FIRECREST TOURS : Guided Birdwatching & Wildlife Days

Today is an historic one in the fight against illegal raptor persecution in Scotland. This is the day that the Scottish Government has finally agreed to take bold, innovative action against a criminal sector of society that has got away with so much for so long. This afternoon, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Roseanna Cunningham, […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK http://ift.tt/2rbllvj

As you know, last week the Scottish Parliament’s Environment Committee voted to recommend that the Scottish Government undertakes further exploration for the introduction of a licensing system for driven grouse moors (see here). The game-shooting industry responded with a joint statement that included a set of proposals for ‘reform’ – none of which included licensing […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK http://ift.tt/2rA4eES

Last week the Scottish Parliament’s Environment Committee voted in the majority to write to the Environment Secretary recommending a Government-led exploration, with stakeholders, in to the implementation of a licensing regime for game bird shooting (here). The Environment Committee’s Convener, Graeme Dey MSP, has wasted no time in getting on with it as the following […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK http://ift.tt/2qz3g6D

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for information following the discovery of a dead buzzard. It was found by a farmer in a field off Hawthorns Lane, Gordale, near Malham in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. An x-ray revealed a shotgun pellet lodged in the bird’s head. Police appeal for information here The Grough website is […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK http://ift.tt/2qn2ZJ5

Press statement from Sussex Police, 25 May 2017: A protected peregrine falcon has been found shot in Ninfield, East Sussex, sparking an investigation by police and the RSPB. The bird – a female – was discovered alive but injured by woods at Lunsford Cross on 10 May, and staff from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK http://ift.tt/2qlE4pj

As many of you will know, Raeshaw Estate in the Scottish Borders was one of the first in Scotland to be subjected to a General Licence Restriction Order, issued in 2015, based on clear police evidence that wildlife crimes had been committed although there was insufficient evidence to prosecute any individual (see here). The estate […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK http://ift.tt/2rnZNNj

Following the Scottish Parliament’s Environment Committee’s recent decision to recommend a Government-led inquiry in to the feasibility of a licensing system for game bird shooting (see here), a consortium of conservation organisations has now issued a response statement: WILDLIFE GROUPS CALL FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH SHOOTING COMMUNITY OVER LICENSING OF GAMEBIRD HUNTING Wildlife conservation organisations are […] Read in full at Raptor Persecution UK http://ift.tt/2r2Pe1j