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Gorgeous Curlew chicks rescued from wildfire threat at Lough Neagh

A pioneering conservation project has provided Curlew chicks with a new lease of life after their eggs were rescued from the threat of wildfire.

Five curlew fledglings, the young of one of Northern Ireland's most iconic birds, were successfully released around the shores of South Lough Neagh. They had been saved as eggs when a peatland blaze threatened two nest sites.

Fire had ignited on a large block of peatland habitat and, as the local Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service worked around the clock to put the fires out, the temperate weather conditions, lack of rain and fanning winds reignited the fire on other areas of the site.

Undertaking frontline conservation work in response to the fire, the Lough Neagh Partnership team alongside partner organisations RSPB NI and NIEA, took emergency lifesaving steps to save the eggs.

For the first time in Ireland, the partners acquired a licence to remove the fragile eggs from their natural habitat and maximise their chances of survival, as these birds are one of Northern Ireland's most endangered species, having declined by 85% since 1985.

The eggs were placed in an incubator and transported to a secure location for hatching and hand rearing. The chicks were then transferred to the RSPB’s Portmore Lough reserve where they were kept in a pen on soft rush pastures providing ideal feeding habitat for curlews.

Dr Neil McCulloch, Ornithologist at Northern Ireland Environment Agency, said: "Curlew have declined catastrophically over the past 30 years and the plight of this iconic species is now recognised as one of the UK's most urgent conservation issues.

"The decline has been particularly severe in Northern Ireland, with over 80% of our Curlew having been lost. One of the main problems has been the poor survival of young birds and every chick is now precious. The Lough Neagh Partnership are therefore to be congratulated for their prompt action in ensuring the survival of these broods and NIEA is delighted to have been able to assist this project."

He continued: "We now hope to see these young birds returning to the Lough Neagh area in future years and becoming part of an increasing Curlew breeding population. The fact that this project was necessary also highlights the danger to wildlife posed by fires in the countryside, most of which are avoidable."

Conservation scientist Dr Kendrew Colhoun, who helped with the project, added: "This was a big step for us to take. As conservation scientists, our key job is to work with the local community to gather information on these special birds to help inform their protection.

"It is clear that our love for them is shared by the community and we simply could not be bystanders to the acute threat of burning this season. In the wild we have thankfully seen some young birds successfully fledging elsewhere in this area this year and further boosting the Lough Neagh population, albeit by unconventional means."

The curlew chicks have now been released as they are able to fly and survive independently and it is hoped they will continue to thrive and breed in the Lough Neagh landscape.

Reference: Country Life: Naomi Gordon 19 hrs ago: 05/09/2020

Terrified dog shot more than 60 times with pellet gun

A dog has been left traumatised after he was shot more than 60 times with a pellet gun.

The lurcher was discovered by a dog warden on August 19 in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, and taken to the local SPCA rescue centre.

The pup, who the charity has named Ashton, was initially terrified of anyone approaching him, and was especially protective of his head and neck area, staff said.

Vets had to sedate him to conduct a check-up, which is when they discovered he had been repeatedly shot.

Claire Aiton, rescue centre assistant manager, said: “The dog warden had quite an ordeal trying to catch Ashton as he was so nervous.

“When he first arrived he was terrified and showing visible signs of distress. We were astonished to find pellet wounds all over his body and tail when he was x-rayed.

“Once the pellets had been removed and Ashton had recovered from the operation, his temperament changed quickly.

“He was no longer aggressive and we suspect he was reacting negatively due to the pain he was in."

Ms Aiton continued: “Our team has dedicated time to coaxing Ashton out of his shell and although he is still nervous, he has come on leaps and bounds.

“He lets us put a lead on him and he enjoys going out for walks. He’s even letting us cuddle and clap him.

“We would like to find out what happened to Ashton. It might be that he wandered too close to farm animals and a farmer has shot him.

“It is lawful for farmers to be able to do this to protect their animals.”

She said Ashton is not currently available for rehoming as he requires some rehabilitation first.

Reference: Evening standard: Harriet Brewis 1 day ago: 05/09/2020

Mastodons travelled north when climate changed, study finds

Mastodons travelled large distances across North America due to climate change 2.5 million to 11,700 years ago, a new study suggests.

Researchers say dramatic environmental changes accompanying the shift or melting of continental glaciers played a key role as American mastodons moved north from their southern ranges.

The animals were among the largest living land animals on Earth at the time, roaming from Beringia (present-day Alaska and the Yukon) east to Nova Scotia and south to central Mexico.

They were primarily browsers, living in swampy settings, and eating shrubs and low-hanging tree branches.

In the first large-scale genetic study of American mastodons, published in the Nature Communications journals, researchers studied fossilised samples, including the teeth, tusks and bones, of 33 individual animals.

Around 11,000 years ago the species died out during the megafaunal extinctions which took out many of the large mammals such as mammoths, sabre-toothed cats and giant ground sloths.

Evolutionary geneticist Hendrik Poinar, director of the McMaster Ancient DNA Centre and author on the study, said: “The genetic data show a strong signal of migration, moving back and forth across the continent, driven what appears to be entirely by climate.

“These mastodons were living in Alaska at a time when it was warm, as well as Mexico and parts of Central America.

“These weren’t stationary populations – the data show there was constant movement back and forth.”

According to the researchers, dramatic and repeated temperature fluctuations took place routinely on the planet for millions of years.

Cycles of glacial and interglacial periods over the last 800,000 years resulted in periodic expansion of the ice sheet across approximately 50% of the habitable land in North America.

Researchers identified five distinct groups – or clades – of mastodons.

Two originated from eastern Beringia (a region that historically adjoined Russia and America).

The authors found no overlap in the ages of the specimens from the eastern Beringia groups and suggest that the two clades likely resulted from separate expansions into this region.

This coincided with interglacial periods when warm climatic conditions supported the establishment of forests and wetlands, according to the study.

The research suggests that mastodons were travelling vast distances in response to warming climate conditions and melting ice sheets, from warmer environments to the northernmost reaches of Alaska and the Yukon.

However, despite these massive increases in territory, northern populations were much less genetically diverse, rendering them more vulnerable to extinction.

Emil Karpinski, lead author on the study and a graduate student at the Ancient DNA Centre and the Department of Biology at McMaster University, said: “By looking genetically at these animals which lived for the last 800,000 years, we can actually see the make-up of these populations that made it up to the north.

“It’s really interesting because a lot of species presently, like moose and beaver, are rapidly expanding their range northwards by as much as tens to hundreds of kilometres every century.”

Reference: By Nina Massey, PA Science Correspondent 1 day ago:02/09/2020

Parrot entertains visitors with a perfect rendition of Beyonce hit

A singing parrot has been causing a stir at a wildlife park by belting out Beyonce's If I Were A Boy.

Crowds are defying social distancing measures at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park to get a glimpse of Chico, a nine-year-old yellow-crowned amazon parrot.

The parrot has regularly broken into song since arriving at the attraction in Boston 18 months ago.

Footage of Chico singing an incredibly accurate rendition of Beyonce's If I Were A Boy went viral after it was uploaded to social media last week.

He hit all the right notes as he sang the opening lines to the 2008 hit by the 38-year-old US megastar while visitors chuckled in the background.

The talented bird can also mimic other pop tracks including Poker Face by Lady Gaga, Firework by Katy Perry and You Drive Me Crazy by Gnarls Barkley.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Park CEO Steve Nichols said: 'After more than 25 years working with these amazing birds, they still never cease to amaze me.

'Who'd have ever thought that a parrot would cause social distancing problems due to being so popular.'

Regular visitor Graham Gardner, 54, from Boston, said Chico had proved a star attraction at the park since he arrived.

He added: 'People can't get enough of him, there's always a line of people waiting to see him - it's like he's an actual pop star at times.

'He'll just break into song randomly and it leaves people in hysterics.

'He's actually got a very good voice. Maybe Simon Cowell might get in touch, you never know.'

Footage of Chico performing the Beyonce track has been viewed over 10,000 times since being uploaded last week.

Ellie Roby, commenting on the parks Facebook page, said: 'Oh wow I love this.'

Sophie Taylor said: 'Please, we need to see and hear more from Chico!!!'

Linda Parker posted: 'I'm in love with him saw him yesterday He told me he was a good boy then started singing I stood there in amazement.'

The Yellow Crowned Amazon is able to repeat human speech in a clear voice and can live often up to an astonishing 100 years old.

They are native to tropical South America, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago where they feast on a diet of fruits, nuts, seeds and berries.

Reference: Daily Mail: Emer Scully For Mailonline 2 days ago01/09/2020