The ‘most Guardian of candidates’ – vote Hen Harrier

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…

Done their time

Five parliamentarians who have done their bit for the environment are standing down at this general election. The danger is that they will be overlooked so here’s a very quick mention for them: Joan Walley – chair of the Environmental Audit Committee through, possibly, its most successful period. John Randall – birder who spoke out…

Occupying the butts

Henry took this photo of me in the North York Moors. Have you got some grouse butts near you where you could be photographed? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ That was as far as I’d got with writing this blog when the news of three missing adult male Hen Harriers from active nests in the Forest of Bowland came…

Vote for the Hen Harrier

Today is general election day – you get to decide. It’s also the last day that you can vote in David Lindo’s fascinating poll for our national bird.  In this poll, voting closes at midnight (in the general election the polls close at 10pm). Why bother – it’s just a bit of fun isn’t it?…

Time to decide – a voter’s guide

It’s a fascinating general election which has been preceded by a tedious and shallow election campaign. None of the political parties, certainly not the ‘Big Two’, come out of the campaign with much credit. It’s been a ‘heads down’ rather than an ‘eyes up’ campaign, with little analysis, little laying out of political philosophy and…