Trapped Dalmatian pelicans hand-fed in frozen Caspian Sea

Authorities in the southern Russian province of Dagestan are trying to save hundreds of rare Dalmatian pelicans trapped by unusually cold weather.

The birds migrated to the area near the city of Makhachkala last week.

About 20 birds have already died of hunger after the Caspian Sea froze over, local government spokesman Arslan Dydymov told the Associated Press.

Around 1,400 Dalmatian pelicans, the world's largest variety of pelican, are thought to live in southern Russia.

Mr Dydymov said hundreds of kilograms of fish had been bought every day by Dagestan's Nature Protection Ministry for the pelicans.

Local residents have been volunteering to help authorities in their efforts to feed the birds.

But the authorities at the shipyard where the birds have been trapped at first refused the public entry.

"We did not let them in for the sake of the pelicans,'' chief guard Magomed Eldarov told AP, citing concerns that some residents had brought bread and other foods unsuitable for pelicans.

The birds are being fed locally-bought sprats while fishing in the Caspian is impossible.

"Yesterday it seemed they ate more than enough," Dagestan nature reserve spokesman Kurban Kuniev told AP.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17117482

It’s once bittern twice spied as birds return

By MATTHEW REVILLE


LARGE numbers of a rare bird that was once extinct in the United Kingdom have settled in a redeveloped old quarry in Peterborough.

Changes to King’s Dyke Nature Reserve have attracted the uncommon bitterns to the site, and they have now been spotted there for the second year in a row.

On Wednesday the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said young bitterns were sighted there for the first time this year, meaning they are settling and breeding.

The birds – best known for their distinctive ‘booming’ call – have been flocking to the former quarry, as the numbers of the species in the country rise to more than 100 for the first time since 1911.

The location was formerly one of a series of clay quarries just east of Whittlesey.

The pit has been excavated to a depth of 16 metres below sea level but the water is still kept to a low level by pumping.

Hanson Brick, the owners of the site, restored the pit as a 16 hectare nature reserve in 1999, and its lush greenery and lakes make perfect conditions for bitterns.

David Weeks, communications manager for Hanson Brick, said: “It is very good news that the bitterns have been nesting at King’s Dyke.

“There has been an amazing transformation from the old brick quarry into a nationally recognised nature reserve.

“Our volunteers who have put in a lot of time and effort to get to this stage, and the fact it is now attracting bitterns is a great thing.”

King’s Dyke Nature Reserve is not the only revamped quarry to be providing a safe haven for bitterns to nest and breed.

More than 100 have been found nesting in 26 sites throughout England, including Needingworth Quarry, Huntingdon, for the first time ever.

The numbers represent a vast improvement on the overall count of just 11 birds recorded in 1996.

The minerals industry has been at the centre of the push for action to secure the return of the bittern, and the group Nature After Minerals (NAM) has been set up to create a formal link between industry chiefs and the RSPB and Natural England.

They aim to encourage the effective and sustainable restoration of quarries for the benefit of wildlife and local communities.

RSPB Warden, Chris Hudson, said: “Across the county we are losing some species at an alarming rate.

“The mineral products industry is uniquely positioned to step up and help turn this around.

“The Hanson-RSPB projects are a fantastic example of how quarry sites around the country can be restored for the benefit of wildlife.”

Mineral Products Association (MPA) Chief Executive Nigel Jackson said: “Given the right recognition and support, we can achieve a great deal more yet. Protecting and enhancing biodiversity is finally being recognised as one the industry’s hidden benefits.

“As a critical part of the UK’s manufacturing base, we are essential to construction, to the economy and to growth and uniquely placed to make a significant contribution to halting the decline in the UK’s biodiversity.

“Our members already manage or control an area of land that adds up in size to a small national park.”

In October, Hanson finished as runners-up at the MPA’s Restoration Awards Scheme ceremony in London for its work at the Kings Dyke Nature Reserve.

Over 140 species of birds have been recorded on the reserve including raptors, breeding waders and a range of wetland and scrub birds.

What is a bittern
BITTERNS are a thickset heron which is a secretive bird and difficult for even the most seasoned birdwatcher to see.

The small birds have a length of 75cm and a wingspan of 130cm, and can most regularly be seen moving silently through reeds looking for fish.

They have an all-over pale buffy-brown plumage covered with dark streaks and bars.

In contradiction to their secretive appearance, they are easily heard through their remarkably far-carrying booming voice – especially the males in spring.

Bitterns have such a small population they appear on the RSPB’s Red List – meaning they are one of the most threatened in the UK.

Although they are rare, the birds are most regularly seen in the south of England and in East Anglia.

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/environment/it_s_once_bittern_twice_spied_as_birds_return_1_3321212

Rare Arctic bird found in county as polar conditions are forecast for two weeks

FREEZING polar conditions have reached Lincolnshire – and they've brought a rare Arctic bird with them.

A grey and white speckled Arctic buzzard, drawn down from the frozen north, has created quite a stir since it was found injured near Lincoln by an RSPCA officer.

It was taken to the city's Park View Veterinary Surgery and treated before being handed over to staff at the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital in Rookery Lane, Lincoln.

The bird, more commonly known as the rough-legged buzzard, is thought to be one of only four to have been ringed in Britain.

Park View practice manager Sara Allwood said: "It certainly brought the weather with it."


Weirfield spokesman Alison Townsend said the male bird would be comfortable with the cold snap after a lifetime of dealing with freezing Arctic conditions.

She said: "I've worked with wildlife for 20 years and I have never seen one before.

"I was quite concerned that he wouldn't survive, but after a few days, he started eating.

"His leg is much better and he is ready to go again, so I will probably release him over the weekend, depending on the weather."

According to experts, the Arctic buzzard – which differs from the common buzzard by its larger size, pale colours and feathered legs – migrates from the north in autumn and could well stay in the area until next spring.

Alan Ball, British Trust for Ornithology spokesman, of Sleaford, said: "They are a rare sight in Lincolnshire and we took the chance to tag this bird as there are so few in the wild that are tracked.

"The chance of seeing the same bird again is less than 10 per cent. It really is smashing up close."

Rachel Shaw, spokesman for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, said there had been several sightings made of the birds.

She said: "It is likely that it has been a good breeding year, but now there may be a lack of food, causing them to cross the North Sea.

"Common buzzards are found in the county in high numbers. They look very similar and can be difficult to tell apart."

The freezing temperatures are set to continue for the next two weeks, according to experts.

Helen Chivers, of the Met Office, said: "Today will see a light coating of snow and tomorrow there could be between 2cm and 5cm of snow across Lincoln city and the wider county area.

"It will drop to about -5C overnight, with widespread frosty conditions."

The cold snap comes just days after the Met Office said this year was the warmest in history.

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/ARCTIC-BUZZARD-COMES-COLD/article-2943752-detail/article.html

Rare Arctic bird found in county as polar conditions are forecast for two weeks

FREEZING polar conditions have reached Lincolnshire – and they've brought a rare Arctic bird with them.

A grey and white speckled Arctic buzzard, drawn down from the frozen north, has created quite a stir since it was found injured near Lincoln by an RSPCA officer.

It was taken to the city's Park View Veterinary Surgery and treated before being handed over to staff at the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital in Rookery Lane, Lincoln.

The bird, more commonly known as the rough-legged buzzard, is thought to be one of only four to have been ringed in Britain.

Park View practice manager Sara Allwood said: "It certainly brought the weather with it."


Weirfield spokesman Alison Townsend said the male bird would be comfortable with the cold snap after a lifetime of dealing with freezing Arctic conditions.

She said: "I've worked with wildlife for 20 years and I have never seen one before.

"I was quite concerned that he wouldn't survive, but after a few days, he started eating.

"His leg is much better and he is ready to go again, so I will probably release him over the weekend, depending on the weather."

According to experts, the Arctic buzzard – which differs from the common buzzard by its larger size, pale colours and feathered legs – migrates from the north in autumn and could well stay in the area until next spring.

Alan Ball, British Trust for Ornithology spokesman, of Sleaford, said: "They are a rare sight in Lincolnshire and we took the chance to tag this bird as there are so few in the wild that are tracked.

"The chance of seeing the same bird again is less than 10 per cent. It really is smashing up close."

Rachel Shaw, spokesman for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, said there had been several sightings made of the birds.

She said: "It is likely that it has been a good breeding year, but now there may be a lack of food, causing them to cross the North Sea.

"Common buzzards are found in the county in high numbers. They look very similar and can be difficult to tell apart."

The freezing temperatures are set to continue for the next two weeks, according to experts.

Helen Chivers, of the Met Office, said: "Today will see a light coating of snow and tomorrow there could be between 2cm and 5cm of snow across Lincoln city and the wider county area.

"It will drop to about -5C overnight, with widespread frosty conditions."

The cold snap comes just days after the Met Office said this year was the warmest in history.

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/ARCTIC-BUZZARD-COMES-COLD/article-2943752-detail/article.html

Rats killing off Pitcairn's rare Henderson petrel

One of the world's rarest birds could face extinction, unless conservationists succeed in their mission to eradicate rats from Henderson Island in the Pitcairn UK Overseas Territory.


The Henderson petrel is found nowhere else on the planet, but it's under threat from rats that are eating 25,000 seabird chicks alive every year.

The British-based Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is seeking to raise around one million U-S dollars to fund the eradication programmme.

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201010/s3043113.htm

Rats killing off Pitcairn's rare Henderson petrel

One of the world's rarest birds could face extinction, unless conservationists succeed in their mission to eradicate rats from Henderson Island in the Pitcairn UK Overseas Territory.


The Henderson petrel is found nowhere else on the planet, but it's under threat from rats that are eating 25,000 seabird chicks alive every year.

The British-based Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is seeking to raise around one million U-S dollars to fund the eradication programmme.

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201010/s3043113.htm