Arabian Scops Owl Otus pamelae has recently been split as a distinct species from African Scops Owl O. s. senegalensis. Recent work (Pons et al 2013) has shown African Scops Owl, represents a very distinct lineage and is well differentiated phylogenetically, morphologically and vocally from O. s. senegalensis. As a result it has been recommend […]
Month: December 2016
VOTE for the Best Photo of the Year 2016
Welcome to the “Best Photo of the Year 2016” competition showcasing and celebrating the biodiversity of Planet Earth. Voting is easy and lots of fun. First click an image and browse through the slideshow. Then select the three images you like best of all and click the VOTE button at the bottom of the page. […]
Snow Buntings at Salthouse
Barn Owl, Buzzard and Marsh Harrier at Burnham Norton kicked the day off well. A Water Rail was a nice surprise at Brancaster Staithe whilst watching a good variety of waders in the harbour. At Thornham the Twite flew back and forth but remained mobile and a Kingfisher buzzed through without stopping. Lot’s of Skylark […]
Norway reprieves 32 of 47 wolves earmarked for cull
The Norwegian government has issued a last-minute reprieve for 32 of the 47 wolves that had been earmarked for a cull to protect sheep flocks. The plans to kill two-thirds of the country’s wolves caused outrage among conservationists at home and abroad when they were announced by local predator management boards in September, with warnings […]
Doggone…
Let’s hope not. These African Wild Dogs (Lycaon pictus) are highly endangered in spite of their amazing hunting skills. Loss of habitat has lead to dwindling populations across the continent with an estimated five or six thousand left in the wild. Okavango Delta, Botswana With Mombo Camp
Results of the Best Photo of the Week Ended 24 Dec 2016
We are delighted to announce the results of our latest photo competition. Bob Shepardson wins First Prize for his brilliant capture “Caracal Stalking in the Kalahari”. Dave Waddell wins Second Prize for his outstanding composition “Always Elegant and Beautiful – Merry Christmas”. Third Prize goes to Dana Allen for his image “Sanctuary”. See detailed […]
Wildlife for sale: Jaguars are the new trafficking victims in Bolivia
Bolivia introduced a general and indefinite ban on the wildlife trade two decades ago, but this measure has failed to stop the trafficking of wild animals. Birds, monkeys, turtles and reptiles that are in high demand as pets remain particularly vulnerable to wildlife crime. In recent years, jaguars (Panthera onca) have also become victims of […]
Sandwich Tern
Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis) is one of six species of crested tern. Spotted here in Punta Gorda the slender black bill with yellow tip. I suspect this is one of the southern and Caribbean subspecies, Sterna sanvicensis acuflavida. Although not uncommon and of least concern, I rarely see them among the SW Florida terns. […]
Kissing cows are to blame for bovine TB – so stop this bloody badger cull
More than 10,000 badgers have been killed this autumn in a cull supposedly to combat the disease of bovine TB in cattle. This was the fourth year of culling badgers but, in truth, we have been slaughtering our largest wild carnivore for decades. We have to ask one question: why has this bloody killing gone […]
Pokémon birding
Yesterday I found myself trailing behind Jr and Jr Jr whilst they hunted Pokémons in Frognerparken. This suited Sr just fine as the small lakes here can house a few birds in the winter months. Yesterday there were no less than five species of duck with 100+ Mallard being accompanied by a young male Wigeon, […]
