FIRECREST TOURS : Guided Birdwatching & Wildlife Days

Natural England has today published a press release announcing a pathetic total of nine successful hen harrier nests in England this year, an increase from three nests last year and heralded by NE Chairman Andrew Sells as “truly remarkable” (see here). No, what’s remarkable Andrew is that there are still a conservatively estimated 290 breeding […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/31/no-successful-breeding-hen-harriers-on-privately-owned-grouse-moors-in-england-again/

Natural England has today published a press release announcing a pathetic total of nine successful hen harrier nests in England this year, an increase from three nests last year and heralded by NE Chairman Andrew Sells as “truly remarkable” (see here). No, what’s remarkable Andrew is that there are still a conservatively estimated 290 breeding […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2n0tShL via IFTTT

Further to this morning’s news that the scientific justification behind SNH’s raven cull licence has been deemed ‘completely inadequate’ and that the gamekeepers have now undertaken a ‘voluntary suspension’ of the cull, this deserves more comment. If you haven’t already done so, we urge you to read SNH’s Scientific Advisory Committee’s (SAC) review of the […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/30/voluntary-suspension-of-raven-cull-is-meaningless-greenwash/

Further to this morning’s news that the scientific justification behind SNH’s raven cull licence has been deemed ‘completely inadequate’ and that the gamekeepers have now undertaken a ‘voluntary suspension’ of the cull, this deserves more comment. If you haven’t already done so, we urge you to read SNH’s Scientific Advisory Committee’s (SAC) review of the […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2M2j4up via IFTTT

There’s some welcome news this morning as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has been forced to admit its Strathbraan raven cull licence was ‘completely inadequate’ following a review by its own Scientific Advisory Committee. [Raven photo by Dieter Schaeffer] This controversial ‘research’ licence was issued earlier this spring to a bunch of predator-hating gamekeepers, on the […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/30/raven-cull-licence-scientific-rigour-completely-inadequate-says-snhs-scientific-advisory-committee/

There’s some welcome news this morning as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has been forced to admit its Strathbraan raven cull licence was ‘completely inadequate’ following a review by its own Scientific Advisory Committee. [Raven photo by Dieter Schaeffer] This controversial ‘research’ licence was issued earlier this spring to a bunch of predator-hating gamekeepers, on the […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2K78pNd via IFTTT

There was an article in yesterday’s Courier (here) highlighting the “impoverished” status of wildlife in the Angus Glens. This claim was made by Ian Thomson (Head of Investigations, RSPB Scotland) and an unnamed investigator from the SSPCA in relation to the number of vacant breeding territories for hen harrier, the number of satellite-tagged raptors that have […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/27/angus-glens-moorland-group-downplays-significance-of-missing-satellite-tagged-raptors/

There was an article in yesterday’s Courier (here) highlighting the “impoverished” status of wildlife in the Angus Glens. This claim was made by Ian Thomson (Head of Investigations, RSPB Scotland) and an unnamed investigator from the SSPCA in relation to the number of vacant breeding territories for hen harrier, the number of satellite-tagged raptors that have […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2LwQEfK via IFTTT

Over the last few days we’ve been hearing from various sources about a long list of charges made against a gamekeeper from an estate in the Scottish Borders, in relation to alleged wildlife crimes. This afternoon we contacted Police Scotland for details and confirmation. A spokeswoman responded very quickly (thanks!) and told us this: “A […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2LoPSSa via IFTTT

Over the last few days we’ve been hearing from various sources about a long list of charges made against a gamekeeper from an estate in the Scottish Borders, in relation to alleged wildlife crimes. This afternoon we contacted Police Scotland for details and confirmation. A spokeswoman responded very quickly (thanks!) and told us this: “A […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/26/scottish-gamekeeper-charged-with-wildlife-crime-offences/

We’ve blogged a bit recently about wildlife that has been caught/killed in traps set by gamekeepers on grouse moors (e.g. see here, here). These traps are used to kill so-called ‘vermin’ (e.g. stoats and weasels) but we’ve seen plenty of evidence of non-target species also being trapped and killed (e.g. red squirrel, song thrush, mistle […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2Og5Uvl via IFTTT

We’ve blogged a bit recently about wildlife that has been caught/killed in traps set by gamekeepers on grouse moors (e.g. see here, here). These traps are used to kill so-called ‘vermin’ (e.g. stoats and weasels) but we’ve seen plenty of evidence of non-target species also being trapped and killed (e.g. red squirrel, song thrush, mistle […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/25/kestrel-is-latest-victim-of-vermin-trap-on-grouse-moor/

The RSPB has reported the suspicious death of yet another satellite-tagged hen harrier. ‘Lia’ was tagged at a nest in north Wales in 2017 and after fledging she spent a bit of time in the Brecon Beacons National Park before a brief sojourn to Somerset, and then had returned to settle in mid-Wales. [Photo of […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2uMEiFV via IFTTT

The RSPB has reported the suspicious death of yet another satellite-tagged hen harrier. ‘Lia’ was tagged at a nest in north Wales in 2017 and after fledging she spent a bit of time in the Brecon Beacons National Park before a brief sojourn to Somerset, and then had returned to settle in mid-Wales. [Photo of […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/24/satellite-tagged-hen-harrier-lia-found-dead-in-suspicious-circumstances/

Press release from North Yorkshire Police (23 July 2018): APPEAL FOR INFORMATION AFTER RED KITE FOUND DEAD IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES Police are appealing for information after a red kite was found dead in the Yorkshire Dales. The bird was found on Thursday 12 July 2018, at Barden, near to the popular area known as […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/23/red-kite-found-shot-in-yorkshire-dales-national-park/

Press release from North Yorkshire Police (23 July 2018): APPEAL FOR INFORMATION AFTER RED KITE FOUND DEAD IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES Police are appealing for information after a red kite was found dead in the Yorkshire Dales. The bird was found on Thursday 12 July 2018, at Barden, near to the popular area known as […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2uKG36t via IFTTT

RSPB press release (23 July 2018): DEAD BIRDS OF PREY FOUND IN DORSET A shot buzzard and dead barn owl spark concerns of a local persecution problem Dorset Police and the RSPB are appealing for information after a dead buzzard and a dead barn owl were found near Melplash, Dorset in May 2018. [Photo of […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/23/buzzard-shot-dead-in-dorset/

RSPB press release (23 July 2018): DEAD BIRDS OF PREY FOUND IN DORSET A shot buzzard and dead barn owl spark concerns of a local persecution problem Dorset Police and the RSPB are appealing for information after a dead buzzard and a dead barn owl were found near Melplash, Dorset in May 2018. [Photo of […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2uH5CVU via IFTTT

Here is a fine example of the sort of idiotic reporting we’re up against. A gamekeeper who works in Strathbraan, the area where SNH authorised the licensed killing of ravens earlier this year on the basis of ‘seeing what happens’, has declared the cull ‘a success’. Of course he’s declared it ‘a success’. He’s got […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/23/surprise-gamekeeper-in-raven-cull-area-declares-cull-a-success/

Here is a fine example of the sort of idiotic reporting we’re up against. A gamekeeper who works in Strathbraan, the area where SNH authorised the licensed killing of ravens earlier this year on the basis of ‘seeing what happens’, has declared the cull ‘a success’. Of course he’s declared it ‘a success’. He’s got […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2uJe9rD via IFTTT

A few days ago we blogged about a proposal by the North Yorkshire police watchdog to implement an inquiry in to why the county has the worst record for raptor persecution crimes in England and why efforts to crackdown on the criminals have failed (see here). This proposal was due to be discussed at the […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/22/prosecutors-accused-of-failing-to-take-raptor-persecution-seriously-in-north-yorkshire/

A few days ago we blogged about a proposal by the North Yorkshire police watchdog to implement an inquiry in to why the county has the worst record for raptor persecution crimes in England and why efforts to crackdown on the criminals have failed (see here). This proposal was due to be discussed at the […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2NBZNjS via IFTTT

A good news story! Last year we blogged about a peregrine that had been found shot in Hampshire. His colour ring (Blue GX) identified him as ‘Peter’, one of the chicks that successfully fledged from Salisbury Cathedral in 2014. He’d suffered a fractured wing from the gunshot fragments. Peter spent a few months in the […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/22/salisbury-peregrine-peter-shot-last-year-dad-this-year/

A good news story! Last year we blogged about a peregrine that had been found shot in Hampshire. His colour ring (Blue GX) identified him as ‘Peter’, one of the chicks that successfully fledged from Salisbury Cathedral in 2014. He’d suffered a fractured wing from the gunshot fragments. Peter spent a few months in the […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2uFL4NO via IFTTT

Yesterday the RSPB posted a blog about the death of an osprey chick that died when two staff members were visiting the nest to ring the chick. It’s an exceptionally rare incident and the blog is well worth a read for a bit of perspective, here. [Photo of an osprey chick by Lewis Pate] This […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/21/osprey-ringing-accident-fuels-malicious-and-hypocritical-abuse/

Yesterday the RSPB posted a blog about the death of an osprey chick that died when two staff members were visiting the nest to ring the chick. It’s an exceptionally rare incident and the blog is well worth a read for a bit of perspective, here. [Photo of an osprey chick by Lewis Pate] This […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2zXvxOf via IFTTT

A series of questions have been asked of the Angus Glens Moorland Group about a dead red kite that was found by a member of the public in February 2018. The dead kite was found in Glen Lethnot and reported to the gamekeepers, who apparently then collected the corpse. What happened next remains a mystery […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2L7QaN3 via IFTTT

A series of questions have been asked of the Angus Glens Moorland Group about a dead red kite that was found by a member of the public in February 2018. The dead kite was found in Glen Lethnot and reported to the gamekeepers, who apparently then collected the corpse. What happened next remains a mystery […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/20/questions-being-asked-about-a-dead-red-kite-found-in-the-angus-glens/

Back in May there was a report (and several photographs) on social media of a dead red kite that had been found on 9th May 2018 by a member of the public, “10-12ft up in a bush” at Woodchurch, Kent. We believe this was reported to Natural England who eventually arranged for the corpse to […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2JvBqBX via IFTTT

Back in May there was a report (and several photographs) on social media of a dead red kite that had been found on 9th May 2018 by a member of the public, “10-12ft up in a bush” at Woodchurch, Kent. We believe this was reported to Natural England who eventually arranged for the corpse to […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/18/red-kite-shot-dead-in-kent/

Article reproduced from Richmondshire Today (16 July 2018): BIRD OF PREY PERSECUTION INQUIRY PLANNED A wide-ranging inquiry examining why North Yorkshire has the country’s worst bird of prey persecution record and efforts to crack down on the crime have failed is set to be launched. A move has been proposed to create a select group […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2LvmBRP via IFTTT

Article reproduced from Richmondshire Today (16 July 2018): BIRD OF PREY PERSECUTION INQUIRY PLANNED A wide-ranging inquiry examining why North Yorkshire has the country’s worst bird of prey persecution record and efforts to crack down on the crime have failed is set to be launched. A move has been proposed to create a select group […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/18/north-yorkshire-police-watchdog-plans-inquiry-on-raptor-persecution/

Thanks to the blog reader who sent us these gruesome images of wildlife destruction (aka 21st Century grouse moor management), photographed on a grouse moor in the Angus Glens. Fox, rabbits and a cat: Cat slung over a tree above a stink pit: A song thrush: A stoat: Amusingly, the Angus Glens Moorland Group (part […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/13/more-wildlife-destruction-on-the-angus-glens-grouse-moors/

Thanks to the blog reader who sent us these gruesome images of wildlife destruction (aka 21st Century grouse moor management), photographed on a grouse moor in the Angus Glens. Fox, rabbits and a cat: Cat slung over a tree above a stink pit: A song thrush: A stoat: Amusingly, the Angus Glens Moorland Group (part […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2NM8sRq via IFTTT

Oh dear. The game shooting industry’s desperate attempts to self-regulate and demonstrate ‘best practice’, before regulation is finally forced upon them, is failing spectacularly. The industry’s new self-regulatory body is the British Game Alliance (BGA), ‘the official marketing board for the UK game industry’, which, according to the Countryside Alliance, “aims to run a ‘British Game’ […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/12/accuracy-transparency-proving-difficult-for-game-shooting-industrys-british-game-alliance/

Oh dear. The game shooting industry’s desperate attempts to self-regulate and demonstrate ‘best practice’, before regulation is finally forced upon them, is failing spectacularly. The industry’s new self-regulatory body is the British Game Alliance (BGA), ‘the official marketing board for the UK game industry’, which, according to the Countryside Alliance, “aims to run a ‘British Game’ […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2zxbKoF via IFTTT

We’ve been writing about the grouse shooting industry’s dodgy use of veterinary drugs for some time. In 2015 we exposed the scandal about how Government regulators had failed to test shot red grouse for residues of Flubendazole, an anti-worming drug that is used by grouse moor managers at up to twenty times the strength permitted […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2N9R34d via IFTTT

We’ve been writing about the grouse shooting industry’s dodgy use of veterinary drugs for some time. In 2015 we exposed the scandal about how Government regulators had failed to test shot red grouse for residues of Flubendazole, an anti-worming drug that is used by grouse moor managers at up to twenty times the strength permitted […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/12/high-risk-of-eating-contaminated-red-grouse-as-inadequate-safety-checks-continue/

Natural England has been using tax payers’ money to fit satellite tags to young hen harriers in England for over ten years. Since then, there has been a steady stream of reports of those tagged harriers ‘disappearing’ in suspicious circumstances on grouse moors, or being found illegally shot (often on grouse moors), or occasionally dying […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2KK9QpP via IFTTT

Natural England has been using tax payers’ money to fit satellite tags to young hen harriers in England for over ten years. Since then, there has been a steady stream of reports of those tagged harriers ‘disappearing’ in suspicious circumstances on grouse moors, or being found illegally shot (often on grouse moors), or occasionally dying […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/10/hen-harrier-satellite-tag-data-to-be-presented-in-vancouver/

Yesterday’s blog showing images of wildlife carnage photographed on a grouse moor in the Moorfoot Hills, south Scotland has caused quite a reaction and a few blog readers have been sending us their own grisly photographic evidence from walks in the hills. As we said yesterday, this wildlife destruction is characteristic of what you’ll find […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2lWsaNR via IFTTT

Yesterday’s blog showing images of wildlife carnage photographed on a grouse moor in the Moorfoot Hills, south Scotland has caused quite a reaction and a few blog readers have been sending us their own grisly photographic evidence from walks in the hills. As we said yesterday, this wildlife destruction is characteristic of what you’ll find […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/06/more-wildlife-destruction-on-more-scottish-grouse-moors/

The following photographs were posted on Twitter yesterday. They were taken on a grouse moor in the Moorfoot Hills, south Scotland, and are representative of what you’ll find on many grouse moors across northern England and Scotland. The traps ‘appear’ to be lawfully set (i.e. the spring trap has been set within a natural or […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/05/wildlife-destruction-on-a-scottish-grouse-moor/

The following photographs were posted on Twitter yesterday. They were taken on a grouse moor in the Moorfoot Hills, south Scotland, and are representative of what you’ll find on many grouse moors across northern England and Scotland. The traps ‘appear’ to be lawfully set (i.e. the spring trap has been set within a natural or […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2lXoJXi via IFTTT

Yesterday a legal application seeking permission for judicial review of SNH’s disgraceful decision to licence the mass culling of ravens in Strathbraan ‘just to see what happens’ was lodged at the Court of Session on behalf of the Scottish Raptor Study Group. The fantastic legal team working on this issue (thanks to the generosity of […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/05/justice4ravens-application-lodged-for-judicial-review/

Yesterday a legal application seeking permission for judicial review of SNH’s disgraceful decision to licence the mass culling of ravens in Strathbraan ‘just to see what happens’ was lodged at the Court of Session on behalf of the Scottish Raptor Study Group. The fantastic legal team working on this issue (thanks to the generosity of […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2IW6OJv via IFTTT

Press release from the National Trust, 3 July 2018: Welcome return of the skydancer to the High Peak One of Britain’s most threatened birds, the hen harrier, has bred on the National Trust’s High Peak Moors in the Peak District National Park, for the first time in four years. The four chicks are said to […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2MJxfEv via IFTTT

Press release from the National Trust, 3 July 2018: Welcome return of the skydancer to the High Peak One of Britain’s most threatened birds, the hen harrier, has bred on the National Trust’s High Peak Moors in the Peak District National Park, for the first time in four years. The four chicks are said to […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/03/hen-harriers-breed-on-grouse-moor-in-peak-district-national-park/

A massive, massive thank you to everyone who has supported the #Justice4Ravens crowdfunder, which smashed through its £25k target this lunchtime! A fantastic response by over 1000 people who’ve been prepared to put their hands in their pockets and support this legal challenge against SNH’s deliquent decision to issue a raven cull licence to a […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/01/justice4ravens-crowdfunder-target-smashed/

A massive, massive thank you to everyone who has supported the #Justice4Ravens crowdfunder, which smashed through its £25k target this lunchtime! A fantastic response by over 1000 people who’ve been prepared to put their hands in their pockets and support this legal challenge against SNH’s deliquent decision to issue a raven cull licence to a […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2KzhLFS via IFTTT

There are just three days to go for the Scottish Raptor Study Group’s #Justice4Ravens crowdfunder. Aiming to reach £25k, this fundraiser was set up to help cover the costs of a legal challenge against Scottish Natural Heritage’s disgraceful decision to allow the killing of ravens on grouse moors as part of a peverse experiment ‘just […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2018/07/01/last-push-on-justice4ravens-crowdfunder/

There are just three days to go for the Scottish Raptor Study Group’s #Justice4Ravens crowdfunder. Aiming to reach £25k, this fundraiser was set up to help cover the costs of a legal challenge against Scottish Natural Heritage’s disgraceful decision to allow the killing of ravens on grouse moors as part of a peverse experiment ‘just […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2lLW9bj via IFTTT