The definitive field guide to the world's marine mammals.

10% off 'Whales, Dolphins and Seals', now £11.69.

Photos, illustrations, maps, hotspots and plenty of information, by far the best book in its field. Includes information on all whales, dolphins, seals, sea-lions, Polar bears, sea otters, dugong and manatees.

Click here to buy this book.

Avian Reintroduction Biology: current issues for science and management - symposium

Avian Reintroduction Biology: current issues for science and management - symposium
	8 - 9 May 2008. click here.

Notable marine sightings around the UK and Ireland, 2007.

20th January. 6 Bottle Nose dolphins off Stonehaven. (Courtesy of Ian Sim/Seawatch.)
November. Humpback feeding off Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, possibly in the area for 2 weeks. Interacting with Bottle Nose Dolphins. (Courtesy of Ian Sim/Seawatch.)
September. Minke whale found dead on Devon beach.
August. 2-3 Minke whales off St Abbs Head/Coldingham Bay in Berwickshire.
August. Minke whale in Fraserburgh Harbour.
July. Northern Bottlenose whale strands in River Orwell, Ipswich.
June. Humpback seen off North Devon.
June. 10 Minke whales sighted off the Isle of Man.
May. Several Minke sightings off Isle of Man, plus a Sei whale.
May. Repeated sightings of Orcas off Orkneys
May. Rare sighting of Bottlenose dolphins in the Channel, click here for details.
April. Several Orca sightings off Northern Ireland
April. Fin whale in the Moray Firth.
April. Orca seen off Isle of Man.
March. 2 Humpbacks seen off Anglesey/Isle of Mann.
March. 3 Killer whales seen off Shetland.
March. Sperm whale strands on Orkney.
March. 6 Killer whales seen off Orkney.
March. A pod of 15 Sperm whales seen by fishermen off Caithness.
January. A pod of nine killer whales seen in the Firth of Forth.

Mammals on the EDGE; the 100 most endangered mammals.

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has launched a new programme aimed at protecting some of the world’s most bizarre and unusual animals, many of which are being completely ignored by more populist current international conservation efforts. See the top ten and read the full article.

Garden plant list for wildlife.

The RSPB and RHS have got together to create a list of plants recommended for wildlife gardening. The list advises you on which plants to use, which soils they can grow in, what wildlife they attract and when.

See the full list.

Bird links

Fundacion Proaves. Protecting and discovering the bird life of Colombia.

Dean Birders. Disabled Forest of Dean birders.

Birdwatch Ireland. Conserving birds in Ireland.

British Columbia Whale Watching guidelines.

Approach whales from the side, not from the front or the rear.
Approach no closer than 100 metres and shift your motor into neutral or idle.
Keep noise levels down - no horns, whistles or racing of motors.
Start your motor only after the whales are more than 100 metres from your vessel.
Leave the area slowly, gradually accelerating when you are more than 300 metres from the whales.
Approach and depart slowly, avoiding sudden changes in speed or direction. Do not "leapfrog."
Avoid disturbing groups of resting whales.
Maintain low speeds and constant direction if travelling parallel to whales.
When whales are travelling close to shore, avoid crowding them near the shore or coming between the whales and the shore.
Limit the time spent with any group of whales to less than 30 minutes at a time when within 100 to 200 metres of whales.
If there is more than one vessel at the same observation site, be sure to avoid any boat position that would result in encircling the whales.
Minimize the time spent and the number of vessels with any one group of whales.
Limit time, as above, and then move out to allow other vessels access to good viewing positions.
Coordinate activities by maintaining contact with other vessels, and ensure that all operators are aware of the whale watching guidelines.

Insects of Britain and Western Europe

Now you can tell the difference between a bed bug and a pine cone bug.

The new 2007 edition is the answer to all parents glazed looks when little Johnie/Janey asks what sort of caterpillar/beetle is this? Over 2300 illustrations and an instant guide as to whether you might see them in the UK or not.

Read the full review.

Reader offer. whales and dolphins

Reader offer:
Whales and Dolphins of Great Britain is available at £9.95 (down from £11.95),. Contact Cetacea Publishing, Nook Farmhouse, Ashby Road, Shepshed, Loughborough, LE12 9BS. Tel: +44 (0) 845 1086385. Email: info@cetaceapublishing.com . Order on line: www.cetaceapublishing.com . Please quote Wildlife Extra as the coupon code and update the page to get your discount. Major credit cards accepted.

Rare Birds Year Book 2009 Photo Competition

A new photo competition has just been launched for photos of the rarest birds in the world, those categorized as Critically Endangered, to be featured in the next edition of Rare Birds Yearbook which is due in October 2008.

Details.

Top recommendations for wildlife watching activities in the UK.

Articles and advice about the wildlife, National parks and safaris in Kenya

Sumatra Ground Cuckoo photographed.

Reserachers from Kent University were amazed to find the had photographed a Sumatra Ground Cuckoo while conducting a tiger survey in Sumatra. It is only the second time it has been recorded in the last 90 years. Full story.

Top ten National Trust properties to see butterflies.

The National Trust is the largest and most important landowner for butterflies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. All (but two) of the resident British butterfly species live on National Trust land. It has many of the best UK sites for individual butterfly species, and many of the rich butterfly sites are home to scarce species.

See the ten best sites.

Articles and advice about the wildlife, National parks and safaris in Kenya

Top wildlife and bird watching in the South East

GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE

Lorraine Kelly launches the 'Wild about gardens' campaign in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society and the UK Wildlife Trusts. More.

Plants recommended for a wildlife garden

The RSPB and RHS have got together to create a list of plants recommended for wildlife gardening.
See the full list.

ELEPHANT BACK SAFARIS: CONSERVATION OR CRUELTY.

Shearwater Adventures, a tour operator from Zimbabwe, is under fire for capturing wild elephants for use on elephant back safaris. However Shearwater strongly defend their position by pointing out that the drought in Zimbabwe is devastating the elephant herds.
Read both sides of the argument.

There are many different styles of Safari to choose from, here are a few rules to help you choose.

A good guide/spotter. trust us, you will miss more than you see if you don't have a good guide with you. Not only do they see twice as much, they know ten times as much.
Dawn and dusk are almost always the best time, be prepared to get up early.
Be patient, the longer you are prepared to sit still, the more you will see.
Don't forget the people who live there. They often view the animals as pests, but your income will provide a living for them. Don't be ostentatious or patronising.
Size of vehicle. The bigger and the more people in a vehicle, the less you will see.
Spending £5000 on a safari doesn't guarantee you will see more than someone who spends £500.
There’s a lot more to Africa than the big five. Enjoy what you see and don’t go tearing all over to see a lion, thus missing plenty of fantastic but smaller game.

Reader offer. The world's most powerful binoculars

Sunagor are offering Wildlife Extra readers a chance to buy a pair of the world's most powerful binoculars, the Sunagor 25-150 X 70 Megazoom, for just £199.99 (RRP £399.99).

Click here to read the review or to buy.

WILDLIFE WATCHING WITH CHILDREN

My kids were so excited about the thought of going on safari in Kenya, and we had a great time. A walking safari, 4 days on the Masai Mara seeing pretty much everything, the flamingos and rhinos at Nakuru, everything you want to see. And the abiding memories? Hiding under the seats of the open top landrover while watching lions hunting, (as all they have learned from years as armchair viewers is that lions will eat you.) and the hotel with a swim up bar and free coke!
READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Water vole research at Loch Leven

Extensive research at Loch Leven has shown how otters are good for water voles.

See the full report.

Horsey Estate News

Latest News, January 2007

National Trust Warden Steve Prowse counted 13,500 pink-footed geese on a dawn count on 22 January, on this wonderful Trust grazing marsh site in the eastern Broads. There were also 400 white-fronted geese and eight Whooper swans.

Raptors
The winter count is now up to ten different species of raptor including red kite, rough-legged buzzard, hen harrier, marsh harrier.

Rare water beetle
Not of the same size, but of similar significance, was the discovery of the exceptionally rare water beetle (Agabus labiatus) in a newly cleared pond on the property last summer.

Click here to visit Horsey.

Bird watching and birding in South America.

A close encounter with the endangered Giant Antpitta in Ecuador.

Top African Safari Destinations (in no particular order)

Worldwide conservation stories from 2007

Top wildlife sites in the South East

Basking shark sighting and a code of conduct

With the recent surge in basking shark sightings off the UK coast, especially Cornwall and the Isle of Man, the Marine Conservation Society has devised a code of conduct as to how to behave when near the sharks, whether in a boat or swimming (not advised). More.

Lyme Bay Reefs devastated by fishing.

Lyme Bay Reefs devastated by fishing.
Devon Wildlife Trust has collected evidence that the Reefs in Lyme Bay have been trashed by some fishing techniques. To see the full story, and to see a video of the destruction, Click here.

Past stories from Asia

Indian wildife parks

Pakke Tiger Reserve.

Wildlife watching and safaris in Asia

Articles about wildlife of North America

Where to watch wildlife and birds in North America

Popular wildlife & conservation news stories from the past

Why are Bonobos so laid back?
Canopy Raft Program discoveries and photos from Madagascar.
Another Mountain gorilla found dead.
‘Lost forest’ yields several new species.
Huge translocation of ungulates underway in Kenya as thousands of animals are moved to Meru National Park.
Only Lesser flamingo breeding site in East Africa under threat from industry.
Key rhino sanctuary expanded in Kenya.
Photo story. Martial eagle Vs White stork - Masai Mara.
Jewellery made from snares - Poachers turn fashionistas.
Kruger Park full - visitors turned away.
13 arrested in clampdown on poaching in Kenya.
Endangered black rhinos return to Tanzania.
40 rhinos killed in Zimbabwe.
3 rangers and 4 poachers killed in gun battle in Kenya.

Enjoying Moths - All you need to know about Mothing.

This is a hardback book all about 'Mothing', the increasingly popular pastime of studying moths. 96% of all British Lepidoptera species are moths. That is 24 moths for every butterfly.

This book tells you how to collect them, where to find them, how to identify them, where to look for their caterpillars and pupae, and how to help conserving them.

Although packed with photos and tips on how to identify them, this is not a identification guide (There are good ones available), but it does tell you pretty much everything else you need to know about how to study moths in the UK.

Available from Alana Ecology for £29.95.

How to get to the Antarctic.

There are several good operators. Don't go for the huge boats, they are not designed for this kind of travel. Anything too small can struggle in bad weather when crossing the Drake Passage, so something between 70 - 150 berths is ideal. Peregrine have excellent ships, Russian built ice-rated vessels with extra stability that are small enough to get into the bays and inlets most ships cannot.

Top wildlife watching destinations in the Middle East

Birding in Dubai

Top Wildlife watching in South America.

Photo Story: Martial Eagle Attacks Stork.

Fantastic photos of a Martial eagle catching a White stork. Details.

White-tailed sea eagles introduced into Eastern Scotland - one shot dead.

Following the news that White-tailed sea eagles are thriving in northwest Scotland, they have been introduced onto the east coast. However since their introduction, 2 have been electrocuted, and one has been shot on a grouse estate.

Nomads of the Wind - Special Reader Offer

Nomads of the Wind - Special Reader Offer
Stunning new photographic study of the Monarch Butterfly migration, with photos by BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Ingo Arndt.

Details and images.

THE WILDLIFE OF BAFFIN ISLAND, LANCASTER SOUND AND THE HIGH ARCTIC.

The bears were great, but the walrus, beluga and narwhal made this trip spectacular. Throw into the equation some Bowhead whales, towering sea cliffs swarming with sea birds, scenery to die for and the historic remains of the famous Franklin expedition that disappeared while searching for the elusive North West Passage.

Read the full article.

Polar bear watching in Spitzbergen.

If you live in Europe, the Svarlbard archipelago is by far the best place to to see Polar bears.

Fly to Spitzbergen and join an expedition cruise to see these fantastic beasts, as well as much more.

Read the full article.

How to plan and survive a safari.

A short, but very good, guide to safaris and expeditions. No stunning photography, but excellent advice from someone who has led many of these trips in the past. Ideal for someone heading off the beaten track in Africa, packed with very sound and practical down to earth advice.

As much about what not to take and do as about loading yourself with loads of equipment.

Available for £4.38 (plus P & P) from Lulu.com

Top wildlife watching spots in East Anglia.

Articles about wildlife of North America

Bird watching articles.

Ten top places to watch whales.

Wildlife walks, talks and events with the Surrey Wildlife Trust

Surrey Wildlife Trust Events
Surrey WT have a full programme of events, with something happening every week.

Details

Is southern Sri Lanka the world's top spot for seeing blue and sperm whales?

The Blue whales off the coast of Sri Lanka.

Details

New species recently discovered

New species are still being discovered at a remarkable rate, and in remarkable places.

Click here to see the latest newly discovered species.

More wildlife and natural history books

BBC Wildlife Magazine

This is not the website for the BBC Wildlife Magazine. If you are looking for the website of the BBC Wildlife, please click here.

England nature

Read about the nature of England, and see a guide to nature reserves in England.
Click here to see more about English Nature

Southern right whales of South Australia.

This is one of the best viewing areas in the world with up to 70 whales, including calves, congregating in the seas adjacent to the Bunda cliffs.

The definitive field guide to the world's marine mammals.

Avian Reintroduction Biology: current issues for science and management - symposium

Notable marine sightings around the UK and Ireland, 2007.

Mammals on the EDGE; the 100 most endangered mammals.

Garden plant list for wildlife.

Bird links

British Columbia Whale Watching guidelines.

Insects of Britain and Western Europe

Reader offer. whales and dolphins

Rare Birds Year Book 2009 Photo Competition

Top recommendations for wildlife watching activities in the UK.

Articles and advice about the wildlife, National parks and safaris in Kenya

Popular conservation news stories from the recent past

Sumatra Ground Cuckoo photographed.

Top ten National Trust properties to see butterflies.

Articles and advice about the wildlife, National parks and safaris in Kenya

Top wildlife and bird watching in the South East

GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE

Plants recommended for a wildlife garden

ELEPHANT BACK SAFARIS: CONSERVATION OR CRUELTY.

There are many different styles of Safari to choose from, here are a few rules to help you choose.

Reader offer. The world's most powerful binoculars

WILDLIFE WATCHING WITH CHILDREN

Water vole research at Loch Leven

Horsey Estate News

Bird watching and birding in South America.

Top African Safari Destinations (in no particular order)

Worldwide conservation stories from 2007

Top wildlife sites in the South East

Basking shark sighting and a code of conduct

Lyme Bay Reefs devastated by fishing.

Past stories from Asia

Indian wildife parks

Wildlife watching and safaris in Asia

Popular news stories from North America

Articles about wildlife of North America

Where to watch wildlife and birds in North America

Popular Africa stories

Popular wildlife & conservation news stories from the past

Enjoying Moths - All you need to know about Mothing.

How to get to the Antarctic.

Top wildlife watching destinations in the Middle East

Top Wildlife watching in South America.

Photo Story: Martial Eagle Attacks Stork.

White-tailed sea eagles introduced into Eastern Scotland - one shot dead.

Nomads of the Wind - Special Reader Offer

THE WILDLIFE OF BAFFIN ISLAND, LANCASTER SOUND AND THE HIGH ARCTIC.

Polar bear watching in Spitzbergen.

How to plan and survive a safari.

Top wildlife watching spots in East Anglia.

Articles about wildlife of North America

Bird watching articles.

Ten top places to watch whales.

Wildlife walks, talks and events with the Surrey Wildlife Trust

Is southern Sri Lanka the world's top spot for seeing blue and sperm whales?

New species recently discovered

More wildlife and natural history books

BBC Wildlife Magazine

England nature

Southern right whales of South Australia.