Category Archives: Aside

Birds Return To Island After Rat Removal

by Amy Posted on 16 June 2006

Birds on an island off the north Devon coast are showing signs of recovery for the first time since 2003. Rats were culled from the island three years ago in an effort to help the Manx Shearwaters and puffins that used to breed there. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds had said the cull was necessary because the rats decimated the bird populations by eating the eggs and chicks. Animal Aid did not agree with the plan, believing other factors besides the rats caused the decline in bird population. Read more in the article Signs of chicks after island cull on the BBC.

Share the birds, share the love!
Posted in Aside, Europe | Leave a comment

Thousands Of Belgian Pigeons Lost In Heat Wave

by Amy Posted on 15 June 2006

Flemish pigeon fanciers are mourning the loss of thousands of pigeons that took part in a flight originating from Noyon in France last Sunday. Temperatures in the area had reached the lower 30’s centigrade.

The fanciers estimate 12,000 birds are lost. Approximately 30,000 pigeons participated in the Noyon flight. It is believed the extreme heat is to blame.

Source: Mogelijk 12.000 jonge duiven vermist na rampvlucht

Share the birds, share the love!
Posted in Aside, Europe, Pigeons! | Leave a comment

EU Ministers Discuss Lifting Wild Bird Ban

by Amy Posted on 15 June 2006

EU veterinarians are meeting in Brussels today to discuss recommending the lifting of a temporary ban on importing wild birds. The ban was implemented during last year’s bird flu scare. The EU ban has nearly collapsed the wild bird trade in some parts of the world; Europe accounts for 93% of global avian trade following a similar ban in the U.S., implemented in 1992. Read the full story EU urged not to lift its ban on ‘cruel’ import of wild birds in the Independent.

Share the birds, share the love!
Posted in Aside, Endangered, Europe, Law | Leave a comment

The Cheating Heart of Swans

by Amy Posted on 12 June 2006

Swans have long been viewed as a symbol of fidelity and everlasting love. But they are in fact cheating philanderers that regularly flee the nest for extramarital sex, Australian researchers reveal. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing has shown that one in six cygnets is the product of an illicit encounter, smashing the birds’ monogamous image.
read more | digg story

Share the birds, share the love!
Posted in Aside, Offbeat, Science & Tech | Leave a comment