News and comment compiled by Bob Scott and Wendy Dickson

Government cuts hit ornithological research ALL BTO RINGERS have received a letter from Joe Hardman, Chairman of the BTO Ringing Committee, informing them of new prices for rings and equipment that become effective immediately. From now on, the ring for a Mute Swan Cygnus olor will cost nearly £1.00 and that for every Willow Warbler PhyUoscopus trochilus approximately 12'Ap. These prices may be of very little immediate concern to non-ringers, but what they reflect is a quite serious and substantial reduction in funding for the BTO from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Funding by the JNCC has always been a major part of the financial resources available to the national ringing scheme and it reflected the importance placed by Government upon die information gathered as part of the national bird- monitoring programme. It is outrageous that these cuts have been made part way through a long- term contract and in tile middle of a financial year, when the BTO had finalised its plans for the season. This inevitably means that carefully planned work will not now be done. Obviously, there are financial restraints being placed upon the JNCC: they have also cut the monies available for seabird- monitoring, for example (just when the voluntary bodies are demonstrating how important that is). Why not contact your MP and tell him if you think it is right or wrong that the Government resources should be reduced for bird-conservation science? You could suggest that he or she should raise the matter with the Secretary of State.

The Bird Fair Binoculars, kids with painted faces, holidays to Rutland Water. Over 12,000 people attended everywhere from Alaska to Australia, slide the 1994 fair and over £40,000 was raised for shows, computer programmes, videos, pagers, the Halmahera appeal. magazines, telescopes, waterproof jackets, The winners of bottles of champagne in peanuts and mealworms, ice creams and hot BB's mystery photographs competition were dogs, ringing demonstrations, paintings and John Spencer of Cambridge on the Friday, E. A'ood carvings, Czechs, Poles, Italians, French, Parnell of Spalding on Saturday and Jeff Dutch and Bulgarians, quizzes and Higgott of Ipswich on Sunday. competitions, rallies, little Egrets Egretla garzetla Many, many people make the Fair possible, and Ospreys Pandion haliaetus, every society but very special thanks must go to Tim imaginable, anti-mosquito clothing, Bill Oddie Appleton and Martin Davies for all their hard and Ian Wallace, children's games, badges and work that makes it happen. If you have not stickers, free hand-outs and plenty to buy. Yes, been yet, be there next year—it's great! Put it it's all at the British Birdwatching Fair at in your diary now: 18th-20th August 1995. 574 News and comment 575 News from Bulgaria We have just received the first copy of the records of species for Bulgaria, such as Finsch's English-language edition of Neophron, the Wheatear Oenantke Jinsckii, Zitting Cisticola magazine of the Bulgarian Society for the Cisticola juncidis and Ring-billed Gull Lams Protection of . The BSPB is one of the delawarensis, and new wintering records of new fledgling societies to become established species such as Black Kite Mihrns migrans and following the political changes in central and Lesser Spotted Eagle pomarina. Other eastern Europe. It is now a little over three exciting observations include three records of years old and boasts a membership Slender-billed Curlew Numerous ienuirostris, a approaching 850. This is the first copy of its count of over 59,000 Red-breasted Geese magazine directed at the foreign membership Branta ruficollis and a new possible breeding (the Bulgarian-language editions being far from area for Paddyfield Warbler Acrocephalus agrkoia. easy for most of us to follow). The contents Anyone seeking more information should include short articles on Important Bird Areas contact the BSPB, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 in Bulgaria, the successful construction of Sofia, Bulgaria. The annual subscription for artificial nesting islands at the Atanasovska foreign members is £10—a good way both to reserve, and details of key conservation help Bulgarian and to open the projects for the Society in 1994. door to some birding in a very exciting Latest bird sightings include first and second country.

Italian reminiscences One of your compilers (BS) has just returned and management of areas that had previously from a (literally) Hying visit to the Po Delta, been drained (with EU money). Only small south of Venice, Italy. The most memorable beginnings, 40 ha here and another 100 ha moment of the trip was not the large number there, but at least it was getting wetter rather of Purple Herons purpurea, Black Terns than drier. The Great White Egrets Egretta alba Chlidomas mger or Zitting Cistieolas Cisticola and Gull-billed Terns Gelochelidon nilotica juncidis—all three of which seemed to be seemed to appreciate it. everywhere—but took place in a garage while One final point: whilst watching the Italian refuelling the car. Revealed during a casual Sparrows Passer (dormstkus) italiae from the hotel Hick through an Italian hunting magazine— window, BS gained the clear impression that, provided as reading material for customers compared with the House Sparrows P. waiting for their petrol tanks to be filled— dormstkus back home, their tails were longer located amongst the recipes for deer, rabbit and inclined to be fanned at the tip. Was this and wild boar, were explicit instructions on just an illusion brought on by the sun and the how to prepare, cook and eat Song Thrushes vino, or is it a case of distinctive jizz? Is there Turdus phiknmks and Sky Larks Akrnda awensu. a difference in the length of the wing, primary On the plus side, lxnvever, there were the projection, or length of tail? Anyone like to first signs of EU money funding the re-flooding comment?

Some winter birding ideas Classic 1995 calendar Why not try these this winter, but wrap up Help celebrate Northern Ireland's coastline warm: and its birds in 1995. With help from their Nov. 5: Wirral high-tide birdwatch (Parkgate, many friends, the RSPB Northern Ireland Cheshire)—contact 0513-367681. Office has produced a very special calendar for Nov. 10: Goose watch (Ynvs-Hir, Dyfed)— 1995. Each month is illustrated with a high- contact 0654-781265. quality image by photographers Rene Pop, Nov. 14: Wildfowl watch (Hoddesdon, Steve Young, Arnoud van den Berg, Chris Hertfordshire)—contact 0992-460031. Gomersall and Anthony McGeehan, and an Nov. 27: Estuary birdwatch (Copperas Bay, original vignette by Killian Mullarney. There Essex)- contact 0255-886043. can be little doubt that this will become a Dec. 17 & 18: Harrier roosts (Blacktoft Sands, collectors' item and we strongly suggest that Humberside)—txmtact 0405-704294. you do not miss the boat. The calendar is now Dec. 19: Christmas quackers wildfowl (Islay, available (for £5.50 inch p & p) from the Strathclyde)—contact 0496-85440. RSPB, Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast BT8 -IQT. 576 News and comment Kowa BIY presentation The annual get-together at The Mall Galleries for the presentations of the Bird Illustrator of the Year awards has become one of the highlights of the year for the many bird artists who attend. The sponsorship by Kowa telescopes ensures that this tradition continues and brings broad smiles to the faces of the winners who receive Kowa scopes as part of their prizes (plates 168 & 169).

168. BIRD ILLUSTRATOR OF THE YEAR 1994, Ren Hathway, receives his engraved salver and Kowa telescope from Mr Kenji Ajima, (Kowa Europe), London, July 1994 (Steve Hickeyi'Pyser)

169. BIRD ILLUSTRATOR OF THE YEAR: front row, left to right, Max Andrews (winner of The Richard Richardson Award), Tim Worfolk (third), Ren Hathway (first) and Dan Powell (second); back row, left to right, Alan Harris (judge), Dr Tim Sharrock (judge), Mr Kenji Ajima (Kowa Europe), Robert Gillmor (judge) and Keith Shackleton (judge), London, July 1994 (Steve Hkhy/Pyser) News and comment 577 Birding abroad If you are thinking of going birding anywhere obtainable, price £1.00, from Steve in the world, there are two organisations that Whitehouse, 5 Stanway Close, Blackpole, it is worth contacting before you plan your Worcester WR4 9XL. trip. From the comes the Dutch The first, based in the UK, has just Birding Travel Reports Service, offering a very produced its latest catalogue of birdwatching similar operation and shortly to be publishing reports based upon trips by amateur birders: a its new catalogue. The majority of the items collection of sightings and site details from the are in English. A quick comparison of the two Pacific islands to the Falklands, from China to shows very little duplication, so for now it is Corfu. Described as essential to the travelling necessary to consult both. Contact lb birder's library, The Foreign. Birdwatching ReportsHuysman , Postbus 737, 9700 AS Groningen, and Information Service Catalogue, August 1994Th is e Netherlands.

Rare breeding birds in Ireland Viewing difficulty We read with interest (IWC News 80: 5) the 'N & c* is clearly in Mike Everett's blood: he following: 'The best reference for the status of cannot avoid keeping his eyes open for us. It breeding birds is perhaps the report of the was Mike who spotted that Paul Jepson, whilst (UK) Rare Breeding Birds Panel in British writing on the avifauna of Halmahera, Birds, surely a model of how data can be Indonesia, in World Birdwatch (16: 2), presented. Interested parties should get in inadvertently made a classic statement: 'the touch with IWC head office.' hardest bird to see is the Invisible Rail If the IWC does decide to create a Habroptih wallacii. . . '. committee to carry out in Ireland the role performed in the UK by the RBBP, we look All-Ireland Bird Race forward with great anticipation to its first May 1994 saw the first-ever All-Ireland Bird annual report. The major benefit, however, Race to raise money for the Irish Wildbird will not be the vicarious pleasures provided by Conservancy's Countryside Appeal. As always, reading the compilation of records of rare the rules were simple: see as many species as breeding birds, but will be the added possible in a 24-hour period. Winners of the protection given to the birds themselves by scratch team event (i.e. no county limits) were conservationists having access to the full the RSPB (Northern Ireland) Head Office picture, rather than having to judge the team of Clive Mellon, Matthew Tickner and requirements of individual instances in Dave Allen. They clocked up 124 species, and isolation. We wish the IWC good luck in its won the Foster Motor Company Trophy. The endeavours. winning county team, Trevor Hunter, Martin The address of the PWC is Rutdedge House, Enright, Patsy Burke and Niall Mugan (the 8 Longford Place, Monkstown, Co. Dublin, 'Eider Ors' from Sligo), managed 92 species. Ireland. The race raised over £1,000 for the IWC.

BPY on show The annual Bird Photograph of the Year The 27 short-listed photographs were all award presentation at a Press Reception in projected, with comments and a commentary London duly took place on 6th July, despite by Dr Richard Chandler. The top eight the railway signalmen's strike that day. The photographs were published by us in July (Brit. usual happy gathering of bird-photographers, Birds 87: 326-332, plates 81-88). The winner— bird-book publishers, members of the Press the Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus by Alan and guests seemed even happier than usual, Williams—and several of the runners-up were perhaps because the 25 persons present had no also published by special arrangement in Bird trouble consuming the food and drink Watching (August 1994, pages 5, 55-56). intended for 80. The continued support of the sponsors of The prizes were presented by Mrs Dorothy Bird Photograph of the Year—Christopher Hosking, maintaining the treasured link with Helm Publishers/A. & C. Black and the late Eric Hosking, the competition's former HarperCollins publishers—is greatly senior judge and Bff$ Photographic Editor for appreciated. many years. 578 News and comment Nick Davies FRS We are very pleased to report that Dr N. B. 604-624)—two of the most fascinating papers Davies has been elected a Fellow of the Royal in BB in the past decade—and his recent Society. book, Dunnock Behaviour and Social Evolution Following closely on the election of Ian (1992). His other major research topics have Newton (Brit. Birds 86: 230), this is welcome been on the feeding behaviour of Spotted further evidence that the achievements of Flycatchers Musckapa striata, the territorial researchers in ecological and behavioural behaviour of speckled wood butterflies Parargt Aspects of biology, and specifically ornithology, aegena, mating competition of common toads ire now receiving due recognition from the Bttfo bufo, the interaction between Common scientific establishment. Cuckoos Cuculus canorus and their hosts, and, Many subscribers will remember Nick's most recently, behaviour of Alpine Accentors vvork on the territorial behaviour of Pied P. colkris in the French Pyrenees. Wagtails Motacilh alba (Brit. Birds 75: 261-267) Nick tells us that 'The Dunnocks are ind on the mating system of Hedge Accentors delighted and shall wear gold rings to Dunnocks) Prunella modularis (Brit. Birds 80: celebrate.' We arc delighted, too.

The next IOC Stormy landmark The XXII International Ornithological Apart from catching 'their' Swinhoe's Storm- Congress will be held in Durban, South Africa, petrel Oceanodroma monorhis, twice, for the fifth in 1998 (probably in August). The President year in succession, the night of 29th/30th July will be Prof Dr Peter Berthold (Germany) and saw the passing of the landmark of the 1,000th the Vice-President Dr Janet Rear (UK). European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus processed at Tynemouth since 1988. The status of storm-petrels has been completely revised by the work of Tynemouth Scottish Bird Report 1992 ringers—Mark Cubitt and Mary Carruthers. With 72 information-packed pages, this is a Originally described as a rare visitor (1-10 publication which should interest all British annually) to the county recording area (Tyne birders, even those who did not travel north of & Wear north of the Tyne and the Border in 1992. Northumberland), over 1,000 European Right from the oil", this is an innovative, Storm-petrels have now been tape-lured at attention-grabbing publication: the cover shows Tynemouth since 1988 and the species is now the outline of Scotland made up of bird names considered to be a 'well-represented' or regular (Fair Isle is, appropriately, 'Pechora Pipit' and summer passage visitor in this part of the St Kilda 'Hooded Warbler', to take just two North Sea. (Contributed by Tim Omits) examples). Common as well as rare birds are covered, and there is a scattering of decorative line-drawings, but no photographs (the text refers to ones that have been published Austrian Atlas Supplement elsewhere). The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Austria: a summary of The text hfidl of exciting facts. To take just species accounts is an invaluable English two: the influx of about 150 Iclerine Warblers summary of the Austrian breeding-bird atlas Hippolais icterina in spring (65 in Shetland and reviewed in August (Brit. Birds 87: 361). The 40 on Fair Isle) followed by Britain's first first seven pages give an overview of Austrian confirmed breeding record when a pair was breeding birds, followed by 40 pages of short seen carrying food for young at Creag texts (about 200 words per species) covering all Meagaidh NNR; and Fair Isle's first-ever of Austria's breeding bird species. Anyone spring Barred Warbler Syhia nimna (there were already owning the German-language Austrian 30 there in autumn, when there were a further atlas who finds difficulty in reading German 67 or so elsewhere in Scotland). will greatly welcome this slim volume. This The SBR is edited by Ray Murray, and is supplement costs AS 180 (inch p & p) supplied free to members of the Scottish separately, or AS 480 (inc. p & p) for the atlas Ornithologists' Club (£15.00 p.a.). Non- itself plus the supplement, and is available members should enquire concerning current from BirdLife Osterreich, c/o prices: contact the SOC, 21 Regent Terrace, Naturhistorisches Museum, 1014 Wien, Edinburgh KH7 ;>BT. Burgling 7, Postfach 417, Austria. News and comment 579 ABA Code of Ethics We in Britain have several codes of behaviour: * Stay on existing roads, trails, and pathways the Country Code (published by the whenever possible to avoid trampling or Countryside Commission), the Birdwatchers' otherwise disturbing fragile habitat. Code of Conduct (e.g. The Birdwakher's Yearbook * Leave all habitat as we found it. and Diary 1994. pages 142-143) and the Codes for Rarity-finders and for Twilchers (Brit. Bird1; III. Birders must always respect the 75: 302-303). rights of others. The American Birding Association has In keeping with this principle, we will recently published its 'guidelines of good * Respect the privacy and property of others birding behavior' (Winging It 6 (G): 12): by observing 'No Trespassing' signs and by I. Birders must always act in ways that asking permission to enter private or posted do not endanger the welfare of birds or lands. other wildlife. * Observe all laws and the rules and In keeping imlh this principle, we will regulations which govern public rise of * Observe and photograph birds without birding areas. knowingly disturbing them in any significant * Practice common courtesy in our contacts way. with others. For example, we will limit our * Avoid chasing or repeatedly flushing birds. requests lor information, and we will make * Only sparingly use recordings and similar them at reasonable hours of the day. methods of attracting birds and not use * Always behave in a manner that will these methods in heavily birded areas. enhance the image of the birding * Keep an appropriate distance from nests community in the eyes of the public. and nesting colonies so as not to disturb A fourth category outlines the responsibilities them or expose them to danger. of birders in groups. * Refrain from handling birds or eggs unless The ABA is currently considering possible engaged in recognized research activities. revisions to strengthen this Code of Ethics and II. Birders must always act in ways that welcomes comments, which should be sent to do not harm the natural environment. Blake Maybank, Site 14A, Box 43, RR4, In keeping uilh Ihii principle, we will Armdale, NS B3I, IJ1, Canada.

Northumberland Coast Project Renowned for its unspoilt character, the local Borough and District Councils and the Northumberland coast nevertheless experiences Countryside Commission, outlines some of the complex pressures ranging from area-wide major challenges addressed during 1993-94 pollution and erosion to more local car-parking and is available from Northumberland County congestion and habitat disturbance. The first Council, Planning & Environment Division, annual report of the Northumberland Coast County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland NBfil 1'roject, supported by the County Council, •2KY.

English Nature backs Dorset heathland In August, English Nature launched its silver-studded blue butterfly Pkbejus argus. By Wildlife Enhancement Scheme to restore clearing significant areas of scrub and trees, all traditional grazing to Dorset's internationally heathland species should benefit, in particular important heathland. The focus is on 43 the rare sand lizard Lacerta agitis, a target designated SSSIs covering over 95% of the species for English Nature's Species Recovery remaining heathland in Dorset. Programme. The aim is for the restoration of traditional Of Dorset's 7,500 ha of heathland, well over extensive grazing to reverse the encroachment 2,000 ha need urgent management to restore of pine, birch and rhododendron, to the open heath. English Nature manages six benefit of small heathland plants, while the heathland National Nature Reserves within the resultant mixed-age heather will provide prime county. For more information, contact Jim conditions for many invertebrates, such as the White on Wareham (0929) 556688. 580 News and comment DNA testing 'Marine life Campaigner 1' DNA genetic fingerprinting has proved to be a Members of the RSPB Marine Campaign useful tool in the investigation of wildlife crime. Crew have recently received their first By utilising blood samples from captive birds, newspaper—RSPB Marine Ijfe Campaigner issue and their alleged offspring, it has been possible 1. When the Society launched its Marine Life to establish whether the birds were, in fact, Campaign in May 1994, supporters were related. There have now been six successful encouraged to sign up to the 'Campaign prosecutions where the technique has been Crew' and help with a range of tasks aimed at used to disprove claims of breeding by captive achieving better protection for sea areas, falcons. compulsory routes for tankers and other ships Recent research by the RSPB Investigations so as to avoid sensitive ornithological areas, Section suggests that more than 200 birds of and sustainable fisheries management, and prey of six species are taken from the wild in influencing governments via the 1995 North the UK every year. It has often been suspected Sea Ministerial Conference. This newspaper is that many of these are 'laundered' through the full of information and facts on progress to national bird registration scheme so that they date, problems still to be addressed and what appear to be legally held captive individuals. individuals can do to assist. UNA testing has now confirmed that some A further three issues are planned in the claims of captive breeding actually relate to coming months, and if you want to help, or birds that have been taken from the wild- just want more information, write to Louise Dawson, Marine life Campaign, RSPB, The 'Bird Watching' highlights Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SO 19 2DI,. The popular magazine Bird Watching includes reference to BB'a contents each month. We Michael Warren on view appreciate this co-operation, and reciprocate. An exhibition of Michael Warren's November's Bird Watchhig features the ID of watercolours will be on show at The Wildlife crests and leaf warblers, by Hugh Harrop; Art Gallery, Phoenix House, 97 High Street, waging war on garden pests; the Wildfowl & Lavenham, Suffolk, during 12th-30th Wetlands Trust's Llanelli reserve; and Ian November. Further information from Andrew Wallace on birding in wooded farmland; there Haslet) on Lavenham (0787) 248562. is also a 16-page travel supplement on birdwatching holidays. Amusing experiences Has anything hilarious ever happened when Rarity descriptions you have been birding? It would be amazing if It is very helpful if all observers of rarities send you had never had a funny experience—most in their descriptions (preferably to the relevant of us could, surely, write a book of such county or regional recorder) as soon as possible events? after the sighting. It will speed up the decision­ Well, that is exactly what Steve Davidson is making pnxess if notes on all major autumn doing, and he wants to hear from you. Send rarities are submitted by mid November at the your talc to S. R. Davidson, 15 Lancaster latest. Please do not wait until January. Thank you. Avenue, Weston Point, Runcorn, Cheshire (Contributed by M. J. Rogers) WA7 4BQ. Shell helps Fife Bird Club Short-rotation coppice Fife Bird Club (membership 124 in July) has Using .short-rotation coppice to provide fuel opened its third hide, at Bracfoot Point, in helps to reduce 'greenhouse-gas' emission, and hopeful anticipation of the autumn's passage of the Forestry Authority gives free advice to skuas Stercorarius. As part of the deal with Shell ensure that it blends into the landscape. Exploration & Production, which owns Braefoot Coppice grown lor renewable energy' may Point, club members arc surveying the birdlile become a significant new feature in the British of the area for the Shell entry in the BTO Bird countryside, bringing income to farmers and Challenge for Business. providing green energy. Shell has also assisted in the publication of For a free copy of Advice. Note 1—Short the second edition of the Fife Checklist, which is Rotation Coppice in tlie landscape contact Forestry available (£2.00, incl. p & p) from D. Dickson, Authority Conservancy offices or phone Dawn 45 Hawthorn Terrace, Thornton, Fife KYI 4D/.. McNivcn on Edinburgh (031) 334-0303. (Information from Rah Shand) News and comment 581

Bonny Scotland! REGIONAL NEWS TEAM We asked our well-known Scottish Photographic Consultant to help us with an Dave Allen—Northern Ireland advertisement for our new sweatshirts and tee- Tim Cleeves—Northeast shirts by taking a photograph of them 'draped Frank Hamilton—Scotland over some attractive Scottish scenery' (we had Barrie Harding—East Anglia in mind a moss-covered bough or a lichen- Oran O'Sullivan—Republic oflrelatu encrusted drystone wall). The 'Scottish scenery' chosen by Don Smith Alan Richards—Midlands (see page vi, opposite page 525) is known John Ryan—Southwest locally as Heather and Lizzie (to whom—as Don Taylor—Southeast well as to Don Smith—we are most grateful). Dr Stephanie Tyler—Wales John Wilson—Northwest

Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of 'British Birds'