Monthly Archives: February 2007

New Dutch Bird Survey

by Amy Posted on 28 February 2007

Because of a lack of information on city birds in the Netherlands, bird survey organization SOVON plans to conduct a study on the birds that live in urban areas. The survey, known as MUS (Dutch word for Sparrow) will begin in spring 2007.

The Dutch partner of BirdLife International, Vogelbescherming, will conduct the survey in partnership with SOVON.

The groups plan to focus their study on sparrows and swallows, two types of birds that live primarily in urban environments.

Everyone is invited to participate. There will be three survey periods over the year. The first period will be between 1 and 30 April, with volunteers requested to count birds in the morning hours. The second survey period is 15 May until 15 June, again in the morning hours. During the third survey period, 15 June to 15 July, volunteers are asked to count birds in the evening.

Information on joining the survey, which is done without any paperwork (entirely online), can be found at www.sovon.nl (in Dutch).

Source: Een nieuw telproject voor stadsvogels: MUS

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Posted in Citizen Science, Netherlands | Leave a comment

Robot Birdwatcher Searches For Ivory-billed

by Amy Posted on 24 February 2007

An automated birdwatching machine has been set up at a wildlife reserve in Arkansas to search for the rare Ivory-billed Woodpecker. The bird was presumed extinct for decades but unconfirmed sightings beginning in 2004 have sparked great interest in the bird.

The electronic system uses two video cameras to capture images of the sky. These images are later scanned for evidence of the elusive Ivory-billed.

Read more about the robot.

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Posted in Aside, Endangered, Extinct, North America | Leave a comment

Grenada Defiant Despite International Protest

by Amy Posted on 23 February 2007

The government of Grenada is continuing with plans to sell the Mount Hartman National Park to the Four Seasons Hotel Group despite growing pressure from conservationists from around the world.

The National Park, which is locally called the ‘Dove Sanctuary’, is home to 22% of the world population of the Grenada Dove, a critically endangered species.

The website www.grenadadovecampaign.com has been set up to offer advice and information about the proposed sale.

Read more at BirdLife International.

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Posted in Aside, Endangered | Leave a comment

White-tailed Eagles ‘Invading’ Holland

by Amy Posted on 22 February 2007

In the past weeks birdwatchers have noted White-tailed Eagles in the areas of Drenthe and Groningen in the Netherlands. The sightings have mostly occurred by bodies of water. Natuurmonumenten hopes that the recent sightings mean more breeding pairs can be found in Holland this season.

The White-tailed Eagle is the largest bird of prey in North Europe. The wingspan ranges from 230 to 265 centimeters. They typically live close to water and may cover distances of 30 to 40 kilometers per day in search of food. Above open water they hunt for food which includes fish, geese and ducks.

There is a good chance to see a White-tailed Eagle from the bird hide in the Frisian Veen, accessible from the Natuurmonumenten property Vennebroek on Hoofdweg in Paterswolde.

Source: ZEEARENDEN ONTDEKKEN DRENTS-GRONINGSE NATUURGEBIEDEN

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Posted in Netherlands | Leave a comment

Dutch Bohemian Waxwing Survey

by Amy Posted on 16 February 2007

Last year there was a lot of talk in the Netherlands about a Bohemian Waxwing ‘invasion’. A survey conducted by the organization Waarneming.nl was a huge success as groups and individuals contributed to the survey in large numbers all over the country.

So far the number of Waxwings counted in the Netherlands this year has not been as great as last year. With fewer birds there is less talk and the annual survey is expected to have fewer participants.

In the last two weeks the number of Bohemian Waxwing sightings has increased throughout the country. The numbers are not considered an ‘invasion’ on the scale seen last year. Waxwing sightings in general have increased over the past five years but last year was remarkable with a huge number of sightings.

However with the increasing trend over the years Waarneming.nl will organize another survey, taking place 17-18 Feburary. Everyone is welcome to participate and report their Waxwing sightings on the website.

Source: Nationale pestvogeltelling

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Cambodian Vulture Colony Discovered

by Amy Posted on 15 February 2007

A remote colony of about 100 Slender-Billed Vultures was discovered earlier this month by the Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia. The birds are critically endangered.

A dramatic decline in vulture numbers is due to the use of diclofenac in cattle, a pain reliever used for livestock. Vultures that subsequently fed on carcasses that had been treated with diclofenac later died from the drug.

Read more about the discovery.

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Posted in Asia, Aside, Endangered | 1 Comment

Kingfisher Sightings In Holland

by Amy Posted on 14 February 2007

In January at least 400 people reported seeing a Kingfisher in the Netherlands. Reports came from all over the country, though fewer birds were sighted in the drier north central provinces, such as Drenthe.

January 2007 in the Netherlands was as one of the warmest on record. Successive gentle winters and minimal frost periods have led to an increase in the Kingfisher population in the Netherlands. In the 1990’s between 125 and 250 breeding pairs were thought to live in Holland. In recent years this has grown to more than 600 pairs.

Most Dutch Kingfishers choose to breed on the sandy grounds in eastern Noord Brabant, Limburg and vicinity, along dunes or riverbeds. However the birds have been spotted in more urban areas. Sightings in residential gardens have also been reported, with the Kingfishers showing interest in private goldfish ponds as hunting grounds!

Source: Zeker vierhonderd mensen spotten ijsvogel

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Rare Birds Stolen From Dutch Raptor Center

by Amy Posted on 10 February 2007

Last week six rare birds were stolen from the Stonehenge Wildlife raptor center in Schoonrewoerd, the Netherlands. The birds, five Palm-nut Vultures and one Black-chested Buzzard-eagle, were extremely valuable.

The theft was discovered last Wednesday; the police were informed on Thursday. The culprits broke into the center by forcing a door. Cages were broken open to snatch the birds.

Stonehenge Wildlife has been open since July, but part of the complex is still under construction. According to the group, the thieves were experienced with the bird market. They did not take the most valuable birds from the complex; rather the stolen birds were not protected under Cites, an international agreement to reduce trade in certain threatened birds. They will be easier to resell.

Source: Zeldzame roofvogels gestolen

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Venice Wants Pigeons Out

by Amy Posted on 9 February 2007

Venice is getting serious about ridding St. Mark’s Square of pigeons. The stands selling pigeon food to tourists are gone. And anyone caught feeding pigeons on the square now faces a €500 fine.

A spokesperson from the city says that pigeon excrement is a hygienic catastrophe. Marble architectural fittings in the square are also damaged from repeated blasts of pigeon poop.

One of the most popular tourist activities in Venice has been posing with the pigeons in the square. But the problem has been known for a long time. Ten years ago a proposal was introduced to use birth control methods on the birds to reduce the population.

Source: Venetië is duiven moe

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Posted in Europe, Pigeons! | Leave a comment