The last count indicated there were nearly 1,000 birds in the wild

Spring is on its way in southern England. The first leaves are arriving and the magnolias and fruit trees have started to blossom. Some good news about the status of the Lear's Macaw. The last count indicated there were nearly 1,000 birds in the wild and as a result of this sustained increase in the population BirdLife International and the IUCN have decided to lower the threat category from "Critically Endangered" to Endangered".  Planting and protecting licuri palms as well as compensating farmers in the distribution area for damage to maize crops will become even more important now. I hope to bring news of this year's breeding successes soon.