Good News Stories

With so much gloom in the world at present, here are a couple of good news stories that may lighten the mood for readers…

Firstly, Birds on the Brink is thrilled to announce that is has just received a donation of more than £5,000 from its funding partner Bird Photographer of the Year. Winners of the annual international competition will be announced in late summer. This will coincide with the publication of the latest book – Collection 7 – which showcases a wide selection of winning and commended images, including thought-provoking Conservation Award contributions. It also features a foreword from Steve Backshall. The book can be pre-ordered from the BPOTY website.

The cover of Bird Photographer of the Year Collection 7, due to be published later in the year. Image Copyright ©Brad James/Bird Photographer of the Year

Secondly, we have just received news from Trevor Codlin about a project that Birds on the Brink helped fund. Referred to as the Hayling Island Ringed Plover project, it is showing all the signs of being a success.

A young Ringed Plover chick going walk-about. Image Copyright ©Trevor Codlin

Trevor says: ‘I just wanted to share the news with Birds on the Brink supporters that we have achieved the first objective of the Ringed Plover project – chicks have hatched from the eggs.’

He continues: ‘Now the fun starts as we probably have three nests from which chicks have hatched so far, and some of them are roaming outside of the fenced area. There are still a couple more nests being incubated, and we also have Oystercatchers on eggs on another part of the site.’

Safe within the confines of the fenced-off enclosure, this parent Ringed Plover keeps a watchful eye on a chick. Image Copyright ©Trevor Codlin

Trevor finished by saying: ‘Once again, massive thanks for the Birds on the Brink funding, which could not have happened without the support of Bird Photographer of the Year and additional donations from members of the public. We have just purchased a better temporary fence for the southern side of the enclosure, because a few dogs are still finding a way in. We are also considering the ambitious aim of fitting GPS tags on nesting birds next year so we can monitor in more detail what our breeding birds do throughout the year.’

A Hayling Island ringed plover. Image Copyright ©Trevor Codlin

Given that Trevor is master-minding the project in his spare time, it is no surprise to hear him say: ‘I need to retire so I can spend more time working with the plovers!’