eTop Twenty

A bit of nasty news was noted - the persistent hunting of raptors on the island of Cyprus continues, and recently to disturbing new levels. I have tried to do a bit of background reading on this issue in the past, although more focused on the Maltese situation rather than the Cypriot, yet the question remains the se - why? What possible reasoning could justify this horrid practice? As for the “triumvirate” of opening columnists, Mike Weedon leads off with a reflection on the importance of avitourism in Peru, as well as other countries, to conservation efforts of endangered bird species. Mike Raven presents a concise and informative portrait of the Stonechat, Saxicola torquata. Then there is a substitution: Stuart Winter’s dog Tilly rebutts a previous Weedon essay and share’s some insights into the compatibility of dogs and birding. Volvo Cross Country - ny og brukt Volvo FM - ny og brukt Volvo P1800 - ny og brukt Of course, there’s much more, including Adrian Thomas on winter birding with a list of ten recommended spots, the tenth anniversary of Wilkinson and Berry’s Big Sit, and a superb photo series and explanation of a Sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus, taking a Starling, Sturnus vugaris, from a bird table. Not to mention all the regular sections, including the extensive rarity round-up and the always interesting “Go Birding” recommendations that monthly reinvigorate my dres of a future return visit to the Emerald Isle.