Critter News

SEPTEMBER 6, 2009

The hunting and selling of ortolans, which have suffered a Europe-wide decline of 40-50% in the last 40 years, has been illegal in France since 1999. During the hunting season, which lasts from mid-August until the end of September, the birds are taken from their cages, fattened up in the dark and then drowned alive in Armagnac.

France 100

France Endangered Species Protest Protesting 100

10,000 Birds

JULY 9, 2015

Further down the road, we reach a derelict building with a large veranda hidden among the trees – an abandoned hunting lodge (if I were in a situation to invest, I would choose to upgrade this into a luxury wildlife lodge). These days, the species shares habitats with Tigers, Snow Leopard, Bears, etc. It is too early to show.

Tigers 231

Tigers Dogs India Snow Leopard 231

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2012

All the inhabited continents except Africa have experienced bird extinctions; however the 2012 update of the IUCN Red List shows a startling, but not altogether unexpected, trend in that more and more of our bird species are facing extinction. Habitat destruction, hunting and disturbance are further factors affecting the population.

Endangered Species 183

Endangered Species Species South Africa Morocco 183

10,000 Birds

MAY 19, 2012

Concern for the future of this species is such that the WPA and BirdLife International-Vietnam Programme are working together to organize immediate action. Leading scientists, conservationists and aviculturalists from Europe and South-east Asia met at Walsrode in Germany recently to formulate a rescue plan.

Vietnam 153

Vietnam 2000 Germany Groups 153

10,000 Birds

OCTOBER 21, 2015

One thing you must do is hire a local guide, as while you can hunt for yourself you’ll see a hell of a lot more with one. As we found a Common Quail from Europe (although I have never seen one there) as well as the tiny Quail Finch , a minute bird that like the Botha’s Lark you only really see if you flush.

South Africa 145

South Africa Africa Falcons Family 145

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 18, 2018

I love the challenge of “the hunt” and the satisfaction of the find but I also have the ones I want to see the most, my biggest targets if you will. In Costa Rica, the growing local birding community likewise have their lists of most wanted species, both local and global. This bird does indeed glow. Cedar Waxwing.

Costa Rica 101

Costa Rica Bald Eagle Eagles Birds 101