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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 16th January 2012
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Seabird foraging has conservation significance
Feeding patterns could be useful for conservation.

Researchers from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Birdlife International and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have suggested that the feeding patterns of foraging seabirds around the British coastline can be useful in identifying possible marine protection areas. Their findings have been published in the journal Biological Conservation.

The research team compiled data on the foraging behaviour of 25 species. The researchers listed data sets in a quality-based hierarchical order:

- Direct studies - detailed data on locations, journey distance etc, gathered via technology such as radio-tracking and GPS devices (made up 21% of reviewed data),
- Indirect studies - data that does not directly measure foraging ranges, but is information that allows estimates of species' foraging patterns (12%),
- Survey method studies - when carried out during the breeding season, surveys can offer an insight into birds' foraging ranges (46%),
- Speculative studies - considered to be the least robust of the four groups, these encompass a range of methods such as ring recoveries and author speculation (21%).

Commenting on the team's findings, co-author Dr Chris Thaxter, research ecologist for the BTO said: "There is an increasing need to protect areas of sea for marine species because the environment is facing pressures - such as oil, shipping, gas and renewable energy.

He added: "It is important not to let these events impact on the species that are using these areas."

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 mandated for Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) to be established in English and Welsh territorial waters. Four regional consultation groups are tasked with assessing what marine areas should be designated MCZs. Scotland has different legislation, but the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2010 also includes powers for ecologically important areas of sea to be designated MCZs.

Dr Thaxter also added that nations could benefit from using the review's methodology: “We actually reviewed studies outside the UK - this approach can be applied elsewhere," he said. "Overall, this would lead to the wider protection of seabirds."

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.