FIRECREST TOURS : Guided Birdwatching & Wildlife Days

After a long delay and several reminder emails, I’ve finally received a response to my Freedom of Information request from the office of the Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), David Sidwick. If you recall, in early March I’d asked for copies of all correspondence between the PCC and Chris Loder MP in relation to … Continue reading "Email correspondence between Chris Loder MP & Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner re: poisoned eagle" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/hOVfAP0

After a long delay and several reminder emails, I’ve finally received a response to my Freedom of Information request from the office of the Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), David Sidwick. If you recall, in early March I’d asked for copies of all correspondence between the PCC and Chris Loder MP in relation to … Continue reading "Email correspondence between Chris Loder MP & Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner re: poisoned eagle" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/hOVfAP0 via IFTTT

Yet another dead buzzard has been found in North Dorset. Whilst the cause of death has yet to be ascertained (presumably the carcass has been sent for post mortem), yesterday PC Rob Hammond warned the public to keep their dogs on leads to avoid the risk of them coming into contact with potential poisoned baits. … Continue reading "Another dead buzzard in Dorset – Police warn public of suspected poisoned baits" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/fvzQHyi via IFTTT

Yet another dead buzzard has been found in North Dorset. Whilst the cause of death has yet to be ascertained (presumably the carcass has been sent for post mortem), yesterday PC Rob Hammond warned the public to keep their dogs on leads to avoid the risk of them coming into contact with potential poisoned baits. … Continue reading "Another dead buzzard in Dorset – Police warn public of suspected poisoned baits" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/fvzQHyi

Press release from the National Wildlife Crime Unit: Wild birds are nesting and the national campaign to protect them across the UK is underway. Egg thieves will go to any lengths to raid the nests of rare wild birds but Operation EASTER is determined to stop them in their tracks. Operation EASTER was developed in … Continue reading "Operation Easter: UK police target bird egg thieves" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/l1gvKEA

Press release from the National Wildlife Crime Unit: Wild birds are nesting and the national campaign to protect them across the UK is underway. Egg thieves will go to any lengths to raid the nests of rare wild birds but Operation EASTER is determined to stop them in their tracks. Operation EASTER was developed in … Continue reading "Operation Easter: UK police target bird egg thieves" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/l1gvKEA via IFTTT

Right, moving away from this morning’s news about the illegally poisoned white-tailed eagle in Sussex, we’re back on the poisoned white-tailed eagle found dead in Dorset (it’s hard to keep up, I know). This afternoon, Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Sidwick, and Dorset Police Chief Constable Scott Chilton, have both published statements in … Continue reading "Dorset Police Chief Constable and the Police & Crime Commissioner on a futile damage limitation exercise" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/7KRhAaC via IFTTT

Right, moving away from this morning’s news about the illegally poisoned white-tailed eagle in Sussex, we’re back on the poisoned white-tailed eagle found dead in Dorset (it’s hard to keep up, I know). This afternoon, Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Sidwick, and Dorset Police Chief Constable Scott Chilton, have both published statements in … Continue reading "Dorset Police Chief Constable and the Police & Crime Commissioner on a futile damage limitation exercise" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/7KRhAaC

In February this year, I blogged about the suspicious deaths of two white-tailed eagles on two separate game-shooting estates – one in Dorset and the other one rumoured to be in West Sussex (see here). Both eagles were from the Isle of Wight Reintroduction Project – a Government-backed five-year project bringing young sea eagles from … Continue reading "White-tailed eagle poisoned with banned pesticide on a game-shooting estate in West Sussex" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/CzX2kvG via IFTTT

In February this year, I blogged about the suspicious deaths of two white-tailed eagles on two separate game-shooting estates – one in Dorset and the other one rumoured to be in West Sussex (see here). Both eagles were from the Isle of Wight Reintroduction Project – a Government-backed five-year project bringing young sea eagles from … Continue reading "White-tailed eagle poisoned with banned pesticide on a game-shooting estate in West Sussex" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/udBj3Lw

On 4th March I submitted a Freedom of Information request to the office of the Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), Conservative David Sidwick, in relation to Dorset Police’s investigation into the poisoning of a white-tailed eagle that had been found dead on a shooting estate in January 2022 (see here). I asked for copies … Continue reading "The office of the Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner: incompetent or something more sinister?" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/hpxNESn

On 4th March I submitted a Freedom of Information request to the office of the Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), Conservative David Sidwick, in relation to Dorset Police’s investigation into the poisoning of a white-tailed eagle that had been found dead on a shooting estate in January 2022 (see here). I asked for copies … Continue reading "The office of the Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner: incompetent or something more sinister?" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/hpxNESn via IFTTT

Press release from RSPB Scotland: Live camera at RSPB Scotland’s Loch Garten Nature Centre provides viewers with 24/7 goshawk footage Visitors to RSPB Scotland’s Loch Garten Nature Centre have been enjoying live footage of an active goshawk nest within their Abernethy nature reserve. A camera has been installed in a tree adjacent to the nest … Continue reading "Goshawk nest camera streaming live from RSPB’s Abernethy Forest" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/z3JeyHN

Press release from RSPB Scotland: Live camera at RSPB Scotland’s Loch Garten Nature Centre provides viewers with 24/7 goshawk footage Visitors to RSPB Scotland’s Loch Garten Nature Centre have been enjoying live footage of an active goshawk nest within their Abernethy nature reserve. A camera has been installed in a tree adjacent to the nest … Continue reading "Goshawk nest camera streaming live from RSPB’s Abernethy Forest" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/z3JeyHN via IFTTT

Press release from the charity Birds of Poole Harbour: First Osprey breeding attempt in southern Britain for nearly 200 years A pair of Ospreys has laid an egg at a secret nest site in the Poole Harbour area, making it the first nesting attempt in southern Britain in nearly 200 years. The striking bird of … Continue reading "First Osprey breeding attempt in southern Britain for nearly 200 years" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/uLYHtCb

Suffolk Police’s Wildlife & Rural Crime Team posted this photograph on Twitter yesterday and said: ‘With support of RSPB Investigations, National Wildlife Crime Unit, Natural England & colleagues, we carried out some searches today. Raptor persecution is something taken seriously in Suffolk and we’ll continue to target this evil criminality. Help us stamp this out … Continue reading "Police lead another multi-agency raid after more suspected raptor persecution in Suffolk" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/B0whlaS via IFTTT

Suffolk Police’s Wildlife & Rural Crime Team posted this photograph on Twitter yesterday and said: ‘With support of RSPB Investigations, National Wildlife Crime Unit, Natural England & colleagues, we carried out some searches today. Raptor persecution is something taken seriously in Suffolk and we’ll continue to target this evil criminality. Help us stamp this out … Continue reading "Police lead another multi-agency raid after more suspected raptor persecution in Suffolk" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/B0whlaS

If Dorset Police think this issue is going away, they’d better have a re-think. There’s a good article in The Guardian today, discussing the rebranding of Dorset Police’s Wildlife Crime Team, which now excludes the word ‘wildlife’, and the news that the team’s former, award-winning investigator, Claire Dinsdale, has apparently been told that she will … Continue reading "More questions asked about Dorset Police’s mishandling of the poisoned eagle investigation" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/v4aXTWi via IFTTT

If Dorset Police think this issue is going away, they’d better have a re-think. There’s a good article in The Guardian today, discussing the rebranding of Dorset Police’s Wildlife Crime Team, which now excludes the word ‘wildlife’, and the news that the team’s former, award-winning investigator, Claire Dinsdale, has apparently been told that she will … Continue reading "More questions asked about Dorset Police’s mishandling of the poisoned eagle investigation" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/v4aXTWi

Press statement from Police Scotland (21st April 2022) [Photo by Jerome Murray] Appeal for information after buzzard is shot in Fife Officers are appealing for information after a protected bird of prey was found shot in woodland at Mominail, near Ladybank, Fife. The dead buzzard was found by a member of the public in the … Continue reading "Buzzard shot dead in Fife: Police Scotland appeal for information" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/GK1NPO0 via IFTTT

Press statement from Police Scotland (21st April 2022) [Photo by Jerome Murray] Appeal for information after buzzard is shot in Fife Officers are appealing for information after a protected bird of prey was found shot in woodland at Mominail, near Ladybank, Fife. The dead buzzard was found by a member of the public in the … Continue reading "Buzzard shot dead in Fife: Police Scotland appeal for information" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/GK1NPO0

Last week I blogged about Dorset Police’s refusal to respond to my Freedom of Information request, where I’d asked for copies of all correspondence between the Police and Dorset Conservative MP Chris Loder in relation to the poisoned eagle found dead on a shooting estate in January (see here). Dorset Police tried to fob me … Continue reading "Chris Packham submits FoI requests to Dorset Police & the Crime Commissioner about poisoned eagle" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/X6IsyfK via IFTTT

Last week I blogged about Dorset Police’s refusal to respond to my Freedom of Information request, where I’d asked for copies of all correspondence between the Police and Dorset Conservative MP Chris Loder in relation to the poisoned eagle found dead on a shooting estate in January (see here). Dorset Police tried to fob me … Continue reading "Chris Packham submits FoI requests to Dorset Police & the Crime Commissioner about poisoned eagle" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/X6IsyfK

In late March, Life Peer Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (known to many of us as the former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett) posed a written question in the House of Lords about Dorset Police’s unthinkable decision to drop its investigation into the poisoning of the white-tailed eagle that was found dead on a shooting estate … Continue reading "Tediously predictable response from Minister to Natalie Bennett’s House of Lords question on poisoned eagle" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3f1x8Xl via IFTTT

In late March, Life Peer Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (known to many of us as the former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett) posed a written question in the House of Lords about Dorset Police’s unthinkable decision to drop its investigation into the poisoning of the white-tailed eagle that was found dead on a shooting estate … Continue reading "Tediously predictable response from Minister to Natalie Bennett’s House of Lords question on poisoned eagle" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3f1x8Xl

A journalist from one of the nationals contacted me to ask my opinion on a statement he’d been sent by Dorset Police about the premature closure of the investigation into the poisoned white-tailed eagle found dead on a shooting estate in North Dorset in January (see here). You may recall that Dorset Police published a … Continue reading "Unconvincing statement from Dorset Police on closure of investigation into poisoned eagle" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/dDrNSPY

A journalist from one of the nationals contacted me to ask my opinion on a statement he’d been sent by Dorset Police about the premature closure of the investigation into the poisoned white-tailed eagle found dead on a shooting estate in North Dorset in January (see here). You may recall that Dorset Police published a … Continue reading "Unconvincing statement from Dorset Police on closure of investigation into poisoned eagle" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/dDrNSPY via IFTTT

Dyfed-Powys Police are appealing for information from the public after two goshawks were found dead in ‘unexplained’ circumstances in two separate incidents over the last few weeks. The first dead goshawk was found on Saturday 26th March 2022 in the ‘Llanidloes area’ of Wales. There are no further details about the location. PCSO Gary Gwilt … Continue reading "Dyfed-Powys Police appeal for information after ‘unexplained’ death of two goshawks in separate incidents" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/HgtzxvV

Dyfed-Powys Police are appealing for information from the public after two goshawks were found dead in ‘unexplained’ circumstances in two separate incidents over the last few weeks. The first dead goshawk was found on Saturday 26th March 2022 in the ‘Llanidloes area’ of Wales. There are no further details about the location. PCSO Gary Gwilt … Continue reading "Dyfed-Powys Police appeal for information after ‘unexplained’ death of two goshawks in separate incidents" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/HgtzxvV via IFTTT

Last month, Dorset Police did the unthinkable and prematurely closed their investigation into the poisoning of a white-tailed eagle that was found dead on an undisclosed shooting estate in North Dorset in January 2022 (see here). This was an astonishing decision for a number of reasons (e.g. see here), not least because prior to this … Continue reading "Dorset Police refuse FoI request for correspondence between them & Chris Loder MP on poisoned eagle" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/hmBMq8D via IFTTT

Last month, Dorset Police did the unthinkable and prematurely closed their investigation into the poisoning of a white-tailed eagle that was found dead on an undisclosed shooting estate in North Dorset in January 2022 (see here). This was an astonishing decision for a number of reasons (e.g. see here), not least because prior to this … Continue reading "Dorset Police refuse FoI request for correspondence between them & Chris Loder MP on poisoned eagle" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/hmBMq8D

Given the furore over SNP MP Angus MacNeil’s call for a cull of white-tailed eagles in Scotland (see here), here’s a timely press release from the charity Birds of Poole Harbour: Reintroduction programmes working: historic osprey & white-tailed eagle projects bring education and eco-tourism opportunities to the south of England The recent arrival of a … Continue reading "Reintroduction programmes working: ospreys & white-tailed eagles bring education & eco-tourism opportunities to southern England" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/AhHw5Tj

Given the furore over SNP MP Angus MacNeil’s call for a cull of white-tailed eagles in Scotland (see here), here’s a timely press release from the charity Birds of Poole Harbour: Reintroduction programmes working: historic osprey & white-tailed eagle projects bring education and eco-tourism opportunities to the south of England The recent arrival of a … Continue reading "Reintroduction programmes working: ospreys & white-tailed eagles bring education & eco-tourism opportunities to southern England" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/AhHw5Tj via IFTTT

In February this year, Dorset MP Chris Loder astonished us all with his [unfounded] anti-eagle hysteria about white-tailed eagles, stating on Twitter: “I don’t want eagles in Dorset, killing our lambs and plaguing our farmers” (see here and here). It is widely suspected that Mr Loder’s views have influenced Dorset Police’s decision to prematurely end … Continue reading "Another MP fuels anti-eagle hysteria with calls for a cull" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/gcSbFqA via IFTTT

In February this year, Dorset MP Chris Loder astonished us all with his [unfounded] anti-eagle hysteria about white-tailed eagles, stating on Twitter: “I don’t want eagles in Dorset, killing our lambs and plaguing our farmers” (see here and here). It is widely suspected that Mr Loder’s views have influenced Dorset Police’s decision to prematurely end … Continue reading "Another MP fuels anti-eagle hysteria with calls for a cull" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/gcSbFqA

There has been yet further delay in the trial of a Scottish gamekeeper from the Millden Estate in the Angus Glens, who is accused of a number of animal welfare offences related to animal fighting. This trial was due to commence today, after a series of adjournments going back to November 2020(!) but once again … Continue reading "Further delay for trial of Millden Estate gamekeeper accused of animal fighting offences" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/Z8ImLtG

There has been yet further delay in the trial of a Scottish gamekeeper from the Millden Estate in the Angus Glens, who is accused of a number of animal welfare offences related to animal fighting. This trial was due to commence today, after a series of adjournments going back to November 2020(!) but once again … Continue reading "Further delay for trial of Millden Estate gamekeeper accused of animal fighting offences" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/Z8ImLtG via IFTTT

The Scottish Government has published its latest annual wildlife crime report, covering the period April 2019-March 2020, which reveals an increase of 13% in recorded wildlife crime incidents. Raptor persecution offences increased during this period, with shooting and poisoning being the joint highest recorded crime type. Obviously, these figures only represent offences that have been … Continue reading "13% increase in recorded wildlife crime incidents in Scotland – new Government report" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/whD5GIH via IFTTT

The Scottish Government has published its latest annual wildlife crime report, covering the period April 2019-March 2020, which reveals an increase of 13% in recorded wildlife crime incidents. Raptor persecution offences increased during this period, with shooting and poisoning being the joint highest recorded crime type. Obviously, these figures only represent offences that have been … Continue reading "13% increase in recorded wildlife crime incidents in Scotland – new Government report" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/whD5GIH

This is a guest blog written by the Peak District Raptor Monitoring Group. The Mystery of the Disappearing Hen Harrier On 27th February 2021, the Peak District Raptor Monitoring Group (PDRMG) received reports from a trusted source, of an adult male and female Hen Harrier on a grouse moor on the Wentworth Fitzwilliam Strines Estate, … Continue reading "The mystery of the disappearing hen harrier – guest blog by Peak District Raptor Monitoring Group" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/cOfXivd

This is a guest blog written by the Peak District Raptor Monitoring Group. The Mystery of the Disappearing Hen Harrier On 27th February 2021, the Peak District Raptor Monitoring Group (PDRMG) received reports from a trusted source, of an adult male and female Hen Harrier on a grouse moor on the Wentworth Fitzwilliam Strines Estate, … Continue reading "The mystery of the disappearing hen harrier – guest blog by Peak District Raptor Monitoring Group" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/cOfXivd via IFTTT

The ability to impose a General Licence restriction on an estate where there is ‘clear evidence’ of wildlife crime has been an option available to the Scottish Government’s statutory nature conservation advisor (NatureScot) since 1st January 2014. This measure, based on a civil burden of proof, was introduced by then Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse in … Continue reading "Absurd & ineffective General Licence restrictions for wildlife crime are ‘fair & proportionate’, says Environment Minister" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/bWUK9FZ via IFTTT

The ability to impose a General Licence restriction on an estate where there is ‘clear evidence’ of wildlife crime has been an option available to the Scottish Government’s statutory nature conservation advisor (NatureScot) since 1st January 2014. This measure, based on a civil burden of proof, was introduced by then Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse in … Continue reading "Absurd & ineffective General Licence restrictions for wildlife crime are ‘fair & proportionate’, says Environment Minister" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/bWUK9FZ

Invercauld Estate in the Cairngorms National Park has lost its appeal against a General Licence restriction that was imposed on the estate in February 2022 (see here) after Police Scotland provided the licensing authority (NatureScot) with evidence of wildlife crime against birds of prey on the estate, notably the discovery of a ‘deliberately poisoned’ golden … Continue reading "Invercauld Estate in Cairngorms loses appeal against General Licence restriction imposed for wildlife crime" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/9BClN65

Conservation campaign group Wild Justice is hosting a new event this year, Hen Harrier Fest, on Sunday 24th July 2022 at a very special venue in Cheshire. Further details to follow so for now, please save the date! from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/x10w27R via IFTTT

Conservation campaign group Wild Justice is hosting a new event this year, Hen Harrier Fest, on Sunday 24th July 2022 at a very special venue in Cheshire. Further details to follow so for now, please save the date! RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/x10w27R

Well this saga gets more interesting by the day. I’ve written about the poisoned white-tailed eagle found dead on an as-yet undisclosed shooting estate in North Dorset and Dorset Police’s decision to close the investigation prematurely (see here, here, here, here and here). I’ve also written about the suspected poisoning of another white-tailed eagle on … Continue reading "Buzzard & red kite suspected poisoned on North Dorset estate" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/Drs5LhE

Well this saga gets more interesting by the day. I’ve written about the poisoned white-tailed eagle found dead on an as-yet undisclosed shooting estate in North Dorset and Dorset Police’s decision to close the investigation prematurely (see here, here, here, here and here). I’ve also written about the suspected poisoning of another white-tailed eagle on … Continue reading "Buzzard & red kite suspected poisoned on North Dorset estate" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/Drs5LhE via IFTTT

The story of the week has been the confirmed poisoning of a white-tailed eagle found dead on a shooting estate in Dorset in January, and Dorset Police’s astonishing decision to close the investigation even though toxicology results had proved that poisoning was the cause of death (see here,  here, here, here and here). There’s still much more … Continue reading "Another eagle suspected poisoned on a Dorset shooting estate" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/GsOlaSm

The story of the week has been the confirmed poisoning of a white-tailed eagle found dead on a shooting estate in Dorset in January, and Dorset Police’s astonishing decision to close the investigation even though toxicology results had proved that poisoning was the cause of death (see here,  here, here, here and here). There’s still much more … Continue reading "Another eagle suspected poisoned on a Dorset shooting estate" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/GsOlaSm via IFTTT