FIRECREST TOURS : Guided Birdwatching & Wildlife Days

The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust (DWT) is pretty proactive when it comes to birds of prey, which is just as well given the appalling levels of raptor persecution in the county, not least those associated with the grouse moors of the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park (e.g. see here). Enthusiastic supporters of, […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3EDsO8J

The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust (DWT) is pretty proactive when it comes to birds of prey, which is just as well given the appalling levels of raptor persecution in the county, not least those associated with the grouse moors of the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park (e.g. see here). Enthusiastic supporters of, […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3EDsO8J via IFTTT

Press release from DEFRA on 21 December 2021: Tony Juniper CBE reappointed as Natural England Chair Environment Secretary George Eustice today confirms Tony Juniper CBE has been reappointed as Chair of Natural England. The Environment Secretary, George Eustice, has today (21 December) confirmed that Tony Juniper CBE has been reappointed as Chair of Natural England […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/31aFTsu

Press release from DEFRA on 21 December 2021: Tony Juniper CBE reappointed as Natural England Chair Environment Secretary George Eustice today confirms Tony Juniper CBE has been reappointed as Chair of Natural England. The Environment Secretary, George Eustice, has today (21 December) confirmed that Tony Juniper CBE has been reappointed as Chair of Natural England […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/31aFTsu via IFTTT

I’ll keep this brief. In late 2020, a complaint was made to the Fundraising Regulator about an alleged breach of the Code of Fundraising Practice by Chris Packham and his partner Charlotte Corney, acting as trustees of the charity The Wildheart Trust. The complaint related to a fundraising effort by The Wildheart Trust in April […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/32xJdPb

I’ll keep this brief. In late 2020, a complaint was made to the Fundraising Regulator about an alleged breach of the Code of Fundraising Practice by Chris Packham and his partner Charlotte Corney, acting as trustees of the charity The Wildheart Trust. The complaint related to a fundraising effort by The Wildheart Trust in April […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/32xJdPb via IFTTT

On 17th December 2021, I blogged about how Natural England (NE) had been keeping a terrible, terrible secret about the gruesome fate of one of its satellite-tagged hen harriers earlier this year (see here), preferring instead to sit back and watch its so-called ‘partners’ in the grouse-shooting industry claim false credit for ‘protecting’ this species. […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3EDSBhl

On 17th December 2021, I blogged about how Natural England (NE) had been keeping a terrible, terrible secret about the gruesome fate of one of its satellite-tagged hen harriers earlier this year (see here), preferring instead to sit back and watch its so-called ‘partners’ in the grouse-shooting industry claim false credit for ‘protecting’ this species. […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3EDSBhl via IFTTT

Bird crime soared across the UK in 2020, and RSPB believes Scotland’s native birds of prey will continue to be persecuted, according to two new articles published yesterday in The Courier and The Press & Journal: Birds of prey such as hawks, eagles, kites, buzzards, harriers, falcons and owls are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3HmGgj1

Bird crime soared across the UK in 2020, and RSPB believes Scotland’s native birds of prey will continue to be persecuted, according to two new articles published yesterday in The Courier and The Press & Journal: Birds of prey such as hawks, eagles, kites, buzzards, harriers, falcons and owls are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3HmGgj1 via IFTTT

Hampshire Constabulary have released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to in relation to an arson attack at Chris Packham’s home. The image shows the man exiting the driver’s side of a vehicle at a petrol station: The arson attack took place outside Chris’s home just after midnight on Friday 8th […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3ejXmSd

In July 2019, supermarket Waitrose announced it was going to stop selling gamebirds that had been shot with toxic lead gunshot and said that from the 2020/21 shooting season it would only stock lead-free gamebirds (see here). The following year, in February 2020, many (but not all) of the main shooting organisations announced a five-year […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/32kbb0b

Natural England has been keeping a secret. A terrible, terrible secret about one of its satellite-tagged hen harriers. I’ve been waiting all year for Natural England to inform the public about what has happened. I waited in the spring, but there was no news. I looked at Natural England’s summer update on its satellite-tagged hen […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3Ja8qQn

Natural England has been keeping a secret. A terrible, terrible secret about one of their satellite-tagged hen harriers. I’ve been waiting all year for Natural England to inform the public about what has happened. I waited in the spring, but there was no news. I looked at Natural England’s summer update on its satellite-tagged hen […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3Ja8qQn via IFTTT

Humberside Police led a multi-agency raid on 10th December 2021, executing a warrant in relation to suspected raptor persecution crimes after a number of dead buzzards were found with unusually high levels of rat poison. The police were joined by staff from Natural England, National Wildlife Crime Unit and RSPB Investigation’s team. The investigation is […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3yBtOJb

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about the conviction of a 53-year-old gamekeeper in the Scottish Borders, Peter Givens, who was responsible for an illegally-operated trap in which a barn owl and a goshawk had starved to death (see here). I’ll be blogging more about that case shortly as some interesting things have come […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/31WonZG

Regular blog readers will know that in some previous years, NatureScot has controversially granted an out-of-season muirburn licence to the notorious Leadhills Estate, permitting the burning of grouse moors in September. These licences have been controversial for several reasons, including the fact we’re in a climate emergency so setting fire to peatland vegetation doesn’t seem […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3GUwzsd

Regular blog readers will know that in some previous years, NatureScot has controversially granted an out-of-season muirburn licence to the notorious Leadhills Estate, permitting the burning of grouse moors in September. These licences have been controversial for several reasons, including the fact we’re in a climate emergency so setting fire to peatland vegetation doesn’t seem […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3GUwzsd via IFTTT

Regular blog readers will be well aware that the notorious Leadhills Estate, a grouse-shooting estate in South Lanarkshire that has been at the centre of police wildlife crime investigations at least 70 times since the early 2000s, is currently serving a three-year General Licence restriction based on what NatureScot described as ‘clear evidence’ of raptor […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3ytXB6r

REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform, of which RPUK is a member, published a statement on 10th December as the grouse-shooting season ended for another year. Here’s a copy: 10th December 2021 Today, the grouse-shooting season ends, following on from a poor breeding season which may have limited sport shooting this year. However, this […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3yrrLr0

Press release from the Langholm Initiative (15th December 2021) Anonymous £0.5 million donation & crowd funder success takes historic community buyout to quarter-way mark Christmas has come early for a community’s bid to double the size of a vast new nature reserve in Dumfries and Galloway, thanks to an anonymous private donation of half a […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3pY8U33

Northumbria Police posted the following appeal for information on their Facebook page on 9th December 2021: #APPEAL: We want to identify these two men after a protected wild barn owl and its nestlings were stolen by thieves. An investigation has been ongoing since the early hours of October 27 after it was reported two men […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/31RiZXL

Last month I blogged about a red kite that had been found injured with shotgun injuries in Galleywood Lane, Chelmsford, Essex (see here and here). The kite was picked up by concerned members of the public and taken to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital for treatment. [Photo of the kite by South Essex Wildlife Hospital] […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3s9f0Aj

In late October this year, conservation campaign group Wild Justice launched a legal challenge against the Northern Ireland Executive’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for issuing what Wild Justice believed to be scientifically and legally flawed general licences (see here and here). This came after months of protracted correspondence with DAERA, who […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3ybLtqO

In October the RSPB published a report warning that current muirburn practices (e.g. setting the moors alight as part of grouse moor ‘management’) are incompatible with Scotland’s net zero ambitions because of the importance of peatlands as carbon stores (see here). The report also provided evidence that the current voluntary Muirburn Code is not working. […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/308HFd9 via IFTTT

In October the RSPB published a report warning that current muirburn practices (e.g. setting the moors alight as part of grouse moor ‘management’) are incompatible with Scotland’s net zero ambitions because of the importance of peatlands as carbon stores (see here). The report also provided evidence that the current voluntary Muirburn Code is not working. […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/308HFd9

They’re still at it! A year on from selling products labelled as ‘healthy’, Sainsbury’s is once again selling pheasant and partridge meat that contains poisonous lead shot, way above the safe levels allowed for meats such as beef, pork and chicken. Conservation campaign group Wild Justice has bought and tested more samples this season and […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/31LeHQY

They’re still at it! A year on from selling products labelled as ‘healthy’, Sainsbury’s is once again selling pheasant and partridge meat that contains poisonous lead shot, way above the safe levels allowed for meats such as beef, pork and chicken. Conservation campaign group Wild Justice has bought and tested more samples this season and […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/31LeHQY via IFTTT

A couple of weeks ago I attended the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club’s (SOC) virtual annual conference. One of the speakers I was keen to hear was PC Gavin Ross, an Investigative Support Officer at the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU). Gavin is the ISO for Scotland and has been in post for a year (see here). […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/31uloa5

A couple of weeks ago I attended the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club’s (SOC) virtual annual conference. One of the speakers I was keen to hear was PC Gavin Ross, an Investigative Support Officer at the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU). Gavin is the ISO for Scotland and has been in post for a year (see here). […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/31uloa5 via IFTTT

Further to the the blog post on Friday (here), where a gamekeeper from Millden Estate in the Angus Glens was due in court to face charges of alleged animal fighting and animal suffering, the case has been continued yet again, apparently at the behest of the gamekeeper’s QC. This case has been dragging on for […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3rCRUBM

Further to the the blog post on Friday (here), where a gamekeeper from Millden Estate in the Angus Glens was due in court to face charges of alleged animal fighting and animal suffering, the case has been continued yet again, apparently at the behest of the gamekeeper’s QC. This case has been dragging on for […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3rCRUBM via IFTTT

A gamekeeper from the Angus Glens is due back in court today to face charges relating to alleged animal fighting and animal suffering. These charges stem from a joint Scottish SPCA / Police Scotland search warrant which was executed on Millden Estate in October 2019 where a number of dogs were seized. [A headline in […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3EnPnyZ

A gamekeeper from the Angus Glens is due back in court today to face charges relating to alleged animal fighting and animal suffering. These charges stem from a joint Scottish SPCA / Police Scotland search warrant which was executed on Millden Estate in October 2019 where a number of dogs were seized. [A headline in […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3EnPnyZ via IFTTT

A gamekeeper in the Scottish Borders has been convicted today after two supposedly protected birds of prey (a barn owl and a goshawk) died inside a trap which he neglected to check. There’s an article about this case in the Border Telegraph this evening, which I’ll copy below, and then I’ll add some further commentary […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3pi42Wf via IFTTT

A gamekeeper in the Scottish Borders has been convicted today after two supposedly protected birds of prey (a barn owl and a goshawk) died inside a trap which he neglected to check. There’s an article about this case in the Border Telegraph this evening, which I’ll copy below, and then I’ll add some further commentary […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3pi42Wf

I heard the other day that I’d been shortlisted in The Great Outdoors (TGO) 2021 readers awards in the ‘Campaigner of the Year’ category. This came as a huge surprise so thank you to whoever made the nomination! It’s a strong category comprising many hardworking local and national campaigners, some of whose names will be […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3FR4G3r

I heard the other day that I’d been shortlisted in The Great Outdoors (TGO) 2021 readers awards in the ‘Campaigner of the Year’ category. This came as a huge surprise so thank you to whoever made the nomination! It’s a strong category comprising many hardworking local and national campaigners, some of whose names will be […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3FR4G3r via IFTTT

Today is the 26th November 2021. It’s been exactly one year since the then Environment Minister Mairi Gougeon announced the Scottish Government’s long-awaited response to the Werritty Review on grouse moor management and a decision to implement a licensing scheme for grouse shooting. How we got to that position was the subject of a talk […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3DVd5m4

Today is the 26th November 2021. It’s been exactly one year since the then Environment Minister Mairi Gougeon announced the Scottish Government’s long-awaited response to the Werritty Review on grouse moor management and a decision to implement a licensing scheme for grouse shooting. How we got to that position was the subject of a talk […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3DVd5m4 via IFTTT

Yesterday, the BBC’s News at Six included a five-minute feature on the rewilding of grouse moors in Scotland. Contributors included Thomas MacDonnell of Wildland, Chief Executive of grouse moor lobby group Scottish Land & Estates Sarah-Jane Laing, and Magnus Davidson from the University of the Highlands & Islands. It’s available on BBC iPlayer but only […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3nMsGP7

Yesterday, the BBC’s News at Six included a five-minute feature on the rewilding of grouse moors in Scotland. Contributors included Thomas MacDonnell of Wildland, Chief Executive of grouse moor lobby group Scottish Land & Estates Sarah-Jane Laing, and Magnus Davidson from the University of the Highlands & Islands. It’s available on BBC iPlayer but only […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3nMsGP7 via IFTTT

Press release Wildlife & Countryside Link (25th November 2021) Rising reports of wildlife crimes during the pandemic spark fresh fears for beloved species Reports of wildlife crimes against many species rose between 35-90% in 2020 At the same time convictions on key types of wildlife crime fell by 50%+ Nature experts are calling for improved […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3xliGiS via IFTTT

Press release Wildlife & Countryside Link (25th November 2021) Rising reports of wildlife crimes during the pandemic spark fresh fears for beloved species Reports of wildlife crimes against many species rose between 35-90% in 2020 At the same time convictions on key types of wildlife crime fell by 50%+ Nature experts are calling for improved […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3xliGiS

Crikey, it’s coming to something when The Times (Scottish edition) headlines with this: Royal family ‘hypocritical’ to have grouse shooting at Balmoral. This paper is not known for its criticism of the establishment and especially not of establishment hobbies such as driven grouse shooting (e.g. it was only on Sunday the paper was publishing what […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/30QWamw

Crikey, it’s coming to something when The Times (Scottish edition) headlines with this: Royal family ‘hypocritical’ to have grouse shooting at Balmoral. This paper is not known for its criticism of the establishment and especially not of establishment hobbies such as driven grouse shooting (e.g. it was only on Sunday the paper was publishing what […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/30QWamw via IFTTT

Further to the blog posted on 22nd October 2021 about Scottish charity Trees For Life‘s successful judicial review challenge against the shooting of beavers and the potential consequences of that ruling on the ‘control’ of other protected species such as birds of prey (here), today the Scottish Government has made a complete u-turn and has […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2Zi7cjG via IFTTT

Further to the blog posted on 22nd October 2021 about Scottish charity Trees For Life‘s successful judicial review challenge against the shooting of beavers and the potential consequences of that ruling on the ‘control’ of other protected species such as birds of prey (here), today the Scottish Government has made a complete u-turn and has […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2Zi7cjG

The British Birdwatching Fair (known to many as simply Birdfair) has come to an end, at least in the location and format we all knew: an annual event celebrating the world of birds which took place over three days in late August at Rutland Water. [Aerial view of the Birdfair marquees by Tormod Amundsen] This […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3xcKfuU

The British Birdwatching Fair (known to many as simply Birdfair) has come to an end, at least in the location and format we all knew: an annual event celebrating the world of birds which took place over three days in late August at Rutland Water. [Aerial view of the Birdfair marquees by Tormod Amundsen] This […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3xcKfuU via IFTTT

Yesterday the Sunday Times (Scotland) ran an opportunistic piece, presumably at the behest of a load of gamekeepers. Written by Deputy Editor Mark Macaskill, it was claimed that a ‘moorland consortium’ had invited Chris Packham to visit a grouse moor to watch them set it alight, in response to Chris’s derision of muirburn whilst COP26 […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2ZbSgDR

Yesterday the Sunday Times (Scotland) ran an opportunistic piece, presumably at the behest of a load of gamekeepers. Written by Deputy Editor Mark Macaskill, it was claimed that a ‘moorland consortium’ had invited Chris Packham to visit a grouse moor to watch them set it alight, in response to Chris’s derision of muirburn whilst COP26 […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2ZbSgDR via IFTTT

On Wednesday I blogged about a police investigation into a shot red kite that had been found in Galleywood Road, Chelmsford, Essex (see here). The details were a bit sketchy but Essex Police Wildlife Crime Officer Jed Raven had said he believed the kite had suffered wing injuries after someone had fired a shotgun at […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3kYFvEb

RSPB job advert Red Kite Field Officer (Fixed Term) Reference: NOV20218665 Expiry date: 23:59, 12 December 2021 Location: RSPB Northern Ireland Salary: £18,100.00 – £20,080.00 Per Annum Benefits: Pension, Life Assurance, 26 days Annual Leave (pro-rata) Duration: 6 months Are you passionate about species conservation? Interested in gaining valuable research and monitoring experience, while working […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3HGgfwf

On Wednesday I blogged about a police investigation into a shot red kite that had been found in Galleywood Road, Chelmsford, Essex (see here). The details were a bit sketchy but Essex Police Wildlife Crime Officer Jed Raven had said he believed the kite had suffered wing injuries after someone had fired a shotgun at […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3kYFvEb via IFTTT

RSPB job advert Red Kite Field Officer (Fixed Term) Reference: NOV20218665 Expiry date: 23:59, 12 December 2021 Location: RSPB Northern Ireland Salary: £18,100.00 – £20,080.00 Per Annum Benefits: Pension, Life Assurance, 26 days Annual Leave (pro-rata) Duration: 6 months Are you passionate about species conservation? Interested in gaining valuable research and monitoring experience, while working […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3HGgfwf via IFTTT

Five years ago a small rural company (Bowland Brewery) was subjected to a disgraceful online hate campaign by gamekeepers and others from the game-shooting industry, simply because the brewery was supporting an RSPB hen harrier conservation project by donating profits from the sales of its Skydancer beer to the project. A simple, promotional photograph of […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3DytqNt

Five years ago a small rural company (Bowland Brewery) was subjected to a disgraceful online hate campaign by gamekeepers and others from the game-shooting industry, simply because the brewery was supporting an RSPB hen harrier conservation project by donating profits from the sales of its Skydancer beer to the project. A simple, promotional photograph of […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3DytqNt via IFTTT

Less than two weeks ago Essex Police announced they were working with the RSPB to investigate the suspicious death of a red kite found in the Uttlesford district (see here). This morning, Police Wildlife Crime Officer Jed Raven has informed me of another incident, this time the shooting of a red kite. [A red kite, […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3HwzCI8

Less than two weeks ago Essex Police announced they were working with the RSPB to investigate the suspicious death of a red kite found in the Uttlesford district (see here). This morning, Police Wildlife Crime Officer Jed Raven has informed me of another incident, this time the shooting of a red kite. [A red kite, […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3HwzCI8 via IFTTT

An article published in The National today: A TV wildlife expert has backed the work of a grouse moor reform group ahead of a key national conference. Chris Packham has praised the work of Revive ahead of its national conference this weekend. The wildlife expert, TV presenter and conservationist, who is currently at COP26, will […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3ncjRhr

An article published in The National today: A TV wildlife expert has backed the work of a grouse moor reform group ahead of a key national conference. Chris Packham has praised the work of Revive ahead of its national conference this weekend. The wildlife expert, TV presenter and conservationist, who is currently at COP26, will […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3ncjRhr via IFTTT

Press release from REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform: 11th November 2021 Scotland’s Muirburn Shame National Park burns while world leaders discuss climate emergency in Glasgow Scottish landowners are being accused of putting two fingers up to COP26 as they cause environmental damage through muirburn during the global climate conference. REVIVE, the coalition for […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2YGyf8a

Press release from REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform: 11th November 2021 Scotland’s Muirburn Shame National Park burns while world leaders discuss climate emergency in Glasgow Scottish landowners are being accused of putting two fingers up to COP26 as they cause environmental damage through muirburn during the global climate conference. REVIVE, the coalition for […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2YGyf8a via IFTTT

Derbyshire Constabulary are warning dog-walkers to be careful as they investigate suspected wildlife poisoning in a Derbyshire woodland. Two dogs are reported to have become ill after visiting Swinepark Wood at Lea, near Matlock and the police say this may be related. The police have posted warning signs at entry points to the woods: There […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3F0ZARL

Derbyshire Constabulary are warning dog-walkers to be careful as they investigate suspected wildlife poisoning in a Derbyshire woodland. Two dogs are reported to have become ill after visiting Swinepark Wood at Lea, near Matlock and the police say this may be related. The police have posted warning signs at entry points to the woods: There […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3F0ZARL via IFTTT

Last week I blogged about how a Suffolk gamekeeper was due at Ipswich Magistrates Court to face a charge of poisoning a buzzard, having already pleaded guilty to several pesticide storage and firearms offences (see here). This case stemmed from a multi-agency raid last January (here) after the discovery of an illegally poisoned buzzard in […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3D0amr0

Last week I blogged about how a Suffolk gamekeeper was due at Ipswich Magistrates Court to face a charge of poisoning a buzzard, having already pleaded guilty to several pesticide storage and firearms offences (see here). This case stemmed from a multi-agency raid last January (here) after the discovery of an illegally poisoned buzzard in […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3D0amr0 via IFTTT

The Welsh Government’s statutory nature conservation agency, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), is currently hosting a public consultation on its proposed changes to the General Licences (the licences which permit the killing of certain bird species, in certain circumstances, typically for public health & safety, for the protection of crops and livestock, and for nature conservation […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3BP52VT via IFTTT

The Welsh Government’s statutory nature conservation agency, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), is currently hosting a public consultation on its proposed changes to the General Licences (the licences which permit the killing of certain bird species, in certain circumstances, typically for public health & safety, for the protection of crops and livestock, and for nature conservation […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3BP52VT

An article published in yesterday’s Guardian implicates grouse moor management as being partly responsible for a massive population decline in Twite, a small bird also known as the ‘Pennine Finch’. Researchers are concerned that this species is on the brink of extinction in England due to a combination of factors including less wild seed in […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3kad85y

There’s an article in today’s Observer featuring a proposal by the John Muir Trust that grouse-shooting (and deer) estates should be taxed for their carbon emissions to encourage them to minimise their management intensity. It’s an interesting proposal for dealing with the critical issue of carbon emissions from muirburning and all its associated damage (e.g. […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3GYzlNW

An article published in yesterday’s Guardian implicates grouse moor management as being partly responsible for a massive population decline in Twite, a small bird also known as the ‘Pennine Finch’. Researchers are concerned that this species is on the brink of extinction in England due to a combination of factors including less wild seed in […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3kad85y via IFTTT

There’s an article in today’s Observer featuring a proposal by the John Muir Trust that grouse-shooting (and deer) estates should be taxed for their carbon emissions to encourage them to minimise their management intensity. It’s an interesting proposal for dealing with the critical issue of carbon emissions from muirburning and all its associated damage (e.g. […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3GYzlNW via IFTTT

Essex Police is working with the RSPB to investigate the death of a red kite found in suspicious circumstances in the Uttlesford District. Police wildlife crime officer Jed Raven posted the following photograph and tweet on Twitter this morning: This is a map showing the Uttlesford district in Essex: There aren’t any further details at […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3GQQNUl

Essex Police is working with the RSPB to investigate the death of a red kite found in suspicious circumstances in the Uttlesford District. Police wildlife crime officer Jed Raven posted the following photograph and tweet on Twitter this morning: This is a map showing the Uttlesford district in Essex: There aren’t any further details at […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3GQQNUl via IFTTT

It’s that time of year again, when pheasants and red-legged partridges have been released into the countryside in their millions (approx 60 million of these non-native species, in fact), they’re then shot for a bit of a laugh and then some of them are simply dumped. Unfortunately for the game shooting industry, this is an […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3bEBMXm

It’s that time of year again, when pheasants and red-legged partridges have been released into the countryside in their millions (approx 60 million of these non-native species, in fact), they’re then shot for a bit of a laugh and then some of them are simply dumped. Unfortunately for the game shooting industry, this is an […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3bEBMXm via IFTTT

Last week conservation campaign group Wild Justice launched a crowdfunder appeal to raise funds for a legal challenge against what the group says are unscientific and unlawful General Licences in Northern Ireland (see here). Yesterday evening the crowdfunder reached its target of £45,000 – thank you to the blog readers who supported this appeal. Wild […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2YlQEqI via IFTTT

Last week conservation campaign group Wild Justice launched a crowdfunder appeal to raise funds for a legal challenge against what the group says are unscientific and unlawful General Licences in Northern Ireland (see here). Yesterday evening the crowdfunder reached its target of £45,000 – thank you to the blog readers who supported this appeal. Wild […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2YlQEqI

A new trial date has been set for a gamekeeper from the Angus Glens who is accused of multiple offences relating to alleged animal fighting and animal suffering. Property on the Millden Estate was searched under warrant in October 2019 in a joint SSPCA and Police Scotland investigation (see here), as well as a simultaneous […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3w8NN0J

A new trial date has been set for a gamekeeper from the Angus Glens who is accused of multiple offences relating to alleged animal fighting and animal suffering. Property on the Millden Estate was searched under warrant in October 2019 in a joint SSPCA and Police Scotland investigation (see here), as well as a simultaneous […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3w8NN0J via IFTTT

A gamekeeper is due in court on Monday 8th November accused of poisoning a buzzard. He has already pleaded guilty to a number of firearms offences and a number of pesticide storage offences. At an earlier hearing in August, the gamekeeper pleaded not guilty to poisoning the buzzard so the case was sent for trial. […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3By92dv

A gamekeeper is due in court on Monday 8th November accused of poisoning a buzzard. He has already pleaded guilty to a number of firearms offences and a number of pesticide storage offences. At an earlier hearing in August, the gamekeeper pleaded not guilty to poisoning the buzzard so the case was sent for trial. […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3By92dv via IFTTT

Last week the RSPB published its latest annual Birdcrime report which showed that 2020 was the ‘worst year on record’ for confirmed crimes against birds of prey in the UK (see here). For the seventh year in a row, North Yorkshire had more confirmed raptor persecution crimes than any other county in the UK. Twenty-six […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3w8m3cr

Last week the RSPB published its latest annual Birdcrime report which showed that 2020 was the ‘worst year on record’ for confirmed crimes against birds of prey in the UK (see here). For the seventh year in a row, North Yorkshire had more confirmed raptor persecution crimes than any other county in the UK. Twenty-six […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3w8m3cr via IFTTT

Last year the community of Langholm in the Scottish Borders successfully raised £3.8 million to buy a knackered old grouse moor from the Duke of Buccleugh and transform it into a vast new nature reserve for the benefit of wildlife and the local community (see here). Many blog readers supported and contributed to this fundraising […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2ZHQSsd

Last year the community of Langholm in the Scottish Borders successfully raised £3.8 million to buy a knackered old grouse moor from the Duke of Buccleugh and transform it into a vast new nature reserve for the benefit of wildlife and the local community (see here). Many blog readers supported and contributed to this fundraising […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2ZHQSsd via IFTTT

South Yorkshire Police tweeted this yesterday: The Off Road Bike Team located 2 gralloched Deer & 3 dead Buzzards on Doncaster patch today. Having spoken to landowners the deer have been poached, & buzzards killed illegally. The team will be extending our patrols into the night‘. There aren’t any further details. RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3jVtv61

South Yorkshire Police tweeted this yesterday: The Off Road Bike Team located 2 gralloched Deer & 3 dead Buzzards on Doncaster patch today. Having spoken to landowners the deer have been poached, & buzzards killed illegally. The team will be extending our patrols into the night‘. There aren’t any further details. from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3jVtv61 via IFTTT

Wildlife conservation group Wild Justice has today launched a legal challenge against the Northern Ireland Executive’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for issuing what Wild Justice believes to be scientifically and legally flawed general licences. If you subscribe to Wild Justice’s newsletter, you’ll already be aware of this news (you can subscribe […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3Gx70xI

Wildlife conservation group Wild Justice has today launched a legal challenge against the Northern Ireland Executive’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for issuing what Wild Justice believes to be scientifically and legally flawed general licences. If you subscribe to Wild Justice’s newsletter, you’ll already be aware of this news (you can subscribe […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3Gx70xI via IFTTT

Timed to publish on the same day as the RSPB’s Birdcrime report, documenting how 2020 was the ‘worst year on record’ for crimes against birds of prey in the UK (see here), National Geographic has just published a lengthy article, written by journalist Rene Ebersole who visited the UK earlier this year specifically to research […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3jIPuwH

Timed to publish on the same day as the RSPB’s Birdcrime report, documenting how 2020 was the ‘worst year on record’ for crimes against birds of prey in the UK (see here), National Geographic has just published a lengthy article, written by journalist Rene Ebersole who visited the UK earlier this year specifically to research […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3jIPuwH via IFTTT

Press release from RSPB (27th October 2021) The RSPB’s Birdcrime 2020 report has revealed 137 known, confirmed incidents of bird of prey persecution last year – the highest number recorded in 30 years. Produced annually by the RSPB’s Investigations unit, Birdcrime is the UK’s only full data set on confirmed incidents of raptor persecution – […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3pBTGSR

Press release from RSPB (27th October 2021) The RSPB’s Birdcrime 2020 report has revealed 137 known, confirmed incidents of bird of prey persecution last year – the highest number recorded in 30 years. Produced annually by the RSPB’s Investigations unit, Birdcrime is the UK’s only full data set on confirmed incidents of raptor persecution – […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3pBTGSR via IFTTT

STOP PRESS! Phil Davies, a retired police Chief Inspector with Dyfed Powys Police who has been working for the last ten years as a Police Liaison Officer for the Countryside Alliance, has been booted off the Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group (RPPDG). In fact, he’s been removed from all of the wildlife crime priority delivery […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3E8OgCT via IFTTT

STOP PRESS! Phil Davies, a retired police Chief Inspector with Dyfed Powys Police who has been working for the last ten years as a Police Liaison Officer for the Countryside Alliance, has been booted off the Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group (RPPDG). In fact, he’s been removed from all of the wildlife crime priority delivery […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3E8OgCT

Last week the RSPB revealed that yet another satellite-tagged hen harrier, this one called ‘Reiver’, had disappeared in suspicious circumstances in September on a grouse moor in Northumberland (see here). Reiver is the 57th hen harrier known to have been killed or disappeared in suspicious circumstances on or close to a grouse moor since 2018 […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3mbffaw via IFTTT

Last week the RSPB revealed that yet another satellite-tagged hen harrier, this one called ‘Reiver’, had disappeared in suspicious circumstances in September on a grouse moor in Northumberland (see here). Reiver is the 57th hen harrier known to have been killed or disappeared in suspicious circumstances on or close to a grouse moor since 2018 […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3mbffaw

Earlier this week I blogged about the discovery of a short-eared owl that had been found shot on a grouse moor on the Wemmergill Estate in the North Pennines AONB (see here). This is the same estate where two short-eared owls were found shot and stuffed into a hole in 2015 (here) and where a […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2ZdFqVk

Earlier this week I blogged about the discovery of a short-eared owl that had been found shot on a grouse moor on the Wemmergill Estate in the North Pennines AONB (see here). This is the same estate where two short-eared owls were found shot and stuffed into a hole in 2015 (here) and where a […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2ZdFqVk via IFTTT

Following last week’s news that the Wild Ken Hill Estate in Norfolk has inexplicably backed out of hosting a project for the restoration of white-tailed eagles in East Anglia, which was due to start next year (see here), project leaders at The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation have announced that the search is on for a […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3Cbw76J

Following last week’s news that the Wild Ken Hill Estate in Norfolk has inexplicably backed out of hosting a project for the restoration of white-tailed eagles in East Anglia, which was due to start next year (see here), project leaders at The Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation have announced that the search is on for a […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3Cbw76J via IFTTT

Beaver culling is off-topic for this blog but there are wider implications relevant to the culling of other protected species, including raptors. Earlier this year, Scottish charity Trees for Life launched a judicial review against the Government’s beaver-killing policy, whereby it was argued that NatureScot was too quick to issue beaver-killing licences to landowners and […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2ZbULGl

Beaver culling is off-topic for this blog but there are wider implications relevant to the culling of other protected species, including raptors. Earlier this year, Scottish charity Trees for Life launched a judicial review against the Government’s beaver-killing policy, whereby it was argued that NatureScot was too quick to issue beaver-killing licences to landowners and […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2ZbULGl via IFTTT

Press statement from National Parks & Wildlife Service (Ireland), 21 October 2021: Three Month Suspended Jail Sentence for the Possession of two dead Buzzards A County Laois man has been given a three month suspended prison sentence for the possession of two dead Buzzards, which were found strung up on his land. On Friday the […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3pGltSj

Press statement from National Parks & Wildlife Service (Ireland), 21 October 2021: Three Month Suspended Jail Sentence for the Possession of two dead Buzzards A County Laois man has been given a three month suspended prison sentence for the possession of two dead Buzzards, which were found strung up on his land. On Friday the […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3pGltSj via IFTTT

Police Scotland issued the following statement yesterday: Four men charged with wildlife crime offences in Stewartry Police Scotland can confirm that four men have been charged in connection with a number of wildlife crime offences in the Stewartry area of Dumfries & Galloway. Extensive investigations have been ongoing throughout 2021 following reports of ongoing persecution […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3m3ya78 via IFTTT

Police Scotland issued the following statement yesterday: Four men charged with wildlife crime offences in Stewartry Police Scotland can confirm that four men have been charged in connection with a number of wildlife crime offences in the Stewartry area of Dumfries & Galloway. Extensive investigations have been ongoing throughout 2021 following reports of ongoing persecution […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3m3ya78

A couple of days ago I wrote a blog about whether the Countryside Alliance’s position as a member of the Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group (RPPDG) should be reviewed following the judge’s summary comments during the sentencing of huntsman Mark Hankinson, who had been convicted of encouraging or assisting others to commit an offence during […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3jlQy9w via IFTTT

A couple of days ago I wrote a blog about whether the Countryside Alliance’s position as a member of the Raptor Persecution Priority Delivery Group (RPPDG) should be reviewed following the judge’s summary comments during the sentencing of huntsman Mark Hankinson, who had been convicted of encouraging or assisting others to commit an offence during […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3jlQy9w

Article published in the Northern Echo yesterday: Short-eared owl shot and killed in Teesdale POLICE are appealing for information after a short-eared owl was shot down in Teesdale earlier this year. A post-mortem on the bird has confirmed the likely cause of its death was being shot with a shot gun. The owl was found by […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2ZcmrKT

Article published in the Northern Echo yesterday: Short-eared owl shot and killed in Teesdale POLICE are appealing for information after a short-eared owl was shot down in Teesdale earlier this year. A post-mortem on the bird has confirmed the likely cause of its death was being shot with a shot gun. The owl was found by […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2ZcmrKT via IFTTT

This comment piece from TV and radio broadcaster James Whale was published in The Express yesterday, in response to the ongoing and targeted abuse directed at Chris Packham by many within the hunting & shooting sector, encouraged by some of the industry’s large membership organisations. Thanks to blog reader Keith Dancey for the link. CHRIS […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3n3ULjq via IFTTT

This comment piece from TV and radio broadcaster James Whale was published in The Express yesterday, in response to the ongoing and targeted abuse directed at Chris Packham by many within the hunting & shooting sector, encouraged by some of the industry’s large membership organisations. Thanks to blog reader Keith Dancey for the link. CHRIS […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3n3ULjq

The following article was published in The Times last Saturday. It sits behind a paywall so I’ve reproduced it below: The BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham has described how his stepdaughter faced a torrent of online abuse after a game-shooting organisation drew attention to her social media account and the fact they are related. Megan […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3aSiUDT via IFTTT

The following article was published in The Times last Saturday. It sits behind a paywall so I’ve reproduced it below: The BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham has described how his stepdaughter faced a torrent of online abuse after a game-shooting organisation drew attention to her social media account and the fact they are related. Megan […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3aSiUDT

For anyone who still wants to pretend that the grouse shooting industry isn’t responsible for the systematic extermination of hen harriers on grouse moors across the UK, here’s the latest catalogue of crime that suggests otherwise. [This male hen harrier died in 2019 after his leg was almost severed in an illegally set trap that […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2Z77cTF

For anyone who still wants to pretend that the grouse shooting industry isn’t responsible for the systematic extermination of hen harriers on grouse moors across the UK, here’s the latest catalogue of crime that suggests otherwise. [This male hen harrier died in 2019 after his leg was almost severed in an illegally set trap that […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2Z77cTF via IFTTT

Press release from RSPB Another hen harrier disappears in suspicious circumstances Another satellite tagged hen harrier has suddenly and unexpectedly disappeared, strengthening the RSPB’s call for the urgent licensing of grouse moors. Reiver, a young female, fledged from a nest on Langholm Moor in the south of Scotland this summer. She was fitted with a […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3jcBknc