tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78328488420008619612024-03-29T04:02:19.652-07:00The WryneckNEWS, PICTURES AND COMMENT FROM THE BIRDING WORLDThe Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.comBlogger1086125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-24544331115577667642024-03-28T04:58:00.000-07:002024-03-28T04:58:10.810-07:00Housebuilder 'proud' of its pledge to safeguard welfare of stone-curlews and other scarce wildlife<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgYqciJg_KvXUSATwaePmsxIj9NOXX0ECx913grILFbCXI4wHK36rn6VIXXSRucxHfK0f8mfbZv1fKaxRdvXwC8IOBvBob4rkUDUv0tj041EB0KtE4zLh3bhsh0_2V6P47sUIzhGBkdWl5f2pIZb6p1YtdHvJ4h07A6xKs1yPcEoDFXBMtffywrmn0NnU" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="568" data-original-width="640" height="569" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgYqciJg_KvXUSATwaePmsxIj9NOXX0ECx913grILFbCXI4wHK36rn6VIXXSRucxHfK0f8mfbZv1fKaxRdvXwC8IOBvBob4rkUDUv0tj041EB0KtE4zLh3bhsh0_2V6P47sUIzhGBkdWl5f2pIZb6p1YtdHvJ4h07A6xKs1yPcEoDFXBMtffywrmn0NnU=w640-h569" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Unlikely bedfellows - Persimmon Homes and stone-curlews</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">BRITAIN'S largest housebuilder, Persimmon Homes, has pledged to safeguard the welfare of rare stone-curlews which live near the site of a proposed 139-property development.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>The Wryneck</i> is not naming the location to save alerting unscrupulous egg collectors, but planning consent was granted in November last year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Before proceeding, the company says it will create a 2.33-hectare off-site habitat chiefly for the stone-curlews but potentially also for other scarce birds, such as woodlarks and nightjars, plus seldom-seen reptiles.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Says a Persimmon spokesperson: "We are proud of this project and its likely ecological benefits.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"The site will be managed in perpetuity for the stone curlews and other wildlife." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Natural England initially objected to the project, but its concerns seem to have been allayed by the proposed mitigation.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The off-site habitat will be on land adjacent to an existing Site of Special Scientific Interest.</span></p><p><b style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Photo, via Wikimedia Commons, taken in Italy by Francesco Venonesi</b></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-9180169676326290022024-03-27T09:46:00.000-07:002024-03-27T09:50:38.566-07:00Auction opportunity beckons to buy set of volumes illustrated by acclaimed bird artist Archibald Thorburn<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdMZxe0IHnj7FL3wxiBnhZWNhO0nbsNcyedmw_koVWAipCqxytG_UOKtWWxxkHFcClLZTAxCLw91YI0J9VplMAgRpcAqPAdyOrqPMAMSPjDQIU9fHXRqQ6a2RB-PvY1bzmgA974gWal40mNXpH3T-umncfcakoBfXTFt_cD_ltYwGHtrO6_m37KM7P2Q/s640/thorb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="640" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtdMZxe0IHnj7FL3wxiBnhZWNhO0nbsNcyedmw_koVWAipCqxytG_UOKtWWxxkHFcClLZTAxCLw91YI0J9VplMAgRpcAqPAdyOrqPMAMSPjDQIU9fHXRqQ6a2RB-PvY1bzmgA974gWal40mNXpH3T-umncfcakoBfXTFt_cD_ltYwGHtrO6_m37KM7P2Q/w640-h514/thorb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-weight: 700;">This superb set of volumes by acclaimed wildlife artist Archibald Thorburn is set to go under the hammer on the morning of April 10 at a specialist sale of books, maps and manuscripts to be held by auctioneers Tennants at their premises in Leyburn, North Yorkshire. The pre-sale estimate is that the Lot will fetch between £200 and £400 which seems modest. However, it has to be said that the market for antiquarian ornithology-related books has not not been notably strong in recent months.</span></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-84024286175941506482024-03-26T07:19:00.000-07:002024-03-26T09:57:55.883-07:00The Isle of Wight's White-tailed eagles love to go a-wandering - but not (for some reason) to Wales or Ireland<p><span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKjYJ88E-nYoMsYC6I_J69vsvUVYLlc3qHjFenav-aP-Y8nDK_BLinEfIxUk0AaCinKynRxluFTH3i30bvjvAC2XTvEKYi_wBo2NVaI7HxLoKsFGinagryHrbVn4HoqKk1ral-nJWzu1XfJ74t4yL3-ELj-nAGUgVbvrs4xXuw1Py5zKN_mdUyZzRLpY/s3105/IMG_1368.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3105" data-original-width="2915" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKjYJ88E-nYoMsYC6I_J69vsvUVYLlc3qHjFenav-aP-Y8nDK_BLinEfIxUk0AaCinKynRxluFTH3i30bvjvAC2XTvEKYi_wBo2NVaI7HxLoKsFGinagryHrbVn4HoqKk1ral-nJWzu1XfJ74t4yL3-ELj-nAGUgVbvrs4xXuw1Py5zKN_mdUyZzRLpY/w300-h320/IMG_1368.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Tim Mackrill - expert on fish-eating raptors </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">WHEN White-tailed Eagles returned to England almost five years ago, no one expected Lapwings to be a beneficiary species.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But early evidence is indicating that their presence can displace Buzzards which prey on Lapwing chicks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By contrast, though White-tailed Eagles do feed on birds, their targets tend not to be Lapwings but Coot or unfit specimens of larger species such as Grey Lage and Canada Geese.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This information and much more featured in a fascinating weekend talk by Dr Tim Mackrill. It was entitled <i>The Return of The White-tailed Eagle to England.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In his illustrated presentation on Saturday to the annual meeting of the Lincolnshire Bird Club, he noted that this majestic raptor, the fourth largest eagle in the world, used to be widespread in England until it was persecuted to extinction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Why the persecution? Tim did not go into detail but noted a religious link. Fish-eating is associated with Good Friday which is why, through centuries, substantial bounties were placed on the killing of both this fish-eating species and another, the Osprey.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What initiated the return to England? It dates back to June 2019 when the highly-respected Roy Dennis Foundation introduced birds from Scottish nests to the Isle of Wight where the bird had been extinct since 1780.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As Tim described it, this was born of the Foundation's conviction that the time had come to start "undoing a past wrong". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The initiative has not been without controversy, especially among a minority of farmers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKOMwjcBp89sQkgPAwl7p5YfOqbgnU01VN_zWXJkOzwH5An6s6BQi0SJqDK98TRYDuB8M6UdAaPqBGFNwXsGn8U_lVO8BqxtknZR1Hb2L7Mj1bCpQGEF0mipBc15lUJ7wSXBtQNdob7ARAtzKP41zAxo2ca6hNt8QIEC8jgqwkm_0di_bB609AidiYFU/s1410/w-t%20eag8.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1410" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKOMwjcBp89sQkgPAwl7p5YfOqbgnU01VN_zWXJkOzwH5An6s6BQi0SJqDK98TRYDuB8M6UdAaPqBGFNwXsGn8U_lVO8BqxtknZR1Hb2L7Mj1bCpQGEF0mipBc15lUJ7wSXBtQNdob7ARAtzKP41zAxo2ca6hNt8QIEC8jgqwkm_0di_bB609AidiYFU/w400-h297/w-t%20eag8.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">High in the sky! Such a magnificent raptor!</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The species, especially young birds, feed extensively on carrion but, contrary to scare stories, there is no reliable evidence that they attack lambs or any other livestock.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>Those </span>animal carcasses on which they are seen feeding have invariably already died beforehand of other causes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In his talk, attended by an audience of about 40, at the education centre at Whisby Nature Park, near Lincoln, Tim described how, in order to forestall any risk of imprinting, young birds were gradually introduced to their new Isle of Wight environment in such a way that the human involvement was imperceptible to the birds.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Although some of the 29 releasees since 2019 have died - for instance from avian influenza, ingesting poisoned rats, pylon cable collision or even, in one instance, impact from a train while feeding on a dead deer on a railway line.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Early indications are that survival rates seem to be greater among females, The reasons for this are not clear, and, according to Tim, it may just be happenstance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">One remarkable bird has managed to thrive despite somehow losing its right foot - thought to be the result of electrocution, entanglement with a fishing line or having been caught in a spring-trap.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>Thanks to the attachment to the released birds of satellite tags </span>(costing about £1,000 apiece). a huge amount is known about the nomadic behaviour of the species.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Tim and his raptor-studying colleagues are now able not just to track tagged birds but also to predict their movements up down the whole length of Britain, thence sometimes across the English Channel though western Europe to Scandinavia and back to the Isle of Wight.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>It seems that the birds have favourite perching sites trees - </span>such as willow, Scots pine and birch - where, almost hidden from human view, they may spend as much of 90 per cent of their time doing absolutely nothing.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"They seem to favour the sit-and-wait method of foraging," said Tim who noted that, as birds grow older, they became increasingly adept at stealing food from other birds, even snatching prey from Herons, Peregrines, Buzzards and Marsh Harriers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Basing his talk mostly on scientific data, peppered with the occasional anecdote, Tim also touched on plumage moult, breeding behaviour, historical context, Scottish introductions and how the diets (including cuttlefish and grey mullet) of individual birds change during the four or five ears or so while they grow from juveniles to adults. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He also noted the significance of White-tailed eagles in generating tourism - thought conservatively to be in excess of £5-millon per annum on Mull and more than £2.4-million the Isle of Skye. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Contrary to widespread belief that White-tailed Eagles are solely birds of wild coasts, they breed extensively at inland sites in Germany and Poland, and they regularly nests on the outskirts of cities as large as Rotterdam, Helsinki and Hamburg.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Yet, despite the accumulation of knowledge about the species, it still retains sufficient secrets to be classified as a bird of mystery.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Why, for instance, given the abundance of estuary and other suitable feeding habitat, do the nomadic flights of released birds exclude almost the whole of Wales and Northern Ireland? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"Maybe it has something to do with prevailing winds, but we don't really know," said Tim.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Also unknown is the extent of its eyesight, though, according to the speaker, its detection ability could, incredibly, be as far as 10 miles! </span></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYsHNdZ-bW-wZWIbOvFGJyyHNVMy6NVcu2svyKsBSzWlnbZNH_2ncd0NbwCb7Q53G-iaT-4nY_pQjvOBT0kldGbj7v-zn2dEOXao93E7qC3uzZsZaYQpLgjtCWS5Bjhoy2ciCWlsMVTx0sZ-j1m7fT3dGPG5wLzc0pKHe2kzyXeAj8NOW7pRmvtN26zY/s4511/IMG_1374.JPG" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1961" data-original-width="4511" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYsHNdZ-bW-wZWIbOvFGJyyHNVMy6NVcu2svyKsBSzWlnbZNH_2ncd0NbwCb7Q53G-iaT-4nY_pQjvOBT0kldGbj7v-zn2dEOXao93E7qC3uzZsZaYQpLgjtCWS5Bjhoy2ciCWlsMVTx0sZ-j1m7fT3dGPG5wLzc0pKHe2kzyXeAj8NOW7pRmvtN26zY/w640-h278/IMG_1374.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;">Tim has recently published a highly acclaimed book, </span><i style="text-align: left;">The Osprey</i><span style="text-align: left;">. He is pictured below with some of those who attended his talk near Lincoln - from left, Mike Harrison, Chris Grimshaw, John Watt, Jon Cooper, Phil Espin and David Cohen.</span></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-77277453727059531142024-03-25T14:10:00.000-07:002024-03-25T14:10:37.580-07:00A strange-looking bird - alas now extinct - looks even stranger in Staffordshire taxidermists' unique recreation <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivirOnJ77ik7XtHnPS5-7uk19vJadcB42aEvGfCtP2EgYVGmmo0hLAeYmspKTWp7oWP33a5g38geIKfwpBtQwMg7GGxMa6x2MOnQw0Ch1hWvvTUNGmMA9yV_YYU94LhBXxNNvfV5FimaZhUqW98PqqeYkjHfPa_HbNSRIGrhQiCgp3suyLtSAZ6_N5En8/s4991/great%20auk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4991" data-original-width="3584" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivirOnJ77ik7XtHnPS5-7uk19vJadcB42aEvGfCtP2EgYVGmmo0hLAeYmspKTWp7oWP33a5g38geIKfwpBtQwMg7GGxMa6x2MOnQw0Ch1hWvvTUNGmMA9yV_YYU94LhBXxNNvfV5FimaZhUqW98PqqeYkjHfPa_HbNSRIGrhQiCgp3suyLtSAZ6_N5En8/w460-h640/great%20auk.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Slimline - Barry Williams' version of the great auk</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">IS this what a great auk really looked like?</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The long-extinct species has been reimagined and recreated by Staffordshire-based taxidermist Barry Williams as being much slimmer than in most other depictions.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It also has a somewhat strangely located left eye.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Enclosed within a five-glass display case, measuring 58cm by 36cm by 88.5cm, it is due to go under the hammer at a sale due to be held on April 17 by auction house Tennants of Leyburn in North Yorkshire.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The pre-sale estimate is that it will fetch between £1,200 and £1,800.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBczD4jdpTOOeoSUnLqgtY91QzjcxcpAI7gR1yT2223prsflURWpFl1JwyqrEV4aqzdTZdx1H5WSi7_OBhFFZJ2wrDUJ2Ar1TfiaV0kP1AbLVno9v86vYpfLue9Fs_COCyiKpYFijXgAYuQZPD4wt5m-OPyuBO8-dIdrzGVTqsghINcTDpLsFBhvfAmSU/s4000/great%20auk4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2858" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBczD4jdpTOOeoSUnLqgtY91QzjcxcpAI7gR1yT2223prsflURWpFl1JwyqrEV4aqzdTZdx1H5WSi7_OBhFFZJ2wrDUJ2Ar1TfiaV0kP1AbLVno9v86vYpfLue9Fs_COCyiKpYFijXgAYuQZPD4wt5m-OPyuBO8-dIdrzGVTqsghINcTDpLsFBhvfAmSU/w458-h640/great%20auk4.jpg" width="458" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Here's looking at you - the eye has it!</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br /><div> </div></div><div> </div></div>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-19818732250478440982024-03-25T05:15:00.000-07:002024-03-25T05:15:37.012-07:00Council's touching plea on behalf of Cleethorpes shorebirds: 'Beach is their home - we are the visitors' <p> <span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GipTobQtSOexmOarr0LSoTCWkA-BvJxevA7QfjdX5-3Abmb5mVKQno4CEyMD_lqL7ZmdI2XcyvNBX62t6JJ3O99cS9k7ezVvut5C54taBN1i68U-GH1_a_kklWyyAwINI4bBiSCRtVjgJR3ox6I9Z8ITpskgCdJ84Ow5GKOS2f4As7g7KLCdzR7-dq4/s5184/IMG_1291.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GipTobQtSOexmOarr0LSoTCWkA-BvJxevA7QfjdX5-3Abmb5mVKQno4CEyMD_lqL7ZmdI2XcyvNBX62t6JJ3O99cS9k7ezVvut5C54taBN1i68U-GH1_a_kklWyyAwINI4bBiSCRtVjgJR3ox6I9Z8ITpskgCdJ84Ow5GKOS2f4As7g7KLCdzR7-dq4/w640-h480/IMG_1291.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Shorebirds, such as knot and oystercatcher, seen here on central beach just after high tide </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">NORTH East Lincolnshire Council has today put out an unexpected - but welcome - plea on behalf of the birds and other wildlife that live within its jurisdiction:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"The Easter holidays are almost upon us and everyone is gearing up for the start of the season in Cleethorpes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"From enjoying a wander along the prom to sighting some of nature’s most beautiful birds along the saltmarsh.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"With its sand dunes, saltmarsh and tidal mud flats, Cleethorpes is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest and provides vital habitat for hundreds of thousands of wading birds, rare plants and sea life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"Always keep a safe distance away and do not disturb. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"Remember this is their habitat, their home and we are the visitors." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The appeal concludes: "If you have concerns for an animal or bird’s health or safety, you can report it to the resort management team on 01472 323356."</span></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-85556890578591721622024-03-21T03:28:00.000-07:002024-03-21T03:28:24.148-07:00Former deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine (91 today) always put in a good word for the birds <p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54Up42tczWvCR10iMYXIoMOCn6WYiHZ5kkkpthsk7mUQNMRxEy9BRZnAPf-OEUT-bUQ5r1IGdAq-1tUcNQj9cDvBxTQM7-thZ5xyneR9T2YOwKpkJFnUp9ItL8F7wwm_LLjG9-XD2Klo/s1600/hezza.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54Up42tczWvCR10iMYXIoMOCn6WYiHZ5kkkpthsk7mUQNMRxEy9BRZnAPf-OEUT-bUQ5r1IGdAq-1tUcNQj9cDvBxTQM7-thZ5xyneR9T2YOwKpkJFnUp9ItL8F7wwm_LLjG9-XD2Klo/w284-h320/hezza.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="284" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b> Lord Heseltine - lifelong bird enthusiast</b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b> </b></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"></span>IT'S many happy returns of the day to birdwatcher, former Deputy Prime Minister and Tory grandeee Lord Heseltine of Thenford. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">He is 91.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">His interest in all things ornithological started as a boy in Swansea where the family lived in a house with a spacious well-planted garden that was full of birds all through the year. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"From an early age I enjoyed both watching them and listening to their calls and songs," he recalls.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"I have no doubt I also took inspiration from the rugged beauty and sandy bays of the nearby Gower peninsula where I spent many happy times.</span></p><p><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">"When I was at school at Shrewsbury, I also was allowed to keep birds in an old farm shed in the grounds. </span></p><p><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">"Among them was a jackdaw which I coaxed into becoming finger-tame."</span></p><p><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Very occasionally, Lord Heseltine's interest in birds and wildlife overlapped with his political career. <br /><br />He was a key figure<b> </b> in framing and promoting the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.</span></p><p><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">He recalls: "The RSPB was one of the main consultees. </span></p><p><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">"I remember telling the society how much it was to their benefit to have a Secretary of State for the Environment who had a keen interest in birds. It was as if all their Christmases had come at once!"</span></p><p><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Any downsides of the legislation?</span></p><p><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">"It has unleashed a population explosion of magpies which, I fear, have almost cleaned out many migrant songbirds that were once much more widespread than they are today.</span></p><p><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">As a minister, Lord Heseltine always sought to squeeze in a spot of birding during his overseas travels. <br /><br />He says one of his most unforgettable memories is of a visit to one of the Falklands Islands. </span></p><p><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">"It was carpeted with rockhopper penguins and black-browed albatross. </span></p><p><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">"One of the joys of birdwatching is that it is a hobby than can be enjoyed anywhere in the world. </span></p><p><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">"I have met many like-minded bird enthusiasts at foreign embassies and the foreign commands of our armed services."</span></p><p><span face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b>Photo: Wikimedia Commons</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-50598681006373402002024-03-19T04:38:00.000-07:002024-03-19T04:38:56.621-07:00Workers down tools on ambitious Fair Isle Bird Observatory project as employers run out of cash <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RDddbqri6rEebzxwybDwv_DtKQWfxqycXG11y4HRUQTxydFqWOB-Qg5XH9QtTleZQiRseHACIw6vU9ig7dLCLYh-K9e66svduIQ1rQioKjwFccK_TDdpX1DDn7OcgRzrOKvoQQ2x9Vetw6EYCqqNc0JkZ6qGC8t7jCc0PKcjAhYXgbwVmR2Q0xJTbbE/s640/fair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="640" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RDddbqri6rEebzxwybDwv_DtKQWfxqycXG11y4HRUQTxydFqWOB-Qg5XH9QtTleZQiRseHACIw6vU9ig7dLCLYh-K9e66svduIQ1rQioKjwFccK_TDdpX1DDn7OcgRzrOKvoQQ2x9Vetw6EYCqqNc0JkZ6qGC8t7jCc0PKcjAhYXgbwVmR2Q0xJTbbE/w640-h310/fair.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Artist's impression of the observatory project</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">HOPES that the new Fair Island Bird Observatory would open later this year have been dashed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It emerged this week that cashflow problems have hit Lighthouse, the Sheffield-based modular firm that was building the £7.4-million observatory and its ancillary guest accommodation .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The likelihood is that it will go into administration resulting in a long delay while financial, legal and other issues are addressed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Workers have now downed tools on the project which was a replacement for another modular-built observatory that was destroyed by a mystery fire five years ago this month.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Says Douglas Barr, chairman of the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust: "Regrettably, we have been advised that our builders have lodged a notice to appoint an administrator.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"This is particularly frustrating given we now have a windproof and watertight building.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"We were in the process of completing the internals which were scheduled to be finished this autumn."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifWLDlVC8EZiaNib4It53imbuDx5mt2QUAtAgdm2OrBcp3R3IQfRFacr-GPOhbBDyOUpO5FYK9q1L4OMqNq4lWIwZ1jHnQN01EM18AeeBozixDs1MeCy7_vS_eBZDW35OYFJ6zhZkcGFg6wRS2MpiGXqhe0aJn0gCedI8AZSQUJX1WXMhPPAM40t7hmY/s640/fair3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifWLDlVC8EZiaNib4It53imbuDx5mt2QUAtAgdm2OrBcp3R3IQfRFacr-GPOhbBDyOUpO5FYK9q1L4OMqNq4lWIwZ1jHnQN01EM18AeeBozixDs1MeCy7_vS_eBZDW35OYFJ6zhZkcGFg6wRS2MpiGXqhe0aJn0gCedI8AZSQUJX1WXMhPPAM40t7hmY/w640-h480/fair3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />So near, yet so far. Lighthouse released these photographs last year to illustrate how the project was progressing </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrTe09abgeltmcC4Y6Yz9m9WAHUuGWd88p5tLHKffRUJgtVl6VfIEskN9aWl-ktjfLKiFuvSkwvZPwAracZ9bBUvqdjgQ1DeHRKh0B40A0WIRMyoLg6-sY4ksbwmMDROqoW29WWPjd3mGwuQq0ufCSU1uM0hAuY0_Z2dfJtve7SqXZxfe8AsXz14DRqc/s640/fair2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrTe09abgeltmcC4Y6Yz9m9WAHUuGWd88p5tLHKffRUJgtVl6VfIEskN9aWl-ktjfLKiFuvSkwvZPwAracZ9bBUvqdjgQ1DeHRKh0B40A0WIRMyoLg6-sY4ksbwmMDROqoW29WWPjd3mGwuQq0ufCSU1uM0hAuY0_Z2dfJtve7SqXZxfe8AsXz14DRqc/w640-h480/fair2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-16088777833690340312024-03-17T14:05:00.000-07:002024-03-17T14:05:27.420-07:00Any good for birding? Old-style drawtube telescope sells for £45 at Lincolnshire auction <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjzZGAnY61xnNlHQlVAX1lvG3_Xq31M4rLAMImtc6rL1pLMyqX8LgNeWhrjF2jikU6NO5bE6lpns2V9FKkWqbGCpGUaS8MG7FspcxG2OopbBtvnp85drB3VIgeIRbzuOBx68FlXOvI3VYJbxhlO85qXMb5y_VOOyMxRM5VE9Mak50wJ-A9nQC3SC3jDo/s315/IMG_0848.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="315" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjzZGAnY61xnNlHQlVAX1lvG3_Xq31M4rLAMImtc6rL1pLMyqX8LgNeWhrjF2jikU6NO5bE6lpns2V9FKkWqbGCpGUaS8MG7FspcxG2OopbBtvnp85drB3VIgeIRbzuOBx68FlXOvI3VYJbxhlO85qXMb5y_VOOyMxRM5VE9Mak50wJ-A9nQC3SC3jDo/w640-h356/IMG_0848.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">CAN anyone remember using a drawtube telescope?</span></span><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Were such scopes any good for birding? </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This one sold for £45 at an auction in Louth, Lincolnshire, earlier this month.</span></span><br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WycqGGvnW5RXl0HRwTfy_yxTfclmxE5Ewd2WM7kevvhzg-1GSnmrRNC0K64t6ZTgJgkkaY8vhrUHdW2i79XyJCPlliodkK0T4xO30hI58rdYDokzKNQFcC2frIONrGv30_nMmO563IhPJwtLl5oOY4_zrt1tUMJHemRsaEJdNrZj2_Rb0fwoDMcM2Xc/s540/scope2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="540" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WycqGGvnW5RXl0HRwTfy_yxTfclmxE5Ewd2WM7kevvhzg-1GSnmrRNC0K64t6ZTgJgkkaY8vhrUHdW2i79XyJCPlliodkK0T4xO30hI58rdYDokzKNQFcC2frIONrGv30_nMmO563IhPJwtLl5oOY4_zrt1tUMJHemRsaEJdNrZj2_Rb0fwoDMcM2Xc/w640-h342/scope2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFs7aj1a1VFMejawIbkcIp3sltE8QuQZP2DTqJWVM-ORmSrjQosSA4OqlGMrk0dL9h5b1DwdXcjDWE-cfeRaKigLUAJwQAvWf0UcjoJwxiN5sJl7OvzVEpaYZ1Aaoy_xdYpGrUKvXtA21_EY2Xv8W-Kf2VmyjfUPTOGM_nW9R_cI4lnDodE-V9guE8Evo/s540/scope3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="211" data-original-width="540" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFs7aj1a1VFMejawIbkcIp3sltE8QuQZP2DTqJWVM-ORmSrjQosSA4OqlGMrk0dL9h5b1DwdXcjDWE-cfeRaKigLUAJwQAvWf0UcjoJwxiN5sJl7OvzVEpaYZ1Aaoy_xdYpGrUKvXtA21_EY2Xv8W-Kf2VmyjfUPTOGM_nW9R_cI4lnDodE-V9guE8Evo/w640-h250/scope3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb83pgPwmRUDISoDblDHnYRn6hFha8JY5RzbqmEIr1xhyphenhyphen-YQ_YG4ZZbMKICZRmJ5UXfD9a2-YFkAMzLRa-g_UiUzwlBzrnGuqO5ZMeEAGVasNEUq5XF30DUzBzjgGh35Ls1pvrmA-FYn0ohMk2CS2jeam5WsNiJUdLNVmo_QXi_iNXPVidaMm0sjzHjk/s540/scope4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="540" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb83pgPwmRUDISoDblDHnYRn6hFha8JY5RzbqmEIr1xhyphenhyphen-YQ_YG4ZZbMKICZRmJ5UXfD9a2-YFkAMzLRa-g_UiUzwlBzrnGuqO5ZMeEAGVasNEUq5XF30DUzBzjgGh35Ls1pvrmA-FYn0ohMk2CS2jeam5WsNiJUdLNVmo_QXi_iNXPVidaMm0sjzHjk/w640-h312/scope4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-26092922426449117132024-03-16T13:00:00.000-07:002024-03-17T12:34:39.837-07:00Lively interest in superlative ornithological art at auction in North Yorkshire<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBPpA3dbY_QYk8Nnc_5Mcryz8YhO8TKDZM0QVdeJfKTKnaMmaTdIRTvIKXwrizRSZtBOxkMAYLTgqdHg2blTVSwRX0HmdmT_SNzP4egpUtIrLFrLNaQSGIBM3c_Od-V8GhtKiEPq7ZCiI81g64uE3ySNZIkRmyMBb7y8WAA0t0qxK5n2OBM8wG_9fEhU/s1500/bramb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1500" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBPpA3dbY_QYk8Nnc_5Mcryz8YhO8TKDZM0QVdeJfKTKnaMmaTdIRTvIKXwrizRSZtBOxkMAYLTgqdHg2blTVSwRX0HmdmT_SNzP4egpUtIrLFrLNaQSGIBM3c_Od-V8GhtKiEPq7ZCiI81g64uE3ySNZIkRmyMBb7y8WAA0t0qxK5n2OBM8wG_9fEhU/w640-h456/bramb.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Alas for one of these five bramblings, escape looks unlikely<br /><br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">TWO superb bird paintings sold for higher sums than expected at an auction staged this morning by Tennants of Leyburn in North Yorkshire.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The study of a male sparrowhawk in pursuit of bramblings is by George Edward Lodge (1860-1954).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The pre-sale guide price was £1,000-£1,500 but bidding reached £2,000 before the deal was done.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Earlier, there was strong interest in a fieldfare which had been wrongly identified in the catalogue as a cuckoo.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Beautifully depicted by under-appreciated Leeds artist Raymond Booth (1929-2015), it was expected to fetch between £100-£150.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In the event, bidding reached £380 before the hammer fell.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_g0-yvOP957_VYdGc8adge2Fif-VhSYha2sNvqXw96K3Nf0ZtVCskyPVy5QCNrYU7ncaYU1Bwtx3WpxbFqa5LHKMqg65CnukKWx8g3hNLerxfiCDcMJjDj8khMfgFdtm609XxgC9IJvPaEM5d48EMEJK3mu175Sd8-6roAH8b2jvEuJNwYGrHvS0coU/s4000/fieldf3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2833" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_g0-yvOP957_VYdGc8adge2Fif-VhSYha2sNvqXw96K3Nf0ZtVCskyPVy5QCNrYU7ncaYU1Bwtx3WpxbFqa5LHKMqg65CnukKWx8g3hNLerxfiCDcMJjDj8khMfgFdtm609XxgC9IJvPaEM5d48EMEJK3mu175Sd8-6roAH8b2jvEuJNwYGrHvS0coU/w454-h640/fieldf3.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">A proud-looking bird - Raymond Booth's impressive fieldfare</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><h3 class="lot-a-t" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Gotham A", "Gotham B", sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br /></h3>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-60817746321602061382024-03-15T13:36:00.000-07:002024-03-15T13:36:57.346-07:00The trouble with herons - they seem to be targeting kingfishers' nests for an easy meal <p><span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQU0QfZHe9SqYBEpob8M6vpoVW8bFgJN7GcLKhGKJpqyfY01B6W-WLbcvNr7Yb6xldFb_5qZS0MyoUUoMqlv5x4xwUDY3WkBFebmry4dkaB5jERFjzFVIGno4_oKWgZfd11SSN4VmaHyvNMilTT-5upTL33FIQRAwb-IdWnjAgH0rDhGEITS6ckT4tHJY/s2533/phil%20espin%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2533" data-original-width="1790" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQU0QfZHe9SqYBEpob8M6vpoVW8bFgJN7GcLKhGKJpqyfY01B6W-WLbcvNr7Yb6xldFb_5qZS0MyoUUoMqlv5x4xwUDY3WkBFebmry4dkaB5jERFjzFVIGno4_oKWgZfd11SSN4VmaHyvNMilTT-5upTL33FIQRAwb-IdWnjAgH0rDhGEITS6ckT4tHJY/s320/phil%20espin%20(2).JPG" width="226" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Phil Espin - lively presentation by county club chairman </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">IF you have housemartins nesting under the eaves of your home, treasure them!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">That was the message from Lincolnshire Bird Club chairman Phil Espin in an illustrated presentation to a meeting, held in Grimsby Town Hall, of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Like its fellow hirundine species, the swallow, the house martin is in decline.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This is partly because of loss of nesting habitat but also, it is believed, because climate change is changing the emergence times of the insects on which it feeds.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Phil's entertaining and informative talk was on the birds of Lincolnshire with special reference to species to be found along the Louth Navigation Canal which flows 11 miles from Louth Riverhead to Tetney Lock and along which he has occasionally walked there and back.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sightings (and hearings) of some farmland species, such as yellowhammers, that regularly used to be commonplace on either side of the canal, are now few and far between.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">While acknowledging that changes to farming practices and loss of biodiversity have take their toll on birdlife, Phil, who lives in Louth, was far from despondent because, given a chance, species can bounce back very quickly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">What is more, there has been a substantial increase in numbers for some waterbirds such as little egret, great white egret, gadwall and goosander, while the Cetti's warbler seems to be extending beyond is traditional wetland habitat.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Although not common, grey wagtails and kingfishers seem to be holding their own along the canal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The latter might be more plentiful if it were not for the fact that predatory herons have learned to find their eggs and chicks by poking their long bills into their riverbank nest holes which, as a rule, are not very high above water level.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Herons themselves do not seem to be much disadvantaged by the population growth of egrets but there is some anecdotal items that, they are spooked by the presence of buzzards which have increased dramatically in the county since the turn of the century.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Phil dedicated the talk to his friend and fellow-birder, John Clarkson, who died last year and whose photographs he featured in his talk.</span></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-59922949175951401472024-03-12T10:00:00.000-07:002024-03-12T10:00:29.622-07:00American birder's candid admission: 'I sometimes dropped pumpkins from footbridge on to trains passing below' <p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HUCFGA3upJGkntQeAJgJgGGLOJePMLKENGPrLPx5E6TGh7t7GR8yKkpR24OUGZDvv9r-BnHzuNi_k7a58iEJsqXOoQHaPB6zpld6q65-AF2i21huSIiHhXI-43-ve4rEueCY-X4tXHOWvZRPT7zMWMmWdF6_nvjREKc8sjih1tQwo772I4wKo00voQE/s400/dorian%20%20book.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HUCFGA3upJGkntQeAJgJgGGLOJePMLKENGPrLPx5E6TGh7t7GR8yKkpR24OUGZDvv9r-BnHzuNi_k7a58iEJsqXOoQHaPB6zpld6q65-AF2i21huSIiHhXI-43-ve4rEueCY-X4tXHOWvZRPT7zMWMmWdF6_nvjREKc8sjih1tQwo772I4wKo00voQE/w268-h400/dorian%20%20book.png" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">With no previous experience of cycling, the author completed almost 18,000 miles in 12 month and saw more than 600 species </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">THERE is no getting away from it - Dorian Anderson was more than a bit of a tearaway in his younger days.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A birder since the age of seven, he sometimes sought alternative distractions near his family's home in the leafy Chestnut Hill suburb of Philadelphia.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For light relief, he would while away a moment or so by hurling rocks at trains rattling past on the railroad.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And come Halloween, there were occasions when he would climb to the platform of the footbridge of the same railroad and drop pumpkins on the rooves of trains as they passed underneath.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This doubtless scared the wits out of the on-board passengers, but, at least to this particular youngster, it was, "unadulterated joy".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As he grew older, the author's addictive hunger for thrills took him to darker territory - dangerously excessive consumption not just of alcohol but also of cocaine and Ecstasy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Despite all these misdemeanours, there was sufficient about his constitutional resilience, his intellect and his temperament to allow him to pursue a brilliant career as one of the United States' leading neuroscience research scientists, with many scientific breakthroughs to his name.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If he had continued in academia, he would surely have become a professor in his field, possibly while still in his thirties.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But no. To the horror of his American mother, a teacher, and his English father, a lawyer, with both of whom his relationship was already a little fragile, he jacked in university life to go on a journey of self-discovery.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">With no previous cycling experience, he set off on board a Surly Disc Trucker touring cycle on a January-to-December trek which took him through 28 states across no fewer than 17,800 miles</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Along the way, Anderson made it a mission to see at least 600 different bird species, a target which he achieved with a further 18 as a bonus.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As the narrative zips along, he treats us to his breathtaking encounters with the likes of snowy owl, snail kite, king eider, Wilson's snipe, brown-capped rosy-finch, red-legged honeycreeper, whooping crane, greater sage-grouse and a spectacular bust-up between two hummingbird species - blue-throated and magnificent.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Any particular highlight? It was his sighting of a rufous-backed robin. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"It was the year's best feeling," he enthuses. "A natural high no amount of alcohol or drugs could replicate." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">One early delight for Dorian, while in Massachusetts, was when, out of the blue, he received a tip-off from a teenage enthusiast, Miles Brengle, that a thick-billed murre, typically a species of the faraway ocean wave, was within viewing distance from a wharf in Gloucester harbour.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Having rushed to the scene to view the bird, the grateful author tells his informant: "Too bad I'm an alcoholic and you're only 14 - otherwise we'd crack open a beer to celebrate!"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Yes! As he acknowledges, the author had become, alas, an alcoholic. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sometimes in the book, there are detours as he reflects briefly, but informatively, on the nature of songbird migration, on eco-interventions by man, on the pros and cons (in the U.S.) of carrying a small firearm (!) and on the similarities of birding and fishing - "while you're waiting, you dream a bit".</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Evidently, with his lungs subjected to all-too-regular drenchings from exhaust fumes, it was seldom less than an arduous and death-defying adventure.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sometimes he was so cold that he could hear his own teeth chattering like an "old-fashioned typewriter". At other times, the heat was so oppressive that the sweat pouring from his eyebrows stung his eyes and light-headedness rendered his movement clumsy</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>En route, </i>notably on Highway 17 in South Carolina, there were frequent near-misses, often involving passing trucks, whose drivers were often liberal with their abuse, and even one occasion when he was knocked from his machine by a hit-and-run female motorist.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"Each year, nearly 1,000 cyclists are killed by motorists," notes the author. "Over 100,000 more are severely hurt or permanently injured.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"Worse, some drivers enjoy harassing cyclists - no amount of caution can protect a rider from these deranged imbeciles."</span></p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOl3RmoWUOdwfwgvdtGFXHSt8ZV9XRbApY_VuW_8DylTkhEF_hDcPFSK8Y_YdXax8ls450PB7FSBdoDyquuHWDbT6Y-UecMja9e6HPMZegHBBiU-xXTHTZMpL7hlfHURjddJqh6QCd2ODsb9umhZ5VEIaws7fXYI0xxPKIAhv6XmUMRhddmaT1iz7YFY/s248/dorian%20anderson.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="203" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOl3RmoWUOdwfwgvdtGFXHSt8ZV9XRbApY_VuW_8DylTkhEF_hDcPFSK8Y_YdXax8ls450PB7FSBdoDyquuHWDbT6Y-UecMja9e6HPMZegHBBiU-xXTHTZMpL7hlfHURjddJqh6QCd2ODsb9umhZ5VEIaws7fXYI0xxPKIAhv6XmUMRhddmaT1iz7YFY/s1600/dorian%20anderson.jpg" width="203" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Dorian channelled his addictive tendencies from drink and drugs to birding</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">On multiple occasions, the dedicated cyclist was chased by dogs - most frighteningly outside Tucson in Arizona when a pair of German Shepherds exploded out of the brush with "unparalleled fury".</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What happens next is one of the most riveting episodes in this superb 261-page book.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Then there were the punctures which sparked in our hero the sort of indignation familiar to anyone who has seen John Cleese's comic creation Basil Fawlty in TV's <i>Fawlty Towers</i>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Each time I thought I was close to securing the tyre, it popped off the rim somewhere else, my frustration festering with each failed attempt.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Raising the rubber loop above my head, I thrashed the ground with it a dozen times, my meltdown ending only when my shoulder felt it might dislocate."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">One of the motels where he stayed overnight is described as "somewhere between a homemade porno film and a heroin overdose".</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Oh yes, and there was also the time when he came off his bike and toppled into a a ditch "filled with a suspicious sludge that looked like a chocolate slushy and smelled like dog sh**"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A journey through Hell? Sometimes, yes, but there were compensations aplenty - not just the birds.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"The folks I met along the way were a treasure trove of personality, quirks, stories and support,"he writes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"For every dumbass who harassed me on the road, five curious folks offered to buy me lunch, and a dozen generous souls opened their homes to me.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Their unyielding assistance meant the world to me."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Most important of all, the cycling and the birding - plus the support of Sonia, the woman in his life - transformed Anderson's perspective on life. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">He acknowledges that his addictive tendencies remain, but he has also learned that they are transferrable from alcohol and drugs</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">He reflects: "If I put the energy I once put into drinking and drugging into other channels and projects, then there was no limit to what I could achieve."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Birding Under The Influence - Cycling Across America in Search of Birds and Recovery</i> is published in paperback and e-book by Chelsea Green (<a href="http://www.chelseagreen.com">www.chelseagreen.com</a>) and available wherever books are sold.</span></p><p><br /></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-40587375771371703842024-03-12T03:05:00.000-07:002024-03-12T03:05:07.513-07:00Independent inspector dismisses planning appeal for 225 homes in order to save over-wintering habitat of curlew<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQBZ6Gr34a-wyofZgS3pWuMbS-PpwoqP7iWnW3anYSWr-u-vUEMatjmh4SO6KOKnuoH4OAZg7kAWZk6ZsgBe-SqB_Tyh6gwTwjyZyFPIXVEafXXd9TqWKY5-ss0lYO3Q-bLvxD_ruL9s8CUIXJtdM-4muOz1kmDC-gNmeGpSkLtdP1KjtEyUJhPHMf14/s2778/curlew18.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="2778" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQBZ6Gr34a-wyofZgS3pWuMbS-PpwoqP7iWnW3anYSWr-u-vUEMatjmh4SO6KOKnuoH4OAZg7kAWZk6ZsgBe-SqB_Tyh6gwTwjyZyFPIXVEafXXd9TqWKY5-ss0lYO3Q-bLvxD_ruL9s8CUIXJtdM-4muOz1kmDC-gNmeGpSkLtdP1KjtEyUJhPHMf14/w640-h422/curlew18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Curlews - this declining species overwinters in grassland and on mudflats</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A PLANNING inspector has dismissed an appeal for 225 homes to be built on the outskirts of a Grimsby-area village because it is a winter home for up to 30 curlew. </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Housebuilder Cyden Homes appealed to the independent Planning inspectorate after North East Lincolnshire Council last year refused to grant consent for the development on a 10-hectare paddock-quality grassland site at Humberston.</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Curlew have historically migrated to the site to escape the harsh winter weather in Finland where they breed. </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">By way of mitigation, Cyden pledged to contribute £78,917.00 towards improvements to the nearby Cleethorpes Country Park.</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But after a hearing at Grimsby Town Hall, the inspector, Louise Crosby deemed the mitigation offer insufficient and dismissed the appeal.</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Her report concludes: "Whilst the proposal would provide much needed market and affordable housing, the benefits of the scheme do not outweigh the harm to biodiversity - in particular to the likely significant effects on the Humber Special Protection Area SPA and Site of Special Scientific Interest."</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; outline: none;"><div style="outline: none;"><div style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Natural England and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust both objected to the scheme.</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">In a written statement to the appeal hearing, the former said: "</span><span style="font-size: large;">There has been pressure for development around the estuary for decades.</span></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"This has intensified in recent years. </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"As a result of these development pressures, Natural </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">England has become increasingly concerned about loss of habitat.</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"This may result in an increase in local bird densities and have consequences for individual bird fitness in terms of increased energy expenditure for flight, competition with other birds for food, and lack of knowledge of foraging resources in other areas which </span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">might make it more difficult to find food.</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"It is important to avoid impacts on curlew, given their conservation status."</span><div style="outline: none;"><div style="outline: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></div></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Nearby villagers had also objected that the proposed development would create enormous pressure on infrastructure, particularly the roads leading to the site.</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="outline: none;"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; outline: none;"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; outline: none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2397" data-original-width="4886" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG6hOj72P35sC6idl5PYSWqsc-qnchvjBKs91QQEA5xJI4C8dQWP4cNI92pl9oSH7VNwBWWloiz3Hdv-sKygsGkDvlWIawMf5NloT9r2XrRZuy3Eu5f9-Ss8C81U-tsy5tXCINJ08vyOudv7IlCsq956b6pzvKon0BQ8Wxkj4qMHy6MI1bETc4m4TojHo/w640-h314/IMG_0704.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The curlew field - other birds sometimes to be seen include barn owls which hunt for voles and other small mammals</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-88604674315427738772024-03-08T10:02:00.000-08:002024-03-08T10:02:20.942-08:00Planning thumbs-up for warden's bungalow to be built on Norfolk site of intriguing ruff-breeding project<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCmPIj68knYQ1T18_7tT17FnpOIk17c64fKpUrkE9fIWwbrdb6djZUKZS9HjnF1Okxum3mshSK_dso9pZJltuoOwNmSMusMORLL8Y5yi_xakt2Pl-tXRAg2J6Qm6Hwqq2NZg80laRyg8UFGeR_fUv-3C0bDnPUkBooemdnhlKPvG7GHj3-Tj27QnXf_Q/s1573/ruff28%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1573" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCmPIj68knYQ1T18_7tT17FnpOIk17c64fKpUrkE9fIWwbrdb6djZUKZS9HjnF1Okxum3mshSK_dso9pZJltuoOwNmSMusMORLL8Y5yi_xakt2Pl-tXRAg2J6Qm6Hwqq2NZg80laRyg8UFGeR_fUv-3C0bDnPUkBooemdnhlKPvG7GHj3-Tj27QnXf_Q/w640-h460/ruff28%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Ruff - conservation-minded farmer is keen to establish a breeding presence in Norfolk and beyond </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">THERE has been a boost for Norfolk-based Highland cattle farmer and wader enthusiast Andrew Crean.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He has this week been given the planning go-ahead to build a warden's bungalow and new bird-breeding aviaries on marshland near Brancaster in Norfolk in order to further his attempts to reintroduce breeding ruffs to this part of England.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">West Norfolk council's planning officer for the case recommended refusal of the development because of the countryside location. She felt temporary accommodation, such as a caravan, would be more suitable.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But councillors on the planning committee gave the green light because of the conservation value of Mr Crean's project which he is funding out of his own pocket.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Also involved is the Max Planck Institute in Bavaria which is understood already to have supplied, via Heathrow Airport, almost 100 captive-bred ruffs for breeding purposes. These were quarantined for three months.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In a report, Mr Crean's planning agent, Ian Cable, states: "A variety of release techniques will be developed and monitored with the University of East Anglia and will result in a series of ongoing PhD research and other studies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"Further conservation habitat creation will also occur based on favoured breeding ‘lek’ dimensions and locations from core breeding sites in Finland. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"Satellite tracking of a portion of the birds released will provide valuable data on ruff migration.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"It is hoped that this tracking information will be available for wider educational purposes and local interest. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"All released ruff will be individually identifiable (numbered leg rings) and a portion of these birds will also be fitted with satellite trackers so that their movements can be followed on migration. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"The Zoological Society of East Anglia will also develop an exhibit connected to the project at Banham Zoo. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"It is hoped that ultimately the project will also develop a suite of habitat management prescriptions that can be incorporated into breeding wader options in agri-environment schemes to provide suitable conditions for ruff. "</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>Mr Cable continues: "</span><span>Andrew Crean has been privately funding nature conservation work for breeding </span><span>waders and other habitat and species conservation works both at this site, Deepdale Marsh, and beyond for more than 15 years and his commitment (along with that of the Max Planck Institute) is ongoing.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"The concept of creating a Trust is being developed to ensure that this valuable conservation work is maintained and enhanced well beyond the applicant's own lifetime." </span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-72516487116872302032024-03-07T01:53:00.000-08:002024-03-07T01:53:03.273-08:00Raptors set to steal limelight as superlative bird paintings go under hammer at auction in Yorkshire <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlFUGhS_yzdKQ5BbM_nLrH2M9BlK9WqlVUqSTIG9DGOGSixfM9HTNTaxplrwUCJIr9WrD18u298LHvvKsCkEUM0nKSceanoYshyrjDJ53KoBzSOPEHnTg8ZzKArSN4cRBBfQWruqn2W7F4HlyrL3n5XhpLNYNZpXJymzBfhLLNKFCIz2S-LMPagb_jQo/s4000/IMG_0843.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2850" data-original-width="4000" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlFUGhS_yzdKQ5BbM_nLrH2M9BlK9WqlVUqSTIG9DGOGSixfM9HTNTaxplrwUCJIr9WrD18u298LHvvKsCkEUM0nKSceanoYshyrjDJ53KoBzSOPEHnTg8ZzKArSN4cRBBfQWruqn2W7F4HlyrL3n5XhpLNYNZpXJymzBfhLLNKFCIz2S-LMPagb_jQo/w640-h456/IMG_0843.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The raid in the snow by George Lodge - pre-sale estimate £1,000-£1,500 </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A SELECTION of impressive bird studies will catch the eye at an auction in Yorkshire later this month.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The sale includes paintings of bramblings being pursued by a sparrowhawk, gyr falcon, sparrowhawk and fieldfare.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The respective artists are George Edward Lodge (1860-1954), John Cyril Harrison (1898-1985), George Morrison Reid Henry (1891-1983) and Raymond Booth (1929-2015).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The sale of British, European and Sporting Art is being held by Tennants at their saleroom in Leyburn from 9am on Saturday March 16. </span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wLTDI73uMPiq4hC4p4Q-Su7xiamUreM9cyYtFLbPdzBrmcR0S_4vL5A3Ie4wE6BoOefe-bkl1c9nQI30HJ7nZUDCD72fyUUA74OFNTbpJWSByyNNqmL07hJB0cTXpLqp_LpeiBcLJXN-Qki0-IoEUnk-uVymqbsHvF1SeXol8S03_T8q_RirBupNdSo/s3707/IMG_0841.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3707" data-original-width="3491" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wLTDI73uMPiq4hC4p4Q-Su7xiamUreM9cyYtFLbPdzBrmcR0S_4vL5A3Ie4wE6BoOefe-bkl1c9nQI30HJ7nZUDCD72fyUUA74OFNTbpJWSByyNNqmL07hJB0cTXpLqp_LpeiBcLJXN-Qki0-IoEUnk-uVymqbsHvF1SeXol8S03_T8q_RirBupNdSo/w602-h640/IMG_0841.jpeg" width="602" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Studies of a sparrowhawk by George Henry - pre-sale estimate £250-£400</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOCZFrCkiUNyFkHSr2HXnZ7VNRzJaLhr9lgUyhIRiU5lIcCCfFosmdyePl7w9Q93fr1PNvIIW7xWl7Fkz-QiJbhw9hmNAk8_YF2sCTg3VD73GADMT8vQYkKP6Aum2I3Dzwib6Cn_Hai6rDhN-hIyOTgyppA-MbTJMpTAH5zh6KrKnvhPN35eSgG3FEzE/s1500/IMG_0842.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="978" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOCZFrCkiUNyFkHSr2HXnZ7VNRzJaLhr9lgUyhIRiU5lIcCCfFosmdyePl7w9Q93fr1PNvIIW7xWl7Fkz-QiJbhw9hmNAk8_YF2sCTg3VD73GADMT8vQYkKP6Aum2I3Dzwib6Cn_Hai6rDhN-hIyOTgyppA-MbTJMpTAH5zh6KrKnvhPN35eSgG3FEzE/w418-h640/IMG_0842.jpeg" width="418" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Gyr falcon by John Harrison - pre-sale estimate £1,000-£1,500 </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="droit-de-suite" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; float: left; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-right: 15px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /></div><div class="droit-de-suite" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; float: left; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-right: 15px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhRvNaqSmRQp3su9qxNmpy4BRCgSh-KImOiEfFjnlqijI6-xuHkB-7NLvo-TV7LAxUY4wmuO433ngUhPtx9P4dOhT_ENyegYxXkf5uqhnBsYtpONKkn1rJu8fj_ZFzYI9SzRWik4OXq97iYTEfumJEo0nDlse7BGC1oL3Tq04nGe6k-7odG4QWP7IxYk/s4084/IMG_0840.jpeg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4084" data-original-width="2361" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhRvNaqSmRQp3su9qxNmpy4BRCgSh-KImOiEfFjnlqijI6-xuHkB-7NLvo-TV7LAxUY4wmuO433ngUhPtx9P4dOhT_ENyegYxXkf5uqhnBsYtpONKkn1rJu8fj_ZFzYI9SzRWik4OXq97iYTEfumJEo0nDlse7BGC1oL3Tq04nGe6k-7odG4QWP7IxYk/w370-h640/IMG_0840.jpeg" width="370" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">The catalogue describes this by Leeds artist Raymond Booth <br />as "a study of a cuckoo" but it is surely more likely to be a fieldfare. The pre-sale-estimate is £100-£150.</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">.</span></b><div><br /><div class="droit-de-suite" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; float: left; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-right: 15px; text-size-adjust: 100%;"> </div></div>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-83248057329713372722024-03-06T12:27:00.000-08:002024-03-06T12:34:36.134-08:00A question of authenticity. Who is the author? Is it Chris Packham or is it Rob Hume?<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiWiOUX5NUpuJXba3qXlE772z-E8Ec6sSQ44s-VrQzGlE8MB7X-2WxOajf-VrIzWbU6cOy6K6POKgNuece8NncOl52BQen6oE_qTlN75_P1tCPAQMD6FjMrjZpfaeY0ft8sI3UppDzLRuPu4ZwKEPu3rttNEIbWCJ4r-DD__I86y_Om06fbCmkCoe5cM/s808/packers4.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiWiOUX5NUpuJXba3qXlE772z-E8Ec6sSQ44s-VrQzGlE8MB7X-2WxOajf-VrIzWbU6cOy6K6POKgNuece8NncOl52BQen6oE_qTlN75_P1tCPAQMD6FjMrjZpfaeY0ft8sI3UppDzLRuPu4ZwKEPu3rttNEIbWCJ4r-DD__I86y_Om06fbCmkCoe5cM/w456-h640/packers4.webp" width="456" /></a></p><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"Join Chris Packham as he shares his knack of spotting, identifying, watching and enjoying birdlife. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"His insight and curiosity will enrich your time in nature and open your eyes and ears to the captivating world of birds . . . "</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">That is what it says on the back cover of the latest book from publishing house DK - formerly known as Dorling Kindersley.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The celebrity naturalist gives his name to the title, and his photograph is on the front cover. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But did he actually write the book?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Apart from the introduction and a few quotes sprinkled about the narrative, possibly not.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>Step forward, Rob Hume whose long list of books includes </span>B<i>irdwatching - A Complete Guide to Observing British and European Birdlife</i> and the very similar <i>Birdwatching for Beginners - Everything You Need to Know.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Is he the real author?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">In fact, this latest 'Chris Packham' title reads suspiciously like a rehash and update of the two self-same books, f</span><span style="font-size: large;">irst published, also by DK, back in 2003.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HwiNrtadqWMIheBrecaHUN4KvUFzsjJyZlTPXdfkj53SKEjU1V7xuUmPnErcB1t6Z59DteZilWEERq-5a1nTOxc1MHkI5DgypgC0Yc3xb5Rag5fRteQGcrFhpGo8-Ev_vBCG_iUMfI5O5TWyF4MvD7vCXOFiYG3JnD3YHVgGX_wEGZdpbdRUtbJkee8/s775/paxo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="775" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HwiNrtadqWMIheBrecaHUN4KvUFzsjJyZlTPXdfkj53SKEjU1V7xuUmPnErcB1t6Z59DteZilWEERq-5a1nTOxc1MHkI5DgypgC0Yc3xb5Rag5fRteQGcrFhpGo8-Ev_vBCG_iUMfI5O5TWyF4MvD7vCXOFiYG3JnD3YHVgGX_wEGZdpbdRUtbJkee8/s320/paxo.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In fairness, whoever the author might be, this latest offering - due out tomorrow, March 7- has much to commend it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The illustrations (by Phil Gamble, Ali Scriven and others) are vibrant and the content, though sometimes patronising in tone, is informative</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span>There are sections on </span><span>on the extensive range of bird habitats - from garden to urban, from lakes and reservoirs to heath and scrubland - as well as on nestboxes, bird-gardening and what to wear.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The book also points a way to choosing the most suitable optical equipment such as binoculars, scopes and cameras.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There are even a few lines on 'etiquette' in bird hides.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Suggests the author (whoever he might be): "If you see something interesting through your lens, offer to share your equipment, so others can see it too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"Make sure that everyone gets at least a quick book in case the bird flies away."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But back to the introduction, definitely written by Chris Packham.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Says he: "You don't need posh binoculars and you don't need to live on a nature reserve.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"You don't have to be an expert. No ticket required, no queue and no qualifications needed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"A life in the presence of birds offers a whole world of simple joy."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>Chris Packham's Birdwatching Guide </i>is published in hardback at £12.99. </span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLiImoWsfedji5V9mpY9Llw12BLA32IJJpn2kgp9EJF13gU6kmjKUMHYZhWBBtB4XU2R4AqRcI6V62Exg_k-VlQIBEWVGpdpTXUaM08Ib0d3qIUXYtYG6eSaIryIH5xLLAI6m4S3ce0mT6Je7w0_Yve49Q9gM9GQz_nOtQqbX8eztFvwVItRP3GqaR_A/s1138/packers3.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1138" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLiImoWsfedji5V9mpY9Llw12BLA32IJJpn2kgp9EJF13gU6kmjKUMHYZhWBBtB4XU2R4AqRcI6V62Exg_k-VlQIBEWVGpdpTXUaM08Ib0d3qIUXYtYG6eSaIryIH5xLLAI6m4S3ce0mT6Je7w0_Yve49Q9gM9GQz_nOtQqbX8eztFvwVItRP3GqaR_A/w640-h454/packers3.webp" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZZYcFCW0M-_59A9MhyUrYzhG20jAbD0dzd2vSRQOvuW3GvMlt0Jdif5p1xBZyoxcEMn3Mkrvz_3CwEMP-UvWjGNVaitxzkANxB8k_HL4QwWGiD2RKOAQh28FeaMRAI55S380mQ4MmxrbH7Xxq25oqZeK85jTIAKhhpVn2PSUjb-3QepDCPA1aFFXcjw/s1138/packers2.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1138" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZZYcFCW0M-_59A9MhyUrYzhG20jAbD0dzd2vSRQOvuW3GvMlt0Jdif5p1xBZyoxcEMn3Mkrvz_3CwEMP-UvWjGNVaitxzkANxB8k_HL4QwWGiD2RKOAQh28FeaMRAI55S380mQ4MmxrbH7Xxq25oqZeK85jTIAKhhpVn2PSUjb-3QepDCPA1aFFXcjw/w640-h454/packers2.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfj_illw9iCAiXspugU5Towk2MVVP-MiIfxCeq6xsFO3bTWXK48qRS_jzKUHoepw8-_Y12W_48GlS_VhNYlRaePDvulWeaIHGY9wDQXzqnjIg3TjHrJzBO2I0k0AQHvk3Iok1wcsLCVDT1st-YDJzenHJAS7s2_1ycXUhgrPeiP195YnFmYyoFxQwgEXw/s1138/packers1.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1138" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfj_illw9iCAiXspugU5Towk2MVVP-MiIfxCeq6xsFO3bTWXK48qRS_jzKUHoepw8-_Y12W_48GlS_VhNYlRaePDvulWeaIHGY9wDQXzqnjIg3TjHrJzBO2I0k0AQHvk3Iok1wcsLCVDT1st-YDJzenHJAS7s2_1ycXUhgrPeiP195YnFmYyoFxQwgEXw/w640-h454/packers1.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>The Wryneck</i> says</b>: Though none of it is startlingly original, there is plenty of common sense content in this book. But what is slightly disquieting is the representation that Chris Packham is the author when this might not be the case. Anyone buying the book in the expectation that it will contain fresh insights from the popular TV naturalist could have good reason to feel duped. Some clarification, perhaps from the broadcaster, might not come amiss.</span></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-65243816157264787862024-03-05T13:49:00.000-08:002024-03-05T13:49:44.543-08:00Out now - Tim Mackrill's authoritative account of the life and times of a most remarkable raptor<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYzCT6un7DGThjr_EuZW1WaEDEpHoBO_3_s2zCHxjJqmr73zDh-FJIgLsMrydvRXxVLFe_XNfRwk4Ax432u-8CFPlk9PklkO6S0SBaUqZ615CUtskyaFH5BlP76S5jFi8KdhFVaDW0pWJrOL2_igKJIHNEgv9csdCk1t3nbqfny55ZCsdaao5MxuAC7QU" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYzCT6un7DGThjr_EuZW1WaEDEpHoBO_3_s2zCHxjJqmr73zDh-FJIgLsMrydvRXxVLFe_XNfRwk4Ax432u-8CFPlk9PklkO6S0SBaUqZ615CUtskyaFH5BlP76S5jFi8KdhFVaDW0pWJrOL2_igKJIHNEgv9csdCk1t3nbqfny55ZCsdaao5MxuAC7QU=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Tim Mackrill with his authoritative book that is now available for sale</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">GOOD luck to Tim Mackrill with sales of his newly published title, <i>The Osprey </i></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Persecuted mercilessly in Britain, the species was almost completely eradicated by the early twentieth century. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">However, it has made a much-celebrated comeback, returning initially (and famously) to Loch Garten in Scotland in the 1950s. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The recovery of the bird has been slow, but reintroduction programmes at Rutland Water and Poole Harbour have been successful, and this remarkable raptor is now an increasingly common sight in our skies.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>The Osprey</i> looks at the distribution, foraging ecology, breeding behaviour and population dynamics of this spectacular bird, with emphasis placed on conservation efforts in Britain, as well as elsewhere in Europe and North America and in the species' African wintering grounds. </span></div><div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It also tells the story of Osprey migration and the remarkable journeys of individual birds across oceans and deserts, the study of which has been greatly aided by advances in satellite tracking technology.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>The Osprey</i> is published by T & A D Poyser (part of Bloomsbury) at £60 in hardback and £35 in paperback. </span></p></div><div><div><div class="product-detail-price" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "Open Sans", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 2.5rem;"><span class="product-detail-price__saving-note" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #dc3445; display: inline-block; font-size: 12px; line-height: 2rem; margin-right: 1rem;"><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD62Hm_lV7LLKI33p4f6u7v-2DGwPd6HMhl_gXmbxIeof_aO_A540x8X0gldaaBKj_QRc4TZeEnIYpc7EJg5fDn1aObOuqTaChwCSXwmHWP5SHaZylq8vWrFIVTxFEwT-aaMJ0KajDnLDsmMXkkd00P9Kw8eO0jEmW5EMD4WHFmdkOERkoOHkRy0WxRzI/s539/osp%20mack%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD62Hm_lV7LLKI33p4f6u7v-2DGwPd6HMhl_gXmbxIeof_aO_A540x8X0gldaaBKj_QRc4TZeEnIYpc7EJg5fDn1aObOuqTaChwCSXwmHWP5SHaZylq8vWrFIVTxFEwT-aaMJ0KajDnLDsmMXkkd00P9Kw8eO0jEmW5EMD4WHFmdkOERkoOHkRy0WxRzI/w428-h640/osp%20mack%201.jpg" width="428" /></a></p><p><br style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;" /></p></span></div></div></div>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-84596380644701855222024-03-05T09:55:00.000-08:002024-03-05T09:55:47.870-08:00Your chance to follow in the Blacktoft Sands footsteps of spoonbills (and that famous 2021 white-tailed lapwing)<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheewckgIZyZYLsunzDvJJTlplm7q8l49VYAp5fM29-0YAm9lnqAnXkNIBbHFkhl3i12nSAett_nd5orr3RcxXi5J6-5EyylLUsShLkBNVm8SfqlAv8r_ph8G6bEFG7WBAqUU6lGY7HteBKHe5mh-aM9Fv8eNlhZ0HJCGyzDHCw-xdDmLsxKdriH2qkjNs" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img data-original-height="438" data-original-width="639" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEheewckgIZyZYLsunzDvJJTlplm7q8l49VYAp5fM29-0YAm9lnqAnXkNIBbHFkhl3i12nSAett_nd5orr3RcxXi5J6-5EyylLUsShLkBNVm8SfqlAv8r_ph8G6bEFG7WBAqUU6lGY7HteBKHe5mh-aM9Fv8eNlhZ0HJCGyzDHCw-xdDmLsxKdriH2qkjNs=w640-h438" width="640" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Spoonbills such as these are not infrequent visitors to the reserve <br /><br /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;">THE RSPB is seeking an assistant warden for its wetland reserve at Blacktoft Sands in East Yorkshire.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Says the job description: "We are seeking someone to help deliver our busy work programme across the RSPB Humber Reserves holding (currently 1600ha of land around the wider estuary).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> "Applicants must be able to demonstrate some previous experience of working on reserves or similar and ideally be trained in the use of brushcutters, tractors and use of handheld sprayers. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"This role will also include working on some weekend days and occasionally involve face-to-face visitor work. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It continues: "The role will be varied, covering a wide range of tasks, so you will need to be energetic, adaptable and have the desire to achieve. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"You willl work as part of a team to assist in delivering a wide range of operations such as reedcutting, agricultural field operations, estate maintenance and biological survey work, while you will also be expected to engage positively with a wide range of stakeholders and help manage our volunteer team.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"It is important that you are a strong team player, with the ability to generate ideas and see them through to high standards. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"You will have a passion for natural history, and you will enjoy working outside in all weathers.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Training will be provided as required to help you to fulfil your whole potential."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> The salary is £25,723.00 - £27,614.00 per annum and the deadline for applications is March 27.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> For further information, contact <a href="pete.short@rspb.org.uk ">pete.short@rspb.org.uk </a>or <a href="mailto:gareth.tate@rspb.org.uk">gareth.tate@rspb.org.uk</a></span></p><p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsL0IDZwR7PBCrc3JCelvF7_Qc114a_XnRQTgddrbQ46Go5O4fzTG0nEW6G8lB4B5umj_gKqqwBu5CAR54hu78AoEEFY1dv6SO5KwLFCmjgSlf2sWZ7lRGNvEnUh2HeYqYU562NTlRkt5m_asaJL77Jfrgoan4X-6AAgGpqrDavGnceUp41qZYLUAtRs/s4608/wtl1%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsL0IDZwR7PBCrc3JCelvF7_Qc114a_XnRQTgddrbQ46Go5O4fzTG0nEW6G8lB4B5umj_gKqqwBu5CAR54hu78AoEEFY1dv6SO5KwLFCmjgSlf2sWZ7lRGNvEnUh2HeYqYU562NTlRkt5m_asaJL77Jfrgoan4X-6AAgGpqrDavGnceUp41qZYLUAtRs/w640-h480/wtl1%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This white-tailed lapwing was a star attraction at the reserve in autumn three years ago</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-37230269062890355952024-03-05T09:54:00.000-08:002024-03-05T09:54:29.812-08:00Those clever people at Artemis fund managers have found new ways to depict winged creatures<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0H4Hz7P8IIlhWXjMn9B0kLDZKWjl9DiSspoU4w3ockE0jhevSzXsDxn9EVXcfXExrOgBzPJmgBV82ULaNj9EICODF55q7MiS-PZsNW_fauFsNYzxe-l3YscND8dQjBBiL2Ig2npEU1AypkV1U0Y9MmN2imH8tiSG-k5lWPI4CDJUHNOPRhbz3vGID7Y/s4399/IMG_1227.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1348" data-original-width="4399" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0H4Hz7P8IIlhWXjMn9B0kLDZKWjl9DiSspoU4w3ockE0jhevSzXsDxn9EVXcfXExrOgBzPJmgBV82ULaNj9EICODF55q7MiS-PZsNW_fauFsNYzxe-l3YscND8dQjBBiL2Ig2npEU1AypkV1U0Y9MmN2imH8tiSG-k5lWPI4CDJUHNOPRhbz3vGID7Y/w640-h196/IMG_1227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Birds have been used in advertisements hundreds, if not thousands, of times. In one of the latest, fund managers Artemis has adapted a photograph of a murmuration of starlings to represent a flying creature of yesteryear. Rather clever. Hats off to the photographer/artist/designer!</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0tuRW4jK50J-ZAtu1qq2sgSbXDWzXeHxsqo-Oy7Z20f4k1jwnm_Ri2l6Tu_OMWdKCVtpvQ9e5XdPfXaKxRMZOFwC-V5-B0vkZi6nVfbEvH8jD1X_bmEFHxHHfybXChWlgAD-qooaUGLfmFmtlwoVFy3u7o9pLceOFyQfQz95_pYvLf8ki5GPP-9X1rM/s1736/artemis3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1736" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0tuRW4jK50J-ZAtu1qq2sgSbXDWzXeHxsqo-Oy7Z20f4k1jwnm_Ri2l6Tu_OMWdKCVtpvQ9e5XdPfXaKxRMZOFwC-V5-B0vkZi6nVfbEvH8jD1X_bmEFHxHHfybXChWlgAD-qooaUGLfmFmtlwoVFy3u7o9pLceOFyQfQz95_pYvLf8ki5GPP-9X1rM/w640-h284/artemis3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQGbxkV8IC3T4kjT2Ah3ducCg8wdxOwVVh4pFpLY3ocnYNwtbn3wvZn4BLOr0N25qdyKjB_dT-ZpKZ5N4jMiTzN38HGeso6VaHqqJ7SKZq3Tg3jh3VYHWGyuSbYjuNIdoL7D3H_bKnS-Mnz9u4pDq6tTVDuVbPqFTtZP7c-MA4umpN7vXFbVsBSdcobU/s1515/artemis2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1515" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQGbxkV8IC3T4kjT2Ah3ducCg8wdxOwVVh4pFpLY3ocnYNwtbn3wvZn4BLOr0N25qdyKjB_dT-ZpKZ5N4jMiTzN38HGeso6VaHqqJ7SKZq3Tg3jh3VYHWGyuSbYjuNIdoL7D3H_bKnS-Mnz9u4pDq6tTVDuVbPqFTtZP7c-MA4umpN7vXFbVsBSdcobU/w640-h292/artemis2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3mewV9KTxI7wZUypL_sa4JY3eqeL2b6Jh4BpM_fL5dJ9fIwqu2GmHOgZygyZnvrh2K92LRZI4gPxsqD-B5rpxTBq9v-yPLIP3PaBXAg_eXvOoYE6f4QxmebSVog-EDw8w-coqT7xf4cbFPAtwH6e9PXZu6sM7ouOJkuSx90jOlUby1XLKmuKfgj_DlU/s535/artem5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="535" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3mewV9KTxI7wZUypL_sa4JY3eqeL2b6Jh4BpM_fL5dJ9fIwqu2GmHOgZygyZnvrh2K92LRZI4gPxsqD-B5rpxTBq9v-yPLIP3PaBXAg_eXvOoYE6f4QxmebSVog-EDw8w-coqT7xf4cbFPAtwH6e9PXZu6sM7ouOJkuSx90jOlUby1XLKmuKfgj_DlU/w640-h382/artem5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ6yapAvzQIpIRFRKPVGJwIzZFMNO64gpufIdh944b96hoCQ2Y37j1313YiV2ea85w8srHVhQsN3q_T8ESak6NXqW3b0ayFfhdItxYYtsAicy4WdNezgCUc_zF-0FobT37WamsrYOTDjFyZ9wXuGORVg97tB6q0v0T8oj_j0AImIRicb5BMwyQpCgn4Y/s535/artem4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="535" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ6yapAvzQIpIRFRKPVGJwIzZFMNO64gpufIdh944b96hoCQ2Y37j1313YiV2ea85w8srHVhQsN3q_T8ESak6NXqW3b0ayFfhdItxYYtsAicy4WdNezgCUc_zF-0FobT37WamsrYOTDjFyZ9wXuGORVg97tB6q0v0T8oj_j0AImIRicb5BMwyQpCgn4Y/w640-h382/artem4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Note: In ancient Greek mythology, Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, nature, vegetation, childbirth, care of children, and chastity. She was often said to roam the forests and mountains, attended by her entourage of nymphs. </span></b></div></div><div><br /></div>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-4271706078757941602024-03-01T03:53:00.000-08:002024-03-28T04:50:55.801-07:00Rare opportunity to spend summer monitoring stone-curlew population in west of England<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSGes72szyU5dXBFj18S5YpB5QGI9Uel-lj0ywjIAMqG-eXb7mwfr2nR5R3zrg4K3LxkT5yiDWuxehWjl56OTWYVe0LeHMJK9vAW-bmo_SLAx5TiDsAme04C-tkp21Gkv-fxSMSo9HroMRWz1wFsMe7YUx_t6RZo2i8dI3vMqkBLcKHu9JGBmyia7tvA/s811/stone%20curlew.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="811" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSGes72szyU5dXBFj18S5YpB5QGI9Uel-lj0ywjIAMqG-eXb7mwfr2nR5R3zrg4K3LxkT5yiDWuxehWjl56OTWYVe0LeHMJK9vAW-bmo_SLAx5TiDsAme04C-tkp21Gkv-fxSMSo9HroMRWz1wFsMe7YUx_t6RZo2i8dI3vMqkBLcKHu9JGBmyia7tvA/w640-h568/stone%20curlew.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Stone-curlew - just two strongholds left in Britain </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">THE deadline is approaching for anyone applying to be a stone-curlew field officer in the south-west of England.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The RSPB says midnight on Tuesday March 5 is the cut-off point.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The job description for the post reads: "We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic individual with skills in wildlife surveying to join our team conserving stone-curlews across the Wessex area.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"The species has undergone significant decline across the UK over the last century leaving only two strongholds, the Brecks in East Anglia and Wessex. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Some 30 years of conservation efforts have seen the population recover with the RSPB working closely with landowners and farmers, including the Ministry of Defence, to provide suitable habitat for breeding pairs. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"The population in Wessex is now approaching 150 pairs, but continued recovery of this species relies on monitoring and protection." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It continues: "The postholder will focus on monitoring and protection in the key area of Salisbury Plain and the surrounding farmland. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"The role has a strong fieldwork focus during the peak breeding season (April to September), and excellent field skills are required for this tricky and inconspicuous bird. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"The work includes locating Stone-curlew pairs, monitoring breeding attempts, finding nests, liaising with farmers, contractors and landowners, and carrying out intervention measures on vulnerable sites.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Although the postholder will often be conducting field work alone, he or she will also be taking a lead role working alongside survey volunteers. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Lone-working often in remote locations is commonplace in this role. Some evening and weekend work will be required."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This is a fixed-term role for six months (April to September). Full-Time for 37.5 hours per week. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Interviews will be conducted from week the commencing March 11.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The salary is the equivalent of £21,255 - £22,818 per annum.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">For further information, contact <a href="mailto:megan.gee@rspb.org.uk">megan.gee@rspb.org.uk</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>* Photo, via Wikimedia Commons, taken in Italy by Francesco Venonesi</b></span></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-16436490890879485852024-02-26T01:24:00.000-08:002024-02-26T01:25:22.850-08:00British Antarctic Survey says avian influenza has now been detected in wandering albatross<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykUYa0UxSzHvsLCm4s09B_0usyK4w9zGswIfIseGzUGgoh9uBJ51ad0PLxGHB1KtmtA-zCo6VVZH_wYYUz9iWx6h5jkIJtEa1DT7ySKI4keWHSaS8us03morOlyvEQc_X8AtD2NXRID2i7Y6uy1d_VqjU7wKA6eigLKqRVOaSW2Wnhk794KuBpBd6Wlg/s300/albat.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykUYa0UxSzHvsLCm4s09B_0usyK4w9zGswIfIseGzUGgoh9uBJ51ad0PLxGHB1KtmtA-zCo6VVZH_wYYUz9iWx6h5jkIJtEa1DT7ySKI4keWHSaS8us03morOlyvEQc_X8AtD2NXRID2i7Y6uy1d_VqjU7wKA6eigLKqRVOaSW2Wnhk794KuBpBd6Wlg/w400-h400/albat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Wandering albatross (<i>photo: Richard Phillips, BAS</i>)</span></b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">THE alarming spread of avian influenza in the Subantarctic islands of South Georgia is now claiming the lives of one of the world's most majestic birds - the wandering albatross.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Scientists with the British Antarctic Survey report that the deadly disease was first detected in the species early this month.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Says a statement : "Avian influenza was first detected in South Georgia in October 2023.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"The first victims were brown skuas, closely followed by kelp gulls. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"In January this year, it was discovered as being present in elephant and fur seal populations. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"No penguins on the islands have yet tested positive for the disease, but it has been detected in one bird on the nearby Falkland Islands.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Our teams on the islands and at Cambridge are working closely with the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"Samples are tested at laboratories in Weybridge, Surrey."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The statement continues: "As a result of the confirmed cases of avian influenza, fieldwork involving close contact with impacted species has been suspended. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">"BAS members continue to follow strict biosecurity measures."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Ash Bennison of the BAS describes the spectacle of birds succumbing to the disease as "incredibly sad".</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">He reports that elements of research are continuing - for instance in the monitoring of black-browed albatross, grey-headed albatross, northern and southern giant petrels, gentoo penguins and macaroni penguins.</span></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-64569887285489313512024-02-25T06:12:00.000-08:002024-02-25T06:12:14.436-08:00First photograph published of yellow-crested helmetshrike - an African bird thought to have become extinct <p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhglRogGma0_XwcNVfPi6BgmPJY1LZtYI7_tsGBmQrWQlJ7jiMVC3tJzNSBFzto4CAVNU0ue7GeX-StJjUru6okulEH48LqYhX0he94nrUHQWj4ffB2GVYaA0fNNkjgAQMLc1ydz_vU08jDUOMzv6frCz769W_kNl5GqUTUgspFtoviFD-EhMyPi74dEs/s4141/IMG_1145.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4141" data-original-width="3492" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhglRogGma0_XwcNVfPi6BgmPJY1LZtYI7_tsGBmQrWQlJ7jiMVC3tJzNSBFzto4CAVNU0ue7GeX-StJjUru6okulEH48LqYhX0he94nrUHQWj4ffB2GVYaA0fNNkjgAQMLc1ydz_vU08jDUOMzv6frCz769W_kNl5GqUTUgspFtoviFD-EhMyPi74dEs/w540-h640/IMG_1145.JPG" width="540" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">This photograph has featured in numerous international publications including, in Britain, an edition of <i>The Daily Telegraph </i></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">IT is unfortunate that no photograph has yet been released of the yellow-crested helmetshrike in the field, but, even so, it is fantastic to see a close-up of the bird hand-held.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The shot - the first ever of the species - is understood to have been taken earlier this month by Matt Brady, a member of a research team from the University of Texas and the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Not having been seen for more than 20 years, it was thought that the striking-looking bird might have become extinct.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But to their delight, the academics clocked a total of 18 individuals at three sites within in the remote Itombwe Massif woodland which is on the slopes of the Albertine Rift of Central Africa.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It has been a no-go area in recent years because of war, but is thought recently to have become safer for those pursuing scientific research.</span></p><div><br /></div>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-16031983856428374402024-02-23T09:55:00.000-08:002024-02-23T09:58:38.810-08:00Such beauties! Five delicate watercolours by Robert Gillmor to be sold at auction next month<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IZ5uY06CTL-xn4trdqL1nOwwiDbWSbBn12BhhAljYQBKryREekeS1QPcCQaI2dDDn1anPP1OjumurBDOZEYWB8fJOS6X_iCHFrzWAdTEAeTlsfhkkt4W4F4s8qD0r0J-zeKwLNtm5qiURlXZQi3_ZWfN1YAZNdSsCA0GjmOZ6-6-KciksYm7nxm9EOk/s1122/gil%20buff.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1122" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IZ5uY06CTL-xn4trdqL1nOwwiDbWSbBn12BhhAljYQBKryREekeS1QPcCQaI2dDDn1anPP1OjumurBDOZEYWB8fJOS6X_iCHFrzWAdTEAeTlsfhkkt4W4F4s8qD0r0J-zeKwLNtm5qiURlXZQi3_ZWfN1YAZNdSsCA0GjmOZ6-6-KciksYm7nxm9EOk/w640-h570/gil%20buff.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Buff-bellied pipit - sometimes alternatively known as American pipit</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">ENCHANTING watercolours by acclaimed bird artist Robert Gillmor (1936-2022) are set to go under the hammer next month.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Five studies (lots 659 to 664) are included in a sale being conducted by Cirencester-based Dominic Winter Auctions on March 7.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The species, mostly seldom seen in the field, are:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">* Buff-bellied pipit</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">* Great reed warbler</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">* Hawfinch</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">* Red-necked phalarope</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">* Pallas' leaf warbler</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">* Goshawk</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">They are each expected to fetch between £200 and £300.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SaqUSeF-dWz8bSCImiaEvwND2-QVPsi6orUcY3eaYndWPui7KUt9KKex0Tsgr8O53ZZiIpWITH1qO68bNP6PeGoLaoS9RIR4o7UXWlUdvE2VBqsyCQjbX_VrtxORf5lji_uQ4Q1zPw88qucXt4P7jYo3rV11VP4lLRj5C6p-p7H2WvGly58A1Kntfu8/s1146/gil%20gt%20reed.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1146" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SaqUSeF-dWz8bSCImiaEvwND2-QVPsi6orUcY3eaYndWPui7KUt9KKex0Tsgr8O53ZZiIpWITH1qO68bNP6PeGoLaoS9RIR4o7UXWlUdvE2VBqsyCQjbX_VrtxORf5lji_uQ4Q1zPw88qucXt4P7jYo3rV11VP4lLRj5C6p-p7H2WvGly58A1Kntfu8/w640-h558/gil%20gt%20reed.jpg" width="640" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Great reed warbler - not uncommon in Spain and other parts of Europe but a rare visitor to Britain</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyo6Z6ThB65jbQ8YP7XIYSBg1P7FpGyfkcj_l1a2pC8IVhSG5u9totRGVjc6XQvIFvW7ExKSRWUOrWQp1GoLzfMwU_5uZQTfjqOwyK71gI-6496Bflsx4BiST1hG-FjNW5oR52-FgmUlhjPqDWRKhinODn-rhDaNqc9voUfaWo7riRtgzaZj8agd7fyk/s1146/gil%20hawf.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1146" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyo6Z6ThB65jbQ8YP7XIYSBg1P7FpGyfkcj_l1a2pC8IVhSG5u9totRGVjc6XQvIFvW7ExKSRWUOrWQp1GoLzfMwU_5uZQTfjqOwyK71gI-6496Bflsx4BiST1hG-FjNW5oR52-FgmUlhjPqDWRKhinODn-rhDaNqc9voUfaWo7riRtgzaZj8agd7fyk/w640-h558/gil%20hawf.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Hawfinch - shy and uncommon bird of woodlands</span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWf7NxUaYkIwkr44bi__ICaog7CDQaKmL_ngJP0EEPhfdEgCoMIBv3geJbOmnu_X71ddGYh1trED5bj_ZcA7iBwN8eNJn_0NN1FR4j0NISst_34RS12EqdOyBBsrpQ9UIq70ErG4PIMBRoP3-090la3CvK3RgkwPjzDA1iE3RbWftXuF8ArBYRxiZfWWw/s1187/gil%20rn%20phal.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1187" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWf7NxUaYkIwkr44bi__ICaog7CDQaKmL_ngJP0EEPhfdEgCoMIBv3geJbOmnu_X71ddGYh1trED5bj_ZcA7iBwN8eNJn_0NN1FR4j0NISst_34RS12EqdOyBBsrpQ9UIq70ErG4PIMBRoP3-090la3CvK3RgkwPjzDA1iE3RbWftXuF8ArBYRxiZfWWw/w640-h540/gil%20rn%20phal.jpg" width="640" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Red-necked phalarope - a few pairs breed in Scotland </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_M9WCgop4q-m43k5nSbFH0zWIXs6u72Tx5YasqTXku2fpZWJ0uyqjniU1NvrZZAZSxptCBgE5u5SWq6Fod8TaZcnqTgXGoOFc74ytkSMKE2Aic9OwxputwWnAqKNi6SVJ2u_vi3N3XtnnawNNwxeTMd5hqxmzsZJDM7Xx3rK5l4oI63cptvYfQeAHb8/s1144/gil%20-%20pall.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1144" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_M9WCgop4q-m43k5nSbFH0zWIXs6u72Tx5YasqTXku2fpZWJ0uyqjniU1NvrZZAZSxptCBgE5u5SWq6Fod8TaZcnqTgXGoOFc74ytkSMKE2Aic9OwxputwWnAqKNi6SVJ2u_vi3N3XtnnawNNwxeTMd5hqxmzsZJDM7Xx3rK5l4oI63cptvYfQeAHb8/w640-h560/gil%20-%20pall.jpg" width="640" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Pallas' leaf warbler - a few turn up annually in autumn<br /> </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthfFvC5NxZMF4kV2CV_tqBp5Jf0CSjg4Wgnk-N8Oyy_VjSvwBgNYOzl9ArNLfq6E-JzHBtGGaDgeUgo1vR9LsvHzQqE_IFltHDHXvhFQh3XDWgKcjg1Uli2pw0aMfkHvL7z8f9EXT4TYFPWElr5BED8pWOK8_KZ5CQ2WRmZCaEz0pJCDVwnOBehMLfog/s1145/gil%20gos.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1145" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthfFvC5NxZMF4kV2CV_tqBp5Jf0CSjg4Wgnk-N8Oyy_VjSvwBgNYOzl9ArNLfq6E-JzHBtGGaDgeUgo1vR9LsvHzQqE_IFltHDHXvhFQh3XDWgKcjg1Uli2pw0aMfkHvL7z8f9EXT4TYFPWElr5BED8pWOK8_KZ5CQ2WRmZCaEz0pJCDVwnOBehMLfog/w640-h558/gil%20gos.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Goshawk - holding its own but of localised range in Britain </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-6072182272712425182024-02-22T10:06:00.000-08:002024-02-22T10:06:41.407-08:00Researchers urge 'extreme caution' after experiment shows harmful effect of harness-mounted tags <p> </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YfXaKUdiOoUsi0nQiD400C2L-RCjcKllcNDCHeqnp_-yaYgAg_rrFU92FZXas0cYvLJHbqwjCCGRXoCPJwjok9fRtRQegNjQgXJgAJQ2qQb_LgF1N5pKy6n1iZFXjL58d23VHPbRwiZbLe3RrdSvxbPCkHAF3Sb3yC0RLwcUReUaOl-jCq-gX1MY-eA/s4608/gbb%20gull2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YfXaKUdiOoUsi0nQiD400C2L-RCjcKllcNDCHeqnp_-yaYgAg_rrFU92FZXas0cYvLJHbqwjCCGRXoCPJwjok9fRtRQegNjQgXJgAJQ2qQb_LgF1N5pKy6n1iZFXjL58d23VHPbRwiZbLe3RrdSvxbPCkHAF3Sb3yC0RLwcUReUaOl-jCq-gX1MY-eA/w640-h480/gbb%20gull2.JPG" width="640" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Great black-backed gull - breeding performance harmed by thoracic harness-tagging </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">DOES attaching harness mounted data tags to birds risk causing more harm than good?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It has often been assumed that minimal, if any, disadvantage is caused to birds when these devices are attached by researchers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">However, a new study of one particular species - the great black-backed gull - indicates that the reverse might be the case.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Birds with thoracic harness attachments had significantly lower breeding success - with fewer eggs and lower hatching rates - than untagged birds.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The data was collected from 34 gulls nesting on the Isle of May National Nature Reserve in the Firth of Forth, during the 2021 and 2022 breeding seasons.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It had previously been known that harnesses carry risks to the birds due to the possibility of entanglement, constriction or abrasion of skin or feathers from the materials.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">In addition, a high level of skill is required to fit them properly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But the impact on breeding performance apparently represents a worrying new discovery - one which may have implications for other species.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It was additionally noted that a harness attachment "potentially caused the death of one birds five days after deployment". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The findings are documented in a paper by Samuel Langlois Lopez, Gary D. Clewley, Daniel T. Johnston, Francis Daunt, Jared M. Wilson, Nina J. O'Hanlon, Elizabeth Masden.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This has been published today on the website of the British Ornithologists' Union.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">They state: "Overall, the harness attachment was a lead driver of nest failure. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">"We urge extreme caution for those wanting to use harness-mounted devices on great black-backed gulls."</span></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-63672205046941295892024-02-19T10:15:00.000-08:002024-02-19T10:15:04.890-08:00Welcome return to Global Birdfair for wildlife trusts - and pressure group Greenpeace are also joining the party<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBp7JIaVKCHXdWWJdaGjonQ13t2wKp2GtcZ-b53kcgbEyj-MGwQHV1zU_n0k83IpwX3XBaLKnrWA-Sssij2a2k1qtOF_iVcZnsrO0s1a8nKYZAsxhKjcbs4Qh7X6XcYfLAHp-ldbuIEuy1Bi2kvWKJEQYH4ittMtQ8ierCou9czBqn0nWRtQGBXDDa9W4" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img data-original-height="278" data-original-width="400" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBp7JIaVKCHXdWWJdaGjonQ13t2wKp2GtcZ-b53kcgbEyj-MGwQHV1zU_n0k83IpwX3XBaLKnrWA-Sssij2a2k1qtOF_iVcZnsrO0s1a8nKYZAsxhKjcbs4Qh7X6XcYfLAHp-ldbuIEuy1Bi2kvWKJEQYH4ittMtQ8ierCou9czBqn0nWRtQGBXDDa9W4=w400-h278" width="400" /></span></b></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Countdown has begun to highlight of the birding world's social calendar </span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">A PRELIMINARY list of exhibitors for Global Birdfair 2024 has been issued by founder Tim Appleton.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Interesting inclusions are long-established environmental pressure group Greenpeace.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There is also a welcome return for The Wildlife Trusts whose Leicestershire and Rutland wing used to host the event at Rutland before pulling the rug three years ago.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So far, no confirmation that heavyweight organisations such as the RSPB and the BTO will come on board, but it is still early days. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The list to date is as below: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* 2by2 Holidays</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Albatross Birding and Nature Tours in Chile</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* All India Birding Tours</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Aqua-Firma Worldwide Ltd</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Bellbird Tours</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Bird Finder Philippines</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Birda</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Birdfinders</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Birdguides</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Birding The Islands</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* BirdLife International</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Birdwatch Magazine</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Birdwatching Magazine</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Button and Squirt</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Canopy Family, Panamá</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Cornell Lab of Ornithology</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* David Finney, Artist</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* D Smith Glasscraft</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* eBird</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* El Septimo Paraiso - Mindo</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Gareth Watling British bird paintings</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Fair Isle Observatory Trust</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">*Far South Expeditions</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Greenpeace</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Heatherlea Birdwatching</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Jane Gibson Sculptures</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Julie Wilson Sculptures</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Langur Eco Travels, Bhutan</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Limosa Holidays</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Lynx Nature Books</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Mammal Society</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Meadowlark Birding Tours</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Mythic Hippo Photography</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Oriole Birding Ltd</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Plantlife</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Princeton Nature</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Sarah Brabbin Sculpture</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Sarus Bird Tours</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Simon King and The Wildlife Community</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Sounding Wild</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Sunbird Images OHG</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Terra</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* The Bagh Wildlife Resorts</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* The Wildlife Trusts</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Tranquilo Bay Eco Adventure Lodge</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Tropical Birding</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* WaderQuest</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Wild Herz Ltd (Wild Herzegovina Birdwatching Holidays)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* WildSpace</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* WildWings</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Woodland Trust</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* World Pheasant Association (WPA)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* World Wildlife Fund</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* Yorkshire Coast Nature</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">More exhibitors are likely to be announced in the build-up to the event which is being held over July 12-14 at Lyndon Top, Rutland.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This year's international project will be Galala Bird Observatory - a flagship observation point of global significance in terms of the numbers and diversity of species during the spring migration. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The migrant birds passing Galala represent globally significant proportions of species populations that spend the summer in eastern Europe and in western and central Asia. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There are no other similar migratory observation points in Egypt. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">During a six-week period at Galala Mountain in Spring last year, observers counted an astonishingly high number (380,000) and diverse range of species, including 1,300 Egyptian Vulture, 35,000 Steppe Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle, 200,000 Steppe Buzzard, and 52,000 White Stork. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Global Bird are using a superb photograph by David Tipling of an Egyptian Vulture for the promotional poster for the 2024 event.</span></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7832848842000861961.post-87821121798221093942024-02-15T12:20:00.000-08:002024-02-16T12:35:51.884-08:00Chris Packham tells jury: 'I am a man that loves life - everything that slithers and crawls and swims'<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LV-SNGA0bkGFvzXZDqTkKIRsGG4IWS0sIPwim8K6cy8DzlDCxuHpJvfcSFL-2Bntg9ncHQk4KmvCF7It-DjjoBu5gR9KjKqUTP3959T1BRfft4lrtE9t4iVwNzQ58on9qqnHitG8HdNdFcYdgn-fo-LmVjDq-8Py6gA0YLG6HI9qMVaJnrAdUcp-abA/s320/packo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="308" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LV-SNGA0bkGFvzXZDqTkKIRsGG4IWS0sIPwim8K6cy8DzlDCxuHpJvfcSFL-2Bntg9ncHQk4KmvCF7It-DjjoBu5gR9KjKqUTP3959T1BRfft4lrtE9t4iVwNzQ58on9qqnHitG8HdNdFcYdgn-fo-LmVjDq-8Py6gA0YLG6HI9qMVaJnrAdUcp-abA/w616-h640/packo.png" width="616" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Chris Packham: "Inconvenience is a relative thing."</span></b> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>The campaign group Just Stop Oil is monitoring the case at Isleworth Crown Court in which eco-activist Cressie Gethin (23) is being prosecuted for Causing a Public Nuisance - a charge which she denies. JSO has issued a press release transcript of the court testimony from TV naturalist Chris Packham who is also a JSO supporter . </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>DEFENCE CROSS EXAMINATION</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Cressie Gethin (who is conducting her own defence)</b>: Could you tell the Jury about your background?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> I am a man that loves life. Everything that slithers and crawls and swims. For the first 3rd of life I investigated everything - I had a profound interest in the natural living world and biology. The second two thirds of my life have been given over to a very real need to conserve our life. We have lost 70 percent of world’s wildlife in my lifetime. This destruction is having an impact on human life too…</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Judge:</b> You are venturing into the unnecessary.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Cressie: </b>Where were you on the morning of 20th July 2022?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> On a journey from New Hampshire to Surrey - I was working on a BBC TV programme, <i>Inside Autistic Minds</i>. I was going to a school to conduct interviews.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Cressie: </b>Were you delayed by the M25 closures?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> Yes, the M25 and the M4 and other roads where people had left – I was routinely inconvenienced using the UK public road networks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Cressie:</b> How long were you delayed for?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> Four to five hours.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Cressie:</b> What was your experience that day?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> Like any delay I would experience - I frequently experience delays. We tried to pick a route that would avoid the congestion but kept getting stuck. Eventually we got off the M25 and I arrived four to five hours late - the congestion is as it always is - slow, moving to a standstill.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Cressie: </b>Do you remember your colleagues’ reactions?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> I communicated with them over the phone. I kept them abreast to the delays . They were understanding and sympathetic to the reasons for the delay…</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Prosecution:</b> It’s what you experienced, not what others did.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Cressie:</b> Have you ever experienced another delay of this length?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> Frequently - the M25 was built in the 80s or 90s - it’s known as a parking lot. As we speak, I bet people are sitting on the M25 now.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Judge:</b> Why didn’t you leave four hours early today then?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> I left last night.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Cressie:</b> While delayed, what were you feeling?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> I was brought up to arrive on time. It’s a necessity in my work. For cost and function. I always feel pressured to be on time. Knowing I was going to be late initially caused me concern. Initially I was frustrated and then I researched and discovered the reason was that protestors were acting on the A25. Then I changed my thinking. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Rather than seeing a problem I saw an opportunity. I had time to reflect on their motives. I thought about whether the action was productive, what it was doing, to reflect on the fact that I was unable to use the Rail Network. The Rail Network, in the extreme heat, was issuing warnings not to use trains. I reflected on the fact that I was sweating - it was the day after the UK had recorded its highest temperature, just two days before the Government’s ‘Net Zero’ plan was declared illegal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I thought about their intent. I sympathised with them. Rather than sit and eat and fret - I ran through the process, and that made the experience positive. Others should do the same.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The delay was not unusual - it could have been caused by many factors - for instance the fragility of our traffic system.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Cressie: </b>Would you say that it amounted to serious inconvenience?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham: </b>Inconvenience is a relative thing. Compared to high temperatures, the Government and the Met office were…</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Prosecution: </b> No, I’m sorry - the witness was asked, 'Were you seriously inconvenienced?'</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham: </b>I was as seriously inconvenienced as those people who are in unbearable conditions in other parts of the word…</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Judge: </b>You were a member of the public - you were inconvenienced. Would you class it as serious?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham: </b>Not compared to the serious disruption I may experience in future.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Judge: </b>Were you seriously inconvenienced?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> No, I was not.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Cressie:</b> Did you experience financial loss?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> No, I didn’t.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">PROSECUTION CROSS EXAMINATION</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Prosecution:</b> You are not an independent witness, are you?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham: </b>I support some of what Just Stop Oil does.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Prosecution: </b>JSO love having you as a supporter, don’t they?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham: </b>I do the same for the RSPB and others. I selectively support things that they do and I support other environmental groups too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Prosecution:</b> You made a TV Statement saying “it’s time to break the law” didn’t you? Do you agree it’s time to break the law by closing the M25?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> I think it was necessary for those protesters at that point to use peaceful means to raise an alarm.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Prosecution: </b>You don’t know about the traffic jams at Junction14 and Junction15 as you avoided them didn’t you? Therefore you can’t comment how much traffic there was at these junctions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> My research showed that the traffic was at a standstill. I avoided that and then joined after.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Prosecution:</b> have you seen the drone footage?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> No.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Prosecution: </b>It was the day after the hottest day ever - and it was hot and uncomfortable in the car?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> As it is on many occasions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Prosecution:</b> Please do your best to answer the questions. It would cause serious annoyance and distress - I am asking you to think about all those other people in their cars and lorries and their vans.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham: </b>I did, but I also thought about what it would be like for people for whom it was much hotter.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Prosecution:</b> 26 flights were cancelled.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> As I recall, Heathrow was under stress and it had already capped the amount of flights that could leave.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Prosecution: </b>There were over 3000 people impacted, 26 flights delayed and 19 flights cancelled. Do you agree that these people were seriously inconvenienced and seriously annoyed?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham:</b> I don’t. It would be difficult for you to apply all of this to Cressie Gethin. I support the need to raise the alarm on the most serious issue that threatens life and threatens us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Judge: </b>There was a TV documentary called,<i> Is it time to break the law?</i> this was a question not a statement was it not, Mr Packham?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Chris Packham: </b>It was programmed by Channel 4.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Judge:</b> Had it not been a JSO protest - if it were for some other cause? Would you have felt differently about it?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Chris Packham: In that context, I would have been principally concerned with the fragility of the network and the fact that I could not take public transport. The fact that it was about climate enabled me to reflect.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> <b> ***</b></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Earlier, Cressie Gethin gave her evidence to the Jury. This went as follows:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On 20th July 2022, I climbed up onto a gantry over the M25. I hung up two banners - one said ‘Just Stop Oil’ (the campaign in whose name I was taking action) and the other said ‘40 Degrees' (this was a day after the 40C heatwave scorched the UK, burnt down houses and left people dead).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The prosecution have said that my intention was clearly to stop the traffic. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">However, it is under oath that I say I was not expecting the police to close the entire motorway. I thought it was possible they may decide to close one or two lanes, or perhaps slow the speed of the traffic, but I was very surprised when they closed the whole thing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I was surprised because I was conducting a non-violent, peaceful protest, the intention of which was to gain media attention and create public pressure on the Government to stop new xploration for oil and gas.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When the police did close the motorway, I did not immediately come down - you saw that in the footage. As I said, my intention was to get media attention and I realised that the road closure would be attracting more press coverage and therefore more pressure on the Government to take steps to protect its own citizens.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I will also address the matter of delays at Heathrow. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Whilst this may sound unbelievable, I did not realise that the stretch of motorway I was on led to Heathrow - as I say, this may sound ridiculous, but I am telling the truth under oath.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Because I am bound to the truth, I will also say that, despite not having been aware of the location at the time, I do not think that near Heathrow was an inappropriate place to conduct this protest, given that it was there that 40.2C was first recorded the day before, and because of the relevance of air travel to the message I was trying to get heard.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">The 20th July was deliberately chosen to be when the temperature was less dangerous and the Met Office’s extreme heat warnings had been lifted. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This was in order to remove any risks linked to heat and dehydration for myself and for any members of the public who were in their cars for longer than anticipated.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I also took safety precautions that minimised any risk to myself or to drivers on the motorway. I ensured that there was at least one point of attachment between the gantry structure and the banners at all times.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> I also wore a safety harness so that I was attached to the gantry at all times. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">This gantry was enclosed and felt safe (it is designed for human access and is essentially a footbridge with enclosed sides) - but I took this precaution to make sure I was being as safe and conscientious as possible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I want to make it clear that in no way did I feel a sense of glee or “yes, I’ve won” when the police closed the road. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I understood that, by closing the road the police would be having to manage traffic that would have otherwise come down that stretch of the motorway, and that didn’t and doesn’t sit easy with me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The reason I didn’t come down goes back to my original intention to get the attention of the media and public, and ultimately, to address rather than ignore injustice and suffering.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There was a moral dilemma involved in taking this action. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I knew there was a possibility that the action would impact some people - that is the nature of visible and attention-grabbing protest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I had to weigh this, which doesn’t sit easy with me, against my sincere desire to protect lives. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As I said at the beginning, my overall intentions were and still are to create pressure on the Government over policies that are killing people around the world.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The trial continues.</span></i></p>The Wryneckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17552243074942821045noreply@blogger.com0