FIRECREST TOURS : Guided Birdwatching & Wildlife Days

[Goshawk photo by Colin Bradshaw] Staffordshire Police are appealing for information this evening after the discovery of a shot goshawk. Unfortunately the details of this latest wildlife crime are vague, even though raptor persecution is supposed to be a national wildlife crime priority. This is what was posted on the Rural & Wildlife Crime team’s […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3iWqq4m via IFTTT

[Goshawk photo by Colin Bradshaw] Staffordshire Police are appealing for information this evening after the discovery of a shot goshawk. Unfortunately the details of this latest wildlife crime are vague, even though raptor persecution is supposed to be a national wildlife crime priority. This is what was posted on the Rural & Wildlife Crime team’s […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3iWqq4m

Back in March this year there were reports that two dead peregrines had been found underneath the iconic Samson & Goliath cranes in Belfast. Experts from the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group suspected the birds had been poisoned but there was also a potential issue with Avian Flu in the area which hadn’t been ruled […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3l5PjwZ

Back in March this year there were reports that two dead peregrines had been found underneath the iconic Samson & Goliath cranes in Belfast. Experts from the Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group suspected the birds had been poisoned but there was also a potential issue with Avian Flu in the area which hadn’t been ruled […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3l5PjwZ via IFTTT

Raising public awareness of ongoing raptor persecution crimes is probably the single, most important thing that just about anybody can do. You don’t need to be an expert on birds of prey, nor work in the conservation sector, nor to have a massive following on social media. All you need is an understanding that birds […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2Wjk6fp

Raising public awareness of ongoing raptor persecution crimes is probably the single, most important thing that just about anybody can do. You don’t need to be an expert on birds of prey, nor work in the conservation sector, nor to have a massive following on social media. All you need is an understanding that birds […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2Wjk6fp via IFTTT

There’s a fascinating new scientific research paper just published in Ibis, the journal of the British Ornithologists’ Union, relating to the flight behaviour of young satellite-tagged golden eagles in Scotland in and around windfarms. Authored by a number of experts from Scotland’s Golden Eagle Satellite Tag Group (GESTG), this study demonstrates how young golden eagles […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3rAFUyG

There’s a fascinating new scientific research paper just published in Ibis, the journal of the British Ornithologists’ Union, relating to the flight behaviour of young satellite-tagged golden eagles in Scotland in and around windfarms. Authored by a number of experts from Scotland’s Golden Eagle Satellite Tag Group (GESTG), this study demonstrates how young golden eagles […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3rAFUyG via IFTTT

Award-winning author, mountaineer and broadcaster Cameron McNeish has quit the Scottish National Party after ten years of membership, claiming the party has done ‘zilch’ on environmental issues and land reform. He specifically spoke out about raptor persecution and grouse moors. Mr McNeish told The Times: “It’s been coming for a while. The party has done […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3x3HtWX

Award-winning author, mountaineer and broadcaster Cameron McNeish has quit the Scottish National Party after ten years of membership, claiming the party has done ‘zilch’ on environmental issues and land reform. He specifically spoke out about raptor persecution and grouse moors. Mr McNeish told The Times: “It’s been coming for a while. The party has done […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3x3HtWX via IFTTT

Back in 2019 when DEFRA was forced into a review of the ecological impacts of releasing millions of non-native gamebirds on or near protected sites following a legal challenge by campaign group Wild Justice, the gamebird-shooting industry’s self-appointed ‘official marketing board’, the British Game Alliance (BGA), wrote to DEFRA minister Lord Gardiner and offered up […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3zyjRM0

Back in 2019 when DEFRA was forced into a review of the ecological impacts of releasing millions of non-native gamebirds on or near protected sites following a legal challenge by campaign group Wild Justice, the gamebird-shooting industry’s self-appointed ‘official marketing board’, the British Game Alliance (BGA), wrote to DEFRA minister Lord Gardiner and offered up […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3zyjRM0 via IFTTT

Press release from Police Scotland (23 July 2021) Appeal for information after protected bird of prey found shot in Loch Farr, Inverness-shire Officers in Inverness are appealing for information after a bird of prey was found dead in the Loch Farr area of Inverness-shire. A female goshawk was found in a tree in nearby Forestry […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3zqOkvp via IFTTT

Press release from Police Scotland (23 July 2021) Appeal for information after protected bird of prey found shot in Loch Farr, Inverness-shire Officers in Inverness are appealing for information after a bird of prey was found dead in the Loch Farr area of Inverness-shire. A female goshawk was found in a tree in nearby Forestry […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3zqOkvp

In a desperate attempt to appear relevant and pretend that it has a future, the game shooting industry has announced a so-called ‘new’ formal partnership designed ‘to highlight the crucial role that sustainable game shooting plays in delivering biodiversity net gain through preserving and protecting cherished rural landscapes and a tremendous array of wildlife‘. Calling itself […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3ePINGH

In a desperate attempt to appear relevant and pretend that it has a future, the game shooting industry has announced a so-called ‘new’ formal partnership designed ‘to highlight the crucial role that sustainable game shooting plays in delivering biodiversity net gain through preserving and protecting cherished rural landscapes and a tremendous array of wildlife‘. Calling itself […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3ePINGH via IFTTT

Fergus Ewing MSP was the Scottish Government’s Rural Cabinet Secretary from 2016-2021 until he was sacked by Nicola Sturgeon in May (see here). He has long been viewed with suspicion by conservationists, and many would argue justifiably so (e.g. see here, here and check Google for plenty of other reports) although we did manage to […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3kxiPLN

Fergus Ewing MSP was the Scottish Government’s Rural Cabinet Secretary from 2016-2021 until he was sacked by Nicola Sturgeon in May (see here). He has long been viewed with suspicion by conservationists, and many would argue justifiably so (e.g. see here, here and check Google for plenty of other reports) although we did manage to […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3kxiPLN via IFTTT

Hen Harrier Day, established in 2014 as a way to raise public awareness about the widespread killing of hen harriers on the UK’s driven grouse moors, is now entering its 8th year! In previous years supporters have organised events at various venues across the country where people have gathered at rallies to listen to speeches […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/36KacFw

Hen Harrier Day, established in 2014 as a way to raise public awareness about the widespread killing of hen harriers on the UK’s driven grouse moors, is now entering its 8th year! In previous years supporters have organised events at various venues across the country where people have gathered at rallies to listen to speeches […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/36KacFw via IFTTT

Earlier this year I wrote two blogs as part of a series on the harassment and abuse hurled by gamekeepers at those of us who dare challenge and question the wildlife crime and environmental damage associated with grouse moor management (see here and here but be warned, it’s very nasty, offensive and unpleasant). What follows […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3BaRxAZ

Earlier this year I wrote two blogs as part of a series on the harassment and abuse hurled by gamekeepers at those of us who dare challenge and question the wildlife crime and environmental damage associated with grouse moor management (see here and here but be warned, it’s very nasty, offensive and unpleasant). What follows […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3BaRxAZ via IFTTT

An article from FarmingUK last week: Demand for land for natural capital and rewilding is boosting the market for Scottish estates, according to rural property consultancy Galbraith. The increased variety of motivations for acquiring an upland estate has stimulated the market further which was already benefiting from the booming forestry sector. The firm says it […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2UZ4Hk0 via IFTTT

An article from FarmingUK last week: Demand for land for natural capital and rewilding is boosting the market for Scottish estates, according to rural property consultancy Galbraith. The increased variety of motivations for acquiring an upland estate has stimulated the market further which was already benefiting from the booming forestry sector. The firm says it […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2UZ4Hk0

Earlier this year it was announced that Moffat was to be named an ‘eagle town’ as part of a celebratory golden eagle festival planned to boost eco-tourism in south Scotland (see here). Moffat had been chosen as it was close to the original release site for the South Scotland Golden Eagle Project, where young golden […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3ruU1pv via IFTTT

Earlier this year it was announced that Moffat was to be named an ‘eagle town’ as part of a celebratory golden eagle festival planned to boost eco-tourism in south Scotland (see here). Moffat had been chosen as it was close to the original release site for the South Scotland Golden Eagle Project, where young golden […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3ruU1pv

The RSPB is recruiting for a brand new position in Northern Ireland – an Investigations Officer to help tackle the ongoing crimes of raptor persecution across the country. Previous reports (e.g. see here) have documented the scale and extent of raptor persecution in Northern Ireland, where peregrines, red kites and buzzards are the most frequent […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3iopghv

The RSPB is recruiting for a brand new position in Northern Ireland – an Investigations Officer to help tackle the ongoing crimes of raptor persecution across the country. Previous reports (e.g. see here) have documented the scale and extent of raptor persecution in Northern Ireland, where peregrines, red kites and buzzards are the most frequent […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3iopghv via IFTTT

Press release from Wild Justice and lawyers Leigh Day (16th July 2021) Wild Justice issues legal challenge to new rules on burning of peatland A legal challenge to new rules governing the burning of heather and grass on peatlands in England has been issued, claiming they are unlawful and unenforceable.   Environmental group Wild Justice, […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3z3Njcl

Press release from Wild Justice and lawyers Leigh Day (16th July 2021) Wild Justice issues legal challenge to new rules on burning of peatland A legal challenge to new rules governing the burning of heather and grass on peatlands in England has been issued, claiming they are unlawful and unenforceable.   Environmental group Wild Justice, […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3z3Njcl via IFTTT

Gloucestershire Constabulary has issued a bizarre press release today about the felling of a tree that held an active goshawk nest and how the man who admitted to felling it with a chainsaw ‘had completed a successful restorative justice outcome’ by paying £100 to the RSPB. Eh? Since when has ‘restorative justice’ been considered an […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/36m5iP4 via IFTTT

Gloucestershire Constabulary has issued a bizarre press release today about the felling of a tree that held an active goshawk nest and how the man who admitted to felling it with a chainsaw ‘had completed a successful restorative justice outcome’ by paying £100 to the RSPB. Eh? Since when has ‘restorative justice’ been considered an […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/36m5iP4

North Wales Police Rural Crime Team has issued an appeal on Twitter for information after a toxicology report earlier this month confirmed that a red kite had tested positive for the poison Bendiocarb. Unfortunately the details of this latest wildlife crime are vague. The kite was found ‘in the area’ of the Ceiriog Valley ‘earlier […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3ysbn8o

North Wales Police Rural Crime Team has issued an appeal on Twitter for information after a toxicology report earlier this month confirmed that a red kite had tested positive for the poison Bendiocarb. Unfortunately the details of this latest wildlife crime are vague. The kite was found ‘in the area’ of the Ceiriog Valley ‘earlier […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3ysbn8o via IFTTT

The Cairngorms National Park Authority has issued the following press release today (6th July 2021). My commentary on this news is below the press release: Raptor breeding successes for East Cairngorms Moorland Partnership The productivity of breeding raptors in the east of the Cairngorms National Park this season is encouraging and includes the hatching of […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3hFcfQu

The Cairngorms National Park Authority has issued the following press release today (6th July 2021). My commentary on this news is below the press release: Raptor breeding successes for East Cairngorms Moorland Partnership The productivity of breeding raptors in the east of the Cairngorms National Park this season is encouraging and includes the hatching of […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3hFcfQu via IFTTT

On 28th May 2021 campaign group Wild Justice published a blog about what it considered to be alleged breaches of the English General Licences, based on an article that was published in the Shooting Times in February 2021, where a bloke claimed to have gone out with his gun apparently to see whether he could […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3w7EPzf via IFTTT

On 28th May 2021 campaign group Wild Justice published a blog about what it considered to be alleged breaches of the English General Licences, based on an article that was published in the Shooting Times in February 2021, where a bloke claimed to have gone out with his gun apparently to see whether he could […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3w7EPzf

Earlier this year the Aberdeenshire brewery and pub chain BrewDog bought the Kinrara Estate on Speyside for an estimated £7.5M and announced some pretty grand plans to take this former grouse moor and pheasant shoot and transform it as part of the ‘single biggest native woodland establishment and peatland restoration project ever carried out in […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3jxKUST via IFTTT

Earlier this year the Aberdeenshire brewery and pub chain BrewDog bought the Kinrara Estate on Speyside for an estimated £7.5M and announced some pretty grand plans to take this former grouse moor and pheasant shoot and transform it as part of the ‘single biggest native woodland establishment and peatland restoration project ever carried out in […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3jxKUST

In March this year, a golden eagle was found dead, next to a poisoned hare bait, on a grouse moor on Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms National Park. Toxicology results showed the eagle had been illegally poisoned with a banned pesticide. Police Scotland conducted a multi-agency search, under warrant, of various properties on Invercauld Estate […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2UOr23q

In March this year, a golden eagle was found dead, next to a poisoned hare bait, on a grouse moor on Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms National Park. Toxicology results showed the eagle had been illegally poisoned with a banned pesticide. Police Scotland conducted a multi-agency search, under warrant, of various properties on Invercauld Estate […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2UOr23q via IFTTT