A global bid to find 47 species of birds who have not been seen for up to 184 years has been launched today.
BirdLife International, along with partner the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has today begun a 'quest' to rediscover the lost birds.
The birds 'missing' are a real mix, covering various countries and habitats. The RSPB say some of the species haven't been seen by any living person, 'but bird watchers dream of rediscovering these long lost ghosts'.
Marco Lambertini, BirdLife International's chief executive, said: 'History has shown us that we shouldn't give up on species that are feared to have gone to their graves because some, such as the Cebu flowerpecker, have been rediscovered long after they were feared extinct, providing hope for the continued survival of other 'long-lost' species.
'The Cebu flowerpecker, of the Philippines, was only rediscovered at the 11th hour just before the last remnants of its forest home were destroyed.
'The extinction crisis is gathering momentum, but that's no excuse for humanity to allow even more strands from the web of life to disappear, especially without giving them a final chance of life.'
The quest has been announced at the launch of the 21st British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water, the 'birdwatcher's Glastonbury'.
The event, which continues over the weekend, is expected to attract in excess of 20,000 birdwatchers from across the UK. Funds raised from this year's event will go to the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme to help fund these searches.
Tim Appleton, of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, a co-organiser of the British Birdwatching Fair, said: 'The story of the Cebu flowerpecker is living proof that by focusing our efforts and resources, we really can make positive difference for the world's biodiversity.
'On reflection, this is a remarkable achievement, especially when you consider it's driven by 20,000 birdwatchers standing around in a few fields in Rutland for a weekend.'
The 21st British Birdwatching Fair will be held at the Egleton Nature reserve in Rutland, from Friday to Sunday.
BirdLife International, along with partner the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has today begun a 'quest' to rediscover the lost birds.
The birds 'missing' are a real mix, covering various countries and habitats. The RSPB say some of the species haven't been seen by any living person, 'but bird watchers dream of rediscovering these long lost ghosts'.
Marco Lambertini, BirdLife International's chief executive, said: 'History has shown us that we shouldn't give up on species that are feared to have gone to their graves because some, such as the Cebu flowerpecker, have been rediscovered long after they were feared extinct, providing hope for the continued survival of other 'long-lost' species.
'The Cebu flowerpecker, of the Philippines, was only rediscovered at the 11th hour just before the last remnants of its forest home were destroyed.
'The extinction crisis is gathering momentum, but that's no excuse for humanity to allow even more strands from the web of life to disappear, especially without giving them a final chance of life.'
The quest has been announced at the launch of the 21st British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water, the 'birdwatcher's Glastonbury'.
The event, which continues over the weekend, is expected to attract in excess of 20,000 birdwatchers from across the UK. Funds raised from this year's event will go to the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme to help fund these searches.
Tim Appleton, of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, a co-organiser of the British Birdwatching Fair, said: 'The story of the Cebu flowerpecker is living proof that by focusing our efforts and resources, we really can make positive difference for the world's biodiversity.
'On reflection, this is a remarkable achievement, especially when you consider it's driven by 20,000 birdwatchers standing around in a few fields in Rutland for a weekend.'
The 21st British Birdwatching Fair will be held at the Egleton Nature reserve in Rutland, from Friday to Sunday.
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