Crooked Bough News Round-up

— Turn on, tune in, go birding: the secret to mindful birdwatching

 

at 10/5/21 8:10am

This month we celebrate both World Migratory Bird Day and World Mental Health Day. For Claire Thomson, author of The Art of Mindful Birdwatching: Reflections on Freedom Being, bird flight is a symbol of freedom, representing the ability to soar through life without limitations.

— Can birdwatching really improve our mental health? The science says yes

 

at 10/5/21 5:35am

We all know that spending time in nature is enjoyable, but now there’s increasing evidence that wildlife – and birds in particular – have a profound positive impact on our mental wellbeing. We delve into the latest discoveries from the fields of biology, economics and psychology.

— Here’s how 7 iconic migratory bird species spent the spring & summer

 

at 8/31/21 5:51pm

Digging metre-long tunnels, luring away predators, stealing other bird’s nests… the breeding season is never dull for these seven bird species, which are now leaving Europe for the warmer climate of Africa.

— Polly wants a future: Yellow-naped Amazon in illegal pet trade crisis

 

at 8/24/21 5:51pm

Chicks seized from the nest, birds dying in transit – the Yellow-naped Amazon’s wild population is being driven to the brink of extinction by the illegal pet trade. If we want to give this intelligent and resplendent bird a future, we need to act now – before it’s too late.

— 70% of Singapore parrot owners disapprove of wild parrot poaching

 

at 8/18/21 7:30am

New research reveals that the majority of Singapore’s growing community of pet parrot owners prefer captive-bred birds, and are concerned about the impact of the illegal wild parrot trade. If armed with knowledge, these groups have the potential to become champions for parrot conservation.

— Surprise rediscovery of threatened duck diverts species from extinction

 

at 8/11/21 5:51pm

When researcher Nika Paposhvili unexpectedly discovered a population of Velvet Scoters in a location where the bird thought to be extinct, it launched an urgent project to safeguard the future of the species - one that involved the whole community.

— Do we hear the SOS of the European Turtle-dove?

 

at 8/10/21 10:42am

The European Turtle-dove - a familiar and beloved bird widespread in culture and folklore - is now Vulnerable to extinction. But not everyone is listening to its cry for help. Discover the threats it faces and the action underway to protect it in our free webinar on Wednesday 11th August, 14:30 CET.

— Empowering Indigenous Peoples to manage and protect their local forests

 

at 8/9/21 2:29am

Indigenous Peoples know their lands better than anyone, and nothing can replace their expertise in forest conservation. That’s why BirdLife and Partners are providing technical training and support for Indigenous Peoples, so that they can manage and protect their local forests for generations to come.

— Nature restoration for green recovery and beyond: principles and best practices from BirdLife’s experience

 

at 8/3/21 5:51pm

Through our world-leading science, unique local-to-global policy reach and extensive on-ground conservation work around the globe, BirdLife is uniquely placed to guide on why and how we need to restore nature to build back better from COVID-19, tackle the climate and biodiversity crises, and improve health and well-being, as part of wider and long-term efforts to achieve an equitable, carbon-neutral, nature-positive future for all.

— Restoring nature puts food on the table

 

at 8/3/21 3:37am

Give someone a fish, they’ll eat for a day. Restore someone’s bay, they’ll eat for the rest of their life.  

— Uncovered: India’s illegal wild bird trade hub

 

at 7/29/21 5:51pm

India’s black market in wild birds may be less noticeable than in other countries, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t just as harmful. Our research has uncovered the sheer scale of the crisis – and also shown us what action we need to take to tackle it.

— Why we need to make ‘sustainable’ development truly bird-safe

 

at 7/22/21 5:51pm

Planting vegetation to stop the spread of deserts, bringing electricity to rural communities… these are positive steps, as long as the right preparations are made. Sadly, poorly-planned ‘sustainable’ development is having unintended but devastating consequences for threatened birds that migrate through Africa and the Middle East.

— Are you the next winner of the Quarry Life Award?

 

at 7/22/21 1:59am

HeidelbergCement has just launched the 5th edition of the Quarry Life Award.

— Paraguay's San Rafael reserve is being restored in a buzz-worthy way

 

at 7/21/21 4:14am

Youth conservationist Fabiana Benítez tells how one rainforest is being restored with the help of BirdLife Partners and tea.

— Seychelles songbird becomes world's first 'digital species' for conservation

 

at 7/19/21 5:43am

BirdLife Partner Nature Seychelles is looking for innovative ways to fund the protection of their wildlife, including the Seychelles Magpie-robin (Endangered). Today, the bird is up for sale as the first ever Digital Nature Collectible, using carbon-neutral infrastructure that expends almost zero energy.

— The race to save the last of the monarchs from extinction

 

at 7/15/21 5:51pm

There are only four breeding pairs of Fatu Hiva Monarchs left on earth – the tragic victims of invasive species. Our French Polynesian Partner SOP Manu knows exactly what to do, having brought a similar bird, the Tahiti Monarch, back from the brink of extinction. But they urgently need your help.

— Cuteness alert: first Crane chicks are born in Belgium!

 

at 7/14/21 7:31am

Have you heard of Gru and Dru? They’re two nine-week old Common Crane chicks. They’re eating roots, hanging around the nest, and beginning to fly short distances; like other chicks of their age. But they are not just any cranes: they might be the first Common Cranes ever to be born in Belgium.

— New India powerline ruling is lifeline for Critically Endangered bustard

 

at 7/14/21 3:54am

The Great Indian Bustard is on the brink of extinction. Collision with powerlines is the biggest threat – but hope is at hand. This year, the Indian Supreme Court ruled that all powerlines should be taken underground at its breeding stronghold – a lifeline for this and many other bird species.

— A million caged, none in the wild: freeing the Javan Pied Starling

 

at 7/8/21 5:51pm

Over a million kept as pets in Indonesian homes, yet likely none left in the wild: this is the extraordinary story of the Javan Pied Starling and what it represents for the Asian songbird crisis. Thankfully, plans for breeding and reintroduction raise hopes.

— Countdown 2030: four lessons from the first month of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

 

at 7/7/21 1:53am

We are one month on from the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosysteml Restoration, with another 119 months to drive the transformational changes to address the climate and ecological emergency – an emergency that had been brought into sharp focus by the heatwaves and fires raging in

— Countdown 2030: four lessons from the first month of the UN Decade on Ecological Restoration

 

at 7/7/21 1:53am

We are one month on from the launch of the UN Decade on Ecological Restoration, with another 119 months to drive the transformational changes to address the climate and ecological emergency – an emergency that had been brought into sharp focus by the heatwaves and fires raging in

As of 6/10/23 11:20am. Last new 10/5/21 10:41am.