SAVING JEWEL THRUSHES

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http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2005/08/birdfair.html

Birdfair aims to save 'Jewel-thrush'

17-08-2005

 

One of the world’s rarest and most spectacular birds is threatened with

extinction, but visitors to Britain’s biggest bird event – the 17th annual

British Birdwatching Fair – will help save it.

 

The event is held at Rutland Water and hosted by the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK)

and the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. It will raise thousands of

pounds to support BirdLife International's work to protect the south-east Asian

forest stronghold of the Gurney's Pitta – sometimes referred to as the

'Jewel-thrush'.

 

The Gurney’s Pitta Pitta gurneyi is a brilliantly coloured, but secretive bird

of the forest floor. Only known from peninsular Thailand and adjacent southern

Myanmar, it has a remarkable history. It was discovered in 1875, fairly widely

collected and reported in the 1910s and 1920s, but last seen in 1936 – until its

rediscovery in 1986 in southern Thailand, where around 20 pairs are now known to

still exist.

 

In 2003, the ornithological world was stunned to hear the discovery of a new,

much larger population of the pitta in southern Tanintharyi Division

(Tenasserim), Myanmar. However, large areas of this Critically Endangered

species' habitat are in danger of being cleared.

 

This year’s Birdfair project is titled Helping save Gurney’s Pittas and their

forest home. Funds raised will be used to establish protected areas in the

lowland forests where the pitta occurs, as well as training and employing

conservation staff and assisting local wildlife NGOs in their conservation work

with the species.

 

" The Birdfair is a great day out for anyone interested in wildlife and the

countryside, but as well as enjoying themselves, everyone attending will be

helping to make a real difference to the future of one of the world's rarest

birds. " —Martin Davies, the RSPB, Birdfair Co-organiser

 

At this year's Birdfair there will be displays of wildlife paintings and

photographs, talks and displays from wildlife experts on birds and wildlife all

around the world, and celebrity quizzes. For children, who enter free, there

will be wildlife safaris, face painting and a host of exciting games and

activities.

 

Hundreds of exhibitors, including suppliers of optical equipment, clothing,

books, CDs, bird feeding equipment and a wide range of wildlife travel companies

and conservation groups will be present.

 

Visit the Birdfair site for further details and directions

 

 

See Also

 

Gurney's Pitta factsheet

 

Birdfair raises record funds for Peru project

 

World's largest 'Jewel-thrush' population found

 

Building a stronghold for Gurney’s Pitta in

 

Gurney's Pitta rediscovered in Myanmar

 

Related Sites

 

British Birdwatching Fair

 

 

 

 

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