Bird News and features from the UK
Parasite threatens many of Britain's best-loved birds
Greenfinch populations in central England dropped by a third within a year of the emergence of a new disease, reports a newly published study.
Scientists from the Garden Bird Health initiative (GBH i ) discovered that trichomonosis, an emerging infectious disease of garden birds led to dramatic declines in greenfinch populations across much of England. The findings of their study are described in a paper published in the journal PLoS ONE this week.
Scottish warblers on the increase – but concern for Kestrels
The latest Breeding Bird Survey report shows that two species of woodland warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap, are doing far better in Scotland than in the rest of the UK.
Roadside raptor takes a downward turn
The Kestrel, one of our most familiar birds of prey, has shown a significant decline in numbers, according to a report published today.
Nature needs a voice in the 2010 General Election
Those elected to Parliament in the next General Election will be able to exert great influence over the quality of our natural environment. As a charity, the RSPB does not support any political party. Find out more....
The BBS is the main source of population trend information about the UK's widespread birds – an important indicator of the health of the countryside......find out more
SPB - Celebrating the Marine and Coastal Access Act
A coalition of the UK's leading environmental groups has been celebrating the passing of the Marine and Coastal Access Act – and has laid down a challenge to ministers. At a special event at The London Aquarium, the RSPB and other members of Countryside Link's Marine Task Force, marked the success of their decade-long campaign to win protection for the UK's seas.
Media Wildlife Champions Honoured
Members of TV, press, radio and new media gathered at the House of Lords yesterday to honour six from their ranks, with the presentation of the UK's newest wildlife award, the British Trust for Ornithology's, Dilys Breese Medal.
British Bird Atlas: the halfway stage!
The biggest ever stocktake of Britain's birds reaches the halfway mark on Friday 31 July. Over three million observations for the Bird Atlas have been collected so far. .......
The latest results from the British Trust for Ornithology show that Goldcrest, the UK's smallest bird, has increased more in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the UK. ....................
Mixed fortunes for Scotland's breeding waders
The latest results from the British Trust for Ornithology show that the red-listed Lapwing has increased in Scotland, whilst Golden Plover numbers have reached an all time low................
Birds at Risk - Balearic Shearwater - BirdLife Species Factsheet
This species has a tiny breeding range and a small population which is undergoing an extremely rapid population decline ....
Look after your Robin this Christmas
Like most small birds, Robins are lucky if they manage to reach their second birthday.
The magnificent sea eagle, missing from England for more than 200 years, could be soaring along the Norfolk coast next summer if a proposed reintroduction scheme gets the go ahead.
Scandinavian invaders arrive en masse (October 2008)
While the prolonged easterlies during the early autumn brought a whole host of vagrants, as well as large numbers of Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers, they were also responsible for one of the biggest arrivals of Scandinavian birds of prey in recent times.
The British Trust for Ornithology says that feeding our garden birds now could help them through the winter. Scientific research has shown that feeding the birds during the summer months can have far reaching benefits, one of which is a better chance of surviving the harsher winter months. By providing a reliable source of food now you will be giving young, inexperienced birds a great start in life, so that they will be in good shape when the weather turns colder.
Latest results from the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) show that many bird species are doing better in Scotland than south of the border. The BBS is the primary source of information about our countryside birds, and results from the 2007 survey show that the Scottish populations of familiar birds such as Cuckoo and Skylark are bucking the UK trends.
Green fingers for Greenfinches (June 2008)
Song Thrushes need help as much as Bitterns do – and any gardener can make a difference, according to Mike Toms of the BTO and Barley & Ian Wilson of ‘Natural Gardens'. Gardening for Birdwatchers , a newly published book from the BTO, shows you how to give wildlife a helping hand in gardens that are still great to look at. It has a foreword by writer and broadcaster Tony Soper.
Please give House Martins a chance (June 2008)
BTO scientists are pleading with Britain's homeowners to be tolerant of the mess made by House Martins, especially this year, as numbers seem to be down on normal levels. They are also asking for people to take part in a new House Martin Survey launched at 11.00 today (Tuesday) on World on the Move , the Radio 4 series that focuses on migratory species.
Keep your eyes open for the BBC's Springwatch - coming in May 2008!
Bill Oddie, Kate Humble and Simon King celebrate UK wildlife and wildlife people, live and interactive across the country.
Following a very successful first winter of fieldwork for Bird Atlas 2007-11, thousands of birdwatchers will have binoculars at the ready and ears cocked, as they tour the same squares again, this time to make detailed counts of birds in the breeding season. They will be supported by Roving Recorders, birdwatchers who simply record the birds they see between 1 April – and 31 July, anywhere at any time.
Help chart Scandinavian invasion
A small yellow and black bird is invading gardens across the UK. The Siskin has crossed the North Sea in large numbers this winter in search of food and is finding it at feeding stations around the country. The British Trust for Ornithology, who monitor the movements of Britain's birds, would like to know the true extent of this invasion.
Stop the illegal killing of hen harriers (RSPB) (31/10/07)
The RSPB is concerned that reports of the illegal killing of two hen harriers at Dersingham Bog on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk will put further pressure on the UK's most persecuted bird of prey. More details....
The Nature of Britain: Derbyshire
With its peaks, dales, rivers, moors and open spaces Derbyshire is packed with natural beauty. Some of the county's beauty spots are featured in Alan Titchmarsh's BBC series, The Nature of Britain. More info...
Have a go at the BTO Garden Birdwatch this Autumn 2007
Go to: http://www.bto.org/gbw/index.htm
BTO Advice on Foot & Mouth Disease (25/09/07)
You will have heard of the latest Foot & Mouth outbreak to hit this country. Like everyone else, we are paying close attention to developments and will endeavour to keep you informed of any restrictions that might affect surveying
The current outbreak is restricted to one infected area (split into three sites near grid reference SU9351) in west Surrey. There is a 3km Protection Zone around these sites and a 10km Surveillance Zone, which extends into north-east Hampshire
(see map http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/pdf/declaration-pzszrz0807.pdf ). Access to the countryside and in particular to footpaths, has been restricted within the Protection Zones but as of August 8th they remain open within the Surveillance Zone.
Outside of this area, there are no new restrictions on general countryside access or closures of rights of way, and Defra state that "There is a clear principle that there should be a presumption in favour of maintaining public access". So there is no reason to suppose that bird (or butterfly) surveys will be affected to the same degree as in 2001. However, if you are undertaking fieldwork on farmland, or any area with stock, it may be appropriate to talk to the landowner about your fieldwork and any biosecurity measures that they might feel are appropriate. This could include parking your vehicle outside the farm or stocked area and disinfecting your footwear before and after each visit.
More useful information and advice can be found on the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth/
Hunting spree sanctioned by Cypriot government (04/05/07)
Thousands of Europe's most beleaguered dove will be illegally shot from the sky in Cyprus next week. The Cypriot government has today granted a two day open season on turtle doves, a move that flouts European law protecting birds during their spring migration. As a result, thousands of these beautiful but declining birds will be slaughtered just days before they would begin nesting.
Visit the RSPB pages for the full story.......
Under Every Dot is a Team of Birdwatchers (BTO - Bird Atlas 2007-2011)
This is the biggest ornithological challenge that the BTO has ever taken on. The field work alone will last four years. The cost of coordinating and supporting up to 50,000 volunteer bird watchers, and recording and analysing the results will total £1,050,000.
Visit the BTO for the full story.......
Little Ringed & Ringed Plover Breeding Survey 2007 (BTO website)
This spring, the Breeding Little Ringed and Ringed Plover Survey aims to establish the current status of these two charismatic species and determine how they have fared since the last surveys back in 1984.
During 2007 the BTO is running a UK-wide breeding survey of Ringed Plover and Little Ringed Plover. This will be the second concurrent survey of these two species; the first being over 20 years ago in 1984. This survey of Ringed Plover, revealed a total of c. 8,540 pairs in Britain (Prater 1989). England held about 2,390 pairs, Wales an estimated 220 pairs, Northern Ireland 130 pairs and Scotland c. 5,800 pairs, i.e. two thirds of the total population.
Aims of the Survey :
- To obtain updated population estimates for the two species in the UK and its constituent countries.
- To investigate the species' current distribution and habitat associations. Meanwhile Little Ringed Plovers extended their range, taking advantage of man-made habitats such as gravel pits.
- To census all those Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) designated for their importance for breeding Ringed Plovers (no sites are designated for Little Ringed Plovers).
For more information visit the BTO website at: http://www.bto.org/survey/special/ringedplovers/index.htm
What about our Sand Martins?
Sand Martins are usually first seen around gravel pits and lakes in early March. They are slightly smaller than a House Martin , have brown backs, white underparts with a clear brown breast band. The tail is only slightly forked.
Sand Martins breed in colonies on riverbanks, sandpits and steep cliffs.
Migration Times
Look for Sand Martins over lakes and reservoirs from early March.
New birds are still arriving well in to May, although it is thought that these birds arriving later are young birds that are arriving for their first breeding season.
For a map of the distribution of Sand Martins, click HERE.
When is a Bird a Rare Bird in the UK?
Did you know the RSPB produces 2 documents regarding both the Population Status of Birds in the UK and also the extent of rarity of a bird in the UK.
1. The Population Status of Birds in the UK (2002-2007) - a 62kb PDF file - Click here to download/view
2. Birds of Conservation Concern - The RED List (2002-2007) - a 294kb PDF file - Click here to download/view
Bird Ringing - What's it all about and why do it?
EURING - you have probably seen references to this in bird magazines, books and any dealing with bird organisations.
EURING is the co-ordinating organisation for European bird-ringing schemes.
It's aims are to promote and encourage the following: |
- Scientific and administrative co-operation between national ringing schemes
- Development and maintenance of high standards in bird ringing
- Scientific studies of birds, in particular those based on marked individuals
- The use of data from bird ringing for the management and conservation of birds
Why ring birds?
Is ringing an important technique in ornithology or just another birdwatching hobby? - Maybe both.
According to Euring, the ringing process is "....a vital tool for scientists, particularly for studying the life histories, population dynamics and movements of birds."
Much of the ringing work is done by well-trained 'professional amateurs' whose motivation is not money but the simple privilege of working with birds for the ultimate purpose of conservation.
What is Scientific Ringing?
Scientific bird ringing is a research method based on the individual marking of birds. Any record of a ringed bird, either through recapture, or if found as a dead bird, can tell us a lot about its life, in particular it's movements.
Following the journey of a ringed bird allows scientists to plot a bird's migration route and any staging areas. This will provide crucial information enabling a better and planned approach to protecting specific areas or routes of birds.
Migrating birds have no problems crossing countries and don't require a passport. By co-ordinating ringing internationally, enables a standard ringing process to be used, which in turn means that a bird or birds can be referenced wherever they turn up! EURING provides this in a Europe-wide arena.
Bird Ringing Methods
Bird ringing for scientific purposes started in Denmark in 1889, when H.D. Mortensen released Starlings that were fitted with metal rings engraved with successive numbers and a return address.
A wide variety of rings sizes and materials is now used to mark different species, depending on the dimension and structure of the leg and the habitats the birds frequent during their lives.
Special rings and various other marks can be used to identify birds at a distance without needing to catch them again. Many Flamingos breeding around the Mediterranean wear colour rings with numbers that can be easily read through a telescope. Geese can be marked with colour neck bands, and Egrets with wing tags, each individually identified by numbers or letters. Many birds are ringed as chicks in nests but fully-grown birds have to be caught using a variety of nets and traps.
Who are the Ringers?
In most European countries anyone wishing to become a ringer must undergo a period of training during which they will be taught to catch and ring birds safely and competently. Trainee ringers are also taught standardised methods for weighing and measuring birds. Having completed a training period that can typically last between one and three years, a prospective ringer must pass a final examination before being awarded a ringing licence.
In most countries the ringing of endangered or sensitive species is strictly controlled. Permission to ring such species is only given to highly experienced ringers under-taking essential conservation projects.
If you want to learn more about Bird Ringing then visit the EURING website by clicking here.
