I completed the second survey for my second BBS square the other day. Very few birds on this visit – amazingly few actually. Even few Carrion Crows and few Wood Pigeons. And yet I added a new species to the site (this was my 14th year of surveys here) – a very topical Raven. Maybe…
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Missed this one!
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Having been in the USA for a significant chunk of time recently, I noticed this press release. It refers to the extinct Carolina Parakeet – a species which was probably last seeen in the wild in 1904, but whose last individual survivor died in Cincinnati Zoo (in the same cage that housed the last Passenger…
A welcome task
I’ve been out of the UK for weeks – so I had to get special dispensation from my BTO regional organiser to do my second BBS visits in early July instead of by the end of June. I visited what I think of as my ‘second’ square first: partly because it is an easier walk,…
Hen Harrier Day events 2018
The list of known events are on the Birders Against Wildlife Crime website. There may be more – if so please make them known. Check dates and details on that site. So far: RSPB nature reserves: Rainham Marshes Arne Elsewhere: Grantown-on-Spey Grassington, Yorkshire Parkgate, Cheshire Stratford-u-Avon Cricket Ground Sheffield
Good news from the Dark Peak
The National Trust has announced that a nest of Hen Harriers with four chicks is on their land, on a grouse moor. They sound quite surprised by this: ‘We’re delighted to learn of this nest.‘ said Jon Stewart, the National Trust’s General Manager for the Peak District. ‘The hen harrier has been one of…
A walk in the park…save the date 22 September
The People’s Walk for Wildlife – convened by Chris Packham – 22 September 2018
Raven update
I was very pleased to see that the crowdfunder to support the judicial review of SNH’s daft licensing of a Raven cull ‘to see what happens’ was fully supported. That is good news. And if you haven’t signed this petition yet then please sign it now. Meanwhile, reports suggest that some similar nonsense is going…
Wild food (38) – Wild Strawberry by Ian Carter
This is a delightful plant, especially at this time of year when there is every chance it will be dripping with irresistible red berries. It has the sharply-serrated, trifoliate leaves typical of all strawberries, and delicate white flowers which give way to the perfect, albeit tiny, red fruits. In all respects it is a diminutive…
Guest blog – the Hunting Act 2004 by Jordi Casamitjana
I am a 53 year old zoologist originally from Catalonia but I have been living in the UK for over 25 years. I have worked in animal protection in a variety of roles for decades both freelance and employed by several animal protection organisations in different countries. I have been an ethical vegan for over…
National Trust press release – High Brown Fritillaries
Conservationists delight as endangered butterfly makes early appearance The UK’s most endangered butterfly is making a bumper early appearance at a remote British habitat – confounding recent grim figures about its population. The High Brown Fritillary has been recorded as being ‘out’ slightly earlier than usual and early counts reveal excellent numbers of butterflies present,…