Tim writes: Many British birders will be aware that Semi-palmated Plover is the American equivalent of the Ringed Plover, which turns up in Britain from time to time. But maybe not so many birders will be aware that Little Ringed Plover and some races of Ringed Plover also have semi-palmated toes. You can…
Year: 2017
Lead – part of the tale of delayed regulation
An interesting question in an essay by Tim Harford – Why did we use leaded petrol for so long? Answer – the same reason that we are using lead ammunition for so long – the science is disputed by vested interests who benefit from the status quo and abject failure of regulators to act in…
Grouse shooting in the Washington Post
If you care about wildlife law, protected habitats, people’s homes not being flooded, climate change and the water pollution then you’ll be labelled ‘a rabble of extremists and Jeremy Corbyn types living in the Islington echo-chamber‘. The Washington Post has run a piece on grouse shooting. Please support Gavin Gamble’s e-petition to ban driven grouse…
Guy Shorrock – Arctic Tern
A remarkable traveller Guy writes: Christmas is a time for many things, including travelling as people move around the country to see friends and loved ones. Spare a thought then for the arctic tern. I am sure many will be aware of its epic annual migration from the top of the world to the bottom…
January Birdwatch
A few things didn’t arrive in the post at quite the right time this Christmas – other people’s presents were the main problem – but for me the lack of the January Birdwatch meant that I couldn’t sit by a log fire and read the results of the Birders’ Choice awards. Many congratulations to Ruth…