Iran’s Department of Environment has officially banned the export, import, production and veterinary use of the drug diclofenac in the country. Diclofenac is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug whose veterinary use as a painkiller for livestock has been the main cause of the decline of several species of vultures around the world. Vultures are scavengers, often […]
First year Citrine Wagtail a new Saudi Arabia ringing species – Sabkhat Al Fasl
Whilst ringing at Sabkhat Al Fasl on 10 October 2015 we caught a first year Citrine Wagtail. This was the first time we have caught and ringed this species in Saudi Arabia and was a bit of a surprise as we seldom catch any wagtails as they are so good at seeing and avoiding the […]
POLL: Is Florida’s Bear Hunt Necessary?
After just two days, Florida ended its controversial black bear hunt because a higher than expected number of bears had been killed. Wildlife authorities said late on Sunday that 295 bears were taken overall, nearing the official limit. The Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission (FWC) posted a statement on its website saying it had […]
Varillero congo (Chestnut-capped Blackbird) Agelaius ruficapillus
El primero de Agosto pasado el día de las cosas raras en Cambyretá, además de la gran cantidad de carpinchos muertos que vimos, la presencia de caballos y vacas en donde antes nunca estuvieron como ser en el sector del camping, vimos por primera vez a una gran bandada de Varilleros congo cerca de la […]
Results of the Best Photo of the Week Ended 24 Oct 2015
We are delighted to announce the results of our latest photo competition. Maciej Olszewski wins First Prize for his brilliant capture “Ghost of the Forest”. Glenn Perrigo wins Second Prize for his outstanding composition “Tricolored Heron Canopy Feeding”. Third Place goes to John Anderson for “Kestrel Looking for Lunch”. See detailed results below: […]
Scientist under attack after he kills bird that took decades to find
For Christopher Filardi of the American Museum of Natural History, there is nothing like the thrill of finding a mysterious species. Such animals live at the intersection of myth and biology – tantalising researchers with the prospect that they may be real, but eluding trustworthy documentation and closer study. Indeed, last month, Filardi waxed poetic […]
A good ringing session – Sabkhat Al Fasl
Whilst ringing at Sabkhat Al Fasl on 9 October 2015 we caught 44 birds which is the highest number we have caught in a single day. We set nine 18 metre nets in our normal locations in the reed bed site and apart from the Citrine Wagtail and Savi’s Warblers posted about earlier we also […]
POLL: Should the trapping of songbirds in Malta be stopped?
The ministry for the environment has issued two legal notices announcing the start of the autumn finch-trapping season, despite having been referred to the EU Court of Justice by the European Commission for breaching the Birds Directive. The season will run from 20 October to 31 December, allowing for the trapping of linnet, goldfinch, greenfinch, […]