Vast, unnecessary hotel complex to destroy Portugal’s wetland paradise

Portugal gives go-ahead to destroy internationally recognized unique coastal lagoon and bird sanctuary on Algarve coast.

July 2012. With current hotel occupancy standing at just 55% the Portuguese Government has disgracefully given permission for yet more - and, what's worse, the development threatens the last coastal lagoon along the south coast.

The RSPB and SPEA, (the Portuguese equivalent), have been fighting a ten year battle to save the area, Salgados, (or "Pera Marsh" as it's known to many birdwatchers), and for it to be given named as an SPA, (a site of special protection status); inexplicably this has never been granted.

Vast luxury development pannedInstead the Government has given Finalgarve, (part of Grupo Gallilei, a company currently before a Parliamentary Commission for corruption), permission to develop an area of 359 hectares, (887 acres), right next door to this unique habitat. 

Insufficient funds & corruptionIncluded in the plan are three new hotels and a golf course, along with myriad villas and shops etc. However, with not enough funds to pay the fines being levelled on it for its past corruption, Finalgarve have let it be known that they do not have the money necessary for construction and are appealing for investors worldwide. 

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/salgados.html

New mink threat to Irish seabird islands

American invaders have now reached Puffin Island September 2011: American mink are beginning to colonise some of Ireland's most remote offshore islands – prompting calls for immediate action.

The islands, thanks to their inaccessibility and lack of mammalian predators, are home to some of the most important seabird colonies in Europe. But now the mink, voracious predators of nesting birds, eggs and chicks, are threatening these safe havens.

Bird Watch Ireland's senior seabird conservation officer, Dr Stephen Newton, explains the Heritage Council-funded efforts to solve the problem.

‘Ireland has a special international responsibility for seabirds: indeed several of our west coast islands in Kerry are truly globally special places for species such as the Manx shearwater and the European storm petrel.'

Stock for fur farms‘These birds are nocturnal and nest underground in burrows or rock crevices, and so are less well known than the charismatic puffin,' said Dr Newton, ‘which is easily seen from May through to July at spectacular sites such as Great Saltee in County Wexford, Skellig Michael, County Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare.'

American mink are non-native, aquatic carnivores and capable of swimming out to islands located a moderate distance from the mainland. First brought to Ireland in the middle of the 20th Century as stock for fur farms, many escaped or were deliberately released and have now spread throughout much of the country.

‘Quite how far mink can swim is not really known, but they have certainly reached Puffin Island, which lies only 300-400 metres off a very inaccessible section of the Kerry coast,' said Dr Newton. ‘The island is a BirdWatch Ireland reserve, protected for its large breeding colonies of Manx shearwater, storm petrel and, not surprisingly, puffins.'

These carnivores can do irreparable damage‘The first mink was recorded on the island in 2007 and mink were certainly still present in April 2011, when several dead shearwaters and a recently killed petrel were found.'

It is now hoped the work of BirdWatch Ireland and the Heritage Council can now rescue the islands from the threat.

‘Grant aid from the Heritage Council has enabled us to make several expeditions to the island during spring and summer this year to attempt to trap and remove these alien carnivores before irreparable damage is done to the burrow-nesting seabirds,' said Dr Newton.

‘Unfortunately, even as this work was underway, another BirdWatch Ireland member of staff discovered what is almost certainly a mink scat (dropping) on Great Saltee. This island lies a little further, about 5km, off the Wexford coast near Kilmore Quay.

‘BirdWatch Ireland is following up this report and will, if necessary, take appropriate action.'

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/mink-puffin.html#cr

Don’t feed garden birds with turkey and goose fat – It may kill them

RSPB warns of dangers of turkey fat for birds

December 2010. Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat - but that fat isn't suitable for everyone. The RSPB is warning that cooked turkey fat is extremely dangerous to birds and could even kill them.

Many people put the leftover contents of Christmas dinner roasting tins outside for birds, wrongly believing it's as beneficial to them as other fats like lard and suet. They pour the fat onto bird tables or mix it with seed thinking it will give them an energy boost and provide them with the nutrients they need.

But cooked turkey fat is completely unsuitable for birds for several reasons:

It stays soft even when cooled, meaning it could smear onto birds' feathers and ruin water proofing and insulating qualities

The softness of turkey fat means it's not practical to make popular ‘bird cake' where its mixed with seeds, as it will not harden to hold its shape

Many people rub turkey joints liberally with salt to crisp the skin and high levels of salt are toxic to birds

The fat in roasting tins can't be separated from other leftover liquids like meat juices. This concoction can go rancid quickly, and form an ideal breeding ground for salmonella and other food poisoning bacteria

Birds are already vulnerable
Birds are prone to bacterial infections at this time of year as their defences and energy levels are low because of the cold.

Kirsi Peck, RSPB Wildlife Adviser, says: "Please, please don't use fat from roasting tins to feed garden birds. It's great that so many people want to try and give birds extra treats but in this case you could be killing them with kindness.

"The juices mixed in roasting tins will go off very quickly and could cause disease on bird tables. Birds are very susceptible to them at this time of year. Turkey fat could also damage birds' feathers and during winter they need to be in tip top condition to help keep them warm. But don't let this put you off feeding garden birds - there are loads of leftovers that are suitable."

Cake, crumbs and cheese are good
The RSPB recommends Christmas scraps like Christmas cake crumbs, mince pie pastry crumbs and biscuit crumbs. Other suitable leftovers include mild grated cheese, cooked or uncooked rice, dry porridge oats, cooked potatoes and fruit.

The cooking juices from all other meats as well as turkey are equally as unsuitable for feeding to garden birds. The RSPB recommends that the best way to dispose of meat fat is to leave it to cool down and put it in the bin, not pour it down the sink.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/turkey-fat.html