Author Archives: Amy

Peacock Prefers Police

by Amy Posted on 9 May 2006

Officers at an outpost police station in India rescued an injured peacock about six years ago, and got themselves a mascot in the process. The wild animal was released into the forest by the police at least two times, but the bird always returned to the police station. The bird, called Sonya, “has a wing span of two meters (and) expresses his joy of living with (the police) through his dance and preference to stay at the outpost.” Read the full story Injured bird visits police, stays on as guest in the Times of India.

Posted in Aside, India, Offbeat | Leave a comment

Netherlands Black Grouse Population On The Rise

by Amy Posted on 8 May 2006

The population of Black Grouse (Tetrao tetrix) is rising in the Netherlands. This year park rangers and volunteers counted 23 of the bird in the National Park de Sallandse Heuvelrug in the province Overijssel. That’s the highest count in the last six years.

Last year only 13 birds were counted. In 2002 only 8 birds were found.

The Black Grouse is a protected species in the Netherlands and is extremely vulnerable. To preserve the species in this country, the agencies Staatsbosbeheer and Natuurmonumenten have been working together to improve the habitat for the birds.

The preservation agencies are working to improve the variety of plant species found in the heathlands where the birds live and breed. This will insure that insects thrive in the area, which is important for the Black Grouse as their young feed almost exclusively on bugs. Adult grouse feed on grasses, weeds and other plants. Improving the landscape for the grouse also has benefits for other ground-breeding birds, as well as lizards, butterflies, snakes and even deer.

Source: MEER KORHOENDERS OP SALLANDSE HEUVELRUG!

Posted in Endangered, Netherlands | 1 Comment

Fewer Dead Birds Reported In Netherlands

by Amy Posted on 5 May 2006

The Dutch central organization for animal sickness control, CIDC-Lelystad, is receiving fewer dead bird reports. In the past few months the organization has examined 6,382 birds for the deadly H5N1 virus.

Because most migratory birds are now at their summer location, the chance of finding the virus in the Netherlands this season is very small. For this reason, the organization will only examine dead birds when found in groups of 20 or more. In the case of swans, ducks or geese, a group of 3 or more will be examined.

Source: Rustiger tijden na hoos dode vogels

Posted in Aside, Netherlands | Leave a comment

Bird Hide Created For Wheelchair Users

by Amy Posted on 4 May 2006

The Dutch organization Natuurmonumenten has created a bird hide which is accessible for wheelchair users, in cooperation with the Friese Poort College in Drachten. The hide is located by the Zuidwest (southwest) lakes in the Fochteloërveen natural area.

The construction is large enough to be sure that wheelchair users can move around the hide easily. The lookout points are on different levels so wheelchair users can use them as well as bird enthusiasts who arrive on foot.

Four students worked for approximately two months to build the hide, which was tested by wheelchair users and a forest ranger soon after it opened. Some users reported difficulty entering the hut, so the students will adjust the doorway for better future use.

The Fochteloërveen is already equipped with a wheelchair accessible path and observation tower. Natuurmonumenten is organizing an excursion to the park for wheelchair users on 17 June.

Source: VOGELKIJKHUT SPECIAAL VOOR ROLSTOELGEBRUIKERS

Posted in Bird Hide, Netherlands | Leave a comment

Green Heron Attracts Birdwatchers To Amsterdam

by Amy Posted on 3 May 2006

A Green Heron (Butorides virescens) which has settled in the Nieuwe Meer area of Amsterdam has attracted hundreds of birdwatchers from neighboring countries. Since the first confirmed sighting on Friday, 28 April, twitchers from all over the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany have come to see the bird.

The heron is a native of North America. The species is smaller than the native Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea ) of the Netherlands. The bird has settled along a ditch in the Nieuwe Meer area in the southwest of Amsterdam.

The bird, which is not ringed, has arrived from North America due to disorientation or unusually strong winds during migration, or the bird has “hitchhiked” to Europe on a ship.

Source: Groene reiger in Amsterdam trekt veel bekijks

Posted in Netherlands, Rare / Vagrant | Leave a comment

Turkish Doves ‘Join’ EU – Before Turkey

by Amy Posted on 2 May 2006

Three species of dove will be registered as uniquely “Turkish Species” in the coming weeks. The birds will be registered with the EU’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, thus joining the European Union before Turkey itself. The registration comes after three years of joint cooperation between the Eurasian Dove Cultural Association and Bursa’s Animal Health Office of the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture. Read Mehmet Kuru’s story Turkish Doves to Access EU Before Turkey at Zaman Online.

Posted in Aside, Europe | Leave a comment

The Year Of The Eurasian Skylark

by Amy Posted on 1 May 2006

Dutch bird protection groups SOVON and Vogelbescherming have named 2006 the Year of the Skylark (Alauda arvensis). The Skylark population in the country is declining due to decimation of habitat. The bird agencies will conduct a study in 2006 on the population of the species in the Netherlands. The groups hope the study will inspire action to save the Dutch Skylark population. The groups are seeking volunteers to help in a nation-wide Skylark count.

Source: Het jaar van de Veldleeuwerik 2006

Posted in Endangered, Netherlands | Leave a comment