The definitive field guide to the world's marine mammals.
10% off 'Whales, Dolphins and Seals', now £11.69.Photos, illustrations, maps, hotspots and plenty of information, by far the best book in its field. Includes information on all whales, dolphins, seals, sea-lions, Polar bears, sea otters, dugong and manatees.
Click here to buy this book.
Avian Reintroduction Biology: current issues for science and management - symposium
Avian Reintroduction Biology: current issues for science and management - symposium |
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Notable marine sightings around the UK and Ireland, 2007.
- 20th January. 6 Bottle Nose dolphins off Stonehaven. (Courtesy of Ian Sim/Seawatch.)
- November. Humpback feeding off Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, possibly in the area for 2 weeks. Interacting with Bottle Nose Dolphins. (Courtesy of Ian Sim/Seawatch.)
- September. Minke whale found dead on Devon beach.
- August. 2-3 Minke whales off St Abbs Head/Coldingham Bay in Berwickshire.
- August. Minke whale in Fraserburgh Harbour.
- July. Northern Bottlenose whale strands in River Orwell, Ipswich.
- June. Humpback seen off North Devon.
- June. 10 Minke whales sighted off the Isle of Man.
- May. Several Minke sightings off Isle of Man, plus a Sei whale.
- May. Repeated sightings of Orcas off Orkneys
- May. Rare sighting of Bottlenose dolphins in the Channel, click here for details.
- April. Several Orca sightings off Northern Ireland
- April. Fin whale in the Moray Firth.
- April. Orca seen off Isle of Man.
- March. 2 Humpbacks seen off Anglesey/Isle of Mann.
- March. 3 Killer whales seen off Shetland.
- March. Sperm whale strands on Orkney.
- March. 6 Killer whales seen off Orkney.
- March. A pod of 15 Sperm whales seen by fishermen off Caithness.
- January. A pod of nine killer whales seen in the Firth of Forth.
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Garden plant list for wildlife.
The RSPB and RHS have got together to create a list of plants recommended for wildlife gardening. The list advises you on which plants to use, which soils they can grow in, what wildlife they attract and when.
See the full list.
British Columbia Whale Watching guidelines.
- Approach whales from the side, not from the front or the rear.
- Approach no closer than 100 metres and shift your motor into neutral or idle.
- Keep noise levels down - no horns, whistles or racing of motors.
- Start your motor only after the whales are more than 100 metres from your vessel.
- Leave the area slowly, gradually accelerating when you are more than 300 metres from the whales.
- Approach and depart slowly, avoiding sudden changes in speed or direction. Do not "leapfrog."
- Avoid disturbing groups of resting whales.
- Maintain low speeds and constant direction if travelling parallel to whales.
- When whales are travelling close to shore, avoid crowding them near the shore or coming between the whales and the shore.
- Limit the time spent with any group of whales to less than 30 minutes at a time when within 100 to 200 metres of whales.
- If there is more than one vessel at the same observation site, be sure to avoid any boat position that would result in encircling the whales.
- Minimize the time spent and the number of vessels with any one group of whales.
- Limit time, as above, and then move out to allow other vessels access to good viewing positions.
- Coordinate activities by maintaining contact with other vessels, and ensure that all operators are aware of the whale watching guidelines.
Insects of Britain and Western Europe
Now you can tell the difference between a bed bug and a pine cone bug.
The new 2007 edition is the answer to all parents glazed looks when little Johnie/Janey asks what sort of caterpillar/beetle is this? Over 2300 illustrations and an instant guide as to whether you might see them in the UK or not.
Read the full review.
Reader offer. whales and dolphins
Reader offer: Whales and Dolphins of Great Britain is available at £9.95 (down from £11.95),. Contact Cetacea Publishing, Nook Farmhouse, Ashby Road, Shepshed, Loughborough, LE12 9BS. Tel: +44 (0) 845 1086385. Email:
info@cetaceapublishing.com . Order on line:
www.cetaceapublishing.com . Please quote Wildlife Extra as the coupon code and update the page to get your discount. Major credit cards accepted.
Rare Birds Year Book 2009 Photo Competition
A new photo competition has just been launched for photos of the rarest birds in the world, those categorized as Critically Endangered, to be featured in the next edition of Rare Birds Yearbook which is due in October 2008.
Details.
Articles and advice about the wildlife, National parks and safaris in Kenya
Popular conservation news stories from the recent past
Sumatra Ground Cuckoo photographed.
Reserachers from Kent University were amazed to find the had photographed a Sumatra Ground Cuckoo while conducting a tiger survey in Sumatra. It is only the second time it has been recorded in the last 90 years.
Full story.
Top ten National Trust properties to see butterflies.
The National Trust is the largest and most important landowner for butterflies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. All (but two) of the resident British butterfly species live on National Trust land. It has many of the best UK sites for individual butterfly species, and many of the rich butterfly sites are home to scarce species.
See the ten best sites.
Articles and advice about the wildlife, National parks and safaris in Kenya
Top wildlife and bird watching in the South East
GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE
Lorraine Kelly launches the 'Wild about gardens' campaign in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society and the UK Wildlife Trusts.
More.
Plants recommended for a wildlife garden
The RSPB and RHS have got together to create a list of plants recommended for wildlife gardening.
See the full list.
ELEPHANT BACK SAFARIS: CONSERVATION OR CRUELTY.
Shearwater Adventures, a tour operator from Zimbabwe, is under fire for capturing wild elephants for use on elephant back safaris. However Shearwater strongly defend their position by pointing out that the drought in Zimbabwe is devastating the elephant herds.
Read both sides of the argument.
There are many different styles of Safari to choose from, here are a few rules to help you choose.
- A good guide/spotter. trust us, you will miss more than you see if you don't have a good guide with you. Not only do they see twice as much, they know ten times as much.
- Dawn and dusk are almost always the best time, be prepared to get up early.
- Be patient, the longer you are prepared to sit still, the more you will see.
- Don't forget the people who live there. They often view the animals as pests, but your income will provide a living for them. Don't be ostentatious or patronising.
- Size of vehicle. The bigger and the more people in a vehicle, the less you will see.
- Spending £5000 on a safari doesn't guarantee you will see more than someone who spends £500.
- There’s a lot more to Africa than the big five. Enjoy what you see and don’t go tearing all over to see a lion, thus missing plenty of fantastic but smaller game.
Reader offer. The world's most powerful binoculars
Sunagor are offering Wildlife Extra readers a chance to buy a pair of the world's most powerful binoculars, the Sunagor 25-150 X 70 Megazoom, for just £199.99 (RRP £399.99).
Click here to read the review or to buy.
WILDLIFE WATCHING WITH CHILDREN
My kids were so excited about the thought of going on safari in Kenya, and we had a great time. A walking safari, 4 days on the Masai Mara seeing pretty much everything, the flamingos and rhinos at Nakuru, everything you want to see. And the abiding memories? Hiding under the seats of the open top landrover while watching lions hunting, (as all they have learned from years as armchair viewers is that lions will eat you.) and the hotel with a swim up bar and free coke!
READ THE FULL ARTICLE
Water vole research at Loch Leven
Extensive research at Loch Leven has shown how otters are good for water voles.
See the full report.
Horsey Estate News
Latest News, January 2007
National Trust Warden Steve Prowse counted 13,500 pink-footed geese on a dawn count on 22 January, on this wonderful Trust grazing marsh site in the eastern Broads. There were also 400 white-fronted geese and eight Whooper swans.
RaptorsThe winter count is now up to ten different species of raptor including red kite, rough-legged buzzard, hen harrier, marsh harrier.
Rare water beetleNot of the same size, but of similar significance, was the discovery of the exceptionally rare water beetle (Agabus labiatus) in a newly cleared pond on the property last summer.
Click here to visit Horsey.
Bird watching and birding in South America.
Top African Safari Destinations (in no particular order)
- Chobe, Botswana
- Masai Mara, Kenya
- Virunga Volcanoes, Uganda and Rwanda
- Etosha Pans, Namibia
- Luangwa Valley, Zambia
- Serengeti Plains, Tanzania
- Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
- Samburu & Buffalo Springs, Kenya.
- Lake Nakuru, Kenya
- Okavango Delta, Botswana
- Kafue National Park, Zambia.
Worldwide conservation stories from 2007
Top wildlife sites in the South East
Basking shark sighting and a code of conduct
With the recent surge in basking shark sightings off the UK coast, especially Cornwall and the Isle of Man, the Marine Conservation Society has devised a code of conduct as to how to behave when near the sharks, whether in a boat or swimming (not advised).
More.
Lyme Bay Reefs devastated by fishing.
Lyme Bay Reefs devastated by fishing.Devon Wildlife Trust has collected evidence that the Reefs in Lyme Bay have been trashed by some fishing techniques. To see the full story, and to see a video of the destruction,
Click here.
Wildlife watching and safaris in Asia
Popular news stories from North America
Articles about wildlife of North America
Where to watch wildlife and birds in North America
Popular wildlife & conservation news stories from the past
Enjoying Moths - All you need to know about Mothing.
This is a hardback book all about 'Mothing', the increasingly popular pastime of studying moths. 96% of all British Lepidoptera species are moths. That is 24 moths for every butterfly.
This book tells you how to collect them, where to find them, how to identify them, where to look for their caterpillars and pupae, and how to help conserving them.
Although packed with photos and tips on how to identify them, this is not a identification guide (There are good ones available), but it does tell you pretty much everything else you need to know about how to study moths in the UK.
Available from Alana Ecology for £29.95.
How to get to the Antarctic.
There are several good operators. Don't go for the huge boats, they are not designed for this kind of travel. Anything too small can struggle in bad weather when crossing the Drake Passage, so something between 70 - 150 berths is ideal. Peregrine have excellent ships, Russian built ice-rated vessels with extra stability that are small enough to get into the bays and inlets most ships cannot.
Top Wildlife watching in South America.
Photo Story: Martial Eagle Attacks Stork.
Fantastic photos of a Martial eagle catching a White stork.
Details.
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Nomads of the Wind - Special Reader Offer
Nomads of the Wind - Special Reader OfferStunning new photographic study of the Monarch Butterfly migration, with photos by BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Ingo Arndt.
Details and images.
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THE WILDLIFE OF BAFFIN ISLAND, LANCASTER SOUND AND THE HIGH ARCTIC.
The bears were great, but the walrus, beluga and narwhal made this trip spectacular. Throw into the equation some Bowhead whales, towering sea cliffs swarming with sea birds, scenery to die for and the historic remains of the famous Franklin expedition that disappeared while searching for the elusive North West Passage.
Read the full article.
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Polar bear watching in Spitzbergen.
If you live in Europe, the Svarlbard archipelago is by far the best place to to see Polar bears.
Fly to Spitzbergen and join an expedition cruise to see these fantastic beasts, as well as much more.
Read the full article.
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How to plan and survive a safari.
A short, but very good, guide to safaris and expeditions. No stunning photography, but excellent advice from someone who has led many of these trips in the past. Ideal for someone heading off the beaten track in Africa, packed with very sound and practical down to earth advice.
As much about what not to take and do as about loading yourself with loads of equipment.
Available for £4.38 (plus P & P) from
Lulu.com
Top wildlife watching spots in East Anglia.
Articles about wildlife of North America
Ten top places to watch whales.
Wildlife walks, talks and events with the Surrey Wildlife Trust
Surrey Wildlife Trust EventsSurrey WT have a full programme of events, with something happening every week.
Details
Is southern Sri Lanka the world's top spot for seeing blue and sperm whales?
The Blue whales off the coast of Sri Lanka.
Details
New species recently discovered
New species are still being discovered at a remarkable rate, and in remarkable places.
Click here to see the latest newly discovered species.
More wildlife and natural history books
Australian wildlife images
| Australian Wildlife Photography |
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Shane Walker lives in New South Wales and specialises in Australian wildlife photography. See more of Shane's pictures |
A Life of Ospreys
Written by Roy Dennis. What Diane Fossey is to gorillas and David Shepherd is to Elephants, Roy Dennis is to ospreys.
Read full review »
The Encyclopaedia of Sharks
There are some weird and wonderful shapes and sizes. The Hammerhead we all know, but the extraordinary Goblin shark, with its hugely elongated nose (and even more unusually, with a liver that accounts for 25% of its bodyweight.), the prehistoric looking Frilled shark with trident teeth, to the tiny pygmy shark, which checks in at less than a foot long.
Read full review »
BBC Wildlife Magazine
This is not the website for the BBC Wildlife Magazine. If you are looking for the website of the BBC Wildlife, please
click here.
Top recommendations for wildlife watching activities in the UK.
Rhino poaching- the poacher tells all.
The Van Deventer brothers were arrested in South Africa on charges of poaching rhinoceroses. Having entered into a plea bargain with the state, the brothers received reduced prison sentences. Shortly afterwards, they contacted investigative journalist and Africa Geographic columnist Ian Michler. They wanted to tell their story.
Read the full piece
Mud, Man-eaters and Mangroves: Fighting to save the Sundarbans Tigers
There is only one place on earth where wild tigers live in a mangrove swamp. At 10,000km2 the Indian and Bangladeshi Sundarbans is the biggest and most bio-diverse mangrove forest in the world, and home to the tiger.
Read more »
Chris Packham's thoughts
Articles about the wildife of the Antarctic
England nature
Read about the nature of England, and see a guide to nature reserves in England.
Click here to see more about English Nature
Southern right whales of South Australia.
This is one of the best viewing areas in the world with up to 70 whales, including calves, congregating in the seas adjacent to the Bunda cliffs.
Read more.
The Gannets of Grassholm Island
Gannets have now colonised the island in huge numbers. Grassholm covers only 22 acres and there are at least 60,000 Gannets plus their chicks, as well as small colonies of Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Shags.
Click here to read the full article
Safari with children
My kids were so excited about the thought of going on safari in Kenya, and we had a great time. A walking safari, 4 days on the Masai Mara seeing pretty much everything, the flamingos and rhinos at Nakuru, everything you want to see. And the abiding memories? Hiding under the seats of the open top landrover while watching lions hunting, (as all they have learned from years as armchair viewers is that lions will eat you.) and the hotel with a swim up bar and free coke!
READ THE FULL ARTICLE
Biscay ORCA Big Whale Watch 2008 clocks up 9 cetacean species