EDITORIAL
p. 16
Why is
junk food
killing the
kea?
year of the bird
Our latest Red List update has once again thrown up some shocking findings. Who could predict that the Snowy Owl – a
widespread, unmistakeable species, and star of the Harry Potter novels –would suffer declines in North America so sharp
[p. 28] that it should now be considered globally threatened? It’s a similar story out at sea with Black-legged Kittiwake [p.
20], another well-known bird that has been silently slipping towards extinction. But while it’s easy to be depressed at these
findings, we want this issue’s Red List coverage to have a positive undertone – because conservation can and does work, as
we discover in Europe with the gentle giant, Dalmatian Pelican [p.24] and in New Zealand with the kiwis [p. 12].
Birds need us to speak up for them now more than ever. Which is why we’re proud to announce that BirdLife International
has teamed up with National Geographic, National Audubon Society (BirdLife in the USA) and Cornell Lab of Ornithology
to declare 2018 the Year of the Bird. Created to mark the centennial of the US Migratory Bird Treaty Act, this initative aims
to heighten public awareness of birds globally, and highlight simple but meaningful steps individuals can take to make the
world a better place for birds. To take the pledge, please visit www.BirdYourWorld.org.
Enjoy the issue,
Alex Dale, Editor
Contributors to this issue
kevin hackwell
Kevin is Chief Conservation Advisor for Forest & Bird
(BirdLife in New Zealand). Often found in National
Parks, and recently returning from a Kiwi Recovery
Group meeting, he gives the scoop on how we’re
saving kiwis on page 12. He also imparts his
expertise on the Endangered Kea on page 16.
Jan-Mar 2018 • birdlife
Rory Crawford
From trawl fisheries off the southern tip of South
America to gillnetters in the Baltic Sea, Rory
oversees BirdLife’s work with fishermen to tackle
seabird bycatch. He was also lead author on a new
scientific review revealing the bycatch of penguins
– read about its findings on page 50.
Inés Jordana
Inés has seen the effects of harmful agricultural
policies on the landscapes and communities of
rural Spain, where she is Senior Agriculture & Food
Policy Officer for SEO/BirdLife. On page 8, she
debates with Mike Barry from UK retailer Marks &
Spencer on the future of food and farming.
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