Water Rail
A Lundy first delays book
The Water Rail, one of Britain’s most elusive birds, has bred on Lundy Island for the first time ever, prompting a last-minute re-write of a brand new book The Birds of Lundy penned by local birdwatchers Tim Davis and Tim Jones and illustrated by renowned Devon artist Mike Langman.
Co-author Tim Jones explains “We had literally just delivered the book to the printer when news came through that a Water Rail chick had been seen on the island that very day. Fortunately it wasn’t too late to make some quick adjustments and bring the book bang up to date”.
Water Rails are long-legged wetland birds a bit smaller than Moorhens. Apart from their long red bill, their most distinctive feature is a squealing, pig-like call. “One of their old country names was Marsh Pig” says Tim. “We think the eradication of rats from Lundy may have helped them because they nest on the ground and tend to run rather than fly, which can make them vulnerable to predators”.
Water Rail now joins the list of 68 bird species known to have nested on Lundy, among them of course the island’s famous Puffins. These and another 250 species that have visited Lundy over the years are described in the new book, which the North Devon authors hope will appeal to anyone with an interest in the island and its wildlife.
"Lundy is a magnet for birds and birdwatchers alike” says Tim Davis. “I’ve been going there for years but I never lose that sense of anticipation and excitement when I first step ashore. The news about the Water Rails just goes to show that you should expect the unexpected!”
All proceeds from The Birds of Lundy, which is being published by the authors on behalf of the Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society and the Lundy Field Society, are going to support conservation projects on the island.
All the details of how to order the book can be found at www.birdsoflundy.org.uk/
This Press Release comes from Ian Farrell of the DBWPS Publishing Group. Email info@devonbirds.org
Editors’ Notes:
The Birds of Lundy will be published on Saturday 29 September 2007. There will be an official launch and book-signing event from 11.00am to 1.00pm at R.M. Young Bookseller, 17 Broad Street, South Molton. The launch is open to the public and light refreshments will be provided.
Birds of Lundy is being published in both softback and limited edition hardback versions, retailing at £18.95 and £35.00 respectively.
The book is illustrated with 20 colour photographs and over 100 black and white line-drawings.
The Birds of Lundy is published by the authors’ own imprint, Harpers Mill Publishing of Berrynarbor, on behalf of Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society (also known as ‘Devon Birds’) and the Lundy Field Society. Both of these charitable organisations have supported the publication financially.
The Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society (DBWPS) is the leading organisation devoted to the conservation of birds and their habitats across the county of Devon. It was founded in 1928 and has over 1200 members. For further details visit www.devonbirds.org
The Lundy Field Society (LFS): The LFS was founded in 1946 and is now a charity that has as its aims the study of Lundy, in particular its history, natural history and archaeology, and the conservation of its wildlife and antiquities. For more information visit http://www.lundy.org.uk/
Tim Davis and Tim Jones will be available for interview at the launch on 29 September. Alternatively, they can be contacted on info@birdsofdevon.org.uk