 per cent. 

It is thought the five volumes could fetch as much as £25,000

                                          

The Red-footed Falcon was known as the Orange-legged Hobby in Victorian times

                                                                        

                                                              

'Louis Theroux, who are you?' Is that what that the Woodpigeon in the garden is asking?

 

What is is trying to tell us? The song of the Woodpigeon has several different  translations

The focus of  recent correspondence in The Daily Telegraph newspaper has been the song of the Woodpigeon. One reader said that the notes reminded and tone her of someone crying: "Mummy, my foot hurts". Other readers came up with different suggestions.     

Supermarket-led consortium confident wildlife can be safeguarded if its holiday park project is approved

 

Between August and March, Cleethorpes beach provides vital feeding and resting habitat for many shorebird species

                                        

THE consortium seeking to redevelop the abandoned Pleasure Island theme park in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, says it would be willing to fund a conservation ranger to  help safeguard wildlife if the holiday park project is granted planning consent.

It says it would chip with £22,264 per annum  to pay the salary of the ranger whose role would be overseen by the Humber Nature Partnership.

Agents for the Lidl-headed consortium state: "This will be a part-time time role, due to the limited opening season of the holiday park, around 2.5 days per week, 12 months of the year.  

"The role will be further supported by on-site holiday park staff who will  promote best practice measures.

"The role and responsibilities of the ranger would need  to be agreed with Natural England, Humber Nature Partnership and other appropriate stakeholders such as the RSPB.

                                        

Green and leafy - part of the Pleasure Island site

"Responsibilities are likely to include:

* Engagement with the public 

* Monitoring 

* Habitat and access management 

* Managing local volunteers 

* Providing ongoing advice and support to the council where there my be disturbance issues 

* Providing guided walks and social media support. 

According to the agents, the the role will be provided "for the life of the development" and will be in place prior to the occupation of the leisure element of the development. 

However, they state that "the role would be subject to ongoing assessment to confirm the effectiveness of the ranger programme".

In the past, Natural England has sounded serious caution about the proposed development because of fears that a huge influx of holidaymakers would cause disturbance to the coast which is of global importance as a haven for shorebirds, most of which are in decline."

But, as previously reported, the consortium has devised a scheme whereby holiday cabin occupants would re-routed away from the coast lines to  Cleethorpes Country Park via the footpath (which would be paved) that runs along the Buck Beck and past the back of the Premier Inn.

It says this will "encourage people away from more sensitive areas of the coast and reduce the overall recreational pressure on the coastal area".   

It goes on: "It is envisaged that this detail would be brought forward as a condition to any planning permission and implemented prior to the lodges becoming fully occupied." 

According to the planning application, there would be a ban on dogs (though, in the event of consent being granted, this might be difficult to enforce).

The holiday park part of the scheme (which also includes provision for two hotels, a Lidl supermarket and a garden centre) would be closed between November 1 and March 14 (exact dates dependent on school holidays).

The consortium has one other rabbit to pull out of its hat.

It proposes: "The use of a site mascot would  promote the importance of the shoreline bird population. 

"This could take the form of a Curlew and will be involved with the promotion and engagement of residents with habitats and species." 

It is thought North East Lincolnshire Council will determine the planning application later this year or early in 2026.

                                        

Curlew - consortium has indicated declining shorebird could be a 'site mascot'

Hammer comes down at £480 on superb painting of Spoonbill by Suffolk artist Raymond Watson

                                            

This handsome study of a Spoonbill achieved a hammer price of £480 when it sold at an auction conducted earlier this month by Tennants of Leyburn in North Yorkshire. It is the work of  Ipswich-born Raymond Cyril Watson (1935-1994) who particularly loved to observe and paint in Norfolk and Scotland. Even in birding circles, he is far from well known, but many of his studies are so lifelike that they almost take the breath away. Watson illustrated two book, Birds of the British Coast and Song Birds. 

Is the Dotterel heading for same British breeding fate as the Wryneck?

Dotterel - fears of a 2025 breeding catastrophe (photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Worrying comments are being heard from those involved with  this summer's research survey of the breeding population in Britain of a much-cherished member of the plover family - the Dotterel.

Indications are that the species has fared disastrously in 2025 - possibly with as few as just three breeding pairs in the whole of Scotland, traditionally where it has its stronghold.

When, one afternoon earlier this month, expert Ian Francis spent seven hours scanning a mountain range spots in The Cairngorms where he has been accustomed to watching them in the past, he encountered not a single bird.

"It's not looking good," he said on Twitter.

It is thought that climatic change and dry weather have contributed to the demise of a bird which has been in decline since the second half of the last century.

A survey in 1988 recorded 980 breeding males in Britain, but,when the exercise was repeated in 2011, just 423 breeding males were counted.

There had been high hopes for 2025, with  spring sightings of resting migrant birds from various places in Britain - most notably a trip of seven which tarried for a few days at the North Gare golf  course in County Durham.

But this year, the moist and boggy conditions favoured by Dotterel and their insect prey have been absent.

The species is they are particularly associated with altitudes above 600 metres where moss–sedge is a predominant plant.

The best hope is that birds that would have nested In Scotland in favourable conditions  may have taken flight to join their counterparts in Arctic Norway and/ or or Siberia.

This is a notably itinerant species, and it is not uncommon for males and females to breed in different countries within the same season. 

In autumn, birds that have bred in Britain chiefly migrate to Morocco and other parts of north-western Africa while those that migrate further east head for north-eastern Africa and the Middle East.

In these regions, the species is under pressure during winter as a result of changed farming practices and industrial development.

In England and Wales, it is thought a combination of atmospheric nitrogen deposition and increased sheep grazing may have been responsible for its absence in former breeding locations as a result of degradation of moss-sedge and its replacement with grass.

Predation, hunting and other human disturbance are also likely to have been factors in the species' decline.

The summer 2025 'Montane Bird Survey', now drawing to its conclusion, has  been a collaboration between RSPB Scotland and NatureScot under the supervision of Dr Leah Kelly.

Hill-hiking volunteers taking part between May and July have also been monitoring two other high-altitude breeding species, Ptarmigan and Snow Bunting. 

It is not known when survey's results will be published.

New printer found for British Birds journal after Receivers were called in at previous contractor

After a two-week delay, the July edition should be reaching subscribers by the end of this week

A NEW printer has been found for esteemed ornithological magazine British Birds after its previous contractor went into receivership.

In a statement issued earlier this week, British Birds said: "A new printer has now been found, and the July issue has gone to print. 

"We are hopeful that the July print-issue will arrive with subscribers by Saturday of this week."

The statement continues: "At this stage, it seems unlikely that we will be able to deliver the August 2025 issue by the first of the month, and a mid-month delivery may be the norm for the next few months. 

"Due to the current production process, the late printing schedule is also having (less significant) knock-on effects on the release of the digital issue."

It was at the end of last month that Norfolk-based Swallowtail Print went  into administration. 

When no buyer could be found, Receivers were appointed.

British Birds, which has been published monthly since 1907, has not revealed the identity of the replacement printers, but it says it is unlikely that the £73 print-subscription price will be held at the current rate next year.

It adds: "The board will, as ever, work to minimise cost increases where possible and subscribers will be kept informed."

Council issues appeal to drone enthusiasts: 'Don't get too close to roosting or feeding shorebirds'

 

Irresponsible use of a drone over the rock armour off North Promenade, Cleethorpes, a favourite roosting spot for gulls and other birds

A COUNCIL has urged drone enthusiasts not to fly their devices over areas of  beach and saltmarsh where they may disturb wildlife - particularly birds.

Between next month and March, the  stretch of coastline between Cleethorpes and Humberston in northern Lincolnshire will provide feeding and roosting habitat for scores of thousands of  shorebirds, such as godwits, plovers and wild geese.

But they can be spooked by drones which they probably deem to be predators. 

North East Lincolnshire Council has today issued a statement which reads: "Forcing birds to take flight while  they are resting or  feeding is very disruptive - it can even affect breeding in the following season.

"Indeed, excessive disturbance can lead to exhaustion and death." 

Says NELC's portfolio holder for the environment, Cllr Henry Hudson: "Drones are becoming more and more popular as a means of getting literally a bird’s eye view of an event or a location.

"We have no objection to licensed drone use, but we do urge people to make sure they refrain from causing any unnecessary disturbance to our birds and wildlife., or accidents because of them."

NELC has published an advice leaflet at:  NELC-Use-of-Drones.docx

                                                        

Drone being flown over the fringes of the pools at Humberston Fitties 

Six years after the blaze, Fair Island Bird Observatory back in business with a brand new accommodation building

                                   

Artists at work on a mural of Fair Isle at the 2019 Birdfair

FAIR Isle Bird Observatory has re-opened for guests in  a brand new building.

Since late May, birders have been returning to probably Britain's hottest of hottest rarity hotspots.

The re-opening has come just over six years after an unexplained fire - which is believed to have started in the roof - destroyed the former observatory.

Plans are afoot for occasional live music performances, and it is understood that an application has also been submitted for a drinks licence.

During October, various discounts will be offered for those staying for a stay of longer than seven nights.

More information at: https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk

                                

Fair Isle lies between the Shetlands and the Orkneys (photo: Neil Farebrother via Wikimedia Commons)

Police seek information following damage to Sand Martin nesting bank at Northamptonshire reserve

                                                   

Shattered panel on one of the nesting banks

POLICE are appealing for information after one of two artificial Sand Martin nesting banks was severely damaged  at a  nature reserve in Rushden, Northamptonshire.

The banks had been installed three years ago by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trsut at a cost of £3,000 each. 

Last year, they were occupied  by Sand Martins for the first time.

It is understood that two nests were destroyed in the incident in which panels were broken and nesting tubes were thrown into the lake.

                                                    

Juvenile Sand Martin at rest

Says conservation manager for Northamptonshire Matt Johnson: "This is a very distressing incident for staff at the reserve and visitors who come here to enjoy wildlife. 

"Disturbing a bird nest is a wildlife crime and sets back our ambitions to create a healthy population of Sand Martins at the Nene Wetlands.

"As a wildlife charity, we are here to create space for nature and protect species so to have to deal with criminal behaviour and harm to birds in this way is quite shocking. 

"We hope those responsible will think very hard about what they've done and the loss of these beautiful birds.

"We will do our best to repair the bank but it will take time that we should be spending looking after the reserve."

PC Emerson Knights, of Northamptonshire police's rural crime team, comments: "Our team is dedicated to tackling wildlife crime and take reports like this very seriously.

"What happened to these nests was a mindless act of criminal damage that has harmed defenceless birds and caused a lot of upset for Trust staff and visitors. 

"We are appealing for anyone with information about this incident to contact us on 101, quoting incident reference 25000372274, or  Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."

                                                

One of the two nesting banks at the Rushden reserve

Stars of the reedbed - and stars of the saleroom! Bumper price achieved for Harrison painting of Marsh Harriers

 

This captivating painting of two Marsh Harriers in a watery habitat exceeded expectations when it went under the hammer at an auction held yesterday in Leyburn, North Yorkshire. Before the sale, auction house Tennants estimated that the study, by John Harrison (1898-1985), would achieve a  price of between  £300 and £500, but the bidding reached £1,300  before the hammer fell. The identity of the successful bidder has not been revealed, but his good taste is to be commended.  

Frank Rennie's new book will provide intriguing aspects on ecology of the Merlin - a 'magical raptor'

                                                                    

There is likely to be plenty of interest in Frank Rennie's  book about the Merlin when it is published in paperback by Pelagic on July 29. It takes a broad view of the species' ecology over its huge range, highlighting some intriguing variations in regional behaviour. The retail price of the paperback will be £30.

American ornithologist's study of Crossbills and Conifers to be published in UK next week

 

                                            

This  study of Crossbills and conifers is likely to be a prestigious and welcome addition to the bookshelf of many a birder. Author Craig Benkman is a distinguished ornithologist and an academic at the University of Wyoming. The book, is published in hardback at £65 by Pelagic Publishing. It is due out on Tuesday July 15.

What am I bid? Red Grouse and Spoonbill set to catch the eye at weekend art auction in Yorkshire

Painted in 1991, this mixed media study of Red Grouse over a burn by Richard Robjent (born 1937) is expected to fetch between  £200 and £300 when it goes under the hammer at a sale of British, European and Sporting Art on Saturday, July 12. In the same sale,, to be conducted by auction house Tennants at their premises in Leyburn, North Yorkshire is a study (below) of a Spoonbill by Raymond Watson (1935-1994) where the pre-sale guide price is  £300-£500.

Are they really public enemy number one? Mainstream media just won't leave 'seagulls' alone

 

Any chance to demonise Herring Gulls and Britain's seldom fails to jump to the bait. Above and below are two items - on  a photograph and one a news report - that appeared last week in The Daily Telegraph newspaper. 

Norfolk- based printer of annual county bird reports calls in administrators

 

                                      

A NORFOLK-based company which, over the years, has printed many annual county bird resorts has folded.

Swallowtail Print ran into difficulties during the Covid pandemic and has never managed to recover fully.

Attempts to find a buyer for the company, which is based in Drayton, near Norwich, proved unsuccessful and it entered administration on June 24.

One of the last contracts it fulfilled was the printing last month of the 2022 Lincolnshire Bird Report.

The administrators are Norwich-based McTear Williams & Wood.

Some 44 staff have been made redundant, but it is understood several have found work with another Norfolk-based printing company. 

Could it be possible? Is Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner halfway to becoming a twitcher?

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is not noted for being much of an advocate for birds and wildlife, so it was a pleasant surprise to see the pattern on the dress she was wearing when she deputised for Sir Keir Starmer  at Prime Minister's Questions in the 'Commons on Wednesday. The creature appears to be a Sunbird or a Hummingbird, but can anyone come up with the exact species? Or is it a make-believe bird?

Yorkshire auction house reckons Archibald Thorburn's study of Blackgame in The Snow could fetch bumper price

                                                           

YORKSHIRE-based auction house Tennants has high hopes for this study of Blackgame in The Snow as painted by Archibald Thorburn in 1929. When it goes under the hammer at a sale of British, European and Sporting Art in Leyburn on July 12, the firm estimates it could fetch between £8,000 and £12,000. Painted in watercolour and bodycover, the study - Lot 1051 - measures 27.5 cm by 37 cm.

Rare opportunity to bid at auction for watercolour of marshland bird that has never been recorded in Britain

                                                    

Spur-winged Plover - also known as Spur-winged Lapwing

BECAUSE it is not on the British list, interest may be limited when a study of a Spur-winged Plover goes under the hammer at auction tomorrow June 4.

It is the work of Suffolk-based female artist Tory Lawrence who died, aged 86, last year. 

It is not known under what circumstances she was inspired to carry out the work (in 1995) given that the nearest the species occurs in Britain is marshland habitats in the eastern Mediterranean. 

A bird found dead in Hailsham, Sussex, in 1910, is thought to have been an escapee from a privately-owned ornamental collection.

The painting, a watercolour, is Lot 644 in the sale of Modern British and  20th Century Art  to be held by Salisbury-based Woolley and Wallis. 

The pre-sale estimate is that it will fetch between £150 and £250.

Earlier in the auction, an enchanting watercolour, heightened with gouache, of a singing Wren by Lancashire-based Roger McPhail (71) - Lot 606 - is expected to fetch between £250 and £350.

The thorns on a blackberry bush hold no fears for Rodger McPhail's autumn Wren 

RSPB announces imminent closure of ailing community forum as it seeks to divert resources elsewhere

THE RSPB has announced forthcoming closure of its community website.

The site has provided a forum for members (and non-members) to contribute comments, reports, photographs and reviews of new books.

However, the society has decided to pull the plug on July 1.

In a statement, it says: "Use of the community site has been in decline for some time now and only around 12 per cent of registered users have logged in over the last year. 

"It is hosted by an external company and needs considerable investment to bring it into line with new legislation and requirements. 

"Our contract ends in July 2025 and we have therefore taken the decision to close the site on  July 1. 

"This means we can then use your generous donations as effectively as we can for direct conservation delivery and focus on providing the communications, channels, and events more of our members and supporters prefer. "

The decision will disappoint regular contributors, but the bird charity insists it remains  committed to engaging  members and supporters through other channels such as its quarterly magazine and social media.

Until the end of this month, the community website can be viewed at:  

https://community.rspb.org.uk/

The statement concludes:  "We should like to express our thanks and appreciation to all users of the RSPB community website over the years."

BBC rebuffs claims that filming of Springwatch TV show caused harm to Peak District countryside

 

Did BBC TV show really  'ruin' the countryside? Report in The Daily Telegraph newspaper

THE BBC has responded to allegations that broadcasting of TV programme Springwatch was damaging to the countryside and hence to wildlife on National Trust land in the Peak District.

According to a report in The Daily Telegraph newspaper (May 30), a nearby resident complained that the broadcasting unit built temporary roads for lorries over a meadow where wildflowers were about to blossom.

Another claim that one of the fields taken over by the film crew was potentially a breeding site for Curlews.

In a statement, the BBC said: "The Springwatch team worked  in cooperation with the National Trust. 

"The field location was confirmed as appropriate for temporary use by local land managers, and no wildlife has been displaced.

"All of the surfaces installed and modifications were  temporary, and the National Trust will undertake any works that may be needed to reinstate the site following the departure of the Springwatch team.

"This restoration will include reseeding fields, restoring ditches and reverting any landscape changes."

 The statement continued: "Minimising our environmental impact is a top priority.

"While on location, our main power source is a green hydrogen fuel cell, dramatically reducing our CO₂ emission."

Good knowledge of arithmetic preferred - RSPB on look-out for new finance supremo

                                                 

The successful candidate will be expected to report to the society's HQ in Bedfordshire (above) once a month 

A SIX-FIGURE salary is up for grabs in a job being advertised by  the RSPB.

The bird charity is seeking a new director of finance on pay of between £86,059 - £109,346 per annum plus other benefits.

Says the job description: "This is an opportunity for the successful candidate to:

* Drive the finance department across all areas, including financial operations and budgeting and forecasting.

* Provide advice and support to the wider finance, governance and strategy directorate, the board and other senior leaders on finance-related matters with a focus on strategy implementation.

* Engage with the finance committee and audit and risk committee, leading on all financial matters.

Applicants need to be fully qualified accountants who can demonstrate:

 * A successful track record of inspiring, managing, and delivering large scale organisation-wide projects

* A track track record in the successful leadership and management of a finance team in a multi-faceted and geographically dispersed organisation

* A successful track record in developing excellent working relationships between internal directorates and external stakeholders

* Experience of both internal and external financial reporting and the related regulatory environment in the charity sector

* Experience of control systems that manage risk effectively and provide assurance on the efficiency and effectiveness of financial processes and compliance with relevant regulatory frameworks

* Knowledge of the main direct and indirect tax frameworks related to the charity sector

* Experience in creating and communicating a compelling vision for directing and motivating the Finance team

The RSPB's current finance chief is Russell Powell who took over in January 23, having previously worked at the National Trust where he was director of planning and insight.  

The successful applicant will be permitted to work for home  though he or she will be expected to report to  the society's HQ in Sandy, Bedfordshire, every month.

The deadline for applications for the post is midnight on Wednesday June 4.

More details from: julia.mackay@rspb.org.uk