As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time, Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... about out of place birds, rare vagrants, and basically all things feathery and Fortean.Because we live in strange times, there are more and more bird stories that come her way, so she has now moved onto the main CFZ bloggo with a new column with the same name as her aforementioned ones...
Poisoned red kite ninth to die
A breeding female red kite has become the ninth of this species to die from illegal poisoning according to park rangers. It had been nesting on a farm near Redcross, Co Wicklow, and was found near Brittas Bay late last year.
Red kite project manager Dr Marc Ruddock said it was a demoralising loss. "These birds are specialist scavengers, that's why they are finding these food sources which are sadly poisoned. They are designed to clean up the countryside," he said.
"These illegal actions jeopardise local biodiversity and the economically important and deserved reputation and profile natural Wicklow cherishes."
Dr Ruddock called for anyone with information on poisonings to contact local National Parks and Wildlife Service rangers and gardai to help identify and confront individuals repeatedly and illegally poisoning wildlife. Penalties for illegally poisoning birds of prey can be up to 5,000 euro or 12 years in prison.
Read more at: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jLSzhK068QMN_t3vFfbqi_AhODwA?docId=N0173911327676120364A
Thrushes identification
The BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) has been helping householders to identify the difference between the commonly confused song (Turdus philomelos) and mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus) and has launched a free guide to help. These birds are both of conservation concern and it is important that their numbers are counted correctly.
Tim Harrison of the BTO Garden Ecology Team commented: “Research shows that urbanised habitats have become very important for Song (LEFT) and Mistle (RIGHT) Thrushes. With broader concerns about the health of their populations, charting their numbers in gardens correctly is important.”He added: “BTO data show that Song Thrushes had a bumper breeding season in 2011, but with so many inexperienced birds now on the scene it is important that we help them as best we can. This is done by providing food and water, and also by recording them accurately. This is where the free BTO guide will help.”
For the free BTO guide to Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush, email gbw@bto.org, telephone 01842 750050, or write to:
Thrushes Guide,
GBW, British Trust for Ornithology,
The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU.
Preview the free BTO Song Thrush vs. Mistle Thrush guide here
Picture Credits: The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO)
Rare wetland birds spotted on the Isle of Eigg
The glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is classed as a scarce visitor to our shores, but during this winter there have been sporadic sightings in the northwest and the southwest of England, and south Wales. It is a wader that feeds in very shallow water, and nests in fresh water among reeds or rushes in areas of low trees and bushes. This month a group of them has been spotted on the Isle of Eigg, which is a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve. The Trust’s ranger on the Isle of Eigg, John Chester, said:
“Ibises are a very noteworthy species within the UK & especially here in west Scotland. As a first record for the island they have generated a lot of interest amongst the local people many of whom have been able to see the birds.
“We’re not sure as yet where these birds originated from, though it seems that it could be Spain or France. However as one of them is ringed we’ll hopefully be able to obtain more information on this.
“Why exactly they’ve turned up on Eigg, especially in such a wild & wet winter, is a real mystery but they certainly seem to be having no trouble finding food in the heavily flooded marshes.
“Hopefully they’ll continue to hang around for a while & are enjoying the Hebridean winter.”
Read more at: http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/rare-wetland-birds-spotted-on-the-isle-of-eigg/
Picture credit: Wikipedia – Glossy Ibis breeding plumage
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