november-2011

WORDS SOPHIE LEWIS | PHOTO © ALAMY | ILLUSTRATIONS © RALPH STEADMAN 2011
Flight From Extinction
LONDON The style is unmistakable
– though the subject matter is not the
fi rst thing you’d expect from Ralph
Steadman. The illustrator, best known
for his partnership with author Hunter S
Thompson, has created these portraits of
extinct species – printed exclusively here
– as part of a new multimedia art show to
support endangered birds. Hundreds of
artists, musicians and performers have
contributed to Ghosts of Gone Birds,
taking place at the Rochelle School in
Shoreditch from 2-23 November.
More than 12% of the
world’s bird species are
currently facing extinction.
If you want to help save
them, CERI LEVY, co-founder of Ghosts
of Gone Birds, explains how:
1. One of the main threats to birds
is habitat loss. If you have a garden,
No longer with us are, clockwise
from top left, the Jamaican red
macaw, atitlan grebe, Martinique
Amazon parrot and Chatham rail,
drawn by Ralph Steadman
consider leaving a small wild area as
shelter for young birds to forage for food.
2. From autumn, when insect-food levels
decrease, put a feeder in your garden
fi lled with nuts, seeds, suet and soft fruit.
3. Keep a birdbath. In cold or freezing
conditions, birds need a place to bathe
more than food, as well-kept plumage
insulates them against the cold. Change
the water daily and keep it ice free.
4. In the wild, many species of birds
nest in holes in old, rotten trees, but
in well-kept urban parks and gardens
such nesting places are hard to fi nd.
Encourage breeding by providing
sheltered boxes as warm roosting sites.
5. Join the Preventing Extinctions
Programme through your national
BirdLife Partner organisation. Sign up to
receive free email alerts on all the latest
news and ways in which you can help.
birdlife.org
THE BUZZ | TRAVEL NEWS
What’s going on?
CHRISTMAS
MARKETS
26 NOVEMBER-8 JANUARY
Christmas Market
PRAGUE
Incorporating magical fairy tales and
elaborate folklore, the Czech fl avour
of Christmas markets will please
adults and children alike. Rummage
through traditional handicrafts,
munch giant sausages or buy chic
Bohemian crystal baubles for your
tree while sipping hot wine.
pragueexperience.com
25 NOVEMBER-18 DECEMBER
Feria de Santa Lucia
BARCELONA
Despite the sunshine, there’s still
a festive feeling at this fun market
next to the cathedral in the Gothic
quarter. Art and music fi ll the streets,
which are lit with thousands of tiny
lights and decorated with local crafts.
The cathedral’s nativity scene is well
worth a visit. barcelonaturisme.com
UNTIL 2 JANUARY
Winterwelt
BERLIN
You’ll fi nd traditional seasonal foods,
glittering decorations and elaborate
gifts at Potsdammer Strasse during
Berlin’s Winter World, along with
the largest mobile toboggan run in
Europe. Treat yourself to a sticky
toff ee apple and experience a true
winter wonderland. visitberlin.de
TRAVELLER | 15