FIRECREST TOURS : Guided Birdwatching & Wildlife Days

The controversy about the raven cull licence rumbles on. Ten days after the licence was revealed, SNH has yet to address any of the serious concerns raised about the licensing process and about the licence itself. The agency’s handling of this whole affair has been extraordinarily poor. Meanwhile, on Saturday BBC Radio Scotland’s Out of […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2Knwz7q

We reached another milestone this weekend, with the blog passing 4 million views. The last 2 million views have come in the last 22 months. Thank you to everyone who contributes to this blog, comments on it, and most importantly, shares this work. Thanks also to our funders at Lush whose financial (and moral) support […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2Fs23pg

A new scientific, peer-reviewed paper, published in the journal British Birds, links the illegal killing of birds of prey with driven grouse moor management in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park. Full citation: Melling, T., Thomas, M., Price, M. and Roos, S. (2018). Raptor persecution in the Peak District National Park. […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2HzAUGV

RSPB Scotland has published a further damning statement on the SNH raven cull licence. Written by Director Anne McCall, here’s a short excerpt: ‘Considering all of the above, RSPB Scotland maintains that there is no justification for this extreme course of action, and will continue to pursue that SNH withdraw this licence. Alternatively, the option […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2I5259A

Reported on BirdWatch Ireland’s facebook page on 24 April 2018, news of three dead buzzards found in a field at Ring, near Clonakilty, Co Cork. The birds were found in January and collected by staff from the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) to be sent for post-mortem. X-rays showed no sign of lead shot […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2r1q6qW

For the benefit of those not on Twitter, last night MSP Mark Ruskell (Scottish Greens) tweeted that he is seeking an urgent meeting with Scottish Natural Heritage to discuss the raven cull licence. His colleague, Alison Johnstone MSP, will join him. Well done and thanks to both of them for holding SNH to account. Advertisements Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2KiWRI3

In a desperate attempt to regain the narrative, this afternoon Scottish Natural Heritage has issued a further statement to try and justify its ridiculous decision to grant a licence to gamekeepers, permitting the mass killing of ravens in a noted wildlife crime hotspot, on the basis of ‘seeing what happens’. Part of the latest statement […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2HuRG60

This morning The Times ran an ‘exclusive’ on the controversial raven cull licence, headlining its article with ‘RETHINK ON RAVEN CULL AFTER OUTCRY BY CONSERVATIONISTS’: Many on social media are heralding this as a ‘win’ for conservationists, but we’re a bit more cynical. It looks to us like SNH is trying to hoodwink everyone with […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2JrCSp9

Further to the news that Scottish Natural Heritage has issued a multi-year licence to allow the mass culling of ravens in Highland Perthshire, ‘just to see what happens’, which prompted a surge of criticism from the Scottish Raptor Study Group (here), RSPB Scotland (here), OneKind (here), Mark Avery (here) and thousands of members of the public, […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2qSOU4f

In May last year Scottish Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham announced her intention to establish a Grouse Moor Management Review Group, in response to the damning findings of the Golden Eagle Satellite Tag Review which had revealed that almost one third of satellite-tagged golden eagles had disappeared in highly suspicious circumstances on or close to intensively managed […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2JmD0Gy

Further to the news that Scottish Natural Heritage has issued a multi-year licence to allow the mass culling of ravens in Highland Perthshire just ‘to see what happens’ (see here), RSPB Scotland has just published a blog in response. Here’s a short excerpt: “Now – to this research licence. In the first instance, we doubt very much […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2HllIgt

There has been a phenomenal public reaction to the shocking news that Scottish Natural Heritage has issued a multi-year licence to allow the mass culling of ravens in Highland Perthshire just ‘to see what happens’ (see here). A few updates for those who might have missed them: Statement from Robbie Kernahan, Head of Wildlife at […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2Hij0Ix

To the utter disbelief of conservationists, statutory conservation agency Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has issued a licence authorising the mass killing of ravens in a large area of Perthshire (an area identified as a wildlife crime hotspot where six satellite-tagged eagles have suspiciously disappeared in recent years), as part of a proposed five-year experiment, on […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2qHknX1

Press release from white-tailed eagle species champion Mark Ruskell MSP (19/4/18), following the recent suspicious disappearance of sea eagle Blue X in grouse moor dominated Glen Quaich, Perthshire: WILDLIFE CRIME IS HIGHLAND PERTHSHIRE’S SHAME Green MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife Mark Ruskell has branded Highland Perthshire a wildlife crime hotspot after a further disappearance of […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2vsVT8B

An interesting Leader Comment in today’s Scotsman: As the RSPB Scotland points out, the disappearance of a fourth satellite-tracked eagle in a part of Perthshire that’s home to several shooting estates over four years is “highly suspicious”. The Scottish Gamekeepers Association complains its members are the “first to be accused when any bird of prey […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2EY0YW5

Some brilliant news, for a change! Press release from Scottish Greens (19/4/18): WIGHTMAN TO CHAMPION UNDER PERSECUTION GOLDEN EAGLES Scottish Green MSP Andy Wightman is the new Scottish Environment Link species champion for the Golden Eagle. The Golden Eagle is Scotland’s most iconic bird of prey but, despite decades of legal protection in Scotland, continues […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2Jb89Nb

Following the recent news that satellite-tagged white-tailed eagle ‘Blue X’ has ‘disappeared’ in suspicious circumstances in the grouse moor dominated Glen Quaich, Perthshire, we’ve taken a closer look at this area. It was one of the areas identified as a hotspot for ‘disappearing’ satellite-tagged golden eagles in last year’s expert review of Golden Eagle Satellite […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2qHUkia

Yesterday’s police search for missing satellite-tagged sea eagle ‘Blue X’ was a complete waste of time. Why? Because Police Scotland invited some gamekeepers (also known as potential suspects) to join the search. Since when has inviting potential suspects to help search for potential evidence of a potential crime been a good idea? [Photo of white-tailed […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2vno499

Press release from RSPB Scotland (17/4/18): RSPB SCOTLAND ASSISTS IN SEARCH FOR ‘MISSING’ EAGLE Another satellite tagged eagle has disappeared in highly suspicious circumstances. RSPB Scotland has today (17th April 2018) been assisting Police Scotland in the search for the white tailed eagle in the Glen Quaich area of Perthshire. Photo of White-tailed eagle ‘Blue X’, […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2qEHhyl

Two separate High Court applications have been submitted this week, seeking a judicial review of Natural England’s highly controversial decision to issue a hen harrier brood meddling licence. As a quick re-cap for new blog readers, in January this year, Natural England issued a licence to Jemima Parry-Jones (International Centre for Birds of Prey [ICBP], Newent, Glos) […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2J1j7ob

The prosecution of a gamekeeper, employed by the Bleasdale Estate in Bowland to manage a grouse moor, collapsed recently on a series of legal technicalities (see here, here and here). We’ve been wondering how the grouse-shooting industry would react to this failed case. Would they condemn the alleged illegal killing of two breeding peregrines at […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2JMvBBg

This is the third blog in a series about the recent failed prosecution of a Bleasdale Estate gamekeeper. Gamekeeper James Hartley was accused of nine offences in relation to the alleged killing of two peregrines at a nest site on the Bleasdale Estate, Bowland, in April 2016. He denied all charges. In blog 1, we […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2HpQnbH

From the Carluke Gazette (13/4/18): POLICE NEED INFO ON BUZZARD THAT WAS SHOT Police Scotland officer at Lanark are seeking the public’s help as they investigate the shooting of a bird of prey. A deceased buzzard was found near to Station Road in Leadhills. Examination of the bird showed that it had likely been shot, […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2vaSYRT

We’ve been reporting on the case against Bleasdale Estate gamekeeper James Hartley since September 2017 (see here, here, here, here for previous posts). The case against Mr Hartley collapsed recently after the judge ruled the RSPB’s video evidence inadmissible. In a series of blogs we’re examining what happened in this case. In part one (here), we set out the nine […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2GTMzfd

Last week The National published an astonishing letter from John Andrews, of Caithness, who falsely claimed, among other things, that hen harriers ‘never breed successfully’ unless on a grouse moor! The letter is well worth a read (here), as are the comments below it. For posterity we’ve reproduced it here because these things have a […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2Hyt6SE

Great partnership working by North Yorkshire Police, RSPCA and Jean Thorpe (Ryedale Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre) resulted in an injured buzzard being released from a trap, rehabilitated and then released back to the wild. There’s no information about the type of trap, whether it was illegally-set, or the extent of the buzzard’s injuries, but still a […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2qrPF33

From today’s Eastern Daily Press (11/4/18): BUZZARD SHOT NEAR DOWNHAM MARKET A buzzard has been shot dead in the West Norfolk fens. A gardener believes he saw a man shoot the protected bird of prey at Boughton, near Downham Market this lunchtime. It came down near the home of retired insurance broker Paul Coulten, 77, […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2v4E93f

We’ve been reporting on the case against Bleasdale Estate gamekeeper James Hartley since September 2017 (see here, here, here, here for previous posts). Mr Hartley faced 9 charges as follows: Disturbing the nesting site of a Schedule 1 wild bird (13/04/2016) Killing a Schedule 1 wild bird (13/04/2016) Killing a Schedule 1 wild bird (14/04/2016) […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2HkffPz

From Yorkshire Post (7/4/18): ‘WILDLIFE CRIME WILL NOT BE TOLERATED’, SAY SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE AFTER BUZZARD IS FATALLY SHOT IN THE HEAD ‘Wildlife crime will not be tolerated in our county’ – that’s the message from South Yorkshire Police after they found a buzzard that had been fatally shot in the head. The force confirmed […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2GKcfen

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority continues its recent efforts to highlight and condemn illegal raptor persecution in and around the National Park. Last month we blogged about some of these efforts, which have included the Park’s involvement with ‘Operation Owl’, a police-led multi-agency initiative designed to target the raptor-killing criminals in North Yorkshire, the […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2GEoQ6F

Scottish gamekeepers have invited First Minister Nicola Sturgeon & Environment Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham to visit estates “to learn about mountain hare culls”. The invitation comes after the First Minister’s angry response to recent video evidence showing the brutal, military-style killing of mountain hares undertaken by gamekeepers on several Scottish grouse moors and filmed by […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2EqK41R

Further to yesterday evening’s blog about a dead red kite found in south Scotland in January that “may” have been poisoned (see here), the BBC news article has now been updated (6/4/18) to confirm this bird was definitely poisoned: POLICE APPEAL AFTER PROTECTED BIRD OF PREY POISONED Police investigating the death of a protected bird […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2q9WrLL

From DevonLive news, 6 April 2018: A man has been charged with a number offences against the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, in relation to the taking of and disturbing of protected birds, their nests and eggs. Jason North, aged 49, from Plymouth has been charged with 14 offences including the disturbance of Schedule 1 […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2JpysQC

From BBC News (5/4/18): Police investigating the death of a protected bird of prey have said it may have been poisoned. The body of the red kite was found by a member of the public in the Durham Hill Lane area of Kirkpatrick Durham in Castle Douglas on 20 January. An investigation has been launched […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2q5OkyO

Last week saw the widespread media broadcast of a film produced by Lush, OneKind and The League Against Cruel Sports (Scotland) depicting the brutal, military-style mass killing of mountain hares on a number of Scottish grouse moors, filmed in February this year. For those who missed it, here it is again: Inevitably, public outrage ensued […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2EjSCHL

Well, well, well. Last September we blogged about SNH imposing a three-year General Licence restriction on a ‘mystery’ Scottish gamekeeper in response to evidence provided by Police Scotland of alleged raptor persecution crimes. At the time, SNH gave very little information about this case (see here). After a bit of digging, we worked out that […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2EcTUof

Congratulations to the Angus Glens Moorland Group, winners of this year’s Complete Bollocks Award. The group won the Conservation & Environment category, which highlights ‘the ultimate benchmark of excellence in rural Scotland’. We tried to look on the awards website for details of this group’s achievements in this category but the website is listed as […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2GrDTwB