This is the best report the RSPB has produced on illegal killing of birds of prey. Well done them! This report considers only Scotland and only over three years but this was a time of many important cases and many important scientific findings. The content will be familiar to many who read this blog and…
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
RSPB press release – Raptor killing in Scotland
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Grouse moor regulation vital to end illegal killing of Scotland’s raptors New report calls for action A new RSPB Scotland report published today has further reinforced the need for grouse moor regulation to be introduced in order to bring to an end to the widespread persecution of raptors in Scotland. The Illegal Killing of Birds…
RSPB press release – Cranes
Common Cranes. Photo: Nick Upton/RSPB images Survey reveals record number of UK’s tallest bird Figures released reveal 2018 has been the most successful year for Britain’s tallest bird – the common crane – since the 17th Century. A record 54 pairs produced 25 chicks, bringing the national total population to around 180 birds. Common cranes now…
Press release – Coul Links
Coul Links. Photo: Vince Lowe The latest chapter in the Coul Links story. A press release issued by RSPB on behalf of themselves, Plantlife, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Buglife, Butterfly Conservation and Marine Conservation Society. See guest blog here on this subject by Jonny Hughes from August this year and various blogs…
Massive piles of dead Ravens
Thanks to Rob Sheldon we now know the scale of Raven killing licensed by SNH in Scotland over recent years. Licences have been issued to kill over 4,000 Ravens – a species otherwise protected by law – by the Scottish government’s nature conservation agency. With friends like this, protected wildlife needs no enemies. Read Rob’s…
Grouse moors – poor value
This report was published a few days ago by Common Weal – a member of the Revive coalition (see here and here) that is looking to reform intensive grouse shooting in Scotland. It’s interesting, although not stunningly so. The report compares the economic gross value added (GVA) and jobs, both per hectare, of grouse shooting…
Your National Parks and AONBs need you!
If you are going to respond to the consultation on National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England, and I do hope you will, then you have until 18 December (that’s Tuesday) to do so. Maybe a task for this weekend? Here is the link. It doesn’t take very long to respond to…
A meaningful vote?
This evening Theresa May will win the no-confidence vote against her and the hard Brexiteers will have been put firmly in their place. I’d bet on it.In fact, I have bet on it. After coming back from a walk at Stanwick Lakes this morning (an unsuccessful search for a male Hen Harrier that has been…
Natural England PhD – Hen Harrier reintroduction
Natural England, that cash-strapped former conservation agency, is funding a PhD into raptor translocations. But it will use the case study of the reintroduction of Hen Harriers in England. Short thesis!
Excellent consultation
This consultation is a cut above the average – it’s on an important subject, with great implications, and it looks as if government is taking it very seriously. Or have I been fooled? I would welcome guest blogs on this subject from those with more knowledge than myself (a large number of folk!). The idea:…