FIRECREST TOURS : Guided Birdwatching & Wildlife Days

In early December an injured buzzard was found struggling by a member of the public in Sproatley, East Yorkshire. [All photos from Jean Thorpe] An RSPCA tweet on 4th December said the buzzard had injuries ‘consistent with trapping’ and the bird was transferred to the expert care of Jean Thorpe at Ryedale for rehabilitation. However, […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2MjIMzr

In early December an injured buzzard was found struggling by a member of the public in Sproatley, East Yorkshire. [All photos from Jean Thorpe] An RSPCA tweet on 4th December said the buzzard had injuries ‘consistent with trapping’ and the bird was transferred to the expert care of Jean Thorpe at Ryedale for rehabilitation. However, […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2MjIMzr via IFTTT

Hot on the heels of a recent buzzard shooting reported in the Irish Republic just a couple of weeks ago (here), here’s another one. The details are sketchy at the moment but this buzzard was found yesterday and is currently being cared for at the Kildare Animal Foundation Wildlife Unit. It’s clear from the x-ray […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/383mMRT via IFTTT

Hot on the heels of a recent buzzard shooting reported in the Irish Republic just a couple of weeks ago (here), here’s another one. The details are sketchy at the moment but this buzzard was found yesterday and is currently being cared for at the Kildare Animal Foundation Wildlife Unit. It’s clear from the x-ray […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/383mMRT

Thanks for all your continued interest and support in 2020….it’s been another very busy year. Here are the top ten most read RPUK blogs over the last 12 months: Satellite-tagged white-tailed eagle found poisoned on grouse moor in Cairngorms National Park (here) Golden eagle Tom disappears in suspicious circumstances on Scottish grouse moor (here) Missing […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3aVbxNh

Thanks for all your continued interest and support in 2020….it’s been another very busy year. Here are the top ten most read RPUK blogs over the last 12 months: Satellite-tagged white-tailed eagle found poisoned on grouse moor in Cairngorms National Park (here) Golden eagle Tom disappears in suspicious circumstances on Scottish grouse moor (here) Missing […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3aVbxNh via IFTTT

Here’s the latest pile of dumped gamebirds – pheasants that had been shot then chucked over a wall by the side of the road and left to rot. These were photographed by blog reader Lauren Francis on Boxing Day. The location this time: Barking Road, Willisham, Suffolk. There are some decent shooting folk on social […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/38Ssgye via IFTTT

Here’s the latest pile of dumped gamebirds – pheasants that had been shot then chucked over a wall by the side of the road and left to rot. These were photographed by blog reader Lauren Francis on Boxing Day. The location this time: Barking Road, Willisham, Suffolk. There are some decent shooting folk on social […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/38Ssgye

Earlier this year the Spanish authorities raided a hunting estate in the province of Castilla y León after suspicions of illegal activity were raised. The estate was being managed by a society of farmers and ranchers at the time, in an area designated as a Natura 2000 Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds. The multi-agency […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3py1p0R via IFTTT

Earlier this year the Spanish authorities raided a hunting estate in the province of Castilla y León after suspicions of illegal activity were raised. The estate was being managed by a society of farmers and ranchers at the time, in an area designated as a Natura 2000 Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds. The multi-agency […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3py1p0R

More shot pheasants dumped in the countryside, this time in Suffolk. These were photographed by @pjcantwell76 on 28th December 2020. That’s Suffolk added to the growing list of areas where this disgusting behaviour has been reported, including  Cheshire, Scottish borders (here), Norfolk (here), Perthshire (here), Berkshire (here), North York Moors National Park (here) and some […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3n3SNO8 via IFTTT

More shot pheasants dumped in the countryside, this time in Suffolk. These were photographed by @pjcantwell76 on 28th December 2020. That’s Suffolk added to the growing list of areas where this disgusting behaviour has been reported, including  Cheshire, Scottish borders (here), Norfolk (here), Perthshire (here), Berkshire (here), North York Moors National Park (here) and some […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3n3SNO8

Essex Police are investigating yet another shooting of a buzzard. Details are sketchy at the moment but the buzzard is believed to have been shot overnight between 1st and 2nd December with ‘what is believed to be a shotgun’. There isn’t any information about whether the buzzard is alive or dead. [Common buzzard, photographer unknown] […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3aR0dS8 via IFTTT

Essex Police are investigating yet another shooting of a buzzard. Details are sketchy at the moment but the buzzard is believed to have been shot overnight between 1st and 2nd December with ‘what is believed to be a shotgun’. There isn’t any information about whether the buzzard is alive or dead. [Common buzzard, photographer unknown] […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3aR0dS8

Further to the blog post on Xmas Eve documenting a binbag full of shot gamebirds that had been dumped by the roadside in Somerset (see here), here’s another load that have dumped, this time in a car park in the Peak District National Park. Nice, eh? This bag containing pheasants and mallard was photographed by […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3hpCiuz via IFTTT

Further to the blog post on Xmas Eve documenting a binbag full of shot gamebirds that had been dumped by the roadside in Somerset (see here), here’s another load that have dumped, this time in a car park in the Peak District National Park. Nice, eh? This bag containing pheasants and mallard was photographed by […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3hpCiuz

A short diversion from this blog’s theme, but an important one. Scottish charity Trees for Life is making a legal challenge against NatureScot (formerly known as SNH), with the intention of taking the Government’s nature conservation agency to court for allowing too many beavers to be killed. Legal challenges are not for the faint-hearted nor […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3nVaWPg

A short diversion from this blog’s theme, but an important one. Scottish charity Trees for Life is making a legal challenge against NatureScot (formerly known as SNH), with the intention of taking the Government’s nature conservation agency to court for allowing too many beavers to be killed. Legal challenges are not for the faint-hearted nor […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3nVaWPg via IFTTT

Here we go again…. Matt Collis (@Mattcollis9) has posted photographs on Twitter of a bagful of shot gamebirds that he found today, dumped on Withyditch Lane, Peasedown St John, Somerset: Matt wrote: ‘I’m not against hunting. But there is no honour in sport shooting. No respect for the life taken. No honourable harvest. Certainly not […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3mH26TO

Here we go again…. Matt Collis (@Mattcollis9) has posted photographs on Twitter of a bagful of shot gamebirds that he found today, dumped on Withyditch Lane, Peasedown St John, Somerset: Matt wrote: ‘I’m not against hunting. But there is no honour in sport shooting. No respect for the life taken. No honourable harvest. Certainly not […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3mH26TO via IFTTT

Scottish Environment Minister Mairi Gougeon has been appointed as Public Health Minister, to replace Joe Fitzpatrick who resigned last week. As Mairi moves on, the new Environment Minister (or Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, to be precise) is Ben Macpherson, who moves from another Ministerial role in to this new position. [Photo […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3rtw556 via IFTTT

Scottish Environment Minister Mairi Gougeon has been appointed as Public Health Minister, to replace Joe Fitzpatrick who resigned last week. As Mairi moves on, the new Environment Minister (or Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, to be precise) is Ben Macpherson, who moves from another Ministerial role in to this new position. [Photo […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3rtw556

Back in 2016, the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) was celebrating the rare success of a hen harrier breeding attempt on the Mar Lodge Estate, the first such success for decades (see here). [A young hen harrier fitted with a satellite tag on Mar Lodge Estate in 2016. Photo by Shaila Rao] The NTS has […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3pectQv

Back in 2016, the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) was celebrating the rare success of a hen harrier breeding attempt on the Mar Lodge Estate, the first such success for decades (see here). [A young hen harrier fitted with a satellite tag on Mar Lodge Estate in 2016. Photo by Shaila Rao] The NTS has […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3pectQv via IFTTT

Press release from Irish Raptor Study Group (15 December 2020) Rare Marsh Harriers breed in Ireland for the first time in a century The Irish Raptor Study Group, a voluntary organisation committed to the conservation of birds of prey, is delighted to confirm that two pairs of Marsh Harrier Cromán móna (Irish name) have successfully […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3h0r3bH

Press release from Irish Raptor Study Group (15 December 2020) Rare Marsh Harriers breed in Ireland for the first time in a century The Irish Raptor Study Group, a voluntary organisation committed to the conservation of birds of prey, is delighted to confirm that two pairs of Marsh Harrier Cromán móna (Irish name) have successfully […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3h0r3bH via IFTTT

Andy Wightman MSP has resigned from the Scottish Greens as of today. His letter of resignation, including his reasons for leaving, can be read here. [Andy with golden eagle ‘Adam’, who later disappeared in suspicious circumstances on a grouse moor in Strathbraan (here). Photo by Ruth Tingay] It’s reported in a number of papers (e.g. […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3h4jUXJ

Andy Wightman MSP has resigned from the Scottish Greens as of today. His letter of resignation, including his reasons for leaving, can be read here. [Andy with golden eagle ‘Adam’, who later disappeared in suspicious circumstances on a grouse moor in Strathbraan (here). Photo by Ruth Tingay] It’s reported in a number of papers (e.g. […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3h4jUXJ via IFTTT

Further to yesterday’s news from Police Scotland that a poisoned red kite had been found dead on a Scottish grouse moor at Moy (see here), news has emerged that this bird was also being satellite-tracked, which has implications for the police investigation and any potential sanction imposed on the estate as a result. An article […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3r4uL8I via IFTTT

Further to yesterday’s news from Police Scotland that a poisoned red kite had been found dead on a Scottish grouse moor at Moy (see here), news has emerged that this bird was also being satellite-tracked, which has implications for the police investigation and any potential sanction imposed on the estate as a result. An article […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3r4uL8I

Press release from Police Scotland (16th December 2020) Appeal for information – poisoned bird of prey – Ruthven, Moy Police Scotland has confirmed that a red kite found dead in the Ruthven area in October, had been poisoned with a banned pesticide. [A poisoned red kite, photo by Marc Ruddock. NB: Not the poisoned red […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/34ijNCC via IFTTT

Press release from Police Scotland (16th December 2020) Appeal for information – poisoned bird of prey – Ruthven, Moy Police Scotland has confirmed that a red kite found dead in the Ruthven area in October, had been poisoned with a banned pesticide. [A poisoned red kite, photo by Marc Ruddock. NB: Not the poisoned red […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/34ijNCC

Article from the South Wales Argus (13th December 2020) Caerphilly man found guilty of hunting and killing badger A MAN is facing a prison sentence after he was convicted after a trial of hunting and killing a badger. Dewi James Price, 39, of Commercial Street, New Tredegar, Caerphilly, was also found guilty of offences against […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2WkAgSo

Article from the South Wales Argus (13th December 2020) Caerphilly man found guilty of hunting and killing badger A MAN is facing a prison sentence after he was convicted after a trial of hunting and killing a badger. Dewi James Price, 39, of Commercial Street, New Tredegar, Caerphilly, was also found guilty of offences against […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2WkAgSo via IFTTT

In August 2020 a walker found an adult golden eagle dead in a river in Powys, Wales. The discovery prompted a great deal of media interest (e.g. here) as this eagle was believed to be the lone bird that had survived for approx 12 years in the wild in Wales, having escaped from captivity when […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/382D9ge via IFTTT

In August 2020 a walker found an adult golden eagle dead in a river in Powys, Wales. The discovery prompted a great deal of media interest (e.g. here) as this eagle was believed to be the lone bird that had survived for approx 12 years in the wild in Wales, having escaped from captivity when […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/382D9ge

Readers of this blog might find these other blogs of interest. RSPB Scotland: Reflecting on Scottish Government’s announcement of plans to licence grouse shooting (here) ParksWatchScotland: How will the Scottish Government’s proposals for grouse moors affect the Cairngorms? (here) Dr Hugh Webster: White hares & red herrings – a look at the Scottish Gamekeepers Association’s […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3gGNrGM

Readers of this blog might find these other blogs of interest. RSPB Scotland: Reflecting on Scottish Government’s announcement of plans to licence grouse shooting (here) ParksWatchScotland: How will the Scottish Government’s proposals for grouse moors affect the Cairngorms? (here) Dr Hugh Webster: White hares & red herrings – a look at the Scottish Gamekeepers Association’s […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3gGNrGM via IFTTT

A red kite suffered a brutal and agonizing death when it was caught in a barbaric illegal trap at a pheasant-release pen on an unnamed Berkshire shooting estate in August 2020. A member of the public found the dead kite, hanging upside down with its legs caught in a pole trap, a cruel device that […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/37TmlrV

A red kite suffered a brutal and agonizing death when it was caught in a barbaric illegal trap at a pheasant-release pen on an unnamed Berkshire shooting estate in August 2020. A member of the public found the dead kite, hanging upside down with its legs caught in a pole trap, a cruel device that […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/37TmlrV via IFTTT

STV’s Scotland Tonight programme on Wednesday featured a debate on grouse shooting as part of the programme’s Listen Up debate series. The debate featured Robbie Marsland, the Director of League Against Cruel Sports (Scotland) and Mark Tennant, Chair of landowners’ lobby group Scottish Land & Estates. This programme is only available to watch until 16 […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2W37iq2 via IFTTT

STV’s Scotland Tonight programme on Wednesday featured a debate on grouse shooting as part of the programme’s Listen Up debate series. The debate featured Robbie Marsland, the Director of League Against Cruel Sports (Scotland) and Mark Tennant, Chair of landowners’ lobby group Scottish Land & Estates. This programme is only available to watch until 16 […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2W37iq2

Do you need to update this? And do I need to update this? Or am I mistaken and you’re not trying to shield an industry riddled with criminals or hide anything that might reflect badly on your choice of ‘partners’? [Gunnerside, Yorkshire Dales National Park. Photo by Ruth Tingay] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/37UvnF6

Do you need to update this? And do I need to update this? Or am I mistaken and you’re not trying to shield an industry riddled with criminals or hide anything that might reflect badly on your choice of ‘partners’? [Gunnerside, Yorkshire Dales National Park. Photo by Ruth Tingay] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/37UvnF6 via IFTTT

Press release from National Parks & Wildlife Service, Ireland (9th December 2020) NPWS appeals for information after buzzard shooting The National Parks and Wildlife Service is appealing for information relating to a buzzard found dead on the R422, just south of Emo, Co Laois. The bird was perched on a tree on the roadside when […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2W6g2M5

Press release from National Parks & Wildlife Service, Ireland (9th December 2020) NPWS appeals for information after buzzard shooting The National Parks and Wildlife Service is appealing for information relating to a buzzard found dead on the R422, just south of Emo, Co Laois. The bird was perched on a tree on the roadside when […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2W6g2M5 via IFTTT

Press release from RSPB (8th December 2020) New analysis shows that burning of moorlands is the biggest threat to England’s most important places for wildlife New analysis of Government data by the RSPB shows that the burning of moorlands is the biggest identified threat to England’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The analysis also […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3lWlYC7 via IFTTT

Press release from RSPB (8th December 2020) New analysis shows that burning of moorlands is the biggest threat to England’s most important places for wildlife New analysis of Government data by the RSPB shows that the burning of moorlands is the biggest identified threat to England’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The analysis also […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3lWlYC7

Press release from Scottish Government (6 December 2020) Tougher penalties for animal and wildlife crime Animals and Wildlife Act comes in to force in Scotland New measures to increase the maximum available penalties for the worst cases of animal cruelty have come in to force. Taking effect from 30 November, the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3ozTW14

Press release from Scottish Government (6 December 2020) Tougher penalties for animal and wildlife crime Animals and Wildlife Act comes in to force in Scotland New measures to increase the maximum available penalties for the worst cases of animal cruelty have come in to force. Taking effect from 30 November, the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3ozTW14 via IFTTT

Don’t laugh. Actually, do laugh. Alex Hogg, Chair of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, was interviewed last week and he said some pretty baffling things about gamekeeping and grouse moor management, including the fantastic statement, “This is a birdwatchers’ paradise“. Yep, he really did. [An illegally poisoned white-tailed eagle, found dead on a grouse moor in […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2Lj2b3f via IFTTT

Don’t laugh. Actually, do laugh. Alex Hogg, Chair of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, was interviewed last week and he said some pretty baffling things about gamekeeping and grouse moor management, including the fantastic statement, “This is a birdwatchers’ paradise“. Yep, he really did. [An illegally poisoned white-tailed eagle, found dead on a grouse moor in […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2Lj2b3f

The Financial Times published an interesting article a couple of days ago, with the header, ‘Scotland’s grouse shooting licence scheme fuels fears of wider curbs’ (see here). You’ll note the sub-header includes the oft-repeated-but-not-yet-evidenced claim of ‘threats to the economy’, which seems to be the industry’s go-to response at the first hint of regulation (e.g. […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3omj5vV via IFTTT

The Financial Times published an interesting article a couple of days ago, with the header, ‘Scotland’s grouse shooting licence scheme fuels fears of wider curbs’ (see here). You’ll note the sub-header includes the oft-repeated-but-not-yet-evidenced claim of ‘threats to the economy’, which seems to be the industry’s go-to response at the first hint of regulation (e.g. […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3omj5vV

In October last year the Scottish SPCA, supported by Police Scotland, executed search warrants at a number of addresses in Angus and Aberdeenshire as part of an intelligence-led investigation in to suspected animal fighting at those locations (see here). A number of dogs were seized and an SSPCA investigator was later quoted as saying the […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3lCBcvG

In October last year the Scottish SPCA, supported by Police Scotland, executed search warrants at a number of addresses in Angus and Aberdeenshire as part of an intelligence-led investigation in to suspected animal fighting at those locations (see here). A number of dogs were seized and an SSPCA investigator was later quoted as saying the […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3lCBcvG via IFTTT

A week ago the Scottish Government finally announced that it had run out of patience with the grouse shooting industry and that it would begin work immediately to bring in a licensing regime for grouse moor management (see here). [Grouse-shooting butt on a burnt Scottish moor, photo by Ruth Tingay] Many of the details of […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2JtMZ2n via IFTTT

A week ago the Scottish Government finally announced that it had run out of patience with the grouse shooting industry and that it would begin work immediately to bring in a licensing regime for grouse moor management (see here). [Grouse-shooting butt on a burnt Scottish moor, photo by Ruth Tingay] Many of the details of […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2JtMZ2n

The Nidderdale Raptor Study Group, in conjunction with the Northern England Raptor Forum (NERF) is hosting a fundraiser to support the RSPB Investigations Team to buy satellite tags for hen harriers. In recent years satellite tags have revealed the extent of hen harrier persecution across the UK. In 2019 a damning scientific research paper demonstrated […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3mxRJCm

The Nidderdale Raptor Study Group, in conjunction with the Northern England Raptor Forum (NERF) is hosting a fundraiser to support the RSPB Investigations Team to buy satellite tags for hen harriers. In recent years satellite tags have revealed the extent of hen harrier persecution across the UK. In 2019 a damning scientific research paper demonstrated […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3mxRJCm via IFTTT

Here’s some more positive media coverage of the Scottish Government’s announcement last week that it is to introduce a licensing regime for grouse shooting in the face of ongoing wildlife crime directly associated with the ‘sport’. Have a look at this from renowned author and journalist Jim Crumley in yesterday’s Courier, reproduced below: Well, that […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2KNtqT1 via IFTTT

Here’s some more positive media coverage of the Scottish Government’s announcement last week that it is to introduce a licensing regime for grouse shooting in the face of ongoing wildlife crime directly associated with the ‘sport’. Have a look at this from renowned author and journalist Jim Crumley in yesterday’s Courier, reproduced below: Well, that […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2KNtqT1

Definition of ‘draconian’: excessively harsh and severe Can I just ask you to spare a few minutes and offer your thoughts and prayers to the private owners of intensively-managed grouse moors in Scotland, who, after decades of ‘magnanimous public service‘ (ha ha!) as ‘custodians’ of the uplands, are now facing what they’re calling ‘draconian’ grouse […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2HXtUoL via IFTTT

Definition of ‘draconian’: excessively harsh and severe Can I just ask you to spare a few minutes and offer your thoughts and prayers to the private owners of intensively-managed grouse moors in Scotland, who, after decades of ‘magnanimous public service‘ (ha ha!) as ‘custodians’ of the uplands, are now facing what they’re calling ‘draconian’ grouse […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2HXtUoL

Wildlife crime in the UK was the subject of a recent podcast recorded by Planet Pod, which describes itself as ‘Essential listening for everyone who cares about the planet’. Ruth Tingay (Director, Wild Justice & RPUK blogger) and Richard Benwell (CEO, Wildlife & Countryside Link) were interviewed by host Amanda Carpenter about the difficulties of […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/33zBqh3

Wildlife crime in the UK was the subject of a recent podcast recorded by Planet Pod, which describes itself as ‘Essential listening for everyone who cares about the planet’. Ruth Tingay (Director, Wild Justice & RPUK blogger) and Richard Benwell (CEO, Wildlife & Countryside Link) were interviewed by host Amanda Carpenter about the difficulties of […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/33zBqh3 via IFTTT