Latest news with #ArcticTerns
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bronze statue is exact replica of Orkney's last Great Auk
A bronze statue has been unveiled as a memorial to the last Great Auk killed on the Orkney island of Papa Westray. It is an exact copy of the last of the giant seabirds that lived on the island in 1813. The original remains of the Papa Westray Great Auk have been preserved by the Natural History Museum in London. These were scanned and cast in bronze. The flightless bird lived in large colonies on both sides of the Atlantic and was hunted to extinction by the 1850s. The statue was unveiled to the Papa Westray community after six years of fundraising, at a time seabird numbers on the island are in decline. It is the newest attraction on the island - famous for having the world's shortest scheduled flight from its larger neighbour, Westray. Island ranger Jonathan Ford first visited in pursuit of the Great Auk in 2005. He now lives in Papa Westray and shows visitors its sights and its birds. "I became obsessed with black and white birds," he said "I saw the last breeding pair in the British Isles were killed here. So that brought me to the island otherwise I would never have visited." He added: "If Orkney's North Isles Landscape Partnership had not existed we would not have received the funding. It's been a long process but it's been worth it." For the Natural History Museum's Joanne Cooper, seeing the statue for the first time was an emotional moment. In her role as senior curator she looks after the original Papa Westray specimen. "To see it so beautifully done with the texture so detailed in bronze was really staggering. It's just perfect," says Joanne. Mystery surrounds how the Papa Westray bird was killed. It's believed to have been shot after a collector placed a bounty on its head. The seabird could not fly, but it was an excellent swimmer. Islanders recall stories of a six-hour chase by men in a boat, which ended with the exhausted bird being clubbed to death. Now, it is part of one of the world's largest collections of Great Auk remains, which includes several eggs. The specimen is too fragile to be put on public display and is rarely moved. "This is a really honest interpretation of what our bird is like now," said Joanne. "You can see the wear and tear of time and where patches are missing on the wings. It's authentic." Papa Westray would usually be noisy with bird life at this time of year, but local ornithologists attending the unveiling remarked how quiet it was. Within living memory the island would be home to 15,000 breeding pairs of Arctic Terns. Now just 200 pairs have been reported each season, with few chicks surviving long enough to leave. The new statue stands on the island as a cautionary tale of man's tendency to exploit natural abundance beyond its limits, which remains relevant to this day. Great auk: Humans hunted seabird to extinction Papa Westray Natural History Museum
BBC News
02-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bronze statue is exact replica of Orkney's last Great Auk
A bronze statue has been unveiled as a memorial to the last Great Auk killed on the Orkney island of Papa is an exact copy of the last of the giant seabirds that lived on the island in original remains of the Papa Westray Great Auk have been preserved by the Natural History Museum in London. These were scanned and cast in flightless bird lived in large colonies on both sides of the Atlantic and was hunted to extinction by the 1850s. The statue was unveiled to the Papa Westray community after six years of fundraising, at a time seabird numbers on the island are in is the newest attraction on the island - famous for having the world's shortest scheduled flight from its larger neighbour, Westray. Island ranger Jonathan Ford first visited in pursuit of the Great Auk in 2005. He now lives in Papa Westray and shows visitors its sights and its birds. "I became obsessed with black and white birds," he said"I saw the last breeding pair in the British Isles were killed here. So that brought me to the island otherwise I would never have visited." He added: "If Orkney's North Isles Landscape Partnership had not existed we would not have received the funding. It's been a long process but it's been worth it." For the Natural History Museum's Joanne Cooper, seeing the statue for the first time was an emotional moment. In her role as senior curator she looks after the original Papa Westray specimen. "To see it so beautifully done with the texture so detailed in bronze was really staggering. It's just perfect," says Joanne. Mystery surrounds how the Papa Westray bird was killed. It's believed to have been shot after a collector placed a bounty on its head. The seabird could not fly, but it was an excellent swimmer. Islanders recall stories of a six-hour chase by men in a boat, which ended with the exhausted bird being clubbed to death. Now, it is part of one of the world's largest collections of Great Auk remains, which includes several eggs. Honest interpretation The specimen is too fragile to be put on public display and is rarely moved. "This is a really honest interpretation of what our bird is like now," said Joanne. "You can see the wear and tear of time and where patches are missing on the wings. It's authentic."Papa Westray would usually be noisy with bird life at this time of year, but local ornithologists attending the unveiling remarked how quiet it was. Within living memory the island would be home to 15,000 breeding pairs of Arctic Terns. Now just 200 pairs have been reported each season, with few chicks surviving long enough to new statue stands on the island as a cautionary tale of man's tendency to exploit natural abundance beyond its limits, which remains relevant to this day.
Business Standard
21-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
ZEISS Launches Game-Changing ZEISS SFL 50 Binoculars in India for Birders and Wildlife Enthusiasts
VMPL New Delhi [India], April 21: For India's highly engaged community of birders and nature conservationists, ZEISS, a pioneer in optics and optoelectronics, today launched the all-new ZEISS SFL 50 binoculars. This addition to the portfolio delivers outstanding optical performance in a surprisingly compact and lightweight design, featuring the intuitive SmartFocus system. ZEISS binoculars offer an unprecedented level of detail combined with exceptional portability, ideal for passionate explorations of wildlife observers. The ZEISS SFL 50 embodies lightness and optimum compactness, ensuring maximum optical enjoyment on every expedition. Uncompromised optics in a lightweight & compact form The design philosophy centers on delivering exceptional optical performance without the burden of extra weight or bulk. Through intelligent engineering and innovative material choices, the ZEISS SFL 50 significantly reduces weight and length while maintaining legendary ZEISS durability. Whether used by a birder, or a wildlife nature enthusiast, the brilliant 50 mm objective lens (Bright) provides a seamless experience. Commenting on the latest addition to to the Indian market, Mr. Kunal Girotra, Regional Head, Photo & Sports Optics - India, South-East Asia & SAARC (ZEISS Photonics and Optics Division), said: "ZEISS has a long-standing commitment to providing optical excellence. Through this launch we want to deliver a new standard in lightweight, high-performance binoculars engineered for enthusiats who demand the best. ZEISS SFL 50 binocular will offer unparalleled optical clarity and comfort in a compact package, ensuring every observation is exceptional." Experience clarity and brightness ZEISS SFL 50 will ensure optical excellence by offering a superior viewing experience in any situation. Coupled with an impressive 90% light transmission, it delivers exceptionally bright and clear images across the entire field of view, even during dawn, dusk, or in heavily shaded areas. The user can witness incredibly lifelike colors, outstanding color fidelity, and minimal distracting stray light, enabling swift and accurate subject identification. The expansive field of view makes tracking fast-moving subjects, like a flock of Arctic Terns, remarkably easy and enjoyable. Designed with an ergonomic advantage The ZEISS SFL 50 binocular is crafted for exceptional comfort, even during extended observation sessions. The intuitive SmartFocus Concept allows for rapid and precise focusing, while the perfectly positioned large focus wheel ensures a natural hand posture, preventing finger strain and fatigue. For ultimate flexibility, the integrated tripod adapter interface* enables quick and secure attachment and removal from a tripod, providing stability whenever needed. The latest series of binoculars will be available in three distinct magnifications to suit various observation requirements: 8x50, 10x50, and 12x50. ZEISS SFL 50 will be available for the Indian shoppers from 1st week of May at a starting price of INR 1,96,399/-. Buyers can check the range and choose to buy from dealer partners of ZEISS India or leading e-commerce platforms including Amazon. Further information visit *Tripod adapter interface will be available in SFL 12*50 packaging Press contact: Sara Raj Singh | +91 63677 56124 | Lynn Misquith | +91 72041 03120 |
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How a BBC journalist saved a woman who walked into the sea
A BBC Scotland journalist has received a Police Scotland bravery award after rescuing a woman from the sea in Orkney. Linda Sinclair, who has also been recognised by the Royal Humane Society, recalls how the dramatic day unfolded after she went for a beach swim with her sister. I knew something wasn't right when the woman walking down the middle of the road refused to move aside, despite the noise of my car engine approaching. By her demeanour, I also instinctively sensed that a polite toot of the horn was not the appropriate response. At the time I was driving to Inganess Beach on the outskirts of Kirkwall. I had discovered the bay early on in my three-month stint working at BBC Radio Orkney. It was just a five-minute drive from my house and is a truly beautiful spot. The wreck of a World War Two ship famously rests in its deeper waters where the Arctic Terns swoop for fish. The sight of planes landing and taking off from the nearby Kirkwall Airport adds to the charm of this picture postcard location. I would swim early in the morning when the water was still or late at night as the sun set, casting stunning ambers and pinks streaks through the sky. Braving the chilly water in a swimsuit became a daily ritual. On the evening of 16 July 2023 there was initially nothing out of the ordinary as I drove down with my sister, Gail. It was overcast and grey and not particularly warm for a summer's night, in stark contrast to the blue skies and sunshine of the previous day. When we spotted the lone woman she was initially oblivious to us. As we approached she continued walking in the middle of the narrow road and reduced my car to a crawl, before stepping aside onto the beach. Up ahead, Inganess was quiet apart from the odd dog walker and a child playing on the rocks as a couple looked on. As we made the short walk from the car to the beach, I couldn't help but notice the woman again. She was kneeling in the damp sand, crying and on her mobile phone. The situation didn't look good and I kept an eye on her as we made our way into the sea. My concerns were realised as a few moments later she followed us in to the water, fully clothed apart from her shoes. Gail and I acted quickly and, without saying a word to each other, took an arm each. My sister took the lead and spoke to the distressed woman - who appeared to be in her late 40s - to try and persuade her to come ashore. She was taller and stronger than us and it took all our collective strength to guide her back out of the chilly water. But just seconds after we got her out of the water she turned around and walked back in. I knew then we couldn't deal with this situation alone and decided to raise the alarm. Dripping wet, I ran up to the road, flagged down a car and asked the driver to call 999. I cursed myself as it was one of the few times I had left home without my phone. Less than 15 minutes later a police sergeant and a friend of the woman arrived on the scene. They both desperately called her name and urged her to return to the shoreline but their pleas were ignored. By now the people scattered across the beach had started to gather. Another onlooker called the woman's name again to no avail. The turning point for me was a man who started chatting to me and appeared oblivious to the enormity of the situation. Mid-conversation I turned my back on him and headed towards the police officer. I did not care if it was rude. I feared time was against us and I had to act. So I asked the sergeant if he would stop me going into the water. To my surprise he said he would not. However he did ask if I was a strong swimmer and warned if I got too close to the woman he would shout my name. More stories from North East Scotland, Orkney and Shetland Listen to news from Orkney on BBC Sounds I learned to swim as a child and in 2022 my sister introduced me to open water swimming. I joined a group called the Dell Dippers in my home town of Pitlochry, Perthshire, and swam with the Orkney Polar Bears during my time on the island. But for all my experience I had never tried to save someone before. I waded in and swam out to the woman, who was about parallel to the shipwreck in the deeper waters. From the shore, about 100m away, I heard the sergeant shout: "Linda, that's close enough." I treaded water as I asked the lady her name and what she was doing. She told me she had nothing to live for and added: "Everything is bad." I reassured her this was not the case and rapidly tried to build a bond as we bobbed up and down a few metres apart. I asked her about her life and questions such as who she lived with. She told me she looked after her mum and dad. I said to her that they would be sad if she left them alone. My main message was that they needed her. She was important. Her life was important. I pleaded with her to return to shore and, after a few desperate minutes, she agreed. The relief was overwhelming as we silently swam side-by-side, a few metres apart, back to the beach. When we finally waded out of the sea, she threw her arms around me and gripped me tight to show her gratitude. She held me for a few moments, and it felt like our shared experience in the sea had created a bond. Seconds later she was whisked away by paramedics into the waiting ambulance. The crew asked me how I was. I felt fine but suddenly became aware of how cold I was. I started to shiver, either from the temperature, or adrenaline or both. The sergeant shook my hand, a paramedic removed my awkward neoprene boots and I rushed to my car to get some welcome heat. A few days later the officer told me he had nominated me for a bravery award. Last September I was recognised by the Royal Humane Society. And in February I was humbled to receive a separate award from Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell. People tell me I am brave but I genuinely do not think I am. I acted on instinct. To me it was the only thing to do. I could not have stood by on the shore and watched someone drown. It has played through my mind since that the loss of a close family member to suicide may have been the catalyst for my actions. I cannot be sure. But the pain of my personal loss certainly enabled me to connect with the woman and convince her not to take her own life. More than 18 months on I sincerely hope she is doing well. One thing is certain, that day on the beach will never leave me. If you've been affected by the issues in this story you can find information and support here.
BBC News
09-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
How a BBC journalist saved a woman who walked into the sea
A BBC Scotland journalist has received a Police Scotland bravery award after rescuing a woman from the sea in Sinclair, who has also been recognised by the Royal Humane Society, recalls how the dramatic day unfolded after she went for a beach swim with her sister. I knew something wasn't right when the woman walking down the middle of the road refused to move aside, despite the noise of my car engine her demeanour, I also instinctively sensed that a polite toot of the horn was not the appropriate the time I was driving to Inganess Beach on the outskirts of Kirkwall.I had discovered the bay early on in my three-month stint working at BBC Radio was just a five-minute drive from my house and is a truly beautiful wreck of a World War Two ship famously rests in its deeper waters where the Arctic Terns swoop for sight of planes landing and taking off from the nearby Kirkwall Airport adds to the charm of this picture postcard location. I would swim early in the morning when the water was still or late at night as the sun set, casting stunning ambers and pinks streaks through the the chilly water in a swimsuit became a daily the evening of 16 July 2023 there was initially nothing out of the ordinary as I drove down with my sister, was overcast and grey and not particularly warm for a summer's night, in stark contrast to the blue skies and sunshine of the previous we spotted the lone woman she was initially oblivious to we approached she continued walking in the middle of the narrow road and reduced my car to a crawl, before stepping aside onto the beach. Up ahead, Inganess was quiet apart from the odd dog walker and a child playing on the rocks as a couple looked we made the short walk from the car to the beach, I couldn't help but notice the woman again. She was kneeling in the damp sand, crying and on her mobile situation didn't look good and I kept an eye on her as we made our way into the concerns were realised as a few moments later she followed us in to the water, fully clothed apart from her and I acted quickly and, without saying a word to each other, took an arm sister took the lead and spoke to the distressed woman - who appeared to be in her late 40s - to try and persuade her to come was taller and stronger than us and it took all our collective strength to guide her back out of the chilly water. But just seconds after we got her out of the water she turned around and walked back in.I knew then we couldn't deal with this situation alone and decided to raise the wet, I ran up to the road, flagged down a car and asked the driver to call 999.I cursed myself as it was one of the few times I had left home without my than 15 minutes later a police sergeant and a friend of the woman arrived on the both desperately called her name and urged her to return to the shoreline but their pleas were now the people scattered across the beach had started to onlooker called the woman's name again to no turning point for me was a man who started chatting to me and appeared oblivious to the enormity of the I turned my back on him and headed towards the police officer.I did not care if it was rude.I feared time was against us and I had to I asked the sergeant if he would stop me going into the my surprise he said he would he did ask if I was a strong swimmer and warned if I got too close to the woman he would shout my name. I learned to swim as a child and in 2022 my sister introduced me to open water swimming.I joined a group called the Dell Dippers in my home town of Pitlochry, Perthshire, and swam with the Orkney Polar Bears during my time on the for all my experience I had never tried to save someone before.I waded in and swam out to the woman, who was about parallel to the shipwreck in the deeper the shore, about 100m away, I heard the sergeant shout: "Linda, that's close enough."I treaded water as I asked the lady her name and what she was told me she had nothing to live for and added: "Everything is bad."I reassured her this was not the case and rapidly tried to build a bond as we bobbed up and down a few metres apart.I asked her about her life and questions such as who she lived told me she looked after her mum and dad.I said to her that they would be sad if she left them main message was that they needed her. She was important. Her life was important.I pleaded with her to return to shore and, after a few desperate minutes, she relief was overwhelming as we silently swam side-by-side, a few metres apart, back to the beach. 'I acted on instinct' When we finally waded out of the sea, she threw her arms around me and gripped me tight to show her held me for a few moments, and it felt like our shared experience in the sea had created a later she was whisked away by paramedics into the waiting crew asked me how I was. I felt fine but suddenly became aware of how cold I was.I started to shiver, either from the temperature, or adrenaline or sergeant shook my hand, a paramedic removed my awkward neoprene boots and I rushed to my car to get some welcome heat.A few days later the officer told me he had nominated me for a bravery September I was recognised by the Royal Humane in February I was humbled to receive a separate award from Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell. People tell me I am brave but I genuinely do not think I am. I acted on me it was the only thing to do. I could not have stood by on the shore and watched someone has played through my mind since that the loss of a close family member to suicide may have been the catalyst for my actions.I cannot be the pain of my personal loss certainly enabled me to connect with the woman and convince her not to take her own than 18 months on I sincerely hope she is doing thing is certain, that day on the beach will never leave me.
