Rare birds featured on new Pitcarin Island stamps…

 

Date of Issue : 20 July 2011

The rare birds featured in this stamp issue are the Henderson crake Porzana atra; the Henderson fruit dove Ptilinopus insularis; the Henderson reed warbler Acrocephalus taiti; the Henderson lorikeet Vini stephani and gives special attention to the Henderson petrel Pterodroma atreta.

It is the plight of the petrel that has captured the attention of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and they have initiated the Henderson Island Restoration Project which involves the planned eradication of introduced rats that are driving the Henderson petrel towards extinction. Over 95% of petrel chicks on Henderson are killed by rats within one week of hatching - over 25,000 chicks every year. These rats are also competing with the other land birds and therefore may be limiting their populations.

In August-September 2011, the RSPB operational vessel will be at Henderson, carrying two helicopters that will use GPS technology to methodically drop poison bait across the entire island. This highly targeted, short-term intervention will bring really long-term benefits: the Henderson petrel saved from its slide towards extinction, a large island restored and at least ten further unique species safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. The overall cost of the eradication project is in the region of GBP £1.5 – 1.7m.

I support Anna Hazare

A strong anti-corruption law ( Jan Lokpal Bill) will never get passed unless there is a mass movement. Anna Hazare is fasting for us. We need to mobilize as many Indians as possible into supporting Anna's campaign.

   

Fruit Dove of Samoa..

 

 

Date of issue : 25 May 2011

 

In conjunction with WWF, Samoa Post  released a set of four stamps and a Miniature sheet on 25 May 2011,  featuring  fruit doves of Samoa. It is a wonderful set depicting colorful fruit doves. A collectible item for the lovers of Bird theme.

 

The Many-coloured Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus perousii), also known in Samoa as Manulua, is a small multi-coloured dove growing up to 250mm in length. The male dove is a pale yellow-white colour with a red-crimson crown and bar across its back. The female is mostly green and grey on the head and breast with a red-crimson crown and undertail area known as coverts. These red-crimson coverts differentiate these doves from those of Fiji and Tonga where the coverts are yellow.

They are primarily found in large mature forest areas in the south-western Pacific - Samoa, Fiji and Tonga - where lowland tropical and sub-tropical forests provide a natural habitat. These birds feed predominantly on fruit and berries found in the high canopy and are partial to figs and also the fruit of the banyan tree. They are very protective of their feeding areas.

It is in the canopy where a small platform of twigs is fashioned into a nest, a single egg is laid and the young nurtured. Reduction in habitat has led to a decreased population, although the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for these doves to be considered vulnerable under conservation criteria.

New Stamps from Bangladesh

 

Rare species of Turtle

Date of Issue : 17 July 2011

Bangladesh Post issued new stamps on a variety of subjects in the month of July . The stamps feature birds, animals, coins, musical instruments and a commemorative issue on recently concluded World Stamp Exhibition Philanippon 2011.

Magnificent  Birds of The Sundarbans World Heritage

Date of Issue : 17 July 2011

Rare Animals of Bangladesh

Date of Issue : 17 July 2011

Coins of Independent Sultans of Bengal (1st series)

Date of Issue : 21 July 2011

 

Philanippon 2011

  

Date of Issue : 21 July 2011

Traditional Musical Instruments of Bangladesh

 

Date of Issue : 21 July 2011

: Pradip Jain - Patna

Club News

From our readers…

Private FDC Rashtrapati Bhawan

Mr Boben J E of Trivandrum shares here   a privat  FDC prepared by him  for recent Rashtrapati Bhawan Stamps.

Round Kiwi Definitive Stamps from New Zealand..

 

 

A favourite with collectors since it was introduced 23 years ago, the Round Kiwi stamp is returning due to popular demand in 2011.

One of New Zealand Post’s most enduring stamps, the Round Kiwi stamp was first produced in olive green in 1988. Since then, New Zealand’s national bird has appeared in red (1991), blue (1993), purple (in 1997 initially, and re-issued for the new millennium in 1999), gold (2000) and bronze (2002).

In 2011 the Round Kiwi stamp returns in three denominations that reflect New Zealand’s current postage rates. The $1.20 stamp has been printed in black – widely regarded as New Zealand’s national colour and worn by several of New Zealand sports teams. The $1.90 stamp has been printed in silver – reflecting New Zealand’s iconic silver fern (Cyathea dealbata), and the $2.40 stamp is printed in classic blue – synonymous with the vast amount of water surrounding the small island nation.

As well as other subtle design changes, the 2011 Round Kiwi stamps feature the New Zealand Post identifier – the fern.

Date of Issue : 6 July 2011

The FDC design in dark background  with nice cancellation of fern.

: New Zealand Post

New Stamps on Birds…

 

Date of Issue : 7 September 2011

On 7 September 2011, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) will issue a set of 12 stamps depicting endangered species. These will be the nineteenth set of stamps in UNPA’s multi-year series Endangered Species.

Date of  issue : 16 September 2011

Royal Mail highlights the diverse birdlife to be found around the UK’s coastline for the fourth and final issue of its Birds of Britain Post & Go pictorial stamps.

To be issued on 16 September, this issue of Birds of Britain features six birds active around the UK coastline, from the diminutive puffin and ringed plover, to larger seabirds like the gannet and cormorant.

Birds on other recent  wildlife stamp sets

 

Souvenir sheet showing a Wandering Albatross in flight

South Georgia - Frozen Planet Stamp Issue

This spectacular South Georgia stamp issue, Frozen Planet, released ahead of the BBC's Frozen Planet TV series, is due for release on 15th September 2011.

The theme of these stamps, like the series they represent, is the extreme seasonality that occurs in the Polar Regions.

Produced by the BBC's Natural History Unit, Frozen Planet is the most ambitious series on the Polar Regions ever undertaken.

60p - Southern Elephant Seals
70p - Wandering Albatross
95p - Blonde Fur Seal Pup
£1.15p - King Penguin

£2.50p - souvenir sheet showing a Wandering Albatross in flight against the South Georgia backdrop

Frozen Planet broadcasts on BBC One in autumn 2011. The series is presented by Sir David Attenborough, who himself first visited South Georgia in 1982 while filming for the television series, Living Planet.

Biodiversity featured on new Irish stamps

An Post's, latest definitive stamp series features eight species found on this island and its surrounding waters. The series attempts to raise public awareness of the importance of conserving and cherishing biodiversity. Biodiversity is defined as the variety of life and natural processes on Earth. The latest issue is the second phase of An Post's Biodiversity series.

The species featured on these stamps are: the Beadlet Anemone, the Squat Lobster, the Cuckoo Wrasse, the Common Frog, the Green Huntsman, the Elephant Hawk-moth, the Goldfinch and the Red Deer.

 

Pictorial Cancellation on Archaeopteryx…

 

 

Here are some very nice pictorial cancellation to be issued in Germany at different places. Mr. Wolfgang Beyer  has sent details about them. Those interested in these cancellations, may write to Mr Beyer.

On August 11^th   a pictorial cancellation will be provided   featuring the prehistoric  bird ARCHAEOPTERYX   at the post office  Eichstätt , Germany.

A pictorial Cancellation will be provided on Dinosaur park at Munchehagen, Germany featuring Dinosaur on 30 July 2011.

These pictorial  postmarks are available from Mr. Wolfgang Beyer Member of Staff   from the  Philatelic group ArGe ZOOLOGIE . Email : Wolfgang.Beyer1@polizei.sachsen.de

Archaeopteryx

Archaeopteryx  is the earliest bird in the fossil record, coming from the Late Jurassic lithographic limestone near Solnhofen, Germany. The first specimen was found in 1891, almost coincident with Darwin's publication of Origin of Species two years later, and ten more have since been found.

Archaeopteryx was about the size of a crow with short, broad wings and a long tail. While its feathers were similar to those of living birds, it had jaws lined with sharp teeth, three fingers ending in curving claws, and a long bony tail, in stark contrast to modern birds.

Archaeopteryx's many features of dinosaurs such as the jaws with teeth, tiny forelimbs with three claws, a long tail and a head covered with scales while body, wings and tail were covered with feathers as in a bird provides strong evidence of the dinosaur ancestry of birds, and, more generally, of the validity of the Theory of Evolution.

Club News

New Stamp from India

 

India Post issued a commemorative postage stamp on 28 July 2011 on Shri Kasu Brahmananda Reddy. 

: Mansoor B.,Mangalore

Kasu Brahmananda Reddy, noted leader is credited with creating the Industrial infrastructure in and around Hyderabad. During his long regime of seven years (Longest for any Congress chief minister in the state of Andhra Pradesh), many major industries like BHEL, HMT, IDPL, Hindustan Cables and several defense establishments like MIDHANI, Bharath Dynamics were established.Kasu Brahmananda Reddy also held the key positions, such as Home Minister of India (1974–1977) and the Governor of Maharastra (February 20, 1988 to January 18, 1990).The famous Chiran Palace was named after Kasu Brahmananda Reddy. National Park in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, was named in his honor.

 

Special Covers

Rajasthan

State animal of Rajasthan - Chinkara  ( Rajpex –2007 )

 

: Ashwani Dubey - Gorakhpur

New Stamps on Forest Birds of South Africa

 

Date of Issue : 15 July 2011

The United Nations declared 2011 the International Year of Forests. To coincide with this, the South African Post Office issued stamps on  forest birds as its theme for a new set of stamps in the South African bird series.

The birds depicted on the set of five stamps are the green twin spot, olive bush-shrike, Cape parrot, Knysna turaco (lourie) and the African crowned eagle.

In South Africa, indigenous forests cover only about 0,25 percent of South Africa's land surface. With a few exceptions, such as the forests of the Knysna area and the KwaZulu-Natal coastal dune systems, forests are small, usually occupying less than 1 000 ha. These forests provide shelter to some of South Africa's most spectacular birds.

Source : International Stamp News

Pictorial Cancellation on Fossils from Germany..

 

 

A pictorial Cancellation will be provided on Dinosaur park at Munchehagen, Germany featuring Dinosaur on 30 July 2011. It is  Germany's largest outdoor dinosaur park.The footprints of  huge prehistoric creatures can be found  in the park with over 200 full size dinosaur reconstructions.

Pictorial Cancellation on prehistoric  bird ARCHAEOPTERYX 

On August 11^th   a pictorial cancellation will be provided   featuring the prehistoric  bird ARCHAEOPTERYX   at the post office  Eichstätt , Germany. The pictorial  postmark is available from Mr. Wolfgang Beyer Member of Staff   from the  Philatelic group ArGe ZOOLOGIE . 

 

 

Archaeopteryx (“original bird” or “first bird”) is the earliest and most primitive bird known.

The first specimen was found in 1891, almost coincident with Darwin’s publication of Origin of Species two years later, and ten more have since been found.

Archaeopteryx was about the size of a crow with short, broad wings and a long tail. While its feathers were similar to those of living birds, it had jaws lined with sharp teeth, three fingers ending in curving claws, and a long bony tail, in stark contrast to modern birds.

Archaeopteryx’s many features of dinosaurs such as the jaws with teeth, tiny forelimbs with three claws, a long tail and a head covered with scales while body, wings and tail were covered with feathers as in a bird provides strong evidence of the dinosaur ancestry of birds, and, more generally, of the validity of the Theory of Evolution.

Pictorial Cancellation on Bird

 

 

Mr Wolfgang Beyer may be contacted for all above cancellations email : Wolfgang.Beyer1@polizei.sachsen.de

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Flightless birds from New Zealand…

 

Date of Issue : 6 July 2011

New Zealand Post recognizes that just as the native endangered flightless birds need  help in order to thrive, so too do the children that attend Health Camps around the country. It is for this reason that three of them feature in 2011's Children's Health stamps. These are two gummed stamps and one self-adhesive stamp.

As a supporter of Children’s Health Camps since 1929, New Zealand Post is proud to lend a hand once again with the 2011 Children’s Health stamp issue. Te Puna Whaiora - the New Zealand Foundation for Child and Family Health and Development - specialises in helping at-risk children aged five to 12 to overcome barriers to healthy lifestyles. The 10-cent surcharge on each stamp in this issue goes directly to Te Puna Whaiora's seven Children’s Health Camps throughout New Zealand, each playing a crucial role in helping children and their families in times of need.

The flightless birds featured on the stamps are also in need of love and support. The kiwi, kākāpō and takahē were all once more abundant and widely distributed throughout New Zealand than they are today. It’s only through the ongoing help of conservation programmes that people are now able to enjoy these unique and precious birds.

The individual stamps in this issue are as follows:

Kiwi - 60c + 10c surcharge (gummed)

Easily identified by its long beak, round body and hair-like feathers, this nocturnal bird belongs to a group of birds called ratites and has been adopted as one of New Zealand's most national symbols. This stamp features the brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), one of five species of kiwi.

Kākāpō - $1.20 + 10c surcharge (gummed)

The kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus) claims the titles of the heaviest parrot in the world, as well as the only flightless parrot. Unfortunately for the kākāpō, this rare bird alerts predators such as stoats to its presence due to its distinctive musty odour.

Takahē - 60c + 10c surcharge (self-adhesive)

With its blue and green feathers, red beak and stout legs, the takahē looks very similar to a pūkeko - only much bigger. The largest living member of the rail family, the takahē spends most of its days looking for nourishment in grass stalks, fern roots and insects.

The collection also includes a takahē-shaped miniature sheet to remind us that with some support and encouragement both these birds and struggling children can emerge as stronger individuals.

: New Zealand Post

Read More ….about New Zealand’s flightless birds

owls.

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i've never seen one, but i think owls are beautiful creatures. i wish i have one as a pet. *but i think that's illegal.*