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Identification pitfalls and assessment problems. 16. European Bee-eater Merops apiaster

01 May 1995 Comments Main paper This series, which started in January 1983 (Brit. Birds 76: 26-28), is not intended to cover ail facets of the identification of the species concerned, but only the major sources of error likely to mislead the observer in the field or the person attemp...

The best annual bird report awards

01 May 1995 Comments Main paper It is with keen anticipation that the four judges assemble to assess the year's batch of annual reports, for the standard these days is so high that comments consist almost entirely of drawing attention to useful summaries, interesting records, pleasin...

Inland spring passage of Arctic Terns in southern Britain

01 May 1995 Comments Main paper Inland spring passage through Britain of large numbers of Arctic Terns Sterna paradisaea is not a recent phenomenon. A remarkable passage occurred in April 1947, related to a weather system which produced strong southwesterly gales during 19th-23rd: Ar...

The famous Grouse' Scotch whisky Christmas puzzle: the solution

01 May 1995 Comments Editorials 1. The Honey-buzzard will dig a huge hole, sometimes almost burying itself, as it excavates a wasps' nest. 2. An ancient stone circle on The Machars in Dumfries & Galloway is known as the Wren's Egg. 3. Runaway slaves were known as 'blackbirds'. 4....

Letters

01 May 1995 Comments Letters It is a pity that British Birds has not been outspoken on the outrageous campaign that is being undertaken to wipe out feral Ruddy Ducks Oxyura jamaicensis in Britain. It is surely a matter of concern to all bird-lovers that birds on the British List b...

Rarities committee news and announcements

01 May 1995 Comments Editorials Alan Brown retired from the British Birds Rarities Committee as longest-serving member on 31st March 1995. Nominations for his replacement were invited via a number of publications during 1994. No nomination was made by the Committee itself, opening up...

Recent reports

01 May 1995 Comments News and comment Compiled by Barry Nightingale and Anthony McGeehan This summary covers the period 20th March to 17th April 1995. These are unchecked reports, not authenticated records. Gyr Falcon Falco rusticolus St Kilda (Western Isles), 31st March; grey-phase indivi...

News and comment

01 May 1995 Comments News and comment Many of us are old enough to remember the toxic chemical era of the 1950s and 1960s, when persistent toxic chemicals, including DDT and dieldrin, seemed to be the focus of attention for conservationists world-wide. Dramatic declines in raptor popu...

Reviews

01 May 1995 Comments Reviews Videoguides for Birdwatchers: an identification guide to the World's Calidris sandpipers. By Andy Butler. Nature Vision, Seacroft, 1994. 56 minutes. £17.50. This video provides good and quite lengthy views of practically all the calidrids and nea...

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