News and comment

Alike Everett and Robin Prytherch Opinions expressed in this feature are not necessarily those of 'British Birds'

Arrested birdwatchers The detention in Shorebird Workshop The Sixth Inter­ early June of two English birdwatchers, national Workshop on the Ecology of Shore- Simon Albrecht and Dennis Buisson, whilst birds will be held under the auspices of the in Turkey (Brit. Birds 76: 321) International Waterfowl Research Bureau at has been received with much concern by University College, Cardiff, during 12th- ornithologists in Britain. They were visiting 16th September 1983. The emphasis will be the Meric River (which divides Turkey and on studies of wading birds during the Greece) having obtained written permission breeding season, and the programme will from the Turkish Army. Later, they were include speakers from Britain, Canada, the arrested, pending enquiries into their travel­ , Israel, Norway, South Africa ling, birdwatching and taking photographs and the USA. Details and booking forms may in a military zone without permission. After be obtained from: Dr P. N. Ferns, Zoology two weeks in prison, they were released on Department, University College, Cardiff c.Fl bail. At the time of writing (12th July), they IXL, or Dr J. D. Goss-Custard, Furzebrook have just faced another hearing, at which the Research Station, Wareham, Dorset BH20 enquiry was further adjourned because their 5 AS. film, which was confiscated, had not yet been developed. Mallorca guide: 2nd edition The late It is difficult to comment until the full story Eddie Watkinson's famous A Guide to Bird­ is known, but any birdwatchers going to watching in Mallorca is now available in a Turkey would be well advised to contact the much revised and expanded second edition. Turkish Embassy in London to discuss their This booklet is a classic of its kind: if only its trip beforehand. (Contributedby R. F. Porter) lead could be followed in other European Birds of Oman It is good news that The bird hotspots! The 20 introductory pages Birds oj Oman by Michael Gallagher and contain general information covering every­ Martin W. Woodcock is now available in thing the visitor could possibly wish to know, paperback at the remarkably low price of and a further 38 cover site descriptions, with £12.50. The original hard-cover edition (re­ clear maps for all the island's major birding viewed in Brit. Birds 74: 406) was rather too areas. During the main birdwatching expensive for birdwatchers not actually seasons, Pat Watkinson, Eddie's wife, runs visiting Oman; now, many others will be popular twice-weekly get-togethers for bird­ able to enjoy this important guide to the birds watchers in Puerto Pollensa, essential for of a fascinating area of eastern Arabia lying finding out about the latest good birds, and a at the junction of three zoogeographical very pleasant social evening into the bargain. regions, with, besides its own resident The Watkinsons* work in helping birdwatch­ avifauna, many migrants and seabirds. The ing visitors and groups, through their book text is accurate and the paintings most and freely given assistance, has done much to pleasing. An Arabic edition is in preparation. popularise birdwatching on the island. This (Contributed by SC) directly strengthens the hand of local wildlife conservationists, much needed against ever- Raptor bulletin The ICBP World Working present commercial interests. If you are plan­ Group on Birds of Prey published its first ning a first or return visit, this booklet is Bulletin in March 1983. Its 240 pages cover a essential. If you are wondering where to wide range of current topics, including popu­ spend your next foreign birding holiday, it lation censuses, conservation programmes, will probably persuade you to try Mallorca: protection problems, international smugg­ you will not be disappointed! Copies can be ling, and conference reports, from many obtained, postage included, for £3.00 (in different countries. This twice-yearly bulletin sterling cheque or postal order payable to Pat is available, £4.50 or $7.00 post free, from Watkinson), direct from Pat Watkinson, ICBP, c/o British Museum (Natural History), Apartado 72, Puerto Pollensa, Mallorca, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD. Baleares, Spain. (Contributedby PJG) 360 News and comment 361

Presentation of Bird Photograph of the Year award to David M. Cottridge by Eric Hosking, May 1983 (R.J. Chandler) Bird Photograph of the Year At the Press my shotgun. Beautiful paintings by artists Reception at The Scotch Whisky Association even more masterful than I. That Fuertes, in London on 19th May, the Red Grouse mon Dieu what realisme! And this new trophy and a cheque for £100 were presented marvel, photographie en couleur—I cannot to the winning photographer, David M. believe my eyes . . . American Birds tells me Cottridge, by Eric Hosking (plate 152). The what birds have been found in every season competition was again sponsored by everywhere from Attu (where is that?) to the Matthew Gloag and Son Ltd, proprietors of Antilles, where I was born. Articles on the The Famous Grouse scotch whisky. dynamique of bird distributions, popula­ tions, on migration and all sortes of subjects 'American Birds' success A one-page new to me. And the Noel Bird Count, fan- advertisement in , January 1983 tastique! So many thousands of personnes— (circulation 368,644) brought to American the birding event la plusgrandeof the world. Birds 1,718 new subscribers by 12th April Original bound-in recordings, book and 1983, raising its circulation to about 16,000. record reviews, tour listings, surveys scien- The ad was written by the Editor, Robert tifiques . . . quel journal! You are so lucky to Arbib, a former full-time advertising copy­ be alive in the era of American Birds, fig writer (and speech-writer for Eisenhower newtons and indoor plumbing!" ' (Contributed and Adlai Stevenson). It brought him fan byjejjery Boswall) mail from Roger Tory Peterson and others. Part of it read:' "American Birds is fascinating ... I read every issue couvert to couvert!"— Jean Jacques Audubon, "how much easier Oko-ornithologisches Glossarium We my life's work if only American Birds had been have recently received promotion literature there! It tells me the best places to seek birds concerning a German-English and English- in Amerique du Nord, and even Sud. How to German glossary of ornithological/ecological tell those difficile species apart without using terms. The leaflet contained a paragraph in 362 News and comment

English by Stanley Cramp, who also wrote phone runs miles through woodland—and the book's introduction, and part of the broke the line. At last the message came ptrfacR hy \h

Much-travelled seabirder You might 'Secrets of the Coast' Readers may care to think that, after having spent eight years look out for a new series of seven natural travelling the world's oceans in search of history programmes on ITV beginning on information for his recently published Sea- Sunday 7th August. It is produced by David birds: an identification guide, Peter Harrison Cobham, with Su Ingle as the presenter. One would be content to settle for a while at his programme is devoted to the Peregrine's near-Land's-End home. Not so! After the return to Cornwall, and features Dick launch party for the book on 7th April, he Treleaven and HRH The Prince of W:ales, as departed two days later for Cape Town; on well as some spectacular Peregrine shots. 14th April was heading for Marion and Prince Edward Islands in Antarctica; Black Vultures A report on the 1982 census returned to Cape Town in late May to spend of Black Vultures Aegypius monachus in the month of June as an observer on a South Mallorca (see Brit. Birds 76: 183) is now African Research Vessel following the 49th available (free if you send an A4-sized Parallel to the Brazilian coast and back; then stamped addressed envelope) from A. S. July watching seabirds near Luderitz off Richford and J. M. Piatt, 22 Canning Road, Western Cape; during August he will be off Highbury, London N5. inland to Okovango Swamp in Botswana; he plans to spend September on Tristan da Cunha; and aims to return to Cape Town New Recorder for Buckinghamshire and then to Penzance in early October. This John Marchant, 17 Church View, Long seems to be a typical itinerary for Peter Marston, Tring, Hertfordshire HF23 4QB, has Harrison: when does he find time to write taken over from Ron Youngman as Recorder and paint? (ContributedbyJTRS) for Buckinghamshire. That historic gathering The specially con­ trived get-together of those field-guide men, New recorder for Northumberland Mike Dr Roger Tory Peterson, and S. Hodgson, 45 Elmtree Gardens, Whitley P. A. D. Hollom, at the RSPB Members' Bay, Tyne & Wear, has taken over from Alan Weekend at Warwick in April 1983 (Brit. Heavisides as recorder for Northumberland. Birds 76: 321), was captured on film by that other GOM to whom we owe so much, Eric Can you beat Young Ornithologists at Hosking (see plate 153). The fourth edition of their own game? Members of theYOC who their classic field guide, with new colour are entering the competition to find the plates replacing the old ones in black-and- Young Ornithologists of the Year, which is white, is published by Collins this month, again sponsored by British Birds, have to and is available through British BirdShop submit their field notebooks for perusal by (see page x). the judges, but also have to answer a series of

153. P. A. D. Hollom, Dr Roger Tory Peterson and Guy Mountfort, April 1983 (Eric & David Hosking) 364 News and comment questions to test their ornithological know­ 7. Bimaculated Lark, Blackbird, Briin- ledge. If you would like to pit your wits nich's Guillemot, Common Nighthawk, against the up-and-coming generation of Forster's Tern, Gray's Grasshopper birders, have a shot at this set of 12 questions: Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Ovenbird, Siberian Rubythroat In each of these 12 sets, all but one of the 8. Bonelli's Warbler, Fan-tailed Warbler, birds have something in common. Find the Melodious Warbler, Moustached 'odd one out' in each set, and say why. Warbler, Orphean Warbler, Pallas's Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Spectacled 1. Chiffchaff, Chough, Cuckoo, Curlew, Warbler, Willow Warbler, Yellow Kittiwake, Wryneck Warbler 2. Dotterel, Hobby, Little Ringed Plover, 9. Collared Pratincole, Common Sand­ Meadow Pipit, Osprey, Ring Ouzel, piper, Greenfinch, Pallid Swift, Red Roseate Tern, Swift, H'hmchat, White- Kite, Redpoll, Sabine's Gulf, Sandwich throat, Yellow Wagtail Tern, Swallow 3. Chiffchaff, Dipper, Dunnock, Long- 10. Brambling, Bullfinch, Collared Fly­ tailed Tit, Magpie, Wren catcher, Goldfinch, Green Sandpiper, 4. Blackcap, Chaffinch, Cirl Bunting, Hen Harrier, House Martin, Rock Dove, Golden Oriole, Hen Harrier, House Storm Petrel, Tufted Duck, Wheatear, Sparrow, Kestrel, Mallard, Pheasant, Woodchat Shrike Redstart, Tree Sparrow 11. Bee-eater, Black Redstart, Great 5. Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose, Little Spotted Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Manx Owl, Mandarin, Pheasant, Red-legged Shearwater, Sand Martin, Willow Tit Partridge, Ruddy Duck, Slavonian 12. Cormorant, Gadwall, Garganey, Great Grebe Skua, Greylag Goose, Lapwing, Little 6. Black Guillemot, Brambling, Little Grebe, Mallard, Pochard, Quail, Red- Grebe, Pied Flycatcher, Ptarmigan, throated Diver Red-throated Diver, Reed Bunting, The answers will be published in BB when Robin, Ruff this year's YOC competition has closed.