FIRECREST TOURS : Guided Birdwatching & Wildlife Days

The RSPB is recruiting for eight seasonal fieldworkers (six in Scotland, two in Wales) for the 2023 National Hen Harrier Survey. These temporary research assistant positions begin in March 2023, for four months, for 37.5 hours per week. Job description: These posts require considerable experience of conducting fieldwork in upland areas. The post holders should … Continue reading "Job opportunity: seasonal fieldworkers for national hen harrier survey" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/nC0pxl7

The taskforce established by the Scottish Government earlier this year to consider whether the Scottish SPCA should be granted additional powers to help investigate raptor persecution and other wildlife crime has completed its review, which ‘will be published within weeks’, according to an article in yesterday’s Scotsman. As a quick recap, the SSPCA’s current powers … Continue reading "Taskforce review on extra powers for SSPCA ‘will be published within weeks’" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/nxTi0jZ

Guest blog written by conservation campaigner Bob Berzins, who has featured previously on this blog here, here and here. The Raptor Persecution UK blog recently reported the most horrific cruelty towards hen harriers with four chicks stamped to death in a nest on a grouse moor in the Yorkshire Dales National Park [here] and this … Continue reading "Peak District National Park – who is it for & who runs it? Guest blog by Bob Berzins" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/IfBxgKw

A member of the public out for a Christmas Day walk yesterday on the edge of the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in North Yorkshire found a mass of dead pheasants floating in the River Derwent by the Howsham Bridge. Presumably these are pheasants that have been shot and then dumped. It … Continue reading "Dead pheasants found dumped in river in North Yorkshire" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/kNxleFq

A member of the public out for a Christmas Day walk yesterday on the edge of the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in North Yorkshire found a mass of dead pheasants floating in the River Derwent by the Howsham Bridge. Presumably these are pheasants that have been shot and then dumped. It … Continue reading "Dead pheasants found dumped in river in North Yorkshire" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/z7pl8yg via IFTTT

Warwickshire Hunt has been served with a three-year notice from police amid concerns about dangers on roads. Warwickshire Rural Crime Team has revealed that it served Community Protection Notice (CPN) to Warwickshire Hunt Limited. This notice will be in place for three years and, if conditions are breached, it could lead to criminal action. The Rural Crime Team said the CPN has been served after Warwickshire Hunt was given a warning notice in back in May about antisocial use of the county road network. This initial warning appears to have been ignored as the team said that they continue to see ‘unreasonable and dangerous’ use of the roads. The CPN imposed conditions to tackle this, under the scope of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. The conditions are: Warwickshire Hunt to give advance notice of events, and details of the times and locations of road crossing points. There are also requirements for them to inform police who will control dogs during the event...

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) held a Board meeting earlier this week to discuss proposals for determining several ‘priority species’ that need additional help to thrive within the National Park. The draft list includes a number of raptor species, including hen harrier, red kite and peregrine. There is a long and well-documented history … Continue reading "Yorkshire Dales National Park “not natural country for hen harriers & red kites” according to National Park Authority Board member" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/FBduokH

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) held a Board meeting earlier this week to discuss proposals for determining several ‘priority species’ that need additional help to thrive within the National Park. The draft list includes a number of raptor species, including hen harrier, red kite and peregrine. There is a long and well-documented history … Continue reading "Yorkshire Dales National Park “not natural country for hen harriers & red kites” according to National Park Authority Board member" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/SrPVhci via IFTTT

Further to the news this week that four hen harrier chicks were stamped to death in their nest on an unnamed grouse moor inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park (see here), the Yorkshire Dales Bird of Prey ‘partnership’ has published the following statement: The Yorkshire Dales Bird of Prey Partnership is shocked to hear of … Continue reading "Yorkshire Dales Bird of Prey ‘partnership’ responds to news of hen harriers stamped to death in nest" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/WNmE3PM

Further to the news this week that four hen harrier chicks were stamped to death in their nest on an unnamed grouse moor inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park (see here), the Yorkshire Dales Bird of Prey ‘partnership’ has published the following statement: The Yorkshire Dales Bird of Prey Partnership is shocked to hear of … Continue reading "Yorkshire Dales Bird of Prey ‘partnership’ responds to news of hen harriers stamped to death in nest" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/e2QO3AC via IFTTT

A man has been fined more than £1000 after a joint investigation by Rural Crime teams uncovered messages which showed him bragging and admitting to the illegal hunting of foxes. The investigation saw John Oliver Finnegan, aged 37 and of Northwich in Cheshire, plead guilty at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court on 6th December 2022 to hunting a wild mammal with dogs. Finnegan, who was the Huntsman for a group based in Leicestershire, gave the guilty plea on the first day of a trial and was ordered to pay £1331 within 28 days after being convicted under the Hunting Act of 2004. On the afternoon of Friday 7 January, police were contacted as local hunt monitors had seen a group illegally hunting on land in the village of Hartpury. The group were filmed on a digital camcorder and this showed Finnegan taking a number of hounds into woodland whilst the rest of the hunt stayed around the perimeter. The hounds were then seen running out of the woodland while loudly and aggressively barking....

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 … Continue reading "77 hen harriers confirmed ‘missing’ or illegally killed in UK since 2018, most of them on or close to grouse moors" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/ypKIfdm

North Yorkshire Police has issued the following appeal for information this morning: Hen harrier nest investigation – police appeal for information North Yorkshire Police suspect that a nest of Hen Harrier chicks, found dead earlier this year, was deliberately destroyed by human activity, and are calling for anyone with information to come forward. The Hen … Continue reading "Hen harrier chicks stamped to death in nest on grouse moor in Yorkshire Dales National Park" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/ZkeuqMB

Press release from Suffolk Constabulary (13th December 2022): Helping peregrine back into the wild A peregrine falcon that had been unlawfully taken from a nest and located by Suffolk Police has now been released back in the wild. The protected bird of prey was looked after by wildlife expert Peter Merchant, who was contacted by … Continue reading "Stolen peregrine rehabbed and released back to the wild in Suffolk" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/ujXEv8H

RSPB Scotland has published a blog about the importance of contributing to the Scottish Government’s consultation on grouse moor reform. The blog can be found here and is reproduced below: The Scottish Government’s Wildlife Management (Grouse) Bill consultation closes tomorrow. Duncan Orr-Ewing, our Head of Species and Land Management explains why we must make sure … Continue reading "‘Golden opportunity to tackle bird of prey killings & stop peatland burning in Scotland’ – RSPB blog on grouse moor licensing" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/batsvoN

RSPB Scotland has published a blog about the importance of contributing to the Scottish Government’s consultation on grouse moor reform. The blog can be found here and is reproduced below: The Scottish Government’s Wildlife Management (Grouse) Bill consultation closes tomorrow. Duncan Orr-Ewing, our Head of Species and Land Management explains why we must make sure … Continue reading "‘Golden opportunity to tackle bird of prey killings & stop peatland burning in Scotland’ – RSPB blog on grouse moor licensing" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/RICmTGb via IFTTT

In October this year, the Scottish Government finally launched a consultation seeking the public’s views on its plans for grouse moor reform. Proposals under the Wildlife Management (Grouse) Bill include provisions to introduce a licensing scheme for grouse shoots, muirburn licensing and increased regulation on the use of traps used to kill so-called ‘pest’ species on grouse moors. … Continue reading "Don’t laugh, but here is the grouse-shooters’ consultation response to licensing" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/7sqh149

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has granted a controversial licence permitting Moy Estate gamekeepers, and others from the Three Straths Fox Control Association, to hunt and kill foxes on Scotland’s national forest estate, partly for the benefit of privately-owned grouse shooting estates, including Moy Estate. This is the same Moy Estate that has been at … Continue reading "Forestry and Land Scotland issues controversial licence permitting Moy Estate gamekeepers to hunt foxes in public forests" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/TkWgdFb

In October this year, the Scottish Government finally launched a consultation seeking the public’s views on its plans for grouse moor reform. The consultation closes on Wednesday 14th December 2022, so this is your final chance to provide your views on what is being proposed. Proposals under the Wildlife Management (Grouse) Bill include plans to … Continue reading "Last chance to have your say on Scottish Government’s consultation on grouse moor reform" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2pQnuiL

A couple of weeks ago the RSPB published its latest annual Birdcrime report (2021), which showed that England had the second-highest record of raptor crimes since recording began (see here). It was noted that yet again, over two thirds (71%) of all confirmed incidents of raptor persecution took place on land managed for gamebird shooting, … Continue reading "Another DEFRA Minister pretends to be tackling high levels of raptor persecution" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/1HVEGr5

A couple of weeks ago the RSPB published its latest annual Birdcrime report (2021), which showed that England had the second-highest record of raptor crimes since recording began (see here). It was noted that yet again, over two thirds (71%) of all confirmed incidents of raptor persecution took place on land managed for gamebird shooting, … Continue reading "Another DEFRA Minister pretends to be tackling high levels of raptor persecution" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3lLdyQi via IFTTT

Further to yesterday’s blog about the discovery of a poisoned Red Kite, found in close proximity to a poisoned bait (a Lapwing) on Dava Moor in May 2021 (see here), there has been a development. In yesterday’s blog I mentioned that I was curious about why, 19 months after the crime was discovered, there hadn’t … Continue reading "General licence restriction to be considered on grouse moor where poisoned red kite & bait found" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/yvUGJRj via IFTTT

Further to yesterday’s blog about the discovery of a poisoned Red Kite, found in close proximity to a poisoned bait (a Lapwing) on Dava Moor in May 2021 (see here), there has been a development. In yesterday’s blog I mentioned that I was curious about why, 19 months after the crime was discovered, there hadn’t … Continue reading "General licence restriction to be considered on grouse moor where poisoned red kite & bait found" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/0qrhxlO

A young satellite-tagged Red Kite has been found poisoned on a Scottish grouse moor, lying next to a poisoned bait, in this case, a Lapwing, whose corpse had been cut open to entice any passing predator and to allow for easy access to the poison. This gruesome discovery was made by a member of the … Continue reading "Red kite poisoned on grouse moor -Police Scotland withhold information" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/8wZynUb

A young satellite-tagged Red Kite has been found poisoned on a Scottish grouse moor, lying next to a poisoned bait, in this case, a Lapwing, whose corpse had been cut open to entice any passing predator and to allow for easy access to the poison. This gruesome discovery was made by a member of the … Continue reading "Red kite poisoned on grouse moor -Police Scotland withhold information" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/iG6swWy via IFTTT

Press release from Wildlife & Countryside LINK (29th November 2022): Record high wildlife crime levels could be worsened by new Government law, warn wildlife campaigners *Figures collected annually by nature organisations reveal that wildlife crime rates remained stubbornly high in 2021, following record highs in 2020 *Convictions for most wildlife crime types rose in 2021 … Continue reading "Record high wildlife crime levels could be worsened by new legislation, warn wildlife campaigners" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/Y1w52W7

Back in September, Scottish Environment Minister Mairi McAllan was taken to visit a grouse moor in the notorious Strathbraan area of Perthshire. Regular blog readers will know that Strathbraan is dominated by a number of estates with driven grouse moors and the area has been identified in a Government-commissioned report as being a hotspot for raptor persecution, … Continue reading "Scottish Environment Minister visits grouse moor in Strathbraan where two golden eagles ‘disappeared’ in suspicious circumstances" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/SXZotda

Back in September, Scottish Environment Minister Mairi McAllan was taken to visit a grouse moor in the notorious Strathbraan area of Perthshire. Regular blog readers will know that Strathbraan is dominated by a number of estates with driven grouse moors and the area has been identified in a Government-commissioned report as being a hotspot for raptor persecution, … Continue reading "Scottish Environment Minister visits grouse moor in Strathbraan where two golden eagles ‘disappeared’ in suspicious circumstances" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/7kUILjO via IFTTT

The avian flu epidemic continues to sweep across the UK and is expected to increase as we head into winter, according to the UK’s Health Security Agency. The situation is so bad that on 7th November 2022, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone was implemented across the UK, which means that it is currently a legal … Continue reading "Private Eye highlights DEFRA’s inaction on gamebirds in midst of avian flu epidemic" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/6AW39bM

A dead buzzard has been found hanging from a tree in County Down. The bird was discovered last Saturday (19th November 2022) in woodland near Clandeboye on the Ulster Way by independent unionist Alex Easton MLA, who was walking his dog. He notified the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) who sent out a forensic … Continue reading "Dead buzzard found hanging from a tree in County Down" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/CfDgtM6

A dead buzzard has been found hanging from a tree in County Down. The bird was discovered last Saturday (19th November 2022) in woodland near Clandeboye on the Ulster Way by independent unionist Alex Easton MLA, who was walking his dog. He notified the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) who sent out a forensic … Continue reading "Dead buzzard found hanging from a tree in County Down" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/ALBtvNF via IFTTT

Last week the RSPB published its latest annual Birdcrime report covering the period Jan – Dec 2021. The headlines from this rigorously-compiled data can be summarised as follows: The RSPB published two press releases about the report – one covering the crimes in England (here) and one covering the crimes in Scotland (here). In 2021, … Continue reading "RSPB’s 2021 Birdcrime report reveals second-highest figure on record" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/9HDCq2G

RSPB Scotland, co-sponsored by NatureScot, hosted the annual Nature of Scotland Awards on Thursday evening, giving recognition to some of the best people working in nature conservation in Scotland. HUGE congratulations to Scottish Raptor Study Group member Dave Anderson, who deservedly scooped the RSPB Species Champion Award! This award is ‘to recognise someone who has achieved … Continue reading "Leading Scottish raptor researcher wins national award" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/E7p9Z8b

Unfortunately, the People’s Walk for Wildlife 2, organised by Chris Packham and due to take place on 27th November 2022, has had to be postponed due to the impact of rail strikes. Please note, the event hasn’t been cancelled, just postponed, and will return in Spring 2023 with the ongoing support of many of the … Continue reading "People’s Walk for Wildlife 2: postponed until spring 2023" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/1m6qTwI

The People’s Walk for Wildlife is back! Following on from a successful Walk for Wildlife in 2018 (here), Chris Packham is organising The People’s Walk for Wildlife 2, which will take place in London on Sunday 27th November 2022. Here’s a video message from Chris, explaining why this event is taking place and some details … Continue reading "People’s Walk for Wildlife #2: London, Sunday 27th November 2022" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/dibyh1P

A court hearing has been delayed once again in the case of a Scottish gamekeeper accused of killing a sparrowhawk. [Sparrowhawk photo by Markus Varesvuo] The un-named 22-year-old gamekeeper was charged in September 2021 (see here) for the alleged killing on a grouse moor in Inverness-shire and he was due in court on 30th September 2022. … Continue reading "Court hearing delayed again for Scottish gamekeeper accused of killing sparrowhawk on grouse moor" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/zlAmp7t

A court hearing has been delayed once again in the case of a Scottish gamekeeper accused of killing a sparrowhawk. [Sparrowhawk photo by Markus Varesvuo] The un-named 22-year-old gamekeeper was charged in September 2021 (see here) for the alleged killing on a grouse moor in Inverness-shire and he was due in court on 30th September 2022. … Continue reading "Court hearing delayed again for Scottish gamekeeper accused of killing sparrowhawk on grouse moor" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/e0mAOqB via IFTTT

I’ve been meaning to write about this for a while but it kept slipping down the list. However, it’s timely to write it now because I’ll be focusing some attention on Strathbraan in some forthcoming blogs. In November last year, RSPB Scotland published a blog about the Werritty Review of grouse moor management and how … Continue reading "Ravens illegally shot on two Strathbraan grouse moors" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/EQW4YyM

I’ve been meaning to write about this for a while but it kept slipping down the list. However, it’s timely to write it now because I’ll be focusing some attention on Strathbraan in some forthcoming blogs. In November last year, RSPB Scotland published a blog about the Werritty Review of grouse moor management and how … Continue reading "Ravens illegally shot on two Strathbraan grouse moors" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/qAadC7K via IFTTT

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 … Continue reading "73 hen harriers confirmed ‘missing’ or illegally killed in UK since 2018, most of them on or close to grouse moors" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/M1WoT8C

Durham Constabulary have reported the suspicious disappearance of a young satellite-tagged hen harrier called ‘Sia’. [‘Sia’ after being satellite-tagged in southern Scotland earlier this year. The tag was sponsored by the Lothian & Borders Raptor Study Group] This is the press statement issued yesterday (4th November 2022): Officers team up with partners in search for … Continue reading "Yet another satellite-tagged hen harrier ‘disappears’ in suspicious circumstances in the North Pennines" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/GfltInY

Durham Constabulary have reported the suspicious disappearance of a young satellite-tagged hen harrier called ‘Sia’. [‘Sia’ after being satellite-tagged in southern Scotland earlier this year. The tag was sponsored by the Lothian & Borders Raptor Study Group] This is the press statement issued yesterday (4th November 2022): Officers team up with partners in search for … Continue reading "Yet another satellite-tagged hen harrier ‘disappears’ in suspicious circumstances in the North Pennines" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/JM7zgwL via IFTTT

Last month, Norfolk gamekeeper Matthew Stroud, 46, of Fengate in Weeting was convicted of multiple offences including: [Photo of gamekeeper Matthew Stroud and one of the six buzzards he shot and killed. Photo via Eastern Daily Press] Even though Stroud’s crimes easily passed the threshold for a custodial sentence, he received a 12-month Community Order … Continue reading "RSPB Investigations Officer reflects on conviction of Norfolk raptor-killing gamekeeper Matthew Stroud" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/kCFbXcv

An article in today’s Daily Record reports that Rhys Davies, the Millden Estate gamekeeper jailed earlier this year for his involvement in depraved badger-baiting crimes (see here), had ‘formed a close bond’ with another animal-fighting sadist, Anthony Holloway. [Convicted Millden Estate gamekeeper Rhys Davies] According to today’s article, Holloway, 30, who is described as ‘a … Continue reading "Convicted Millden Estate gamekeeper Rhys Davies had ‘formed a close bond’ with another animal-fighting sadist" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/N09f8y4

An article in today’s Daily Record reports that Rhys Davies, the Millden Estate gamekeeper jailed earlier this year for his involvement in depraved badger-baiting crimes (see here), had ‘formed a close bond’ with another animal-fighting sadist, Anthony Holloway. [Convicted Millden Estate gamekeeper Rhys Davies] According to today’s article, Holloway, 30, who is described as ‘a … Continue reading "Convicted Millden Estate gamekeeper Rhys Davies had ‘formed a close bond’ with another animal-fighting sadist" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/XsxuHFw via IFTTT

Last week news emerged that Scottish Government agency Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS, formerly known as Forestry Commission Scotland) was in the process of purchasing a large grouse-shooting estate in the Angus Glens, Glenprosen Estate for the estimated sum of £25 million (e.g. news reports here and here). Mainstream media focused on the reported secrecy … Continue reading "Caution needed over apparent ‘biodiversity benefits’ from sale of Glenprosen Estate in Angus Glens" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/pGZU9y6

A number of blog readers sent me links about the conviction of a former gamekeeper who was jailed on Friday for depraved animal fighting cruelty. Luke Rix, 32, of Gilks Lane, Oxhill, Warwickshire, was jailed for 18 weeks and banned from keeping dogs for ten years after video evidence was found of him stabbing a … Continue reading "Another (former) gamekeeper jailed for depraved animal fighting cruelty" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/h3GFODs

REVIVE coalition partners OneKind and the League Against Cruel Sports are joining forces with Scottish Badgers today for a demonstration at the Scottish Parliament, calling for a ban on snares and a real ban on foxhunting. OneKind had planned to host a demonstration against snaring in September (here) but the event was postponed after the … Continue reading "March for the Foxes, in Edinburgh today" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/ACfo0lL

  Two men were caught illegally digging at an active badger sett near Wrexham. A member of the public alerted the police after spotting them on land at Cross Lanes on 30 August 2021. One of the men was lying on his stomach in a large rectangular hole which had been dug into a bank. Two quad bikes – one of which had a box attached with a terrier-type dog called Rosie inside – were also found at the scene. Jamie Barnes of Caernarvon Place, Beeston, Nottingham and Ben Davies of Cwm Mawr, Belan, Welshpool, had both denied one offence contrary to the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, but were found guilty at a trial in August 2021. Appearing at Wrexham Magistrates Court last Tuesday (18 October 2022), both men were fined £1,000 and each ordered to pay costs of £600, following a prosecution brought by the RSPCA. The court heard how the men thought the sett wasn’t active, despite the fact there were three access tunnels into it with clear badger trails leading in and out, small h...

Following on from yesterday’s news that the Scottish Government has finally launched a public consultation on its proposed grouse moor licensing scheme in an attempt to address the ongoing issue of illegal raptor persecution, amongst other things (here), the grouse shooting lobby is quietly seething in response. A joint statement has been issued by the … Continue reading "Grouse shooting lobby quietly seething over proposed licensing scheme" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/evZAutP

Further to the news today that the Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on its proposals for a grouse-shooting licensing scheme (here), REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform, has cautiously welcomed the proposals. The statement, published on REVIVE’s website (here) notes that ‘the consultation is the start of a process which will significantly … Continue reading "REVIVE coalition cautiously welcomes Scot Gov’s consultation on grouse moor licensing" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/6tBfjx3

Further to the news today that the Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on its proposals for a grouse-shooting licensing scheme (here), REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform, has cautiously welcomed the proposals. The statement, published on REVIVE’s website (here) notes that ‘the consultation is the start of a process which will significantly … Continue reading "REVIVE coalition cautiously welcomes Scot Gov’s consultation on grouse moor licensing" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/8NJwFkn via IFTTT

Today, the Scottish Government has launched a public consultation as the start of its commitment to introduce a licensing scheme for grouse moor management, following the publication of the Werritty Review in 2019, which was commissioned in 2017 after unequivocal evidence was published of the on-going illegal killing of golden eagles on some Scottish grouse … Continue reading "Grouse moor management in Scotland: Government launches public consultation" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/cKjMYlX

Today, the Scottish Government has launched a public consultation as the start of its commitment to introduce a licensing scheme for grouse moor management, following the publication of the Werritty Review in 2019, which was commissioned in 2017 after unequivocal evidence was published of the on-going illegal killing of golden eagles on some Scottish grouse … Continue reading "Grouse moor management in Scotland: Government launches public consultation" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/mYKQ30g via IFTTT

A Weeting gamekeeper admitted shooting and poisoning several birds of prey. Matthew Stroud, age 46, of Fengate in Weeting, appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 5 October 2022 and admitted: Six counts of killing a Common Buzzard Three counts of using poisoned bait One count of intentionally killing a Northern Goshawk One count of possessing a regulated substance – Strychnine Hydrochloride – without a licence One count of possessing 4 shotguns to kill a Schedule 1 wild bird One count of releasing 3,400 Common Pheasants into the wild One count of incorrectly storing a biocidal product – Rentokil Phostoxin He received a 12-month Community Order and was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work, fined £692 and ordered to pay costs of £145, compensation of £288.72 and a victim surcharge of £95. The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all Stroud’s firearms, mobile phones and any chemicals. The court heard how the investigation started when RSPB off...

21st October 2022: A Cwmbran man has been ordered to pay a total of £279 after being caught fishing on a private stretch of the River Wye without permission or a valid rod licence. In a joint operation between Natural Resources Wales and Gwent Police, Kyle Moses, of Summerhill, Cwmbran, was seen by officers fishing on a private stretch of the river known as ‘The Dukes Water’ near the Duke of Beaufort Bridge at Wyesham, Monmouth, on 19 May. When questioned, Mr Moses initially told the officers that he had a rod licence but after being informed that checks would be carried out, he admitted this was not the case. The officers also found that Mr Moses was using an illegal treble barbed hook, commonly used when fishing for salmon, which is banned on all Welsh rivers. Mr Moses told the officers he was fishing for trout, but they noted that the method he was using was more suited to salmon fishing. The privately-owned Dukes Water fishery is a well-known salmon pool and Mr Moses admitted...

I attended the UK Wildlife Crime Conference over the weekend, where law enforcers, statutory agencies and NGOs gather to hear the latest views, approaches, successes and challenges of combating wildlife crime in the UK.  A feature of this annual event is the WWF-sponsored awards given to those whose work deserves national recognition. This year, I … Continue reading "Raptor persecution crime fighters win national awards" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/pwUkqHg

A legal challenge by conservation group Wild Justice has secured significant changes to General Licences issued for bird killing in Northern Ireland. Last year, Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) was forced by Wild Justice to revoke its General Licences as they were unlawful. Interim licences have been in place since … Continue reading "Wild Justice legal challenge secures significant changes to General Licences in Northern Ireland" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/qPM9lrd

The RSPB has announced it is to call for further regulation of gamebird shooting and wants better enforcement of existing rules. The announcement was made at its AGM on 15th October 2022 and follows on from an internal review process first initiated in October 2019 (e.g. see here, here, here and here). The ‘announcement’ itself … Continue reading "RSPB calls for further regulation of gamebird shooting & better enforcement of existing rules" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/12FYWa8

There was a good column in The Scotsman yesterday, written by Dr Richard Dixon, a campaigner and consultant with 30 years of environmental campaigning experience, including as Director of both Friends of the Earth Scotland and WWF Scotland. It’s reproduced here: ‘We are in a Climate Emergency. The recent reports from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel … Continue reading "Management of Scottish grouse moors ‘must change radically’ to cut emissions from peatlands – Dr Richard Dixon" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/w5C6b0i

Last week I wrote about how REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform, had held a successful fringe event at the SNP’s annual conference (here). REVIVE was also at the Scottish Green’s conference, receiving an equal amount of support from delegates and the Minister. There’s now a write-up on the REVIVE website about both these … Continue reading "REVIVE coalition for grouse moor reform well received by SNP & Scottish Greens conferences" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/atbwV69

Yesterday the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds. As of midday on 17th October, it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict … Continue reading "Will avian flu restrictions result in even more mass dumping of shot gamebirds?" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/phFUsrf

Yesterday the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across Great Britain to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading amongst poultry and captive birds. As of midday on 17th October, it is now a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Great Britain to follow strict … Continue reading "Will avian flu restrictions result in even more mass dumping of shot gamebirds?" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/lFheQtY via IFTTT

You may recall, back in August 2022, the Countryside Alliance launched its latest vindictive attack on Chris Packham and set up yet another petition calling for him to be gagged or sacked by the BBC; the latest move in a long-running and obsessive hate campaign against Chris by this bloodsport’s lobby group. The latest attack … Continue reading "Public support for Chris Packham overwhelms Countryside Alliance’s latest vindictive attack" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/52E9I8G

You may recall, back in August 2022, the Countryside Alliance launched its latest vindictive attack on Chris Packham and set up yet another petition calling for him to be gagged or sacked by the BBC; the latest move in a long-running and obsessive hate campaign against Chris by this bloodsport’s lobby group. The latest attack … Continue reading "Public support for Chris Packham overwhelms Countryside Alliance’s latest vindictive attack" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/B4OFfoL via IFTTT

REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform hosted another successful fringe event at the SNP’s Annual National Conference over the weekend, where the discussion centred on land reform and grouse moors. Panellists included Scottish Environment Minister Màiri McAllan, Max Wiszniewski (Campaign Manager at REVIVE), Amanda Burgauer (Executive Director of Common Weal), Robbie Marsland (Director of … Continue reading "Environment Minister speaks at SNP fringe event hosted by REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/GrxJBVy

For anyone who wants to learn more about the life history and ecology of the hen harrier, but has been put off by dry, academic scripts, this is the book for you. Ian Carter has done a wonderful job of assimilating the scientific knowledge about the hen harrier and presenting it in such an engaging … Continue reading "Book review: The Hen Harrier’s Year by Ian Carter & Dan Powell" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/6u1TNjU via IFTTT

For anyone who wants to learn more about the life history and ecology of the hen harrier, but has been put off by dry, academic scripts, this is the book for you. Ian Carter has done a wonderful job of assimilating the scientific knowledge about the hen harrier and presenting it in such an engaging … Continue reading "Book review: The Hen Harrier’s Year by Ian Carter & Dan Powell" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/QtcREwL

Hot on the heels of a multi-agency raid in Lincolnshire earlier this week in relation to the suspected poisoning of three birds of prey (here), news has emerged that ANOTHER multi-agency raid took place on Friday 7th October, this time in Shropshire. The team included police officers from the Shropshire Rural Crime & Wildlife Team, … Continue reading "Multi-agency raid in Shropshire after suspected persecution of birds of prey" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/NZiqIEe via IFTTT

Hot on the heels of a multi-agency raid in Lincolnshire earlier this week in relation to the suspected poisoning of three birds of prey (here), news has emerged that ANOTHER multi-agency raid took place on Friday 7th October, this time in Shropshire. The team included police officers from the Shropshire Rural Crime & Wildlife Team, … Continue reading "Multi-agency raid in Shropshire after suspected persecution of birds of prey" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/I7R2LTS

Press release from Lincolnshire Police (6th October 2022): Bird of prey poisoned, Horncastle Our Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) are investigating the suspected poisoning of three birds of prey in the Belchford area of Horncastle.  On 4 October, the team conducted multi agency searches in the area along with officers from the National Wildlife Crime … Continue reading "Multi-agency raid in Lincolnshire after suspected poisoning of three birds of prey" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/f5NEpJt

Press release from Lincolnshire Police (6th October 2022): Bird of prey poisoned, Horncastle Our Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) are investigating the suspected poisoning of three birds of prey in the Belchford area of Horncastle.  On 4 October, the team conducted multi agency searches in the area along with officers from the National Wildlife Crime … Continue reading "Multi-agency raid in Lincolnshire after suspected poisoning of three birds of prey" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/DBVajrR via IFTTT

Following yesterday’s news that 46-year-old gamekeeper Matthew Stroud had been convicted, amongst other things, of shooting and poisoning at least five buzzards and a goshawk on a pheasant shoot in Norfolk (see here), Norfolk Constabulary has issued a press statement which provides a bit more detail about the case. [One the buzzards that gamekeeper Matthew … Continue reading "Conviction of gamekeeper Matthew Stroud: statement from Norfolk Constabulary" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/vmlQEP5 via IFTTT

Following yesterday’s news that 46-year-old gamekeeper Matthew Stroud had been convicted, amongst other things, of shooting and poisoning at least five buzzards and a goshawk on a pheasant shoot in Norfolk (see here), Norfolk Constabulary has issued a press statement which provides a bit more detail about the case. [One the buzzards that gamekeeper Matthew … Continue reading "Conviction of gamekeeper Matthew Stroud: statement from Norfolk Constabulary" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/twq43hV

Press release from the RSPB today (5th October 2022): Gamekeeper escapes jail after killing birds of prey *Six buzzards and a goshawk were found illegally killed on a gamebird shoot near Thetford, along with lethal poison baits. *Gamekeeper Matthew Stroud pleads guilty to multiple offences *The RSPB is increasingly concerned about raptor persecution linked to … Continue reading "Norfolk gamekeeper convicted after shooting & poisoning multiple birds of prey" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/UlKGRvY

Press release from the RSPB today (5th October 2022): Gamekeeper escapes jail after killing birds of prey *Six buzzards and a goshawk were found illegally killed on a gamebird shoot near Thetford, along with lethal poison baits. *Gamekeeper Matthew Stroud pleads guilty to multiple offences *The RSPB is increasingly concerned about raptor persecution linked to … Continue reading "Norfolk gamekeeper convicted after shooting & poisoning multiple birds of prey" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/CzHW6V5 via IFTTT

Many thanks to several blog readers who attended Leadhills Estate’s ‘Information Day‘ yesterday and sent reports. [Grouse moor on Leadhills Estate. Photo by Ruth Tingay] A number of people have told me that the rumours about the sale of the estate and/or the estate’s shooting rights were ‘categorically denied’ by Lord Andrew Hopetoun himself. Hmm. … Continue reading "Leadhills Estate ‘information day’ – an update" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/4LZJ6j1

Many thanks to several blog readers who attended Leadhills Estate’s ‘Information Day‘ yesterday and sent reports. [Grouse moor on Leadhills Estate. Photo by Ruth Tingay] A number of people have told me that the rumours about the sale of the estate and/or the estate’s shooting rights were ‘categorically denied’ by Lord Andrew Hopetoun himself. Hmm. … Continue reading "Leadhills Estate ‘information day’ – an update" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/Xph2i0U via IFTTT

Rumours have been circulating for several weeks that ‘something’ is going on at Leadhills Estate in South Lanarkshire. This estate, currently serving TWO General Licence restrictions after police found ‘clear evidence’ of wildlife crime (see here and here), has featured on this blog for years. The rumours suggest that either the estate has been sold … Continue reading "Something afoot at Leadhills Estate?" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/rkLln7V

The BBC’s Landward programme last week included a six minute feature on goshawk monitoring in the Scottish highlands. Presenter Rosie Morton accompanied Dave Pierce and Brian Etheridge, two long-standing members of the Highland Raptor Study Group, to a goshawk nest to ring three chicks. The programme is available on the BBC iPlayer (here) for 11 … Continue reading "Goshawk monitoring in Scottish highlands features on BBC Landward" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/xHfbTEF

The BBC’s Landward programme last week included a six minute feature on goshawk monitoring in the Scottish highlands. Presenter Rosie Morton accompanied Dave Pierce and Brian Etheridge, two long-standing members of the Highland Raptor Study Group, to a goshawk nest to ring three chicks. The programme is available on the BBC iPlayer (here) for 11 … Continue reading "Goshawk monitoring in Scottish highlands features on BBC Landward" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/bjtF1Hh via IFTTT

In the last blog post where I wrote about the nine shot birds of prey found wrapped in bags on Millden Estate and just over the estate boundary, I included a quote from Tim Baynes of Scottish Land & Estates, who had written the following in a comment piece for The Field, published in August … Continue reading "Scottish Land & Estates still refusing to acknowledge extent of raptor persecution on grouse moors" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/AqCc23Y

A man has been arrested after a large collection of sperm whale teeth was seized. IMAGE SOURCE: TVP Thames Valley Police said the 49-year-old from Grove, Oxfordshire, was arrested “on suspicion of offering for sale a specimen of an endangered species, namely whale teeth”. The force’s rural crime taskforce said the ivory teeth were worth about £18,350. The man has since been released under investigation. The police operation was supported by the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit. Sperm whales are protected by UK wildlife legislation. However, they still face a significant conservation threat as they continue to be commercially targeted for their ivory. Source: BBC The post Sperm whale teeth seized and Oxford man arrested first appeared on National Wildlife Crime Unit | NWCU . source https://www.nwcu.police.uk/news/wildlife-crime-press-coverage/sperm-whale-teeth-seized-and-oxford-man-arrested/

News has emerged that a total of nine birds of prey (eight buzzards and a sparrowhawk) have been found shot dead and dumped in bags in the Angus Glens. We already knew about three of those shot buzzards (see here and here). They were found in bags outside two gamekeeper’s residences during a joint Scottish … Continue reading "Nine raptors found shot & dumped in bags outside gamekeeper’s houses on Millden Estate and at the nearby River Esk in the Angus Glens" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/Uv9kKOM

Earlier this month animal welfare charity and REVIVE coalition partner, OneKind, along with the charity Scottish Badgers, had planned to host a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament calling for a complete ban on the manufacture, sale and use of snares. However, the event was postponed following the death of the Queen. A new date has … Continue reading "New date for anti-snare demo at Scottish Parliament" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/f51JlTb

Earlier this month animal welfare charity and REVIVE coalition partner, OneKind, along with the charity Scottish Badgers, had planned to host a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament calling for a complete ban on the manufacture, sale and use of snares. However, the event was postponed following the death of the Queen. A new date has … Continue reading "New date for anti-snare demo at Scottish Parliament" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/grsuyO5 via IFTTT

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is inviting entries for its annual art auction. This year’s theme is Fight for Flight and the Trust is looking for contributions that celebrate UK bird species. Entries can be any type of artwork, from photography to drawing, as long as it fits on an A5 size card (i.e. postcard). Entries close … Continue reading "Entries invited for art auction – proceeds to help support peregrine nest protection in Derbyshire" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/e3xyotC via IFTTT

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is inviting entries for its annual art auction. This year’s theme is Fight for Flight and the Trust is looking for contributions that celebrate UK bird species. Entries can be any type of artwork, from photography to drawing, as long as it fits on an A5 size card. Entries close on 31st … Continue reading "Entries invited for art auction – proceeds to help support peregrine nest protection in Derbyshire" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/59LAMgh

Natural England has launched an eight-week public consultation as it reviews its position on the licensing of falconers permitting them to remove [unspecified] raptors from the wild for falconry/captive breeding programmes. The call for evidence was announced last week (see here) and although the online notice is illustrated with a peregrine falcon, I’m somewhat alarmed … Continue reading "Public consultation on the issue of ‘wild take’ of English raptors for falconry" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/EgtsyeN

Natural England has launched an eight-week public consultation as it reviews its position on the licensing of falconers permitting them to remove [unspecified] raptors from the wild for falconry/captive breeding programmes. The call for evidence was announced last week (see here) and although the online notice is illustrated with a peregrine falcon, I’m somewhat alarmed … Continue reading "Public consultation on the issue of ‘wild take’ of English raptors for falconry" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/dzMCGR4 via IFTTT

The BBC News website published an article a few days ago about the proposed reintroduction of white-tailed eagles to Cumbria. The article was based on a recent BBC radio interview with Dr Alex Dittrich from the University of Cumbria who is reportedly involved with the project. This project is in its infancy, with an initial … Continue reading "Feasibility study for proposed reintroduction of white-tailed eagles to Cumbria" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/FnauyDI

Pangolin Scales. Credit: A. Roberts, NWCU A Chinese medicine practitioner who admitted to being involved in the illegal trade of endangered wildlife has been sentenced at Northampton Crown Court. Lei Zheng, of Holkham Walk in Corby, was charged with seven counts of selling or keeping endangered species for sale including Pangolin, Musk, Seahorses and four species of plants. On Thursday, September 8, 2022, the 54-year-old pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months in prison – suspended for 21 months – and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. Rural Crime Team officers from Northamptonshire Police and the National Wildlife Crime Unit launched a joint investigation in July 2018, after Zheng was found to be selling illegal Musk products on the internet. It soon became clear that Zheng was running a substantial online business which included the selling of Chinese medicines, which resulted in the execution of search warrants at several addresses. During searches at his ...

  IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES A director of a housebuilding firm has been fined more than £9,000 after a badger sett was damaged during construction work in Aberdeen. Bruce Allan, 57, admitted breaching the Protection of Badgers Act in Milltimber in June last year. He was fined in his capacity as a director of Malcolm Allan Housebuilders after allowing work to dig and level the land in question to proceed. Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard there was no evidence that any badgers died. The court heard that a badger protection plan had been available and a local resident also highlighted the location of the sett, but an access route was constructed. This was when the damage was caused. Allan, from Kintore, Aberdeenshire, had admitted the charge last week and the case was continued for sentencing. On Tuesday 20th September 2022, Sheriff Lesley Johnston described proceeding with the work as “reckless”. The sheriff said she had been told Allan regre...

REVIVE Coalition partner OneKind, the animal welfare charity, is hosting a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament on Saturday 17th September, from 11.30am to 1pm, calling for a complete ban on the manufacture, sale and use of snares in Scotland. Thousands of snares are deployed on game-shooting estates every year, which maim and kill animals in … Continue reading "Consign snares to the history books: a demo outside the Scottish Parliament" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/tVsBM6h

Press release from South Scotland Golden Eagle Project (8th September 2022): Pioneering conservation project reveals new record number of golden eagles soaring in southern Scottish skies ahead of UK’s only golden eagle festival As part of a series of ground-breaking translocations to reverse the decline in numbers of golden eagles in the south of Scotland, … Continue reading "More golden eagles released in South Scotland" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/A4q8aio

Essex Police’s Rural, Wildlife & Heritage Crime Team is appealing for information after a red kite was reportedly found shot in Stapleford Abbots in the Epping Forest. The kite was found on 3rd September 2022 and is currently undergoing veterinary treatment for what are believed to be shotgun injuries. [Red kite photo by Javier Alonso … Continue reading "Red kite reported shot in Essex – Police appeal for information" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/6h8Dpgc

Essex Police’s Rural, Wildlife & Heritage Crime Team is appealing for information after a red kite was reportedly found shot in Stapleford Abbots in the Epping Forest. The kite was found on 3rd September 2022 and is currently undergoing veterinary treatment for what are believed to be shotgun injuries. [Red kite photo by Javier Alonso … Continue reading "Red kite reported shot in Essex – Police appeal for information" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/tuwyeoA via IFTTT