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 … Continue reading "72 hen harriers confirmed ‘missing’ or illegally killed since 2018, most of them on or close to UK grouse moors" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/vgFmq3P

Police Scotland has finally confirmed that three dead buzzards found in bags on Millden Estate had been shot with a shotgun. The corpses were discovered during the joint SSPCA/Police Scotland raid on Millden Estate in October 2019 in relation to wildlife crimes committed by depraved gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies, who was recently sentenced to jail … Continue reading "3 shot buzzards found on Millden Estate – confirmation from Police Scotland" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/lnaZYwT

There’s been quite a lot of news about hen harriers in the last couple of weeks as this year’s breeding figures have been announced: 119 chicks from 49 nests, 34 nests being successful (see Natural England press release here). That is the highest number of chicks fledged in over a century, according to Natural England, … Continue reading "Hen harrier persecution continues amid increased breeding success" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/A0pbHU6

Claire Dinsdale QPM, the wildlife crime officer who was leading on the Dorset eagle poisoning case until senior officers decided to close the investigation prematurely after what looked suspiciously like political interference (here), has left Dorset Police and has taken up a new role with the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU). This is really good … Continue reading "Good news! Sidelined Dorset wildlife crime cop joins National Wildlife Crime Unit" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/q9QVM6L

Claire Dinsdale QPM, the wildlife crime officer who was leading on the Dorset eagle poisoning case until senior officers decided to close the investigation prematurely after what looked suspiciously like political interference (here), has left Dorset Police and has taken up a new role with the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU). This is really good … Continue reading "Good news! Sidelined Dorset wildlife crime cop joins National Wildlife Crime Unit" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/nNAjfmP via IFTTT

Earlier this year, Natural England, the so-called statutory regulator for conservation, and BASC, the British Association for Shooting (& Conservation) were boasting about a £75k donation made by BASC to Natural England to help finance ongoing hen harrier work. I was interested in this arrangement, given that BASC is an organisation at the forefront of … Continue reading "Natural England accepts £75k bung for hen harriers from game-shooting organisation BASC" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/8FVzt5O

In December 2021 I blogged about a disturbing incident I’d heard about concerning a young satellite-tagged hen harrier whose wings had been ripped off – whether that was done when she was still alive or after she’d been killed was not known (see here). I understood the incident had happened approximately nine months earlier, in … Continue reading "Hen harrier’s ‘wings removed’ & its satellite tag fitted to a crow in sick ploy to disguise the crime" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/9b10RnN

In December 2021 I blogged about a disturbing incident I’d heard about concerning a young satellite-tagged hen harrier whose wings had been ripped off – whether that was done when she was still alive or after she’d been killed was not known (see here). I understood the incident had happened approximately nine months earlier, in … Continue reading "Hen harrier’s ‘wings removed’ & its satellite tag fitted to a crow in sick ploy to disguise the crime" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/MVc7uyb via IFTTT

A BBC programme called ‘Caught Red Handed‘ has featured the conviction of buzzard-killing gamekeeper John Orrey and the role of the RSPB Investigations team in bringing him to justice. ‘Caught Red Handed‘ is a daytime TV programme, hosted by Dom Littlewood, that ‘looks at clever ways that the police and the public are catching crooks … Continue reading "BBC programme ‘Caught Red Handed’ features conviction of buzzard-killing gamekeeper John Orrey" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/Ydc48bg

Further to yesterday’s news that, against all the odds, two hen harrier nests have been successful this year on National Trust land in the Peak District National Park (see here), there was excellent coverage last night on the BBC’s regional news programme, North West Tonight. With contributions from the National Trust’s General Manager in the … Continue reading "Excellent BBC regional news coverage of hen harrier persecution & conservation in Peak District National Park" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/kCc8jTv

Further to yesterday’s news that, against all the odds, two hen harrier nests have been successful this year on National Trust land in the Peak District National Park (see here), there was excellent coverage last night on the BBC’s regional news programme, North West Tonight. With contributions from the National Trust’s General Manager in the … Continue reading "Excellent BBC regional news coverage of hen harrier persecution & conservation in Peak District National Park" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/QDo4AnP via IFTTT

The National Trust is celebrating two successful hen harrier breeding attempts in the Peak District National Park this year, in what it describes as ‘the most successful year for hen harrier breeding in the Peak District for over a decade‘. Here is a press release issued by the National Trust this morning: National Trust records … Continue reading "Perspective required as National Trust celebrates two successful hen harrier nests in Peak District National Park" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/DqCAMjH

The National Trust is celebrating two successful hen harrier breeding attempts in the Peak District National Park this year, in what it describes as ‘the most successful year for hen harrier breeding in the Peak District for over a decade‘. Here is a press release issued by the National Trust this morning: National Trust records … Continue reading "Perspective required as National Trust celebrates two successful hen harrier nests in Peak District National Park" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2fCEVaS via IFTTT

Moy Estate in the Scottish Highlands has lost its appeal against a General Licence restriction that was imposed on the estate in June 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 poisoned red kite in 2020 … Continue reading "Moy Estate loses appeal against General Licence restriction imposed for wildlife crime" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/1pYy0sN

An appeal for information by Derbyshire Police’s Rural Crime Team (21st August 2022): ‘Back in June this year a larch tree at Westend in the Upper Derwent Valley which was home to a pair of goshawks was found to have been interfered with. Sadly, the birds abandoned the site and it was discovered that the … Continue reading "Goshawk nest attacked in Peak District National Park – Derbyshire Police appeal for information" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/CVAiLE2

An article in The Observer yesterday made a bold claim that red grouse had been removed from the menu at The Ritz, and this was heralded as a ‘victory for environment campaigners’. The article goes on to claim: ‘But those hoping to eat the tiny game bird in the gilded Ritz dining room in London … Continue reading "Red grouse still on menu at The Ritz, despite odd claims to the contrary" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/DHNyzLd

Here’s another senior MSP who decided to disregard the three-year sanction imposed in June this year on Moy Estate after Police Scotland provided evidence to demonstrate wildlife crime had taken place on the estate, notably the discovery of a poisoned red kite and incidents related to alleged trapping offences, although the estate has long been … Continue reading "Edward Mountain MSP disregards sanctions imposed on Moy Estate for wildlife crime" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/3MXRHgY

Press release from the Scottish SPCA (17th August 2022): Appeal for information after Jackdaw caught in illegal trap in Airdrie The Scottish SPCA has appealed for information after a Jackdaw was found in an illegal spring trap in Plains, Airdrie, on 18th May 2022. Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted to the incident by a … Continue reading "Illegal baited trap in Airdrie ‘a deliberate attempt to attract wild birds’, particularly birds of prey" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/dZynM9c

Last week, amid widespread concerns about gamebird-shooting during the current avian flu epidemic, the RSPB called for a moratorium on gamebird releases to help limit the catastrophic spread of this highly contagious virus (see here). In a typical year, approximately 61 million non-native gamebirds (pheasants and red-legged partridges) are released into the UK countryside to … Continue reading "Scottish Government makes unlikely claim to be monitoring avian flu in gamebirds" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/lmcGLxt

Last week, amid widespread concerns about gamebird-shooting during the current avian flu epidemic, the RSPB called for a moratorium on gamebird releases to help limit the catastrophic spread of this highly contagious virus (see here). In a typical year, approximately 61 million non-native gamebirds (pheasants and red-legged partridges) are released into the UK countryside to … Continue reading "Scottish Government makes unlikely claim to be monitoring avian flu in gamebirds" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/F9shtor via IFTTT

The Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) has once again turned its attention to driven grouse shoots and since the season opened on Friday, it has successfully halted three grouse shoots in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Peak District National Park. [Photo by Hunt Saboteurs Association] Ian Botham is reported to be one of those affected … Continue reading "Botham’s day of grouse shooting halted by Hunt saboteurs" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/2BTNwHS via IFTTT

The Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) has once again turned its attention to driven grouse shoots and since the season opened on Friday, it has successfully halted three grouse shoots in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Peak District National Park. [Photo by Hunt Saboteurs Association] Ian Botham is reported to be one of those affected … Continue reading "Botham’s day of grouse shooting halted by Hunt saboteurs" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/4csrPJV

Millden Estate, the (now former) employer of depraved gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies, sentenced to jail earlier this month for his crimes including animal cruelty and some pretty serious firearms offences (see here), is managed for gamebird shooting by a sporting agency called BH Sporting Ltd, which is owned solely by Nicholas Baikie. Shooting estates under the … Continue reading "Millden Estate’s sporting agent signatory to ‘best practice’ scheme!" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/fPdrWF6

Millden Estate, the (now former) employer of depraved gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies, sentenced to jail earlier this month for his crimes including animal cruelty and some pretty serious firearms offences (see here), is managed for gamebird shooting by a sporting agency called BH Sporting Ltd, which is owned solely by Nicholas Baikie. Shooting estates under the … Continue reading "Millden Estate’s sporting agent signatory to ‘best practice’ scheme!" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/9p5gwZB via IFTTT

A three-page spread devoted to the carnage wrought by driven grouse shooting has been published in The Herald today, including a lead-in from the front page: This feature article by journalist Neil Mackay is based on a series of interviews with members of REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform. It includes details of the … Continue reading "‘Glorious 12th – a grand rural tradition or an outdated outrage?’ – media coverage in today’s Herald" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/lEG5mpx via IFTTT

A three-page spread devoted to the carnage wrought by driven grouse shooting has been published in The Herald today, including a lead-in from the front page: This feature article by journalist Neil Mackay is based on a series of interviews with members of REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform. It includes details of the … Continue reading "‘Glorious 12th – a grand rural tradition or an outdated outrage?’ – media coverage in today’s Herald" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/BDlrOXP

Last week I wrote about how former Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing MSP, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, and landowners’ lobby group Scottish Land & Estates had shown complete disregard for the sanction imposed on Moy Estate after raptor persecution crimes had been recorded there (see here). This week it’s the turn of the Game & Wildlife … Continue reading "GWCT disregards police investigation into alleged wildlife crime on Van Cutsem’s Norfolk estate" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/BUZ3t26

Last week I wrote about how former Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing MSP, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, and landowners’ lobby group Scottish Land & Estates had shown complete disregard for the sanction imposed on Moy Estate after raptor persecution crimes had been recorded there (see here). This week it’s the turn of the Game & Wildlife … Continue reading "GWCT disregards police investigation into alleged wildlife crime on Van Cutsem’s Norfolk estate" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/eGlryRp via IFTTT

An opinion piece published in The Scotsman today, written by Max Wiszniewski, Campaign Manager for REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform: If grouse shooting never existed and large landowners wanted to start it up today, would you be in or would you be out? Today marks the beginning of Scotland’s grouse shooting season – … Continue reading "‘If grouse shooting was a new idea, would you support it?’ Opinion piece from REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/WVkTP1Q

An opinion piece published in The Scotsman today, written by Max Wiszniewski, Campaign Manager for REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform: If grouse shooting never existed and large landowners wanted to start it up today, would you be in or would you be out? Today marks the beginning of Scotland’s grouse shooting season – … Continue reading "‘If grouse shooting was a new idea, would you support it?’ Opinion piece from REVIVE, the coalition for grouse moor reform" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/9cIwsbZ via IFTTT

Press release from leading Scottish animal welfare charity OneKind: Animal welfare charity calls for an end to driven grouse shooting and snaring ban on the Glorious Twelfth Leading Scottish animal welfare campaigns charity OneKind is calling for an end to driven grouse shooting on the first day of the shooting season. It comes as the charity plans to demonstrate … Continue reading "Animal welfare charity calls for an end to driven grouse shooting & a ban on snares" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/2k53Zur

Press release from leading Scottish animal welfare charity OneKind: Animal welfare charity calls for an end to driven grouse shooting and snaring ban on the Glorious Twelfth Leading Scottish animal welfare campaigns charity OneKind is calling for an end to driven grouse shooting on the first day of the shooting season. It comes as the charity plans to demonstrate … Continue reading "Animal welfare charity calls for an end to driven grouse shooting & a ban on snares" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/lXFBQJo via IFTTT

Widespread concerns about gamebird-shooting during the current avian flu epidemic are repeated today in an article in the Press & Journal. I argue that it’s irresponsible and selfish for grouse-shoots to take place when the full impact of this highly pathogenic virus on our wild bird populations is currently unknown, although we do know that … Continue reading "Grouse shooting season ‘irresponsible’ amid bird flu epidemic" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/lQjJDMY

Widespread concerns about gamebird-shooting during the current avian flu epidemic are repeated today in an article in the Press & Journal. I argue that it’s irresponsible and selfish for grouse-shoots to take place when the full impact of this highly pathogenic virus on our wild bird populations is currently unknown, although we do know that … Continue reading "Grouse shooting season ‘irresponsible’ amid bird flu epidemic" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/pIqbZOd via IFTTT

An article in today’s Guardian focuses on the RSPB’s call for an immediate moratorium on the release of birds for shooting, such as pheasants, partridges and ducks, due to the risk of them spreading highly pathogenic avian flu to wild bird populations. It seems a perfectly reasonable request to DEFRA to me, although there’s a … Continue reading "Calls to ban gamebird release to avoid ‘catastrophic’ avian flu outbreak" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/KHmgvxX

Further to the conviction and jailing of Millden Estate gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies earlier this month for his crimes involving animal cruelty and firearms offences (see here), there’s been quite a lot of commentary about the role of the estate. In the media coverage I’ve read on this case, an unidentified spokesman for Millden Estate … Continue reading "Millden Estate – plausible deniability or wilful blindness to gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies’ crimes?" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/gW5dJBb

Look at the state of this. A tweet by Fergus Ewing MSP, former Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy, posted yesterday at the Scottish Gamekeeper Association’s stand at the Moy Game Fair. I wonder who he’s referring to when he says ‘We’? Is he speaking on behalf of the Scottish Government? The Moy Game Fair is … Continue reading "Fergus Ewing MSP & his shooting industry pals disregard sanctions imposed on Moy Estate for wildlife crime" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/zCUHFJG via IFTTT

Look at the state of this. A tweet by Fergus Ewing MSP, former Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy, posted yesterday at the Scottish Gamekeeper Association’s stand at the Moy Game Fair. I wonder who he’s referring to when he says ‘We’? Is he speaking on behalf of the Scottish Government? The Moy Game Fair is … Continue reading "Fergus Ewing MSP & his shooting industry pals disregard sanctions imposed on Moy Estate for wildlife crime" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/CbIWFeq

RSPB Scotland has published a blog today calling for ‘action and delivery’ from the Scottish Government on its promised grouse moor licensing scheme. The Government announced in November 2020 that grouse shooting businesses in Scotland will need to be licensed to operate, under new proposals to tackle raptor persecution. It also announced that muirburn will … Continue reading "RSPB wants ‘action & delivery’ from Scottish Government on grouse moor licensing scheme" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/1cHZ4Ws

Joint press release from the Langholm Initiative and Buccleuch (5th August 2022) Community makes history as South Scotland’s biggest land buy-out gets over the line to double size of nature reserve The South of Scotland’s largest community buyout is set to double in size having defied the odds and “achieved the impossible” for a second … Continue reading "Langholm community buy-out successfully doubles size of Tarras Valley Nature Reserve" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/VqNoeQn

Joint press release from the Langholm Initiative and Buccleuch (5th August 2022) Community makes history as South Scotland’s biggest land buy-out gets over the line to double size of nature reserve The South of Scotland’s largest community buyout is set to double in size having defied the odds and “achieved the impossible” for a second … Continue reading "Langholm community buy-out successfully doubles size of Tarras Valley Nature Reserve" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/Sw2YIji via IFTTT

An expert witness whose evidence was used in the successful prosecution of gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies has branded Millden Estate a “wildlife sink“, according to an article in The Daily Record. Mammal ecologist Andy Riches provided an expert report for the Scottish SPCA based on a number of surveys and visits to Millden Estate. His … Continue reading "Expert witness for the prosecution of gamekeeper Rhys Davies brands Millden Estate a “wildlife sink”" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/bFcCRK6

Further to the news that Rhys Owen Davies, 28, a gamekeeper employed by Millden Estate in the Angus Glens, has been jailed for sadistic animal cruelty crimes (see here and here), the Scottish SPCA who led this investigation has issued the following statement: Former gamekeeper sentenced for animal fighting A gamekeeper who indulged in sick … Continue reading "Depraved Millden Estate gamekeeper jailed – SSPCA statement" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/pHDRmyN

Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA have launched an investigation after the confirmed shooting of a sparrowhawk and the suspected shooting of another, found in the same area of Renfrewshire in April, one week apart. The following article is from the Daily Record (dated 15th July 2022): Two birds of prey ‘shot dead’ in Renfrewshire … Continue reading "Sparrowhawk shot and another suspected shot – Police & SSPCA investigate" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/RuW08mG

Further to yesterday’s news that Rhys Owen Davies, 28, a gamekeeper employed by Millden Estate in the Angus Glens has been jailed for a series of sadistic animal cruelty offences (here), here is a statement issued by the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS): Former gamekeeper jailed for animal fighting and gun offences A … Continue reading "Millden Estate gamekeeper jailed for sadistic animal cruelty – media coverage" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/4hGfo2W via IFTTT

Further to yesterday’s news that Rhys Owen Davies, 28, a gamekeeper employed by Millden Estate in the Angus Glens has been jailed for a series of sadistic animal cruelty offences (here), here is a statement issued by the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS): Former gamekeeper jailed for animal fighting and gun offences A … Continue reading "Millden Estate gamekeeper jailed for sadistic animal cruelty – media coverage" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/WGDVq7P

BREAKING NEWS…. Scottish gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies has been sentenced to eight months in prison for his depraved animal cruelty crimes committed whilst he was working on the Millden Estate in the Angus Glens. He also received a £1800 fine for firearms offences and has been banned from keeping dogs for 15 years. Davies was … Continue reading "Millden Estate gamekeeper jailed for badger baiting crimes" RaptorPersecutionUK https://ift.tt/qIgYV92

BREAKING NEWS…. Scottish gamekeeper Rhys Owen Davies has been sentenced to eight months in prison for his depraved animal cruelty crimes committed whilst he was working on the Millden Estate in the Angus Glens. He also received a £1800 fine for firearms offences and has been banned from keeping dogs for 15 years. Davies was … Continue reading "Millden Estate gamekeeper jailed for badger baiting crimes" from Raptor Persecution UK https://ift.tt/MNsrtAe via IFTTT