Archive for the ‘Birds’ Category

Seabirds and rodents on Australia’s outlying islands

Posted by admin on June 14th, 2011
Seabirds and rodents on Australia’s outlying islands

Macquariee Island provides the only Austraalian breeding habitat for the Endangered Grey-headed Albatross, which is threatened by rabbit grazing (Steve Tremont)

Rabbits and rodents have wreaked havoc on seabird populations on Macquarie Island, with rabbit grazing destroying albatross habitat and rodents preying on petrel chicks in their nests. Birds Australia has identified Macquarie Island as an Important Bird Area for four species of penguins, four species of albatrosses, Northern and Southern Giant-Petrels, White-headed Petrel and Brown Skua. Measures to reduce the number of introduced mammals on the island are crucial for seabird conservation.

Birds Australia has just received an update on the progress of an ambitious aerial baiting program on the island from Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Manager, Keith Springer.

The program began last year, with the aim of eradicating rats, mice and rabbits from Macquarie Island. Unfortunately, bad weather brought a halt to the first phase of the program last July, but operations resumed this May. Hopefully the program will be successful this year.

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus was introduced to the island last February, resulting in a significant reduction in rabbit numbers. This should reduce the potential for mortality among scavenging seabirds (primarily giant-petrels and Brown Skuas) which might feed on poisoned rabbit carcasses after aerial baiting. To further reduce the possibility, teams will remove dead rabbits so that scavengers cannot eat them.

Rabbits have caused extensive damage on Macquarie Island. (Keith Springer).

By mid-May this year, 75% of the first bait-drop across the island had been carried out, with the remainder due to be completed soon.

Rats and mice also pose a significant threat to another of Australia’s World Heritage listed islands: Lord Howe Island.

There is an ambitious plan to eradicate rodents from this island too, to restore it as a safe haven for many birds and other wildlife.

Birds Australia recently wrote to the Australian and New South Wales Governments urging them to fully fund the removal of rodents from Lord Howe Island. It is encouraging to see that the Australian Government has identified the eradication of rodents from Lord Howe Island as a priority in the 2011–12 Caring for Our Country Business Plan, which guides annual investment in national environment projects.

Like Macquarie Island, Lord Howe Island is also a designated Important Bird Area. It has globally significant populations of both endemic birds and seabirds: Providence Petrel, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Flesh-footed Shearwater, Little Shearwater, Red-tailed Tropicbird, Lord Howe Woodhen and Grey Ternlet. The eradication of rodents from Lord Howe would benefit at least 13 bird species — and White-bellied Storm-Petrels and Kermadec Petrels might be able to re-establish nesting colonies on the main island.


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Longline fisheries continue to drive albatross declines

Posted by admin on June 14th, 2011
Longline fisheries continue to drive albatross declines

Graham Robertson/Australian Antarctic Division

A new global estimate of the impact of longline fisheries on seabirds reveals that, despite efforts to reduce seabird deaths, upwards of 300,000 birds are still being killed every year.

The study by scientists from BirdLife International and the RSPB is published in the journal Endangered Species Research. It is a powerful reminder of how far we still need to go to ensure ecologically responsible fishing.

Since the 1980s, scientists have linked global declines of albatrosses and other seabirds with ‘incidental catch’ in longline fisheries. Adult and juvenile birds become snared on hooks attached to the lines, which can be over a hundred kilometres long, and are dragged underwater to a premature death.

Dr Orea Anderson, policy officer for the Global Seabird Programme and lead author of this study said, “It is little wonder that so many of the affected seabird species are threatened with extinction – their slow rate of reproduction is simply incapable of compensating for losses on the scale this study has demonstrated.”

A major factor determining this huge estimate is the emergence of fleets, with previously unaccounted for bycatch problems, adding to the global tally. While some fisheries have reduced their impacts on seabirds, we are only just becoming aware of problems in others – hampered by a lack of data.

The Spanish longline fleet on the Gran Sol grounds off SW Ireland is one such fleet, with preliminary data suggesting it may be responsible for killing large numbers of seabirds, potentially upwards of 50,000 annually, mostly shearwaters and fulmars. The Japanese tuna fleet came second in scale – over 20,000 killed each year, but with the largest impact on albatrosses.

Despite an exhaustive review, substantial data gaps remain (e.g. Nordic, Asian distant water, and Mediterranean fleets) and until these are filled it is impossible to gauge the true impact of global longline activities on seabirds. However, the continued declining trends in many seabirds remain a cause for grave concern. Seventeen out of 22 albatross species are threatened with extinction with the main threat coming from mortality in fisheries.

Some fisheries have enforced strict regulations, resulting in substantial bycatch reductions in recent years. Seabird deaths around South Georgia in the CCAMLR[3] zone of the Southern Ocean have declined by 99% since regulations were enforced. South Africa achieved a drop of 85% bycatch in its foreign-licensed fleet in 2008, when a cap was placed on the number of seabird deaths permitted. More recently, in April 2011, Brazil passed a law requiring the use of stringent seabird bycatch measures in their domestic tuna longline fleets.

But the problem is so global in scale that every fishing nation has a role to play in alleviating this needless waste of marine life.

BirdLife International and RSPB’s Global Seabird Programme call on regional fisheries management organisations and industry to protect seabirds through the use of simple, cost-effective mitigation measures that have been proven to reduce the threat of bycatch.  They are also working to be part of the solution: the Albatross Task Force, founded by the RSPB and BirdLife International, works directly with fishermen and fishery managers in seven countries (bycatch hotspots) worldwide to reduce the number of seabirds being killed.

Dr. Cleo Small, senior policy officer for the Global Seabird Programme and co-author of the review, commented: “Using simple bird-scaring lines and weighting of hooks as they enter the water could dramatically reduce the number of seabirds being killed.

“With the UK’s Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic holding a third of the world’s breeding albatrosses, the UK has a major responsibility to ensure seabird-friendly fisheries. As for the EU, the findings of this review place a heavy onus on the forthcoming EU Plan of Action for Seabirds to deliver a robust set of remedial measures capable of reducing the impact of longline and other fisheries on seabird populations in EU waters and beyond.”


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Pan-African Ornithological Congress 2012 details announced

Posted by admin on June 14th, 2011
Pan-African Ornithological Congress 2012 details announced

Birds in a Changing Environment is the focus for the conference

The 13th Pan-African Ornithological Congress (PAOC 13) will be held from 14th to 21st October 2012 at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria. The theme of the congress will be “Birds in a Changing Environment”.

The Pan-African Ornithological Congress (PAOC) takes place every 4 years and its aims and purpose are to:

(a) Further the study of African birds

(b) Promote the preservation of African birds as an integral part of the African heritage

(c) Foster the appreciation of birds and discussion of African birds in relation to man, and

(d) Disseminate information on African birds through appropriate international meetings (Congresses) and publications (Proceedings of the Congresses).

The previous congress took place on 7-12 September 2008 in Rawsonville, South Africa (see details including proceedings at http://paoc12.adu.org.za/)

For further information on PAOC13, kindly contact [email protected]


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This post was written by:

BirdLife Africa – who has written 17 posts on BirdLife Community.

The BirdLife Africa Partnership currently operates in 23 African countries: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

‘No Porto Fayoum’ petition now online

Posted by admin on June 14th, 2011
‘No Porto Fayoum’ petition now online

The campaign to save Lake Quaran and Gebel Qatrani in Egypt from a proposed tourist  devlopment ‘Porto Fayoum’ has increased since we first reported the news in May

Groups including Nature Conservation Egypt (BirdLife’s Affiliate in Egypt) have launched an online petition and Facebook campaign. Please join the campaign and sign the petiition here.

“You can get regular updates by joining the No Porto Fayoum Facebook page,” said Mindy Baha El Din, of Nature Conservation Egypt.

Whilst some in government claim that the green light for the development was given by acarchaeology officials this is refuted by Zahi Hawass,  Head of the Supreme Council for Antiquities in an interview he gave to the Reuters News Agency earlier this month.

If it goes ahead, Porto Fayoum will wreak untold destruction on a priceless natural and cultural heritage site.

Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) and the signatories of this petition are calling on the Egyptian government to:

1) Rescind this illicit land deal and return this land to the Egyptian people.

2) Abolish all TDA jurisdiction in the Lake Qarun Protected Area and return the land to the Ministry of Environment’s Nature Conservation Sector, responsible for Egypt’s Protected Areas.

3) Declare the northern part of Lake Qarun Egypt’s to be first UNESCO Geopark.

4) Take steps to protect this area’s rich natural and cultural heritage by developing the Geopark’s management and infrastructure, turning it into a genuine ecotourism attraction for Fayoum oasis and Egypt.

5) Undertake the necessary measures and procedures to declare the Gebel Qatrani Geopark as a UNESCO World Heritage Site to bring recognition to this area of global importance.


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This post was written by:

NCE – who has written 2 posts on BirdLife Community.

BirdLife comprises more than 100 conservation organisations working together to promote sustainable living as a means to conserve biodiversity. Nature Conservation Egypt is the BirdLife Affiliate in Egypt.

New children’s book raises profile of albatrosses

Posted by admin on June 14th, 2011
New children’s book raises profile of albatrosses

Illustrator, Bill Bolton has used the publication of his latest book to highlight the plight of the world’s albatrosses and help support BirdLife’s Global Seabird Programme.

“Whilst visiting the Otago Peninsula in New Zealand I was privileged enough to witness an albatross colony. I was inspired by the majesty and beauty of these birds as they soared above us. What really struck me was their size and effortless flight – their wings were so large that you could actually hear the wind in their feathers as they approached! It’s a memory that I will never forget.

I was already aware of the dangers of longline fishing practices that threatened their survival, and wanted to support BirdLife International’s campaign.”

Being an illustrator, Bill thought the most appropriate way to contribute was to raise awareness of the albatross using a children’s book.

His new book I Can’t Fly is an interactive, animated ebook about a fledgling albatross overcoming his fear of flying. Fascinating facts about albatrosses and their remarkable lifestyle are found on each page.

“I hope that this will nurture a greater appreciation of this unique bird, especially amongst chi

ldren. Ten per cent of profits from the sale of the book will go to the Save the Albatross fund.”

For more details click here

Bill Bolton lives at the Hockerton Housing Project with his wife and two children. Their earth sheltered house is situated by a wildlife lake and woodland. They collect and treat all their own water and energy comes from onsite renewables.

BirdLife International and the RSPB’s (BirdLife in the UK) Albatross Task Force works at the frontline of seabird conservation in seabird bycatch ‘hotspots’ throughout southern Africa and South America. One of its great strengths is the local knowledge that underpins its international focus. Recruiting and training local mitigation experts provides a unique response to the urgent need to reduce seabird bycatch on a global scale.

Find out more about the Global Seabird Programme


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  1. Longline fisheries continue to drive albatross declines A new study reveals that, despite efforts to reduce seabird deaths, upwards of 300,000 birds…
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This post was written by:

martinfowlie – who has written 44 posts on BirdLife Community.

Martin Fowlie is a Communications Officer at BirdLife International.

Criticism of Finland’s Spring Hunting of Common Eider

Posted by admin on June 14th, 2011
Criticism of Finland’s Spring Hunting of Common Eider

(c) Teemu Lehtiniemi

The population of common eider Somateria mollissima in the Baltic Sea has dramatically declined over the last decades. Nevertheless, the local government of Åland, an autonomous group of islands belonging to Finland, has re-opened spring hunting of common eiders as of 1st of May. The BirdLife partners in Denmark, Sweden and Finland protest against spring hunting and call for the EU to take action to protect this vulnerable population.

According to an article of Jan Skriver

The population of common eiders has seen a serious crisis in the Baltic Sea in recent decades, and the breeding population has decreased by 40% since 1995, so  almost by half in 15 years.

However, this situation has not prevented the local Government of Åland, an autonomous Finnish archipelago in the Baltic Sea, from reintroducing the authorization of spring hunting of common eider with effect from 1. May 2011 and violating the EU Birds Directive.

As birds are busy with their breeding activities, hunters on the archipelago, which consists of 6500 islands and reefs in the northern part of the Baltic Sea, can shoot adult males. According to scientists, this has a damaging effect on the population, as widowed females produce fewer ducklings.

There are many reasons to condemn the spring hunting of common eiders. The authorization of shooting the birds in the breeding season is an expression of bad management. As the common eider suffers a strong decline in the Baltic Sea in general and in Finland in particular, this authorization appears unfair and contradictory to modern and decent nature management, says Egon Østergaard, Chairman of the board for Dansk Ornitologisk Forening (DOF) – BirdLife Denmark.

Furthermore, the authorization of the spring hunting has also negative effects on other species in the territory, also vulnerable in this season, as it disrupts and distracts their breeding opportunities.  

Now Finland, together with Malta are the only countries in the EU that tolerate this unjustified spring hunting practice. 

BirdLife Finland has worked during the last years in order to ban spring hunting definitively in Finland. Last spring, when Åland decided to reopen spring hunting of common eiders, BirdLife Finland submitted a complaint to the European Commission. The decision of re-opening spring hunting was based on a study that Åland authorities ordered to Uppsala University in Sweden. The purposeful report claims that eiders are very rare in Autumn, so Åland Authorities decided that autumn hunting did not offer a satisfactory alternative.

Data collected by BirdLife Finland in the archipelago show that eiders are common in Autumn : flocks of hundred birds are always observed in this season. It’s quite evident that it would be preferable allowing hunting of eiders at this period than during spring, as it’s less harmful for both the eider population but also other species breeding in the archipelago.

The EU Court of Justice’s declaration from 2005 made Finland put an end to spring hunting for common eider.

Now, Åland decided to reintroduce the criticized spring hunting for the declining common eider.
In Sweden there are strong critical voices against this decision.

It is irresponsible to allow hunting during the breeding season, in particular if we take into account that the population of common eider has halved in the last few decades. The local Government of Åland has succumbed to a small yet influential hunting lobby, says Dennis Kraft on behalf of Sveriges Ornitologiska Förening (SOF) – BirdLife Sweden.

The Swedish ornithologists invite the Swedish Minister for Environment to approach his Finnish colleague in order to discontinue spring hunting in Finland.

The common eider is a symbol for the whole Baltic Sea and the eiders on Åland belong to the same population as birds in the Stockholm Archipelago. Both biologically and ethically, it is wrong to hunt birds in their breeding season. This is taking toll on the core capital and not just the surplus,while by hunting in autumn one takes from the profit, says Dennis kraft from SOF.

According to BirdLife Finland, the reintroduction of the spring hunting may be linked to the fact that certain political forces, who are against the Finnish Government’s nature protection with impetus in the EU, want to please voters with roots in old hunting traditions on the islands. It’s important to take it into account because there will have local elections on Åland island in the autumn. 

During the spring hunting season this year, almost 3000 hunters of Åland participated to the hunting; a quite high number for a population of about 27 000 inhabitants.


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An appeal for birds in French overseas departments

Posted by admin on June 14th, 2011
An appeal for birds in French overseas departments

(c) LPO / BirdLife France

For the first time of its history, LPO/BirdLife France, with its NGO partners on the ground, launches an appeal for the protection of birds and their habitats in the overseas departments of France. All funds raised will be dedicated for the LIFE+ CAP DOM programme.

This campaign addresses real issues: France’s world endangered and endemic biodiversity located in its overseas entities which is under greater threat than elsewhere in France.  Halting biodiversity loss in the overseas entities would be a real indicator of our ability to reverse the trend as a whole.

Supporting our campaign “Birds in French Overseas departments, it’s also OUR nature”, you can help us to lead concrete conservation actions in three French overseas departments: Reunion Island, Martinique and French Guiana!

French overseas biodiversity in danger,

Help us to save it !

To know more about the project LIFE+ CAP DOM : http://www.lifecapdom.org/ (website in French, English and Spanish)


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This post was written by:

BirdLife Europe – who has written 38 posts on BirdLife Community.

The BirdLife Europe Partnership consists of 45 conservation organisations with almost 3,000 staff, 1.9 million members and more than 6,000 reserves covering over 300,000 hectares.

Muted celebrations for Thailand’s most colourful bird

Posted by admin on June 14th, 2011
Muted celebrations for Thailand’s most colourful bird

Kanit Khanikul

The rediscovery of Gurney’s Pitta 25 years ago today (June 14) brought hope for a beautiful bird feared extinct for over three decades. But the bird’s future still hangs in the balance, as destruction of lowland forest has reduced the Thailand population by around 90% since 1986.

Since the rediscovery in southern Thailand, further populations have been discovered in neighbouring Myanmar.

The only bird endemic to the Thai peninsular, Gurney’s Pitta Pitta gurneyi has been the focus of an international conservation effort, but these efforts are not matched by adequate protection of the bird’s last Thai home.

Maliwan Sopha, Director of BirdLife Partner Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST), said: “The quarter-century reprieve for this bird has been squandered because successive Thai governments have allowed rubber and oil-palm plantations to expand at the expense of remaining forest. This has destroyed most Gurney’s Pitta habitat, causing the population to crash from an estimated 50 pairs throughout southern Thailand to as few as five pairs today, at a single site.”

While Thailand has an enviable record in establishing protected areas, these are all in hilly and mountainous areas. This is bad news for the large proportion of Thailand’s wildlife confined to lowland forests.

The Royal Forest Department responded to the rediscovery by setting up a wildlife sanctuary centred on the nearby mountain, Khao Nor Chuchi, but neglected to include an adequate area of lowland forest. 75% of the pittas were left unprotected, in Bang Khram National Reserve Forest.  Since then, rubber and oil-palm growers have gradually eaten away the remaining forest.  Many also hunt wildlife for food and the pet trade.

Khao Nor Chuchi forest, an Important Bird Area, arguably supports the richest lowland forest bird life of any site in Thailand. The continuing decline in Gurney’s Pitta has happened in spite of valiant conservation efforts by BCST in partnership with the Department of National Parks, the Royal Forest Department, the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) and local community bodies, with the support of the UK’s Darwin Initiative and the Oriental Bird Club.

DNP officials have tracked the continued loss of pittas and their habitat, but have been powerless to intervene. “We find bird nets set both inside and outside the sanctuary”, said one anonymous official.  “Hunting, collection of forest products and illegal logging are rampant. When we survey for Gurney’s Pittas, the rubber and oil-palm growers monitor our movements. They then cut down the spiny palms in which the pitta nests, reasoning that if they kill off the pittas they will more easily be able to clear the remaining forest.”

Despite the uphill struggle facing conservationists, there is still hope. Replanting and regeneration of forests has helped stem forest clearance, and some local villagers practice sustainable management of their plantations, with regenerated forest areas for wildlife. However, this could all be in vain if the Government doesn’t seriously tackle the many land tenure issues in the area, by delineating the boundaries of the Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest, and strictly enforcing the laws relating to encroachment.


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