Albatros !!

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BlueSkyNick

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no not a reference to Monty Python's sketch, or even one of Fleetwood Mac's early tracks.

We went to a talk at the sailing club last night about how to start bird watching. RSPB man went through the usual garden stuff (not my scene) then sea birds around the Solent (more interesting).

at the end he made a plea to save the albatros. Gave us all a postcard to sign and send in as a they are raising a big petition.

I was aware that they are endangered or at least 19 out of the 21 species are, primarily due to tuna fisherman using long lines. The man said that these lines can be up to 80 miles long with multiple baited hooks onto which the albatros dives and gets caught. RSPB are campaigning for the lines to be weighted to stay below the surface. Apparently big names like bonny Prince Charlie and Day Mellon are supporting the cause.

Questions:
- can the lines really be 80 miles long? I don't believe so because they couldnt be pulled in especially if loaded with fish.

- do blue water sailors appreciate the presence of albatros as companions?

- are they good to eat? like chicken? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
Q1. Yes, the lines can be 80 miles long. Chay Blythe highlighted this cause on his trip a couple of years ago. Apparently by adding weights on the lines and setting them up so the birds can't grab the bait as it goes into the water the majority of birds would be safe.

Q2. Would prefer Naomi Campbell

Q3. Reputedly tough as old boots


Nick, you're in serious trouble if you are starting to go to bird watching talks, next you'll be selling your boat, buying a tripod and wandering about with all those poor lost souls on Keyhaven Marshes. Come to think of it you are at stage 1 /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
- do blue water sailors appreciate the presence of albatros as companions?

[/ QUOTE ]

Seems to have been the case for Bernard Moitessier, although in his book The Long Way it did bring out his... bizarreness.
 
Blimey Nick,I dont know how you fit it all in,Sailing ,Birdwatching,trainspotting,beige cardigan Knitting....
 
If John Ridgway reckons the long-liners are a big problem then that's good enough for me. I wouldn't argue with him.

We sometimes got albatrosses following us for days on end in the South, sometimes flying so close to the bridge-wing that you could almost touch them. Beautiful in flight, if rather ugly on land.

No idea what they taste like, and I'm not sure that I'd want to find out, although they seem easy enough to catch with a baited line....

Alistair
 
.After reading some of the Albnatross site i couldnt find the petition.Could you put in a direct link?
 
[ QUOTE ]



Nick, you're in serious trouble if you are starting to go to bird watching talks, next you'll be selling your boat, buying a tripod and wandering about with all those poor lost souls on Keyhaven Marshes. Come to think of it you are at stage 1 /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
No worries, the only ornothology I like is for the greater breasted topless bird usually seen around sandy habitats.

i only go to the midweek talks for the beer, anyway. two weeks ago it was a vicar from a psychiatric hospital and next week is about the jurassic coast of Dorset. You should try joining a dynamic club like ours, instead of a sleepy hollow in the marshes /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Blimey Nick,I dont know how you fit it all in,Sailing ,Birdwatching,trainspotting,beige cardigan Knitting....

[/ QUOTE ]well i have to do something because i can't go sailing with this bluddy plaster cast on my wrist !! 1 week, 5 days to go ....... not that I am counting ! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
New Zealand had a wonderful exhibit and information on the problem.

The big problem is during the baiting of the line. Normally it goes over the stern in free air. They try to grab the bait and end up going down with the line.

The fisherman actually do not like it either as its is 1 less hook and pulling a bird off is gets messy.


The solutions are putting the line out in the dark or sending it down a drain pipe to below the water level. The charity funds the fishing boat conversions and puts observers on board.

It was good seeing them in real life.
 
I see that you have just found a new meaning for the word dynamic.


Anyway's up, I'm giving a talk to the LTSC in March, I think, about our travels in Norway. It is in aid of Botton, so get all of your lazy mates to come along and listen to something about sailing rather than boring stuff about birds.
 
Quote "Q2. Would prefer Naomi Campbell"

Would you really? She'd probably beat you up.

Quote "Q3. Reputedly tough as old boots"

Yes, she is! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
If John Ridgway reckons the long-liners are a big problem then that's good enough for me. I wouldn't argue with him.

We sometimes got albatrosses following us for days on end in the South, sometimes flying so close to the bridge-wing that you could almost touch them. Beautiful in flight, if rather ugly on land.

No idea what they taste like, and I'm not sure that I'd want to find out, although they seem easy enough to catch with a baited line....

Alistair

[/ QUOTE ]

They taste a bit like salty chicken. We used to have them for christmas lunch, there was always a big fight over who would get a wing.
 
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