Sea Birds

September, 2008

• 25 September

  Efforts underway to keep Hawaii’s native seabird from extinction

  

  (From khnl.com) Kapahi- They”re a native seabird to Hawaii, but they”ve been disappearing at an alarming rate, which has forced the Newell”s Shearwaters to become an endangered specie.
• 24 September

  Threatened species live on route of proposed rail line

  

  (From herald.ie)- Irish hare, badger and three threatened bird species have been spotted in the area of the proposed Metro North light rail line. Black headed gull, lapwing and yellowhammer bird species, all on the “red list” of threatened species, were recorded in the area north of Swords. Little egret …
• 23 September

  Fears bird deaths point to toxic lake

  

  (From theherald.com.au)- Five pelicans and an albatross have been found dead in Tuggerah Lakes, sparking fears that the lake is turning poisonous. The alarm was sounded on Monday afternoon by a member of the public who alerted the Australian Seabird Rescue Unit that dead seabirds had been found near the …
• 23 September

  Line fishers catching fewer … birds

  

  (From fao.org)- Safeguards introduced in recent years to protect seabirds from longline fishing activities are successfully reducing the number of accidental bird kills, and experts are now calling for similar measures to be used in other forms of industrial fishing in areas where seabirds are at greatest risk. According to …
• 20 September

  Seven of eight pelicans die after wings intentionally broken

  

  (From myfoxla.com) California- The Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach, which is caring for the lone  surviving pelican, has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible, said the center”s Debbie McGuire. All had broken wings. Another four were still alive, but three …
• 19 September

  Thumbs-down for seabird protection

  

  (From johnogroat-journal.co.uk)- Scottish Natural Heritage wants to extend the Special Protection Area for the north”s colonies of seabirds – which currently covers their nesting areas on the cliffs at Duncansby, Dunnet Head and Stroma – to include the Inner Sound, an area considered to be one of the best for …
• 18 September

  Romania faulted for bird protection failings

  

  (From europeanvoice.com)- The European Commission has sent a final letter of warning to Romania for not designating enough sites as special protection areas for migratory and vulnerable wild birds. The Commission says that, to meet the terms of the EU”s 1979 bird directive, Romania must designate an additional 21 sites …
• 18 September

  Swans rescued from Highbridge lake after swallowing fishing hooks

  

  (From burnham-on-sea.com)- East Huntspill”s Secret World Wildlife Centre called on the help of BARB, the Burnham charity that runs a rescue boat and two hovercrafts, after a walker spotted two birds struggling in the water at Apex Wildlife Park in Highbridge. “One bird had swallowed a hook and a line …
• 17 September

  Infanticide rife in guillemot colony

  

  (From telegraph.co.uk)- One of Britain”s best-known species of seabird is increasingly attacking and killing unattended chicks from neighbouring nests due to food shortages, according to scientists. Researchers at the University of Leeds and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology observed a dramatic increase in the number of adult guillemots deliberately …
• 15 September

  Migratory waterbird populations in decline in Europe

  

  (From news.mongabay.com)- 41 percent of 522 migratory waterbird populations on the routes across Africa and Eurasia show decreasing trends, reports a new study released at the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement meeting in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Waterbirds using Western and Central Asian Flyways are even worse off — 55 percent of populations …
• 15 September

  Fulmar and Puffin may disappear from Saltees

  

  (From goreyguardian.ie)- A new documentary series has claimed that bird species such as the Fulmar and Puffin may disappear from the Saltee Islands if fish stocks continue to decline and the sea continues to get warmer. Accelerated global warming evidenced by record temperatures and rainfall levels is having a profound …
• 15 September

  Ducks Killed at Hamakua Marsh

  

  (From kgmb9.com)- A controversial duck hunt on Sunday morning upset some Kailua residents. State officials said they were trying to protect endangered birds by getting rid of non-native ones in the 22-acre Hamakua Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary. Ten ducks were shot, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. But …