El Annie
Sunday 20th April 2003, 15:03
David is back from his jollies - and about time too!! (Bless him) today's installment as good as ever....................
Rare bird 'closer to extinction'
The burning of heather moorlands is threatening England's hen harrier with extinction. Just seven breeding females raised 22 chicks last year and there is now a severe risk to the birds' vital nesting sites because of this year's fires. Burning is traditionally conducted in moorland areas to stimulate new heather growth for sheep and red grouse. English Nature says mature heather moorland was burned at Bowland Fells special protection area in Lancashire.
More information - Ananova
Bug suspect in 'mad bird' riddle
A tiny bug never before found in Europe has emerged as the chief suspect in the mysterious deaths of thousands of garden birds across Scotland. Scientists say the minute bacterium - one of the smallest and simplest organisms yet discovered - could even account for the disappearance of half of the UK’s house sparrows. Vets and bird experts have been baffled by a "mad bird disease" which afflicts young sparrows and starlings in the west of Scotland.
More information - Scotland on Sunday
Sanctuary will mean island life for birds
A man-made island in the middle working dock in Leith is set to transformed into a bird sanctuary under proposals by Scottish Natural Heritage. The Imperial Dock Lock in Leith, home to the largest colonies of common terns in Scotland, should be classified as Special Protection Area (SPA) ac-cording to SNH recommendations to Scottish Executive. The heritage body says the concrete island an “internationally important” colony the sea birds and should be declared an to meet European directives.
More information - Scotsman
Swallows fly in early
Unseasonably warm weather has brought swallows to Scotland earlier than ever before this year, the RSPB has said. The first of the migratory birds arrived at the Vane Farm Nature Reserve, Perth and Kinross, on Tuesday, a day earlier than last year. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland said the early sightings of birds such as swallows and housemartins were signs of global warming. Four months ago a little egret arrived at the reserve by Loch Leven, raising hopes that the species could breed for the first time in Scotland this year.
More information - BBC
Rare egg thieves face crackdown
Thieves who steal rare bird eggs will now face jail sentences of up to six months under tough new laws to protect Scotland’s wildlife. The new powers for the courts and police which have now come into effect will give better protection for wild birds, such as the golden eagle and osprey, in time for the critical spring breeding season when egg thieves are active. Courts will also be able to fine offenders – including gamekeepers who kill rare birds – up to £5,000 for each offence. The Scottish Executive has said the new law will also give Scotland’s police forces more powers to protect wildlife, including specific provision for arrests to be made in wildlife crime cases.
More information - Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
You can find more like this at - http://www.habitat.org.uk/news1.htm
Annie
:t:
Rare bird 'closer to extinction'
The burning of heather moorlands is threatening England's hen harrier with extinction. Just seven breeding females raised 22 chicks last year and there is now a severe risk to the birds' vital nesting sites because of this year's fires. Burning is traditionally conducted in moorland areas to stimulate new heather growth for sheep and red grouse. English Nature says mature heather moorland was burned at Bowland Fells special protection area in Lancashire.
More information - Ananova
Bug suspect in 'mad bird' riddle
A tiny bug never before found in Europe has emerged as the chief suspect in the mysterious deaths of thousands of garden birds across Scotland. Scientists say the minute bacterium - one of the smallest and simplest organisms yet discovered - could even account for the disappearance of half of the UK’s house sparrows. Vets and bird experts have been baffled by a "mad bird disease" which afflicts young sparrows and starlings in the west of Scotland.
More information - Scotland on Sunday
Sanctuary will mean island life for birds
A man-made island in the middle working dock in Leith is set to transformed into a bird sanctuary under proposals by Scottish Natural Heritage. The Imperial Dock Lock in Leith, home to the largest colonies of common terns in Scotland, should be classified as Special Protection Area (SPA) ac-cording to SNH recommendations to Scottish Executive. The heritage body says the concrete island an “internationally important” colony the sea birds and should be declared an to meet European directives.
More information - Scotsman
Swallows fly in early
Unseasonably warm weather has brought swallows to Scotland earlier than ever before this year, the RSPB has said. The first of the migratory birds arrived at the Vane Farm Nature Reserve, Perth and Kinross, on Tuesday, a day earlier than last year. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland said the early sightings of birds such as swallows and housemartins were signs of global warming. Four months ago a little egret arrived at the reserve by Loch Leven, raising hopes that the species could breed for the first time in Scotland this year.
More information - BBC
Rare egg thieves face crackdown
Thieves who steal rare bird eggs will now face jail sentences of up to six months under tough new laws to protect Scotland’s wildlife. The new powers for the courts and police which have now come into effect will give better protection for wild birds, such as the golden eagle and osprey, in time for the critical spring breeding season when egg thieves are active. Courts will also be able to fine offenders – including gamekeepers who kill rare birds – up to £5,000 for each offence. The Scottish Executive has said the new law will also give Scotland’s police forces more powers to protect wildlife, including specific provision for arrests to be made in wildlife crime cases.
More information - Strathspey and Badenoch Herald
You can find more like this at - http://www.habitat.org.uk/news1.htm
Annie
:t: