Wetland Birds Survey

Reported on WWT website:

In recent years, the UK’s estuaries and other wetlands have seen several notable changes in the birds using them. Little egret and avocet are now present in higher numbers than ever before, but familiar species such as ringed plover and dunlin are at all-time lows, and other coastal waders such as redshank, curlew and bar-tailed godwit have also experienced recent declines.

The latest WeBS report, covering the winter of 2008/09, documents the expansion of four native waterbird populations in the UK, with pink-footed goose, Svalbard barnacle goose, little egret and avocet all noted at record levels. Avocet for example has increased by over 1000% in the last twenty years.

In contrast, populations of six species reached an all-time low point; mallard, pochard, goldeneye, red-breasted merganser, ringed plover and dunlin – all of which have declined by at least 20% in the last twenty years.

http://www.wwt.org.uk/latest-news/turning-tides-for-waterbirds-in-the-uk

Albino Jackdaw in Avebury

An albino jackdaw is ruffling feathers in Avebury as people come from far and wide to see the rare bird.

Among the first to spot it was local writer and journalist Andrew Collins, who took a picture of the bird next to a normal coloured jackdaw.

Rob Turner, the county recorder for the Wiltshire Ornithological Society, said it was the first albino jackdaw he had heard of in Wiltshire. He said: “Having said that, birdwatchers are never very interested in mutations like this, so no one keeps any records.”

Full story:

http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/8314115.Albino_bird_is_feather_in_Avebury_s_cap/

WOS indoor meetings – new programme

The programme for WOS indoor meetings October 2010 to March 2011 has now been published on the events calendar on the WOS website

http://www.wiltshirebirds.co.uk/events/calendar/

It is an exciting programme which will appeal to all bird watchers!

Make sure you put these dates in your diary.

Blackbird song research by Wiltshire student

Graduate Georgie Jefferies has made an interesting discovery into the way birds communicate.

Mrs Jefferies, 35, from Wootton Bassett has this year achieved a 2:1 BSc (Hons) in animal management at Wiltshire College Lackham.

For her third-year dissertation she looked into the differences between the songs of blackbirds. Mrs Jefferies was comparing their calls at dawn with those made at dusk.

For full story go to Gazette and Herald site:

http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/8299674.Songs_of_praise_for_Wootton_Bassett_graduate/

Farmland bird numbers in England fall to record low

Populations of breeding birds on farmland in England are at their lowest levels since formal attempts to monitor them began in 1966, the government said today. The figures suggest overall populations have fallen by more than half in the past 44 years.

Although the most recent annual decline of 5% might be down to a cold winter and recent changes to farming practice, experts believe the long-term trends caused by continuing pressure on habitats mean most of the 19 species surveyed are in trouble. Figures for the last five years suggest a 10% decline and since the most recent ones are based on 2009 observations, the cold 2010 winter weather may bring further bad news next year.

Full story:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jul/29/farmland-birds-record-low

Swifts – more from the RSPB

For more details go to http://www.rspb.org.uk/thingstodo/surveys/swifts/

We need your help to find out more about our swifts.

They’re some of the last spring migrants to arrive, but the first to leave. You’ve probably seen them speeding through the air, screaming their heads off, or swooping into crevices in buildings. But they’re in trouble. Swifts are now on the Amber List – they’re birds of Conservation Concern. Their numbers have declined dramatically in the past 10 years; we’re not sure why, but one of the possible reasons is that their nest sites are being destroyed.

We’re working with swift groups around the UK. Your information will help our knowledge of swifts so that more nest sites can be provided and protected. Tell us where you see swifts and help us to help them.

We’d like to find out where swifts are seen and where they’re nesting. Look out for low-level screaming groups of swifts (that means they’re breeding nearby) or where you’ve seen swifts nesting – perhaps entering a roof or hole in a building (if you can see the nest, it’s not a swift). The best time to look is around dusk on a warm, still evening, or early morning.

Bath Bird Fair – July 18th

There will be a WOS stand at this event!

There is  free parking and free entry and there is outside catering also available for snacks and drinks.

For more details go to:

www.bathbirdfair.co.uk

Seabirds a nuisance?

A recent report in the Daily Telegraph quotes Peter Rock’s study of seabirds.

Gull expert Peter Rock says the opportunistic birds are booming. Felixstowe’s gull population went from 600 to 1,400 breeding pairs between 2003 and 2006, while Wiltshire saw a growth from 480 to 1,350 between 2004 and 2009. “We now have two different gull colonies,” he claims. Those that breed on sea cliffs and keep fishing trawlers company, and those which have moved to town and are seen as pests.

Full newspaper report:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/outdoors/7818115/Seabirds-Quick-fix-isonly-for-the-gull-ible.html

Builders urged to allow for Swift nests

House builders and homeowners need to provide more nest sites for swifts, to help reverse the bird’s falling numbers, conservationists say.

The RSPB wants at least one in 20 new and refurbished homes to include permanent nest sites for swifts, which it says “need people” to survive.

A survey last year revealed more than three-quarters of swifts were nesting in homes.

The RSPB says the bird’s numbers have dropped by 30% in recent years.

The organisation’s studies have suggested the declining species is at risk from improvement work being undertaken on old houses.

Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/science_and_environment/10398386.stm

Labour’s eco-town plans included permanent provision for nesting swifts in 5% of new buildings.

P&O wildlife watching mini-cruise

A message from Mark Coller (mqcoller@yahoo.co.uk)

On Sunday 29th August I will be going on the P&O ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao in Northern Spain for a “mini cruise”. The boat gets back in the UK on Wednesday the 1st September.
I go on this ferry for Whales, Dolphins and Sea birds. This will be my 5th trip.
WOS has done a Come and join us type trip before on this ferry, members make their way there and book themselves. It’s just a get together really !!!
The Boat is being scrapped after September this year so this is the last chance to go. I just booked a normal return foot passenger trip with food package. When you book, it comes up as a mini cruise.
You get about 4 hours on land, enough time to walk up the nearby hill for birds like Red-backed Shrike, Woodchat, Wryneck, Fan-tailed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler…
If any WOS members want to go along I will be on the top deck all day and will be able to help with identification if needed.

Next Page »