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The latest in the range of an animal theme, Birds is the first of a proposed series of three issues that examine UK species that are endangered, but thanks to the efforts of conservation groups and the public, are now on the way to recovery. Continuing the series of animals on stamps, the Birds stamp issue comprises of ten 1st class stamps in a se-tenant block featuring UK bird species that although on the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) endangered list, are showing signs of recovery. Each stamp features a photograph of the bird together with its common and scientific name and a statistic referring to the species' increasing population.
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White Tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Extinct in Britain for nearly a hundred years, Norwegian birds were introduced to the Hebrides in 1975 to encourage a slow-growing fresh start.
Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus Cold winters hold them back, but well-managed reedbeds hold ever-increasing numbers, helped by welcome immigrants from the Dutch polders.
Red Kite Milvus milvus Persecuted to the brink of extinction, its recovery is one of the great successes of recent years. Maybe we shall see it scavenging the streets of London again.
Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus This Mediterranean species has a patchy foothold in Southern England, but enlightened farming practices are encouraging a healthy increase in populations, especially in South Devon.
Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Summer visitors, recovering spectacularly from pollution problems, these are now commonly breeding in the East Anglian reed-beds and colonising even further afield.
Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta The most elegant and welcome of all waders, increasing mightily, first as a consequence of wartime flooding of coastal marshes, but benefiting today from careful wetland management.
Bittern Botaurus stellaris Famous for its booming call and its preference for skulking in dense reed-beds, its prospects may depend on inspired habitat management and fewer cold winters. A case of crossed fingers.
Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata Mild winters and dry summers help this heath land resident to flourish south of the Thames. Perhaps it will even return to Kent!
Corncrake Crex crex Brought to its knees by the introduction of grass and silage culture in the machine age, farmers have changed their grassland programmes in order to aid their recovery.
Peregrine Falco peregrinus These magnificent falcons have been much persecuted in a variety of ways through the centuries. Yet they survive and increasingly patronise man-made nest sites. Check church towers, pylons, warehouses and high-rise flats!
Technical details: The 35mm square stamps are designed by Kate Stephens using the work of photographers mentioned above. In sheets of 30/60 they are printed in lithography by De La Rue Security Print, perf 14½.
The stamp and postmark images are Copyright 2007 by Royal Mail.
Our limited edition first day covers for this issue will be shown here.
Our exclusive FDC for this issue shows an avocet in Norfolk.
The covers are priced at £8.95 each - postmarks to be decided.
Also available Mint or vfu - Price £4.35 Presentation Pack - Price £4.85 PO FDCs with any postmark - Price £5.25 Set of 10 Stamp Cards unused - Price £4.50
Special Postmarks Postmarks available for the day of issue are shown below - these may not be to scale. These postmarks cannot be obtained to order after 30 August.
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| Ref FD719 Official Philatelic Bureau FDI. |
Ref FD720 Official Dartford FDI postmark. |
Ref FD720NP Official Dartford non-pictorial FDI postmark |
Ref M10674 Endangered Species Birds, Osprey Road, Birmingham |
Ref L10670 The Red Kite, Kite Place, London EC2 |
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| Ref W10680 Exmouth, Devon. (RSPB Exe estuary) |
Ref L10671 Eastbridge, Saxmundham. (RSPB Minsmere) |
Ref L10667 Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes |
Ref S10679 Balranald, Isle of North Uist (RSPB Balranald) |
Ref M10675 Symonds Yat Rock, Coleford |
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| Ref N10677 Keswick, Cumbria. (Bassenthwaite Ospreys) |
Ref N10678 Bittern Close, WA7 (Runcorn), GBFDC Association AGM. |
Ref L10685 The Dartford Warbler, Destructive Humans Face Extinction |
If you would like to be contacted when this page is updated please email us. NB: all emails will be acknowledged in 1-2 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement please email us from a different address (eg hotmail, gmail).
This page updated 31 August 2007
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January 9 The Beatles 16 Definitive LOVE booklet |
February 1 Sealife of the British Coast 13 The Sky at Night |
March 1 World of Invention 1 Glorious Wales Smiler Sheet 22 Abolition of the Slave Trade 27 Definitive & Country stamps |
April 23 Celebrating England miniature sheet and Glorious England Smilers Sheet |
May 15 Beside the Seaside 17 Wembley Stadium MS and Smilers |
June 5 Machins 40th Anniversary miniature sheet, PSB & Smilers |
| July 3 Motor racing Grand Prix 17 Harry Potter books 26 Centenary of Scouting (Europa) |
August |
September 4 Endangered Species - birds 20 British Military Uniforms (I - Army) 20 Northern Ireland Country stamps |
October 16 60th Wedding Anniversary of HM the Queen |
November 6 Christmas 8 Lest We Forget 30 Glorious Scotland Smilers |
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