Author: Mark

Born Bristol, UK Educated: Cleeve House School Bristol, Bristol Grammar School and Downing College Cambridge Ph.D. University of Aberdeen, Winter activity of pipistrelle bats. NERC post-doctoral Research Fellow, Edward Grey Institute, Oxford University Former Conservation Director of the RSPB, 1989-2011

The latest Chris Packham video – Grouse medication and hare loss

Mark 7 Comments

Here is the latest Chris Packham video on driven grouse shooting. Oh yes – there are more to come.   Please sign the e-petition to ban driven grouse shooting which passed 119,000 signatures today. Next week we will hear when the expected parliamentary debate on this subject will take place.   Here are some other…

Conservatives and Firm Briefing 12

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The Conservative Party is acting, in parts, as if it is a branch of the Countryside Alliance or BASC on the issue of grouse shooting – sometimes even using their literature as Conservative policy (or referring to the not-so-talented Viscount Ridley‘s article as a basis for policy). However, I should tell you that there are…

SNP need to do their sums – Firm Briefing 11

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The dire nature of the replies of SNP MPs to their constituents was highlighted in an earlier blog. There are signs that the SNP are beginning to get their head around this issue and adjust their position. Several SNP MPs have been told in no uncertain terms, some face-to-face, that they need to smarten up…

Update on signatures

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The rate of acquisition of new signatures has dropped off quite a lot – understandably. Note progress in Ribble Valley – up from #17 to #12 in just a week! Here is how the constituencies with over 300 signatures stand: Calder Valley 758 High Peak  545 Ross, Skye and Lochaber  499 Bristol West  493 Inverness,…

Martha – the song (by The Corner Laughers)

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  And to end Passenger Pigeon Day – here’s a reminder of the Corner Laughers’ song, Martha (Cincinnati, 1914). Midsommar (solstice single) by The Corner LaughersI see the Corner Laughers are coming to the UK again this autumn (they must like it) and have dates around the place – I may go see them in…