CranesThe Crane project has generated a few queries. It involves taking chicks from Germany and eventually releasing them in Somerset. There have been some concerns about resources being diverted to a bird which is already breeding in the UK but it is also a flagship species for wider wetland conservation.
Other feather abnormalitiesWe have had a few unusual looking birds reported this week. A couple of albino starlings. We also have had three photos of "erythristic" birds, a house sparrow, starling and great tit. These are birds with unusual amounts of red pigment - this is a genetic abnormality and can make identification a little tricky!.
Bird diseaseReports of dead birds (mainly greenfinches again) have been increasing as they did in previous years. This is likely to be trichomoniasis. We have had a report from France so it looks to have spread there. Further information about this is on our website: http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds/health/sickbirds/greenfinches.asp
Dead bumblebeesNot just birds but bees are also being reported dead. This could be due to the weather, parasites or just the fact bumblebees are only short lived. According to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, as long as there are still some bees alive in your area then all should be fine. However, lots of dead bees and very few live ones could suggest there is a problem there. There is more information about this on the Bumblebee Conservation Trust website: www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk