BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH 2012 RESULTS

The Big Garden Birdwatch 2012 results are here! Wow! Just under 600,000 people took part, and helped count over nine million birds! In total, over 70 different species were recorded in 285,440 gardens across the UK over the weekend of 28 and 29 January. - Click here to view results in your area.  

The 2012 Big Garden Birdwatch top 10; Position Species

1. House Sparrow  
2. Starling   
3. Blue Tit   
4. Blackbird   
5. Chaffinch 
6. Woodpigeon   
7. Goldfinch   
8. Great Tit   
9. Robin  
10. Collared Dove  

Starlings at all time low. Sadly, the counts revealed that starling numbers are at an all time low since the survey began more than thirty years ago.Though still at number two on the results board, starlings were seen in fewer than half the UK's gardens. In the first survey in 1979, the average number of starlings seen in UK gardens was 15. This year, that number fell to its lowest ever with an average of just three starlings seen per garden. These declines are being mirrored across much of northern Europe too, and because of this drop in numbers, the species is red listed as a bird of high conservation concern .........Click here to read article in full

Goldfinch - Photo copyright B. Adams

Jack Johnson on Livestream Tuesday 10th April at 9.30pm

Hawaii native and international superstar Jack Johnson, who has sold over 18 million albums in his 11 year recording career, will be doing a live performance and Q&A on Tuesday April 10th at 9.30 pm UK Time (2:30 PM PST) . Jack, John Cruz and Paula Fuga will also perform a few songs, so get your questions ready, mark your calendar and follow Jack at Livestream. Jack’s brand new Brushfire album Jack Johnson and Friends - Best of Kokua Festival is released on April 16th. The album features a 13-track compilation of live performances from Jack Johnson’s benefit concert for the Kokua Hawaii Foundation. In support of the release, Johnson will also tour the Hawaiian Islands for an intimate seven-date all acoustic tour. Proceeds from Jack Johnson and Friends - Best of Kokua Festival and the tour will benefit the Kokua Hawaii Foundation. Culled from six years of his eco-minded music festival, Jack Johnson and Friends - Best of Kokua Festival, highlights onstage collaborations with legendary musicians like Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne, Eddie Vedder, Ben Harper, Dave Mathews, Ziggy and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and more.

www.jackjohnsonmusic.com

Wildlife charity teams up with filmmakers for new course

Wildlife charity teams up with filmmakers for new course Devon Wildlife Trust is offering a unique opportunity to work alongside professional wildlife cameraman, Tim Shepherd. The course in wildlife film making is set to take place at the Trust's beautiful Marsland nature reserve in north Devon. The one day course is aimed at beginners in wildlife filming and those who have their own video cameras and want to improve their techniques. The day will be spent in the scenic meadows of Marsland working in small groups. The groups will encounter Britain's largest butterfly, the silver washed fritillary; moths drawn from the surrounding oak woodland and a rich diversity of other wildlife which inhabits the reserve. The day will be led by cameraman Tim Shepherd, a wildlife filmmaker best known for his work on BBC's Life and Frozen Planet programmes. Tim said: "I hope I can inspire other naturalists to have a go at filmmaking. It's a great way to tell a story or get a message across. Modern digital technology and the internet allow anyone to make and show high quality films. Even just a one-day course like this can get you going in the right direction.' Gary Pilkington, DWT's Senior Nature Reserves Officer who looks after Marsland said: "I can't think of a better place than Marsland nature reserve for budding wildlife film makers to make a start and with expert guidance from Tim it should be a brilliant experience." The course will be held on Saturday 14 July from 10am until 5pm with lunch provided. The day's course will cost £99 per person. Filmmakers are encouraged to bring their own camera and a tripod although a limited amount of equipment is available for use, including a variety of lenses suitable for DSLR cameras. The course is organised by Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers for Devon Wildlife Trust. For more information contact: http://www.bristolwildfilm.co.uk or call Devon Wildlife Trust on 01392 279244.

Wildlife filming with Tim Shepherd - copyright DWT