FORTEAN BIRD NEWS FROM THE WATCHER OF THE SKIES (CFZ)

In an article for the first edition of Cryptozoology Bernard Heuvelmans wrote that cryptozoology is the study of 'unexpected animals' and following on from that perfectly reasonable assertion, it seems to us that whereas the study of out of place birds may not have the glamour of the hunt for bigfoot or lake monsters, it is still a perfectly valid area for the Fortean zoologist to be interested in. So after about six months of regular postings on the main bloggo Corinna has taken the plunge and started a 'Watcher of the Skies' blog of her own as part of the CFZ Bloggo Network.

• Black swans
• RSPB Osprey update
• How a Fall in Duck Hunting Is Shooting a Financial...
• Bird found with arrow protruding from its body
• Bird Flu: New Cases Discovered In China, Sparking ...

ANDREW MAY: Words from the Wild Frontier

News and stories from the remoter fringes of the CFZ blogosphere...

From Nick Redfern's World of Whatever:

• The Mechanical Gorilla — A new cryptozoological novelette (thanks for the plug, Nick!)
• Linda Godfrey Reviews Wildman — A review of Nick's recent book...
• Neil Arnold: Reviewing Wildman — ...and another one...
• Discussing the Reptilians — John Rhodes on the Terrestrial Reptoid Hypothesis...

THE KETCHUM SAGA CONTINUES

Everything has gone rather quiet since yesterday. There is no more news from the Ketchum camp, and I have not received an answer to my letter. We have, however, received this comment from a reader:

I obtained the Article, "Novel North American Hominins", this Friday Afternoon, and I was very delighted to read the details of this long awaited DNA Study.

I had taken note of the fact that numerous opinionated individuals, who are skeptics, had made comments to the effect that the DNA findings must be flawed by some form of contamination, but the fact seems to be that an enormous amount of care had been taken by Dr Melba Ketchum and her associates, to prevent even the remotest possibility of that happening, and my reading of the Study confirmed that most of these skeptics had jumped to their conclusions without any factual evidence, as usual.

I believe that this DNA Study was done with great care and that the resultant findings are now capable of proving to even the most diehard, outspoken skeptics that there is an unclassified Biped roaming North America.

Native Americans, who have several hundred names for Bigfoot in their 42 linguistic groups, were not wrong about their belief that this unclassified biped actually exists. This is just another typical case of mainstream Science completely disregarding the testimony of the native peoples, who have professed that creatures such as Gorillas and Panda Bears are real.

Perhaps the only really "correct" group of current Scientists are the Biologists who work for the Canadian Province of Alberta. They have been believers for a long time, since they encounter these creatures regularly. They accept the existence of this supposedly non-existent creature as common knowledge, as do other Scientists such as Dr. John Bindernagle and Dr. Jeff Meldrum, both of whom have now been seriously studying the Sasquatch or Bigfoot in North America for many years.

Dr. Ketchum and her esteemed colleagues are to be commended for the dedication that they have shown in the face of derision from the mass attacks by naysayers, skeptics and fools. I urge everyone, and especially hardcore skeptics to take the time to read this amazing Study and to become aware of the incredible quality of the Science behind it. Being a skeptic does not require that you cannot accept valid Scientific studies, that are done with a great deal of care and appropriate attention to detail by highly skilled professionals.
My kudos to the BRAVE researchers who refused to give up and quit.
Posted by Charles Bootjer at 11:46 PM on Feb 15, 2013

I have posted this as a comment, but am also posting it here as part of a round-up of the latest events in the Ketchum Saga because I truly have noaxe to grind here. I want to remain completely impartial until the truth of the matter is known. As I have written already in these postings:

MELBA KETCHUM'S NOVEL HOMININS: And the beat goes on... 
MELBA KETCHUM'S PAPER HAS NOW APPARENTLY BEEN PUBLISHED...
MELBA KETCHUM'S PAPER BEING PUBLISHED THIS WEEK?

I have read the paper (or at least a copy of the embargoed press version) and the bits upon which I am qualified to comment do not impress me. However, the vast majority of the content of the paper is covering areas of genetics about which I know nothing at all, and I await further information with interest.

But the newspapers are having a field day, as are internet pundits:

Like OMG! Bigfoot DNA paper is published! Houston Chronicle (blog) As you may recall last November there was a bit of a to-do about a Texas geneticist from Nacogdoches, Melba Ketchum, who claimed to have sequenced DNA from a Bigfoot. That's quite a feat considering this a creature that does not exist in the real world. See all stories on this topic »3 'Bigfoot' genomes sequenced in 5-year DNA study EurekAlert (press release) Dallas, Feb. 13--The multidisciplinary team of scientists, who on November 24, 2012 announced the results of their five-year long study of DNA samples from a novel hominin species, commonly known as "Bigfoot" or "Sasquatch," publishes their ... See all stories on this topic »Bigfoot genome paper “conclusively proves” that Sasquatch is real Ars Technica It's not often you come across a scientific paper which notes that the information it covers is like something "seen on the television series Monster Quest." And you rarely read a paper which concludes, "The data conclusively proves that the Sasquatch ... See all stories on this topic » What do geneticists think of the Bigfoot paper? | SciGuy | a Chron ... 12 Responses to What do geneticists think of the Bigfoot paper? BloodyUnicorns says: February 14, 2013 at 7:51 am. They should submit a sample to an ... blog.chron.com/.../what-do-geneticists-think-of-the-bigfoot-pa... Ketchum Bigfoot DNA paper released: Problems with questionable ... Melba Ketchum's long LONG awaited paper on Bigfoot DNA is published today. But you're ... doubtfulnews.com/.../ketchum-bigfoot-dna-paper-released-pro... DNA study claims bigfoot real, relative of humans | WHAS11.com ... The study is published in a relatively new scientific journal and is already being called into question by Sasquatch skeptics.EXCLUSIVE: DNA Study Participant Disclosure - Phantoms and ... By Lon Strickler ... years without posting speculation and conjecture. My source(s) have promised final exclusive information in return for their confidentiality since the study started. Stay tuned...Lon. Labels: bigfoot, disclosure, DNA study, Dr. Melba Ketchum ... Bigfoot DNA Tests Call Science Journal's Credibility Into Question Huffington Post After months of waiting for a peer-reviewed scientific journal to publish findings on the validity of alleged Bigfoot DNA evidence, the time has come for answers. But is there enough empirical evidence to finally confirm that the elusive, tall, hairy ... See all stories on this topic » Melba Ketchum Bigfoot DNA Results To Be Published: And A New Video Ghost Theory (blog) This week offers up the next chapter in the Melba Ketchum drama around the release of her Bigfoot DNA results, Bigfoot Evidence 101 and Dyer go on the attack to try and discredit her as the merry go round comes 'round again to see who will pull the ... See all stories on this topic » Ghost Theory (blog) Researchers publish Bigfoot genome in brand-new journal they themselves ... io9 Researchers publish Bigfoot genome in brand-new journal they themselves founded Last November, some geneticists claimed to have sequenced the genome of Bigfoot. People were skeptical. So were all the peer-reviewed journals they tried to publish in. See all stories on this topic » 'Bigfoot DNA' Study Seeks Yeti Rights Discovery News A team of researchers led by Melba Ketchum, a Texas veterinarian, claims to have not only conclusively proven the existence of Bigfoot through genetic testing, but also that the mysterious monster is a half-human hybrid, the result of mating with ... See all stories on this topic » Bigfoot DNA Discovered? Not So Fast LiveScience.com In November of last year, a Texas veterinarian made national news claiming that genetic testing confirmed that not only is the legendary Bigfoot real, but is in fact a human relative that arose some 15,000 years ago. The study, by Melba S. Ketchum ... See all stories on this topic » Bigfoot evidence 'conclusive,' says scientifically dubious study Mother Nature Network According to the only paper published in the first issue of DeNovo Scientific Journal, a collection of purported Sasquatch tissue samples reveals that Bigfoot is not a new species but a hybrid of human females and an as-yet-unidentified primate species ... See all stories on this topic » Mother Nature Network Bigfoot's DNA Discovery Raises Some Hairy Eyebrows The Stir bigfoot If you want to believe geneticist Melba Ketchum, there now exists empirical evidence that Bigfoot does, in fact, exist, and that he is a hybrid between Homo sapien and a more primitive primate species from about 15,000 years ago. Ketchum has ... See all stories on this topic » The Stir Existence Of Bigfoot Depends On DNA Proof RedOrbit We thought the first evidence would emerge from some backyard video footage, or a smartphone photo, but the real proof of the existence of Bigfoot actually lies in the DNA. A team of scientists has published the results of a five-year study of DNA ... See all stories on this topic » RedOrbit Bigfoot Exists! Researchers Publish Sasquatch Genome in New Journal Science World Report Bigfoot exists, according to a research paper published in a new journal called DeNovo Journal of Science. Researchers found the evidence of the giant hominid locked within samples of DNA collected from around the world. The five-year study analyzed ... See all stories on this topic » Science World Report Bigfoot Genetic Research Proves the Existence of Sasquatch French Tribune A group of researchers from Colorado believes the DNA of Bigfoot to be real. They have even claimed to prove its existence. As said by researcher Dave Paulides, there were some photos submitted by people claiming to see this mythological creature. See all stories on this topic »Bigfoot is real and there is DNA to prove it, claim researchers Express.co.uk The researchers concluded they have sequenced three whole Bigfoot nuclear genomes, helping to prove that the legendary creature exists in North America, and is actually a human relative that arose 13,000 years ago. The scientists speculate that the ... French

MORE ON MUIRHEAD'S MYSTERY CHINESE BEAST

The other day we published this brief post by Richard Muirhead about this picture of an animal found in China. I misidentified it as a Masked Palm Civet when in fact - as Richard Freeman, and Carl - so rightly said it is an Asian hog badger.

I am being sent to an Asian Mustelid Re-education Camp forthwith.

THE GONZO BLOG DOO-DAH MAN IS READY TO GO

And so the computer saga trundles on. We are now a `Priority 2` case, and British Telecom will be monitoring our line until sunday. Goodness me, such attention! In other news the ZSL are having two of our home bred caecilians, and I have been listening to Adam Ant's new album and Crystal Grenade on Soundcloud, practically nonstop. Both projects are very good indeed, and although now't to do with Gonzo, are well worth you investigating them.

Today's Gonzo Track of the Day is from Ma Rainey
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-gonzo-track-of-day-gertrude-ma.html

Our daily visit to Austin, TX and Thom the World Poet
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/thom-world-poet-daily-poem_6839.html

Valentine's Day may be over for another year, but Michael Des Barres' seasonal single is still outstanding
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/link-valentine-special-michael-des.html

I like the idea that a band could continue through the years, with new personnell even after the death of the original members. It happens for orchestras, why not for Yes?
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/link-there-could-still-be-yes-chris.html

Rick Wakeman's latest newsletter
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/rick-wakemans-newsletter-for-february.html

More on Eric Burdon's new album
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/eric-burdon-has-just-released-new-album.html

*  The Gonzo Daily is a two way process. If you have any news or want to write for us, please contact me at  jon@eclipse.co.uk. If you are an artist and want to showcase your work, or even just say hello please write to me at gonzo@cfz.org.uk. Please copy, paste and spread the word about this magazine as widely as possible. We need people to read us in order to grow, and as soon as it is viable we shall be invading more traditional magaziney areas. Join in the fun, spread the word, and maybe if we all chant loud enough we CAN stop it raining. See you tomorrow...

*  The Gonzo Daily is - as the name implies - a daily online magazine (mostly) about artists connected to the Gonzo Multimedia group of companies. But it also has other stuff as and when the editor feels like it. The same team also do a weekly newsletter called - imaginatively - The Gonzo Weekly. Find out about it at this link: http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/2012/11/all-gonzo-news-wots-fit-to-print.html

* We should probably mention here, that some of our posts are links to things we have found on the internet that we think are of interest. We are not responsible for spelling or factual errors in other people's websites. Honest guv!

*  Jon Downes, the Editor of all these ventures (and several others) is an old hippy of 53 who - together with his orange cat (who is currently on sick leave in Staffordshire) puts it all together from a converted potato shed in a tumbledown cottage deep in rural Devon which he shares with various fish. He is ably assisted by his lovely wife Corinna, his bulldog/boxer Prudence, his elderly mother-in-law, and a motley collection of social malcontents. Plus.. did we mention the orange cat?

Hunting wolves with wolfdog-derived hounds in Brittany

1. 

Read more.

OLL LEWIS: Yesterday's News Today

Yesterday’s News Today

http://cryptozoologynews.blogspot.com/

On this day in 2001 the first draft of the complete human genome was published in Nature.

And now the news:

Brian May from Queen unveils Dorset woodland visio...

Sea slug's 'disposable penis' surprises

On unicorns...

Government says all dogs in England must be fitted...

U.S. shark attacks reach highest level in a decade...

Dogs understand human perspective, say researchers...

How to track an 'invisible' animal

Assam demands national investigation into rhino po...

Talking about genetics and evolution (or “eeveelution” in this case) :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pse_I1klRhA