Chinese Dinosaurs

Microraptor gui (顧氏小盜龍)
Hong-Kong (2014)
20th February, 2014. International Mail Centre

Microraptor gui, a carnivorous dromaeosaurid dinosaur in the Early Cretaceousperiod(around 120 million years ago), was the most well-known kind of feathered dinosaur. Its fossils were unearthed in western Liaoning Province. The species was named after the famous palaeontologist Gu Zhiwei. Microraptor gui was about 1 metre long with a massive tail more than half of its body length. It lived mostly in woods, and had the ability to glide between trees. A batch of feathered dinosaur fossils, discovered in Liaoning Province in 2000 by researchers of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, provides evidence to support the theory that birds are descended from dinosaurs.

Short-toed Eagle

Short-toed Eagle (短趾雕)
Azerbaijan (2011)
3rd April, 2014. Baku

This is an Old World species spread throughout the Mediterranean basin and into Russia and the Middle East, and into parts of Asia, mainly in the Indian Subcontinent and also further east in some Indonesian islands.

Those present on the northern edge of the Mediterranean and other parts of Europe migrate mainly to sub-Saharan Africa north of the equator, leaving in September/ October and returning in April/ May. In the Middle and Far East the populations are resident. In Europe it is most numerous in Spain where it is fairly common but elsewhere it is rare in many parts of its range. A bird on the Isles of Scilly, Britain, in October 1999 was the first confirmed record for that country.

The Short-toed Snake Eagle is found in open cultivated plains, arid stony deciduous scrub areas and foothills and semi-desert areas. It requires trees for nesting.

Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher (普通翠鳥)
Estonia (2014)
20th March, 2014. Tallinn

Due to its extraordinary colours the Common Kingfisher is called the Nordic jewel and the pearl of rivers. Both the kingfisher’s plumage, as well as the shape of its body, are unique. It nests on the banks of rivers, brooks and bigger ditches lined with trees and rivers, the banks of which offer opportunities for digging its nest. The kingfisher particularly likes shallow rivers with pure water. It mainly feeds on small fish. We can expect to see the kingfisher round the year, but only a few remain here for the winter. The Estonian Ornithological Society picks the bird of the year since 1995. More information about the Common Kingfisher can be found in the internet, where it has numerous sites.

Common Kingfisher (普通翠鳥)
Estonia (2014)
20th March, 2014. Tallinn

Ascension Frigatebird

Ascension Frigatebird (阿森松軍艦鳥)
Ascension Island (2013)
24th January, 2014. Ascension Island

The Ascension Frigatebird breeds on the rocky slopes of the tiny Boatswain Bird Island just off Ascension Island in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. It formerly bred on the larger island, but was exterminated by introduced cats, Brown Rats, and human persecution; in 2012 it was announced that a breeding pair had been found on Ascension Island following a project to exterminate feral cats.

This species is very similar to the other frigatebirds and is similarly sized to all but Lesser Frigatebird. It has a white axillary spur, and juveniles show a white head, and a distinctly white hind neck with no reddish-brown hue. It has a brown breast band. A frigatebird found moribund in 1953 in Tiree, Scotland was identified at the time as Magnificent Frigatebird but the specimen was re-examined in 2002 and found to be an Ascension Frigatebird. A juvenile was photographed at Bowmore on the island of Islay in July 2013.

100 years Swiss National Park

Golden Eagle (金雕)
Switzerland (2014)
6th March, 2014. Zernez

100 years ago, the Swiss National Park (SNP) was established by a group of visionaries, laying the foundations for a unique, natural oasis. Today, their original idea – namely leaving natural processes untouched and documenting the many and varied changes – is more relevant than ever. To mark its centenary, the National Park is offering its visitors a varied programme of centenary events.
 

In its centenary year, the SNP is staging a varied programme of events. It has chosen 27 March 2014 for the national launch – 100 years to the day since the Swiss parliament voted to esta- blish the park. On 1 August 2014, Swiss television channel SRF will be broadcasting the main celebration live from Zernez. From 11 July to 16 August, Zernez will also be hosting 16 performances for locals and visitors of the anniversary open-air spectacle “LAINA VIA – the phenomenal story of the Swiss National Park”. LAINA VIVA will bring drama, humour, romance, music and lots of movement to the stage and will be an unmissable spectacle! From March to October, the SNP is going on a nationwide tour to the 16 biggest Coop shopping centres, to present nature where it is least expected. The anniversary exhibition in the National Park Centre is dedicated to special gures from the SNP’s 100-year history. The centenary will also be marked by various publications, including the Atlas of the Swiss National Park.

Golden Eagle (金雕)
Switzerland (2014)
6th March, 2014. Zernez