FIRECREST TOURS : Guided Birdwatching & Wildlife Days

Wild Justice’s latest legal challenge, seeking a judicial review of the unregulated release of millions of non-native gamebirds in 2020, has been attracting some attention. Announced this morning, the news has hit the headlines at the Guardian with a particularly good article (here) from Phoebe Weston, who’s clearly taken the time to read the details […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2wQP1mK

Wild Justice’s latest legal challenge, seeking a judicial review of the unregulated release of millions of non-native gamebirds in 2020, has been attracting some attention. Announced this morning, the news has hit the headlines at the Guardian with a particularly good article (here) from Phoebe Weston, who’s clearly taken the time to read the details […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2wQP1mK via IFTTT

Wild Justice has lodged court papers seeking a judicial review of pheasant and red-legged partridge releases in 2020. [Seven week old pheasant chicks, often known as poults, in a release pen on an English shooting estate] The three co-founders of Wild Justice said: Chris Packham CBE: “DEFRA has been dragging its feet on this issue […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/39Y6o3g via IFTTT

Wild Justice has lodged court papers seeking a judicial review of pheasant and red-legged partridge releases in 2020. [Seven week old pheasant chicks, often known as poults, in a release pen on an English shooting estate] The three co-founders of Wild Justice said: Chris Packham CBE: “DEFRA has been dragging its feet on this issue […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/39Y6o3g

Last week we blogged about pigeon fancier Duncan Cowan who was convicted for shooting a sparrowhawk in Stirlingshire and was fined a pathetic £450 (see here). Incidentally, there’s more to that story, coming soon. Today, another pigeon fancier at the other end of the country has also been convicted of killing a sparrowhawk, this time […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/38XYuGR

Last week we blogged about pigeon fancier Duncan Cowan who was convicted for shooting a sparrowhawk in Stirlingshire and was fined a pathetic £450 (see here). Incidentally, there’s more to that story, coming soon. Today, another pigeon fancier at the other end of the country has also been convicted of killing a sparrowhawk, this time […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/38XYuGR via IFTTT

Last October the RSPB announced at its AGM that it was to undertake a policy review of gamebird shooting (see here). [Dead pheasants, photo by Getty] This welcome review had been prompted by ongoing environmental concerns including ‘the ongoing and systematic illegal persecution of birds of prey such as hen harriers on some sporting estates; the ecological […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2w3JGbn via IFTTT

Last October the RSPB announced at its AGM that it was to undertake a policy review of gamebird shooting (see here). [Dead pheasants, photo by Getty] This welcome review had been prompted by ongoing environmental concerns including ‘the ongoing and systematic illegal persecution of birds of prey such as hen harriers on some sporting estates; the ecological […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2w3JGbn

This morning a load of game shooting organisations announced that they wanted to promote a voluntary ban on the use of lead ammunition and to see an end to its use within five years. This announcement is hardly a surprise. The poisonous properties of lead ammunition and its devastating impact on wildlife has been known […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/38UEx3D

This morning a load of game shooting organisations announced that they wanted to promote a voluntary ban on the use of lead ammunition and to see an end to its use within five years. This announcement is hardly a surprise. The poisonous properties of lead ammunition and its devastating impact on wildlife has been known […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/38UEx3D via IFTTT

Well, well, well. Remember all the hysteria and abuse directed at Wild Justice last year for taking legal action against the Government to protect wildlife? Well would you believe it, according to this article in the Guardian the grouse moor owners lobby group, the Moorland Association, was threatening to do exactly the same (although not […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2T8LNT3 via IFTTT

Well, well, well. Remember all the hysteria and abuse directed at Wild Justice last year for taking legal action against the Government to protect wildlife? Well would you believe it, according to this article in the Guardian the grouse moor owners lobby group, the Moorland Association, was threatening to do exactly the same (although not […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2T8LNT3

In early February we blogged about an illegally poisoned buzzard that had been found dead in the Peak District National Park, next to an illegal poisoned bait (see here). The focus of the blog was the long delay from discovery (April 2019) to publicity (Jan 2020) and even then the publicity had come from the […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3c3QRk4

In early February we blogged about an illegally poisoned buzzard that had been found dead in the Peak District National Park, next to an illegal poisoned bait (see here). The focus of the blog was the long delay from discovery (April 2019) to publicity (Jan 2020) and even then the publicity had come from the […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3c3QRk4 via IFTTT

The RSPB is recruiting for four hen harrier nest protection officers in England this spring. These are temporary, seasonal jobs and you’ll need to be flexible about location because it all depends on where the hen harriers are allowed to settle and breed – most likely in Northumberland, Cumbria or Lancashire according to the RSPB’s […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/39Y604E

The RSPB is recruiting for four hen harrier nest protection officers in England this spring. These are temporary, seasonal jobs and you’ll need to be flexible about location because it all depends on where the hen harriers are allowed to settle and breed – most likely in Northumberland, Cumbria or Lancashire according to the RSPB’s […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/39Y604E via IFTTT

Chris Packham spent yesterday evening at a Wild Justice event in London. He and his family arrived home shortly after midnight to be confronted by this savagery: This is an escalation in the harassment campaign that has previously included dead crows being hung from his gate, a snared fox being dumped on his drive, and […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2SPb7OM via IFTTT

Chris Packham spent yesterday evening at a Wild Justice event in London. He and his family arrived home shortly after midnight to be confronted by this savagery: This is an escalation in the harassment campaign that has previously included dead crows being hung from his gate, a snared fox being dumped on his drive, and […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2SPb7OM

A pigeon fancier has been fined a measly £450 after pleading guilty to shooting and killing a sparrowhawk. 60 year old Duncan Cowan from Cowie in Stirlingshire was observed coming out of his shed with an air rifle and firing at a sparrowhawk in the field behind his garden on 18 April 2019. He fired […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2V8qtQ7

A pigeon fancier has been fined a measly £450 after pleading guilty to shooting and killing a sparrowhawk. 60 year old Duncan Cowan from Cowie in Stirlingshire was observed coming out of his shed with an air rifle and firing at a sparrowhawk in the field behind his garden on 18 April 2019. He fired […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2V8qtQ7 via IFTTT

Yesterday the RSPB published more data on its Raptor Persecution Map Hub, which now includes 12 years worth of searchable incidents. You can read about it here on the RSPB Investigations Team’s blog. Coinciding with this release was a piece on the BBC’s Six O’Clock News followed up with a feature on BBC North West’s […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/323Arni

Yesterday the RSPB published more data on its Raptor Persecution Map Hub, which now includes 12 years worth of searchable incidents. You can read about it here on the RSPB Investigations Team’s blog. Coinciding with this release was a piece on the BBC’s Six O’Clock News followed up with a feature on BBC North West’s […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/323Arni via IFTTT

I don’t know what’s going on at Derbyshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team but someone needs to check that Amanda Anderson isn’t moonlighting. You may recall a couple of weeks ago we blogged about an illegally poisoned buzzard that had been found dead in the Peak District National Park, next to an illegal poisoned bait (see […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2SNPPjp

I don’t know what’s going on at Derbyshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team but someone needs to check that Amanda Anderson isn’t moonlighting. You may recall a couple of weeks ago we blogged about an illegally poisoned buzzard that had been found dead in the Peak District National Park, next to an illegal poisoned bait (see […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2SNPPjp via IFTTT

The Scottish Parliament’s Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform (ECCLR) Committee has published its Stage 1 report on the proposed Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections & Powers) (Scotland) Bill. This 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 […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2SqNlZx via IFTTT

The Scottish Parliament’s Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform (ECCLR) Committee has published its Stage 1 report on the proposed Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections & Powers) (Scotland) Bill. This 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 […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2SqNlZx

Wild Justice is celebrating its first birthday today. Here’s who we are and here’s what we’ve been doing. It’s been quite a year, with several established cases ongoing and a number of others on the verge of launching. If you want to be among the first to know what’s happening, sign up to the free […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2SmM1qk via IFTTT

Wild Justice is celebrating its first birthday today. Here’s who we are and here’s what we’ve been doing. It’s been quite a year, with several established cases ongoing and a number of others on the verge of launching. If you want to be among the first to know what’s happening, sign up to the free […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2SmM1qk

You know, when you’ve spent a number of years submitting freedom of information requests left, right and centre, you eventually develop a sense of when something’s not quite right, of when the wool is being pulled, and of when obstruction is the name of the game. The Scottish Government is no stranger to criticism over […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2UJEbst

You know, when you’ve spent a number of years submitting freedom of information requests left, right and centre, you eventually develop a sense of when something’s not quite right, of when the wool is being pulled, and of when obstruction is the name of the game. The Scottish Government is no stranger to criticism over […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2UJEbst via IFTTT

Last week Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) published some information about its proposed changes to the General Licences, effective from 1 April 2020. Some of those changes include the removal of some bird species from some licences, and the removal of General Licences from some protected areas (to be replaced by individual licences) but we don’t […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2SBFIOM

Last week Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) published some information about its proposed changes to the General Licences, effective from 1 April 2020. Some of those changes include the removal of some bird species from some licences, and the removal of General Licences from some protected areas (to be replaced by individual licences) but we don’t […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2SBFIOM via IFTTT

A buzzard has been found illegally poisoned in the Peak District National Park. A poisoned bait (a red-legged partridge) was found close by. Toxicology tests revealed both the buzzard and the partridge contained the pesticide Alphachloralose. [The poisoned buzzard. Photo by Peak District Raptor Monitoring Group] The thing is, this illegally poisoned buzzard wasn’t found […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/39bpD99 via IFTTT

A buzzard has been found illegally poisoned in the Peak District National Park. A poisoned bait (a red-legged partridge) was found close by. Toxicology tests revealed both the buzzard and the partridge contained the pesticide Alphachloralose. [The poisoned buzzard. Photo by Peak District Raptor Monitoring Group] The thing is, this illegally poisoned buzzard wasn’t found […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/39bpD99

A new collaborative initiative is about to launch, aimed at raising awareness and funds to help protect the 67 vulnerable bird species currently listed on the UK Red List. The brain-child of Kit Jewson (@yolobirder), the Red Sixty Seven book draws together 67 writers and 67 artists who have all donated their time and expertise […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2Oyqx7J via IFTTT

A new collaborative initiative is about to launch, aimed at raising awareness and funds to help protect the 67 vulnerable bird species currently listed on the UK Red List. The brain-child of Kit Jewson (@yolobirder), the Red Sixty Seven book draws together 67 writers and 67 artists who have all donated their time and expertise […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2Oyqx7J

Revive, the coalition for grouse moor reform in Scotland has been busy delivering briefing documents to every member of the Scottish Parliament as we await the Government’s response to Professor Werritty’s recommendations for grouse moor management, published just before Xmas. In addition to the briefing documents, each MSP received a copy of Revive’s latest report, […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2vaQoeW

Revive, the coalition for grouse moor reform in Scotland has been busy delivering briefing documents to every member of the Scottish Parliament as we await the Government’s response to Professor Werritty’s recommendations for grouse moor management, published just before Xmas. In addition to the briefing documents, each MSP received a copy of Revive’s latest report, […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2vaQoeW via IFTTT

Another victim to add this year’s growing tally, and it’s only the third day in February. This time it’s a peregrine. [Photo from National Geographic] According to an announcement on social media by West Yorkshire Police’s Wildlife & Rural Crime Team, a ‘Periguine’ [sic] was shot and killed in the Ossett area ‘over the last […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2UlxRav via IFTTT

Another victim to add this year’s growing tally, and it’s only the third day in February. This time it’s a peregrine. [Photo from National Geographic] According to an announcement on social media by West Yorkshire Police’s Wildlife & Rural Crime Team, a ‘Periguine’ [sic] was shot and killed in the Ossett area ‘over the last […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2UlxRav

Last month the Mail Online published a nasty, vindictive article, believed to have been sourced from the loathsome Countryside Alliance. Written by ‘journalist’ Vivek Chaudhary, it was claimed that Police Detective Superintendent Lou Hubble, Head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) had featured in a video with me and I was described as an […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2vE0G7F via IFTTT

Last month the Mail Online published a nasty, vindictive article, believed to have been sourced from the loathsome Countryside Alliance. Written by ‘journalist’ Vivek Chaudhary, it was claimed that Police Detective Superintendent Lou Hubble, Head of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) had featured in a video with me and I was described as an […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2vE0G7F

Mark Avery’s legal appeal against Natural England’s ludicrous hen harrier brood meddling scheme comes back to court in March (alongside the RSPB’s legal appeal). Brood meddling is a pointless, costly exercise designed as a sop to the grouse shooting industry. Taking hen harrier eggs/chicks from a grouse moor, rearing them in captivity, then releasing them […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/31jiTmK

Mark Avery’s legal appeal against Natural England’s ludicrous hen harrier brood meddling scheme comes back to court in March (alongside the RSPB’s legal appeal). Brood meddling is a pointless, costly exercise designed as a sop to the grouse shooting industry. Taking hen harrier eggs/chicks from a grouse moor, rearing them in captivity, then releasing them […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/31jiTmK via IFTTT