FIRECREST TOURS : Guided Birdwatching & Wildlife Days

A funding award of up to £1,000 is up for grabs to help support early-career researchers working on projects that focus on the conservation of birds of prey. The Marion Paviour Award is administered by the Hawk Conservancy Trust in Hampshire and is open to applicants from anywhere in the world. The purpose of this … Continue reading "£1,000 funding award available for early-career raptor conservationists" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/DJHx8As

Sentencing has been deferred today for depraved Scottish gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies. Davies, 28, had pleaded guilty at Forfar Sheriff Court in May 2022 to a number of animal cruelty offences relating to the keeping and training of dogs for animal fighting (badger baiting) and of failing to seek veterinary attention for dogs that had … Continue reading "Sentencing deferred for convicted Scottish gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/JWlGPoA

Sentencing has been deferred today for depraved Scottish gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies. Davies, 28, had pleaded guilty at Forfar Sheriff Court in May 2022 to a number of animal cruelty offences relating to the keeping and training of dogs for animal fighting (badger baiting) and of failing to seek veterinary attention for dogs that had … Continue reading "Sentencing deferred for convicted Scottish gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/DJHCAb0 via IFTTT

Sentencing is due tomorrow of convicted Millden Estate gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies for animal cruelty offences, as well as a number of firearms offences. Davies, 28, pleaded guilty in May to a number of offences relating to the keeping and training of dogs for animal fighting (badger baiting) and of failing to seek veterinary attention … Continue reading "Convicted Millden Estate gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies due to be sentenced for animal cruelty offences" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/tKlzSNE

Sentencing is due tomorrow of convicted Millden Estate gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies for animal cruelty offences, as well as a number of firearms offences. Davies, 28, pleaded guilty in May to a number of offences relating to the keeping and training of dogs for animal fighting (badger baiting) and of failing to seek veterinary attention … Continue reading "Convicted Millden Estate gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies due to be sentenced for animal cruelty offences" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/vLUBrCb via IFTTT

A new scientific paper has been published in the journal Scottish Birds (the quarterly journal of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club) detailing the recent history of golden eagles in a north east Scotland home range, authored by two long term members of the North East Raptor Study Group, Alastair Pout and Graham Rebecca. It’s a remarkable … Continue reading "New paper provides insight in to golden eagles in north east Scotland" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/5lvJ1Yu

A new scientific paper has been published in the journal Scottish Birds (the quarterly journal of the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club) detailing the recent history of golden eagles in a north east Scotland home range, authored by two long term members of the North East Raptor Study Group, Alastair Pout and Graham Rebecca. It’s a remarkable … Continue reading "New paper provides insight in to golden eagles in north east Scotland" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/rCH4Fen via IFTTT

On Friday, Suffolk Police’s wildlife crime team posted a photo on Twitter of a young tethered peregrine wearing falconry jesses. The photo was accompanied by a statement about how a multi-agency team had executed a search warrant at an unknown address and removed the peregrine with the intention of releasing it back to the wild. … Continue reading "Suffolk police remove peregrine from falconer for return to the wild" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/twvKNAB

There are hypocrites, and then there’s the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA). Yesterday, the SGA threw a major tantrum over the police reporting of an investigation into a dead golden eagle, found in Strathbraan earlier this year. The SGA is claiming that the police report was ‘insensitive’ and led to ‘gamekeeper abuse’. In fact the SGA’s … Continue reading "Scottish Gamekeepers Association takes hypocrisy to the next level" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/fqjBxnp

There are hypocrites, and then there’s the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA). Yesterday, the SGA threw a major tantrum over the police reporting of an investigation into a dead golden eagle, found in Strathbraan earlier this year. The SGA is claiming that the police report was ‘insensitive’ and led to ‘gamekeeper abuse’. In fact the SGA’s … Continue reading "Scottish Gamekeepers Association takes hypocrisy to the next level" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/3bxFaTd via IFTTT

Relaxation of Covid-19 travel restrictions saw the return of the ‘glass eels in a suitcase’ modus operandi. A joint operation by European law enforcement entities has dealt yet another major blow to organised crime groups involved in global glass eel trafficking. Operation Lake VI ran from November 2021 to June 2022, with Europol, EFCA, OLAF, and the EU Commission’s DG SANTE coordinating law enforcement authorities from 24 countries* across Europe and around the globe. In the operation’s current season, 27 701 inspections were carried out all over Europe, which led to the arrest of 49 individuals and the seizure of 1 255 kilograms of glass eels worth about EUR 1.9 million in total. Operation Lake targets the trafficking of the protected European glass eel, one of the most devastating crimes against wildlife worldwide. While the European eel ( Anguilla anguilla ) population has decreased by 90 % in recent years, persistent law enforcement activities against eel trafficking co...

  Two people are due to appear in court charged in connection with cruelty to a fox. In December 2021 ITV News revealed footage showing a fox being allegedly manhandled in a wood in Essex. Now police say they have charged 49-year-old Paul O’Shea with hunting a wild mammal with dogs and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. They also say a 16-year-old girl has been charged with hunting a wild animal with dogs.  Both defendants are due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 22 June 2022. Source: ITV news The post Man and 16-year-old girl charged in connection with cruelty to a fox first appeared on National Wildlife Crime Unit | NWCU . source https://www.nwcu.police.uk/news/wildlife-crime-press-coverage/man-and-16-year-old-girl-charged-in-connection-with-cruelty-to-a-fox/

Press release from RSPB (24th June 2022) Flying kites: the UK’s most successful bird conservation project returns the favour – and chicks – to Spain The UK’s most successful bird conservation project – for red kites – has come full circle and is now donating kite chicks to a similar project in Spain, the country … Continue reading "UK donating Red kites to Spain to boost dwindling population" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/OW8PfYi

IMAGE SOURCE,CHESHIRE POLICE RURAL CRIME TEAM THREE tawny owls were seized at a house in St Helens as police carried out a raid as part of an investigation into an alleged “wild bird disturbance” in Cheshire. Officers in St Helens joined Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team to execute the warrant on Monday morning. The raid was in connection with allegations of possible offences at a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Cheshire. In a statement police said: “A number of partner agencies joined us, including Natural England, RSPCA (England & Wales) and the National Wildlife Crime Unit. “At present Cheshire Police are still investigating. During the warrant three tawny owls were seized due to poor conditions and no relevant records being located, along with other related evidence and a quantity of class B drugs. “Wildlife Crime is a growing issue and it is important to tackle it with our partner agencies.” Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team confirmed a warran...

Press release from NatureScot, 21st June 2022: General Licence restricted on Highland estate NatureScot has restricted the use of General Licences on Moy Estate for three years The decision was made on the basis of evidence provided by Police Scotland of wildlife crime against birds. This evidence included a poisoned red kite found on the … Continue reading "General Licence restriction imposed on Moy, a grouse-shooting estate, after discovery of poisoned red kite" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/rAp2GPC via IFTTT

Press release from NatureScot, 21st June 2022: General Licence restricted on Highland estate NatureScot has restricted the use of General Licences on Moy Estate for three years The decision was made on the basis of evidence provided by Police Scotland of wildlife crime against birds. This evidence included a poisoned red kite found on the … Continue reading "General Licence restriction imposed on Moy, a grouse-shooting estate, after discovery of poisoned red kite" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/rAp2GPC

Three men accused of committing offences under Section 1 of the Night Poaching Act 1828, pleaded guilty at Northampton Magistrates’ Court. The trio were charged with trespassing on private land for the purpose of catching wildlife after a suspicious van parked near Moonshine Gap in Wellingborough, on December 5 last year, was reported to Northamptonshire Police. Following an extensive search by officers, Kieran Hindley, Carl Maguire, and David Bradshaw were found in the opposite field with four Lurcher type dogs and a Harris Hawk. The men were also found to be in possession of equipment commonly used for the purpose of poaching including numerous animal call whistles which encourage the prey out and a lamp to spot them. Hindley, aged 34, of Long Moss, Netherton, Bootle, Maguire, aged 33, of Heathfield Road, Birkdale in Southport, and Bradshaw, aged 42, of Longfield Avenue, Crosby, Liverpool, were each ordered to pay £463.04 in compensation. At the hearing on Friday, June 10, 2...

This is hilarious. The Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association has been caught with its pants around its ankles, again. Cast your minds back to April 2019, when Chris Packham received a death threat letter (see here and here) following Wild Justice’s successful legal challenge against the General Licences. Then fast-forward two years to March 2021 when the … Continue reading "Scottish Gamekeepers’ ‘handwriting expert’ on Chris Packham’s death threat letter exposed in Panorama sting" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/fdmZGU8

This is hilarious. The Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association has been caught with its pants around its ankles, again. Cast your minds back to April 2019, when Chris Packham received a death threat letter (see here and here) following Wild Justice’s successful legal challenge against the General Licences. Then fast-forward two years to March 2021 when the … Continue reading "Scottish Gamekeepers’ ‘handwriting expert’ on Chris Packham’s death threat letter exposed in Panorama sting" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/fdmZGU8 via IFTTT

Dorset Police is still desperately undertaking a damage limitation exercise in relation to its botched investigation into the poisoning of a white-tailed eagle found dead on an unnamed shooting estate in January. The following article appeared in the Dorset Echo yesterday, reproduced here: DORSET Police said it has “never been in any doubt” the poisoning of … Continue reading "Dorset Police continues its damage limitation exercise re: its botched investigation into the poisoned eagle" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/AwMzDZi

REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform in Scotland has launched a new campaign this week highlighting the ‘killing to kill’, where hundreds of thousands of animals are killed on grouse moors just so more red grouse can be killed for ‘sport’. A short video can be viewed here: REVIVE isn’t arguing that no animal … Continue reading "‘Killing to kill’ – new campaign from REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/CXw3gSn via IFTTT

REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform in Scotland has launched a new campaign this week highlighting the ‘killing to kill’, where hundreds of thousands of animals are killed on grouse moors just so more red grouse can be killed for ‘sport’. A short video can be viewed here: REVIVE isn’t arguing that no animal … Continue reading "‘Killing to kill’ – new campaign from REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/CXw3gSn

A public appeal for information from Wiltshire Police Rural Crime Team (14th June 2022): Information appeal A dead kite was recovered from a public footpath close to Hens wood, Axford, Wiltshire on the 20/04/2022 following a report from the public. Further forensic work into the cause of death has found that the bird had been … Continue reading "Red kite shot in Wiltshire: Police appeal for information" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/Uwasq3P

A public appeal for information from Wiltshire Police Rural Crime Team (14th June 2022): Information appeal A dead kite was recovered from a public footpath close to Hens wood, Axford, Wiltshire on the 20/04/2022 following a report from the public. Further forensic work into the cause of death has found that the bird had been … Continue reading "Red kite shot in Wiltshire: Police appeal for information" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/Uwasq3P via IFTTT

Well done to the BBC’s Countryfile programme last Sunday for doing a 12-minute feature about the poisoning of the white-tailed eagle on an unnamed shooting estate in Dorset in January, and Dorset Police’s fiasco of an investigation which was brought to an abrupt halt when the police decided, astonishingly, that they ‘didn’t have sufficient evidence’ … Continue reading "Watch Dorset’s poisoned eagle fiasco on BBC’s Countryfile" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/i7AV2Oh

David Matthews, a gamekeeper with 50 years experience, has been convicted at Wrexham Magistrates Court for poison offences uncovered on the McAlpine Estate in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, North Wales, where he has worked for 25 years. In February 2021 a dead red kite was found on the estate by a member of the public and … Continue reading "Another gamekeeper convicted for poison offences on a pheasant shoot, but not charged for poisoned kite & shot buzzard" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/OGeJ8xj

David Matthews, a gamekeeper with 50 years experience, has been convicted at Wrexham Magistrates Court for poison offences uncovered on the McAlpine Estate in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, North Wales, where he has worked for 25 years. In February 2021 a dead red kite was found on the estate by a member of the public and … Continue reading "Another gamekeeper convicted for poison offences on a pheasant shoot, but not charged for poisoned kite & shot buzzard" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/OGeJ8xj via IFTTT

Press release from Gloucestershire Constabulary (13th June 2022) Appeal for information after birds of prey are found dead in the Forest of Dean Officers are appealing for information after two birds of prey were found dead in the Forest of Dean. A Goshawk and Sparrowhawk were found next to a bus stop just south of Aylburton … Continue reading "Gloucestershire Police appeal for info after goshawk found shot in Forest of Dean" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/aV5UoC7 via IFTTT

Press release from Gloucestershire Constabulary (13th June 2022) Appeal for information after birds of prey are found dead in the Forest of Dean Officers are appealing for information after two birds of prey were found dead in the Forest of Dean. A Goshawk and Sparrowhawk were found next to a bus stop just south of Aylburton … Continue reading "Gloucestershire Police appeal for info after goshawk found shot in Forest of Dean" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/aV5UoC7

The Scottish Government is currently considering the details of its proposed grouse moor licensing scheme, to regulate the management practices associated with driven grouse shooting (e.g. predator removal, habitat manipulation [muirburn] and the use of veterinary medicine) and to sanction those grouse-shooting estates that can’t/won’t operate within the law. Environment Minister Mairi McAllan has recently … Continue reading "Scottish Government’s grouse moor licensing scheme must also consider Red-legged partridges & pheasants" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/dVRIuHz via IFTTT

The Scottish Government is currently considering the details of its proposed grouse moor licensing scheme, to regulate the management practices associated with driven grouse shooting (e.g. predator removal, habitat manipulation [muirburn] and the use of veterinary medicine) and to sanction those grouse-shooting estates that can’t/won’t operate within the law. Environment Minister Mairi McAllan has recently … Continue reading "Scottish Government’s grouse moor licensing scheme must also consider Red-legged partridges & pheasants" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/dVRIuHz

Last month, Max Wizniewski, Campaigns Manager for REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform, met with Scottish Environment Minister Mairi McAllan to discuss the Government’s plans for grouse moor licensing. Max opened the interview by asking the Minister about the well-evidenced link between driven grouse shooting and raptor persecution, and how she thought the Government’s … Continue reading "REVIVE Coalition for grouse moor reform: interview with Scottish Environment Minister Mairi McAllan" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/57TBV9H

Last month, Max Wizniewski, Campaigns Manager for REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform, met with Scottish Environment Minister Mairi McAllan to discuss the Government’s plans for grouse moor licensing. Max opened the interview by asking the Minister about the well-evidenced link between driven grouse shooting and raptor persecution, and how she thought the Government’s … Continue reading "REVIVE Coalition for grouse moor reform: interview with Scottish Environment Minister Mairi McAllan" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/57TBV9H via IFTTT

Tomorrow’s edition of Countryfile will include a feature on the continued illegal killing of birds of prey in the UK, focusing on the recent poisonings of at least two white-tailed eagles in southern England (the one in Dorset and the one in West Sussex). Filming took place last week and lovely presenter Charlotte Smith interviewed … Continue reading "BBC’s Countryfile to feature #EagleGate" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/IVs4n87

Press release from the Langholm Initiative (9th June 2022): £1 million award ‘major-game-changer’ for South Scotland’s biggest community buy-out The Scottish Land Fund has awarded the Langholm Initiative charity £1 million in a “major game-changer” for South Scotland’s biggest ever community buyout. The town of Langholm in Dumfries and Galloway aims to raise £2.2m by … Continue reading "£1 million award ‘major game-changer’ for South Scotland’s biggest community buy-out at Langholm" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/qWkZNpz

The ongoing use of toxic lead ammunition in the UK is no laughing matter. This stuff should have been banned years ago when Governments were first made aware of lead’s toxic effect on our environment, our wildlife, and our people. But no, even though most of the previously significant sources of lead in the environment … Continue reading "Gamekeepers in England try to ‘out dinosaur’ gamekeepers in Scotland over continued use of toxic lead ammunition" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/VwXMnb2

The ongoing use of toxic lead ammunition in the UK is no laughing matter. This stuff should have been banned years ago when Governments were first made aware of lead’s toxic effect on our environment, our wildlife, and our people. But no, even though most of the previously significant sources of lead in the environment … Continue reading "Gamekeepers in England try to ‘out dinosaur’ gamekeepers in Scotland over continued use of toxic lead ammunition" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/VwXMnb2 via IFTTT

Regular blog readers will know that I’ve been chasing up correspondence between the Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC), David Sidwick, and Dorset MP Chris Loder, in relation to the poisoned white-tailed eagle found dead on an unnamed shooting estate in north Dorset in January 2022. For new blog readers, this is the investigation that … Continue reading "Poisoned eagle investigation: “You and I need to get our ducks in the row on this one” – Dorset PCC tells Chris Loder MP" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/nNqc7ip

Press release from League Against Cruel Sports (7th June 2022): Game birds illegally killed on one of Britain’s most prestigious shooting estates Game keepers have been filmed illegally trapping and killing ‘game’ birds on the Chargot Shooting Estate, Somerset, during the closed shooting season. Footage obtained by investigators from leading animal welfare charity the League … Continue reading "Chargot Estate in Exmoor National Park under police investigation, again, for alleged illegal trapping & killing of birds" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/t4xkUzD

Press release from League Against Cruel Sports (7th June 2022): Game birds illegally killed on one of Britain’s most prestigious shooting estates Game keepers have been filmed illegally trapping and killing ‘game’ birds on the Chargot Shooting Estate, Somerset, during the closed shooting season. Footage obtained by investigators from leading animal welfare charity the League … Continue reading "Chargot Estate in Exmoor National Park under police investigation, again, for alleged illegal trapping & killing of birds" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/t4xkUzD via IFTTT

Statement from Durham Constabulary (27th May 2022) Joint operation targets suspected raptor persecution and poisoning of birds of prey Police have carried out searches at several locations this week in connection with suspected raptor persecution and poisoning of birds of prey.  Officers from Durham and Northumbria attended the addresses across the two force areas following … Continue reading "Police lead more multi-agency raids after suspected raptor persecution & poisoning in Durham & Northumbria" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/z61ivPW

Statement from Durham Constabulary (27th May 2022) Joint operation targets suspected raptor persecution and poisoning of birds of prey Police have carried out searches at several locations this week in connection with suspected raptor persecution and poisoning of birds of prey.  Officers from Durham and Northumbria attended the addresses across the two force areas following … Continue reading "Police lead more multi-agency raids after suspected raptor persecution & poisoning in Durham & Northumbria" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/z61ivPW via IFTTT

On 1 June 2022 at Swindon Magistrates Court gamekeeper Archie Watson (21) of Dragon Lane, Manningford Bruce, Pewsey received a 12-month community order to carry out 180 hours unpaid work and was ordered to pay £393 costs and £95 surcharge for pleading guilty to raptor persecution offences relating to the discovery in 2020 of at … Continue reading "Gamekeeper Archie Watson convicted of raptor persecution & firearms offences on Wiltshire pheasant shoot" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/KPIiHr3

On 1 June 2022 at Swindon Magistrates Court gamekeeper Archie Watson (21) of Dragon Lane, Manningford Bruce, Pewsey received a 12-month community order to carry out 180 hours unpaid work and was ordered to pay £393 costs and £95 surcharge for pleading guilty to raptor persecution offences relating to the discovery in 2020 of at … Continue reading "Gamekeeper Archie Watson convicted of raptor persecution & firearms offences on Wiltshire pheasant shoot" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/KPIiHr3 via IFTTT

Press release from the charity Birds of Poole Harbour (2nd June 2022) Osprey chick hatches at Poole Harbour – the first in southern Britain for 200 years A pair of wild Ospreys have hatched young at a secret nest site in Poole Harbour, which is the first to hatch in southern Britain for 200 years. … Continue reading "Osprey chick hatches at Poole Harbour – the first in southern England for 200 years" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/Ms3GB2P

Press release from the charity Birds of Poole Harbour (2nd June 2022) Osprey chick hatches at Poole Harbour – the first in southern Britain for 200 years A pair of wild Ospreys have hatched young at a secret nest site in Poole Harbour, which is the first to hatch in southern Britain for 200 years. … Continue reading "Osprey chick hatches at Poole Harbour – the first in southern England for 200 years" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/Ms3GB2P via IFTTT

Registration is now OPEN for Wild Justice’s Hen Harrier Fest, taking place on Sunday 24th July 2022. Please head over to the Wild Justice website (here) for further details and to register. RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/V4dKMzW

Registration is now OPEN for Wild Justice’s Hen Harrier Fest, taking place on Sunday 24th July 2022. Please head over to the Wild Justice website (here) for further details and to register. from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/V4dKMzW via IFTTT