NEW bird species found!

[Dan Salter]

Ok so this is not strictly about british wildlife but i find it exciting and interesting . And what a cutey !

Wildlife Extra - New bird species found in India

[nightshade]

12 months and it will be in the pet shops(remember the rare pine tree)

[Dan Salter]

nope?

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by nightshade

12 months and it will be in the pet shops(remember the rare pine tree)

Nope?

[Gill Catton]

in a way it's exciting so Pretty!
in a way it's depressing because it's another species on the brink.....
I think what Nightshade is highlighting is flippin collectors those for whom a rare species is a desirable must have for their collection that would command a high price and admiration amongst peers....

[nightshade]

Nope? Garden Express :: Online Nursery : Landscaping, Plant & Bulb Catalogues
there you are Dan

[Alan]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Nope? Garden Express :: Online Nursery : Landscaping, Plant & Bulb Catalogues
there you are Dan

Yes but I thought that new species of pine is being propagated so it doesn't become rarer? It's an insurance policy and not on the sam parr as some rare birds etc.

.......correct me if I'm wrong!

[aeshna5]

You're right Alan; the Wollemi Pine is being propogated + money has been returned for conservation, so in this case it is beneficial- especially as I believe only 1 grove of these fossil trees (not a pine really, more closely related to Monkey Puzzle) exists in some mountain ravine near Sydney in wild. If a disease occurred all could be wiped out, so good to have them in cultivation.

[Wilf]

I wonder how many more are out there waiting to be discovered ?

[matt_xyz]

a related article about Minsmere in today's Independent;

Independent Online Edition > Environment

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

a related article about Minsmere in today's Independent;

Independent Online Edition > Environment

That's an encouraging article Matt. It would be nice if it happens at other reserves around Britain. Julie

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

That's an encouraging article Matt. It would be nice if it happens at other reserves around Britain. Julie

It would indeed Julie. I think Minsmere is a bit special because it seems to be surrounded by quite a large area of relatively unspoilt land (Dunwich Heath etc). If Minsmere weren't a haven for wildlife I think British wildlife would be in trouble!

Matt

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

It would indeed Julie. I think Minsmere is a bit special because it seems to be surrounded by quite a large area of relatively unspoilt land (Dunwich Heath etc). Matt

Don't get me wrong, I love Minsmere, but the phrase "relatively unspoilt land" is not really true :-) :-) :-)

Minsmere is highly managed (and Dunwich Heath too) and intensively maintains the heathland - it doesn't stay of its own accord; they have in the last year or so chopped down lots of pine and birch to return some areas to "proper" heathland, and have several other areas that have been farmland or grassland that they are converting to heathland to still further improve the nature reserve.

The heathland needs maintaining to keep it suitable for specialists such as the nightjars and silver studded blue butterfly.

The famous Minsmere scrapes are artifically made and are inside an electric fence, and the little terns on the beach were also electric fenced duiring the breeding season etc..

I imply no critiscism whatever - just pointing out that what you see is not really "unspoilt" but actually cleverly maintained.

"Natural" would be a return to the oak forests that were cut down to support the Elizabethan boatbuilding industries at both Dunwich and Thorpness!!

And they had another first for minsmere moths yesterday
"Four-spotted Footman Lithosia quadra" which they shared with us ordinary public at the front desk.

[Bushcraft]

Cute little guy! Just goes to show much we still don't know about our world and its hidden treasures. I remember seeing a bird once that I never found out what it was. It was so tiny I mistook it for a moth until I got close to it. It was like a Wren but it made a Wren look huge! I would say its wingspan was about an inch. I guessed it was a type of Finch that had escaped but having bred birds since the age of 13 I would have though I would have seen one before.

Best wishes
Kris

[matt_xyz]

all interesting and valid points Hobjob.

Although, I would still argue that land managed exculsively for wildlife is 'unspoilt' (in the sense that it doesn't have housing estates or retail parks on it)

Matt

Originally Posted by Hobjob

Don't get me wrong, I love Minsmere, but the phrase "relatively unspoilt land" is not really true :-) :-) :-)

Minsmere is highly managed (and Dunwich Heath too) and intensively maintains the heathland - it doesn't stay of its own accord; they have in the last year or so chopped down lots of pine and birch to return some areas to "proper" heathland, and have several other areas that have been farmland or grassland that they are converting to heathland to still further improve the nature reserve.

The heathland needs maintaining to keep it suitable for specialists such as the nightjars and silver studded blue butterfly.

The famous Minsmere scrapes are artifically made and are inside an electric fence, and the little terns on the beach were also electric fenced duiring the breeding season etc..

I imply no critiscism whatever - just pointing out that what you see is not really "unspoilt" but actually cleverly maintained.

"Natural" would be a return to the oak forests that were cut down to support the Elizabethan boatbuilding industries at both Dunwich and Thorpness!!

And they had another first for minsmere moths yesterday
"Four-spotted Footman Lithosia quadra" which they shared with us ordinary public at the front desk.

[speckled wood]

There appears to be another new species under the name "haircut" on the gallery, not sure whether it is capable of flight though.