Waxwing Influx

I went and photographed a flock of approx. 25 Waxwings in a village near me about a week and a half ago. I went again on Saturday and Sunday, yet this time a further increase of 20, bringing the total to 45. I have seen Waxwings before, but never in such high numbers, and such a short distance away.

New Year

I hope everyone has had a lovely Christmas, and I wish you all the best for the New Year.

I have to say I have had a fantastic year regarding wildlife. I've learnt so much this year, from so many lovely people. I have seen so many new species of birds.

For a number of years I have sent my bird sightings/records to Birdtrack, recently I have worked out Birdtrack can give you a year list and a life list for the total number of species. This year I have had a total of 157 species, 21 of these are new species. Which I have to say I was rather impressed with. As a life list, so far I have 186 species.

Hopefully I will have another fantastic year for 2009. I hope you do as well.

I wish you all the best.

Committee for Climate Change

I received an email today regarding the proposed plans for climate change. There are two major events on climate change taking place in the first week of December. Today the Committee for Climate Change are meeting with the UK Government to give advice on what its three carbon budgets should be. In march 2009 these will be set by the Government.

For the next two weeks (1st-14th December) world leaders are meeting in Poznan, Poland, to prepare for a international deal in Copenhagen, here global warming levels will be discussed and can hopefully be kept below 2°C, which can save humans and wildlife in years to come.

It's asked if people can spread the word in their local media, either by writing an article in the local paper, or speaking about it in a formal meeting.

For more information you can visit: http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/campaignwithus/current/recharge/index.asp

Badger cull

Take a look at the following article, and if you wish, you can follow the links to the petition
http://www.blackandwhite.info/data/petition-wales.htm

Ivory Trading

I’ll let you have a look at the following two pictures, to give you an idea of what I am talking about.

The ivory trade has declined over recent years, but a recent article, made me wonder....how much ivory hunting still goes ahead. I think it is absolutely sickening to think animals deserve this. When I came across these photographs I physically felt ill, annoyed and appalled that anyone could actually want to do this. There’s a big problem with habitat destruction caused by deforestation, meaning the elephants have a shortage of food and have nowhere to hide if danger occurred.
Some people are extremely bothered about this matter and want to take action (like myself) other people think it’s a good idea, while other people do not show the slightest bit of interest. Some people say ivory hunting needs to be carried out to provide business for people, well.... I’ll leave you to make up your mind on that. Personally I think action needs to be taken, yet to make ivory hunting banned it has to be taken to a global scale!
There are numerous ways you can help save the elephants, including, donating money to elephant based organisations, adopt an elephant, or help stop the trading by visiting Africa and taking part in the ban.
I adopted an elephant a couple of years ago as part of the Born Free charity. It brings great joy every few months when you have updates on how your adopted elephant is doing. I chose to adopt Esprit because I wanted to support a fantastic charity and I wanted to help the animal itself by paying for its well being, and the research that will help her in the future.