Hopeful news for the future of the Critically Endangered Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus. Supported by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the International Crane Foundation through the UN Environment Programme, a joint project by China, Iran, Kazakhstan and Russia will use a ‘flyway’ approach to protect the remaining 3000 - 3500 birds.

…but it is seriously funny.  By the way, anatidaephobia is the fear that “somehow, somewhere, a duck is watching you.”  It does seem unlikely that anyone actually suffers from anatidaephobia, because it was invented by Gary Larson, creator of The Far Side, in this strip.

Like to win a brand new hardback copy of Europe’s best field guide (see the review right here)? I thought so. If you’re a member of the 10,000 Birds Conservation Club you’ll have the chance next week. If you’re not, er - you won’t. So join already, or miss out on this and piles of other goodies!

Incredibly a new study based on research by Professor Barbara Block, who tracked more than 150 Great Whites using satellite and acoustic tracking devices, shows that numbers had dropped below the 3,500
tigers that exist in the wild. Numbers have dropped by 90% in 20 years mainly from illegal fishing, but also from being hit by boats and tangled up in fishing nets. Our forests are falling quiet, our farmland has lost most of its wildlife, and our seas are being emptied. I predict that our children will not be thanking us for the mess we’re handing them…