Oil Spill

A recent news report has claimed that the previous report of 20-30 tonnes of oil that leaked onto Australias coastline was wrong, in fact it was 230 tonnes. The spill is 10x worse the previously thought, the oil is said to be "carcinogenic" and is threatening a lot of wildlife. There has been a big clean up operation over the weekend, but there is still a lot more work to do.
To view more recent headlines visit this link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7943392.stm

Australia oil spill

An oil spill stretching across 40 miles of Queensland, Australia is causing a lot of worry for the wildlife. The ship which was holding 30 tonnes of oil was hit by severe weather conditions and all the oil was pushed by high winds to Morton Island off Brisbane. Straight away volunteers and environmental officers got to work to rescue as much wildlife in the area as possible, turtle eggs and pelicans were two of these. There is a big worry at the moment for a pod of dolphins which feed at Tangalooma beach on Moreton Island every night. It's not yet known how and if they are affected.

A video can be found on the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7941489.stm

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