more good news

[kenny]

hi all
another bit of good news

Home (http://www.birdlife.org/index.html) > News (http://www.birdlife.org/news/index.html) > News Search (http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/index.html) >
http://www.birdlife.org/images/sized/200/b_white_shouldered_ibis3.jpg.jpg (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/white_shouldered_ibis3.html&width=&caption=) J C Eames
White-shouldered Ibis exist in severely fragmented populations.
Largest White-shouldered Ibis flock recorded

05-12-2006
Record numbers of the Critically Endangered White-shouldered Ibis have been recorded at two sites in Cambodia, giving conservationists further hope for the survival of the species and renewed calls for further protection of its key habitats.
This month BirdLife’s Cambodia Programme Office and staff from the Wildlife Protection Office (WPO) recorded a staggering 108 birds at two sites in western Siem Pang District in Stung Treng Province, Cambodia.
At the first site, 28 birds were recorded in trees by forest wetlands known locally as trapeangs. Later that day, at another site in the southern part of the district, 80 birds were seen coming in to roost – this is the largest flock of White-shouldered Ibis ever recorded. In 2005 BirdLife and the WPO recorded 70 White-shouldered Ibis at wetlands in western Siem Pang. The recent sightings confirm the international importance of Siem Pang for the ibis. The global population of White-shouldered Ibis was previously estimated at just 250 mature individuals.
ken

[kenny]

http://www.birdlife.org/images/sized/200/b_white_rumped_vulture_hatchling.jpg.jpg (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_white_rumped_vulture_hatchling.html&width=&caption=) BNHS
The captive breeding success gives hope to conservationists working to save Asia's declining vulture populations.
Zoom In (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_white_rumped_vulture_hatchling.html&width=400&caption=The captive breeding success gives hope to conservationists working to save Asia's declining vulture populations.) Hopes soar after vulture chick hatches

09-01-2007
One of the world’s most threatened birds has bred in captivity for the first time in India. The news has given scientists and conservationists further hope for saving Asia’s declining vulture populations.
The single chick, a White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, was hatched at a breeding centre in Pinjore, Haryana, as part of a breeding programme undertaken by BNHS (BirdLife in India) and the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK). Scientists had not expected the birds to breed successfully in captivity until at least 2008.
“The egg was laid in November and since then, we have been waiting and hoping.” said Dr Vibhu Prakash, Principal Scientist for the vulture breeding programme at BNHS “This success shows that we have got the conditions right, so now we can plan ahead with confidence to breed many more vultures in the future.”
Captive breeding is being used in India to help ensure that Asian vulture populations recover after populations of threevulture species - White-Rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture Gyps indicus and Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris - declined by more that 95 percent in just three years in the 1990s. Subsequent research found a link between the apparent vulture declines and a veterinary drug, diclofenac, being used in treating livestock. Many millions of vultures are thought to have died as a result of feeding on the carcasses of livestock treated with the drug.
http://www.birdlife.org/images/sized/200/b_white-rumped_vulture.jpg.jpg (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_white-rumped_vulture.html&width=&caption=) Chris Gomersall (RSPB-images.com)
White-rumped Vulture is listed as Critically Endangered by BirdLife International.
Zoom In (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_white-rumped_vulture.html&width=400&caption=White-rumped Vulture <I> Gyps bengalensis </I> is listed as Critically Endangered by BirdLife International.)
“This success shows that we have got the conditions right, so now we can plan ahead with confidence to breed many more vultures in the future.” —Dr Vibhu Prakash, Principal Scientist, BNHS
Vultures, being highly efficient scavengers, are a crucial part of South Asia’s ecosystems. In recent years they have continued to decline by between 22 and 48 percent each year.
Vulture numbers are now so low that the birds’ survival is largely dependent on captive breeding success, as well as stopping the use of diclofenac.
The drug is currently being phased out in India, Pakistan and Nepal.
Chris Bowden, Head of the RSPB’s Vulture Conservation Programme said: “The hatching of this vulture chick is a hugely important milestone and shows that the vulture breeding programme really can help save the vultures once diclofenac is removed from the environment.
In January 2006, scientists from the RSPB and the Zoological Society of London proved that the drug meloxicam was a suitable, and safe, alternative to diclofenac. Conservationists are now promoting the use of this safer drug in veterinary practice:
“The increasing availability of meloxicam means that farmers and vets can switch to the new drug. But this must happen immediately if we are to avoid losing the last remaining wild vultures,” urged Dr Asad Rahmani, Director of the Bombay Natural History Society.

[kenny]

hi all
sorry for not posting more this week

http://www.birdlife.org/images/sized/200/b_uvea_parakeet.jpg.jpg (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_uvea_parakeet.html&width=&caption=) Pierre Primot
Uvea Parakeet: one of the threatened parrot species that will benefit from last year's British Birdwatching Fair.
Zoom In (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_uvea_parakeet.html&width=400&caption=Uvea Parakeet <I> Eunymphicus uvaeensis </I>: fewer than 750 survive) Pacific parrots receive record funds from Birdwatching Fair

29-01-2007
Parrots in the Pacific, many of which are facing considerable threats, have been handed a significant lifeline with news that the British Birdwatching Fair has raised record amounts towards their conservation.
At a ceremony today at the headquarters of the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK), a cheque for £215,000 (421,000 USD) was handed to BirdLife International from the organisers of the British Birdwatching Fair.
Accepting the cheque on behalf of BirdLife International was Dr Michael Rands, Chief Executive:
"The British Birdwatching Fair has been incredibly important in helping us achieve a great deal towards bird conservation across the world. BirdLife International would like to express thanks to the British Birdwatching Fair and the thousands of people who visited last year and gave so generously.” he said.
The annual three-day event is held at Rutland Water and is jointly promoted by the RSPB and Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. Almost 19,000 people attended the event in August 2006.
“It was another record-breaking year for the British Birdwatching Fair.” said Tim Appleton, co-organiser of the event. “The fair continues to be a great day out for anyone with an interest in the countryside and wildlife and by coming along people are contributing to conservation on a global scale. It’s a fantastic achievement.”
"BirdLife International would like to express thanks to the British Birdwatching Fair and the thousands of people who visited last year and gave so generously." —Dr Michael Rands, Chief Executive, BirdLife International
Over its eighteen year history, donations now total £1.7 million. These donations have supported and contributed toward many of BirdLife’s global achievements.
In past years, the British Birdwatching Fair has helped BirdLife conserve Gurney’s Pitta in South-east Asia, establish a BirdLife Partner in Brazil, supported projects saving crucial habitat in Sumatra and Cuba and contributed to the global ‘Save the Albatross’ campaign.
This year’s donation from the British Birdwatching Fair will contribute towards BirdLife’s work in the Pacific Islands. Pacific Parrots are becoming extinct at a higher rate than anyway else in the world, mainly due to invasive alien species like cats and black rats.
The donation will help BirdLife strengthen and raise capacity of BirdLife Partners in the Pacific; providing a basis to halt parrot declines and protecting habitats through the Important Bird Areas (IBA) Programme.
“We are truly delighted to be handing over such a significant sum of money to help conservation efforts on the other side of the world. The British Birdwatching Fair continues to initiate and support real progress for bird conservation.” said Martin Davies of the RSPB and co-organiser of the event, who presented today’s cheque to BirdLife. “We look forward to raising even more money next year to help Critically Endangered birds across the world.”
For more information on how to support BirdLife International’s work to halt the looming extinction of several small parrot species in the Pacific, visit: BirdLife Appeal: Pacific Parrots (http://www.birdlife.org/how_to_help/2006_appeal/index.html)



ken

[kenny]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/spacer.gifThreatened bird species nesting site found

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Cambodian conservationists have found Southeast Asia's only known breeding colony of slender-billed vultures -- one of the world's most threatened birds.
The colony, discovered in a heavily forested area east of the Mekong River in Cambodia's Stung Treng Province, also represents one of the last chances for recovery of the species, now listed as "Critically Endangered" by the World Conservation Union.
"We discovered the nests on top of a hill where two other vulture species were also found, one of which -- the white-rumped vulture -- is also 'critically endangered,'" said Song Chansocheat, manager of the Cambodia Vulture Conservation Project. "Amazingly, there were also a host of other globally threatened species of birds and primates. It's a very special place."
Chansocheat and his team established 24-hour protection measures against poaching and egg collecting, and are now working to create longer-term conservation measures.
The slender-billed vulture is one of several species in Asia that have been driven to the brink of extinction across its entire range due to Diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug used for cattle that is highly toxic to vultures.

[kenny]

http://www.birdlife.org/images/sized/200/b_slender-billed_vulture_chick.jpg.jpg (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_slender-billed_vulture_chick.html&width=&caption=) WCS Cambodia Programme
The Slender-billed Vulture nesting site is the first to be discovered in South-East Asia.
Zoom In (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_slender-billed_vulture_chick.html&width=400&caption=The Slender-billed Vulture <I> Gyps tenuirostris </I> nesting site is the first to be discovered in South-East Asia.) Slender-billed Vulture nests found in Cambodia: a first for South-East Asia

15-02-2007
The discovery of South-East Asia’s only known Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris breeding colony has highlighted further Cambodia’s role as a stronghold for Asia’s plummeting vulture populations.
Cambodian conservationists found five nests in the Seasan Important Bird Area (IBA) whilst undertaking surveys of birds near the Mekong river in Cambodia’s Stung Treng Province.
“We discovered the nest on top of a hill where two other vulture species were also found,” said Song Chansocheat, of the Ministry of Environment/WCS Cambodia Programme. “Amazingly, there were also a host of other globally threatened species of birds and primates. It’s a very special place.”
“It’s an important discovery, particularly because it’s the first of its kind in South-East Asia.” said Jonathan C. Eames, Programme Manager for BirdLife International in Indochina.
Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris was once common in parts of South and South-East Asia but in recent years the population has declined sharply, some estimates suggesting by as much as 99%.
Veterinary use of Diclofenac, a drug used to treat cattle, has been the driving force behind the dramatic vulture declines seen in South Asia. However, use of the drug, now being phased out across the region, appears non-existent in Cambodia. As a result the Kingdom is now an important stronghold for vultures in the region – as long as conservation work can ensure that populations are adequately protected.
“Even without the shadow of Diclofenac, vultures in Cambodia share other threats like persecution and particularly, a lack of adequate food sources in the wild – itself a symptom of Asia’s disappearing megafauna [large prey].” said Bou Vorsak, Acting Programme Manager at the BirdLife Cambodia Programme. “Vulture conservation is therefore dependent on finding out which areas are important to vultures and taking steps, with local communities and provincial governments, to ensure they are adequately conserved.”
http://www.birdlife.org/images/sized/200/b_slender-billed_vulture.jpg.jpg (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_slender-billed_vulture.html&width=&caption=Slender-billed+Vulture+is+the+rarest+of+the+three+species+ whose+populations+have+been+decimated+by+the+veter inary+drug+diclofenac.+) J C Eames
Slender-billed Vulture is the rarest of the three species whose populations have been decimated by the veterinary drug diclofenac.
Zoom In (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_slender-billed_vulture.html&width=400&caption=Slender-billed+Vulture+is+the+rarest+of+the+three+species+ whose+populations+have+been+decimated+by+the+veter inary+drug+diclofenac.+)
“It’s an important discovery, particularly because it’s the first of its kind in South-East Asia.” —Jonathan C. Eames , Programme Manager for BirdLife International in Indochina
The Cambodia Vulture Conservation Programme has been working to promote scientific research, with efforts on-the-ground to protect sites and to raise awareness of vultures as important aspects of Asian biodiversity. One of the most significant outcomes has been the use of ‘vulture restaurants’ – purposely placed dead livestock – as a means of attracting vultures to allow project staff to survey and monitor populations. The exercise is also an important opportunity to provide supplementary food for the vultures, which appears to be the main limiting factor on vulture populations.
“It’s entirely possible that the supplementary food sources of the nearby vulture restaurants have directly boosted the reproductive success of Slender-billed Vultures at this new nest site.” commented Vorsak.
The Cambodia Vulture Conservation Project, is a collaborative project of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Environment, BirdLife International Cambodia Programme, the Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Programme, and the Worldwide Fund for Nature Cambodia Programme. The project has been supported by the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund and the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK).

[kenny]

http://www.birdlife.org/images/sized/200/northern_bald_ibis_seo.jpg.jpg (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/northern_bald_ibis_seo.html&width=&caption=) Sergio Tomey, SEO/BirdLife
Most of the world’s Northern Bald Ibis breed in Souss-Massa National Park, Morocco
Zoom In (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/northern_bald_ibis_seo.html&width=400&caption=Most of the world’s Northern Bald Ibis breed in Souss-Massa National Park, Morocco) Northern Bald Ibises return

16-03-2007
The rarest birds in the Middle East are returning to their breeding grounds, having provided data about their migration route and wintering site which will help in the development of plans to protect them outside their breeding season. But the mystery of where young, non-breeding birds go in winter remains.
The re-appearance of one Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita in Palmyra, Syria, with two others close behind, has been heralded as a success for the nine-month satellite tracking project that began when scientists tagged three adult birds last summer.
"The birds’ migration remains perilous and it is our job to make that journey safer." —Ibrahim Khader, Head of BirdLife Middle East
The trio, Sultan, Salam and Zenobia, the latter named after Palmyra’s third-century warrior queen, flew more than 3,800 miles across seven countries, and spent the winter in the Ethiopian highlands 50 miles from the country’s capital, Addis Ababa.
The birds’ return route was one of the factors that surprised scientists most. They flew west rather than east of the Red Sea, crossing from Sudan to Saudi Arabia at the Sea’s widest point of about 180 miles.
However, there has so far been no sign of the nine younger birds which left the Syrian breeding colony at the same time as the adults, in July last year. Lubomir Peske, who put the tags on Sultan, Salam and Zenobia, will return to the colony this spring in the hope of tagging a young ibis.
Ibrahim Khader, Head of BirdLife Middle East, said: "The birds’ migration remains perilous and it is our job to make that journey safer. If we can do that, this population will have a much better chance of survival. Without this project, the northern bald ibis would have been consigned to history and hieroglyphics."
Find out more about BirdLife's work in the Middle East: click here (http://www.birdlife.org/regional/middle_east/index.html)





ken

[kenny]

endangered [COLOR=blue! importan species over the next five years, including 17 that are facing extinction in the United States.
U.K.-based BirdLife International is calling on environmental groups, corporations and individuals to contribute the US$37.8 million (¤28.4 million) needed for what it is dubbing the Species Champions initiative. The money will be used to protect habitats, raise awareness and reduce invasive species that often eat bird eggs and compete for food.
The campaign comes as the numbers of extinct birds is on the rise, mostly due to poaching, habitat loss and overdevelopment. In the last three decades, 21 species have been lost, including the Hawaiian honeycreeper Poo-uli, Hawaiian Crow or alala and the Spixs Macaw from Brazil, BirdLife said.
«Critically endangered birds can be saved from extinction through this innovative approach,» the group's Chief Executive Mike Rands said in a statement. «This is an enormous challenge, but one we are fully committed to achieving in our efforts to save the world's birds from extinction.
The first [URL="http://www.live-pr.com/en/campaign-launched-to-save-nearly-r23225.htm#"][COLOR=blue][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][COLOR=blue! important][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]birds (http://www.live-pr.com/en/38-world-news.htm

Campaign launched to save nearly 200 endangered birds species worldwide
http://www.live-pr.com/images/ap/1235.jpgCampaign launched to save nearly 200 endangered birds species worldwide
By MICHAEL CASEY - AP Environmental Writer © AP
© AP
16.08.2007 18:22:49

(live-PR.com) -
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - An international conservation group launched an ambitious plan Thursday to raise tens of millions of dollars (euros) to save 189 [URL="http://www.live-pr.com/en/campaign-launched-to-save-nearly-r23225.htm#) to benefit will be the Bengal Florican in Cambodia, the Belding's Yellowthroat in Mexico, Djibouti Francolin in Djibouti and Restinga Antwren from Brazil. All have seen their numbers drop from a few thousand to a few hundred and their ranges limited to a few isolated locations.
The initiative includes creating a conservation plan in Mexico, regenerating forests in Djibouti, establishing a protected area in Brazil and restoring grasslands in Cambodia where less than a thousand of the Bengal Florican are found.
«Critically endangered birds represent a very vulnerable part of global biodiversity, and all need urgent action,» Mark Gately, the director of the Wildlife Conservation Society's (http://www.live-pr.com/en/campaign-launched-to-save-nearly-r23225.htm#) Cambodia program which is working to protect the Bengal Florican.
«Through conserving them, many sites and habitats important for other species (http://www.live-pr.com/en/campaign-launched-to-save-nearly-r23225.htm#) will also be conserved,» he said. «The funds raised will directly support that work, and also conserve grassland areas that are used by nearby villages to sustain their livelihoods.
Maria Alice Alves, an ecology professor at the Rio de Janeiro State University who coordinates the Restinga Antwren preservation project, welcomed word of additional funding.
«This is great news,» Alves said. «Until now, we've been working with our hat in hand to get funding for this project.
Alves says most of their work has been devoted to documenting the distribution of the species which is limited to around 3,000 individuals covering some 48 sq. kilometers (18.5 sq. miles) along the coast east of Rio de Janeiro. The main threat to the species, according to Alves, is real estate speculation which has claimed large stretches of «restinga» as the wetlands (http://www.live-pr.com/en/campaign-launched-to-save-nearly-r23225.htm#) are known in Brazil.
All the birds targeted in the campaign are on the World Conservation (http://www.live-pr.com/en/campaign-launched-to-save-nearly-r23225.htm#) Union's Red List of Threatened Species, which are defined as those on the brink of extinction.
Among them are the Black Stilt, a New Zealand shorebird whose numbers have been reduced to a handful, the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker rediscovered recently in Arkansas and the California Condor which is just now being slowly reintroduced into the wild.
Many like Taita Thrush in Kenya are confined to diminishing fragments of their former habitat. Others like the Red-headed Vulture are still widespread in Asia and still have populations measurable in thousands, but are in dramatic decline, having lost over 80 percent of their numbers in just three generations.
Of the 17 species in the United States, 12 are from Hawaii and their numbers have been reduced to the point where some are believed to be extinct, BirdLife said. Facing threats from food shortages, hurricanes and feral goats, birds like the Maui Parrotbill and Oloma'o have not been seen for years.
http://www.live-pr.com/images/ap/1236.jpg
«We all have a negative impact on the environment, and we all have a little bit of blood on our hands when a species goes extinct,» said Stuart Butchart, BirdLife's Global Species Program Coordinator. «The Species Champions initiative provides everyone with a personal opportunity to play their part in mitigating these impacts and in saving species from extinction (http://www.live-pr.com/en/campaign-launched-to-save-nearly-r23225.htm#).
BirdLife officials said the funding will also go to implementing environmental awareness programs, helping developing government conservation (http://www.live-pr.com/en/campaign-launched-to-save-nearly-r23225.htm#) policies, creating protected area networks and carrying out surveys to better understand, assess and fight the threats facing the birds. Programs will also be aimed at removing invasive species, especially those that threaten island nesting species.
«The initiative is about raising funds to direct at the key people and organizations on the ground who can make a difference for these species on the brink of extinction,» Butchart said. «It is the first time this approach has been taken in such a globally comprehensive and coordinated way for an entire class of organisms.

[kenny]

Home (http://www.birdlife.org/index.html) > News (http://www.birdlife.org/news/index.html) > News Search (http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/index.html) >
http://www.birdlife.org/images/sized/200/b_basra_reed_warbler_cu.jpg.jpg (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_basra_reed_warbler_cu.html&width=&caption=Basra+Reed-warbler%3A+breeding+populations+were+previously+th ought+to+be+restricted+to+southern+Iraq.) A F A Hawkins/BirdLife
Basra Reed-warbler: breeding populations were previously thought to be restricted to southern Iraq.
Zoom In (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_basra_reed_warbler_cu.html&width=400&caption=Basra+Reed-warbler%3A+breeding+populations+were+previously+th ought+to+be+restricted+to+southern+Iraq.) Basra Reed-warbler returns... to Israel

22-08-2007
The only recorded breeding population of Basra Reed-warbler found outside of Iraq has been confirmed in Israel by conservationists at SPNI (BirdLife in Israel).
After the discovery last year of four individual reed-warblers in Israel’s Hula Valley, SPNI have this year announced the return of three of these ringed individuals, along with one unmarked adult - confirmation that Basra Reed-warbler does indeed breed in Israel.
“It is remarkable that all three adults ringed last year returned to the same site after probably spending the winter in East Africa,” said Itai Shanni of SPNI.
Since the discovery, further reed-warblers have since shown up: in early June at least two family groups with at least one fledgling were seen, later followed by three males and an individual female.
"It is remarkable..." —Itai Shanni, SPNI
“Given these two years’ data, we now assume that this species is indeed breeding within this site.” said Shanni.
Normally restricted as a breeding bird to the Mesopotamian marshes of southern Iraq (and likely in southwest Iran), Basra Reed-warbler has undergone very rapid and continuing declines owing to extensive drainage of its wetland breeding habitat. Although significant areas of the Iraq’s marshes are now being re-flooded, the species remains listed as Endangered by BirdLife.
SPNI are now initiating further monitoring of the species’ distribution in the region and are working to ensure the breeding area in Israel –a set of private fish ponds near Agmon Lake- is afforded some degree of protection.

[kenny]

http://www.birdlife.org/images/sized/200/b_stitchbird2.jpg.jpg (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_stitchbird2.html&width=&caption=The+Stitchbird+was+once+widespread+over+th e+North+Island+and+adjacent+offshore+islands+of+Ne w+Zealand.) Stefan Greif
The Stitchbird was once widespread over the North Island and adjacent offshore islands of New Zealand.
Zoom In (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_stitchbird2.html&width=400&caption=The+Stitchbird+was+once+widespread+over+th e+North+Island+and+adjacent+offshore+islands+of+Ne w+Zealand.) | Hi-Res (http://www.birdlife.org/images/raw/b_stitchbird2.jpg) Kiwi glee at hatching hihi

27-11-2007
Forest & Bird (BirdLife in New Zealand) has announced that the Stitchbirds (or hihi) Notiomystis cincta which were returned to the mainland earlier this year, after an absence of more than a century, have hatched chicks.
The 59 mostly juvenile hihi were transferred to Cascade Kauri Park, home of the community restoration project Ark in the Park, a partnership between between the Waitakere Branch of Forest & Bird and Auckland Regional Council [1]. The transfer followed an intensive programme to reduce the threat from introduced pests such as possums, rats and stoats.
“The fact that the first generation brought to the Waitakere Ranges is breeding successfully is a good sign that they have adapted well to their new home and are thriving,” said Ark in the Park project manager Sandra Jack.
“It’s a very exciting stage in what is basically an experiment to see if hihi can thrive in an area with low predator numbers,” she added. “If chicks fledge successfully and survive through to being able to breed themselves, then it’s looking very promising for the future of these rare and special birds. If they can survive at the Ark, they may have a future in other areas on the mainland, where they were once common”.
The reintroduced birds were brought from the Tiritira Matangi Islands, an earlier reintroduction site for Stitchbird, which was widespread over New Zealand’s North Island and adjacent offshore islands until the introduction of black rat. The last natural population on Hauturu/Little Barrier Island (31 km2) is thought to be as few as 500-2,000 birds.
Recent conservation efforts have also seen new populations established on Kapiti Island and Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington where they are safe from predators.

[laurab]

Hi Kenny,

great to read good news for a change! :-P :p

[kenny]

hi laura
its so refreshing to find some good news for a change it seemed that every peice of news i came across was really bad!so it was good to find this one


ken

[kenny]

http://www.birdlife.org/images/sized/200/kirtlands_sing_swash.jpg.jpg (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_kirtlands_warbler_swash.html&width=&caption=) Andy & Gill Swash - <A href="http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2007/11/"http://www.worldwildlifeimages.com"" _blank>www.worldwildlifeimages.com
Back for good? The last Canadian record of breeding Kirtland's Warbler was in 1945.
Zoom In (http://www.birdlife.org/zoom.html?desc=images/photos/b_kirtlands_warbler_swash.html&width=400&caption=Back for good? The last Canadian record of breeding Kirtland's Warbler was in 1945.) Conservationists “thrilled” as Kirtland’s Warbler returns to Canada

30-11-2007
Bird Studies Canada (BirdLife's Canadian co-Partner) has expressed delight at news that a pair of Kirtland’s Warbler Dendroica kirtlandii have bred in Canada – the first in over 60 years.
The birds were found at a Canadian Forces Base in eastern Ontario and, although eggs in the nest were unviable, the discovery has provided useful data for scientists researching the distribution of this species, listed globally as Near Threatened by BirdLife.
Kirtland’s Warbler does not normally breed outside of Michigan in the US, but this year in addition to the nest in Ontario, others were found in Wisconsin.
Extensive habitat loss across its northern breeding range saw the warbler’s population drop to fewer than 200 males in the 1970s. More recently numbers have been seen to recover: almost 1,500 singing males were recorded in Michigan in 2006.
“With confirmed nesting in these new locations in 2007, we hope to see the population continue to expand in the years to come.” commented Bird Studies Canada.
To protect the breeding birds from potential disturbance, their existence and location remained a closely guarded secret until this month, when the birds left Ontario for wintering sites in the Bahamas.
The eggs have now been donated to the Royal Ontario Museum, report Bird Studies Canada.