Moorhen stoned to death

26/01/2019

A Common Moorhen has died after it was stoned by a group of men in West Yorkshire. The incident took place at Newmillerdam on 20 January, with one of the stones thrown leaving the moorhen in a critical state. It later died as a result of its injuries.

The group of young men repeatedly threw stones at the bird, leading police to appeal to anyone who has any information on the incident. In a post shared on Facebook, PSCO Colin Starford commented: "Wildlife Crime Team Officers are interested in any information which may assist in identifying a group of young males at Newmillerdam on Sunday 20 January 2019, who were witnessed throwing stones at the wild birds.

"One of the stones hit a Common Moorhen which later died of its injuries. If you saw the males and can help, please contact West Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for a member of the Wildlife Crime Team from Wakefield."

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Penguins move in to Lotherton Hall

New colony of Humboldt penguins in the new Costal Zone at Lotherton Hall.

21st November 2017.

Published: 14:34 Wednesday 22 November 2017

There was cause for Happy Feet at Lotherton Wildlife World this week as its newest residents celebrated the opening of the first phase of the £1.2m redevelopment of the attraction. The colony of 17 Humboldt penguins are now nicely settled in to their new home at the Aberford estate’s Coastal Zone after moving in from their previous homes, zoos in Dudley and Newquay, a few weeks ago.

New colony of Humboldt penguins in the new Costal Zone at Lotherton Hall. Coun Lucinda Yeadon feeds the penguins. 21st November 2017.

Lotherton Hall’s huge new 120,000 litre penguin pool, complete with above and below water viewing areas, gives the creatures plenty of opportunities to show off their swimming skills to visitors. Leeds City Council’s animal curator, Peter Quince, said: “It’s been great to see the penguins settling in so well to their new home and they really are a fantastic addition to the Lotherton family.

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Suspected illegal trapping leads to death of bird of prey

by Andrew Robinson

Published on the 04 April 

POLICE are investigating after a buzzard was found injured in a trap near to a West Yorkshire reservoir.

The buzzard had to be put down by a vet after being found in a spring-loaded metal trap near Winscar Reservoir, near to Dunford Bridge, which is close to the border with South Yorkshire.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and police are appealing for information.

The bird of prey was discovered by walkers on February 21 2014, who noticed it flapping around in a stream, unable to fly.

When they approached, they found the bird had a large metal spring trap attached to its leg. After releasing it, they took it to local veterinary practice Abbey Vets who had to put the bird to sleep because its injuries were severe.

Less than a year old, the buzzard had been raised at nearby Dove Stone, an RSPB/United Utilities Partnership site, where as a chick it had been fitted with an identification ring in June last year by members of the Peak District Raptor Monitoring Group.

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Nature notes: rare birds

As the year ends, what rare birds that are still to be seen have been here for longest? The prizewinner, and the only one around for over a year, according to reports on birdguides.com, is a drake American wigeon, which has been on the water at Anglers Country Park, West Yorkshire, since November 9, 2011. 

Continued:  http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/life/courtsocial/article3643590.ece