FIRECREST TOURS : Guided Birdwatching & Wildlife Days

Earlier this week it was announced that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) had finally imposed a three-year General Licence restriction on Leadhills Estate in South Lanarkshire ‘on the basis of evidence provided by Police Scotland of wildlife crime against birds’ (see here). Before we proceed any further you should be aware that you are now entering […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2qYfzQb

Earlier this week it was announced that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) had finally imposed a three-year General Licence restriction on Leadhills Estate in South Lanarkshire ‘on the basis of evidence provided by Police Scotland of wildlife crime against birds’ (see here). Before we proceed any further you should be aware that you are now entering […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2qYfzQb via IFTTT

Press release from RSPB (28 November 2019) Red Kite poisoned in Nidderdale North Yorkshire Police and the RSPB are appealing for information after a protected red kite was found poisoned in an area of North Yorkshire with the worst record for the illegal killing of birds of prey in England. A member of the public […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/34tdavD via IFTTT

Press release from RSPB (28 November 2019) Red Kite poisoned in Nidderdale North Yorkshire Police and the RSPB are appealing for information after a protected red kite was found poisoned in an area of North Yorkshire with the worst record for the illegal killing of birds of prey in England. A member of the public […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/34tdavD

Joint press release from Northumbria Police and RSPB (27 November 2019) Hen Harrier Ada Disappears Today, Northumbria Police and the RSPB have issued an appeal for information following the sudden disappearance of yet another satellite tagged hen harrier, a female bird known as Ada. [Hen Harrier Ada being satellite tagged in the summer. Photo from RSPB] […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2XYgOv2

Joint press release from Northumbria Police and RSPB (27 November 2019) Hen Harrier Ada Disappears Today, Northumbria Police and the RSPB have issued an appeal for information following the sudden disappearance of yet another satellite tagged hen harrier, a female bird known as Ada. [Hen Harrier Ada being satellite tagged in the summer. Photo from RSPB] […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2XYgOv2 via IFTTT

Press release from SNH (26 Nov 2019) General Licence restriction on Leadhills Estate, South Lanarkshire Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has restricted the use of general licences on Leadhills Estate in South Lanarkshire this week. The decision was made on the basis of evidence provided by Police Scotland of wildlife crime against birds. [Chris Packham holding […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2KU3eDs via IFTTT

Press release from SNH (26 Nov 2019) General Licence restriction on Leadhills Estate, South Lanarkshire Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has restricted the use of general licences on Leadhills Estate in South Lanarkshire this week. The decision was made on the basis of evidence provided by Police Scotland of wildlife crime against birds. [Chris Packham holding […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2KU3eDs

Job Description: The illegal killing of the birds of prey is a stain on the UK’s reputation. It affects almost all of our raptor species, and particularly impacts those of high conservation concern such as the hen harrier, peregrine and golden eagle. This role is working within a dedicated and unique team combatting this issue […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2XRyYP4

Job Description: The illegal killing of the birds of prey is a stain on the UK’s reputation. It affects almost all of our raptor species, and particularly impacts those of high conservation concern such as the hen harrier, peregrine and golden eagle. This role is working within a dedicated and unique team combatting this issue […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2XRyYP4 via IFTTT

At today’s First Minister’s Question Time in the Scottish Parliament Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that the Government had received Professor Werritty’s grouse moor management review on Monday (18th Nov) and said “we hope to publish it before the end of the year, and also to set out our response to it and how we will take […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2O9rgMJ via IFTTT

At today’s First Minister’s Question Time in the Scottish Parliament Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that the Government had received Professor Werritty’s grouse moor management review on Monday (18th Nov) and said “we hope to publish it before the end of the year, and also to set out our response to it and how we will take […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2O9rgMJ

In September 2019 the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) lodged a petition at the Scottish Parliament calling for the ‘independent monitoring of satellite tags fitted to raptors’. You can read the petition here: SGA petition PE01750 Independent monitoring raptor satellite tags It’s the latest in a long line of efforts to undermine and discredit the use […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/37fVsgK

In September 2019 the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) lodged a petition at the Scottish Parliament calling for the ‘independent monitoring of satellite tags fitted to raptors’. You can read the petition here: SGA petition PE01750 Independent monitoring raptor satellite tags It’s the latest in a long line of efforts to undermine and discredit the use […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/37fVsgK via IFTTT

Somerset Wildlife Trust is hosting a public talk on Natural England’s proposed southern reintroduction of hen harriers. This controversial plan is part of DEFRA’s ludicrous Hen Harrier InAction Plan and is due to begin in 2020 with birds donated from Spain being reintroduced to Wiltshire (more on these details in due course – we’re currently […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/35eTfAA via IFTTT

Somerset Wildlife Trust is hosting a public talk on Natural England’s proposed southern reintroduction of hen harriers. This controversial plan is part of DEFRA’s ludicrous Hen Harrier InAction Plan and is due to begin in 2020 with birds donated from Spain being reintroduced to Wiltshire (more on these details in due course – we’re currently […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/35eTfAA

In February this year, amidst a blaze of publicity and fanfare, it was claimed that plans to reintroduce golden eagles to Wales were well underway and that a licence application to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) would be lodged by July. The claim was made by Dr Paul O’Donoghue of ‘Wilder Britain‘, also the individual behind […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/32Vxu79 via IFTTT

In February this year, amidst a blaze of publicity and fanfare, it was claimed that plans to reintroduce golden eagles to Wales were well underway and that a licence application to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) would be lodged by July. The claim was made by Dr Paul O’Donoghue of ‘Wilder Britain‘, also the individual behind […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/32Vxu79

Yesterday evening we were sent a link via Twitter to the following website: Seven Years On The website name didn’t mean anything, nor did the byline, ‘Snared by a driven pheasant shoot: a story of dishonour and arbitrary power in the British countryside‘. [Photographed through the cottage window, by @SevenYearsOn1] It took a while to […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/32Upof5 via IFTTT

Yesterday evening we were sent a link via Twitter to the following website: Seven Years On The website name didn’t mean anything, nor did the byline, ‘Snared by a driven pheasant shoot: a story of dishonour and arbitrary power in the British countryside‘. [Photographed through the cottage window, by @SevenYearsOn1] It took a while to […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/32Upof5

From the Belfast Telegraph (14/11/19): BIRD OF PREY FOUND SHOT THREE TIMES ON MEND, SAY OMAGH VETS A bird of prey is recovering after being shot three times in Co Tyrone. X-rays performed by Omagh practice Corry & O’Hare Vets revealed that the buzzard had received a fractured bone following the attack in Newtownstewart. Three […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/32QO6wN via IFTTT

From the Belfast Telegraph (14/11/19): BIRD OF PREY FOUND SHOT THREE TIMES ON MEND, SAY OMAGH VETS A bird of prey is recovering after being shot three times in Co Tyrone. X-rays performed by Omagh practice Corry & O’Hare Vets revealed that the buzzard had received a fractured bone following the attack in Newtownstewart. Three […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/32QO6wN

Rumour has it, Professor Alan Werritty has submitted his long-awaited review on grouse moor management to the Scottish Government, two and a half years after it was first announced by Environment Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham following the devastating findings of the golden eagle satellite tag review, which showed the extent and scale of ongoing golden […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2Qmw6Yx via IFTTT

Rumour has it, Professor Alan Werritty has submitted his long-awaited review on grouse moor management to the Scottish Government, two and a half years after it was first announced by Environment Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham following the devastating findings of the golden eagle satellite tag review, which showed the extent and scale of ongoing golden […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2Qmw6Yx

Proposed new legislation in Scotland will have significant ramifications for those who continue to kill birds of prey. The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections & Powers) (Scotland) Bill was introduced by Environment Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham on 30th September 2019 (see here for associated docs) and will, amongst other things, increase the maximum available penalties […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2Kpgqjq

Proposed new legislation in Scotland will have significant ramifications for those who continue to kill birds of prey. The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections & Powers) (Scotland) Bill was introduced by Environment Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham on 30th September 2019 (see here for associated docs) and will, amongst other things, increase the maximum available penalties […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2Kpgqjq via IFTTT

The Scottish Raptor Study Group (SRSG) is holding a three-day exhibition in the Scottish Parliament this week to showcase the group’s immense contribution to the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme as well as to highlight the ongoing issue of illegal raptor persecution on and around some driven grouse moors. This is a follow-on event from the […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/374ddzp

The Scottish Raptor Study Group (SRSG) is holding a three-day exhibition in the Scottish Parliament this week to showcase the group’s immense contribution to the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Scheme as well as to highlight the ongoing issue of illegal raptor persecution on and around some driven grouse moors. This is a follow-on event from the […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/374ddzp via IFTTT

Press release from the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Northern Ireland (PAW NI): Birds of prey to be safeguarded by new technology Satellite tracking devices are to be fitted onto birds of prey and nesting site surveillance installed, in the latest fight against wildlife crime. ‘Hawk-Eyes’, an advanced technology project, is being launched by […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2K2h86i via IFTTT

Press release from the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Northern Ireland (PAW NI): Birds of prey to be safeguarded by new technology Satellite tracking devices are to be fitted onto birds of prey and nesting site surveillance installed, in the latest fight against wildlife crime. ‘Hawk-Eyes’, an advanced technology project, is being launched by […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2K2h86i

A couple of weeks ago the RSPB announced it was going to conduct a review of its policy on game bird shooting (see here). That’s all it was – a statement of intent to review a policy, nothing more, nothing less. However, this statement elicited a surprisingly strong reaction from the game shooting organisations who […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2NNtwrL via IFTTT

A couple of weeks ago the RSPB announced it was going to conduct a review of its policy on game bird shooting (see here). That’s all it was – a statement of intent to review a policy, nothing more, nothing less. However, this statement elicited a surprisingly strong reaction from the game shooting organisations who […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2NNtwrL

Last month the Scottish animal welfare charity OneKind lodged a petition at the Scottish Parliament calling for ‘an end to the killing of wildlife on grouse moors and elsewhere in Scotland’. Below is some background information from OneKind on why they’re calling for the Scottish Parliament to conduct a full review of the animal welfare […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2NjcjY5 via IFTTT

Last month the Scottish animal welfare charity OneKind lodged a petition at the Scottish Parliament calling for ‘an end to the killing of wildlife on grouse moors and elsewhere in Scotland’. Below is some background information from OneKind on why they’re calling for the Scottish Parliament to conduct a full review of the animal welfare […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2NjcjY5

Last week we blogged about how the brood meddling project management team had agreed to fit a new, untested type of satellite tag to at least three of the five brood meddled hen harriers (see here). This new tag was also fitted to other hen harrier chicks by Natural England this year. One of those […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2PWicfL via IFTTT

Last week we blogged about how the brood meddling project management team had agreed to fit a new, untested type of satellite tag to at least three of the five brood meddled hen harriers (see here). This new tag was also fitted to other hen harrier chicks by Natural England this year. One of those […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2PWicfL

In its desperation to appear ethical and sustainable, the game shooting industry has often pretended that shot game birds all end up in the human food chain. For example, in a letter to the Daily Telegraph in November 2005 headed ‘Game birds for eating not dumping’, Tim Bonner of the Countryside Alliance said this: “Every bird shot […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/33dQFKp

In its desperation to appear ethical and sustainable, the game shooting industry has often pretended that shot game birds all end up in the human food chain. For example, in a letter to the Daily Telegraph in November 2005 headed ‘Game birds for eating not dumping’, Tim Bonner of the Countryside Alliance said this: “Every bird shot […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/33dQFKp via IFTTT

Press release from RSPB Scotland (4 Nov 2019): Two satellite-tagged eagles disappear on the same day Both last recorded on grouse moors RSPB Scotland is appealing for information after two young satellite-tagged white-tailed eagles disappeared in highly suspicious circumstances. Transmissions from the tags of both birds ceased on 22nd July this summer, one last recorded […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2PMy0kP

Press release from RSPB Scotland (4 Nov 2019): Two satellite-tagged eagles disappear on the same day Both last recorded on grouse moors RSPB Scotland is appealing for information after two young satellite-tagged white-tailed eagles disappeared in highly suspicious circumstances. Transmissions from the tags of both birds ceased on 22nd July this summer, one last recorded […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2PMy0kP via IFTTT

Earlier this week we blogged about Natural England’s decision to fit the brood meddled hen harrier chicks with ‘untested’ satellite tags and how some of those tags were not functioning reliably in the weeks following the birds’ release (see here). As three of those hen harriers have since been reported as ‘missing’ it is impossible […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/335DzyV via IFTTT

Earlier this week we blogged about Natural England’s decision to fit the brood meddled hen harrier chicks with ‘untested’ satellite tags and how some of those tags were not functioning reliably in the weeks following the birds’ release (see here). As three of those hen harriers have since been reported as ‘missing’ it is impossible […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/335DzyV