One-third of the critical wetlands that migratory waterbirds need when traveling between Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Central Asia are entirely unprotected, according to the first survey using a new online information tool. As a result, 42 percent of these waterbird species are in decline, bird experts warn. The online tool was unveiled at an International Waterbird Conservation Symposium taking place in The Hague to mark the 15th anniversary of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement, AEWA.

Andalucia Bird Society is proud to be supporting this year’s International Bird Fair based in Tarifa during September 2010. The International Bird Fair of Tarifa is the scene for the promotion of Andalucia as a destination, of our interior, of sustainable tourism, commercialisation, for developing debate, the training and sharing of the best experiences. Of course the International Bird Fair of Tarifa is also a wonderful opportunity to meet and inter-react with others sharing a common interest – NATURE! We are hoping as many of our members will attend over the three days as possible.

Andalucia, in the deep south of Spain, is an extremely special place for birds. Unsurprisingly the region can offer challenges to even the most experienced birder, resident or visitor! Among the species that regularly cause identification problems, for example, are Pallid Swift, Thekla Lark and Lesser Kestrel. These species are particularly difficult due to similarities with closely related birds. The Andalucia Bird Society will be publishing various identification guides for difficult birds in the future hoping members will find them useful and of practical help when out in the field watching birds. To read more follow this link.

Our next meeting is now scheduled for Saturday 19th June. The field trip will be to the area between Osuna and Marchena, an extremely good region for Collared Pratincole, Short-toed and Calandra Lark, Montagu’s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Little Bustard and Roller. If the trip gets lucky we might also see Great Bustard! We also plan our member’s AGM with a scheduled start 9:00am and elect new officers, before joining the field trip at 10:00am. Please follow the forum post for these events by clicking on this link. We hope as many as possible can attend and will be posting the meeting point very soon.

One of the more plausible theories for the decline of the House Sparrow is discussed on our forum and may interest our members. Certainly in Northern Europe the decline has been causing grave concern. The House Sparrow's extinction theory was that the unleaded fuel, believed to be eco-friendly, had harmful byproducts. The fuel uses Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) as an anti-knocking agent. Along with byproducts of combustion, this kills small insects. To read more click here.