[El Annie]

http://www.habitat.org.uk/news1.htm

Council hits back at claims it has ignored beach oil spill....... Wildlife campaigners have accused a council of not doing enough to help clear oil-polluted beaches near Mablethorpe following a mystery spill which has killed hundreds of seabirds along the East Coast. The RSPB said it had bagged up large quantities of solid oil which had come ashore at Tetney, but had not got the help and support expected from East Lindsey District Council. An RSPB spokesman said: "We were hoping for a more positive response from local authorities along with practical support and advice in dealing with the aftermath of this pollution incident." But the council said it had already spent up to £20,000 cleaning its beaches and that the RSPB had expected it to clean beaches outside its ownership for free.
More information - Yorkshire Today

Lundy seabird recovery project.............
Lundy Island receives national recognition and legal protection for the variety of wildlife it supports. The main seabird conservation priority is the Manx shearwater, a bird with a highly restricted global breeding range. Three quarters of the world population breeds on islands around the UK and only a small number of islands support significant numbers. Therefore, the UK has an international responsibility for this species. Surveys show that Lundy is supporting only around 10% of the Manx shearwater that it used to. Surveys that started over 60 years ago also show that puffins have declined almost to the point of extinction on the island.
More information - English Nature

When the red red robin comes bob bob bobbing along............
At a time when many of our smaller songbirds are in decline, the RSPB is pleased to report that the robin, a favourite and familiar bird, is holding its own with 4.5 million pairs of robins breeding in the UK. The news is particularly welcoming at this time of year with people everywhere seeing red, with robins found on Christmas cards, wrapping paper and gifts, not forgetting gardens. With their distinctive red breasts, it’s difficult to ignore them. Listed below are some interesting robin facts: · The appearance of robins on Christmas cards goes back to Victorian times, when Christmas cards were first sent.
More information - RSPB

Tits bounce back...............
It should be a busy winter at Britain’s bird feeders, after bumper breeding seasons for many of our common birds. Blue Tits, for instance, produced twice as many youngsters in 2002 as they did in 2001. Figures released today by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) show that, after an appalling breeding season in 2001, many birds have bounced back in 2002. Data are collected by volunteer bird ringers taking part in the Constant Effort Sites Scheme (see notes to editors overleaf). The biggest increases in productivity are listed in the table below: SpeciesIncrease Blue TitUp by 118% Long-tailed Tit71% Blackcap65% Greenfinch62% Great Tit62% Chaffinch55%
More information - The British Trust for Ornithology

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