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3 Jan High hopes for bumper kakapo breeding season [Jeremy Taylor ] 3 Jan BirdLife in Indochina leads $9.5 million conservation fund [Jeremy Taylor ] 3 Jan Chester Zoo to launch vital new wildlife project [Jeremy Taylor ] 28 Dec Christmas cracker at South African roost [Jeremy Taylor ] 28 Dec Charity foundation supports BirdLife's global vision [Jeremy Taylor ] 19 Dec Natron's flamingos star in Disney film! [Jeremy Taylor ] 17 Dec Seychelles success story [Jeremy Taylor ] 11 Dec Killer mice bring albatross population closer to extinction [Jeremy Taylor ] 11 Dec Turkish protest against the Ilisu Dam [Jeremy Taylor ] 11 Dec Soaring migratory bird deaths in Egypt [Jeremy Taylor ] 5 Dec SAVE Brasil’s Red-billed Curassow campaign goes to school [Jeremy Taylor ] 5 Dec Crossrail deal boosts hopes for ailing wildlife at Wallasea [Jeremy Taylor ] 5 Dec BirdLife protects migratory birds of prey [Jeremy Taylor ] 5 Dec Slender-billed quest [Jeremy Taylor ] 29 Nov Nigerian community empowered by wetland project [Jeremy Taylor ] 27 Nov Project emphasises conservation and livelihood link [Jeremy Taylor ] 26 Nov Big trouble for UK and Icelandic seabirds [Jeremy Taylor ] 26 Nov Plan to save bird extinct in wild [Jeremy Taylor ] 24 Nov African Important Bird Areas get conservation toolkit [Jeremy Taylor ] 24 Nov Bird cnservation on Syrian channel [Yousef Ali Alzaoby ] 23 Nov BirdLife volunteers receive prestigious prize [Jeremy Taylor ] 19 Nov Switzerland publishes IBA inventory [Jeremy Taylor ] 18 Nov RSPB urges swift action to restore threatened farmland birds [Jeremy Taylor ] 18 Nov Brazil pledges to help save seabirds [Jeremy Taylor ] 14 Nov British company endangers wildlife paradise [Jeremy Taylor ] 12 Nov Migratory birds bridge water, culture and religion [Jeremy Taylor ] 12 Nov First Protected Area Established for Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw [Jeremy Taylor ] 12 Nov International action to save Lesser White-fronted Goose [Jeremy Taylor ] 6 Nov International agreement join-ups flyway conservation [Jeremy Taylor ] 6 Nov New directory finds almost half Caribbean IBAs lack protection [Jeremy Taylor ] 30 Oct Blind flamingo attacked at Australian zoo [Jeremy Taylor ] 30 Oct Report warns of shorebird extinctions [Jeremy Taylor ] 30 Oct Feathering the nests [Jeremy Taylor ] 30 Oct Students giving wing to species [Jeremy Taylor ] 28 Oct Irish birds in alarming decline [Jeremy Taylor ] 28 Oct Swans delay migration to stay in warmth of Siberia [Jeremy Taylor ] 28 Oct Costa Rica protects green macaw by banning logging of mountain almond tree [Jeremy Taylor ] 26 Oct Illegal Mexican Parrot Trade Targeted by New Ban [Jeremy Taylor ] 24 Oct Cypriot mass bird poisoning blamed on poachers [Jeremy Taylor ] 24 Oct Rare bird rediscovered on 'most pristine' island in southeast Asia [Jeremy Taylor ] 24 Oct Migratory birds of prey to be protected by UN-backed agreement [Jeremy Taylor ] 22 Oct Safer passage for migratory birds of prey [Jeremy Taylor ] 22 Oct Kokako return to the south [Jeremy Taylor ] 22 Oct World's Rarest Cockatoo Rediscovered in Indonesia [Jeremy Taylor ] 20 Oct Palau publishes IBA directory [Jeremy Taylor ] 20 Oct Logging blamed for decline in already rare swift parrot [Jeremy Taylor ] 19 Oct Sanctuaries help protect lives of birds in Kuwait [Jeremy Taylor ] 18 Oct American seabirds thrown a lifeline [Jeremy Taylor ] 16 Oct Over 25 Irish bird species suffer alarming declines, says report [Jeremy Taylor ] 16 Oct Malta protects Important Bird Areas under Natura 2000 [Jeremy Taylor ] 15 Oct Bird-a-thon bears Golden-cheeked fruit [Jeremy Taylor ] 15 Oct Rare Kauai bird making comeback [Jeremy Taylor ] Subject: High hopes for bumper kakapo breeding season From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 11:55:18 -0800 (PST) High hopes for bumper kakapo breeding season Updated at 11:10am on 3 January 2009 The Kakapo Recovery Programme hopes this breeding season will produce 40 chicks, increasing the current population by almost 50%. The world's biggest parrot is on the critically endangered list, with only 90 birds left anywhere. In the early 1990s, the kakapo was facing extinction with just 51 birds recorded. Conservation group Forest and Bird says there are now more adult females than at any time in the past 100 years, which signals a bumper breeding season in 2009. Full story at http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/01/03/124597759d60 Subject: BirdLife in Indochina leads $9.5 million conservation fund From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 10:42:43 -0800 (PST) BirdLife in Indochina leads $9.5 million conservation fund 02-01-2009 Indochina has an impressive geographic diversity, which supports a wide variety of habitats and high overall biodiversity. But only 5% of the original habitat remains, and these tiny fragments are threatened by human pressure and large-scale development. Immediate action is required to save these habitats and their unique species. Now a major $9.5 million, five-year investment in Indochina has been launched, aiming to conserve biodiversity by engaging and building the capacity of civil society organisations. The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot is a collaboration between CEPF and BirdLife International. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2009/01/indochina_cepf.html Subject: Chester Zoo to launch vital new wildlife project From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 10:41:38 -0800 (PST) Chester Zoo to launch vital new wildlife project Jan 2 2009 by David Norbury, Chester Chronicle CHESTER Zoo is teaming up with a leading biodiversity information centre to launch an important new wildlife project. It follows survey results which show that numbers of house sparrows, starlings and blackbirds have fallen dramatically over the last 30 years. All three species have been familiar residents of British back gardens for decades. Monitoring local wildlife is the aim of the new project to be launched by the zoo and rECOrd, Cheshire’s biodiversity information centre. Full story at http://tinyurl.com/9tv7t7 Subject: Christmas cracker at South African roost From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:07:32 -0800 (PST) Christmas cracker at South African roost 24-12-2008 Scientists monitoring at Mount Moreland - South Africa’s largest Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica roost - have captured their first overseas ringed bird from a festively snowy location. The young Barn Swallow had flown all the way from Finland – a total of 11,000 km! “This is an amazing Christmas gift”, said Hilary Vickers of the Lake Victoria Conservancy – sponsors of the Mount Moreland ringing programme. “We were carefully fitting the swallows with rings so we can monitor their movements when we spotted a bird already carrying one”, said Mount Moreland bird-ringer Andrew Pickles. “A magnifying glass provided the words Helsinki - Finland!” Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/moreland_swallow.html Subject: Charity foundation supports BirdLife's global vision From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:06:52 -0800 (PST) Charity foundation supports BirdLife's global vision 22-12-2008 The Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation has recently approved three BirdLife projects for grants totalling €1,139,589 ($1,600,000) over three years. "It is very reassuring during this time of economic uncertainty, to have the continued financial support of a donor like the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation", said Caroline Pridham, who as Programme Development Manager for BirdLife, works very closely with the Foundation. "Since 2004, the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation has worked very closely with us and has provided grants for 16 BirdLife projects in many regions of the world." Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/jensen.html Subject: Natron's flamingos star in Disney film! From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:34:08 -0800 (PST) Natron's flamingos star in Disney film! 19-12-2008 Walt Disney have chosen Lake Natron’s Lesser Flamingos Phoeniconaias minor to star in their first wildlife blockbuster in nearly half a century. ‘The Crimson Wing - Mystery of the Flamingos’ takes viewers to the isolated shores of Lake Natron, in northern Tanzania, for a birds-eye view of the mysterious and perilous lives of Lesser Flamingos. The film was premiered in Paris this week, and reminds the world of the threats facing one the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles. Walt Disney produced wildlife documentaries called the ‘True-Life Adventure’ series between 1948 and 1960. These Oscar-winning films showed people the beauty of the natural world. The Crimson Wing marks the return of Disney to the genre. “We hope these films will contribute to a greater understanding and appreciation of the beauty and fragility of our natural world”, said Robert A. Iger, president and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/crimson_wing.html Subject: Seychelles success story From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:11:02 -0800 (PST) Seychelles success story 17-12-2008 This week BirdLife International and Nature Seychelles (BirdLife in Seychelles) are celebrating the anniversary of one the world’s greatest conservation success stories. In 1968, Cousin Island was purchased by the International Council of Bird Preservation (ICBP now BirdLife International) to save the last remaining population of Seychelles Warbler Acrocephalus sechellensis from extinction. Forty years on, warbler numbers have risen by 300%, and the island has been transformed from a coconut plantation to a profitable Nature Reserve which greatly benefits local people and global biodiversity. Cousin Island – a small island in Seychelles - is today home to a wealth of globally important wildlife. It is the most significant nesting site for Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata in the Western Indian Ocean, and supports over 300,000 nesting seabirds of seven species. Cousin also hosts five of the Seychelles’ eleven endemic land-birds including: Seychelles Magpie-robin Copsychus seychellarum (Endangered), Seychelles Sunbird Nectarinia dussumieri, Seychelles Fody Foudia seychellarum and Seychelles Blue-pigeon Alectroenas pulcherrima. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/cousin_island.html Subject: Killer mice bring albatross population closer to extinction From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:15:38 -0800 (PST) Killer mice bring albatross population closer to extinction 11-12-2008 The Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena, has suffered its worst breeding season ever, according to research by the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK). The number of chicks making it through to fledging has decreased rapidly and it is now five times lower than it should be because introduced predatory mice are eating the chicks alive on Gough island - the bird’s only home and a South Atlantic territory of the United Kingdom. The mice are also affecting Gough Island’s other Critically Endangered endemic species, Gough Bunting Rowettia goughensis. A recent survey of the bunting’s population revealed that the population has halved within the last two decades. Now there are only an estimated 400-500 pairs left. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/gough_island.html Subject: Turkish protest against the Ilisu Dam From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:14:58 -0800 (PST) Turkish protest against the Ilisu Dam 09-12-2008 Protesters from Doğa Derneği (BirdLife in Turkey) unfurled a banner over the Turkcell Billboard in Istanbul on 25 November to highlight the construction of the Ilisu Dam. Showing panoramic views of Hasankeyf - a site marked for destruction as part of the dam construction -demonstrators, wearing the flags of Austria, Germany and Switzerland hung from the 20 metre high structure displaying their message: Hasankeyf today, tomorrow, forever. “It is time for a positive decision”, said Erkut Erturk, Campaign Coordinator for Doğa Derneği. “Prime Minister Erdogan should honour his commitment to our heritage and save Hasankeyf forever by registering this culturally and biologically diverse region on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list”. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/turkey_protest.html Subject: Soaring migratory bird deaths in Egypt From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:13:51 -0800 (PST) Soaring migratory bird deaths in Egypt 08-12-2008 Large numbers of migrating Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina and White Stork Ciconia ciconia have been found dead near a water treatment plant in Egypt. The exact causes of their death are not known. However, a new BirdLife project will address key threats to soaring migratory birds as they undertake their epic journeys. Soaring migratory birds glide between areas of rising hot air to aid their long-distance passage. This method, which cannot be used over large water bodies or high mountains, limits the potential routes and concentrates birds into vulnerable corridors. Egypt is at a critical geographic bottleneck for soaring migratory birds, and at the time of the recent deaths thousands of birds were passing through the country. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/egyptian_bird_deaths.html Subject: SAVE Brasil’s Red-billed Curassow campaign goes to school From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 19:26:22 -0800 (PST) SAVE Brasil’s Red-billed Curassow campaign goes to school 05-12-2008 The Endangered Red-billed Curassow Crax blumenbachii is endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, which once covered 1 million km2 of Brazil, but has been reduced to isolated fragments, mostly in southern Bahia. Because of its large size and attractive appearance, Red-billed Curassow is hunted for food and the bird trade. It is estimated that no more than 250 individuals remain in the wild, mainly in Sooretana Biological Reserve and Vale do Rio Doce Natural Reserve (state of Espírito Santo), and Descobrimento, Monte Pascoal and Pau Brasil National Parks (Bahia). Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/red_billed_curassow.html Subject: Crossrail deal boosts hopes for ailing wildlife at Wallasea From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 19:25:37 -0800 (PST) Crossrail deal boosts hopes for ailing wildlife at Wallasea 05-12-2008 Material excavated from beneath London for Crossrail’s new cross-capital rail link is to be used to create a huge wildlife reserve in Essex, England. Clay, chalk, sand and gravel taken from the construction of Crossrail will be transferred by ship to Wallasea Island, which the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) will transform into 1,500 acres – nearly 4 square km - of tidal wildlife habitat. The agreement links Europe’s largest construction project with the continent’s biggest coastal habitat creation scheme. The project, to help replace wildlife sites damaged by climate change, was announced a year ago but depended on raising at least £12 million. Plans subsequently altered and costs have risen. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/wallasea.html Subject: BirdLife protects migratory birds of prey From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 19:24:51 -0800 (PST) BirdLife protects migratory birds of prey 04-12-2008 BirdLife have become the first non-governmental organisation to sign a new treaty protecting migratory raptors. The 'African-Eurasian Memorandum of Understanding on Birds of Prey' will help to protect migratory birds of prey and owls from threats such as habitat destruction, persecution, accidental killing and the effects of climate change. BirdLife Partners are already preparing to launch a new project which will address key areas of the agreement. "Birds of prey face many threats as they travel through countries on migration", said Dr Marco Lambertini - BirdLife's Director of Network and Programme. "For example, European species of conservation concern such as Osprey Pandion haliaetus are killed by powerlines in Europe each year". Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/cms_mou_signing.html Subject: Slender-billed quest From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 19:24:09 -0800 (PST) Slender-billed quest 04-12-2008 The RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) and other partners have launched a last push to find one of the world's rarest birds. They have issued a call to search for and find any remaining populations of Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris. This announcement was made at the Ninth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (UNEP-CMS COP 9), in Rome, Italy, 1-5 December. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/sbc_launch.html Subject: Nigerian community empowered by wetland project From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:00:34 -0800 (PST) Nigerian community empowered by wetland project 28-11-2008 A collaborative project by BirdLife and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF; BirdLife in Nigeria) has empowered a community to improve a local wetland. Habitat management has greatly improved the wetland, and local people are already catching more and bigger fish. The forthcoming annual waterbird count will soon reveal how birds have also benefited. The pilot scheme is part of the Wings Over Wetlands (WOW) project, a large collaborative initiative aimed at conserving migratory waterbirds and their habitats in the African-Eurasian region. WOW has been operational in Nigeria since the middle of 2007, and is working with local partners to foster local solutions to the environmental challenges they face with regard to the wetlands and their livelihoods. The Hadejia Nguru wetlands are an Important Bird Area and Ramsar site in the Sahel zone of north-eastern Nigeria, and the location for the WOW demonstration project. The wetlands are an important wintering and stop-over site for waterbirds migrating between Europe and Africa. They offer respite and water for 68 species such as Ruff Philomachus pugnax and Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/wow_nigeria_success.html Subject: Project emphasises conservation and livelihood link From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:11:07 -0800 (PST) Project emphasises conservation and livelihood link 27-11-2008 A pilot project in Burkina Faso, Botswana and Kenya implemented by BirdLife Africa Partners, has confirmed that communities do benefit from the sustainable use of natural resources. Over the last four years, the 'Improving Livelihoods' scheme has demonstrated clear links between biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction. "The livelihood security of millions of rural people all over Africa is inextricably linked with biodiversity and the use of biological resources, either through the direct use of the goods which they supply to people, or indirectly through the wider environmental and cultural services", said Dr Hazell Shokellu Thompson, BirdLife Director for Africa and Secretariat Head. "This is what BirdLife in Africa has been showcasing through this project and it's satisfying to see results". Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/swedbio_project.html Subject: Big trouble for UK and Icelandic seabirds From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:29:03 -0800 (PST) Big trouble for UK and Icelandic seabirds 26-11-2008 Analysis of this year's seabird breeding data on RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) coastal reserves shows that Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea and Parasitic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus – more commonly known as Arctic Skua - have had a terrible season, with virtually no chicks reared to fledging in the far north of the UK. Changes in food supply, which may be linked to climate change, could threaten the future of these species in the UK. The UK is internationally important for seabirds. Scotland alone is home to over three million seabirds, which is around 45% of the European Union’s breeding seabird population. Earlier this year, the RSPB issued a grave prognosis for the breeding season. Many internationally-important colonies had abandoned nests, and empty cliffs which should have been teeming with tens of thousands of seabirds were very quiet. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/rspb_seabirds.html Subject: Plan to save bird extinct in wild From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:24:56 -0800 (PST) Plan to save bird extinct in wild Edinburgh Zoo has joined forces with Paignton Zoo in Devon and zoos abroad in a bid to save a bird that has been extinct in the wild for 30 years. The Socorro dove, which originates from Socorro Island off Mexico, died out in the wild in the 1970s as a result of human disturbance and habitat loss. Several were held in private collections and breeding pairs were formed to sustain the population. Edinburgh Zoo has produced 11 chicks to date. In the next stage of the reintroduction, five birds from Edinburgh Zoo and seven birds from Paignton Zoo were flown to California in October and have now been transferred to Albuquerque Zoo in New Mexico. Full story at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7750390.stm Subject: African Important Bird Areas get conservation toolkit From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:40:25 -0800 (PST) African Important Bird Areas get conservation toolkit 24-11-2008 A toolkit that synthesises lessons learnt by the BirdLife Africa Partnership in the identification, monitoring and conservation of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) was recently launched. “This toolkit will be valuable, not only to the members of the BirdLife Partnership, but also to other practitioners interested in biodiversity conservation”, said Dr Hazell Shokellu Thompson, Regional Director for BirdLife in Africa. The IBA Programme identifies sites where biodiversity value outweighs the threats of ecologically damaging activities. “IBAs are a scientifically rigorous and easy to understand approach for ensuring that conservation efforts are targeted at the right places”, said Dr Leon Bennun BirdLife’s Director of Science, Policy and Information at a colourful ceremony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/africa_iba_toolkit.html Subject: Bird cnservation on Syrian channel From: Yousef Ali Alzaoby <DQRZ AT HOTMAIL.COM> Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:15:41 +0200 Dear all Tomorrow Tuesday 25 -11-2008 at Satellite Syrian channel time GMT 06.30 am I �am talking about conservation of birds in Syria. Best A project for Recording the birds in Daraa & Sweida areas.Tel: +963944798034 Tel&fax: +96315248387 E-mail: dqrz AT hotmail.com Syria � Dara'a � Mousaifrh P.O.BOX \ 1 \Yousef Ali Alzaoby-Freelance bird guide Member of Global Owl Project _________________________________________________________________ Discover the new Windows Vista http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=windows+vista&mkt=en-US&form=QBRE [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ This list is maintained by the Ornithological Society of the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia. Read all about us at http://www.osme.org To unsubscribe by email send an empty email message to:- MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEBirdNet/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:MEBirdNet-digest AT yahoogroups.com mailto:MEBirdNet-fullfeatured AT yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: MEBirdNet-unsubscribe AT yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: BirdLife volunteers receive prestigious prize From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:48:46 -0800 (PST) BirdLife volunteers receive prestigious prize 21-11-2008 A group working to conserve the Kikuyu Escarpment forest Important Bird Area (IBA) in Kenya has won the prestigious Equator Prize for 2008. The Kijabe Environment Volunteers (KENVO) were chosen from 310 nominations and received the award at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, in Barcelona, Spain. Site Support Groups (SSGs) like KENVO are key to BirdLife's work and one of the most practical ways of achieving conservation by local communities. They work to protect the most threatened biodiversity sites, whilst ensuring benefits from the wise use of the natural resources. SSGs are valuable tools for the future, due to their intricate relationships with the wider community and to the resources within IBAs. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/kenvo_award.html Subject: Switzerland publishes IBA inventory From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:54:04 -0800 (PST) Switzerland publishes IBA inventory 19-11-2008 SVS (BirdLife in Switzerland) and the Swiss Ornithological Institute recently published ‘Important Bird Areas in Switzerland'. The book describes 31 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) which are important for 29 bird species that meet the qualifying criteria. It will be distributed to decision-makers to help gain more protection for these key sites. The IBAs presented in the report cover 13% of Switzerland’s total area. Nearly half (48%) of the IBAs are located in the Alpine habitat which dominates Switzerland. Indeed, many bird species identified as important in the new publication are limited to the Eurasian alpine habitat. Three sites are in the Jura Mountains, two are in the cultivated landscapes of the Central Plateau, and 11 sites were selected for wintering waterbirds and are along the most important Swiss lakes and rivers. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/swiss_IBA_inventory.html Subject: RSPB urges swift action to restore threatened farmland birds From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:23:07 -0800 (PST) RSPB urges swift action to restore threatened farmland birds 18-11-2008 The UK government has revealed that the populations of some iconic countryside birds fell last year to their lowest levels since 1970. The RSPB (BirdLife in UK) believes that following the removal of set-aside earlier this year, further declines in farmland birds are inevitable. The Society is urging the government to take swift action to restore the fortunes of these birds. The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recently published data revealing further declines in the overall numbers of farmland birds across the UK. Analysis of the figures reveals that the collective population of farmland birds, including Grey Partridge Perdix perdix, Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus and European Turtle-dove Streptopelia turtur, has fallen to less than half of the level in 1970. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/farmland_birds_declining_UK.html Subject: Brazil pledges to help save seabirds From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:22:31 -0800 (PST) Brazil pledges to help save seabirds 17-11-2008 Brazil has become the most recent country to formally ratify a major global seabird treaty. Endorsement of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) means Brazil will take measures to reduce seabird bycatch within their waters. This will strengthen conservation action being undertaken around the world to save the 300,000 seabirds - including 100,000 albatrosses – killed in longline fisheries each year. All eight species of Albatross found in Brazilian waters are classified as Globally Threatened. “Species such as the Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena are disapearing fast because of incidental mortality in longline fisheries”, said Dr Euan Dunn, Head of Marine Policy RSPB (BirdLife in the UK). “Brazil joining ACAP throws a life-line to Globally Threatened seabirds”. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/brazil_acap.html Subject: British company endangers wildlife paradise From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:43:58 -0800 (PST) British company endangers wildlife paradise 14-11-2008 A British company wants to mine coal in the heart of one of South Africa’ most ecologically sensitive natural environments. Conservationists believe the prospecting rights obtained by Delta Mining, which is now majority owned by London Mining plc, is illegal and poses one of the most serious threats to the country’s natural heritage for decades. The extraction of coal from almost 200 km2 of the Wakkerstroom/Luneburg region, a vast area of wetlands and grassland east of Pretoria, would destroy habitats used by over 300 bird species including South Africa’s national bird, Blue Crane Grus paradisea (Vulnerable). Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/wakkerstroom_mining.html Subject: Migratory birds bridge water, culture and religion From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:28:42 -0800 (PST) Migratory birds bridge water, culture and religion 07-11-2008 The wonder of bird migration recently united two communities separated by water, culture and religion. At an event coorganised by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL; BirdLife in Lebanon), the people of Anjar and Kfar Zabad villages jointly celebrated the cultural importance of bird migration as part of BirdLife’s World Bird Festival. The event was held at the Bekaa wetlands and marked the announcement of Hima Anjar, which will strengthen the existing Hima Kfar Zabad. Hima is a traditional Islamic system under which communities manage natural areas and protect them from over-exploitation. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/lebanon_wbf.html Subject: First Protected Area Established for Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:25:09 -0800 (PST) First Protected Area Established for Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw 10-11-2008 Asociaci�n Armon�a (BirdLife in Bolivia), with the support of American Bird Conservancy and World Land Trust-US, has created the world's first protected area for the Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw Ara glaucogularis, a species with an estimated global population of 300 individuals. The group purchased a 3,555 hectare ranch in the grasslands of eastern Bolivia, a site with 20 Blue-throated Macaws during the breeding season. Blue-throated Macaw is endemic to savannas in the Beni province of Bolivia, and depends on motucu palms for nesting. These palms occur in palm "islands" embedded in the extensive seasonally-flooded grasslands. The entire known population of the species exists on private ranches which undergo yearly burning and heavy grazing by cattle. The new Barba Azul Nature Reserve also protects excellent Beni savanna habitat with good populations of Vulnerable species, such as Sharp-tailed Tyrant Culicivora caudacuta, Cock-tailed Tyrant Alectrurus tricolor, and Black-masked Finch Coryphaspiza melanotis. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/bolivian_reserve.html Subject: International action to save Lesser White-fronted Goose From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:24:30 -0800 (PST) International action to save Lesser White-fronted Goose 12-11-2008 A new plan will help stimulate international conservation to save the fastest declining species covered by the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA). The ‘International Single Species Action Plan for the Conservation of the Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus [Vulnerable]’ provides a framework for coordinated international action across its extraordinary migratory route which spans Europe and parts of Asia. Adopted at the Fourth Meeting of the Parties to AEWA in Antananarivo, Madagascar, the plan sets the stage for strengthened cooperative conservation action between Eurasian countries in which this species regularly occurs. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/lwfg_action_plan.html Subject: International agreement join-ups flyway conservation From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2008 18:18:03 -0800 (PST) International agreement join-ups flyway conservation 03-11-2008 A new resolution has been agreed which recognises the importance of promoting international cooperation for the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats. The resolution was passed today (3 November 2008) in South Korea at the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. “Waterbird populations around the world are continuing to decline as a result of the loss and degradation of wetland habitats and their unsustainable exploitation”, said BirdLife’s Head of Conservation, Richard Grimmett. “This resolution recognises the crucial fact that conserving the world’s waterbirds is an international challenge. Only by working together along flyways can we effectively conserve our precious migratory birds”. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/ramsar_resolution.html Subject: New directory finds almost half Caribbean IBAs lack protection From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2008 18:17:10 -0800 (PST) New directory finds almost half Caribbean IBAs lack protection 03-11-2008 Of the 770 bird species occurring in the Caribbean, 148 are endemic, with 105 confined to single islands. But only around 10% of the region’s original habitat remains, and 54 of the Caribbean’s bird species are globally threatened, of which 12 are Critically Endangered. BirdLife's newly-published Important Bird Areas of the Caribbean: key sites for conservation [1] is a milestone for the BirdLife Caribbean Programme, which began in 2001. BirdLife International and its Partners, and a range of other organisations, have identified, documented and mapped 283 internationally significant Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the Caribbean. IBAs are key sites for the conservation of birds and biodiversity, and the building blocks for conservation planning. They are identified nationally, using data gathered locally and applying internationally agreed criteria. But this Caribbean network of key sites faces a large number of diverse threats, and among the book's most disturbing findings is that 43% are wholly outside formal protected areas. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/11/caribbean_ibas.html Subject: Blind flamingo attacked at Australian zoo From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:15:56 -0700 (PDT) Blind flamingo attacked at Australian zoo By Bonnie Malkin in Sydney Last Updated: 12:01am GMT 30/10/2008 A blind flamingo, believed to be among the oldest in the world, is recovering after a near-fatal attack by teenagers at an Australian zoo. The bird, which is thought to be 80 years old, was unable to stand after the attack by four youths at Adelaide Zoo. It was found to have serious beak damage, head injuries and was bleeding from the left eye when zookeepers sedated it for transfer to a nearby animal hospital. Four teens have been charged over the attack, which has outraged animal welfare groups. Full story at http://tinyurl.com/65s3h2 Subject: Report warns of shorebird extinctions From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:25:12 -0700 (PDT) Report warns of shorebird extinctions 30-10-2008 A report presented in South Korea today outlines the country’s importance as a key refuelling stop for Globally Threatened migratory birds. It provides clear evidence that substantial declines are taking place in shorebirds populations in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, and that the world’s largest reclamation project could be driving Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus towards extinction. The joint Birds Korea / Australasian Wader Studies Group report entitled ‘Saemangeum Shorebird Monitoring Program Report’ was presented in Changwon, South Korea today at the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The Australasian Wader Studies Group is a Special Interest Group of Birds Australia (BirdLife in Australia). Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/10/saemangeum_report.html Subject: Feathering the nests From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:57:12 -0700 (PDT) Feathering the nests Long-planned work will restore tern breeding grounds MARION - The Bird Island tern restoration program seems finally to be on the horizon, even as the tiny circle of land, home to two types of protected sea birds, is slowly eroding. Nearly $4 million in federal and state funding has been almost 10 years in coming, and the start of the work is still some years away. But with the state sending a letter of support to the Army Corps of Engineers requesting the restoration move ahead, the project is finally on track, said Carolyn Mostello, tern project leader at the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Full story at http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/10/30/feathering_the_nests/ Subject: Students giving wing to species From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:55:37 -0700 (PDT) Students giving wing to species Endangered Newell's shearwaters rescued on Kauai, nurtured, freed By Diana Leone Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau PO'IPU, Kaua'i — Students from two Kaua'i schools gave 11 Newell's shearwater birds a second chance at life as they were released one-by-one on a windy south side shoreline. Advertisement The endangered birds released Tuesday in the second annual "Blessing of the Shearwater Birds" (E Ho'opomaika'i ia na Manu 'A'o) wobbled a bit on adolescent legs, as students carefully placed them atop a wooden release box, facing an incoming sea breeze. Fourth-graders from Island School whispered encouragements such as, "Come on, come on," or "I know he's ready." High school students from Ke Kula Ni'ihau o Kekaha took video and still photos and in their more restrained, teenage style watched for the liftoff. The students and the wildlife officials erupted with "Yeah!" and gentle applause as each bird flew out to sea. Teams of three students each had hand-carried the birds from carriers in the back of a pickup truck to the release box. Full story at http://tinyurl.com/5kfv8e Subject: Irish birds in alarming decline From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:54:40 -0700 (PDT) Irish birds in alarming decline 28-10-2008 A new report published by Birdwatch Ireland (BirdLife in Ireland) and RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) has identified alarming declines in a number of bird populations across the island of Ireland. Information on Ireland’s bird populations has been collected by both professional and amateur birdwatchers and 199 species were assessed. Bird species have been placed on either Red, Amber or Green Lists with the Red List containing those bird populations that have declined by over 50% or those that are globally threatened. The Irish Red List identifies 25 species which require urgent action to secure their future, this is seven more than in 1999, and the Amber list contains 85 species, the remaining 89 being on the Green list. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/10/bocc_ireland.html Subject: Swans delay migration to stay in warmth of Siberia From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:50:40 -0700 (PDT) Swans delay migration to stay in warmth of Siberia Valerie Elliott, Countryside Editor It is a winter habitation option that few would hesitate over: the Siberian tundra or the glorious Gloucestershire wetlands. But flocks of Bewick’s swans appear to have plumped for the former, prompting fears that their great migration might never be seen again. Concerns have been raised by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust centre at Slimbridge where hundreds of the swans would normally have arrived and be settling for the winter months after a summer in Siberia. None has been sighted, leading conservationists to suggest that climate change has made the Arctic so warm that they are happy to stay put. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said that if temperatures continued to rise the birds might lose their “collective memory” of their winter home, denying Britain’s birdwatchers one of the year’s most impressive sights. About 8,100 swans usually winter in Britain. The majority, about 6,000, go to East Anglia, about 300 head for Slimbridge and others are seen on the Severn estuary, the Nene Washes, Cambridgeshire, and Martin Mere in Lancashire. Full story at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article5026411.ece Subject: Costa Rica protects green macaw by banning logging of mountain almond tree From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 16:49:48 -0700 (PDT) Costa Rica protects green macaw by banning logging of mountain almond tree Andrew Rothman October 27, 2008 Costa Rica's high court has prohibited the cutting of a certain species of tree, in part because a highly endangered type of parrot uses the tree almost exclusively for nesting. With one decision, the Sala IV constitutional court protected the mountain almond tree and the great green macaw, specifically in a sprawling area in northern Costa Rica. However, the court also ordered the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energ�a to spread the word to all its regional officials, thus protecting the tree throughout the country. The Sala IV also ordered the environmental courts to monitor compliance with the decision. Full story at http://news.mongabay.com/2008/1027-costa_rica.html Subject: Illegal Mexican Parrot Trade Targeted by New Ban From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:21:55 -0700 (PDT) Illegal Mexican Parrot Trade Targeted by New Ban Alexis Okeowo in México City for National Geographic News October 2, 2008 A new permanent ban on parrot sales in Mexico may protect the country's exotic birds from a thriving illegal wildlife trade, conservationists say. Mexico considers half of its 22 parrot species endangered, and all but two are protected by federal law. But between 65,000 and 78,000 parrots and guacamayas—a bigger type of parrot—are captured illegally every year, and most of these birds die each year before reaching their intended buyers. The government has been unable to control the clandestine capture and sale of the protected birds, environmentalists say. The new ban—an amendment to Mexico's wildlife law—will eliminate the parrot and guacamaya market completely. The law will go into effect when it is published in the official congressional diary, possibly by the end of October. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/10/0801002-parrot-trade.html Subject: Cypriot mass bird poisoning blamed on poachers From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:20:32 -0700 (PDT) Cypriot mass bird poisoning blamed on poachers 7 hours ago NICOSIA (AFP) — Cyprus's game fund on Friday said an estimated 300 birds have been deliberately poisoned in an act of revenge against the state-run body for nabbing poachers. Officials said the culprits tainted the water system at release pens for chukar partridges that, ironically, are bred for the hunting season that starts next week. "The Game Fund is convinced this hideous crime is directly linked to illegal poaching cases filed by the service in recent days," said a game fund statement. "Unfortunately, some people are unable to realize that their actions hurt the ordinary hunter and not the service that has been the target of many criminal acts," it added. Full story at http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5joC13guaa-1sDptsMcO2El1bX82A Subject: Rare bird rediscovered on 'most pristine' island in southeast Asia From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:17:45 -0700 (PDT) Rare bird rediscovered on 'most pristine' island in southeast Asia mongabay.com October 23, 2008 Scientist have rediscovered the endangered Wetar Ground-dove (Gallicolumba hoedtii), one of the world's least known birds, 100 years after it was last seen on the remote Indonesian island of Wetar, reports Columbidae Conservation, a UK-based conservation group. Surveying the rugged, 3600-square-kilometer island for bird life, scientists working for Columbidae Conservation found Wetar Ground-dove to be locally abundant, recording the largest-ever documented gathering of the species of 30-40 birds at a fig tree. The scientists also found the endangered Timor Imperial Pigeon (Ducula cineracea) to be locally abundant. In all, the expedition reported 39 new bird species for the island. Full story at http://news.mongabay.com/2008/1023-wetar.html Subject: Migratory birds of prey to be protected by UN-backed agreement From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:16:51 -0700 (PDT) Migratory birds of prey to be protected by UN-backed agreement 23 October 2008 – A new United Nations-backed agreement that aims to protect migratory birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia has been signed in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates by 28 countries and will enter into force at the end of next week. Working through the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the governments of the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates have led the negotiations on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), resulting in the signatories yesterday. The new agreement area stretches across more than 130 countries from the African, Afrotropical, Palaearctic and Indo-Malayan realms and protects more than 70 species of migratory birds of prey including Falconiformes, ospreys, eagles and owls. More than 50 per cent of migratory birds of prey have poor conservation status as a result of habitat loss due to agriculture, forestry, industry and fisheries, collisions with power lines, hunting and trapping for falconry, according to a UNEP press release issued today. Full story at http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=28694&Cr=unep&Cr1= Subject: Safer passage for migratory birds of prey From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:32:03 -0700 (PDT) Safer passage for migratory birds of prey 22-10-2008 Strong international measures to protect over 70 species of migratory birds of prey and owls were agreed today in Adu Dhabi. The new measures will help to protect migratory raptors from threats such as habitat loss and degradation, persecution, accidental killing, and climate change. Following a joint initiative by the governments of the United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been concluded that will coordinate the protection of migratory birds of prey and owls found in Europe, Africa and Asia. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/10/cms_mou2.html Subject: Kokako return to the south From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:31:25 -0700 (PDT) Kokako return to the south Oct 22, 2008 8:09 PM The haunting sound of the kokako could be heard again in the South Island after almost 50 years silence. Eight birds from the North Island have been shifted south to the sanctuary of Secretary Island in Fiordland and more are to follow. The South Island kokako are thought to be extinct but its North Island cousin has been managed from the brink of extinction. South Island kokako had a bright orange wattle while the North Islander's wattle is more subdued. Full story at http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/2223348 Subject: World's Rarest Cockatoo Rediscovered in Indonesia From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:29:40 -0700 (PDT) World's Rarest Cockatoo Rediscovered in Indonesia The world's rarest cockatoo has been found in Indonesia. A research team on behalf of the Indonesian Parrot Project rediscovered the Yellow-crested Abbott's cockatoo this summer in the Masalembu Archipelago. Ten cockatoos have been identified--four males, four females, and two juveniles--making them the most threatened cockatoo in the wild and one of the world's rarest birds. Pope Valley, CA (PRWEB) October 22, 2008 -- The world's rarest cockatoo has been found in Indonesia. A research team on behalf of the Indonesian Parrot Project rediscovered the Yellow-crested Abbott's cockatoo this summer in the Masalembu Archipelago. This archipelago is in the remote Java Sea, north of the cities of Surabaya and Bali, and east of southern Sumatra. Parrots are the most endangered bird family. A number of the parrots threatened with extinction are found only in Indonesia. Four of the five cockatoo species listed on the highest category of protection by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species are found in Indonesia. Of these, the Yellow-crested cockatoos (Cacatua sulphurea) are the most imperiled. This species contains four subspecies. Three of these are fairly well studied. However, one (C. sulphurea abbotti) has remained largely a mystery until now, but is known to be at great risk. Studies in the 1990's, which remain largely unpublished, found that only 5-10 individuals remained on Masakambing. However, there are essentially no extant data since that time, and intervening extinction was a distinct possibility. Full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/rare/cockatoo/prweb1506694.htm Subject: Palau publishes IBA directory From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:44:59 -0700 (PDT) Palau publishes IBA directory 20-10-2008 The Palau Conservation Society (PCS, BirdLife in Palau) has recently published the book Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Palau. The Republic of Palau is a small island nation in the tropical western Pacific, and the westernmost island group in the sub-region known as Micronesia. The book, which describes the eight IBAs that have been identified by PCS and partners, will be distributed to decision-makers, traditional leaders, communities, land-owners and visitors. The identification of IBAs is expected to contribute to the on-going identification and management of protected areas in Palau. “The eight IBAs identified in the new book cover about 47% of Palau’s total land area. Two of these sites, the remote southwest islands of Fana and Helen, are significant for their congregations of seabirds, especially Great Crested Terns Sterna bergii and Black Noddies Anous minutus”, said Dr Elizabeth Matthews, PCS Chief Program Officer. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/10/palau_iba_book.html Subject: Logging blamed for decline in already rare swift parrot From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:43:36 -0700 (PDT) Logging blamed for decline in already rare swift parrot Andrew Darby, Hobart October 21, 2008 ONE of Australia's rarest and fastest birds, the swift parrot, seems to be plummeting in number, and logging has been blamed. Sightings of the flashy red and green parrot have declined sharply in its winter home of flowering eucalypt woodlands in Victoria and NSW, surveys show. Checks by 400 volunteers, conducted under a federal-state recovery plan for the bird, found that instead of improving, the number of sightings declined from 2.5 per survey in 2000 to 0.5 last year. Full story at http://tinyurl.com/55qho8 Subject: Sanctuaries help protect lives of birds in Kuwait From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:08:39 -0700 (PDT) Sanctuaries help protect lives of birds in Kuwait Published Date: October 19, 2008 By Azza Aref, Staff writer KUWAIT: Birds are beautiful creatures. It's a beautiful sight to watch their beautiful colorful plumes and listen to their lilting singing. In spring and summer birds feed on insects and spiders. During fall, migration and winter, they feed on fruits and seeds in order to survive. Since Kuwait is positioned on a cross-roads for several important migratory routes, the total bird count in the country stands significantly high; at around 363 species, which are usually seen in autumn and spring. There are many sanctuaries in Kuwait like the Jahra, Sulaibiya and the Kabd sanctuaries as well as in some of the islands around Kuwait. These sanctuaries help to protect the lives of many birds and listed below are some of species that you can see around the world. The Cinereous Bunting, is a bird from the bunting family. It breeds in southern Turkey and southern Iran, and winters around the Red Sea in northeast Africa and Yemen. Its length is about 16-17 centimeters, feeds on seeds and hunts for insects to feed its young. An adult male has a yellow head while the adult female's head is grey. The graceful Prinia is a small singing bird. This Prinia breeds in northeast Africa and southwest Asia from Egypt and east Somalia to north India. Full story at http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=ODY1NzY1MDcw Subject: American seabirds thrown a lifeline From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2008 18:52:41 -0700 (PDT) American seabirds thrown a lifeline 17-10-2008 President George W. Bush has presented The Agreement for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) to the US Senate for approval. “I believe the Agreement to be fully in the U.S. interest”, wrote President Bush. ACAP is an international treaty between nations. “Its provisions advance the U.S. goals of protecting albatrosses and petrels. I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration to the Agreement and give its advice and consent to accession”, stated President Bush. "Albatrosses and petrels are facing growing threats, but if we move quickly on the provisions contained in this treaty, they stand a chance for survival," said Betsy Loyless, Audubon's (BirdLife in America) Senior Vice President for Policy. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/10/USA_acap.html Subject: Over 25 Irish bird species suffer alarming declines, says report From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:09:00 -0700 (PDT) Over 25 Irish bird species suffer alarming declines, says report DARA de FAOITE MORE THAN 25 species of Irish birds have suffered "alarming declines in number", a report released yesterday has shown. Populations of Irish birds, including the barn owl, quail and nightjar, have dropped by more than 70 per cent in the last 10 years, the report reveals. Scientists also note that, for the first time on record, climate change has played a part in the depletion of bird populations migrating here. Figures from a report published by BirdWatch Ireland and RSPB Northern Ireland show that out of the 199 bird species that were assessed, 25 have been allocated to the "Red List", which names birds that require urgent action to secure their future. "This report confirms we must redouble our efforts to secure the future for many of our most threatened birds," Dr James Robinson from the RSPB said. Full story at http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1016/1224069691193.html Subject: Malta protects Important Bird Areas under Natura 2000 From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:08:10 -0700 (PDT) Malta protects Important Bird Areas under Natura 2000 16-10-2008 On Sunday October 12 BirdLife Malta (BirdLife in Malta) congratulated the Maltese government on the recent declaration of protection areas in the Maltese islands under the European Natura 2000 network. “The government’s recent decision to fully protect all the eleven Important Bird Areas (as identified by BirdLife International) of the Maltese Islands as Special Protection Areas for birds as well as the important Ta’ Cenc habitat under the EU Natura 2000 network is an excellent move to safeguard Malta’s wildlife and will be beneficial for people and tourism. We congratulate all staff of the Maltese Environment & Planning Authority for all the hard work they put in to realizing these designations”, said Tolga Temuge, BirdLife Malta’s Executive Director. Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/10/malta_designation.html Subject: Bird-a-thon bears Golden-cheeked fruit From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:15:54 -0700 (PDT) Bird-a-thon bears Golden-cheeked fruit 15-10-2008 Biologists working for SalvaNATURA (BirdLife in El Salvador) have netted and ringed a young male Golden-cheeked Warbler Dendroica chrysoparia at the bird monitoring station at Montecristo National Park, northwestern El Salvador. SalvaNATURA has been monitoring birds at Montecristo each month for nearly four years, funded by money raised by the Bird-a-thon, a bird race organised to coincide with the World Bird Festival during October. "We had observed the species in the trees near the nets each winter", said Roselvy Ju�rez, the biologist who supervised the monitoring station. "We had been hoping to catch this species every year, but it took us 47 visits, more than 18,000 net hours, and we captured more than 1,700 birds of other species before this one flew into a net." Full story at http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/10/golden_cheeked_warbler.html Subject: Rare Kauai bird making comeback From: Jeremy Taylor <jeremyjtaylor AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:08:04 -0700 (PDT) Rare Kauai bird making comeback Endangered puaiohi has more than doubled in population since '94 By Herbert A. Sample Associated Press Eighteen years ago, the puaiohi was a diminishing breed in the Alaka'i Wilderness Preserve, the 10,800-acre rain forest on Kaua'i. But the endangered, brown birds that can easily fit in the palm of an adult's hand are making a comeback with the assistance of scientists who are repopulating the preserve with a once-plentiful species. Yesterday marked the 11th time in the last decade that juvenile puaiohi have been introduced into the preserve, an effort that those guiding the project say is showing success. A total of 23 youngsters who were born and raised at the San Diego Zoo are to be let go in two groups over the next two weeks. "The superstars in this conservation effort have been the puaiohi themselves," said Alan Lieberman, the zoo's conservation program manager. Full story at http://tinyurl.com/3u5kcf