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09 Mar Lesvos Birds 2009 - free annual report now online [Steve Dudley ] 3 Feb FW: North Sea Pelagic ["Carl Chapman" ] 29 Jan Cheshire and Wirral Orn Soc meeting - Friday 5 Feb 2010 - Knutsford ["Sheila Blamire" ] 26 Jan Re: Foxes ["Williams, Nick (AH)" ] 26 Jan Re: Foxes ["Michael Watkins" ] 26 Jan Foxes [Andrew Carter ] 24 Jan Re: Britain has a new birdlist and the 2nd ed.ofCollins'Bird guide is out. At last! ["Alan Dean" ] 24 Jan Britain has a new birdlist and the 2nd ed.of Collins'Bird guide is out. At last! ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 23 Jan Swaros [Bo Beolens ] 23 Jan Re: advice on tripods [Bo Beolens ] 23 Jan Re: advice on tripods ["Phil J Belman" ] 23 Jan advice on tripods [Michael Rank ] 8 Jan Re: mystery teal from Seattle, USA ["Roy Hargreaves" ] 8 Jan Re: mystery teal from Seattle, USA [Malcolm Ogilvie ] 7 Jan mystery teal from Seattle, USA [Ian Paulsen ] 7 Jan URGENT: LESS THAN 24 hours to act to save 10 pairs of breeding Scottish Golden Eagles. A call for Raptorphiles everywhere to act. [sylvia wallace ] 30 Dec Cheshire and Wirral Orn Soc meeting - Friday 8 Jan 2010- Knutsford ["Sheila Blamire" ] 20 Dec EBN ["Eddie Chapman" ] 13 Nov Kentish Plover ["Eddie Chapman" ] 2 Nov Cheshire and Wirral Orn Soc meeting - Friday 6 Nov 2009 - Knutsford ["Sheila Blamire" ] 2 Nov Fw: [RaptorBiology] Understanding the role of wind energy ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 2 Nov Fw: [RaptorBiology] vulture hit by wind turbine ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 28 Oct Re: Kentish vs. Snowy Plovers [Colin Paul Adams ] 28 Oct Kentish vs. Snowy Plovers [Ian Paulsen ] 25 Oct Windmills: a significant, alarming bird mortality study ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 24 Oct joke [Paul Tout ] 23 Oct Flight 188 ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 7 Aug Launch of BWEA newsletter for all Councillors and Planning Officers [sylvia wallace ] 22 Jul Re: not all kites are welcome! [Paul Tout ] 22 Jul Re: not all kites are welcome! [Jan-Paul Charteris ] 22 Jul not all kites are welcome! ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 12 Jul AOU Checklist Supplement summary [Ian Paulsen ] 11 Jul PARANYS - AN ILLEGAL, NON-SELECTIVE AND MASS BIRD TRAPPING METHOD IN SPAIN [Proact Campaigns ] 11 Jul PARANYS - AN ILLEGAL, NON-SELECTIVE AND MASS BIRD TRAPPING METHOD IN SPAIN [Proact Campaigns ] 9 Jul Re: The Richard Dimbleby lecture 2009 ["nathalie schorbon" ] 9 Jul **SPAM** RE: The Richard Dimbleby lecture 2009 [Paul Tout ] 9 Jul The Richard Dimbleby lecture 2009 ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 8 Jul Tripa rainforest destruction ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 5 Jul Review of the new RBA X3 pager [Graham Etherington ] 29 Jun Re: Fw: OPEN LETTER TO SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE - Prof. Bellamy & M. Duchamp [Malcolm Ogilvie ] 29 Jun Fw: OPEN LETTER TO SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE - Prof. Bellamy & M. Duchamp ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 26 Jun test [Jim Barton ] 26 Jun taxonimic status Macronesian Shearwater/baroli, boydi [Jim Barton ] 19 Jun Fwd: Golden Eagle [sylvia wallace ] 4 Jun Little Egret with dark eyes ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 4 Jun Little Egret with dark eyes ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 4 Jun Little Egret with dark eyes ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 2 Jun Fwd Golden Eagle death and cover up [sylvia wallace ] 2 Jun Fwd Golden Eagle death and cover up [sylvia wallace ] 21 May Robin - RFI ["Michael Watkins" ] 21 May Re: windenergie has it's down side [Malcolm Ogilvie ] 21 May Fw: OPEN LETTER to RSPB, a responce from the US ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 21 May windenergie has it's down side ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 20 May Birdwatch - issue 204 (June 2009): table of contents ["Chris Harbard" ] 14 May Re: Swifts and House Martins [Michael Rank ] 14 May Re: Swifts and House Martins ["Nick Morgan" ] 14 May Re: Swifts and House Martins ["Richard Thomas" ] 14 May Re: Swifts and House Martins [John McGloin ] 14 May Re: Swifts and House Martins ["NJ Lindsey" ] 14 May Re: Swifts and House Martins ["Rob Robinson" ] 14 May Swifts and House Martins [Mick Farmer ] 13 May book wanted [Ian Paulsen ] 20 Apr Re: **SPAM** migrating birds and climate change [sylvia wallace ] 17 Apr Re: migrating birds and climate change ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 17 Apr ARDEA : 97 ( 1) ["Jacob de Vries" ] 17 Apr Re: **SPAM** migrating birds and climate change ["Rob Robinson" ] 17 Apr **SPAM** migrating birds and climate change ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 14 Apr BirdLife Malta warden shot for the second time [Proact Campaigns ] 12 Apr 10 birds as tourism attractions [Gunnar Engblom ] 27 Mar Fwd: 1000 birds to see before you die [Gunnar Engblom ] 26 Mar Bird expert hits out over RSPB's call for more windfarms, ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 20 Mar Birding World ["Tony Morris" ] 20 Mar State of the USA's biirds - 1/3 of bird populations in decline [Proact Campaigns ] 20 Mar Illegal Hunting and Trapping on Malta [Proact Campaigns ] 27 Feb Wings down ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 25 Feb Birdwatch - issue 201 (March 2009): table of contents ["Chris Harbard" ] Subject: Lesvos Birds 2009 - free annual report now online From: Steve Dudley <stevedudley AT btconnect.com> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:56:02 +0000 This is the first annual report for the island and covers all species recorded during 2009 and details of many rare and scarce species records from previous years. A4, 50 pages covering 257 species, many colour photographs. It is completely free to view online or to download (in low and hi res versions - see below) As well as accounts of commoner species, records covered also include many notable scarce and rare species including details of the first Lesvos records of Steppe Eagle, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red Knot, Little Swift, White-throated Dipper and Bluethroat; the fourth Whooper Swan; the fourth and fifth Terek Sandpipers; the fifth White-tailed Eagle; the eighth Common Pochard; and tenth Egyptian Vulture. In addition, the report includes the first recorded winter records of Black Kite, Turtle Dove sp. and Short-toed Lark. Links to the free web version PDF and free high res PDF download (37Mb) on the Lesvos Birding website at www.lesvosbirding.com. __________________ Steve Now available - A birdwatching guide to Lesvos www.lesvosbirding.com _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: FW: North Sea Pelagic From: "Carl Chapman" <carl AT wildlifetoursandeducation.co.uk> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 22:18:15 -0000 I hope you don't mind me making this post but it is such a unique opportunity it would be a shame to let it pass by. The area of the Dogger Bank, which as you are probably aware, is about 70 miles into the North sea, is such an important area for seabirds and cetaceans it is surprising there have never been any Pelagics to the area previously. The Whale and Bird population that is reported by anglers frequenting the area makes it worthy of more attention. Only one charter boat on the whole of the UK's east coast is licensed to carry passengers that far out to sea. Undoubtedly, this has contributed to the area being relatively unexplored for seabirds and cetaceans. I shall be running a 24-hour trip to the area next August - the boat will leave from Whitby on the Yorkshire coast. I am able to organise cheap transport to Yorkshire and back for several individuals from the Norfolk/Suffolk area. If you are interested in coming along could I ask you to visit the following page of my website, read the information and register your interest. http://www.wildlifetoursandeducation.co.uk/north-sea-pelagic/4538161660 Many thanks Regards Carl Chapman Wildlife Tours and Education "Showing You Wildlife" Mobile 07833 463 034 Office 01263 826 889 Website: www.wildlifetoursandeducation.co.uk _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Cheshire and Wirral Orn Soc meeting - Friday 5 Feb 2010 - Knutsford From: "Sheila Blamire" <sheila AT onlybirding.com> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:24:36 -0000 This meeting should be of interest to anyone within a reasonable travelling distance of Knutsford, Cheshire (Junction 19 M6 or junction 8 M56) Friday 5th February 2010 ‘BENEATH THE DARK CANOPY’ by Mike Leach. A tropical rainforest is the richest habitat on Earth. It contains more than half of all known animal species. But what exactly is a rainforest? Using his experiences in Indonesia, the Amazon Basin, West Africa and Central America, Michael explains how a forest works and with an emphasis on birdlife, The talk explores the lives of hummingbirds, macaws, kingfishers, bellbirds, pottos, spectacle owls and hoatzins amongst other highly specialised animals that have evolved to live in this fragile and intricate environment. Cranford Suite (situated behind the cinema), Civic Centre, Toft Road, Knutsford, WA16 0PE An entrance fee of £1.50 to members and £3.00 for non-members will be charged at all meetings except the AGM when there will be free admission. A coffee break is taken halfway through the evening. The doors open at 7:30pm for a 7:45pm start. For further information contact Clive Richards: progsec AT cawos.org _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Foxes From: "Williams, Nick (AH)" <Nick.Williams AT defra.gsi.gov.uk> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:11:30 -0000 Hi Andrew Sorry to disappoint you but Foxes are very capable swimmers and I don't think you'll be able to create a water barrier against them. Some years ago I carried out some intensive radio-tracking of several individuals for months on end. One young male had a regular habit of crossing to the other side of a major river to forage. It took me three nights, and lots of running, to get to grips with what he was doing. On the third night he again ran off and was on the other side of the river by the time I re-located him. But when he turned homewards at about 0330 hours I was ready for him and positioned myself on the river bank. It was dark but I was equipped with a superb pair of image intensifier binoculars. I watched him emerge from woodland and trot along to the edge of the water. The river was c250m wide at the point he chose and was particularly fast-flowing due to recent rains and it being partially tidal. He slipped into the water and paddled across. I don't have my notebook to hand but recall that it took him around 10 minutes to reach the other side. Amazingly, he was dragged almost 1Km downstream by the time he emerged, but he simply shook off the water, snuffled about and then trotted back home! Nick -----Original Message----- From: ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk [mailto:ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Andrew Carter Sent: 26 January 2010 19:11 To: UKBN Subject: [UKbirdnet] Foxes Hi - I'm trying to plan a fox proof piece of grassland in lowland meadows using water filled diteches - and have the following questions: What width of water would be fox proof - would 2 metres be enough? Would a fox readily swim a larger piece of water (5M's or 10M's?) if it thought nice young waders could be found on the otherside? Does still or running water make a difference? Hope someone can help. Thanks Andrew Carter _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) This email and any attachments is intended for the named recipient only. If you have received it in error you have no authority to use, disclose, store or copy any of its contents and you should destroy it and inform the sender. Whilst this email and associated attachments will have been checked for known viruses whilst within Defra systems we can accept no responsibility once it has left our systems. Communications on Defra's computer systems may be monitored and/or recorded to secure the effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes._______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Foxes From: "Michael Watkins" <michaelwatkins936 AT btinternet.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:07:01 -0000 Hi I suggest you look at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-466429/Daring-raid-vixen-swims-river-times-steal-eggs-gooses-nest.html You should gather that swimmig the English Channel may be beyond a fox but I think a mere 10 metres maight be regarded as a training exercise! Regards Mike Watkins ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Carter" To: "UKBN" Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 7:10 PM Subject: [UKbirdnet] Foxes > Hi - > I'm trying to plan a fox proof piece of grassland in lowland meadows > using water filled diteches - and have the following questions: > What width of water would be fox proof - would 2 metres be enough? > Would a fox readily swim a larger piece of water (5M's or 10M's?) if it > thought nice young waders could be found on the otherside? > Does still or running water make a difference? > Hope someone can help. > Thanks > > Andrew Carter > _______________________________________________ > UKbirdnet mailing list > ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Foxes From: Andrew Carter <standlynch AT btinternet.com> Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:10:49 +0000 Hi - I'm trying to plan a fox proof piece of grassland in lowland meadows using water filled diteches - and have the following questions: What width of water would be fox proof - would 2 metres be enough? Would a fox readily swim a larger piece of water (5M's or 10M's?) if it thought nice young waders could be found on the otherside? Does still or running water make a difference? Hope someone can help. Thanks Andrew Carter _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Britain has a new birdlist and the 2nd ed.ofCollins'Bird guide is out. At last! From: "Alan Dean" <alan_r_dean AT btinternet.com> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:18:56 -0000 It should be noted that in the accounts of Yellow-legged Gull and Caspian Gull in 'The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland', the winter status of the two taxa have been inadvertently reversed. It is indicated that in winter roosts Caspian is much commoner than Yellow-legged and that, in the BTO Gull Survey (2003/4 - 2005/6), over 100 Caspians were recorded compared with only 5 Yellow-legged. In fact the numbers were the other way around, with Yellow-legged much the commoner species. (In the last couple of winters, Caspian has been catching up fast in some parts of England!) Another error which has crept in involves a confusion in the nomenclature of the Isabelline Shrikes. In the paragraph on Distribution, the Daurian form is referred to as speculigerus and the Tarim Basin form as isabellinus (the original nomenclature). However, in the paragraph on Status records in Britain are attributed to phoenicuroides and isabellinus. Here isabellinus is referring to the Daurian form and not the Tarim form (i.e. isabellinus here is the modified nomenclature following Pearson's (2000) re-identification of the type specimen). In a book dealing with every species on the British list a few errors are inevitable, and, notwithstanding the above, 'The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland' is a thoroughly admirable work. Regards, Alan Dean ------------------------------------------------- -----Original Message----- From: ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk [mailto:ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Norman D.van Swelm Sent: 24 January 2010 19:05 To: UKBN; BIRDWG01 AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU; BirdsinRussia AT yahoogroups.com; EuroBirdNet Subject: [UKbirdnet] Britain has a new birdlist and the 2nd ed.ofCollins'Bird guide is out. At last! In 1971 the BOU published an avifaunal check-list under the name 'The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland' (ISBN 0 632 08140 6) and now in 2010 after forty years Christopher Helm cq A & C Black publishers ltd. have published a new list under the same name (ISBN 978-1-4081-2500-7) written by David T.Parkin and Alan G.Knox. The decay of the British landscape as a result of over-population and modern agriculture was already apparent in 1970 but forty years later unlimited human immigration, huge over-fishing and EC agriculture subsidies have had a mind boggling destructive effect on NW Europe's nature and Britain is no exception. Hundred's of thousands km's of hedges have been cut down and burned, paid for by the European taxpayer and for what? Crazy! Crazy and criminal! A long list of songbirds went into decline since and the results of BTO censuses are included in the book. Unhindered Intensive farming has diminished biodiversity to a minimum, fields once full of all kinds of life forms are now more or less dead. Only one bird has benefited: the Mediterranean Gull which thrives on fields 'drowned' in manure. After settling in large colonies near the Dutch-Belgian 'manure' belt from the late 1980's onwards ca 500 pairs breed in Britain at present. No line drawings such as the ones which illustrated the 1971 list have been included in the new book which is a pity. On the other hand the new book contains photographs which illustrate typical scenery and even some endemics such as Hebridean Songthrush. Parkin and Knox have done an impressive job and no one interested in faunistics can do without their monumental work. The weakness however is the urge to implement the most recent developments and publications at all cost. The new list is said to follow the sequence of K.H.Voous' 1977 BOU 'List of Recent Holarctic Bird Species' yet the authors saw it fit to modernise Voous' list which is confusing and unpractical as now the list begins with ducks instead of grebes which in turn are now placed before the raptors. There are more such shifts and this gives a rather messy impression. The late Kenneth Williamson explained already in the 1950's which weather systems were responsible for the arrival of south-eastern rarities at Fair Isle. Not only rarities arrive under these specific circumstances. They displace common species as well among them Blackcaps. Yet the authors seem overwhelmed by nonsense tales that Blackcaps have changed their migratory habits and are now even developing into a new form! It is rather surprising that an important British bird such as the Scottish Dunlin is lumped with the Baltic Dunlin despite their obvious differences. In the 1971 list all large white-headed gulls with grey mantles were called Herring Gull Larus argentatus of which only two subspecies were recorded in Britain & Ireland: L.a.argenteus the breeding stock and nominate L.a.argentatus from the Murmansk area immigrating from July onwards in order to winter. Other Herring Gull subspecies mentioned as possible visitors but not recorded with certainty were L.a.taimyrensis,L.a.michahellis and L.a.heuglini. L.a.cachinnans wasn't even mentioned! How the world of gulls changed! Before 1995 very few people knew the Caspian Gull L.cachinnans existed nor that it is a European breeding bird let alone what it looked like! From our colour-ring studies in the Ukraine it became clear that Caspian Gulls dispersed to W.Europe and an excellent study by Garner & Quinn in British Birds (1997) showed that Caspians spend the winter in England. Curiously enough Parkin & Knox do not even mention this important British study of a new British bird! Whatever, I wonder, became of this splendid artist David Quinn? Parkin & Knox go to extreme length to introduce new genetic studies and translate them into modern taxonomy, very brave but also very risky as these are new unchartered waters which may change rapidly as new results are being published almost on a monthly basis. Mixing old and new taxonomy may lead to strange conclusions. Parkin & Knox state: "The nominate race (argentatus) breeds in Germany and Fennoscandia, and is dispersive rather than migratory." Fact is that nominate argentatus which is recognizable by it's dark grey mantle does not breed in Germany nor Fennoscandia but breeds rather exclusively along the North Russian coast near Murmansk and the adjacent part of N.Norway and as for their migratory behaviour they fly thousands of km's to winter along the southern North Sea. Indeed one of the birds colour-ringed in our Norwegian project dispersed from N.Norway to Agadir in Morocco! The Dutch Herring Gull L.a.argenteus enters the Baltic in the West and then grades into the world of the Marsh Gull L.omissus, an old species which disperses westwards and sometimes reaches Britain as has been shown by ringing in the Baltic states! Another unhappy mix of old and new taxonomy which leads to almost comic results is the way Parkin & Knox deal with the Yellow-legged Gull L.michahellis. Michahellis is the name given to the Adriatic Yellow-legged Gull and thefore all yellow-legged gulls must be given that name in classic taxonomic thinking. The reality however is that the Atlantic yellow-legs and Mediterranean yellow-legs form two distinct groups whereby the Alantic yellow-legs are small, short-legged birds with dark grey mantles while the Mediterranean yellow-legs are larger (the birds from the Camarque and NE Spain are truly colossal!), long-legged gulls with light to dark grey mantles.Historically the Atlantic gulls are the oldest so naming them michahellis seems a bit far-fetched and confuses an already complicated case without need. The result is that Parkin & Knox paint a vague picture for the British situation which hampers progression unnecessary since quite a bit of knowledge on the subject has been gained over the last 20 years see f.i. the sections on Yellow-legged and Atlantic Gulls here: http://home.planet.nl/~swelm001/navigationindex.htm The other newcomer among gulls is ofcourse the American Herring Gull first as subspecies of L.argentatus and now as species L.smithonianus. It wasn't even mentioned in 1971 let alone expected to turn up in Europe! Now it has. There is one more thing that deserves more detailed clarification in my opinion and that is the geographic origin of the small breeding population of Snow Buntings in Scotland, they are said to be both the nominate Plectrophenax n.nivalis as well as the Icelandic subspecies insulae. It would be interesting to see this phenomenon illustrated. All in all a great book and whole-heartedly recommended. The Collins Bird Guide 2e edition Also just out and eagerly awaited. When I opened the book for the first time I thought I had a misprint as the first birds on show were DUCKS! Just imagine since the first Peterson Guides way back in the 1950's any decent fieldguide opened with DIVERS, GREBES, PELICANS and so on and so on but now DUCKS! Mind you I like ducks that's not the question but to begin with ducks is many steps to far! I know a recent study has shown that ducks are the oldest amongst equals but still this is a fieldguide and not a scientific guide! And a fieldguide opens with DIVERS! My interest went out to the implementation of recent knowledge about gulls of course! In the first edition Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans was non-existant, now it has three quarters of a page with all ages illustrated, very well done. Even Heuglin's and Baraba Gull are illusrated allbeit rather reluctantly and Baraba of similar size as Heuglin's wheras in my opinion the latter is larger. Even the Marsh Gull L.omissus is mentioned in the text where it is mentions as having yellow legs just as in the old days was said for cachinnans. I believe in both species yellow legs are rather unusual. On the other hand the treatment of Atlantic and Yellow-legged Gull is very disappointing indeed with f.i. one juv. shown only. Just imagine the Iberian peninsula alone has 4 subspecies with different juvenal plumages! Surely with 700,000 copies sold an artist can be asigned to go out there and paint the little buggers, the climate is good, the peoples are nice and the beaches great? A recent addition to the list is the Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus which now breeds near Agadir, Morocco and has already been seen twice in Europe is also missed. I am also still surprised that a good series of pictures of Eskimo Curlew Numenius borealis is missing. Some people will argue that it is extinct but may I remind them that some people consider the Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris as extinct as well yet it is included in the guide! If you don't know what to look for any species becomes extinct! Norman _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Britain has a new birdlist and the 2nd ed.of Collins'Bird guide is out. At last! From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:05:09 +0100 In 1971 the BOU published an avifaunal check-list under the name 'The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland' (ISBN 0 632 08140 6) and now in 2010 after forty years Christopher Helm cq A & C Black publishers ltd. have published a new list under the same name (ISBN 978-1-4081-2500-7) written by David T.Parkin and Alan G.Knox. The decay of the British landscape as a result of over-population and modern agriculture was already apparent in 1970 but forty years later unlimited human immigration, huge over-fishing and EC agriculture subsidies have had a mind boggling destructive effect on NW Europe's nature and Britain is no exception. Hundred's of thousands km's of hedges have been cut down and burned, paid for by the European taxpayer and for what? Crazy! Crazy and criminal! A long list of songbirds went into decline since and the results of BTO censuses are included in the book. Unhindered Intensive farming has diminished biodiversity to a minimum, fields once full of all kinds of life forms are now more or less dead. Only one bird has benefited: the Mediterranean Gull which thrives on fields 'drowned' in manure. After settling in large colonies near the Dutch-Belgian 'manure' belt from the late 1980's onwards ca 500 pairs breed in Britain at present. No line drawings such as the ones which illustrated the 1971 list have been included in the new book which is a pity. On the other hand the new book contains photographs which illustrate typical scenery and even some endemics such as Hebridean Songthrush. Parkin and Knox have done an impressive job and no one interested in faunistics can do without their monumental work. The weakness however is the urge to implement the most recent developments and publications at all cost. The new list is said to follow the sequence of K.H.Voous' 1977 BOU 'List of Recent Holarctic Bird Species' yet the authors saw it fit to modernise Voous' list which is confusing and unpractical as now the list begins with ducks instead of grebes which in turn are now placed before the raptors. There are more such shifts and this gives a rather messy impression. The late Kenneth Williamson explained already in the 1950's which weather systems were responsible for the arrival of south-eastern rarities at Fair Isle. Not only rarities arrive under these specific circumstances. They displace common species as well among them Blackcaps. Yet the authors seem overwhelmed by nonsense tales that Blackcaps have changed their migratory habits and are now even developing into a new form! It is rather surprising that an important British bird such as the Scottish Dunlin is lumped with the Baltic Dunlin despite their obvious differences. In the 1971 list all large white-headed gulls with grey mantles were called Herring Gull Larus argentatus of which only two subspecies were recorded in Britain & Ireland: L.a.argenteus the breeding stock and nominate L.a.argentatus from the Murmansk area immigrating from July onwards in order to winter. Other Herring Gull subspecies mentioned as possible visitors but not recorded with certainty were L.a.taimyrensis,L.a.michahellis and L.a.heuglini. L.a.cachinnans wasn't even mentioned! How the world of gulls changed! Before 1995 very few people knew the Caspian Gull L.cachinnans existed nor that it is a European breeding bird let alone what it looked like! >From our colour-ring studies in the Ukraine it became clear that Caspian Gulls dispersed to W.Europe and an excellent study by Garner & Quinn in British Birds (1997) showed that Caspians spend the winter in England. Curiously enough Parkin & Knox do not even mention this important British study of a new British bird! Whatever, I wonder, became of this splendid artist David Quinn? Parkin & Knox go to extreme length to introduce new genetic studies and translate them into modern taxonomy, very brave but also very risky as these are new unchartered waters which may change rapidly as new results are being published almost on a monthly basis. Mixing old and new taxonomy may lead to strange conclusions. Parkin & Knox state: "The nominate race (argentatus) breeds in Germany and Fennoscandia, and is dispersive rather than migratory." Fact is that nominate argentatus which is recognizable by it's dark grey mantle does not breed in Germany nor Fennoscandia but breeds rather exclusively along the North Russian coast near Murmansk and the adjacent part of N.Norway and as for their migratory behaviour they fly thousands of km's to winter along the southern North Sea. Indeed one of the birds colour-ringed in our Norwegian project dispersed from N.Norway to Agadir in Morocco! The Dutch Herring Gull L.a.argenteus enters the Baltic in the West and then grades into the world of the Marsh Gull L.omissus, an old species which disperses westwards and sometimes reaches Britain as has been shown by ringing in the Baltic states! Another unhappy mix of old and new taxonomy which leads to almost comic results is the way Parkin & Knox deal with the Yellow-legged Gull L.michahellis. Michahellis is the name given to the Adriatic Yellow-legged Gull and thefore all yellow-legged gulls must be given that name in classic taxonomic thinking. The reality however is that the Atlantic yellow-legs and Mediterranean yellow-legs form two distinct groups whereby the Alantic yellow-legs are small, short-legged birds with dark grey mantles while the Mediterranean yellow-legs are larger (the birds from the Camarque and NE Spain are truly colossal!), long-legged gulls with light to dark grey mantles.Historically the Atlantic gulls are the oldest so naming them michahellis seems a bit far-fetched and confuses an already complicated case without need. The result is that Parkin & Knox paint a vague picture for the British situation which hampers progression unnecessary since quite a bit of knowledge on the subject has been gained over the last 20 years see f.i. the sections on Yellow-legged and Atlantic Gulls here: http://home.planet.nl/~swelm001/navigationindex.htm The other newcomer among gulls is ofcourse the American Herring Gull first as subspecies of L.argentatus and now as species L.smithonianus. It wasn't even mentioned in 1971 let alone expected to turn up in Europe! Now it has. There is one more thing that deserves more detailed clarification in my opinion and that is the geographic origin of the small breeding population of Snow Buntings in Scotland, they are said to be both the nominate Plectrophenax n.nivalis as well as the Icelandic subspecies insulae. It would be interesting to see this phenomenon illustrated. All in all a great book and whole-heartedly recommended. The Collins Bird Guide 2e edition Also just out and eagerly awaited. When I opened the book for the first time I thought I had a misprint as the first birds on show were DUCKS! Just imagine since the first Peterson Guides way back in the 1950's any decent fieldguide opened with DIVERS, GREBES, PELICANS and so on and so on but now DUCKS! Mind you I like ducks that's not the question but to begin with ducks is many steps to far! I know a recent study has shown that ducks are the oldest amongst equals but still this is a fieldguide and not a scientific guide! And a fieldguide opens with DIVERS! My interest went out to the implementation of recent knowledge about gulls of course! In the first edition Caspian Gull Larus cachinnans was non-existant, now it has three quarters of a page with all ages illustrated, very well done. Even Heuglin's and Baraba Gull are illusrated allbeit rather reluctantly and Baraba of similar size as Heuglin's wheras in my opinion the latter is larger. Even the Marsh Gull L.omissus is mentioned in the text where it is mentions as having yellow legs just as in the old days was said for cachinnans. I believe in both species yellow legs are rather unusual. On the other hand the treatment of Atlantic and Yellow-legged Gull is very disappointing indeed with f.i. one juv. shown only. Just imagine the Iberian peninsula alone has 4 subspecies with different juvenal plumages! Surely with 700,000 copies sold an artist can be asigned to go out there and paint the little buggers, the climate is good, the peoples are nice and the beaches great? A recent addition to the list is the Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus which now breeds near Agadir, Morocco and has already been seen twice in Europe is also missed. I am also still surprised that a good series of pictures of Eskimo Curlew Numenius borealis is missing. Some people will argue that it is extinct but may I remind them that some people consider the Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris as extinct as well yet it is included in the guide! If you don't know what to look for any species becomes extinct! Norman _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Swaros From: Bo Beolens <bo.beolens AT btinternet.com> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:33:18 +0000 I have some brand new boxed swaro EL 8x32and 10x32 bins for sale... open to offers bo _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: advice on tripods From: Bo Beolens <bo.beolens AT btinternet.com> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:32:13 +0000 Personally I use Swaovski carbon tripod and find the head fluid and the whole thing rock steady... you can even get something to hang beneath it for steadying it in a wind but I use it to seawatch all the time and its also light to carry bo On 23 Jan 2010, at 21:26, Phil J Belman wrote: > Michael, > > You might want to pop into Calumet to see what is > available at the pro end of the (photo) market > http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/Studio/Tripods/ > (I have no link with the store) > and then go for whatever you feel suits you on > design and price. Heavier is generally better, but > it is more a question (in my opinion) of how solid > the whole arrangement is and how easily legs extend > and lock. > > For me the main thing is that it must be light and > compact enough to carry on a trip. > > Regards, > > Phil > PJBelman AT compuserve.com > Southall, UK > > _______________________________________________ > UKbirdnet mailing list > ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: advice on tripods From: "Phil J Belman" <PJBelman AT compuserve.com> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:26:20 -0000 Michael, You might want to pop into Calumet to see what is available at the pro end of the (photo) market http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/Studio/Tripods/ (I have no link with the store) and then go for whatever you feel suits you on design and price. Heavier is generally better, but it is more a question (in my opinion) of how solid the whole arrangement is and how easily legs extend and lock. For me the main thing is that it must be light and compact enough to carry on a trip. Regards, Phil PJBelman AT compuserve.com Southall, UK _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: advice on tripods From: Michael Rank <rank AT mailbox.co.uk> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:36:46 +0000 I'd welcome some advice on telescope tripods. I looked at a few in a shop today, brands like Manfrotto, Slix, Velbon, they vary quite a lot in weight and I'm not sure if I should go for a lighter one (easier to carry around) or a heavier one which should be more stable on a seawatch off Snettisham. What do you think? I made a bad buy last time (nothing to do with the weight, to do with adjusting the head) and don't want to make another expensive mistake. Many thanks, Michael _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: mystery teal from Seattle, USA From: "Roy Hargreaves" <roy.hargreaves AT btinternet.com> Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2010 18:58:27 -0000 Ian, I am guessing that what had people suggesting Garganey is the paler loral spot and the faint dark bar across the ear-coverts parallel to, and under the eye-stripe. I see a number of Eurasian Teal that look like this every winter at Tring Reservoirs and would suspect that this also occurs in Green-winged Teal. The stripe across the ear-coverts is not distinct enough for Garganey and really should reach the bill. Also the bird's bill looks too short for Garganey and Blue-winged Teal - both of which also have a slightly more spatulate bill than Eurasian Teal. There are other structural features that are wrong for Garganey, but of course Malcolm's succinct appraisal about the speculum is obviously spot on as well. Again head pattern and wing-pattern as well as bill structure are also wrong for Blue-winged Teal. I would certainly put it down as a Green-winged/Eurasian Teal if I saw it locally - I might be hard-pushed to call it a Green-winged though:-) Regards Roy -----Original Message----- From: ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk [mailto:ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Malcolm Ogilvie Sent: 08 January 2010 15:47 To: ukbirdnet AT dcs.bbk.ac.uk Subject: Re: [UKbirdnet] mystery teal from Seattle, USA The green in the speculum rules out Garganey and Blue-winged Teal. The comparison with the Mallard suggests it is a bit large for a Green-winged Teal, but if the comparison is distorted by perspective, then I think that's what it probably is. Malcolm In message , Ian Paulsen writes >Hello: > A mystery teal has been seen off and on in Seattle, Washington State, >USA. A couple of photographs are here: > >http://www.flickr.com/photos/crappywildlifephotography/ > >Some think it's a Garganey, but others think it's a green-winged or >blue-winged teal. I was wondering if anybody on your side "of the pond" >has any ideas as to which species it is? > >sincerely -- Malcolm Ogilvie, Isle of Islay _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: mystery teal from Seattle, USA From: Malcolm Ogilvie <Malcolm AT ogilvie.org> Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2010 15:47:19 +0000 The green in the speculum rules out Garganey and Blue-winged Teal. The comparison with the Mallard suggests it is a bit large for a Green-winged Teal, but if the comparison is distorted by perspective, then I think that's what it probably is. Malcolm In message , Ian Paulsen writes >Hello: > A mystery teal has been seen off and on in Seattle, Washington State, >USA. A couple of photographs are here: > >http://www.flickr.com/photos/crappywildlifephotography/ > >Some think it's a Garganey, but others think it's a green-winged or >blue-winged teal. I was wondering if anybody on your side "of the pond" >has any ideas as to which species it is? > >sincerely -- Malcolm Ogilvie, Isle of Islay _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: mystery teal from Seattle, USA From: Ian Paulsen <birdbooker AT zipcon.net> Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 23:30:31 -0800 (PST) Hello: A mystery teal has been seen off and on in Seattle, Washington State, USA. A couple of photographs are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/crappywildlifephotography/ Some think it's a Garganey, but others think it's a green-winged or blue-winged teal. I was wondering if anybody on your side "of the pond" has any ideas as to which species it is? sincerely -- Ian Paulsen Bainbridge Island, WA, USA " Which just goes to show that a passion for books is extremely unhealthy." from Cornelia Funke's "Inkheart". _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: URGENT: LESS THAN 24 hours to act to save 10 pairs of breeding Scottish Golden Eagles. A call for Raptorphiles everywhere to act. From: sylvia wallace <sylvia.wallace AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 7 Jan 2010 21:28:32 +0000 Dear Raptorphiles Your help is urgently needed Please act right away. More Scottish eagles are at risk...again! Glen Affric to Strathconon is of special nature conservation importance. The area holds good numbers of golden eagles with high productivity. The wind turbine application site supports 10 pairs of golden eagle, 2.2% of the GB population, thereby meeting Stage 1 of the UK SPA guidelines for Annex 1 species. The area also meets five of the seven Stage 2 guidelines. I note below my letter of objection to the Highland Council. Can Raptorphiles also please object immediately to help these 20 eagles, all at risk from being chopped to death by more wind turbines in their territory.. The link to object http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/applicationDetails.do?action=showSummary&caseNo=09/00693/FULRC ** *THE DEADLINE IS TOMORROW 8TH JANUARY 2009. PLEASE ACT NOW TO SAVE THESE EAGLES FROM EVEN MORE TURBINES IN THEIR WILD HABITAT.* ** *You will note there are only 2 objections to this development. This is because the link has been down since BEFORE the holiday break and during it ! * ** *I'd drafted this email on the 27th December to send it to the listserve awaiting the link being restored. I learned only today that it is live again after the holidays and when I tried to register my objection, it seems to reject or doesn't like gmail email accounts. Therefore it DID NOT register my objection so I have had to sent it to * planning.inverness AT highland.gov.uk Raptorphiles may encounter similar problems. There should be more objections to this site (only 2) but that's because they are not being registered on the site. Objections to this application CLOSE TOMORROW 8TH JANUARY 2010, hence urgent request. Lochluichart nearby has already been given approval, so the area will soon become another lethal bird trap for Golden Eagles. Please send a letter of objection today. (Some people may wish to use mine as a template and adjust accordingly, if desired.) I have also sent a letter of complaint to the Highland Council because the site has been down, thus meaning one could not object. Only 2 objections and one wonders why ! ? This madness to develop known eagle territory must stop. Grateful if Raptorphiles could please act before it is too late. If one cannot register their objection on the above website link to David Mundie then please send your objection and complaint to Planning queries: 1-3 Church Street Inverness IV1 1DY Tel: (01463) 720 606 Fax: (01463) 711 332 Email: planning.inverness AT highland.gov.uk Reference: 09/00693/FULRC Alternative Reference: Application Received: 02 Dec 2009 Address: Corriemoillie Forest Gorstan Garve Proposal: Erection of 19 wind turbines, anemometer mast and wind farm control building, formation of temporary construction compound, access tracks and borrow pits Status: Pending Consideration *Unable to object on the official website!* ** Maybe one might get some satisfaction to this wholly unsatisfactory situation. Why are links to such applications almost always down ? Sylvia. My objection below: Application Number *09/00693/FULRC* *Corriemoillie Wind Farm application* I strongly object to this proposal on the following grounds: 1. The site is adjacent to the recently proposed Glen Affric to Strathconon golden eagle Special Protection Area. Eagles are commonly known to be vulnerable to disturbance from the construction of wind farms and indeed there have been reported incidents of eagles being killed by turbines. SNH state that, "Golden eagles tend to be traditional in their use of range such that, without external influences, populations tend to be largely stable and fluctuate over time between narrow limits. Glen Affric to Strathconon is of special nature conservation importance within Britain and the EU for regularly supporting a population of European importance of the Annex 1 species golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). The area holds good numbers of golden eagle at moderate density and with high productivity. The site supports 10 pairs of golden eagle, 2.2% of the GB population, thereby meeting Stage 1 of the UK SPA guidelines for Annex 1 species. The area also meets five of the seven Stage 2 guidelines." A Special Protection Area or SPA is a designation under the European Union directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds. Member States of the European Union have a duty to safeguard the habitats of migratory birds and certain particularly threatened birds. Together with special areas of conservation or SACs, the SPAs form a network of protected sites across the EU, called Natura 2000. 2. The Cumulative effect on the landscape as the site is adjacent to the Lochluichart wind farm which has already been approved. This scheme would effectively double the number of turbines in the area. Wildlife in that area will be affected and this is further harm to the wildlife in the area. 3. The site impinges on the areas of wild land known as the Fannich and Beinn Dearg Special Areas of Conservation. A Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is defined in the European Union's Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), also known as the Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora. This leigislation is meant to protect the 220 habitats and approximately 1000 species listed in annex I and II of the directive which are considered to be of European interest following criteria given in the directive. What's the point of paying for all that legislation for it to be ignored, or wiped away in favour of wind turbines ? There should be a presumption against development so close to eagle territories and areas of high value. Please register my objection with immediate effect. Yours faithfully, S Wallace -- ** Wind Turbines ARE a THREAT to wildlife http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9srPoOU6_Z4 Felled by a lethal turbine blade. Betrayed by its guardians?_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Cheshire and Wirral Orn Soc meeting - Friday 8 Jan 2010- Knutsford From: "Sheila Blamire" <sheila AT onlybirding.com> Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:53:14 -0000 This meeting should be of interest to anyone within a reasonable travelling distance of Knutsford, Cheshire (Junction 19 M6 or junction 8 M56) Friday 8th January 2010 ‘GATEWAY TO SAHARA’ by Keith Offord. Morocco is so close to Europe and yet so far, both in terms of culture and wildlife. It is a country rich in diversity, from the high alpine crags of the Atlas Mountains to the edges of the Sahara desert. Internationally important wetlands can be found along the coastline and it is hardly surprising that Morocco boasts a fascinating range of birds and other wildlife. Cranford Suite (situated behind the cinema), Civic Centre, Toft Road, Knutsford, WA16 0PE An entrance fee of £1.50 to members and £3.00 for non-members will be charged at all meetings except the AGM when there will be free admission. A coffee break is taken halfway through the evening. The doors open at 7:30pm for a 7:45pm start. For further information contact Clive Richards: progsec AT cawos.org" _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: EBN From: "Eddie Chapman" <echapman AT online.no> Date: Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:21:55 +0100 Hallo all, I am having problem sending a mail to Eurobirdnet. Have they changed their e-mail address? What address should I use to send a mail to that group? Merry Christmas one and all, Eddie Chapman, Voss, Norway. Blog: http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/Norway/ _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Kentish Plover From: "Eddie Chapman" <echapman AT online.no> Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:56:15 +0100 Maybe of interest to some? http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/2009/10/22/plover-species/ Eddie, Voss, Norway. http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/Norway/ _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Cheshire and Wirral Orn Soc meeting - Friday 6 Nov 2009 - Knutsford From: "Sheila Blamire" <sheila AT onlybirding.com> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 21:12:19 -0000 Hi All This meeting should be of interest to anyone within a reasonable travelling distance of Knutsford, Cheshire (Junction 19 M6 or junction 8 M56) Friday 6th November 2009 DISPERSAL OF THE HEN HARRIER IN N. ENGLAND by Stephen Murphy Based on his research with Natural England on a 5-year project Stephen’s study aims to increase knowledge of the raptor’s ecology by monitoring the only viable breeding population in England. When and where do the young birds go in their first and most demanding year? Why is there high productivity yet declining population? Dispersal remains one of the least understood factors in conservation biology yet is a critical process in the spatial dynamics of populations. Could we help if we record tagged birds ‘straying’ into Cheshire or more likely Wirral in winter? Cranford Suite (situated behind the cinema), Civic Centre, Toft Road, Knutsford, WA16 0PE An entrance fee of £1.50 to members and £3.00 for non-members. The doors open at 7:30pm for a 7:45pm start. For further information contact Clive Richards: progsec AT cawos.org _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Fw: [RaptorBiology] Understanding the role of wind energy From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 12:23:43 +0100 FYI ----- Original Message ----- From: Donald Heintzelman To: raptor-conservation AT yahoogroups.com ; Raptor Biology Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 1:48 PM Subject: [RaptorBiology] Understanding the role of wind energyHere are links to two essential reading items that help people understand the failure of utility-scale wind power in relation to modern electricity generation and grid operation. Because utility- and community-scale wind energy presents potential and real threats to raptors--especially migrating raptors--and other wildlife including migrating swans, this information is relevant and pertinent to raptor conservation and raptor biology. Therefore, please do read both! http://www.masterresource.org/2009/10/industrial-wind-plants-bad-economics-bad-ecology/ And then there is this follow-up http://www.masterresource.org/2009/10/industrial-wind-technology-interview-of-jon-boone-by-allegheny-treasures/ Sincerely, Donald S. Heintzelman Ornithologist and Author Zionsville, PA USA donsh AT enter.net www.raptorcorridor.org_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Fw: [RaptorBiology] vulture hit by wind turbine From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 12:07:35 +0100 FYI ----- Original Message ----- From: Fabrice Delorme To: Raptor Biology Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 11:39 AM Subject: [RaptorBiology] vulture hit by wind turbinecheck this incredible video where you clearly see a vulture hit by a wind turbine : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9srPoOU6_Z4&feature=autofb Fabrice_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Kentish vs. Snowy Plovers From: Colin Paul Adams <colin AT colina.demon.co.uk> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:36:52 +0000 >>>>> "Ian" == Ian Paulsen writes: Ian> HI ALL: I saw this in the October 2009 issue of The AUK: Ian> Kentish Versus Snowy Plover: Surely this should be Kentish Plover versus Plover of Kent? (according to which side of the Medway they are to be found) -- Colin Adams Preston Lancashire _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Kentish vs. Snowy Plovers From: Ian Paulsen <birdbooker AT zipcon.net> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:24:28 -0700 (PDT) HI ALL: I saw this in the October 2009 issue of The AUK: Kentish Versus Snowy Plover: Phenotypic and Genetic Analyses of Charadrius alexandrinus Reveal Divergence of Eurasian and American Subspecies Clemens Kpper, Jakob Augustin, Andr s Kosztol nyi, Terry Burke, Jordi Flguerola, and Tam s Sz‚kely, K. T. Scribner Associate Editor pg(s) 839852 Abstract ABSTRACT. Many shorebird species have widespread geographic distributions comprising several continents. Because shorebirds are excellent flyers and can migrate large distances, it is often unclear whether reproductive barriers between subspecies and populations from different continents exist. Kentish-Snowy Plovers (Charadrius alexandrinus) are cosmopolitan shorebirds. Whether the American and Eurasian subspecies-Snowy Plover and Kentish Plover, respectivelyconstitute a single species is the subject of a longstanding debate. We examined the divergence between American and Eurasian populations to reassess the current taxonomy by comparing genetic and phenotypic characters of the American subspecies C. a. nivosus and the Eurasian subspecies C. a. alexandrinus from seven populations. Genetic analyses revealed that American and Eurasian populations have strongly diverged, the Kentish Plover being more closely related to the White-fronted Plover (C. marginatus) than to the Snowy Plover. These results were consistent across all assessed nuclear markers (26 microsatellites and a partial CHD sequence) and two mitochondrial markers (ND3 and ATPase 6/8). Within subspecies, populations sampled across large geographic distances were not genetically differentiated (all F st ó 0.01 and all èst ó 0.06), which suggests panmixia. Snowy Plovers differed morphologically from Kentish Plovers, having significantly shorter tarsi and wings. Chick plumage and calls also may serve as diagnostic characters to distinguish Snowy and Kentish plovers, although more data are needed to quantify these differences. Our combined results suggest that the taxonomic status of C. alexandrinus needs to be revised, and we propose that Kentish Plover and Snowy Plover be recognized as separate species: C. alexandrinus and C. nivosus, respectively. Are there any records of the Snowy Plover in Europe? sincerely -- Ian Paulsen Bainbridge Island, WA, USA " Which just goes to show that a passion for books is extremely unhealthy." from Cornelia Funke's "Inkheart". _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Windmills: a significant, alarming bird mortality study From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:08:07 +0100 FYI ----- Original Message ----- From: David Blum To: raptor-conservation AT yahoogroups.com Sent: Sunday, October 25, 2009 12:12 AM Subject: a significant, alarming bird mortality study Dear members: I haven't read the latest report from Altamont Pass on burrowing owls, but I have read this earlier one from a few weeks ago: http://www.energy.ca.gov/2008publications/CEC-500-2008-080/CEC-500-2008-080.PDF This particular study encompassed 62 tubular-tower wind turbines totalling 22 megawatts of rated capacity. Based upon carcasses found and after adjusting for searcher and scavenger removal biases, the authors estimated that 50 raptors out of a total of 95 birds are being killed annually by the 62 turbines. More raptors may be maimed, and manage to escape on foot outside the turbine areas – e.g., both crippled, a golden eagle and a red-tailed-hawk were actually found away from the turbines. Though subsequently euthanized, these victims were not included in the mortality figures, as each casualty must be assigned a turbine number for future reference. Because of this, and of various other factors of uncertainty, the authors note: “the confidence intervals indicate the numbers could be as high as 115 and 240, respectively”. The difference between the estimate based on carcasses found, and the higher number calculated by applying a factor of uncertainty, may be explained in part by the following factors: · the crippling bias (number of birds injured by the wind turbines but which die undetected somewhere else). · the radius bias (number of undetected carcasses lying outside the search radius around each turbine - generally 50 m) · the outsider bias: “ birds removed by the wind turbine owners without our knowledge.” · the zero-find bias: “Another potential source of error is the proportion of turbine rows where we recorded zero fatalities but where scavengers might have removed carcasses prior to our searches, or where our searches missed carcasses. We did not adjust these zero-values for searcher detection and scavenger removal errors because zero divided by p or R equals zero.” Note : the same applies when no carcass of a given species is found for an entire study area. · The search period bias : the longer the period between searches, the higher the zero-find bias. Conclusion: In any event, whether the 62 tubular-tower wind turbines totalling 22 MW are responsible for the death by collision of 50, or 115 raptors per annum, any of these numbers represents the highest raptor-windfarm mortality in the world. It also suggests that collision mortality has been grossly underestimated at Altamont in the past, as well as everywhere else. The "swamping" bias is the cause, and this is a real novelty. I invite you to find out about it by reading the report : http://www.energy.ca.gov/2008publications/CEC-500-2008-080/CEC-500-2008-080.PDF The other far-reaching novelty is the finding that declivity winds, not prey, may be the determining factor that attracts raptors to where wind turbines are located. If this is the case, then wind turbines won't stop killing raptors no matter how much land-management is prescribed as mitigation. This is bad news for the wind industry. No wonder Dr. Smallwood gets so much flak from wind farm apologists. This unpleasant working condition for Dr. Smallwood is nothing new: already in 2006 he was the object of a smear campaign, and the American Justice system had to come to his rescue: http://www.iberica2000.org/Documents/EOLICA/BIRD_MORTALITY/Attorney_General_defends_Dr.Smallwood_against_smear_campaign.pdf In a world where money corrupts everything, the good guys are often the ones who get smeared, banned, ostracized. "You cannot slander human nature; it is worse than words can paint it." - Charles Haddon Spurgeon David _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: joke From: Paul Tout <paul_tout AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:54:17 +0200 Dear Kingsmill confessions, I once baked a loaf of bread containing cannabis, and I went to the beach where I fed it to the seabirds. I left no tern unstoned. _________________________________________________________________ Windows Live: Keep your friends up to date with what you do online. http://www.microsoft.com/middleeast/windows/windowslive/see-it-in-action/social-network-basics.aspx?ocid=PID23461::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-xm:SI_SB_1:092010 _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Flight 188 From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:21:29 +0200 has revealed why birds overshoot their intended destination: they fall asleep! Cheers, Norman _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Launch of BWEA newsletter for all Councillors and Planning Officers From: sylvia wallace <sylvia.wallace AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 7 Aug 2009 13:08:35 +0100 What others fail to point out. *This BELOW is being circulated to all Councillors in England and Wales and in it, it clearly states* *Wind Turbines no threat to wildlife, says RSPB.* *Wind groups are looking for honest, trustworthy, completely independent ornithologists prepared to challenge this and carry out proper assessments. Please email me, if interested. Confidentiality assured.* *For wind power, for developers, or for birds ?* Sylvia. Green energy is fascism in the wind: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/mar/29/lovelock-wind-farms Eco friendly ? Socially Responsible ? Sustainable ? See: Mama Abut and her baby near dead. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reTAxUODTC8&feature=channel Eco fuels - A 21st Century Crime ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxioapZ1nww Wind turbines: Freezers full of dead eagles and wild birds of prey. Biofuels: Freezers full of dead orangutans Sustainable Living: Remote Communities' land under attack! Their living, breathing, self stocking supermarket chopped down, set on fire and destroyed. The true cost of being "Green". 3 indigenous communities speak out about how they are being treated. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aJZB2jNHRY Wind power - Disturbance and or /a reckless act ? http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-3148 (Scotland) Part 3 and Schedule 6 of the Act make amendments to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, strengthening the legal protection for threatened species. The species protection afforded to wild birds, animals and plants is extended to include 'reckless' acts. The protection afforded to the nests of certain, threatened, bird species is extended to all times of the year, and the disturbance of certain bird species at their lek sites is prohibited. The Act makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb a dolphin, whale (cetacean) or basking shark, and also to sell a self-locking snare, or to possess one without reasonable excuse. Powers are provided to Scottish Ministers to prohibit the sale of certain non-native species. The Act amends and enhances the provisions for enforcement. The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 is also amended. Concerned about Wildlife ? http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1378 (England & Wales)_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: not all kites are welcome! From: Paul Tout <paul_tout AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:54:02 +0200 There are similar problems here in NE Italy in the SCI / SPA of the Lagoon of Grado and Marano where a main wader roost is located on a sand-bar just off-shore from a tourist beach. The kite-surfers entertain themselves by 'flying' over the bar and the roost is deserted on windy days. Regards, Paul Tout, Duino (Trieste) ITALIA. Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:09:18 +0000 From: oriole_jan AT yahoo.co.uk To: ukbirdnet AT dcs.bbk.ac.uk; EBN AT birdlife.fi Subject: Re: [UKbirdnet] not all kites are welcome! I noticed the 'string' in said curlew photo, but hadn't picked up on the kites ;) Jan From: Norman D.van Swelm To: UKBN ; EuroBirdNet ; BIRDWG01 AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Sent: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009 0:12:36 Subject: [UKbirdnet] not all kites are welcome! In the pictures of the Eskimo Curlew from last year there were amongst you who noticed kite-surfers in the background. They then asked whether this was allowed in SSI areas so rich in nature. Under European law the answer is no of course but what can you say? To see some of the effects have a look here please: http://www.radioactiverobins.com/kite-surfing%20great%20but/kite-surfing%20but.htm All the best, Norman _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet _________________________________________________________________ Share your memories online with anyone you want. http://www.microsoft.com/middleeast/windows/windowslive/products/photos-share.aspx?tab=1 _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: not all kites are welcome! From: Jan-Paul Charteris <oriole_jan AT yahoo.co.uk> Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:09:18 +0000 (GMT) I noticed the 'string' in said curlew photo, but hadn't picked up on the kites ;) Jan ________________________________ From: Norman D.van Swelm To: UKBN ; EuroBirdNet ; BIRDWG01 AT LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU Sent: Wednesday, 22 July, 2009 0:12:36 Subject: [UKbirdnet] not all kites are welcome! In the pictures of the Eskimo Curlew from last year there were amongst you who noticed kite-surfers in the background. They then asked whether this was allowed in SSI areas so rich in nature. Under European law the answer is no of course but what can you say? To see some of the effects have a look here please: http://www.radioactiverobins.com/kite-surfing%20great%20but/kite-surfing%20but.htm All the best, Norman _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: not all kites are welcome! From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:12:36 +0200 In the pictures of the Eskimo Curlew from last year there were amongst you who noticed kite-surfers in the background. They then asked whether this was allowed in SSI areas so rich in nature. Under European law the answer is no of course but what can you say? To see some of the effects have a look here please: http://www.radioactiverobins.com/kite-surfing%20great%20but/kite-surfing%20but.htm All the best, Norman _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: AOU Checklist Supplement summary From: Ian Paulsen <birdbooker AT zipcon.net> Date: Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:52:23 -0700 (PDT) HI ALL: In case anyone is interested in the birds of the NEW WORLD, here's a summary of the latest (50th) AOU Checklist supplement: http://djringer.com/birding/2009/07/11/aou-50th-supplement-taxonomic-and-nomenclatural-changes/ sincerely -- Ian Paulsen Bainbridge Island, WA, USA " Which just goes to show that a passion for books is extremely unhealthy." from Cornelia Funke's "Inkheart". _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: PARANYS - AN ILLEGAL, NON-SELECTIVE AND MASS BIRD TRAPPING METHOD IN SPAIN From: Proact Campaigns <proact-campaigns AT online.de> Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:47:34 +0200 Please pass URGENTLY to your lists, contacts, family and friends: STOP ILLEGAL SONG BIRD TRAPPING IN SPAIN Sorry the correct link is http://www.proact-campaigns.net/proact_spain/no_to_paranys.html David Conlin, Proact International and Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: PARANYS - AN ILLEGAL, NON-SELECTIVE AND MASS BIRD TRAPPING METHOD IN SPAIN From: Proact Campaigns <proact-campaigns AT online.de> Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:40:43 +0200 Please pass URGENTLY to your lists, contacts, family and friends: STOP ILLEGAL SONG BIRD TRAPPING IN SPAIN The trapping method known in the Spanish regions of Valencia and southern Catalonia as Parany has been illegal since 2002. Monitoring studies by local conservationists have shown however that this practice has continued almost unabated until the present day. This is because the practice is tolerated (some would say encouraged) by many local authorities and political parties in Valencia. In this region alone it is estimated that over 1 ½ million migrant song birds fall victim to Parany every year - in the course of a single month! The Parany trapping technique involves the planting and cultivation of high stands of trees (mostly enclosed on private property), interlaced with poles to which sticks impregnated with glue or lime are attached. The migrant song birds are attracted to the tree groups as ideal night roosts. To ensure a high catch illegal electronic lures are also employed. The plumage of the birds settling on the sticks becomes glued together and the birds fall helpless to the ground. There they are collected by the trapper who kills them (if they are still alive) - usually by crushing the bird’s skull between thumb and fingers. The ruling party in the Valencian Parliament (PP) has now proposed a change to the Valencian Hunting Law to permit Parany trapping, to be voted on and approved as soon as possible, probably in September. The trapping season for the target migrant birds is in October. A report is to be sent to the EU by Spanish conservationists in order to prevent the legalisation of the rampant Parany trapping in Spain. In the run-up to the official Spanish campaign you are urged to lend your support by sending an Email or letter to the Spanish authorities (copy to the European Commission) urging them to withdraw their support for Parany trapping. Please go today to: http://www.proact-campaigns.net/proact_spain/no_to_paranys and send your mail to the Spanish authorities. At the same time we are petitioning the European Commission to act to stop the illegal trapping, prevent the passing of legislation in contravention of the Birds Protection Guidelines and impose sever financial sanctions on Spain if necessary. This and more on the Proact website, where a draft letter to your MEP and the relevant link is also provided. For all those from outside the European Union - we need your support as well. Thank you for your time and wish us luck, David Conlin, Proact International and Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) David Olmos, Acci�³ Ecologista-Agr�³, Spain _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: The Richard Dimbleby lecture 2009 From: "nathalie schorbon" <milvus AT surfbirder.com> Date: Thu, 9 Jul 2009 05:39:57 -0700 It was very good - the transcript is available on: http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/newsandgallery/news/the_richard_dimbleby_lecture_will_be_given_by_the_prince_of__475089395.html Nathalie --- james AT jcracknell.co.uk wrote: From: James Cracknell To: "Norman D.van Swelm" Cc: UKBN Subject: Re: [UKbirdnet] The Richard Dimbleby lecture 2009 Date: Thu, 9 Jul 2009 09:44:17 +0100 It's on the BBC iplayer along with Top Gear and The Mitchell and Webb Look. Saw it last night on BBC HD. J. 2009/7/9 Norman D.van Swelm : > was given last night by HRH the Prince of Wales. Excellent lecture about the > critical phase the world's environment is in. I don't know if it can be seen > somewhere but if it does I strongly recommend you see it. > Norman > > _______________________________________________ > UKbirdnet mailing list > ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet > _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet _____________________________________________________________ Surfbirds.com - The World Birding Website _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: **SPAM** RE: The Richard Dimbleby lecture 2009 From: Paul Tout <paul_tout AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 9 Jul 2009 10:48:49 +0200 Only available (on IPlayer) to UK residents. P. > Date: Thu, 9 Jul 2009 09:44:17 +0100 > From: james AT jcracknell.co.uk > To: Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl > CC: ukbirdnet AT dcs.bbk.ac.uk > Subject: Re: [UKbirdnet] The Richard Dimbleby lecture 2009 > > It's on the BBC iplayer along with Top Gear and The Mitchell and Webb > Look. Saw it last night on BBC HD. > > J. > > 2009/7/9 Norman D.van Swelm : > > was given last night by HRH the Prince of Wales. Excellent lecture about the > > critical phase the world's environment is in. I don't know if it can be seen > > somewhere but if it does I strongly recommend you see it. > > Norman > > > > _______________________________________________ > > UKbirdnet mailing list > > ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > > http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet > > > _______________________________________________ > UKbirdnet mailing list > ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet _________________________________________________________________ Invite your mail contacts to join your friends list with Windows Live Spaces. It's easy! http://spaces.live.com/spacesapi.aspx?wx_action=create&wx_url=/friends.aspx&mkt=en-us _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: The Richard Dimbleby lecture 2009 From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Thu, 9 Jul 2009 09:54:49 +0200 was given last night by HRH the Prince of Wales. Excellent lecture about the critical phase the world's environment is in. I don't know if it can be seen somewhere but if it does I strongly recommend you see it. Norman _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Tripa rainforest destruction From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Wed, 8 Jul 2009 22:25:05 +0200 Palm oil plantions are on the increase and so is the massive destruction of pristine rainforests all over Southeast Asia in order to facilitate them. Today it is the Tripa rainforest in Aceh, Sumatra that is threatened with destruction, please, as requested by Sander Carpay, send an e-mail to Jardine Matheson's CEO and ask him to stop now! Norman ------- Save the peat forest of Tripa, Aceh, home to the endangered Orangutan The Tripa peat swamp forest in Aceh, Indonesia is rapidly being converted into one big palm oil plantation. Its related land clearing and burning are further reducing the forest that is home to the critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan. The destruction of this last pristine tropical peatswamp forest also highly contributes to climate change due to logging and drainage of the impressive carbon stock of its peat soils. It is not too late yet! You can help us in the fight to preserve the remaining forest. Wetlands International and many other NGOs have written a letter to Sir Henry Keswick, Chairman of the UK-based responsible company Jardine Matheson, the owner of palm oil company AAL. We ask to stop the clearing of this forest immediately. Send the letter You can help us by downloading, signing and sending the letter to Sir Henry Keswick through regular mail or by sending him an email. Make a difference: the more emails the company receives, the bigger the pressure! Go to our page on the Tripa peat forest in Aceh and read all about how palm oil is closing in on the Orangutans and accelerates climate change. Kind regards, Sander Carpay Communications Officer Wetlands International Headquarters Tel. + 31 (0) 318 660 930 Fax + 31 (0) 660 950 sander.carpaij AT wetlands.org www.wetlands.org Skype: sandercarpay _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Review of the new RBA X3 pager From: Graham Etherington <britishbirder AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 5 Jul 2009 15:32:21 +0100 Hi, Rare Bird Alert have recently launched their new X3 pager. I've done a review of it on my blog for anyone considering upgrading. http://birds-britishbirder.blogspot.com/2009/07/rare-bird-alert-rba-x3-pager-review_04.html Feel free to leave comments/questions on the blog, especially if you've been using one too and have similar or different experiences. Best wishes, Graham -- Dr. Graham Etherington Norwich, UK _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Fw: OPEN LETTER TO SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE - Prof. Bellamy & M. Duchamp From: Malcolm Ogilvie <Malcolm AT ogilvie.org> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:38:20 +0100 Norman, you've been asked before not to repost Duchamp's nonsense here, so will you please cease doing so. It is very sad to see David Bellamy putting his name to such rubbish:, e.g. "Eagles stand to be wiped out". Malcolm In message <094282A801424815896C2326F54702BC AT computername>, Norman D.van Swelm writes >FYI >  >OPEN  LETTER  TO  SCOTTISH  NATURAL  HERITAGE  (SNH) > -- Malcolm Ogilvie, Isle of Islay _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Fw: OPEN LETTER TO SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE - Prof. Bellamy & M. Duchamp From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:24:38 +0200 FYI OPEN LETTER TO SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE (SNH) co-signed by Professor David Bellamy and Mark Duchamp Dear Sirs, It is disturbing to wildlife conservationists such as ourselves, and we know it is equally disturbing to our numerous Scottish friends, that you should assist in the destruction of Scotland’s remarkable and precious wilderness. Your raison d’être is to preserve this natural heritage ; yet you are time and again endorsing the installation of wind farms in unspoilt landscapes of great beauty, or in natural habitats that are essential to the conservation of endangered birds. Bird reserves are not even spared from this destruction. On the Isle of Lewis, for instance, a wind farm is to be built in a designated Important Bird Area ( Park UK224 ), and another in the Lewis Peatlands Special Protection Area ( the Pentland Road road windfarm project ). Your modus operandi is to object at first, then to withdraw your objection based on scientifically worthless “revised” bird mortality predictions. More disturbing still : you are helping developers to come up with these lower estimates by suggesting that they use a slightly modified variable that has the effect of minimising mortality predictions well below current available evidence of such mortality. The precautionary principle is one of the cornerstones of wildlife conservation ; but you systematically ignore it and by and large espouse the interest of developers. You tell them they can use an “avoidance factor” set so high that the resulting mortality prediction is but 10% of what it should be if real-life mortality at wind farms were taken into account. We first became aware of this during Mark’s resistance against the approval of the Edinbane wind farm project, in one of Europe’s most strikingly beautiful islands : the Isle of Skye. The location was in itself a crime against Scotland’s natural heritage, but neither you nor your political masters thought anything of it. Opposition was fierce because of the danger to the eagles, another of Skye’s treasures besides a stunning landscape. The developer’s first eagle mortality prediction was too high for comfort, so you invited him to do more studies and to review his copy, especially the mortality prediction. You too did some work, and modified a key parameter for the mortality calculations : from 95% the “avoidance factor” was increased to 98%, which has the effect of reducing mortality predictions exponentially. You also indicated that the predicted mortality should be no bigger than a certain number : this was tantamount to showing the fox how to get into the hen house. Helped by your clue and by the new avoidance factor you had decreed, the developer presented his new prediction and you lifted your objection, which allowed the project to be approved. Yet the viability of the nearby Cuillins SPA, a nature reserve for golden eagles, is at stake in this tragedy. Not only did you discard the precautionary principle in this exercise : you applied it in reverse. What conservationist in his right mind would tell a businessman something that may be summarized as follows : you predict your machines will kill too many eagles, so I´ll help you reduce your prediction by manipulating the numbers - and for cosmetics, I´ll ask you to do some more field studies. Based on mortality evidence available from other countries, of which you are well aware, wind turbines at Edinbane are likely to kill ~150 golden eagles over 25 years, not ~15 as predicted by the developer under your guidance. The wind farm location is a hill where young eagles are seen flying daily, at a rate of about one sighting per hour. Edinbane is known to be a “dispersion area” for eagles, i.e. one where immature birds come to hunt, soar, and interact. It is also located on a commonly used eagle flightpath from one side of the island to the other. Placing lethal wind turbines on their route is not just an aberration : it is a crime against wildlife. Some will say : when a bird is killed by a wind turbine, it is an accident. There is no intent of killing, so there is no crime. But you are guilty of gross negligence, to put it mildly. Numbers have been manipulated in order to minimise mortality prediction by an order of magnitude ( from 150 eagle-kills down to 15 ) ; the precautionary principle has been laughed at ; and the Wild Birds and Habitats Directives of the EU are being violated since there are alternative locations for the project. Eagles don’t avoid wind turbines : they are attracted to them. In California, Dr Smallwood has observed that golden eagles fly twice as often near wind turbines than they would by chance. This explains why so many collide with the blades, which travel at up to 300 km/h at the tip. Two thousand three hundred golden eagles have been killed that way in California, and you know that : an official report confirms it. You strayed even further with the white-tailed sea eagles. With your consent, at Edinbane the risk for sea eagles has been estimated to be near zero whereas it is likely that dozens will be killed during the useful life of the wind farm. Indeed, many of these magnificent birds are being stricken dead every year by wind turbines in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Japan. Ornithologists from these countries have sent us the statistics and the pictures. In the autumn of 2003, a sea eagle was found dead next to a wind turbine on the Scottish island of Pabay, a couple of miles from Skye. An alleged autopsy report appeared on Internet saying that the bird in question had an unusually large heart, and that its death could have been caused by a heart failure in mid air ( sic!). Again in Scotland, golden eagles have been disappearing at or around the Beinn Ghlas wind farm, yet we are asked to believe that Beinn Ghlas is a success story regarding cohabitation with eagles. Beinn an Tuirc is another “success story” being cited in the press as evidence that eagles and wind farms, in Scotland, can live together in close contact. Yet in 2006 the male of the golden eagle breeding pair disappeared from its range at Beinn an Tuirc. All of this is documented, and it is false to say that wind farms do not kill eagles in Scotland. It’s just that the public is not aware of the eagles that die or disappear near wind farms. More eagles, and other birds from protected species, will be colliding with power lines linking wind farms to the grid, resulting in more deaths. You, SNH, never requested that this added risk be assessed for Edinbane or any other wind farm project. Yet you do know that many birds, including eagles, are maimed or killed by overhead cables when they collide with them in poor visibility conditions. For instance, a scientific study has estimated that high tension lines kill on average 200 birds per kilometre/year ( Koops – 1987 ). In migration zones, the toll is higher at 400-500 birds/km/yr ( Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, BirdLife International 2003 ). Based on the Koops study, it was estimated that high tension lines in the US could be killing 150 million birds a year, according to Mick Sagrillo of the American Wind Energy Association (2003). The same figure is also reported in Avian Collisions with Wind Turbines, a Summary of Existing Studies and Comparisons to Other Sources of Avian Collision Mortality in the United States - Western EcoSystems Technology Inc. (2001). How many more eagles and other protected birds will die on Skye and across Scotland on account of new transmission lines built to accommodate wind farms ? You have not commissioned any study on this added hazard, as far as we know. Yet the Scottish golden eagle population is already in demographic difficulty ( Whitfield et al. 2006 ), and the sea eagles are even less numerous. It was clearly irresponsible of you to withdraw your objection to Edinbane, and Mark denounced it many times. You are now applying the same tactics to the Eisgein and Pairc projects on the Isle of Lewis. If approved, these wind farms may kill over one hundred eagles, plus the migrating birds who stopover for food and rest before the long journey to Iceland and Greenland. And on the subject of migrating birds : you seem to be minded to endorse a large wind farm project on Shetland, an island that is a staging post for thousands of migrating birds on their route to and from the Arctic. How irresponsible of you if you do. The Eisgein turbines will be erected in and around a designated Important Bird Area that arguably harbours the most important concentration of adult eagles in the whole of Scotland. But everything indicates that you are about to remove your objection to this project as you did for Edinbane. Indeed, you have now further increased your avoidance factor to 99%, which will have the result of reducing the developer’s mortality prediction, even though with 98% it is already smaller than real life by an order of magnitude. These manipulations are being done under the cover of science. But the famous mathematician John von Neuman once wrote : “Give me four adjustable parameters and I can simulate an elephant. Give me one more and I can wag its tail.” - Your avoidance factor is what wags the tail. Besides the predictable slaughter of eagles, swans, geese and other birds protected by EU and UK legislations, the Eisgein wind farm may have a detrimental effect on a National Scenic Area, and even possibly on other important tourist attractions such as the Callanish Stones and a unique cultural event : the "Birth of the Moon". Several hundred wind farms are to be built in Scotland, yet no cumulative study of their effects on protected bird species has been made. Eagles stand to be wiped out, but you have ignored Mark’s request to consider the cumulative impact of thousands of wind turbines on their vulnerable population. You support the case-by-case approach, but it is a recipe for disaster. It makes a mockery of the cumulative effect principle, which is another cornerstone of wildlife conservation. In the circumstances, we cannot but conclude that you are doing the opposite of what the Scottish people, who pay your salaries, are expecting you to do : that which is embedded in your name. You are also projecting a degraded image of Scotland worldwide. In the international community of wildlife conservation, your country has gained a new reputation, where spin and the reckless destruction of pristine wilderness rise above anything else. Your press releases often end with this line : “Scottish Natural Heritage is the Scottish Executive's statutory advisor in respect to the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of the natural heritage.” - We think your slogan needs editing. _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: test From: Jim Barton <redwingatfp1986 AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:07:24 -0400 test, ignore _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: taxonimic status Macronesian Shearwater/baroli, boydi From: Jim Barton <redwingatfp1986 AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:03:22 -0400 Hello. I'm wondering if there has been any serious recent challenge to the BOU's 2006 conflation of Little Shearwater baroli with Boyd's Shearwater boydi as Macronesian Shearwater? The most recent reports I can find state that studies of boydi voice might indicate that boydi should be place with Audubon's Shearwater. Yours, Jim Barton Cambridge, MA USA _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Fwd: Golden Eagle From: sylvia wallace <sylvia.wallace AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:54:12 +0100 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: sylvia wallace Date: 2009/6/19 Subject: Fwd: Golden Eagle Date: 2009/6/19 Subject: Golden Eagle fwd from contact in Argyll. Just heard on the news that a Golden Eagle has been poisoned in Glen Orchy, Argyll. This is near the Shira and Stacain proposed wind farms. M. Sylvia ,___ -- Eco friendly ? Socially Responsible ? Sustainable ? See: Mama Abut and her baby near dead. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reTAxUODTC8&feature=channel Eco fuels - A 21st Century Crime ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxioapZ1nww Wind turbines: Freezers full of dead eagles and wild birds of prey. Biofuels: Freezers full of dead orangutans Sustainable Living: Remote Communities' land under attack! Their living, breathing, self stocking supermarket chopped down, set on fire and destroyed. The true cost of being "Green". 3 indigenous communities speak out about how they are being treated. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aJZB2jNHRY Wind power - Disturbance and or /a reckless act ? http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-3148 (Scotland) Part 3 and Schedule 6 of the Act make amendments to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, strengthening the legal protection for threatened species. The species protection afforded to wild birds, animals and plants is extended to include 'reckless' acts. The protection afforded to the nests of certain, threatened, bird species is extended to all times of the year, and the disturbance of certain bird species at their lek sites is prohibited. The Act makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb a dolphin, whale (cetacean) or basking shark, and also to sell a self-locking snare, or to possess one without reasonable excuse. Powers are provided to Scottish Ministers to prohibit the sale of certain non-native species. The Act amends and enhances the provisions for enforcement. The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 is also amended. Concerned about Wildlife ? http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1378 (England & Wales) -- Eco friendly ? Socially Responsible ? Sustainable ? See: Mama Abut and her baby near dead. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reTAxUODTC8&feature=channel Eco fuels - A 21st Century Crime ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxioapZ1nww Wind turbines: Freezers full of dead eagles and wild birds of prey. Biofuels: Freezers full of dead orangutans Sustainable Living: Remote Communities' land under attack! Their living, breathing, self stocking supermarket chopped down, set on fire and destroyed. The true cost of being "Green". 3 indigenous communities speak out about how they are being treated. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aJZB2jNHRY Wind power - Disturbance and or /a reckless act ? http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-3148 (Scotland) Part 3 and Schedule 6 of the Act make amendments to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, strengthening the legal protection for threatened species. The species protection afforded to wild birds, animals and plants is extended to include 'reckless' acts. The protection afforded to the nests of certain, threatened, bird species is extended to all times of the year, and the disturbance of certain bird species at their lek sites is prohibited. The Act makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb a dolphin, whale (cetacean) or basking shark, and also to sell a self-locking snare, or to possess one without reasonable excuse. Powers are provided to Scottish Ministers to prohibit the sale of certain non-native species. The Act amends and enhances the provisions for enforcement. The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 is also amended. Concerned about Wildlife ? http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1378 (England & Wales)_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Little Egret with dark eyes From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 22:19:36 +0200 About a month ago I photographed an adult Little Egret Egretta garzetta with dark greyish eyes and a pink to purple facial skin. Pictures can be seen here: http://www.radioactiverobins.com/egretta%20garzetta/indexegrettagarzetta1.htm scroll down to the last pictures. As a rule the eyes of Little Egrets are pale yellow in both adults and juveniles. Are there any other records of Little Egrets with dark eyes? Cheers, Norman [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Little Egret with dark eyes From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 22:19:36 +0200 About a month ago I photographed an adult Little Egret Egretta garzetta with dark greyish eyes and a pink to purple facial skin. Pictures can be seen here: http://www.radioactiverobins.com/egretta%20garzetta/indexegrettagarzetta1.htm scroll down to the last pictures. As a rule the eyes of Little Egrets are pale yellow in both adults and juveniles. Are there any other records of Little Egrets with dark eyes? Cheers, Norman [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Subject: Little Egret with dark eyes From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2009 22:19:36 +0200 About a month ago I photographed an adult Little Egret Egretta garzetta with dark greyish eyes and a pink to purple facial skin. Pictures can be seen here: http://www.radioactiverobins.com/egretta%20garzetta/indexegrettagarzetta1.htm scroll down to the last pictures. As a rule the eyes of Little Egrets are pale yellow in both adults and juveniles. Are there any other records of Little Egrets with dark eyes? Cheers, Norman _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Fwd Golden Eagle death and cover up From: sylvia wallace <sylvia.wallace AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2009 18:41:49 +0100 The undernoted may be of interest to you. Note: "Iberdrola Renewables, the project's owner, originally predicted a toll of three to four raptors annually from collisions with wind turbines. The company's wildlife consultant now estimates that the project kills 31 raptors annually. Independent consultant Shawn Smallwood estimates the number at 49." Sylvia. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: 2009/5/21 Subject: [truth_about_wind] Golden Eagle death and cover up *Washington wind turbines claim first known eagle victim* Monday, May 18 | 8:33 p.m. BY KATHIE DURBIN COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER http://www.columbian.com/article/20090519/NEWS02/705199958 A golden eagle died last month when it collided with a wind turbine blade at a 47-turbine wind farm in Klickitat County. The April 27 collision at the Goodnoe Hills Wind Project southeast of Goldendale was the first known eagle casualty caused by a Washington wind project. "I don't know of any other eagle fatalities in the state in connection with colliding with a turbine blade," said Travis Nelson, the state's lead wildlife biologist on wind power issues. He called the incident "unfortunate." Nelson said X-rays of the carcass conducted at a Washington State University wildlife laboratory in Pullman showed the 10-pound bird had a broken wing and two broken legs. The mature golden eagle has a six-foot wingspan. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is convening a group of stakeholders to review the incident and discuss how to prevent or minimize future eagle deaths, Nelson said. "This is certainly not the outcome that anyone who was involved in planning and permitting this operation would have wanted, especially the project owner," he said. "We have convened a small review group internally to discuss how we can avoid this in the future." The dead bird was found by the crew of URS Corp., a contractor for PacifiCorp, the Portland-based utility that owns the 94-megawatt Goodnoe Hills project. The wind farm began operating on June 30 of last year. The golden eagle, dark brown with a golden sheen on its head and a large hooked bill, is common in Washington and throughout western North America. Though not listed as a threatened or endangered species, it is protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Both laws prohibit infliction of intentional harm on the raptor. New guidelines In April, state and federal wildlife officials, environmental groups and utilities completed a new set of guidelines intended to reduce the impact on birds, wildlife and other natural resources as new wind project proposals proliferate. About 20 groups and agencies took part. The new guidelines call for extensive surveys of proposed wind farms before they are permitted, including monitoring of bird activity during different seasons and in multiple years. They also recommend surveying for raptor nests within a two-mile buffer area around proposed wind projects before those projects are built. Operators of wind projects are required to document bird kills and report them to state authorities. The death of the golden eagle was promptly reported to WDFW, as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and PacifiCorp, Nelson said. No public announcement of the eagle's death has been made. "We're participating in a full review of the incident and working with WDFW and USFWS," said PacifiCorp spokeswoman Jan Mitchell. "We have a robust avian protection program and we proactively take steps to assure compliance with all regulations." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman Joan Jewett said her agency has an agreement with wind power operators who voluntarily report birds killed by power lines or wind turbines. The agency issues carcass salvage permits to operators who agree to develop avian protection plans, report bird fatalities and agree to take steps to reduce them, Jewett said. "If it's an eagle, the bird is sent to the National Eagle Repository north of Denver," she said. That federal repository provides feathers to members of recognized Indian tribes for ceremonial purposes. Though the golden eagle death is the first reported in Washington, raptor deaths have been common at wind projects elsewhere. Between 570 and 835 raptors are killed annually in wind turbines at California's Altamont Pass Wind Power Resource Area, the world's largest. Common in Gorge Raptors are common in the eastern half of the Columbia River Gorge, where shrub steppe and grasslands offer prime habitat for prey such as ground squirrels and pocket gophers. The big birds typically soar at an elevation of 300 to 400 feet — about the same height as the rotating wind turbine blades. Wind energy development gained momentum in the Northwest after both Washington and Oregon adopted requirements that utilities meet gradually increasing proportions of their energy loads with wind, solar and other renewable sources. Klickitat County, which issued the permit for the Goodnoe Hills project, has been actively marketing itself as a site for wind development since 2005, when it adopted the nation's first energy overlay zone to speed the granting of wind power permits. Three wind projects currently operate in the county, five others are under construction and three more are proposed. SDS Lumber Co. is proposing to develop yet another wind project on its timberland in east Skamania County, near Underwood. Klickitat's first wind project, the 200-megawatt Big Horn Wind Energy Project, began operating in 2007. Raptor mortality due to wind turbine collisions at the project has been far higher than predicted. Iberdrola Renewables, the project's owner, originally predicted a toll of three to four raptors annually from collisions with wind turbines. The company's wildlife consultant now estimates that the project kills 31 raptors annually. Independent consultant Shawn Smallwood estimates the number at 49. End. Sylvia. Eco friendly ? Socially Responsible ? Sustainable ? See: Mama Abut and her baby near dead. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reTAxUODTC8&feature=channel Eco fuels - A 21st Century Crime ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxioapZ1nww Wind turbines: Freezers full of dead eagles and wild birds of prey. Biofuels: Freezers full of dead orangutans Sustainable Living: Remote Communities' land under attack! Their living, breathing, self stocking supermarket chopped down, set on fire and destroyed. The true cost of being "Green". 3 indigenous communities speak out about how they are being treated. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aJZB2jNHRY Wind power - Disturbance and or /a reckless act ? http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-3148 (Scotland) Part 3 and Schedule 6 of the Act make amendments to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, strengthening the legal protection for threatened species. The species protection afforded to wild birds, animals and plants is extended to include 'reckless' acts. The protection afforded to the nests of certain, threatened, bird species is extended to all times of the year, and the disturbance of certain bird species at their lek sites is prohibited. The Act makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb a dolphin, whale (cetacean) or basking shark, and also to sell a self-locking snare, or to possess one without reasonable excuse. Powers are provided to Scottish Ministers to prohibit the sale of certain non-native species. The Act amends and enhances the provisions for enforcement. The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 is also amended. Concerned about Wildlife ? http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1378 (England & Wales)_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Fwd Golden Eagle death and cover up From: sylvia wallace <sylvia.wallace AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 2 Jun 2009 18:41:49 +0100 The undernoted may be of interest to you. Note: "Iberdrola Renewables, the project's owner, originally predicted a toll of three to four raptors annually from collisions with wind turbines. The company's wildlife consultant now estimates that the project kills 31 raptors annually. Independent consultant Shawn Smallwood estimates the number at 49." Sylvia. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: 2009/5/21 Subject: [truth_about_wind] Golden Eagle death and cover up *Washington wind turbines claim first known eagle victim* Monday, May 18 | 8:33 p.m. BY KATHIE DURBIN COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER http://www.columbian.com/article/20090519/NEWS02/705199958 A golden eagle died last month when it collided with a wind turbine blade at a 47-turbine wind farm in Klickitat County. The April 27 collision at the Goodnoe Hills Wind Project southeast of Goldendale was the first known eagle casualty caused by a Washington wind project. "I don't know of any other eagle fatalities in the state in connection with colliding with a turbine blade," said Travis Nelson, the state's lead wildlife biologist on wind power issues. He called the incident "unfortunate." Nelson said X-rays of the carcass conducted at a Washington State University wildlife laboratory in Pullman showed the 10-pound bird had a broken wing and two broken legs. The mature golden eagle has a six-foot wingspan. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is convening a group of stakeholders to review the incident and discuss how to prevent or minimize future eagle deaths, Nelson said. "This is certainly not the outcome that anyone who was involved in planning and permitting this operation would have wanted, especially the project owner," he said. "We have convened a small review group internally to discuss how we can avoid this in the future." The dead bird was found by the crew of URS Corp., a contractor for PacifiCorp, the Portland-based utility that owns the 94-megawatt Goodnoe Hills project. The wind farm began operating on June 30 of last year. The golden eagle, dark brown with a golden sheen on its head and a large hooked bill, is common in Washington and throughout western North America. Though not listed as a threatened or endangered species, it is protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Both laws prohibit infliction of intentional harm on the raptor. New guidelines In April, state and federal wildlife officials, environmental groups and utilities completed a new set of guidelines intended to reduce the impact on birds, wildlife and other natural resources as new wind project proposals proliferate. About 20 groups and agencies took part. The new guidelines call for extensive surveys of proposed wind farms before they are permitted, including monitoring of bird activity during different seasons and in multiple years. They also recommend surveying for raptor nests within a two-mile buffer area around proposed wind projects before those projects are built. Operators of wind projects are required to document bird kills and report them to state authorities. The death of the golden eagle was promptly reported to WDFW, as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and PacifiCorp, Nelson said. No public announcement of the eagle's death has been made. "We're participating in a full review of the incident and working with WDFW and USFWS," said PacifiCorp spokeswoman Jan Mitchell. "We have a robust avian protection program and we proactively take steps to assure compliance with all regulations." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman Joan Jewett said her agency has an agreement with wind power operators who voluntarily report birds killed by power lines or wind turbines. The agency issues carcass salvage permits to operators who agree to develop avian protection plans, report bird fatalities and agree to take steps to reduce them, Jewett said. "If it's an eagle, the bird is sent to the National Eagle Repository north of Denver," she said. That federal repository provides feathers to members of recognized Indian tribes for ceremonial purposes. Though the golden eagle death is the first reported in Washington, raptor deaths have been common at wind projects elsewhere. Between 570 and 835 raptors are killed annually in wind turbines at California's Altamont Pass Wind Power Resource Area, the world's largest. Common in Gorge Raptors are common in the eastern half of the Columbia River Gorge, where shrub steppe and grasslands offer prime habitat for prey such as ground squirrels and pocket gophers. The big birds typically soar at an elevation of 300 to 400 feet — about the same height as the rotating wind turbine blades. Wind energy development gained momentum in the Northwest after both Washington and Oregon adopted requirements that utilities meet gradually increasing proportions of their energy loads with wind, solar and other renewable sources. Klickitat County, which issued the permit for the Goodnoe Hills project, has been actively marketing itself as a site for wind development since 2005, when it adopted the nation's first energy overlay zone to speed the granting of wind power permits. Three wind projects currently operate in the county, five others are under construction and three more are proposed. SDS Lumber Co. is proposing to develop yet another wind project on its timberland in east Skamania County, near Underwood. Klickitat's first wind project, the 200-megawatt Big Horn Wind Energy Project, began operating in 2007. Raptor mortality due to wind turbine collisions at the project has been far higher than predicted. Iberdrola Renewables, the project's owner, originally predicted a toll of three to four raptors annually from collisions with wind turbines. The company's wildlife consultant now estimates that the project kills 31 raptors annually. Independent consultant Shawn Smallwood estimates the number at 49. End. Sylvia. Eco friendly ? Socially Responsible ? Sustainable ? See: Mama Abut and her baby near dead. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reTAxUODTC8&feature=channel Eco fuels - A 21st Century Crime ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxioapZ1nww Wind turbines: Freezers full of dead eagles and wild birds of prey. Biofuels: Freezers full of dead orangutans Sustainable Living: Remote Communities' land under attack! Their living, breathing, self stocking supermarket chopped down, set on fire and destroyed. The true cost of being "Green". 3 indigenous communities speak out about how they are being treated. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aJZB2jNHRY Wind power - Disturbance and or /a reckless act ? http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-3148 (Scotland) Part 3 and Schedule 6 of the Act make amendments to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, strengthening the legal protection for threatened species. The species protection afforded to wild birds, animals and plants is extended to include 'reckless' acts. The protection afforded to the nests of certain, threatened, bird species is extended to all times of the year, and the disturbance of certain bird species at their lek sites is prohibited. The Act makes it an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb a dolphin, whale (cetacean) or basking shark, and also to sell a self-locking snare, or to possess one without reasonable excuse. Powers are provided to Scottish Ministers to prohibit the sale of certain non-native species. The Act amends and enhances the provisions for enforcement. The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 is also amended. Concerned about Wildlife ? http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1378 (England & Wales)_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Robin - RFI From: "Michael Watkins" <michaelwatkins936 AT btinternet.com> Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 19:40:18 +0100 We have a robin which is a regular visitor to our garden. It is noticeable as the red continues from above the eyes, over the crown and part of the way down the back of the neck. In some lights and from certain angles it appears to be (but is not) copmpletely red-headed. Does any one know if this is a mutation or is there some sub-species? Any help greatly appreciated. Michael Watkins _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: windenergie has it's down side From: Malcolm Ogilvie <Malcolm AT ogilvie.org> Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 09:08:24 +0100 Well, I for one think you are wrong. Those who are interested in Mark Duchamp's diatribes can read them where they are posted, e.g. in windfarm and raptor mailing lists. You have been told before, Norman, that your reposting of material from someone who has been banned from this (and other) mailing lists for unacceptable behaviour, is itself unacceptable. Malcolm In message , Norman D.van Swelm writes >Here is an open letter from Mark Duchamp and a person we all >know and respect, Dr.David Bellamy, to the RSPB worth reading >and discussing I think. >Cheers, Norman > >*OPEN LETTER TO THE RSPB* >Sir, > >The RSPB is advocating in favour of more wind farms across the >UK. Yet in >the United States the State of Birds report, released by U.S. Interior >Secretary Ken Salazar last month, warns of the impact these >installations >are having on bird populations, which are already in sharp decline. > >John Fitzpatrick, the director of the Cornell University Lab of >Ornithology, >helped draft the report along with non-profit advocacy groups. >Yahoo >News reports : *"Environmentalists and scientists say the report >should >signal the Obama administration to act cautiously as it seeks to >expand >renewable energy production and the electricity grid on public >lands and >tries to harness wind energy along the nation's coastlines."* > >This significant impact on biodiversity is corroborated by the >Spanish >Ornithological Society ( SEO-Birdlife ). In a new report >commissioned by the >Spanish government, they warn that the effect of wind farms on >bird >mortality has been grossly under-estimated. Entire species are at >risk, and >among other things they recommend that wind turbines not be >erected closer >than 15 kilometres from eagles' nests. Too many of these great birds >have >been killed by their blades already. > >Yet, in Scotland, there is no setback regarding eagles' nests : on the >isle >of Lewis, the John Muir Trust has approved the erection of 3 wind >turbines >as close as one kilometre away from an active golden eagle nest. >The RSPB is >not objecting to this practice, which threatens the survival of the >UK's >eagles. > >Several Scottish eagles have disappeared near wind farms already, >a fact >that your organisation has not publicised. > >One may wonder why you would encourage the erection of more >wind farms >across the UK when there is so much evidence that many bird >species, from >eagles to song birds, are being killed by these machines in >substantial >numbers. > >It is disturbing enough, but there is more : the RSPB has a financial >interest in the development of wind farms. You contracted a >business >relationship with Scottish and Southern Energy, which sells a >product called >" RSPB energy " - a vector for renewable energy. The conflict of >interest is >evident. > >You also have close ties with governments, working with them to >reduce >opposition to wind farm development. This was again evidenced by >a recent >annoucement : *"Charities, voluntary organisations and NGOs are >to team up >with Government to look at ways to tackle climate change and other >environmental issues in this sector. "* > >Politicians are enlisting the support of charities in their attempt to >convince increasingly sceptical Britons that their landscapes and >quality of >life have to go - a highly controversial decision based on computer >predictions about climate that hundreds of prominent scientists >from around >the world denounce as bordering on fraud. > >The charities' involvement appears to involve spin as well. Recently >the BBC >quoted the RSPB in its praise of Spain ( which has 16,000 wind >turbines >killing half a million birds a year ) : they said the country is >producing >20% of its electricity from wind. Yet the figure is actually 11%. > >Most people who form the one-million-plus membership of the >RSPB think that >wind farms do not harm birds significantly. But this is a perception >they >received from management. Reality proves otherwise in countries >where bird >mortality at wind farms is being investigated. > >In the UK, very few wind farms are monitored for dead birds, and >when they >are the results are not published. The wind turbines at Blyth >harbour are an >exception : they were monitored for one year and low mortality was >found. >But the turbines being located on a wharf, most birds that are hit >fall at >sea and many are never found. > >We as dedicated conservationists, and this opinion is shared by >many RSPB >members and other bird lovers across the country, are increasingly >worried >by the wind farm policy of your bird society. It is bad enough to >sacrifice >the British landscape to produce small amounts of unreliable yet >very >expensive energy. But what are we to think of the RSPB making >every effort >to promote such destruction ? And why do you keep to yourselves >most of the >evidence of high bird mortality at wind farms around the world ? > >*The broad picture.* > >**A report on wind energy claims that wind farm generating >capacity in the >world could reach 7,500GW by 2025. > >Supposing an average of 2 MW per turbine, that's 3,750,000 wind >turbines. > >25 birds killed per turbine/year* ---> 25 x 3,750,000 = 93,750,000 dead >birds/year ( conservative estimate ). > >* As shown by studies not unduly influenced by their funding and >performed >by biologists Lekuona in Spain, Everaert in Belgium, and >Winkelman in the >Netherlands. > >To this must be added the death toll of new high-tension power >lines : 1) >from each windfarm to the national grid, and 2) extensions of the >grid >itself. > >Let's say, conservatively, that this represents 10 km of new HT >power lines >per wind farm, and that a wind farm has an average of 50 turbines : > >3,750,000 divided by ~50 turbines per windfarm = 75,000 windfarms >x 10 km >= 750,000 km of new HT power lines. > >750,000 km x 200 birds per km/year* = 150 million dead birds/year > >Total : 150,000,000 + 93,750,000 = ~250 million dead birds/year > >* Average mortality according to a study in the Netherlands by >Koops (1987) >quoted by the American Wind Energy Association. However, in >important areas >of bird migration, mortality can exceed 500 birds per kilometre per >year, says Birdlife International. > >Bats are another matter : where bats are present, more are killed by >wind >turbines than birds. These flying mammals are attracted to the >blades . A >video has documented this fact. > >The upshot of all this is : 1) many bat species are already on the >endangered list, 2) migrating bird numbers are shrinking rapidly, >and 3) >another study from Birdlife found that most other birds species are >also on >the decline. And now wind farms and their power lines will be >adding another >250 million killings per year. In the circumstances, is it reasonable >for >the RSPB to push for more wind farms ? > >To put things into perspective : Germany has over 20,000 wind >turbines, >Spain 16,000, yet CO2 emissions have continued to increase in both >countries. The need for back-up by conventional power stations >practically >makes redundant this form of intermittent, unreliable electricity. > >Co-signed : > >*Professor David Bellamy* *Mark Duchamp* >_______________________________________________ >UKbirdnet mailing list >ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk >http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet -- Malcolm Ogilvie, Isle of Islay _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Fw: OPEN LETTER to RSPB, a responce from the US From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 01:20:07 +0200 ----- Original Message ----- From: Donald Heintzelman To: raptor-conservation AT yahoogroups.com ; Raptor Biology Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 1:59 PM Subject: [RaptorBiology] Re: [raptor-conservation] OPEN LETTER Dear Colleagues: The points that Mark makes are important and the ornithological and conservation communities need to pay careful attention. We should be thanking him for highlighting these issues. The RSPB does have a conflict of interest which I find unacceptable. Here in the United States there are also some conflicts of interest regarding wind power advocacy including certain consultants working for wind energy companies, advisory panels stacked in wind energy favor, confidentiality clauses in voluntary agreements offered by some governmental wildlife agencies (which prevent all information regarding certain wind energy projects from being made public) to wind energy companies, etc. Sincerely, Donald S. Heintzelman Ornithologist and Author Zionsville, PA USA donsh AT enter.net _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: windenergie has it's down side From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 01:13:30 +0200 Here is an open letter from Mark Duchamp and a person we all know and respect, Dr.David Bellamy, to the RSPB worth reading and discussing I think. Cheers, Norman *OPEN LETTER TO THE RSPB* Sir, The RSPB is advocating in favour of more wind farms across the UK. Yet in the United States the State of Birds report, released by U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar last month, warns of the impact these installations are having on bird populations, which are already in sharp decline. John Fitzpatrick, the director of the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, helped draft the report along with non-profit advocacy groups. Yahoo News reports : *"Environmentalists and scientists say the report should signal the Obama administration to act cautiously as it seeks to expand renewable energy production and the electricity grid on public lands and tries to harness wind energy along the nation's coastlines."* This significant impact on biodiversity is corroborated by the Spanish Ornithological Society ( SEO-Birdlife ). In a new report commissioned by the Spanish government, they warn that the effect of wind farms on bird mortality has been grossly under-estimated. Entire species are at risk, and among other things they recommend that wind turbines not be erected closer than 15 kilometres from eagles' nests. Too many of these great birds have been killed by their blades already. Yet, in Scotland, there is no setback regarding eagles' nests : on the isle of Lewis, the John Muir Trust has approved the erection of 3 wind turbines as close as one kilometre away from an active golden eagle nest. The RSPB is not objecting to this practice, which threatens the survival of the UK's eagles. Several Scottish eagles have disappeared near wind farms already, a fact that your organisation has not publicised. One may wonder why you would encourage the erection of more wind farms across the UK when there is so much evidence that many bird species, from eagles to song birds, are being killed by these machines in substantial numbers. It is disturbing enough, but there is more : the RSPB has a financial interest in the development of wind farms. You contracted a business relationship with Scottish and Southern Energy, which sells a product called " RSPB energy " - a vector for renewable energy. The conflict of interest is evident. You also have close ties with governments, working with them to reduce opposition to wind farm development. This was again evidenced by a recent annoucement : *"Charities, voluntary organisations and NGOs are to team up with Government to look at ways to tackle climate change and other environmental issues in this sector. "* Politicians are enlisting the support of charities in their attempt to convince increasingly sceptical Britons that their landscapes and quality of life have to go - a highly controversial decision based on computer predictions about climate that hundreds of prominent scientists from around the world denounce as bordering on fraud. The charities' involvement appears to involve spin as well. Recently the BBC quoted the RSPB in its praise of Spain ( which has 16,000 wind turbines killing half a million birds a year ) : they said the country is producing 20% of its electricity from wind. Yet the figure is actually 11%. Most people who form the one-million-plus membership of the RSPB think that wind farms do not harm birds significantly. But this is a perception they received from management. Reality proves otherwise in countries where bird mortality at wind farms is being investigated. In the UK, very few wind farms are monitored for dead birds, and when they are the results are not published. The wind turbines at Blyth harbour are an exception : they were monitored for one year and low mortality was found. But the turbines being located on a wharf, most birds that are hit fall at sea and many are never found. We as dedicated conservationists, and this opinion is shared by many RSPB members and other bird lovers across the country, are increasingly worried by the wind farm policy of your bird society. It is bad enough to sacrifice the British landscape to produce small amounts of unreliable yet very expensive energy. But what are we to think of the RSPB making every effort to promote such destruction ? And why do you keep to yourselves most of the evidence of high bird mortality at wind farms around the world ? *The broad picture.* **A report on wind energy claims that wind farm generating capacity in the world could reach 7,500GW by 2025. Supposing an average of 2 MW per turbine, that's 3,750,000 wind turbines. 25 birds killed per turbine/year* ---> 25 x 3,750,000 = 93,750,000 dead birds/year ( conservative estimate ). * As shown by studies not unduly influenced by their funding and performed by biologists Lekuona in Spain, Everaert in Belgium, and Winkelman in the Netherlands. To this must be added the death toll of new high-tension power lines : 1) from each windfarm to the national grid, and 2) extensions of the grid itself. Let's say, conservatively, that this represents 10 km of new HT power lines per wind farm, and that a wind farm has an average of 50 turbines : 3,750,000 divided by ~50 turbines per windfarm = 75,000 windfarms x 10 km = 750,000 km of new HT power lines. 750,000 km x 200 birds per km/year* = 150 million dead birds/year Total : 150,000,000 + 93,750,000 = ~250 million dead birds/year * Average mortality according to a study in the Netherlands by Koops (1987) quoted by the American Wind Energy Association. However, in important areas of bird migration, mortality can exceed 500 birds per kilometre per year, says Birdlife International. Bats are another matter : where bats are present, more are killed by wind turbines than birds. These flying mammals are attracted to the blades . A video has documented this fact. The upshot of all this is : 1) many bat species are already on the endangered list, 2) migrating bird numbers are shrinking rapidly, and 3) another study from Birdlife found that most other birds species are also on the decline. And now wind farms and their power lines will be adding another 250 million killings per year. In the circumstances, is it reasonable for the RSPB to push for more wind farms ? To put things into perspective : Germany has over 20,000 wind turbines, Spain 16,000, yet CO2 emissions have continued to increase in both countries. The need for back-up by conventional power stations practically makes redundant this form of intermittent, unreliable electricity. Co-signed : *Professor David Bellamy* *Mark Duchamp*_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Birdwatch - issue 204 (June 2009): table of contents From: "Chris Harbard" <chrisharbard AT hotmail.co.uk> Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 10:47:05 +0100 In a unique and exclusive shock confession, the finder of the 1994 Essex Hermit Thrush retracts the record, admitting that he fabricated the whole episode. Read his account of the subsequent deception of the Raritites Committee in his own words in this month's issue of Birdwatch, on sale from Thursday 20 May Birdwatch - issue 204 (June 2009): table of contents Features Vinicombe, K. Comman and Lesser Kestrels [How to separate the two species in all plumages] Harbard, C. Thriller in Manila [Exploring the endemic birds of the Philippines] Callahan, D. Gold rush [The biology and habits of the Golden Oriole in Britain] Redman, N. Round the Horn [A look at the amazing endemics of the Horn of Africa] Pepper, N. Off the record [The retraction of a faked record of Hermit Thrush in Essex] Punkbirder. Anyone seen any kid listers? [The perceived decline of interst in birding by young people] Obituary Bob Scott - The man who inspired a legion of birdwatchers as RSPB reserves manager Better Birding Data deficit - lack of data on British breeding birds Going for a song Part two: recording bird song and calls Habitats - The low country: lowland heaths Must see - Hobby What's on - June events Optical events - June guide Birding courses and workshops June high-tide tables for Britain and Ireland Garden Birding Plants - Bee happy: flowers to attract insects In the garden - Dunnock Food of the month - Larva hamper: caterpillars Columns Marven, N. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico Cocker, M. Brain training for birders: keeping mentally alert to birds Young, S. The sharp end: sharpening digital images Where to watch birds Williams, J. Orkney Harris, J. Dartmoor News and related items News digest - Red list total increases; New raptor DNA database; Protecting ouir rivers; Digest Fraser, M. ListCheck - updating the world view of birds. [New subspecies: Brown-banded Antpitta Grallaria milleri gilesi; New genus: Black-collared and Ruwnezori Apalises Oreolais spp.; Generic assignment: Sparrows and towhees Aimophila and Pipilo spp.; National lists: new species for Peru and Kuwait] Tools of the trade Internet: Researching a country's birding hot-spots; birding in Devon Product review: Barska Naturescape 10x42 binocular Best buys: Paramo spring/summer clothing collection; Opticron Trailfinder II WP binocular; Bridgedale bamboo socks; RSPB 8x42 and 10X42 binoculars; C J Wildbird Foods square hanging table Book and DVD reviews: Where to Watch Birds in Yorkshire by John R Mather (Christopher Helm); A Sky Full of Starlings by Stephen Moss (Aurum Press); The Birds of Borneo by Clive F Mann (BOU Checklist); Birdwatching in the Philippines volume 1 (Philippine Department of Tourism) Book Offer of the Month: The Golden Oriole by Jake Allsop and Paul Mason (Poyser) - £35.99, reduced from £40.00 Accounts of recent rarities in Britain and Ireland Portland's piebald surprise [Collared Flycatcher: Portland, Dorset, 28 April-2 May 2009] Up with the lark [Crested Lark: Dungeness, Kent, 27 April-4 May 2009] Lesser is more [American Golden Plover: Breydon Water, Norfolk, 6-18 April 2009] Portland collars a Bonelli's too [Eastern Bonelli's Warbler: Portland, Dorset, 1 May 2009] A secret sparrow [White-throated Sparrow: Old Winchester Hill NR, Hants, 8 November 2008-20 April 2009] The untickable vagrant? [Wood Duck: Loch of Spiggie RSPB, Shetland, 16 April-May 2009] Monthly highlights summary: April 2009 Recent reports Monthly round-ups from eight regions in Britain, and from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, January 2009, including images of Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis, White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis, Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg, Purple Heron Ardea purpurea, Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus, Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor, Alpine Swift Apus melba, Pallid Swift Apus pallidus, Little Gull Larus minutus, Spoonbill Platalea leucoroda, Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans, Wood Duck Aix sponsa, Black Kite Milvus migrans, Ring-necked Aythya collaris. Highlights summary for the Western Palearctic in January 2009, including photos of Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus in Lanzarote, Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis in the Netherlands, Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus in Cyprus, breeding Kelp Gulls Larus dominicanus in Morocco and Slaty-backed Gull Larus shistisagus in Latvia. Reader holidays Guatemala: 6-19 December 2009 Competitions Win a Leica 8x32 HD Ultravid binocular worth £1,400 Chris Harbard 01480 475116 07739 793958 Skype 0208 144 1068 The home of birding - online www.birdwatch.co.uk Donate to: www.justgiving.com/priolo_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Swifts and House Martins From: Michael Rank <rank AT mailbox.co.uk> Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 21:59:04 +0100 Swift numbers seem to me about average, or possibly a bit below, over Hackney, London N1 this year, they arrived a few days late, I would say. Michael On May 14, 2009, at 19:01, James Cracknell wrote: > Heck - that's not many Swifts. They were screaming all over Beccles > and > Bungay in the usual spots last weekend (and all this week) and there > was a > huge contingent (40+) nr PC World/Sweetbriar Industrial Estate in > Norwich > hawking over the trees (must have been a good number of insects around > there) > > -----Original Message----- > From: ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > [mailto:ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk] On Behalf Of John McGloin > Sent: 14 May 2009 18:00 > To: Mick Farmer > Cc: UKbirdnet > Subject: Re: [UKbirdnet] Swifts and House Martins > > I'm in New Malden, SW London. 2+1 swifts seen yesterday, 1 heard 2 days > earlier. > Cheers > John > Mick Farmer wrote: >> Dear UKBN, >> >> Here in Lewisham, SE London, I still haven't seen swifts or >> House Martins this year. >> >> Are they late arriving? Are they not in London any more? >> >> Regards, >> >> Mick /"\ >> \ / >> Linux Registered X ASCII Ribbon Campaign >> User #287765 / \ Against HTML Mail >> _______________________________________________ >> UKbirdnet mailing list >> ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk >> http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet >> > > _______________________________________________ > UKbirdnet mailing list > ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus > signature > database 4075 (20090514) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > > > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus > signature > database 4075 (20090514) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > > _______________________________________________ > UKbirdnet mailing list > ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet > _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Swifts and House Martins From: "Nick Morgan" <nick.morgan1 AT virgin.net> Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 19:58:17 +0100 50 Swifts over my village here in North Yorkshire yesterday and generally normal numbers around if a little late, House Martins too now back in OK numbers but significantly later than recent years Nick -----Original Message----- From: ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk [mailto:ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk]On Behalf Of Mick Farmer Sent: 14 May 2009 17:38 To: UKbirdnet Subject: [UKbirdnet] Swifts and House Martins Dear UKBN, Here in Lewisham, SE London, I still haven't seen swifts or House Martins this year. Are they late arriving? Are they not in London any more? Regards, Mick /"\ \ / Linux Registered X ASCII Ribbon Campaign User #287765 / \ Against HTML Mail _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.325 / Virus Database: 270.12.29/2114 - Release Date: 05/14/09 06:28:00 _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Swifts and House Martins From: "Richard Thomas" <r.thomas AT btinternet.com> Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 19:32:57 +0100 2 swifts seen in SW19 (Wimbledon) on 10 May and again today. Richard Thomas ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mick Farmer" To: "UKbirdnet" Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 5:38 PM Subject: [UKbirdnet] Swifts and House Martins > Dear UKBN, > > Here in Lewisham, SE London, I still haven't seen swifts or > House Martins this year. > > Are they late arriving? Are they not in London any more? > > Regards, > > Mick /"\ > \ / > Linux Registered X ASCII Ribbon Campaign > User #287765 / \ Against HTML Mail > _______________________________________________ > UKbirdnet mailing list > ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Swifts and House Martins From: John McGloin <rmkdhjm AT ucl.ac.uk> Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 17:59:50 +0100 I'm in New Malden, SW London. 2+1 swifts seen yesterday, 1 heard 2 days earlier. Cheers John Mick Farmer wrote: > Dear UKBN, > > Here in Lewisham, SE London, I still haven't seen swifts or > House Martins this year. > > Are they late arriving? Are they not in London any more? > > Regards, > > Mick /"\ > \ / > Linux Registered X ASCII Ribbon Campaign > User #287765 / \ Against HTML Mail > _______________________________________________ > UKbirdnet mailing list > ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet > _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Swifts and House Martins From: "NJ Lindsey" <N.J.Lindsey AT Bradford.ac.uk> Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 17:58:00 +0100 Hi Swifts arrived in Haworth West Yorks 11th along with House Martins maybe 5 days later than last year. Nigel Dr. Nigel Lindsey Associate Dean Learning and Teaching School of Life Sciences N.J.Lindsey AT Bradford.ac.uk Tel 01274233567 Mobile 07765321996 Dr. Nigel Lindsey Associate Dean Learning and Teaching School of Life Sciences   N.J.Lindsey AT Bradford.ac.uk Tel 01274233567 Mobile 07765321996 Windows Messenger n.j.lindsey AT bradford.ac.uk -----Original Message----- From: ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk [mailto:ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Mick Farmer Sent: 14 May 2009 17:38 To: UKbirdnet Subject: [UKbirdnet] Swifts and House Martins Dear UKBN, Here in Lewisham, SE London, I still haven't seen swifts or House Martins this year. Are they late arriving? Are they not in London any more? Regards, Mick /"\ \ / Linux Registered X ASCII Ribbon Campaign User #287765 / \ Against HTML Mail _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Swifts and House Martins From: "Rob Robinson" <rob.robinson AT bto.org> Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 17:50:15 +0100 I've seen a few (only) swifts in Norfolk, BirdTrack does suggest they are late coming in... http://blx1.bto.org/bt-dailyresults/results/s295-20-09.html House martins very thin on the ground after an initial flush, the birdtrack graph is quite startling http://blx1.bto.org/bt-dailyresults/results/s325-20-09.html Happy birding Rob *** Help us celebrate 100 yrs of Ringing http://btoringing.blogspot.com/ ** Dr Rob Robinson, Principal Ecologist British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU Ph: +44 (0)1842 750050 E: rob.robinson AT bto.org Fx: +44 (0)1842 750030 W: www.bto.org/aboutBTO/cvs/rob_robinson.htm ====== "How can anyone be enlightened, when truth is so poorly lit" ======= > -----Original Message----- > From: ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > [mailto:ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Mick Farmer > Sent: 14 May 2009 17:38 > To: UKbirdnet > Subject: [UKbirdnet] Swifts and House Martins > > Dear UKBN, > > Here in Lewisham, SE London, I still haven't seen swifts or > House Martins this year. > > Are they late arriving? Are they not in London any more? > > Regards, > > Mick /"\ > \ / > Linux Registered X ASCII Ribbon Campaign > User #287765 / \ Against HTML Mail > _______________________________________________ > UKbirdnet mailing list > ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet > _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Swifts and House Martins From: Mick Farmer <mick AT dcs.bbk.ac.uk> Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 17:38:29 +0100 Dear UKBN, Here in Lewisham, SE London, I still haven't seen swifts or House Martins this year. Are they late arriving? Are they not in London any more? Regards, Mick /"\ \ / Linux Registered X ASCII Ribbon Campaign User #287765 / \ Against HTML Mail _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: book wanted From: Ian Paulsen <birdbooker AT zipcon.net> Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 16:37:27 -0700 (PDT) HI ALL: I'm trying to track down an INexpensive copy of the following: Lewington, Ian et al. A Field Guide to the Rare Birds of Britain and Europe. Does anyone have a copy they are willing to part with? sincerely -- Ian Paulsen Bainbridge Island, WA, USA " Which just goes to show that a passion for books is extremely unhealthy." from Cornelia Funke's "Inkheart". _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: **SPAM** migrating birds and climate change From: sylvia wallace <sylvia.wallace AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:56:58 +0100 Regarding the Met Office graph, the last years are not shown with enough detail. There is a better graph from the Met Office here (click the link under the graph for an updated one : http://www.iberica2000.org/Es/Articulo.asp?Id=3814 You can see that the global temperature has dropped since 1998, which contradicts the statement from the Met in the article referred by Rob: "A simple mathematical calculation of the temperature change over the latest decade (1998-2007) alone shows a continued warming of 0.1 °C per decade." Their own graph shows significant cooling, yet they imply that it warmed 0.1 °C per decade ! What kind of "simple mathematical calculation" have they applied ! ? So often narrowly defined scientific reports are being used as something quite different in order to play the global warming tune, even when it's cooling. Regarding the other reports Rob mentions, if Mark Duchamp was not barred from this listserve he would find the flaw in these studies, as he did for so many others. Here is an interesting quote from UK's famous science writer Nigel Calder: *"If I wanted to do research on, shall we say, the squirrels of Sussex, what I would do, and this is any time from 1990 onwards, I would write my grant application saying I want to investigate the "nut-gathering behaviour of squirrels with special reference to the effects of Global Warming", and that way I get my money. If I forget to mention Global Warming, I might not get my money."* ** Indeed, how can anyone be enlightened, when the truth is so poorly lit! Sylvia. ** * * 2009/4/17 Rob Robinson > > Without wishing to get into a debate about this topic, a couple of comments > > > and anyone looking at the Met Office data can see that the > > average global temperature has come down significantly since > > the peak of 1998. This being the case, travelling distances > > I think people should look at the graph and draw their own conclusions: > http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange/guide/bigpicture/fact2.html > > > Birds can adapt to climate change, however > > abruptly it occurs, but what's killing them is man and his > > high-impact activities - e.g. adverse land use, insecticides, > > high tension lines, wind farms, etc. > > There is direct evidence contradicting the first part of the statement, see > the recent paper in the science journal, Nature, concerning Dutch Pied > Flycatchers > http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v441/n7089/abs/nature04539.html. For > a > broader view of how climate and land-use changes might affect migratory > wildlife people may wish to look at > http://www.int-res.com/articles/esr2008/theme/ICC/ICCpp2.pdf which > represents a consensus view from many of the key biologists working in this > area. > > Happy birdwatching > rob > > *** Help us celebrate 100 yrs of Ringing http://btoringing.blogspot.com/** > > Dr Rob Robinson, Principal Ecologist > British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU > Ph: +44 (0)1842 750050 E: rob.robinson AT bto.org > Fx: +44 (0)1842 750030 W: www.bto.org/aboutBTO/cvs/rob_robinson.htm > > ====== "How can anyone be enlightened, when truth is so poorly lit" ======= > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > > [mailto:ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk] On Behalf Of > > Norman D.van Swelm > > Sent: 17 April 2009 10:49 > > To: UKBN > > Subject: [UKbirdnet] **SPAM** migrating birds and climate change > > > > At the risk of being harassed again by some members of the > > list I pass on a letter written to The Scotsman by Mr.Duchamp > > as I think the contents are worth reading. > > Cheers, Norman > > > > > > Dear Sir or Madam, > > > > Re: your article of 15 April 2009 "Birds may have to fly an > > extra 250 miles because of climate change". > > > > The study in question lacks credibility on several counts, > > the first being that the new threat is not of warming, but of > > global cooling. Seven hundred independent scientists say so, > > and anyone looking at the Met Office data can see that the > > average global temperature has come down significantly since > > the peak of 1998. This being the case, travelling distances > > for migrating birds will become shorter, not longer. > > > > In any event, birds have adapted to wide and abrupt > > variations in temperature since they evolved from the > > dinosaurs more than 65 million years ago. They have survived > > a number of ice ages, and many periods of warmth with > > tropical temperatures being enjoyed as far north as the south > > of England. Birds can adapt to climate change, however > > abruptly it occurs, but what's killing them is man and his > > high-impact activities - e.g. adverse land use, insecticides, > > high tension lines, wind farms, etc. > > > > In fact, wind farms and their power lines are the new threat > > to migrations. In Europe, the principal crossing points over > > the Mediterranean are made dangerous by thousands of wind > > turbines. Elsewhere, staging posts such as the Hebrides and > > the Shetland Islands, the Baie de Somme in France, and the > > shores of the Baltic will soon be rendered as deadly. > > > > Millions of birds are being killed in Europe yearly because > > of wind turbines, and millions more by their power lines. But > > nothing is being done about it because the fact is not > > recognised by the RSPB and other bird societies. Only in > > Spain has the ornithological society warned of the danger, > > but this only happened this year, in a country already marred > > by 670 windfarms and 16,000 wind turbines. > > > > The problem lies in a conflict of interest : the first > > employer of ornithologists is the wind industry. They are > > contracted to write pre-construction avian impact > > assessments, and post-construction monitoring reports. This > > is a bonanza for the profession, and a disaster for the birds. > > > > Mark Duchamp > > > > Partida La Sella, 25 > > 03750 Pedreguer, Spain > > > > Tel . + 34 679 12 99 97 > > > > > > > > NB. the Spanish report Duchamp mentions can be found here: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > www.iberica2000.org/documents/EOLICA/EN_ESPANOL/SEO_Directrice > > s_Eolicos_2009.pdf > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > UKbirdnet mailing list > ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet >_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: migrating birds and climate change From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:09:39 +0200 Well, Jamie my lad, there is a response I like but are you saying this study is bad science?: www.iberica2000.org/documents/EOLICA/EN_ESPANOL/SEO_Directrices_Eolicos_2009.pdf Cheerio, Norman James Cracknell wrote: >Norman's forwarding of another Duchamp post. I loved this statement: "Birds can adapt to climate change, however abruptly it occurs, " Stick a chicken in a car for 10 minutes on a hot day and it's dead. There you go an example of abrupt climate change J Climate change can be very abrupt if you look at the geological evidence (which is believed by everyone apart from Creationists!) and you'll spot extinctions along the way given the fossil evidence. Why did the Dinosaurs die out again? Was it because these warm blooded creatures got too warm or too cold or did T Rex build a windfarm and all the Pterosaurs flew into them? I take this from a children's book "Species become extinct when they are no longer able to get what they need to live such as food, water, or shelter. This can also happen when the weather is too hot or too cold for a long time." Oh look, a reference to climate change and extinction for children! Knowing the UK Science syllabus I'd say that's primary school level J <11yrs old. I noticed that this was Mr Duchamp's letter to the Scotsman - it hasn't been published yet has it? However, given that the media has had an obsession with MMR and autism for over 10years based on anecdotal evidence by "an expert" will mean they'll probably fall for it. Someone warn them please! Have a look at http://www.badscience.net/ by Dr Ben Goldacre - it's quite revealing about how people use Science for their own gain. For those in the UK he was also on Newswipe on BBC4. If you fancy a laugh and a cry about the media today have a look at.http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00jhp50 - the BBCiplayer is embedded. View from 11:10 if you just want the Bad Science bits. Oh well I am glad Norm has given me another giggle at the Fox News level of writing.< No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.59/2063 - Release Date: 04/16/09 16:38:00 _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: ARDEA : 97 ( 1) From: "Jacob de Vries" <jacobird AT xs4all.nl> Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:12:25 +0200 (CEST) hi, all ARDEA 2008 - Jahrgang : 97 (1) kommt raus, und hat als Inhalt (english): Tinbergen J.M. (2009) In memoriam. Rudolf Herman Drent (1937-2008). ARDEA 97 (1): 1 - 6. Delgado M.M., Penteriani V. & Nams V.O. (2009) How fledglings explore surroundings from fledging to dispersal. A case study with Eagle Owls Bubo bubo. ARDEA 97 (1): 7 - 15. Adamík P., Hušek J. & Cepák J. (2009) Rapid decline of Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus parasitism in Red-backed Shrikes Lanius collurio. ARDEA 97 (1): 17 - 22. Arizaga J., Hernández M.A., Rivas J. & Miranda R. (2009) Biometrics of Iberian Dippers Cinclus cinclus: environmental sources of among-population variation. ARDEA 97 (1): 23 - 30. Kober K. & Bairlein F. (2009) Habitat choice and niche characteristics under poor food conditions. A study on migratory nearctic shorebirds in the intertidal flats of Brazil. ARDEA 97 (1): 31 - 42. Thorup O., Timonen S., Blomqvist D., Flodin L-Ċ., Jönsson P.E., Larsson M., Pakanen V-M. & Soikkeli M. (2009) Migration and wintering of Baltic Dunlins Calidris alpina schinzii with known breeding origin. ARDEA 97 (1): 43 - 50. Duijns S., van Dijk J.G.B., Spaans B., Jukema J., de Boer W.F. & Piersma T. (2009) Foraging site selection of two subspecies of Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica: Time minimizers accept greater predation danger than energy minimizers. ARDEA 97 (1): 51 - 59. Choi C.Y., Gan X.J., Ma Q., Zhang K.J., Chen J.K. & Ma Z.J. (2009) Body condition and fuel deposition patterns of calidrid sandpipers during migratory stopover. ARDEA 97 (1): 61 - 70. Leyrer J., Pruiksma S. & Piersma T. (2009) On 4 June 2008 Siberian Red Knots at Elbe Mouth kissed the canonical evening migration departure rule goodbye. ARDEA 97 (1): 71 - 79. Vanermen N., Stienen E.W.M., De Meulenaer B., Van Ginderdeuren K. & Degraer S. (2009) Low dietary importance of polychaetes in opportunistic feeding Sanderlings Calidris alba on Belgian beaches. ARDEA 97 (1): 81 - 87. Mullers R.H.E & Tinbergen J.M. (2009) Individual variation in parental provisioning behaviour predicts survival of Cape Gannet chicks under poor conditions. ARDEA 97 (1): 89 - 98. Merkel F.R., Mosbech A. & Riget F. (2009) Common Eider Somateria mollissima feeding activity and the influence of human disturbances. ARDEA 97 (1): 99 - 107. Trnka A., Batáry P. & Prokop P. (2009) Interacting effects of vegetation structure and breeding patterns on the survival of Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus nests. ARDEA 97 (1): 109 - 116. Wiącek J. (2009) Nest site selection of Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus breeding in natural habitats in eastern Poland. ARDEA 97 (1): 117 - 119. Williams J.B., Tieleman B.I. & Shobrak M. (2009) Validation of temperature-sensitive radio transmitters for measurement of body temperature in small animals. ARDEA 97 (1): 120 - 124. Isaksson C. (2009) The chemical pathway of carotenoids: From plants to birds. ARDEA 97 (1): 125 - 128. PhD-dissertation reviews (2009). ARDEA 97 (1): 129 - 136. Gruessen Jacob de Vries / jacobird AT xs4all.nl / www.nou.nu _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: **SPAM** migrating birds and climate change From: "Rob Robinson" <rob.robinson AT bto.org> Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:45:15 +0100 Without wishing to get into a debate about this topic, a couple of comments > and anyone looking at the Met Office data can see that the > average global temperature has come down significantly since > the peak of 1998. This being the case, travelling distances I think people should look at the graph and draw their own conclusions: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange/guide/bigpicture/fact2.html > Birds can adapt to climate change, however > abruptly it occurs, but what's killing them is man and his > high-impact activities - e.g. adverse land use, insecticides, > high tension lines, wind farms, etc. There is direct evidence contradicting the first part of the statement, see the recent paper in the science journal, Nature, concerning Dutch Pied Flycatchers http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v441/n7089/abs/nature04539.html. For a broader view of how climate and land-use changes might affect migratory wildlife people may wish to look at http://www.int-res.com/articles/esr2008/theme/ICC/ICCpp2.pdf which represents a consensus view from many of the key biologists working in this area. Happy birdwatching rob *** Help us celebrate 100 yrs of Ringing http://btoringing.blogspot.com/ ** Dr Rob Robinson, Principal Ecologist British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU Ph: +44 (0)1842 750050 E: rob.robinson AT bto.org Fx: +44 (0)1842 750030 W: www.bto.org/aboutBTO/cvs/rob_robinson.htm ====== "How can anyone be enlightened, when truth is so poorly lit" ======= > -----Original Message----- > From: ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > [mailto:ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk] On Behalf Of > Norman D.van Swelm > Sent: 17 April 2009 10:49 > To: UKBN > Subject: [UKbirdnet] **SPAM** migrating birds and climate change > > At the risk of being harassed again by some members of the > list I pass on a letter written to The Scotsman by Mr.Duchamp > as I think the contents are worth reading. > Cheers, Norman > > > Dear Sir or Madam, > > Re: your article of 15 April 2009 "Birds may have to fly an > extra 250 miles because of climate change". > > The study in question lacks credibility on several counts, > the first being that the new threat is not of warming, but of > global cooling. Seven hundred independent scientists say so, > and anyone looking at the Met Office data can see that the > average global temperature has come down significantly since > the peak of 1998. This being the case, travelling distances > for migrating birds will become shorter, not longer. > > In any event, birds have adapted to wide and abrupt > variations in temperature since they evolved from the > dinosaurs more than 65 million years ago. They have survived > a number of ice ages, and many periods of warmth with > tropical temperatures being enjoyed as far north as the south > of England. Birds can adapt to climate change, however > abruptly it occurs, but what's killing them is man and his > high-impact activities - e.g. adverse land use, insecticides, > high tension lines, wind farms, etc. > > In fact, wind farms and their power lines are the new threat > to migrations. In Europe, the principal crossing points over > the Mediterranean are made dangerous by thousands of wind > turbines. Elsewhere, staging posts such as the Hebrides and > the Shetland Islands, the Baie de Somme in France, and the > shores of the Baltic will soon be rendered as deadly. > > Millions of birds are being killed in Europe yearly because > of wind turbines, and millions more by their power lines. But > nothing is being done about it because the fact is not > recognised by the RSPB and other bird societies. Only in > Spain has the ornithological society warned of the danger, > but this only happened this year, in a country already marred > by 670 windfarms and 16,000 wind turbines. > > The problem lies in a conflict of interest : the first > employer of ornithologists is the wind industry. They are > contracted to write pre-construction avian impact > assessments, and post-construction monitoring reports. This > is a bonanza for the profession, and a disaster for the birds. > > Mark Duchamp > > Partida La Sella, 25 > 03750 Pedreguer, Spain > > Tel . + 34 679 12 99 97 > > > > NB. the Spanish report Duchamp mentions can be found here: > > > > > > > www.iberica2000.org/documents/EOLICA/EN_ESPANOL/SEO_Directrice > s_Eolicos_2009.pdf > > _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: **SPAM** migrating birds and climate change From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:48:41 +0200 At the risk of being harassed again by some members of the list I pass on a letter written to The Scotsman by Mr.Duchamp as I think the contents are worth reading. Cheers, Norman Dear Sir or Madam, Re: your article of 15 April 2009 "Birds may have to fly an extra 250 miles because of climate change". The study in question lacks credibility on several counts, the first being that the new threat is not of warming, but of global cooling. Seven hundred independent scientists say so, and anyone looking at the Met Office data can see that the average global temperature has come down significantly since the peak of 1998. This being the case, travelling distances for migrating birds will become shorter, not longer. In any event, birds have adapted to wide and abrupt variations in temperature since they evolved from the dinosaurs more than 65 million years ago. They have survived a number of ice ages, and many periods of warmth with tropical temperatures being enjoyed as far north as the south of England. Birds can adapt to climate change, however abruptly it occurs, but what's killing them is man and his high-impact activities - e.g. adverse land use, insecticides, high tension lines, wind farms, etc. In fact, wind farms and their power lines are the new threat to migrations. In Europe, the principal crossing points over the Mediterranean are made dangerous by thousands of wind turbines. Elsewhere, staging posts such as the Hebrides and the Shetland Islands, the Baie de Somme in France, and the shores of the Baltic will soon be rendered as deadly. Millions of birds are being killed in Europe yearly because of wind turbines, and millions more by their power lines. But nothing is being done about it because the fact is not recognised by the RSPB and other bird societies. Only in Spain has the ornithological society warned of the danger, but this only happened this year, in a country already marred by 670 windfarms and 16,000 wind turbines. The problem lies in a conflict of interest : the first employer of ornithologists is the wind industry. They are contracted to write pre-construction avian impact assessments, and post-construction monitoring reports. This is a bonanza for the profession, and a disaster for the birds. Mark Duchamp Partida La Sella, 25 03750 Pedreguer, Spain Tel . + 34 679 12 99 97 NB. the Spanish report Duchamp mentions can be found here: www.iberica2000.org/documents/EOLICA/EN_ESPANOL/SEO_Directrices_Eolicos_2009.pdf No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.59/2063 - Release Date: 04/16/09 16:38:00 _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: BirdLife Malta warden shot for the second time From: Proact Campaigns <proact-campaigns AT online.de> Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:53:35 +0200 See http://www.birdlifemalta.org/view.aspx?id=170 React please: This is scandalous. The police must crack down. Write letters to the Times of Malta daily AT timesofmalta.com and the Prime Minister of Malta prime.minister AT gov.mt or Secretary to the Cabinet Tel: (356) 22 001 260 Fax: 22 001 262 !!! I have just called the office of the Malta PM on the number shown above. They were surprised to say the least. Let's have more phone calls - it only costs a few cents and makes an impact. Write on the wall with the reaction you get please. David -- David Conlin Proact International www.proact-campaigns.net/team joining costs nothing ..... doing nothing costs birds Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) http://www.komitee.de/en/ .... actively operating against illegal hunting across Europe Skype: david_conlin _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: 10 birds as tourism attractions From: Gunnar Engblom <kolibriexp AT telefonica.net.pe> Date: Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:37:59 -0500 Hi all Some birds having wow-factor transcend also to non-birders. I have put together a list of 11 (that is OK, it does not have to be 10!) bird attractions in Peru on my blog. http://www.kolibriexpeditions.com/birdingperu/blog/index.php/11-must-see-birds-in-peru-for-everyone/ This is something that can be done in every country (or maybe state in big countries) all around the world. Pick the 10 most import birds with potential as tourist attractions. They should be birds that people either have heard of or birds that make some marvelous display that appeals to a non-birder. Your end-product are your poster species for conservation, local eco-tourism and to recruit more birders. Think about it! What would those birds be in your country? If you like what you read on my blog, please consider bookmarking it on social bookmarking services on line, such as Digg, Stumble Upon and Delicious (or all) and resend to the birdlists you belong to. Write up a blog post similar to mine for your country, and I shall also link back to yours. End result could be a global awareness of the birds around us....Who knows? Yes, I am dreamer....but that is OK, isn't it? Saludos Gunnar -- Gunnar Engblom-Lima, Peru. Kolibri Expeditions http://www.kolibriexpeditions.com http://www.birding-peru.com  Peru Birdwatching Portal . Checklists, pics & site info, etc. http://www.kolibriexpeditions.com/birdingperu/blog/ - Gunnar's Blog - updated frequently. Tel:  +51 1 2737246 . Cell: +51 1  988 555 938,  RPM #752-755 Follow me on www.twitter.com/kolibrix -- Gunnar Engblom-Lima, Peru. Kolibri Expeditions http://www.kolibriexpeditions.com http://www.birding-peru.com Peru Birdwatching Portal . Checklists, pics & site info, etc. http://www.kolibriexpeditions.com/birdingperu/blog/ - Gunnar's Blog - updated frequently. Tel: +51 1 2737246 . Cell: +51 1 988 555 938, RPM #752-755 Follow me on www.twitter.com/kolibrix _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Fwd: 1000 birds to see before you die From: Gunnar Engblom <kolibriexp AT telefonica.net.pe> Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:55:12 -0500 Hi, I cracked this idea for a birders bucket list and have decided to write a book. "1000 birds to see before you die". http://bit.ly/1zad Do you want to help and suggest content? Check the link above. It is a fun excersize. If you don't want to list 100 birds for me...pls just send a list of your top 10-100 birds to the list. Number 1 gets 100 points, nr 2 gets 99 and so forth. Right now people participating have a very American (North and South American) biase, so it would be good to have some European perspective as well. They can be both birds you have seen and birds you want to see all around the world. Simply the best birds of your lifetime. They can be rare and remote, but they must be regularily seen at their site. Ivory-billed Woodpecker and Slender-billed Curlew will not make the list I am afraid, but Tuamotu Sandpiper and Scarlet-banded Barbet may if they get voted for. The book will be free for all to download - and I will think of some scheme/campaign in which money can be donated to Birdlife International for the conservation of the threatened birds. Saludos Gunnar Engblom www.kolibriexpeditions.com Lima Peru -- Gunnar Engblom-Lima, Peru. Kolibri Expeditions http://www.kolibriexpeditions.com http://www.birding-peru.com  Peru Birdwatching Portal . Checklists, pics & site info, etc. http://www.kolibriexpeditions.com/birdingperu/blog/ - Gunnar's Blog - updated frequently. Tel:  +51 1 2737246 . Cell: +51 1  988 555 938,  RPM #752-755 Follow me on www.twitter.com/kolibrix -- Gunnar Engblom-Lima, Peru. Kolibri Expeditions http://www.kolibriexpeditions.com http://www.birding-peru.com Peru Birdwatching Portal . Checklists, pics & site info, etc. http://www.kolibriexpeditions.com/birdingperu/blog/ - Gunnar's Blog - updated frequently. Tel: +51 1 2737246 . Cell: +51 1 988 555 938, RPM #752-755 Follow me on www.twitter.com/kolibrix _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Bird expert hits out over RSPB's call for more windfarms, From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:27:32 +0100 FYI http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1137922?UserKey= No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.11.29/2023 - Release Date: 03/25/09 18:54:00 _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Birding World From: "Tony Morris" <tonyandpam.morris AT tiscali.co.uk> Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:37:50 -0000 I've just put all my birding worlds in binders and have discovered that I've got 1994-no 11 (Vol 7) missing. Anyone with a spare copy for sale? Or if I lent it to anyone out there- could I have it back please? Tony Morris St Margaret's at Cliffe Kent http://stmargaretsphotodiary.blogspot.com/ _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: State of the USA's biirds - 1/3 of bird populations in decline From: Proact Campaigns <proact-campaigns AT online.de> Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:51:32 +0100 *Washington, D.C. *-- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today released the first ever comprehensive report on bird populations in the United States, showing that nearly a third of the nation's 800 bird species are endangered, threatened or in significant decline due to habitat loss, invasive species, and other threats. The report is available at _http://www.stateofthebirds.org (embargoed until 2:30 pm EDT)_ At the same time, the report highlights examples, including many species of waterfowl, where habitat restoration and conservation have reversed previous declines, offering hope that it is not too late to take action to save declining populations. -- David -- David Conlin Proact International www.proact-campaigns.net/team joining costs nothing ..... doing nothing costs birds Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) http://www.komitee.de/en/ .... actively operating against illegal hunting across Europe Skype: david_conlin _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Illegal Hunting and Trapping on Malta From: Proact Campaigns <proact-campaigns AT online.de> Date: Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:38:30 +0100 Online up-to date information from Malta (courtesy BirdLife Malta) As migration begins over Malta illegal trappers and hunters ignore the spring hunting (and permanent EU) trapping ban. The first shot birds are being reported (more later) and local conservationists and the Malta anti-poaching unit ALE have their hands full with illegal trapping. The first nets have been confiscated with a number of trappers taking to their heels. We will have our hands full this spring. David -- David Conlin Proact International www.proact-campaigns.net/team joining costs nothing ..... doing nothing costs birds Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) http://www.komitee.de/en/ .... actively operating against illegal hunting across Europe Skype: david_conlin _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Wings down From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 21:22:30 +0100 I have known this bird for over ten winters and I have still no clue why he is doing this. Has any of you? http://www.radioactiverobins.com/unusual%20behaviour/unusual%20behaviour.htmCheers, Norman No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.3/1975 - Release Date: 02/27/09 07:05:00 _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Birdwatch - issue 201 (March 2009): table of contents From: "Chris Harbard" <chrisharbard AT hotmail.co.uk> Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:38:33 -0000 Here is the latest table of contents of Birdwatch magazine Chris Birdwatch - issue 201 (March 2009): table of contents Features Stephens, M. Death on the rocks [Photo feature depicting the last moments of a Rock Pipit as it is predated by a Jackdaw] Stoddart, A. Mealy and Arctic Redpolls [How to distinguish between these two similar forms of redpoll] Woolfries, S. The way we were [A look back over 40 years of British birding] Shaw, K, and Wynn, R. Chum odyssey [The ultimate Western Palearctic pelagic] Taylor, M. Nouveau dude [What makes a modern 'dude' birdwatcher?] Callahan, D. Laughing from E to C [Will Red-winged Laughingthrush be the next addition to the British list?] Young, S. Room for a zoom [The advantages of zoom lenses] Marven, N. Gorging on geese [Quest for a Red-breasted Goose] Punkbirder. What's the Point? [Birding frustrations] Better Birding Bird movements - coastwatch: March migrants Equipment - through the looking glass Building skills - any port in a storm Must see - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker What's on - March events Optical events - March guide Birding courses and workshops March high-tide tables for Britain and Ireland Garden Birding Plants - Mossing about In the garden - Siskin Food of the month - mixed seeds Garden advice - predator protection Where to watch birds Lidster, J. Isle of Purbeck, Dorset Smith, G. Bradwell and the Dengie coast, Essex Hobson, P. The Upper Derwent Valley, Derbyshire Elwell, M. Thurso to Dunnet Head, Caithness News and related items News digest - forestry plans could harm wildlife; Birdfair brings home the bacon Fraser, M. ListCheck - updating the world view of birds. [National lists: Britain and Brazil. Splits: Lesser Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus fuscus; Plumbeous Antbird Dysithamnus plumbeus; Spotted Bush Warbler Bradypterus thoracicus] Tools of the trade Internet: bookmarking, websites and newsgroup nuggets Product review: Sigma 150-500 mm f5.6-6.3 DG OS HSM Emerging destinations: Bahamas Brochure watch: Birdwatching Breaks Book and DVD reviews: Birds: the Art of Ornithology by Jonathan Elphick (Scriptum Editions); Wild Spain: the Animals, Plants and Landscapes by Teresa Farino (New Holland); Lars Jonsson's Birds by Lars Jonsson (Christopher Helm); British Birds Video Guide by David Gosney (BirdGuides); One Flew into the Cuckoo's Egg by Bill Oddie (Hodder & Stoughton) Birdwatch Bird Book of the Year 2008 Book Offer of the Month: The History of British Birds by D W Yalden and U Albarella (Oxford University Press) - £39.99 (reduced from £55) Accounts of recent rarities in Britain and Ireland Rabbitts, B. Ivory Gull put out to grass [Ivory Gull Pagophila eburnea, Clachan, Outer Hebrides, 21-22 January 2009] Kerr, B. Gull roost's boost [Franklin's Gull Leucophaeus pipixcan, Barassie, Ayshire, 16-18 January 2009] Callahan, D. Eider downer [False Steller's sighting causes a storm] Monthly highlights summary: January 2009 Recent reports Monthly round-ups from eight regions in Britain, and from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, January 2009, including images of Siberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus (collybita) tristis, Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus, Bittern Botaurus stellaris, Black-bellied Dipper Cinclus cinclus cinclus, Smew Mergellus albellus, Glaucous-winged Gull Larus glaucescens, Caspian Gull L cachinnans, Iceland Gull L glaucoides, Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus, Lesser Snow Goose Chen caerulescens caerulescens, Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis, American Herring Gull Larus smithsonianus and Kumlien's Gull L glaucoides kumlieni. Highlights summary for the Western Palearctic in January 2009, including photos of American Coot Fulica americana in Spain, Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis in Kuwait, Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus and Streak-throated Swallow Hirundo fluvicola in the UAE, Black-throated Thrush Turdus atrogularis and Yellow-browed Bunting Emberiza chrysophrys in Sweden, and Ivory Gull Pagophila eburnea in France. Reader holidays Texas and Mexico: 15-26 April 2009 Azores: 13-20 October 2009 Competitions Win a Steiner 8x44 Discovery binocular worth £899 Digiscoper of the Year 2009 Chris Harbard 01480 475116 07739 793958 Skype 0208 144 1068 The home of birding - online www.birdwatch.co.uk Donate to: www.justgiving.com/priolo_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet