Protecting the Mediterranean’s migratory birds

Birdwatch News Archive

Posted on: 29 Aug 2015

After Birdfair, the fight goes on to protect the illegally hunted migratory songbirds of the Mediterranean fly-way.

During their twice-annual migration, birds face two natural hurdles along the Africa-Eurasia Fly-way: the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara desert. Even if they manage to cross those, many succumb to man-made dangers. In the first-ever assessment of the scope and scale of illegal killing in the Mediterranean by BirdLife International, it was found that 12-36 million birds per year, mainly songbirds, may be killed illegally by shooters and trappers.

Other serious threats to migratory birds come from power lines and wind turbines (which lead to collisions and electrocutions), and from the loss and degradation of crucial feeding and resting sites. Species such as European Turtle Dove, Black-tailed Godwit and Meadow Pipit are declining. With climate change predicted to increase desertification in the Sahel region of Africa, trans-Saharan migrants will increasingly struggle to survive.

BirdLife and its national partner organisations have developed a strategy for the African-Eurasian fly-way in order to give migratory birds a better future by 2020, and to stimulate the study and awareness of the magnitude and beauty of migratory birds. Part of this strategy is the development of a growing network of people and organisations that can share expertise and co-ordinate Mediterranean-scale initiatives to look after the birds. The Capacity Development for Flyway Conservation in the Mediterranean initiative, funded by the MAVA Foundation, is establishing a Mediterranean Fly-way Conservation Network involving over 20 NGOs.

Continued ...

Mediterranean birds moving to Runcorn and Widnes wetlands

Apr 18 2013 by Sam Yarwood, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

WILDLIFE lovers in Runcorn and Widnes have been encouraged to keep their eyes peeled for a rare bird spotted on saltmarsh sites along the banks of the Mersey.

The little egret, a smaller cousin of our more familiar and larger grey heron, is one of a number of species that have made the gradual journey north through Europe in recent years, despite being a rare migratory visitor just 20 years ago.

During the 1990s, anyone wanting to see the little egret would have to make the long journey to Cornwall or Devon, however the birds are now being spotted regularly along the saltmarshes of the Mersey.

Nature experts believe a warming climate and natural colonisation of the north may be behind the egret’s move to the region.

Increasing numbers of the great white and little egrets and the exotic-looking spoonbill are being spotted across the North West’s saltmarshes.

The trust hopes its strategy for connecting wetlands across 8,000 hectares of river banks will boost the fortunes for birds like the little egret, and bring an added bonus for visitors heading to nature reserves.

Saltmarsh at Wigg Island and Moore have been recommended as good spots to sight the little egret.

Richard Gardner, the trust’s living landscape manager, said: “Our vision is to create a string of interconnected wetlands, which we’re already achieving through working with local farmers and landowners.”

“The combination of healthier rivers, more sympathetic riverbank management and maintaining floodplain grazing will be creating the conditions that birds like the little egret find irresistible. In recent months we’ve been lucky enough to have both great white and little egrets making regular visits to our reserves, and we hope this will continue as we develop the habitats further.”

http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/runcorn-widnes-news/runcorn-widnes-local-news/2013/04/18/mediterranean-birds-moving-to-runcorn-and-widnes-wetlands-55368-33187718/