FIRECREST TOURS : Guided Birdwatching & Wildlife Days

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/AP28uz5

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/AP28uz5 via IFTTT

Here we go again. YET ANOTHER satellite-tagged hen harrier has ‘disappeared’ in suspicious circumstances, this time in the Peak District National Park. The unnamed harrier hatched in 2021 and was being tracked by the RSPB. It was reported missing on 10th February 2022. [Hen harrier, photo by Pete Blanchard] South Yorkshire Police have issued the […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/4SmEHTy

Here we go again. YET ANOTHER satellite-tagged hen harrier has ‘disappeared’ in suspicious circumstances, this time in the Peak District National Park. The unnamed harrier hatched in 2021 and was being tracked by the RSPB. It was reported missing on 10th February 2022. [Hen harrier, photo by Pete Blanchard] South Yorkshire Police have issued the […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/4SmEHTy via IFTTT

Two years ago today, nine UK game-shooting organisations made a massive U-turn after years and years and years of defending the use of toxic lead ammunition, and said they wanted to drag the industry into the 21st Century by making a five-year voluntary transition away from lead ammunition (see here). A lot of us were sceptical […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/7JSZ6v5

On 28th October 2021, the corpses of two brood meddled hen harriers (hatched 2021) were found by Natural England staff, collected and submitted for post-mortems. These are the two individuals: Brood meddled male Hen Harrier R2-M2-21, tagged on 20th July 2021 from nest site ‘BM R2 Cumbria’. The date of last contact is given in […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/JCw20rp via IFTTT

On 28th October 2021, the corpses of two brood meddled hen harriers (hatched 2021) were found by Natural England staff, collected and submitted for post-mortems. These are the two individuals: Brood meddled male Hen Harrier R2-M2-21, tagged on 20th July 2021 from nest site ‘BM R2 Cumbria’. The date of last contact is given in […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/JCw20rp

This is a long and sorry saga, and it’s not yet over. As many blog readers will know, 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 an unprecedented TWO General Licence restrictions […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/9gltwfh

This is a long and sorry saga, and it’s not yet over. As many blog readers will know, 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 an unprecedented TWO General Licence restrictions […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/9gltwfh via IFTTT

Ten days ago, following the news (here) that two white-tailed eagles from the Isle of Wight Reintroduction Project had been found dead in suspicious circumstances (one in Dorset, one in Sussex), Dorset Conservative MP Chris Loder published an extraordinary statement on Twitter, whipping up some Victorian anti-eagle hysteria by declaring that ‘Dorset is not the […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/ysFp3AN

Ten days ago, following the news (here) that two white-tailed eagles from the Isle of Wight Reintroduction Project had been found dead in suspicious circumstances (one in Dorset, one in Sussex), Dorset Conservative MP Chris Loder published an extraordinary statement on Twitter, whipping up some Victorian anti-eagle hysteria by declaring that ‘Dorset is not the […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/ysFp3AN via IFTTT

Three people appeared in court last week charged with a number of offences in relation to alleged peregrine theft in the Scottish Borders. Serving police officer WPC Suzanne Hall, 43, part-time gamekeeper Timothy Hall, 46, and their 21-year-old son, Lewis Hall, are accused of breaching The Control of Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Enforcement Regulations […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/8mGWrhL

Mark Ruskell has submitted a couple of timely Parliamentary written questions on General Licence restrictions: These questions are very relevant right now given the recent General Licence restrictions imposed on Lochan Estate in Strathbraan (here) and Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms National Park (here) after evidence of wildlife crime was detected. For new readers, a […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/mhNwOsq

Mark Ruskell has submitted a couple of timely Parliamentary written questions on General Licence restrictions: These questions are very relevant right now given the recent General Licence restrictions imposed on Lochan Estate in Strathbraan (here) and Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms National Park (here) after evidence of wildlife crime was detected. For new readers, a […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/mhNwOsq via IFTTT

I’ve got a few blogs to write that were scheduled for last week but the news of the two dead eagles in southern England took priority, so now I’m playing catch-up. Remember those shot pheasants and other assorted species that had been dumped in a lay-by in Angus a week ago (see here and here)? […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/wUlpmRj via IFTTT

I’ve got a few blogs to write that were scheduled for last week but the news of the two dead eagles in southern England took priority, so now I’m playing catch-up. Remember those shot pheasants and other assorted species that had been dumped in a lay-by in Angus a week ago (see here and here)? […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/wUlpmRj

This blog passed another milestone over the weekend, reaching eight million views. Here’s the photograph that I publish every time a new milestone is reached. This is a golden eagle that was found dead on a grouse moor in the Cairngorms National Park in 2006. It had been illegally poisoned. It epitomises everything in its […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/7sIcfUz via IFTTT

This blog passed another milestone over the weekend, reaching eight million views. Here’s the photograph that I publish every time a new milestone is reached. This is a golden eagle that was found dead on a grouse moor in the Cairngorms National Park in 2006. It had been illegally poisoned. It epitomises everything in its […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/7sIcfUz

This is such a weird case and there’s a lot about its progress through the judicial system that I don’t understand and haven’t found anyone yet who can provide a decent explanation. Way back in December 2020 I blogged about the trial at Newport Magistrates Court of a 39-year-old man, Dewi James Price, who had […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/4slmD8Q via IFTTT

This is such a weird case and there’s a lot about its progress through the judicial system that I don’t understand and haven’t found anyone yet who can provide a decent explanation. Way back in December 2020 I blogged about the trial at Newport Magistrates Court of a 39-year-old man, Dewi James Price, who had […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/4slmD8Q

Yesterday, Dorset MP Chris Loder’s Twitter notifications must have been off the scale as hundreds of angry people took him to task for his shocking comments (here) about not wanting Dorset Police to investigate the suspicious death of a white-tailed eagle, found dead on a Dorset shooting estate in January (here). [The dead white-tailed eagle […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/ZhFi86H via IFTTT

Yesterday, Dorset MP Chris Loder’s Twitter notifications must have been off the scale as hundreds of angry people took him to task for his shocking comments (here) about not wanting Dorset Police to investigate the suspicious death of a white-tailed eagle, found dead on a Dorset shooting estate in January (here). [The dead white-tailed eagle […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/ZhFi86H

Further to yesterday’s news that two reintroduced white-tailed eagles have been found dead in suspicious circumstances on game-shooting estates in southern England and that Dorset Police are investigating the circumstances of the one found in Dorset (here), local conservative MP Chris Loder has made an extraordinary statement on Twitter this morning. [The dead white-tailed eagle […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/NmkO3H5

Further to yesterday’s news that two reintroduced white-tailed eagles have been found dead in suspicious circumstances on game-shooting estates in southern England and that Dorset Police are investigating the circumstances of the one found in Dorset (here), local conservative MP Chris Loder has made an extraordinary statement on Twitter this morning. [The dead white-tailed eagle […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/NmkO3H5 via IFTTT

Well it took longer than I expected but it’s happened. Two of the reintroduced white-tailed eagles from the Isle of Wight Project have been found dead in suspicious circumstances on game-shooting estates in southern England. The fact they were discovered during multi-agency searches is a clear indication that criminality is suspected. One was found in […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/jyht5kT via IFTTT

Well it took longer than I expected but it’s happened. Two of the reintroduced white-tailed eagles from the Isle of Wight Project have been found dead in suspicious circumstances on game-shooting estates in southern England. The fact they were discovered during multi-agency searches is a clear indication that criminality is suspected. One was found in […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/jyht5kT

In March last year a dead golden eagle was found face-down on a grouse moor on Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms National Park. It had been ‘deliberately’ poisoned with a banned substance, according to Police Scotland, and two poisoned baits were found close-by (see here). [The poisoned golden eagle, next to a poisoned hare bait. […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/RuteMD8

In March last year a dead golden eagle was found face-down on a grouse moor on Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms National Park. It had been ‘deliberately’ poisoned with a banned substance, according to Police Scotland, and two poisoned baits were found close-by (see here). [The poisoned golden eagle, next to a poisoned hare bait. […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/RuteMD8 via IFTTT

Last week in the House of Lords, Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Sue Hayman), a life peer serving as Shadow Spokesperson for Environment Food & Rural Affairs asked the Rt Hon Lord Richard Benyon (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at DEFRA and a pheasant shoot and grouse moor owner) how the Government intended to take forward […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/gAfz9TC via IFTTT

Last week in the House of Lords, Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Sue Hayman), a life peer serving as Shadow Spokesperson for Environment Food & Rural Affairs asked the Rt Hon Lord Richard Benyon (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at DEFRA and a pheasant shoot and grouse moor owner) how the Government intended to take forward […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/gAfz9TC

North Wales Police Rural Crime Team has posted this photograph on Twitter of a multi-agency raid that took place in Flintshire, North Wales today, involving the police, Welsh Government, National Wildlife Crime Unit and the RSPB’s Investigations Team. There aren’t any further details other than a statement from the police: ‘The use of poisons to […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/Q874Tr0

North Wales Police Rural Crime Team has posted this photograph on Twitter of a multi-agency raid that took place in Flintshire, North Wales today, involving the police, Welsh Government, National Wildlife Crime Unit and the RSPB’s Investigations Team. There aren’t any further details other than a statement from the police: ‘The use of poisons to […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/Q874Tr0 via IFTTT

Yesterday’s blog about the discovery of shot and dumped pheasants (and assorted other species) found in a lay-by in Angus, Scotland (here) caused quite a lot of discussion on social media about whether the carcass pile included woodcock, common snipe and jack snipe. Shooting woodcock for ‘sport’ is highly controversial – this is a UK […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/bXaRlQ9

When is a pheasant considered livestock and when is it considered wildlife? The answer has huge significance in terms of what species gamekeepers are permitted to kill to ‘protect’ their gamebirds using General Licence 42, issued by DEFRA, which authorises the killing of certain bird species to prevent serious damage to ‘livestock’. The answers are […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/ZHSkLQG

When is a pheasant considered livestock and when is it considered wildlife? The answer has huge significance in terms of what species gamekeepers are permitted to kill to ‘protect’ their gamebirds using General Licence 42, issued by DEFRA, which authorises the killing of certain bird species to prevent serious damage to ‘livestock’. The answers are […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/ZHSkLQG via IFTTT

Many thanks to the blog reader who sent in the following photos of dumped pheasants, found in a lay-by on the A94 in Angus, Scotland, yesterday (6th February 2022). If you look closely you’ll see dead pheasants, red-legged partridge, ducks and a pigeon: So yet another dumping incident to add to the long list including Cheshire, […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/Zog3ihA

Many thanks to the blog reader who sent in the following photos of dumped pheasants, found in a lay-by on the A94 in Angus, Scotland, yesterday (6th February 2022). If you look closely you’ll see dead pheasants, red-legged partridge, ducks and a pigeon: So yet another dumping incident to add to the long list including Cheshire, […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/Zog3ihA via IFTTT

Last autumn the RSPB launched an online reporting system for members of the public to document moorland fires (muirburn) to help build a picture of where heather moorland is being set alight as part of so-called grouse moor ‘management’ (see here). [Gamekeepers setting fire to a grouse moor in NE Scotland a few days ago. […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/4t2qygW

An article from Jersey Evening Post, 3rd February 2022 Death of ‘iconic’ bird of prey leads to rat poison warning ISLANDERS should take care when laying rat poison after a marsh harrier was found dead in St Ouen’s Bay, an environmentalist has said. Bob Tompkins said the bird of prey was recently found lying face […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/jFlc4qt

It’s been almost two years since a judge threw out a defamation claim against Andy Wightman and a ludicrous claim for £750,000 damages against him, made by Dr Paul O’Donoghue of Wildcat Haven Enterprises [and Wilder Britain and Lynx UK Trust and various other assorted outfits], who had argued that Andy had published, with malice, […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/FS51aAB

It’s been almost two years since a judge threw out a defamation claim against Andy Wightman and a ludicrous claim for £750,000 damages against him, made by Dr Paul O’Donoghue of Wildcat Haven Enterprises [and Wilder Britain and Lynx UK Trust and various other assorted outfits], who had argued that Andy had published, with malice, […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/FS51aAB via IFTTT

Following on from yesterday’s blog where I wrote about DEFRA Minister Lord Richard Benyon’s wilful blindness when it comes to tackling the illegal killing of birds of prey on gamebird shooting estates (here), there was a further exchange in the House of Lords about gamebird shooting, including several Lords’ unfounded claims that lead-shot gamebirds are […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/kfxc97l

This really won’t come as any surprise to anyone who’s followed this blog for any length of time but god, it’s depressing. Today in the House of Lords the following exchange took place between Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Sue Hayman, a life peer serving as Shadow Spokesperson for Environment Food & Rural Affairs) and the […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/yircFgoQU

This really won’t come as any surprise to anyone who’s followed this blog for any length of time but god, it’s depressing. Today in the House of Lords the following exchange took place between Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Sue Hayman, a life peer serving as Shadow Spokesperson for Environment Food & Rural Affairs) and the […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/yircFgoQU via IFTTT

And so it continues…. Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs have posted the following on Twitter this morning: There was also shocking footage shown on ITV News yesterday of how at least five hunts are breaching the regulations about the disposal of animal carcasses under a ‘Fallen Stock Service’ for farmers. Amongst the horror revealed in covert camera […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/kvi9NbKOa via IFTTT

And so it continues…. Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs have posted the following on Twitter this morning: There was also shocking footage shown on ITV News yesterday of how at least five hunts are breaching the regulations about the disposal of animal carcasses under a ‘Fallen Stock Service’ for farmers. Amongst the horror revealed in covert camera […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/kvi9NbKOa

An advert in this week’s edition of Shooting Times: One of these ‘prestigious game shoots’, advertised here as ‘hugely successful’ appears to be Dyfi Falls, currently under a multi-agency investigation after covert video footage by the League Against Cruel Sports revealed a gamekeeper from Cambrian Birds flinging shot pheasant carcasses down a disused mine shaft […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/boV9HZ2tl

An advert in this week’s edition of Shooting Times: One of these ‘prestigious game shoots’, advertised here as ‘hugely successful’ appears to be Dyfi Falls, currently under a multi-agency investigation after covert video footage by the League Against Cruel Sports revealed a gamekeeper from Cambrian Birds flinging shot pheasant carcasses down a disused mine shaft […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/boV9HZ2tl via IFTTT

The video footage published last week showing a gamekeeper tossing shot pheasants (and what appears to be other unidentified wildlife) down a disused mineshaft after a shooting day was a shocker, on so many levels. If you missed it, here it is again: We know where this took place (Dyfi Falls, mid-Wales) and when it […] from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/J8YzXjBpF via IFTTT

The video footage published last week showing a gamekeeper tossing shot pheasants (and what appears to be other unidentified wildlife) down a disused mineshaft after a shooting day was a shocker, on so many levels. If you missed it, here it is again: We know where this took place (Dyfi Falls, mid-Wales) and when it […] RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/J8YzXjBpF