On the day after we learned of the ‘disappearance’ of three adult Hen Harriers in an area of Lancashire moorland (with large areas of grouse moor), it is time to send the next government a clear signal that wildlife crime must stop. On this election day you can have another vote, until midnight, for Britain’s national bird.
The 10 finalists include the familiar and lovely garden birds such as the Blue Tit, Robin, Blackbird and Wren, all fine birds, but the list has a much more deserving cause: the Hen Harrier.
On election day, of all times, it is time to think of the downtrodden, the persecuted, the harassed, and the Hen Harrier is the ‘most Guardian’ of all the candidates (according to the Guardian).
Chris Packaham is quoted ‘You are being robbed of this natural treasure by one simple thing … illegal persecution and at the current rate, your children or grandchildren will not have this bird on their British list. Vote hen harrier.
As much as we love our robins and wrens and blackbirds, these species will not directly benefit from winning. But if the hen harrier was our national bird it would be a relentless and significant embarrassment to allow this persecution to continue and there would need to be real action taken to stem its demise.‘
I’m quoted too ‘I’m entirely with the Hen Harrier‘.
Are you with the rich and titled grouse shooters or with the downtrodden wildlife? Vote Hen Harrier to make a difference.
[registration_form]
There was a buzzard shot in Yorkshire recently – presumably by the same type of person responsible for the disappearance of hen harriers in Bowland. No sign of the harriers and hence it is a surprise that the buzzard was found, since these types are good at disposing of the evidence – they are the professionals! So we are well used to the reality that what is seen, found and reported on is but the tip of an iceberg.
Conversely when it comes to voting for a national bird or signing up to a petition to ban grouse shooting the strength of feeling and numbers supporting are limited by e mail addresses. My wife and I share an e mail address and can only have one vote for our e mail address. My mother, sister in law, brother in law and the two elderly gents who we help with butterfly conservation work can’t vote without an e mail address, and we can’t vote for them!
So we have ‘shed loads’ more fine birds that succumb and heaps more people who would add their names but cant. We’ve got to do better than this!
After this week’s Bowland losses the blood is rising in so many of us and we need ways to vent this constructively, once the anger has subsided and we get ourselves back to a legal and responsible state of mind!
‘Occupying the Butts’ – yes we like that but can you spell out to us how exactly it would work and how it can be used to great effect? For those who are feeling really wound up at present can you also explain how it is OK for us to take a trip up to the moors now but not OK to do so when a grouse shoot is about to take place in August? Come to that how does the law prevent someone, say walking their dog across the moor in front of the butts on the 12th. I’m not saying that I don’t know the answers but I am certain that there are many who must be thinking along these lines and who think that there is a freedom to roam up in ‘them thar hills’
Mr Angry – good questions and I’ll answer them in due course. Watch this space. We are all angry at the loss of such superb birds – year after year after year.
It’s not just the hen harrier we should be concerned about in Bowland. So far the RSPB have said nothing about the disappearance of almost all of the regions peregrines. Up to last year 15 pairs from inside Bowland had vanished leaving just 5 occupied sites. So far this season a further three pairs have disappeared. This now leaves only two occupied territories. Why has the RSPB not raised these losses as an issue, which in my view are just as important as the hen harrier losses?
I’m sorry but a lot of this ‘fight’ for the hen harrier is lame. The national bird vote will massage the ego of a wannabe celebrity birder but not much else. Taking selfies in shooting butts I can’t really see the sense in. How does it work?
I saw a blog post yesterday emploring people to not do anything illegal. I’m sorry but sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. Would women and the working class have the vote if we’d just doffed our caps and said please? I doubt it very much.
I wonder if we are continuing with the mild mannered approach whether an 11th August grouse drive might work? Find our least favourite shoot (Bowl and might be a favourite but subject to change), and mobilise as many people to drive the grouse from the moor the day before the guns arrive. It might reduce the bag size and the ‘sport’ and hit the shoot in the pocket. If that fails then it’s got.to be mass trespass on the 12th. Some people might get shot, there might be blood spilt and fighting but if it’s something worth fighting for…..