This page comprises news items about birds and bird conservation in France, much of it based on the work of the LPO, compiled by Ken Hall. Any opinions and interpretations expressed should in general be taken as mine, and not those of the LPO itself. As is obvious from the long time that has elapsed since I last updated these pages, I have not been very active as far as keeping you all up to date with what has been going on in France from a bird conservation point of view.
It's not that the LPO is not as committed as ever, or that there are no problems that still need attention, quite the reverse in fact. But rather, although I have made one or two visits across the Channel, and have continued to read the LPO's various publications assiduously, I just have not had the time to translate and compile news items that I think would be of particular interest to a UK audience. Nevertheless, people continue to contact me with various queries concerning their membership, or who are taking a group to France, or who are living there and want to manage their property in a more wildlife-friendly manner, etc.
But for various reasons, including having had to spend more time on activities more local to where I live near Bristol, the LPO has unfortunately slipped down the list of priorities somewhat. With this in mind, and also because I was somewhat alarmed to find that over 25 years have elapsed since the LPO first asked if I could act as a contact in the UK on their behalf, I have decided that it's time to 'retire' as it were, and leave the field free for some new enthusiast.
I shall continue to go birding in France as often as possible, and will maintain my subscriptions to the LPO's various publications, which I have always found as interesting as any of the other wildlife-oriented magazines that land on my doormat.
And of course I will continue to keep in touch with the various birding friends I have made there over the years. The LPO will be having a stand at the Birdfair in Rutland this year 17th—19th August , so that would be an ideal opportunity for anyone not only to hear the latest news on their activities, but also to see if they would welcome someone to take over where I am leaving off.
