Remember this video? Filmed in 2013, but only released in May this year, and it resulted in no prosecution. Hen Harriers are killed on grouse moors because they eat Red Grouse that people want to shoot for fun. Hen Harriers have had full legal protection since 1954 and yet the main factor determining their range…
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
Białowieża forest
I’ve never been to Poland, though I did once spend a night sharing a bottle of port with a drunken Pole on a sleeper through Germany. If I ever do get to Poland then this forest would be high on my list of sites to see. It’s part of our shared European natural heritage and…
RSPB, what’s the plan?
Martin Harper, the RSPB Conservation Director says, ‘The hen harrier, by contrast, has suffered a significant setback in its recovery according to the results of a recent UK survey. It is on the brink of extinction as a breeding bird in England…how do I explain their absence to my children? Well actually, Martin said that…
A short history of a lot of talking
It’s good to talk. But talking can also be used as a refuge from taking action. If there’s one thing that is likely to get me animatedly irritated (and friends have seen this happen a few times) is when somebody comes onto the scene of the grouse shooting/moorland/raptor persecution issue and says something along the…
Oscar Dewhurst – Woodchat Shrike
Comments Off on Oscar Dewhurst – Woodchat Shrike
Oscar writes: While we were staying in Doñana we spent an evening on a heathland where I was hoping to photograph subalpine warblers. Unfortunately I had no success with those, but did manage some photos of a Woodchat Shrike perched in the brambles as we were on our way out. Nikon D800, Nikon 400mm f.2.8…
Five weeks today – four more Hen Harrier Day events
Comments Off on Five weeks today – four more Hen Harrier Day events
South: Venue: RSPB Arne, Wareham, BH20 5BJ Start: 11am Speakers: Chris Packham, and tbc For more info: @HenHarrierDaySouth Highland: Venue: Community Hall, Boat of Garten, PH24 3BL Start: 1pm Speakers: Mark Avery, Andy Wightman MSP, Allan Bantick, Harry Huyton (One Kind), Ian Thomson (RSPB), Peter Argyle (Cairngorms NP) For more info: Facebook, @HHDayHighlands …
See you there on the Inglorious 12th
Sunday book review – The Red Squirrel by Scotland the Big Picture
This is a beautiful book with fantastic images. Most of the photos are by Neil McIntyre (with a few from James Shooter, Peter Cairns and Jackie Walker). Seen one Red Squirrel, seen them all? No! Despite this book having scores of Red Squirrel images the species is so photogenic and the images are so crisp…
Tim Melling – Hudsonian Godwit
Comments Off on Tim Melling – Hudsonian Godwit
Tim writes: Hudsonian Godwit is quite a scarce North American shorebird and is classed as near-threatened by IUCN. It breeds only in five well scattered areas ranging from northern Alaska to the shores of Hudson Bay. It winters in southern South America but has regular stopover sites in North America, including southern Alaska where…