Standing up for Nature
My copy of the January Birdwatch came through the letter box yesterday and I turned straight to the Birders’ Choice awards results. You chose well – I’ll come back to this in a few days time. Birdwatch is available in all good newsagents.
There’s a paper in this month’s British Birds which shows that Pallid Harriers are being recorded in bigger numbers in most west European countres in recent years – including in the UK. The changing status of the Pallid Harrier in western Europe by Mike Henry. The data given are convincing and this upsurge is rather…
As you may remember I am keeping a note of which days I see Red Kites this year. I’ve not seen one today, yet, even though it’s a sunny day. But the weekend before last I had to go to Corby to do some shopping – a distance of 16 miles. That short journey delivered…
I’m keeping a note of whether I see Red Kites on each day through the year – the November tally was 18 days out of 30. January: 22 days out of 31. February: 24 days out of 28. March: 26 days out of 31. April: 20 days out of 30. May: 7 days out of…
The December issue of Birdwatch is as demanding of attention as all of its predecessors but this issue is the first under the editorship of long-term staff member, Rebecca Armstrong. Good start Rebecca! I’ve been sending Rebecca my copy every month for well over seven years now, and I’ve been on a couple of trips…
I’m keeping a note of whether I see Red Kites on each day through the year – the October tally was an impressive 24 days out of 31. January: 22 days out of 31. February: 24 days out of 28. March: 26 days out of 31. April: 20 days out of 30. May: 7 days…
The annual Birdwatch Birders’ Choice shortlists are available online for you to choose in a wide variety of categories. Here are my thoughts on some of the categories: Conservation Hero shortlist: me, Ruth Tingay, Katrin Jacobsdottir, Tim Mackrill, Boyan Slat. It’s not that I’m not competitive, but I’d ask you to vote for someone other…
Michael Gove has not, as far as I have heard, got back to Chris Packham to suggest a chat about the Manifesto for Wildlife – I think we’ll soon have to take that as very strong evidence that the Conservative government is not in listening mode as far as wildlife conservation is concerned, although of…
Waves on beach Photo: Karen MacKelvie RSPB press release: GPs in Shetland are now able to prescribe nature to their patients thanks to a pioneering partnership project A partnership project between NHS Shetland and RSPB Scotland, which is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK, has been extended following a successful…
I’m keeping a note of whether I see Red Kites on each day through the year – the September tally was a very low 12 days out of 30. that’s partly because I was in Iceland for a week at the beginning of the month, and I’ve spent time in London too. But it looks…