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11 May Re: [EBN] Oldsquaw hybridisation ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 10 May Re: [EBN] Oldsquaw hybridisation [Malcolm Ogilvie ] 10 May Oldsquaw hybridisation ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 6 May Re: Peregrines Nest in Suffolk for the first time in over 200years [Paul Tout ] 4 May Ringer needed in Kars urgently ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 24 Apr Birdwatch - issue 191 (May 2008): table of contents ["Chris Harbard" ] 24 Apr Re: Bio-fuels do displace food crops and rain forests! ["sylvia wallace" ] 23 Apr Bio-fuels do displace food crops and rain forests! ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 23 Apr Re: Mystery Bird ["Caley Kevin" ] 23 Apr Re: Mystery Bird ["R T Willison" ] 23 Apr Re: Mystery Bird ["Alf King" ] 23 Apr Mystery Bird [Mick Farmer ] 23 Apr Ma.gnolia group for UK birding [Andy Mabbett ] 03 Apr Deliberate extermination of birds of prey in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany [Proact Campaigns ] 2 Apr RFI Northern Norway late May ["Eddie Chapman" ] 1 Apr RFI Northern Norway late May ["Eberst, Alistair" ] 26 Mar Fw: Joint Press Release - professor David Bellamy, Mark Duchamp ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 24 Mar Dalmatian Pelican conservation [Proact Campaigns ] 21 Mar Birdwatch - issue 190 (April 2008): table of contents ["Chris Harbard" ] 19 Mar Help the Azores Bullfinch ["Chris Harbard" ] 16 Mar RFI - Graham Talbot's or other Hong Kong birders email address ["Graham Etherington" ] 8 Mar secondhand bird books for sale [Michael Rank ] 29 Feb Re: Interesting Blackbird ["Bob Scott" ] 29 Feb Re: Interesting Blackbird ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 29 Feb Interesting Blackbird ["Nick Pomiankowski" ] 26 Feb Re: Birding job opportunity [Andy Mabbett ] 26 Feb Economical values of bird watching in the UK. ["Eddie Chapman" ] 26 Feb Birdwatch - issue 189 (March 2008): table of contents ["Chris Harbard" ] 26 Feb E-mail address needed ["Eddie Chapman" ] 22 Feb escaped birds of prey ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 22 Feb escaped birds of prey ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 21 Feb Cheshire and Wirral Orn Soc meeting - Friday 7 March 2008 - Knutsford ["Sheila Blamire" ] 18 Feb Birding job opportunity ["Chris Harbard" ] 17 Feb White-crowned Sparrrow ["Brett Richards" ] 3 Feb Re: Save the eagles of Lewis [Malcolm Ogilvie ] 2 Feb Fwd: Save the eagles of Lewis ["sylvia wallace" ] 2 Feb Save the eagles of Lewis ["sylvia wallace" ] 1 Feb Re: hybrid goose [Malcolm Ogilvie ] 31 Jan hybrid goose ["Norman D.van Swelm" ] 31 Jan Poll on Spring Hunting on Malta [Proact Campaigns ] 30 Jan Re: Help with ID please ["Dave Appleton" ] 30 Jan Help with ID please [Pat Bennett ] 30 Jan Birdwatch – issue 188 (February 2008): table of contents [Chris Harbard ] 26 Jan Re: FW: Don't blame wild birds for H5N1 spread: expert ["Steve Dudley" ] 26 Jan Re: FW: Don't blame wild birds for H5N1 spread: expert ["Steve Dudley" ] 24 Jan Job opportunities at BTO ["Rob Robinson" ] 24 Jan Cheshire and Wirral Orn Soc meeting - Friday 1 February 2008 - Knutsford ["Sheila Blamire" ] 21 Jan Re: post 1999 European Bird books [Andy Mabbett ] 19 Jan Re: European Bird books again [Malcolm Ogilvie ] 19 Jan European Bird books again [Ian Paulsen ] 18 Jan post 1999 European Bird books [Ian Paulsen ] 09 Jan Re: Landowner's farm subsidy cut [Paul Irving ] Subject: Re: [EBN] Oldsquaw hybridisation From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 01:13:12 +0200 Of course Malcolm, the results of this Oldsquaw's activity have yet to materialize. The behaviour of the wee duck however was such that I am quite optimistic. I have seen copulation attempts whereby the Oldsquaw flew up and literally parachuted on the Mallard duck's back. It did cause some consternation but I am sure she'll get used to it sooner or later, after all he is the only male available as long as he will be able to keep all others away from her. If I'll find her with a brood I will instantly report this to you. Cheers, Norman Malcolm Ogilvie writes> In message <001801c8b238$a02919e0$4801a8c0 AT computername>, Norman D.van > Swelm writes >>Have a look here please: http://members.lycos.nl/radioactiverobins/ducks/ducks6oldsquaw%20clangula%20hyemalis.htm >>Are other cases known or is this a first? >>Norman > > The subject of this thread (taken from the webpage) is mere speculation > or just plain wrong! > > There can be no evidence that hybridisation has taken place until some > fertile eggs have been laid. Has the Oldsquaw been seen to copulate with > the Mallard, not that this would be evidence of hybridisation, of > course?< _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: [EBN] Oldsquaw hybridisation From: Malcolm Ogilvie <Malcolm AT ogilvie.org> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 20:57:38 +0100 In message <001801c8b238$a02919e0$4801a8c0 AT computername>, Norman D.van Swelm writes >Have a look here please: > >http://members.lycos.nl/radioactiverobins/ducks/ducks6oldsquaw%20clangul >a%20hyemalis.htm > >Are other cases known or is this a first? >Norman The subject of this thread (taken from the webpage) is mere speculation or just plain wrong! There can be no evidence that hybridisation has taken place until some fertile eggs have been laid. Has the Oldsquaw been seen to copulate with the Mallard, not that this would be evidence of hybridisation, of course? -- 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: Oldsquaw hybridisation From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Sat, 10 May 2008 02:56:05 +0200 Have a look here please: http://members.lycos.nl/radioactiverobins/ducks/ducks6oldsquaw%20clangula%20hyemalis.htm Are other cases known or is this a first? Norman _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Peregrines Nest in Suffolk for the first time in over 200years From: Paul Tout <paul_tout AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 21:57:33 +0200 I especially enjoyed the comment in the Daily Mail: A pair of Peregrine falcons nested in my north London garden for nearly 10 years, The news was kept secret to save them from poachers and egg thieves. Sadly the 200 year old sycamore tree they lived in was chopped down by Barnet Council to build three blocks of flats. They also destroyed a prize winning garden and a pond where Natterjack toads bred. So much for conservation. In Spain where I now live there are still eagles, falcons and even wolves and bears, so perhaps the animal British have something to learn about conservation. - P Santamaria Grant, Granada, Spain Peregrine falcons and Natterjack toads (along with 'Sheep farming...') in Barnet!? Paul Tout, Duino (TS) ITALIA From: james AT jcracknell.co.uk To: ukbirdnet AT dcs.bbk.ac.uk; surfbirdsnews AT lists.surfbirds.com Date: Tue, 6 May 2008 13:48:14 +0100 Subject: [UKbirdnet] Peregrines Nest in Suffolk for the first time in over 200years http://tinyurl.com/3qcy8u http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=564307&in_page_id=1770 The article in the Daily Mail explains everything including where to watch them from. __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3076 (20080505) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. Email message - is OK Email message - is OK http://www.eset.com _________________________________________________________________ Explore the seven wonders of the world http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=7+wonders+world&mkt=en-US&form=QBRE_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Ringer needed in Kars urgently From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 23:49:57 +0200 FYI I am urgently looking for a ringer(s) for my Kuyucuk station in Kars. I'll be grateful if you can forward the notice onto interested parties. Volunteer opportunities for ringing and bird surveys in eastern Turkey As part of the Kars-Igdir Biodiversity Project (www.kuzeydoga.org), the environmental organization Kuzey Doga Society is recruiting: - Experienced ringers for ringing (April-May & August-October). - Experienced birdwatchers for breeding bird surveys and bird counts (February-November). - Experienced botanists, entomologists or hydrologists to help with our wetland restoration experiment (February-October). We will provide free room & board for these positions. Ours are the first and only two bird ringing stations in eastern Turkey, in a very exciting and under-explored part of the country (Kars & Igdir provinces), bordering Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. One station is along the Aras river, focused mostly on songbirds (some waders too) and the other is on Lake Kuyucuk, focused on waders, ducks, raptors, and wetland passerines. We accept volunteers with ringing licenses. 298 bird species have so far been recorded in the region, with new species being added almost weekly. The list of species observed and ringed is on: http://www.kuyucuk.org/birds_of_kars.php Below are articles about our stations and their birds: http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=71818 http://www.stanford.edu/%7Ecagan/2007%20Winging%20It%20Turkey.pdf www.kuzeydoga.org www.kuyucuk.org Volunteers ideally need to stay one month or more, but two weeks is acceptable. The main habitats are steppe grassland and wheat fields surrounding a 216 ha freshwater lake at 1627 m elevation and riparian vegetation along Aras river at 950 m elevation. There is fantastic star-gazing and no light pollution. The region is also great for botanizing, with many of Turkey's 3000 endemic plants present. Wolves, bears, lynx, boars and martens are found within an hour of the stations, though not around the stations themselves. Interesting and understudied dragonflies and butterflies can be seen. We ring in a small building surrounded by nets. We use passerine nets, wader nets, raptor nets, and playback for waders. We plan to use canon nets for waterfowl/waders. Ringers experienced in different methods (e.g. bal-chatri) are especially welcome. We stay in the former school and teacher's housing in the village one km away from the station. It is possible to camp by the lake/near nets for a more natural experience. We provide all the supplies and you cook the food. Kars is the nearest major city, half an hour (40 km) away from the Kuyucuk station. There are private, state, and university hospitals. Regular public transport to Kars passes 300 m from the station. Private vehicles can be hired from the Kuyucuk village one km away. There are daily direct flights to and from Ankara (1 hour) and Istanbul (2 hours). Contact: Cagan H. Sekercioglu, Ph.D. Senior research scientist Stanford University Center for Conservation Biology Department of Biology 371 Serra Mall Stanford CA 94305-5020 USA www.sekercioglu.org _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Birdwatch - issue 191 (May 2008): table of contents From: "Chris Harbard" <chrisharbard AT hotmail.co.uk> Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:57:29 +0100 Apologies for cross-posting Chris Birdwatch - issue 191 (May 2008): table of contents Features Shorrock, G. Moorland crimestop [Report of a recent success in the ongoing war against bird of prey persecution] Vinicombe, K. Black Kite [Which features to look out for when identifying this rare raptor] Grantham, M. Mistaken destinations [More migration mysteries answered in the concluding part of this feature] Harbard, C. Amazon adventure [A trip to a remote corner of Peru] Marven, N. On location - Canopy capers [Birding in the Kruger National Park, South Africa] Young, S. In the frame - Getting white right [Exposure and how to work it out] Reader holiday - Azores, 7-14 October 2008 Better Birding Find your own ... Dartford Warbler Bird names - Splits, lumps and sex changes Past rarities - May days Tip from the top - Jim Lawrence Must see - Kentish Plover BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch - Gold among thistles What's on - May events Optical events - May guide Birding courses and workshops May high-tide tables for Britain and Ireland Where to watch birds Williams,J. Orkney McLoughlin, J. Filey, North Yorkshire Hobson, P. Hathersage, Peak District, Derbyshire News and related items News digest - volunteers needed for new Priolo Atlas; egg thief jailed; finches flock to gardens; help Seawatch SW in Cornwall; petrel comeback; more help for albatrosses Fraser, M. ListCheck - updating the world view of birds. [Taxonomic revision: Tristan Bunting Nesospiza acunhae. National list: Britain] Tools of the trade Product review: RSPB 8.5x42 WPG binocular; BirdVoice. Internet: swift connections; one man and his blog; research resources. Book and DVD reviews and previews: Birds of Surrey by Jeffrey Wheatley (Surrey Bird Club); Birds of Napa County by Herman Heinzel (Heyday Books); A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Japan and North-East Asia by Tadao Shimba (Christopher Helm); Cutting Away: the Linocuts of Robert Gillmor (Langford Press); and Book shelf - Sue Monahan's look at the latest releases. Accounts of recent rarities in Britain and Ireland Jones M. Blackpool's star attraction is a gull [Ross's Gull Rhodostethia rosea Marton Mere, Lancashire, 31 March 2008] Walker, D. Dunge does Junco double [Dark-eyed Junco Junco hyemalis, Dungeness, Kent 7-9 April 2008] Astins, D. Wales welcomes American quacker [American Black Duck Anas rubripes, Pembrokeshire, from 16 March 2008 Monthly highlights summary: March 2008 Recent reports Monthly round-ups from eight regions in Britain, and from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, March 2008, including photos of Bonaparte's and Ross's Gulls Larus philadelphia and Rhodostethia rosea, Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Duck Aythya affinis and A collaris, Ross's Goose Anser rossii, Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus, White-spotted Bluethroats Luscinia svecica cyanecula, Hume's Warbler Phylloscopus humei, King Eider Somateria spectabilis and Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri. Highlights summary for the Western Palearctic in March 2008, including photos of Black Scrub Robin Cercotrichas podobe, Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus and Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptylorhynchus in Israel, Boat-tailed Grackle Quiscalus major in Belgium and Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola in the Canary Islands. 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: Bio-fuels do displace food crops and rain forests! From: "sylvia wallace" <sylvia.wallace AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:48:57 +0100 Perhaps the EU ought to carry out some calculations! If all of America and its maise production was turned over to producing bio fuels it would produce only 7.8 days of fuel for all of America's fuel needs!. Source: JP Morgan. Sylvia On 23/04/2008, Norman D.van Swelm wrote: > > Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 9:49 AM > Subject: [EBN] Bio-fuels do displace food crops and rain forests! > > > > JOINT PRESS RELEASE > > by Professor David Bellamy and Mark Duchamp > > European Commission cut from reality ? > > > Three cheers ! At last the peddlers of doom have seen the light : > bio-fuels > do displace food crops and rain forests ! > Starving the poor and destroying biodiversity to give us good conscience > as > we pour cereal-based ethanol into our tanks is not a smart thing to do. > Even > Greenpeace admitted it, while avoiding to mention they had much to do with > that fiasco. > > But Eurocrats are not as smart : "there is no question for now of > suspending > the target fixed for bio-fuels," said Barbara Helfferich, spokeswoman for > EU > Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas (1). > - In other words, they'd rather cause starvation, and destroy rain > forests, > than admit they goofed. > > Their rationale boggles the mind : "you can't change a political objective > without risking a debate on all the other objectives," which could see the > EU climate change and energy package disintegrate, an EU official said > (1). > - It is all very clear : allowing a debate on public policy is what the > European Commission fears most ; more than starvation in poor countries, > more than widespread destruction of biodiversity, and more than economic > havoc caused by their cherished "climate change" policy. > > Will we, Europeans, tolerate this neo-stalinist behaviour ? It is not just > a > matter of bureaucratic arrogance : this time it has become obvious that we > are dealing with dangerous lunatics. > > The Eurocrats have everything to lose if they stick to their smoking guns > any longer. A debate is dearly needed on everything they've been doing > wrong, from bio-fuels to carbon trading, and from climate change hysteria > to > the destruction of peat and designated areas by expensive and redundant > windfarms. > > > (1) > > http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080414/sc_afp/euunfarmpovertyenergypoliticsbiofuel_080414143918 > > > Co-signed on April 20th 2008 by : > > Professor David Bellamy > and Mark Duchamp > > _______________________________________________ > UKbirdnet mailing list > ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk > http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet > -- 4000 year old trees under threat. http://www.windaction.org/news/15269 Yet more wildlife habitat destroyed, all in the name of being "Green". Keep wild places, wild!_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Bio-fuels do displace food crops and rain forests! From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:40:33 +0200 Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 9:49 AM Subject: [EBN] Bio-fuels do displace food crops and rain forests! JOINT PRESS RELEASE by Professor David Bellamy and Mark Duchamp European Commission cut from reality ? Three cheers ! At last the peddlers of doom have seen the light : bio-fuels do displace food crops and rain forests ! Starving the poor and destroying biodiversity to give us good conscience as we pour cereal-based ethanol into our tanks is not a smart thing to do. Even Greenpeace admitted it, while avoiding to mention they had much to do with that fiasco. But Eurocrats are not as smart : "there is no question for now of suspending the target fixed for bio-fuels," said Barbara Helfferich, spokeswoman for EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas (1). - In other words, they'd rather cause starvation, and destroy rain forests, than admit they goofed. Their rationale boggles the mind : "you can't change a political objective without risking a debate on all the other objectives," which could see the EU climate change and energy package disintegrate, an EU official said (1). - It is all very clear : allowing a debate on public policy is what the European Commission fears most ; more than starvation in poor countries, more than widespread destruction of biodiversity, and more than economic havoc caused by their cherished "climate change" policy. Will we, Europeans, tolerate this neo-stalinist behaviour ? It is not just a matter of bureaucratic arrogance : this time it has become obvious that we are dealing with dangerous lunatics. The Eurocrats have everything to lose if they stick to their smoking guns any longer. A debate is dearly needed on everything they've been doing wrong, from bio-fuels to carbon trading, and from climate change hysteria to the destruction of peat and designated areas by expensive and redundant windfarms. (1) http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080414/sc_afp/euunfarmpovertyenergypoliticsbiofuel_080414143918 Co-signed on April 20th 2008 by : Professor David Bellamy and Mark Duchamp _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Mystery Bird From: "Caley Kevin" <Kevin.Caley AT nottingham.ac.uk> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:57:34 +0100 Hi Mick - looks like a Harris's Hawk to me - they're common in falconry circles ..... Kevin -----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: 23 April 2008 12:56 To: UKbirdnet Subject: [UKbirdnet] Mystery Bird Dear UKBNers, A colleague of mine took this hasty snap of a bird in Highgate Woods (North London) last weekend. Would anyone hazzard an identification? Regards, Mick /"\ \ / Linux Registered X ASCII Ribbon Campaign User #287765 / \ Against HTML Mail This message has been checked for viruses but the contents of an attachment may still contain software viruses, which could damage your computer system: you are advised to perform your own checks. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored as permitted by UK legislation. _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Mystery Bird From: "R T Willison" <twillison AT twillison.karoo.co.uk> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:26:25 +0100 Looks like an (escaped) Harris's Hawk to me?! Richard Willison -----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: 23 April 2008 12:56 To: UKbirdnet Subject: [UKbirdnet] Mystery Bird Dear UKBNers, A colleague of mine took this hasty snap of a bird in Highgate Woods (North London) last weekend. Would anyone hazzard an identification? 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: Re: Mystery Bird From: "Alf King" <alf.king AT ntlworld.com> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:13:02 +0100 Harris's Hawk, very popular with falconers. Alf King -----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: 23 April 2008 12:56 To: UKbirdnet Subject: [UKbirdnet] Mystery Bird Dear UKBNers, A colleague of mine took this hasty snap of a bird in Highgate Woods (North London) last weekend. Would anyone hazzard an identification? 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: Mystery Bird From: Mick Farmer <mick AT dcs.bbk.ac.uk> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:55:47 +0100 Dear UKBNers, A colleague of mine took this hasty snap of a bird in Highgate Woods (North London) last weekend. Would anyone hazzard an identification? 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: Ma.gnolia group for UK birding From: Andy Mabbett <andy AT pigsonthewing.org.uk> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:19:14 +0100 For those of you using "Ma.gnolia" for social bookmarking, I've created a group "UK-Birding": To which you can add web links of relevant interest. -- Andy Mabbett Says "NO! to compulsory UK ID Cards": and: "Free Our Data": (both also on Facebook) _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Deliberate extermination of birds of prey in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany From: Proact Campaigns <proact-campaigns AT online.de> Date: Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:39:06 +0200 Between 01. and 03.04.2008 CABS members, in cooperation with the local police, discovered no less than 43 dead birds of prey within a 2 hour period in the area east of the town of Vettweiss-Disternich in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia . The dead birds included 31 Common Buzzards, 2 Red Kites, 2 Goshawks a Sparrowhawk. In the past 15 months 72 dead birds of prey have been found in an area only 4 square kilometres in size. This represents the greatest incident of raptor persecution in the whole of Europe in recent times. Read more about this shocking case here http://www.komitee.de/en/ 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: RFI Northern Norway late May From: "Eddie Chapman" <echapman AT online.no> Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 11:19:41 +0200 Hallo Alistair, Send me your route and I will try and help you out. As for rodent year. Hard to say. They can be very local so one area will be good while the next could be poor. Eddie Chapman, Voss, Norway. http://www.birdwatching-in-norway.com _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: RFI Northern Norway late May From: "Eberst, Alistair" <A.Eberst AT abertay.ac.uk> Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 18:02:29 +0100 Hi, Holidaying in Norway in May, heading from Bergen up to Varanger. Any advice on sites for owls, woodpeckers, gyr falcon etc, gratefully received! Does anyone know if this islikely to be a good vole year? Thanks Alistair_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Fw: Joint Press Release - professor David Bellamy, Mark Duchamp From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:17:29 +0100 FYI JOINT PRESS RELEASE by Professor David Bellamy and Mark Duchamp Birdies bye bye We have received the following message from Israel : "Following a press release last week it seems that several of the leading industrial companies in Israel are going to enter the wind business. These are deeply connected to leading politicians. Our ministry of environment is quite hopeless. The future seems bleak." >From Gibraltar, from Sicily, from the US, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and now from Israel, day by day more bad news come in from the main bird migration flyways of the world. For windfarm developers think nothing of erecting their wind turbines in migration bottlenecks. Wind speed and maximisation of profit is their main concern. Birds are killed by the large blades, whose tips revolve at speeds exceeding 100 mph while deceiving the victims by an appearance of slowness. In Sweden, one wind turbine is reported to have killed 895 birds in one year - ref : California Energy Commission, A Roadmap for PIER Research on Avian Collisions with Wind Turbines in California, Dec. 2002, quoting Benner et al. (1993). They also get killed by their powerlines, which are built next to each windfarm to carry puny amounts of this very expensive, intermittent electricity to the grid en route to your homes. According to the report "Protecting Birds from Powerlines", high tension lines may kill over 500 birds per km per year in migration zones – ref : Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats - Birdlife International (2003). Smaller windfarms may not require high tension lines, but overhead cables are still needed to connect to the distribution network, and they too maim and kill birds that collide in the fog, or at night, or while fleeing some danger. In short : if someone wanted to set about exterminating the world's migrating birds, placing windfarms in migration hotspots would be looked upon as best practice. We are not doing any better in the UK. For instance, the "Bird Sensitivity Map to Provide Locational Guidance for Onshore Wind Farms in Scotland" designates practically the whole of the Western Isles as highly sensitive ; except for two areas, one of them being the site where a windfarm project is seeking approval (Pairc). Yet the Pairc environmental statement predicts the possible death of 66 -165 golden eagles as a result of collisions with the giant blades. No other project in Scotland declares that it may kill so many eagles ; and the subject of migrating birds is poorly addressed. The applicant for the Pairc windfarm is Scottish and Southern Energy. The same map marks the whole of the Shetlands as highly sensitive, except for a few tiny yellow spots - presumably where Scottish & Southern Energy plans to erect more wind turbines. How on earth will migrating birds be able to avoid the giant rotors when adverse winds push them towards one of these "yellow spots" ? or when they fly or make landfall at night ? Yet a bird society is actually supporting a large windfarm project on Shetland. Don't they know the island is a crucially important staging post for migrating birds ? Until these and many other pertinent questions are answered by the ornithological fraternity we ask that all those who cherish Britain's heritage of migratory and other birds ask their favourite bird society why windfarms are allowed in migration corridors, e.g. in the Hebrides or in the Shetlands ? Also ask your electricity suppliers how much of the electricity supplied to your homes comes from wind. Details from BWEA's web site indicate that windfarms only supply 1.5% of Britain's electricity. Then ask yourselves if the slaughter of our birds is really necessary, and join the thousands who are already campaigning against the erection of these wind monsters across Britain. Co-signed on March 26th 2008 by : Professor David Bellamy, and Mark Duchamp. _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Dalmatian Pelican conservation From: Proact Campaigns <proact-campaigns AT online.de> Date: Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:41:36 +0100 A plea for support from Proact Bulgaria: <.....> Despite the efforts made in improving the breeding conditions for the Srebarna Dalmatian Pelican colony, for the second consecutive year a serious problem has arisen and compromised the earliest breeding Pelicans. On March 19th a sounder of Wild Boar entered the colony and destroyed somewhere in the region of 45-50 Pelican eggs and their nests. As a result of this some members of the colony, around 40 pairs shifted their location 850metres south where they have recommenced breeding and laying on this secondary site. The rest of the colony has dispersed most likely to lakes across the Danube. In response to this incident we are asking for assistance from the government, NGO's and the general public in implementing the following actions. 1) The construction of a boundary fence that will deny access to the Breeding site to land based predators. This will be done at a time sensitive to the colonies breeding activities with as little impact as possible on the birds. 2) The location of a discreet hide at an environmentally sympathetic distance to be staffed by both paid and volunteer workers who will guard the sites during the breeding season thereby ensuring the safety of future egg clutches and guaranteeing successful fledging. Please visit and sign our petition, please encourage your friends and networks to do the same. http://www.PetitionOnline.com/srebarna/petition.html Mike Black <.....> David Conlin Proact_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Birdwatch - issue 190 (April 2008): table of contents From: "Chris Harbard" <chrisharbard AT hotmail.co.uk> Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:59:25 -0000 Apologies for cross posting Chris Birdwatch - issue 190 (April 2008): table of contents Features Malpass, M and J. An appetite and a half [Extraordinary photo essay featuring a Goosander battling to eat a Pike] Harbard, C. Beck from the dead. [The definitive rediscovery of Beck's Petrel Pseudobulweria becki] Grantham, M. Regular returns [Everything you wanted to know about spring migration - part one] Vinicombe, K E. Purple Heron [How to ensure you recognise one when you see it] Mitchell, D. Protecting the Priolo [A look at the plight of the Azores Bullfinch Pyrrhula murina and how you can help to save it] Howlett, D. A volunteer abroad [How one man worked as a field volunteer on the Azores Bullfinch project] Marven, N. On location: watching wood owls [A tale of South African owls and other birds] Young, S. East is best, not west [How much better England's east coast is than its west in winter] Birdwatch Big Day 2008 - how to take part Reader holiday - Azores 7-14 October 2008 Better Birding Find your own ... White Wagtail On the move - raptors return Past rarities - remember these? Tip from the top - Bill Thompson III Must see - Pied Flycatcher BTO/CJ Garden Birdwatch - How to sex a Dunnock What's on - April events Optical events - April guide Birding courses and workshops April high-tide tables for Britain and Ireland Where to watch birds Taylor, D. Christchurch Harbour, Dorset Archer, P. Waterford, Ireland Dee Estuary, Cheshire and Flintshire News and related items News digest - nine species added to the new British list; Corn Buntings recover; road threat to Socotran wildlife. Fraser, M. ListCheck - updating the world view of birds. [Relationships: Widowbirds and bishops Euplectes spp. National lists: Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville and São Tomé and Principe; Subspecific status: Dunlin Calidris alpina] Tools of the trade Product review: Viewranger mapping tool for smartphones. Internet: top of the blogs; what's new on the net; good migrations. Book and DVD reviews and previews: Birds of Wiltshire by James Ferguson-Lees et al (Wiltshire Ornithological Society); Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds Volume 7, edited by P J Higgins, J M Peter and S J Cowling (Oxford University Press); Birdwatching in England (DVD) by Paul Doherty (Bird Images); A Life in Detail by Terance James Bond (Langford Press); Images from Birding by Michael Warren (Langford Press); and Book shelf - Sue Monahan's look at the latest releases. Accounts of recent rarities in Britain and Ireland Bastin, N. King Eider is Devon's first [King Eider Somateria spectabilis Appledore, Devon, from 19 February 2008] Harbard, C. Winter warblers: a new trend? [Rare Phylloscopus warblers: February 2008] Monthly highlights summary: February 2008 Recent reports Monthly round-ups from eight regions in Britain, and from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, January 2008, including photos of Franklin's and Mediterranean Gulls Larus pipixcan and L melanocephalus, Bitterns Botaurus stellaris, Firecrests Regulus ignicapillus, dark-breasted Barn Owl Tyto alba guttata, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus, Black-bellied Dipper Cinclus cinclus cinclus, Ross's Goose Anser rossii, Ring-billed and American Herring Gulls Larus delawarensis and smithsonianus, Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius, Black Brant Branta (bernicla) nigricans. Highlights summary for the Western Palearctic in January 2008, including photos of Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor in the Canary Islands, Blue-winged Teal Anas discors and Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla in the Azores, Hume's Warbler Phylloscopus humei in Italy, and Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum in The Netherlands. Free checklist Birds of Britain: the Complete Checklist by Dominic Mitchell and Keith Vinicombe. Second edition, fully up to date to March 2008, with nine new species added (all with detailed supporting evidence), plus a further 23 updated accounts for species at variance with the BOU list, and an 18-page tick list (with 12 columns per species). SRP: £3 when sold separately. 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: Help the Azores Bullfinch From: "Chris Harbard" <chrisharbard AT hotmail.co.uk> Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:25:14 -0000 Apologies for cross posting this important appeal Birders in Britain are being asked to come to the rescue of the Azores Bullfinch, a close relative of our own Bullfinch, which is now on the brink of extinction. Also known as the Priolo, this delightful pink and glossy black finch has become Europe's rarest breeding bird, with as few as 300 surviving in a tiny area of forest on its remote island home of São Miguel in the Azores. Now Birdwatch is highlighting its desperate plight in its latest issue (on sale from 20 March) with an appeal for funds for vital conservation work. You can help the Priolo by donating to the Priolo Project at: www.justgiving.com/priolo More details can be found at www.birdwatch.co.uk Cheers Chris 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: RFI - Graham Talbot's or other Hong Kong birders email address From: "Graham Etherington" <britishbirder AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:38:45 +0000 Hi, I'm off to Hong Kong next week and was hoping to get hold of Graham Talbot, or any other respected birder out there to ask a couple of pre-trip questions of. Graham's netvigator.com email address appears to be defunct. Many thanks, 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: secondhand bird books for sale From: Michael Rank <rank AT mailbox.co.uk> Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2008 22:39:52 +0000 I saw these two second hand books in St Vincent de Paul charity shop on 484/486 Kingsland Road, Hackney, London E8: Birds of our Country by Finn and Robinson (2 vols) New Book of Birds by Groser Both around 1900, good condition, £10 and £30 If interested contact Jacques 07989 351045 or 020 7249 3511 Michael _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Interesting Blackbird From: "Bob Scott" <abscott AT tiscali.co.uk> Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:07:54 -0000 Surely an elderly female Blackbird R. E. (Bob) Scott abscott AT tiscali.co.uk 01480-214904 mobile: 07803-608120 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nick Pomiankowski" To: Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 12:23 PM Subject: [UKbirdnet] Interesting Blackbird > Members might be interested in looking at > http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=108240 > &page=1 where > I've > posted a photo of what is thought to be an aberrant blackbird. > > Any opinions/contributions welcomed > > Thanks, > Nick Pomiankowski > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > _______________________________________________ > 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 Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.21.1/1303 - Release Date: 28/02/2008 12:14 _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Interesting Blackbird From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:47:33 +0100 Nick Pomiankowski writes: >Members might be interested in looking at http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=108240&page=1 where I've posted a photo of what is thought to be an aberrant blackbird.< It looks Asian thrush to me such as a 1st winter male Japanese Grey Thrush Turdus cardis f.i. Norman -there is imminent danger lurking again for Hen Harriers and it is coming from the east!- _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Interesting Blackbird From: "Nick Pomiankowski" <n.pomiankowski AT mis.keele.ac.uk> Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:23:33 -0000 Members might be interested in looking at http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=108240 &page=1 where I've posted a photo of what is thought to be an aberrant blackbird. Any opinions/contributions welcomed Thanks, Nick Pomiankowski _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Birding job opportunity From: Andy Mabbett <andy AT pigsonthewing.org.uk> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:00:42 +0000 In message , Chris Harbard writes >On  www.birdwatch.co.uk it says : "We need someone with a sharp mind, >able to generate features, prepare reviews and help with special >projects. If you have always wanted to write about birds, then this is >the ideal opening – a unique chance to gain experience and contribute. There's no mention of payment rates. Anyone interested might find: useful. There're some good links to pages about rights and other issues for freelancers there, too. See also Also, this: To contribute ideas and articles for the magazine and website, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it is utterly clueless. -- Andy Mabbett * Say "NO!" to compulsory UK ID Cards: * Free Our Data: * Are you using Microformats, yet: ? _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Economical values of bird watching in the UK. From: "Eddie Chapman" <echapman AT online.no> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:32:47 +0100 Hallo all, Today's second plea for help. Does anyone know of a website or pdf file on the economical values of bird watching in the UK. Things like - how many bird watchers are there in the UK - and how much money they use on their hobby. Thanks, Eddie Chapman, Voss, Norway. http://www.birdwatching-in-norway.com _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Birdwatch - issue 189 (March 2008): table of contents From: "Chris Harbard" <chrisharbard AT hotmail.co.uk> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:43:37 -0800 Apologies for cross-posting Chris Birdwatch - issue 189 (March 2008): table of contents Features Vinicombe, K E. Cirl Bunting [How to distinguish this scarce British breeder from Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella] Vinicombe, K E. Redhead [A close look at the identification pitfalls of this vagrant Aythya duck] Alibone, M. The third way [Winter in Israel can be every bit as exciting as in spring or autumn] Marven, N. On location: Ticking tapaculos [One man's quest to track down this Neotropical family] Young, S. Teasing out a Goldfinch [A perfect technique for getting this finch to pose for your camera] Better Birding Find your own ... Goshawk How to ... Pish and squeak On the move - Blasts from the past Building skills - Shape up your flocks Tip from the top - Paul French Must see - Cetti's Warbler BTO/CJ Garden Birdwatch - Take two thrushes Equipment - Getting it in the neck What's on - March events Optical events - March guide Birding courses and workshops March high-tide tables for Britain and Ireland Where to watch birds Charles, D. Killibegs, Co Donegal Glenn, N. Trent Valley, Nottinghamshire Taylor, M. Rye Harbour, East Sussex Winter, S. Bedfordshire News and related items News digest - Farmland birds threatened; Malta taken to court; breeding helped by feeding; more Black Grouse in Scotland. Fraser, M. ListCheck - updating the world view of birds. [Split: Forest Buzzard Buteo trizonatus. Regional and national lists: North America, Bolivia and Uganda] Tools of the trade Product review: Leica Ultravid 8x32 HD binocular. Brochure watch: Sunbird 2008 Birdwatch reader holiday report: Autumn bonanza [Sweden in September 2007 at Oland and Falsterbo with thousands of migrants] An audience with Andy Rouse at the NEC Birmingham in March Internet: Are you a 'badger'?; 'Book' keeping; Know where you're going Book reviews and previews: Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume 12, edited by Josep del Hoyo, Andrew Elliott and David Christie (Lynx Edicions); Antarctica: Exploring a Fragile Eden byJonathan and Angela Scott (Collins); A Complete Guide to Antarctic Wildlife by Hadoram Shirihai (A&C Black); Where to Watch Mammals in Britain and Ireland by Richard Moores (Christopher Helm); The Garden Bird Year by Roy Beddard (New Holland); and Book shelf - a brief look at some latest releases. Accounts of recent rarities in Britain and Ireland Harbard, C. Pembrokeshire's Pacific returns [Pacific Diver Gavia pacifica, Llys-y-fran Reservoir, Pembrokeshire, from 16 January 2008] Harbard, C. To tick a tichodrome [Wallcreeper Tichodroma muraria, Boulogne, France, from 20 January 2008] Harbard, C. Sparrow's golden egg for Cley [White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys, Cley, Norfolk from 3 January 2008] Monthly highlights summary: January 2008 Recent reports Monthly round-ups from eight regions in Britain, and from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, January 2008, including photos of Iceland Gulls Larus glaucoides, Hume's Warblers Phylloscopus humei, Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus, Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius, Ross's Goose Anser rossii, Black Brant Branta (bernicla) nigricans, Common Crane Grus grus, Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes, Smew Mergellus albellus, Glaucous Gulls Larus hyperboreus, Slavonian and Black-necked Grebes Podiceps auritus and P nigricollis , Pacific Diver Gavia pacifica and American Herring Gull Larus smithsonianus. Highlights summary for the Western Palearctic in January 2008, including photos of Isabelline Shrike Lanius isabellinus in Spain, Pine and Rustic Buntings Emberiza leucocephalos and E rustica in Turkey, Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis and Wilson's Snipe Gallinago delicata in the Azores, and Brown Booby Sula leucogaster and Sooty and White-eyed Gulls Larus hemprichii and L leucophthalmus in Egypt. Exclusive reader offer Petrels Night & Day: A Sound Approach Guide by Magnus Robb, Killian Mullarney & The Sound Approach. Order a copy at the special price of £27.95 by the end of this month Chris Harbard 01480 475116 07739 793958 Skype 0208 144 1068 The home of birding - online www.birdwatch.co.uk_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: E-mail address needed From: "Eddie Chapman" <echapman AT online.no> Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:43:23 +0100 Sorry to take up bandwidth with this e-mail but my e-mail address for Brian Unwin is bouncing. Brian if you read this can you send me a mail, or if anybody knows his e-mail address then I would be grateful. Thanks, Eddie Chapman, Voss, Norway Today's photo: Common Buzzard http://www.birdwatchnorway.com/index-filer/Page403.htm _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: escaped birds of prey From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:59:16 +0100 The times that birds of prey were owned by a few are over, now everyone can and (too) many do. To satisfy demand falconers not just stocked from nature but began projects where with the help of artificial insemination falcons are being bred. Producing existing species has not been the sole aim also all kinds of curious crosses are being produced. Here in The Netherlands escaped falconry birds are on the increase. Some bird hospitals get lost birds in all months of the year. Often the birds get entangled in trees or bushes and have to be freed by the public. All too often however escaped birds manage to stay alive while on their own in the wild and we have had several cases where escaped birds i.e. hybrids took over territories from local wild Peregrines. Deciding on what species these falcons belong too is not easy and the presence of hybrids does not make this any easier. We would like the help of all of you to figure out the identity of some of the birds we come across. You will find pictures of the first such birds here: http://members.lycos.nl/radioactiverobins/ then click index, then escaped birds of prey Cheers, Norman _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: escaped birds of prey From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:59:16 +0100 The times that birds of prey were owned by a few are over, now everyone can and (too) many do. To satisfy demand falconers not just stocked from nature but began projects where with the help of artificial insemination falcons are being bred. Producing existing species has not been the sole aim also all kinds of curious crosses are being produced. Here in The Netherlands escaped falconry birds are on the increase. Some bird hospitals get lost birds in all months of the year. Often the birds get entangled in trees or bushes and have to be freed by the public. All too often however escaped birds manage to stay alive while on their own in the wild and we have had several cases where escaped birds i.e. hybrids took over territories from local wild Peregrines. Deciding on what species these falcons belong too is not easy and the presence of hybrids does not make this any easier. We would like the help of all of you to figure out the identity of some of the birds we come across. You will find pictures of the first such birds here: http://members.lycos.nl/radioactiverobins/ then click index, then escaped birds of prey Cheers, Norman Subject: Cheshire and Wirral Orn Soc meeting - Friday 7 March 2008 - Knutsford From: "Sheila Blamire" <sheila AT onlybirding.com> Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:34:49 -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) AGM followed by THE UPS AND DOWNS OF CHESHIRE BIRD LIFE by David Norman The Bird Atlas of Cheshire and Wirral, mapping on a fine scale the breeding and wintering birds of the county, is nearing publication. This talk picks out some of the highlights and lowlights revealed by the fieldwork. Entrance is free for both members and non-members 7:45pm Fri 7th March 2008 in the Cranford Suite, Knutsford Civic Centre (where the cinema is) For further information please contact: sheilablamire AT cawos.org _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Birding job opportunity From: "Chris Harbard" <chrisharbard AT hotmail.co.uk> Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:03:19 -0800 In case you've missed it, Birdwatch magazine is looking for someone to work as a writer at its London office - but you've only got until the end of this week to contact the magazine with details. On www.birdwatch.co.uk it says : "We need someone with a sharp mind, able to generate features, prepare reviews and help with special projects. If you have always wanted to write about birds, then this is the ideal opening - a unique chance to gain experience and contribute." If you're interested I suggest you email the editor, Dominic Mitchell, directly at dominic.mitchell AT birdwatch.co.uk . I guess you should send a CV or something to demonstrate your abilities and a covering note about why you are interested. Anyway don't miss this great opportunity, as they are a great bunch to work with. Chris Chris Harbard 01480 475116 07739 793958 Skype 0208 144 1068 The home of birding - online www.birdwatch.co.uk_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: White-crowned Sparrrow From: "Brett Richards" <brett AT seawatcher.fsnet.co.uk> Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:18:22 -0000 Hi All Reading in the account of the Cley White-crowned Sparrow (Birding World 21:14-18) that "Peter Pyle has confirmed that, without exception, first winter birds retain their brown and rufous crowns until the pre-breeding moult in April" rekindled my concerns over the identification of the Seaforth bird on 2 October 1995. Obviously not an adult White-crowned Sparrow, this bird nevertheless had what I described as 'velvety-blackish' coronal stripes, lores and eye-stripe. It also had a warm buff supercilium, rather than the expected grey. The illustration in 'Sibley' of 1st winter East Taiga does perhaps show a slight buff tint to the supercilium, but it is hardly warm buff, and the dark head markings are definitely brown rather than black or blackish. I also described the central crown stripe of the Seaforth bird as buff-orange, which again didn't seem right at the time, but would perhaps accord with the 'rufous' quoted above.. I made the comment in my diary that it "appeared to be an advanced first winter .." but "I can find no reference to the supercilium being warm buff rather than grey". I still can't, and my concerns over this bird have been increased by Peter Pyle's comment above. The identity of the Seaforth bird was never questioned as far as I am aware, and it was duly accepted by BBRC with no indication that there was anything unusual about it, so I put my concerns to one side; The bill colour & underparts pattern both fitted White-crowned, and ruled out White-throated, the only real confusion species, but can White-crowned Sparrow ever really look like this, or could it have been some sort of hybrid? Cheers Brett _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Save the eagles of Lewis From: Malcolm Ogilvie <Malcolm AT ogilvie.org> Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2008 09:36:59 +0000 In message <105de0440802020805y66a873ffif5550426ee2e998d AT mail.gmail.com>, sylvia wallace writes >233 Scottish Eagles are knowingly predicted to collide with wind >turbines. > I'm not sure what "knowingly predicted" means, but the sentence as a whole lacks meaning without putting a timescale on it. -- 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: Fwd: Save the eagles of Lewis From: "sylvia wallace" <sylvia.wallace AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 2 Feb 2008 16:40:38 +0000 People have been emailing me saying the link I posted was not working. You can hit the vote directly at http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/Windfarm-plans-rejected-by-Government.3712823.jp< http://Government.3712823.jp > Best Sylvia. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: sylvia wallace Date: 2 Feb 2008 16:05 Subject: Save the eagles of Lewis To: UK BIRDNET The eagles of Scotland need your help. We must save the Island of Lewis from Killer Turbines. Please send this round all your contacts, everywhere. Essential this poll reflects the findings of all the other Gazette polls, which would require completely reversing the present result. Result will appear in next week's Gazette, and online. http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/Windfarm-plans-rejected-by- Government.3712823.jp Will Government be making the right decision if the Lewis Wind Farm application is rejected? Yes no Don't know *Results at 9.00pm Friday...* Will Government be making the right decision if the Lewis Wind Farm application is rejected? 5% Yes 85% no 0% Don't know Please ..... GET VOTING!! Obviously the "No side" has been busy!! Best Sylvia. 233 Scottish Eagles are knowingly predicted to collide with wind turbines. What does EU protection mean for our so called EU "protected" birds? Hunters will be hunted, but wind developers can kill EU "protected" eagles at least 233 times? -- 233 Scottish Eagles are knowingly predicted to collide with wind turbines. What does EU protection mean for our so called EU "protected" birds? Hunters will be hunted, but wind developers can kill EU "protected" eagles at least 233 times?_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Save the eagles of Lewis From: "sylvia wallace" <sylvia.wallace AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 2 Feb 2008 16:05:20 +0000 The eagles of Scotland need your help. We must save the Island of Lewis from Killer Turbines. Please send this round all your contacts, everywhere. Essential this poll reflects the findings of all the other Gazette polls, which would require completely reversing the present result. Result will appear in next week's Gazette, and online. http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/Windfarm-plans-rejected-by- Government.3712823.jp Will Government be making the right decision if the Lewis Wind Farm application is rejected? Yes no Don't know *Results at 9.00pm Friday...* Will Government be making the right decision if the Lewis Wind Farm application is rejected? 5% Yes 85% no 0% Don't know Please ..... GET VOTING!! Obviously the "Yes side" has been busy!! Best Sylvia. 233 Scottish Eagles are knowingly predicted to collide with wind turbines. What does EU protection mean for our so called EU "protected" birds? Hunters will be hunted, but wind developers can kill EU "protected" eagles at least 233 times?_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: hybrid goose From: Malcolm Ogilvie <Malcolm AT ogilvie.org> Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2008 09:33:36 +0000 In message <47A1DC9C.8020201 AT csl.gov.uk>, Paul Irving writes >Hi Norman, looks like a barnacle/ snow to me but of course that does not >rule out Barnacle /Ross's. We have had birds for years here in North >Yorkshire all from 1 brood of 6 in the early nineties, at least 2 of >which are still with us. They were originally accompanied by both parents. > I agree with Barnacle X Snow. I've seen Barnacle X Ross's here some years ago and it had a *much* smaller bill than this bird. -- 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: hybrid goose From: "Norman D.van Swelm" <Norman.vanswelm AT wxs.nl> Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:59:20 +0100 Please find a picture of a hybrid goose here: http://members.lycos.nl/radioactiverobins/swans&geese/geese.htm This individual breeds with it's Barnacle Goose partner in one of the big Barnacle Goose colonies of the Dutch delta area. In the past we have found a mixed pair of a male Ross' and female Barnacle Goose and a female Ross' Goose on a nest with eggs, which was later deserted, here as well but we have never seen these individuals with goslings. Let us know what you think. Cheers, Norman _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Poll on Spring Hunting on Malta From: Proact Campaigns <proact-campaigns AT online.de> Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:45:44 +0100 There is a poll on the Times of Malta today regarding spring hunting; http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/index The question is 'Should the government fall in line with EU insistence not to open the spring hunting season?' Please visit the link and vote 'YES'! ........it is currently on 79.4% YES with 228 votes..... -- 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: Re: Help with ID please From: "Dave Appleton" <appleton.dave AT googlemail.com> Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:22:35 -0000 Pat, your pair of ducks are Ringed Teal - popular in captivity and frequent escape. The chap (or rather chap-ess) posing in a reedbed is a Stonechat. Cheers, Dave -----Original Message----- From: ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk [mailto:ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Pat Bennett Sent: 30 January 2008 21:07 To: ukbirdnet AT dcs.bbk.ac.uk Subject: [UKbirdnet] Help with ID please Hi folks, Can you help me with some ID? First of all a pair of ducks on the River Weaver in Cheshire : http://www.cheshirewildlife.co.uk/Pictures/F2434.jpg Then there was this chap, posing around a reedbed : http://www.cheshirewildlife.co.uk/Pictures/F2445.jpg http://www.cheshirewildlife.co.uk/Pictures/F2446.jpg http://www.cheshirewildlife.co.uk/Pictures/F2447.jpg Thanks, Pat Pat Bennett Email : pat AT cheshirewildlife.co.uk Website : www.cheshirewildlife.co.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: Help with ID please From: Pat Bennett <pat AT cheshirewildlife.co.uk> Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:07:08 +0000 Hi folks, Can you help me with some ID? First of all a pair of ducks on the River Weaver in Cheshire : http://www.cheshirewildlife.co.uk/Pictures/F2434.jpg Then there was this chap, posing around a reedbed : http://www.cheshirewildlife.co.uk/Pictures/F2445.jpg http://www.cheshirewildlife.co.uk/Pictures/F2446.jpg http://www.cheshirewildlife.co.uk/Pictures/F2447.jpg Thanks, Pat Pat Bennett Email : pat AT cheshirewildlife.co.uk Website : www.cheshirewildlife.co.uk _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Birdwatch – issue 188 (February 2008): table of contents From: Chris Harbard <chrisharbard AT hotmail.co.uk> Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:15:31 +0000 Apologies for cross-posting Chris SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Get Involved at Birdwatch – new opportunities for freelance writers and a vacancy for a full-time member of the editorial staff. More details at www.birdwatch.co.uk Birdwatch – issue 188 (February 2008): table of contentsFeatures Balmer, D. Boom time for breeders [An inside look at the first Bird Atlas results] Vinicombe, K E. Snow and Ross’s Geese [The status in North America and Britain and distinguishing features of these two species] Soar, W. Best of 2007 [A look back at a year that produced five new species for Britain and many other twitchable megas] Martin, L. On a plain in Spain [Focus on early spring in Extramadura with its wide range of visiting and resident birds] Marven, N. On location: Jaguars, jacamars and Jabiru [Brazil’s Pantanal wetland and its wealth of birds and other wildlife] Young, S. Steering towards success [Using cars as mobile hides for bird photography] Better Birding Find your own … Glaucous Gull How to … Keep a county list On the move – Down memory lane Tip from the top – Dick Newell Must see – White-fronted Goose BTO/CJ Garden Birdwatch – Blackcaps in winter Bird coloration – Playing pool What’s on – February events Optical events – February guide Birding courses and workshops February high-tide tables for Britain and Ireland Where to watch birds Daw, P. Argyll coast Bowerman, P. Severnside, Gloucestershire Ahmed, R. Hetton, Co Durham McKenzie, D. Crossness, Thamesmead News and related itemsNews digest – The law bites back; Polish forest reprieve; scoter not common; and endemics lose rainforest. Fraser, M. ListCheck – updating the world view of birds. [New species: Antiquoia Brish-Finch Atlapes blancae. Relationships: Kites, hawks, eagles and Old World vultures - Accipitridae. National list: Seychelles] Tools of the trade Product review: Zeiss DC4 camera eyepiece. Brochure watch: Bird Holidays 2008 Birdwatch reader break: spring in Syria [pioneering guided tour in search of Northern Bald Ibis, Iraq Babbler, White-eared Bulbul and many other Western Palearctic specialities] The last albatross adventure – Sula Sgeir, May 2008 [Rare Bird Alert’s final charter to see Scotland’s regular Black-browed Albatross] Internet: Test your knowledge online; migrant tracks; and out for the count Birdwatch Book of the Year 2007 The shortlist, highly commended runners-up and winner of this prestigious annual award Book reviews and previews: Birds and People: Bonds in a Timeless Journey by Nigel collar, Adrian Long, Patricio Robles Gil and Jaime Rojo (Cemex/BirdLife); Finding Birds in Ireland: the Complete Guide by Eric Dempsey and Michael O’Clery (Gill and Macmillan); Birds of the Palearctic: Passerines by Norman Arlott (Collins Field Guide); and Book shelf – a brief look at some latest releases. Accounts of recent rarities in Britain and IrelandFisher, A. Great Blue hope comes alive [Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias, St Mary’s, Scilly, 7 December 2007] Bending, R & S. Crowning glory for Cley [White-crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys, Cley, Norfolk, from 3 January 2008] Hallam, N. Thayer’s ‘scare’ [Unidentified gull Larus spp, Dix Pit, Oxfordshire 4-28 December 2007] Wilson, M. Lone observer scoops a Sociable [Sociable Plover Vanellus gregarius 21 December 2007] Monthly highlights summary: December 2007 Recent reportsMonthly round-ups from eight regions in Britain, and from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, December 2007, including photos of Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis, Siberian Chiffcaff Phylloscopus collybita tristis, Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis, Black Brant Branta (bernicla) nigricans, Long-tailed duck Clangula hyemalis, Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti, Brambling Fringilla montifringilla, Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata, Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia, Ring-billed and Sabine’s Gulls Larus delawarensis and L sabini, Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca and Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi. Highlights summary for the Western Palearctic in December 2007, including photos of Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor and Little Whimbrel Numenius minutus in Kuwait, Ross’s Gull Rhodostethia rosea in France, White-throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis in Iceland, Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius in Spain and Parrot Crossbill Loxia pytyopsittacus in The Netherlands. ISSN 0967-1870Chris Harbard 01480 475116 07739 793958 (mobile)0208 1441068 (Skype)Visit the Birdwatch website at www.birdwatch.co.uk _________________________________________________________________ Who's friends with who and co-starred in what? http://www.searchgamesbox.com/celebrityseparation.shtml_______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: FW: Don't blame wild birds for H5N1 spread: expert From: "Steve Dudley" <stevedudley AT btconnect.com> Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2008 09:39:47 -0000 I should have also added that the BOU also published the following paper in our journal Ibis last year which reaches the same conclusions - Recent expansion of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1: a critical review Gauthier-Clerc, M., Lebarbenchon, C. & Thomas, Ibis 149: 202-214. DOI 10.1111/j.1474-919x.2007.00699.x Steve Dudley BOU -----Original Message----- From: ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk [mailto:ukbirdnet-bounces AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Steve Dudley Sent: 26 January 2008 09:24 To: UKBN Subject: Re: [UKbirdnet] FW: Don't blame wild birds for H5N1 spread: expert The BOU hosted an international meeting on Avian Influenza in Nov 2006. You can see the outcome from that meeting at http://www.bou.org.uk/news-birdflu.html Steve Dudley BOU -----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: 26 January 2008 00:54 To: BirdsinRussia AT yahoogroups.com; EuroBirdNet; UKBN Subject: [UKbirdnet] FW: Don't blame wild birds for H5N1 spread: expert FYI http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUKBKK31965920080123?pageNumber=2 > com/article/scienceNews/idUKBKK31965920080123?pageNumber=2 &virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true> Don't blame wild birds for H5N1 spread: expert Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:29pm GMT BANGKOK (Reuters) - There is no solid evidence that wild birds are to blame for the apparent spread of the H5N1 virus from Asia to parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, an animal disease expert said on Wednesday.There was also no proof that wild birds were a reservoir for the H5N1 virus, Scott Newman, international wildlife coordinator for avian influenza at the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization, said at a bird flu conference in Bangkok. After H5N1 was found in 2005 in a huge lake in central China where it killed over 10,000 wild birds, it turned up in parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, leading some experts to believe migratory birds may be to blame. But Newman said there was no good reason for thinking so. "We know that some wild birds have probably moved short distances carrying viruses and then they died, but we have not been able to identify carriage of H5N1 across large scale spatial distances and then resulting in spread to other birds and mortality in poultry flocks," Newman told Reuters. He said fecal tests on some 350,000 healthy birds worldwide had to date only yielded "a few" positive H5N1 results. Furthermore, in instances and places where wild birds were found with the disease, there were no concurrent outbreaks of the virus in poultry. "So we don't have at this point in time a wildlife reservoir for H5N1 ... so they can't be a main spreader of the disease," Newman said. He stressed the need to focus attention on the poultry trade, and particularly smuggling, adding that these factors may instead be spreading and sustaining the deadly disease. "We recognize that poultry production, trade, both legal and illegal, and other bio-security issues are probably more important as far as being a mechanism that promotes the sustaining and spread of H5N1," he said. Experts have warned for years that a flu pandemic was long overdue and they stressed at the three-day Bangkok conference that the H5N1 bird flu virus remained a key candidate. The virus has killed millions of chickens and ducks and despite the slaughter of millions more and vaccination campaigns, it remains entrenched in many poultry populations. Although the virus has infected only 351 people around the world since 2003, it has killed 219 of them, according to the World Health Organization. (Editing by Darren Schuettler) _______________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: FW: Don't blame wild birds for H5N1 spread: expert From: "Steve Dudley" <stevedudley AT btconnect.com> Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2008 09:24:28 -0000 The BOU hosted an international meeting on Avian Influenza in Nov 2006. You can see the outcome from that meeting at http://www.bou.org.uk/news-birdflu.html Steve Dudley BOU -----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: 26 January 2008 00:54 To: BirdsinRussia AT yahoogroups.com; EuroBirdNet; UKBN Subject: [UKbirdnet] FW: Don't blame wild birds for H5N1 spread: expert FYI http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUKBKK31965920080123?pageNumber=2 > com/article/scienceNews/idUKBKK31965920080123?pageNumber=2 &virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true> Don't blame wild birds for H5N1 spread: expert Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:29pm GMT BANGKOK (Reuters) - There is no solid evidence that wild birds are to blame for the apparent spread of the H5N1 virus from Asia to parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, an animal disease expert said on Wednesday.There was also no proof that wild birds were a reservoir for the H5N1 virus, Scott Newman, international wildlife coordinator for avian influenza at the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization, said at a bird flu conference in Bangkok. After H5N1 was found in 2005 in a huge lake in central China where it killed over 10,000 wild birds, it turned up in parts of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, leading some experts to believe migratory birds may be to blame. But Newman said there was no good reason for thinking so. "We know that some wild birds have probably moved short distances carrying viruses and then they died, but we have not been able to identify carriage of H5N1 across large scale spatial distances and then resulting in spread to other birds and mortality in poultry flocks," Newman told Reuters. He said fecal tests on some 350,000 healthy birds worldwide had to date only yielded "a few" positive H5N1 results. Furthermore, in instances and places where wild birds were found with the disease, there were no concurrent outbreaks of the virus in poultry. "So we don't have at this point in time a wildlife reservoir for H5N1 ... so they can't be a main spreader of the disease," Newman said. He stressed the need to focus attention on the poultry trade, and particularly smuggling, adding that these factors may instead be spreading and sustaining the deadly disease. "We recognize that poultry production, trade, both legal and illegal, and other bio-security issues are probably more important as far as being a mechanism that promotes the sustaining and spread of H5N1," he said. Experts have warned for years that a flu pandemic was long overdue and they stressed at the three-day Bangkok conference that the H5N1 bird flu virus remained a key candidate. The virus has killed millions of chickens and ducks and despite the slaughter of millions more and vaccination campaigns, it remains entrenched in many poultry populations. Although the virus has infected only 351 people around the world since 2003, it has killed 219 of them, according to the World Health Organization. (Editing by Darren Schuettler) _______________________________________________ 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: Job opportunities at BTO From: "Rob Robinson" <rob.robinson AT bto.org> Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:41:29 -0000 Dear All, If anyone out there knows someone interested in birds, but who also has good communication/web skills we are currently looking for a Communications Manager (to edit BTO News et al) and a Web Manager (to look after the BTO website). Full details are on our website (www.bto.org/vacancies). We also have a number of opportunities for short-term (mostly c. Apr-Jun I think) fieldworkers in various parts of the country - again, details on the website. Cheers Rob (Apologies to anyone to receives this twice!) *** Want to know about Britain's birds? Try www.bto.org/birdfacts *** Dr Rob Robinson, Senior Population Biologist 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: http://www.bto.org ==== "How can anyone be enlightened, when truth is so poorly lit" ===== _______________________________________________ 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 1 February 2008 - Knutsford From: "Sheila Blamire" <sheila AT onlybirding.com> Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:25:25 -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) WHAT'S IN A NAME? by Tim Melling We're very pleased to welcome Tim back tonight with his talk 'What's in a Name?' which is a humorous and irreverent look at the origins of the names of some of our birds, butterflies and flowers. Hopefully it will be full of revelations answering those questions you have wondered about for years. A talk not to be missed! Entrance: members £1.50 and non-members £3.00 7:45pm Fri 1 February 2008 in the Cranford Suite, Knutsford Civic Centre (where the cinema is) For further information please contact: sheilablamire AT cawos.org _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: post 1999 European Bird books From: Andy Mabbett <andy AT pigsonthewing.org.uk> Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:31:50 +0000 In message , Ian Paulsen writes >I was wondering what European bird books published SINCE 1999 are worth >having/getting? That really depends on your areas of interest - do you, for instance, like scientific treatises (like the Migration Atlas already mentioned), or go more for artwork and photography, or social histories and armchair reading (like "Birds Britannica", "How to be a Bad Birdwatcher", "Beguiled by Birds", or "Birders: Tales of a Tribe")? -- Andy Mabbett * Say "NO!" to compulsory UK ID Cards: * Free Our Data: * Are you using Microformats, yet: ? _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: European Bird books again From: Malcolm Ogilvie <Malcolm AT ogilvie.org> Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:34:26 +0000 In message , Ian Paulsen writes >HI ALL: > Maybe I should explain my question better. I was talking about ALL >post-1999 European bird books NOT just field guides! > Have a look at: The Migration Atlas, by Wernham et al, 2002, Poyser. It analyses bird banding records for British birds. Authoritative, comprehensive, readable, and highly informative. -- Malcolm Ogilvie, Isle of Islay (Yes, I know I wrote a couple of species accounts, but that hasn't biased me at all!) _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: European Bird books again From: Ian Paulsen <birdbooker AT zipcon.net> Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 10:13:55 -0800 (PST) HI ALL: Maybe I should explain my question better. I was talking about ALL post-1999 European bird books NOT just field guides! -- Ian Paulsen Bainbridge Island, WA, USA A.K.A.: "Birdbooker" "Rallidae all the way!" _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: post 1999 European Bird books From: Ian Paulsen <birdbooker AT zipcon.net> Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2008 23:05:36 -0800 (PST) HI ALL: I was just looking at the European section of my bird book shelves and noticed I haven't bought any European bird books since the Collins Birds of Europe published in 1999. I was wondering what European bird books published SINCE 1999 are worth having/getting? sincerely -- Ian Paulsen Bainbridge Island, WA, USA A.K.A.: "Birdbooker" "Rallidae all the way!" _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet Subject: Re: Landowner's farm subsidy cut From: Paul Irving <p.irving AT csl.gov.uk> Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:42:31 +0000 Hi All, yes it is a step in the right direction although personally I would have had all his single farm payment. It seems this might be the one way of effectively getting at the employer of keepers who until now have largely not paid the price of actions presumably taken on their behalf, I await with eager anticipation a member of the aristocracy suffering the same fate, Sandringham estate perhaps? On the issue of grouse moors almost nothing untoward happens during actual shoots it all happens before hand when there are no witnesses so whilst I sympathise with Sylvia's suggestion it would achieve little. Paul -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Irving Phone: +44 (0)1904 462064 Field Biologist/EBG1 GTN: 5129 Central Science Laboratory Fax: +44 (0)1904 462111 Sand Hutton Email: p.irving AT csl.gov.uk York YO41 1LZ Web: http://www.csl.gov.uk ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer The information contained in this message may include privileged, proprietary or confidential information. Please treat it with the same respect that you would expect for your own information. If you have received it in error, we apologise, and ask that you contact the CSL sender immediately and erase it from your computer. Thank you for your co-operation. Further information on confidentiality of our communications, can be found at http://www.csl.gov.uk/email.htm _______________________________________________ UKbirdnet mailing list ukbirdnet AT rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk http://rhea.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/mailman/listinfo/ukbirdnet