MP flying to aid of threatened species of bird

13:57Tuesday 07 June 2016

Boston’s MP has been lending his support to a constituent of a different ‘feather’, the iconic and threatened species of bird the redshank.

Matt Warman visited RSPB Frampton Marsh on Friday in his role as ‘species champion’ for the animal .

Mr Warman took on the position as part of a scheme launched earlier this year by a coalition of non-governmental organisations, including the RSPB, to help improve the future of certain at-risk species.

In all, 20 English species currently facing significant threats were identified and put up for ‘adoption’ by MPs.

Mr Warman’s visit to RSPB Frampton Marsh saw him survey the site’s nesting population of redshanks – a species also known as the wardens of the Marsh on account of them giving loud alarm calls at the slightest provocation.

He said: “I have visited Frampton Marsh several times, both before and since being elected, so I was delighted to be asked to become a special champion for the redshank.

“We are very lucky to have the birds in our local area and I enjoyed spotting them during my most recent visit.

Source … 

'Action needed' after wading bird populations suffer decline

THE populations of four out of five wading birds on Scotland's farms have declined significantly over the past decade, a report has found.

Curlews, lapwings, oystercatchers and redshank have all decreased in numbers, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) found. However, the number of farmland seed-eating birds, such as linnets, skylarks, tree sparrows and yellowhammers, all rose.

Farmland birds in Scotland and further afield have been decreasing since the 1950s, with major declines in the 1970s and into the 1980s.

More intensive farming, climate change and changes in the areas where Scotland's farmland birds spend the winter have all contributed to the fall in numbers, according to SNH.

Susan Davies, the agency's director of policy and advice, said: "Many of our waders are struggling and that action needs to be taken.

"It's not all bad news though, and it's heartening to see some of Scotland's farmland birds increasing. The hard work by farmers and volunteers can pay dividends in helping wildlife.

Read further

Unusual redshank seen in North Wales

Leucistic redshankDennis Bannister

February 2013. One of our readers, Dennis Bannister, recently sent us this unusual looking redshank that he spotted in North Wales. 

Leucism (or Leukism)
Leucism is a very unusual condition whereby the pigmentation cells in an animal or bird fail to develop properly. This can result in unusual white patches appearing on the animal, or, more rarely, completely white creatures.

Albinism is a different condition. The easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that in albinism the eyes are usually pink or red, and albinism affects the entire animal, not just patches.

This occassionaly causes very excited biologists to think they have discovered a new species, when in fact leucism is the cause of the unusual markings they have seen.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/redshank-wales.html