Young people in Birdwatch

The post came early enough this morning for me to grab the latest Birdwatch magazine (February) on my way out to the station. And I always first turn to my column to remind myself of what I wrote over a month ago – and so, by now, I’ve written another column (March) and am thinking…

Paul Leyland – Scaeva pyrastri

This is a great hoverfly to come across on a summer walk. In a good year it is widespread throughout England & Wales but more thinly spread in Scotland. It occurs in a variety of habitats where nectar rich flowers are growing. It is very active and an expert flyer, so is easily seen amongst…

Bird flu – which birds (2)?

This blog follows on from an earlier post today. I’m interested, mainly because I am interested in birds, but also because I am interested in ecology, and also because I have reason to be interested in the impacts of avian flu on poultry keepers, in how commercial poultry flocks get avian influenza and the role…

Bird flu – which birds?

It looked as though we might get through this winter without avian flu arriving on our shores but no such luck. After the first case was detected at the swannery at Abbotsbury there is now another case involving 13 wild birds in Warwickshire. Let’s hope that there are no more cases affecting poultry and poultry…