A Distinctive Performance

The Argentinian pianist and Chopin specialist Ingrid Fliter makes her debut on the Linn label with an effortless performance of Chopin's notoriously difficult piano concertos, featuring the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jun Märkl.

Fliter’s authoritative, yet expressive performance in the first concerto is complimented by a breathtaking command of Chopin’s lightening speed runs in the second. This is an absolutely phenomenal Linn debut. 

Illegal Killing of Birds in Southern Europe

Across several countries in Southern Europe including France, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Malta and Albania, birds suffer from a wide range of illegal persecution: illegal poisoning, shooting, trapping and the theft of chicks for the bird trade are common practices.

Although migratory birds are protected under EU legislation, hunters continue to blatantly contravene the law in Spain, Italy, France, Cyprus and Malta. The authorities in these countries only pay “lip service” to the legislation but do nothing to prevent the killing of birds.

Albania has recently introduced a 2 year hunting ban but only time will tell whether the authorities enforce the legislation. Albania had become a destination for Italian tourist hunters because in the European Union, at least on paper, there are much stricter controls on what and when you can shoot.

The grim fate of migratory songbirds in Valencia, Spain, has been highlighted by a new video filmed by the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS), which also shows police not responding to a call-out.

Despite a clear EU ban on such practices, the Spanish authorities take no action against these installations although these are highly visible and are operated openly by their owners. Heinz Schwarze, CABS President said: “We have informed the police time and again but no one accepts responsibility”.

Champions of the Flyway is a major new international bird race that is being staged in Eilat, Israel on 1st April 2014.

While the racing might be light-hearted, the goal is to raise funds, so that BirdLife International can tackle the illegal killing of birds in Southern and Eastern Europe.

Phone Lines Down in Brighton

I have been without a landline for telephone and Internet since last Friday and am having to use a rather slow portable Huawei router (as now). According to local news thieves have targeted and stolen British Telecom's underground copper cable. How they have managed to steal underground cable is beyond me. The upshot is that I will probably not be reconnected before 28th February, so won't be posting much before then.

Gamekeeper Guilty of setting Illegal Pole-trap

A North Yorkshire gamekeeper has pleaded guilty to setting an illegal pole-trap, contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, following evidence obtained by the League Against Cruel Sports and RSPB.

Ryan Christopher Waite admitted to two charges related to setting a pole-trap, consisting of a spring-trap on a tree stump on the Swinton Estate, near Healey, North Yorkshire, between May and June 2013, at Harrogate Magistrates Court on December 10 2013.

During a Newton hearing at Harrogate Magistrates Court today, to establish the facts of the case, magistrates deemed intent was not to catch birds of prey but rather reckless intent when catching squirrels on the shooting estate. Cobblers, if I may say so. Waite was clearly expecting to catch a bird of prey. He is a gamekeeper on a shooting estate....

Mr Waite was fined £250 and ordered to pay £105 in costs. The trap is to be forfeited and destroyed. (What is to stop him getting another?)

Pole-traps have been illegal since 1904. The devices were and still are typically used by gamekeepers near to game-rearing pens to trap birds of prey perceived to be predators. When a bird lands on the trap, usually nailed to a post, the spring will snap shut the jaws of the trap around the bird’s legs. Unable to fly away the severely injured bird will be left to suffer a long and agonising death. That’s what people like Waite use them for....    

Fish Nabs Bird in Flight - Rare video

Migrating birds face many dangers on their travels and Swallows wintering in Africa, feeding low over water on insects, have a recently documented danger to watch out for. Members of the Hydrocynus genus of fish, popularly known as Tigerfish (familiar to anyone who watches extreme fishing programmes on television), are found throughout Africa and are large and ferocious predators. This recent video footage shows Tigerfish taking Swallows out of the air as the birds make their characteristic low swoops over the water.

High Energy Bird-food for Winter

Even in a mild winter like the one we are having, wet, blustery weather means that many species struggle to find enough food to survive. Small birds suffer the most. Their low body mass means that they lose heat and weight quickly and every foraging trip for them is vital. I keep my garden feeders topped up daily and have found that my garden visitors particularly like the Peckish range of foods such as their Winter Warmer seed mix and their Daily Goodness Nuggets, which are rich in high-energy and high-protein ingredients such as suet, seeds and mealworms.

Take a look here:  www.peckishbirdfood.com  (No, I'm not on commission!)

Phalarope's 8,000-mile Trip

Where do Shetland's Red-necked Phalaropes go in the winter? It has long been assumed that they join birds from Scandinavia to overwinter in the Arabian Sea but data from a bird tagged on the Shetland Isle of Fetlar in 2012 has shown that these tiny birds make an even more epic journey than was thought.

One of 10 birds tagged with tiny tracking devices by the RSPB and the Swiss Ornithological Institute, aided by the Shetland Ringing Group, when recaptured was found to have undertaken an 8,000-mile journey over the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean and Mexico, ending up in Peru, before returning again for the summer, a journey never recorded for any bird that breeds in Europe.

The Red-necked Phalarope spends the winter at sea feeding on the plankton that blooms in colder currents. The birds may be directly affected by El Nino events, which reduce the amount of plankton available.

Defra's astonishing new TB figures

New figures just released by Defra show that bovine TB was declining in UK herds - just as Paterson claimed the disease was 'spreading' - and that Wales's no-cull, biosecurity and vaccination policy led to a 24% drop in herd infections.

Wales's biosecurity measures, combined with its small-scale badger vaccination programme, was astonishingly successful.

Read more here: http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/2281811/defras_astonishing_new_tb_figures_an_end_to_the_cull.html 

Tony Benn Seriously Ill

Former cabinet minister and veteran left-wing campaigner Tony Benn has spent a fourth night in hospital.

The former Labour MP, 88, was admitted over the weekend and is understood to be seriously ill. A family spokesman said: "Tony Benn was taken to hospital on Saturday evening after feeling unwell. He is currently receiving treatment."

Mr Benn entered Parliament in November 1950 and served in the cabinet under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan. He narrowly missed out on election as Labour deputy leader in 1981, and was instrumental in the party's 1983 general election manifesto.

Whilst his political persuasion often clashes with mine I respect and admire his frankness and honesty and recently enjoyed reading his last diaries entitled “A Blaze of Autumn Sunshine”.

I hope that Mr Benn will be able to recover.

Bravo Bellota!

We made it. Well, most of us. Lunch today at Bellota Bar y Tapas in Brighton. I was there along with my brother Dave, Phil (ex landlord of the Dover Castle Inn, Teynham, Kent), Graeme and Leslie. Two guests sent their apologies. They missed a great occasion. The food here is wonderful. From the tapas menu I enjoyed:

• Tortilla Espanola, homemade Spanish style omelette with potato and onion
• Pescado Rebozado, deep fried white fish in a special-recipe San Miguel batter
• Croquetas de Jamon, hand crumbed croquettes, filled with Serrano ham and Béchamel sauce

Washed down with pints of San Miguel and the magnificent house Valdepenas.

Three tapas is as much as anyone can eat and terrific value at £9.95. The manager, Mark, makes you feel really welcome and is a great host.

We will be back!

 

FTLC - First Tuesday Lunch Club

Well, we will almost make it this month. The first Tuesday that is. OK, so it will be the second Tuesday but it has been a while since the regular participants have been able to commit to a date for this all too infrequent union of like minded souls, originally organised by my brother. FTLC has always been a diary date to look forward to. Good company, a great location - most recently Bellota's tapas and bar in Brighton - great food, excellent beers and wine and a time to relax and enjoy good conversation.

So, we are back on stream tomorrow. My brother Dave is travelling over from Kent together with Phil, recently retired landlord of the Dover Castle Inn, and will be joined by me, Georgina, Leslie, Barbara and, hopefully, Graeme. A group of inspirational characters, whose company I thoroughly enjoy. I know that the manager, Mark, will provide us with another enjoyable get together. Bellota is a class act. Take a look...

http://www.bellotabrighton.co.uk/

Bird nest prevents Christmas tree coming down

The Northumberland town of Cramlington cannot down their Christmas tree in the town centre because a blackbird has laid eggs in it. A local council in Northumberland has been forced to keep the town's Christmas tree up, four weeks after the close of the festive period, because a bird's nest was discovered in among the branches.

Jean Whisson, chair of the council’s services committee of the Cramlington Town Council said the blackbird’s nest was discovered along with three eggs in it when they tried to take down the tree on 20th January.

After checking with the RSPB the council was advised to leave the bird to finish its nesting before removing the tree. Despite the incongruous nature of a Christmas tree in February most of the locals seem delighted by having the tree and the blackbird there.

This does seem remarkably early for blackbird nesting, which usually occurs from March onwards. 

The Hunting Act 2004

The League Against Cruel Sports has welcomed reported comments from the new Environment Minister, George Eustice, which indicated that the Government would be unlikely to repeal or amend the Hunting Act due to lack of parliamentary time and support.

However, until the Government confirms that it will not pursue its manifesto promise to hold a vote on repeal we need to remain vigilant.

2014 is a hugely important anniversary for the Hunting Act marking 10 years since the law was passed banning the hunting of foxes, mink, deer and hare with hounds. This month the League will be hosting a reception in Parliament together with the RSPCA and IFAW to mark this momentous occasion. It will also serve as a pertinent reminder to MPs, in the last year before a General Election, that the majority of the public do not want to see a return to cruelty a decade after hunting was banned.

Northern Soul Girl Dances to HAPPY - Pharrell vs Northern Soul