Jeremy Deller’s massive mural (and Mandy). See Inglorious (pp 233-235) and Fighting for Birds (pp 196-203). Nine years. You could write to your MP about the debate on driven grouse shooting today (see here).
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
Oscar Dewhurst – Andean Cock of the Rock
Oscar writes: Andean Cock-of-the-Rock: At the end of our time in Peru, we spent a few days in the rainforest, including one night at Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, so named due to the presence of a lekking area for these birds just a short walk from the lodge. 4pm on the day we arrived saw us assemble…
Gems from the written evidence 3 – David Gosney
I’m not sure I have ever met David Gosney but his is a well-known name in birding circles so his name caught my eye in the list of written evidence submissions. ‘Parts of the Peak District used to be nationally famous for their populations of birds of prey but now those same areas have scandalously…
Gems from the written evidence 2 – the not-so-talented Viscount Ridley
Viscount Ridley has a DPhil from Oxford University in zoology, experience of working on wildlife conservation projects in the UK, India and Pakistan, and a 33-year career as a journalist covering environmental and scientific debates. He is also a member of the science and technology select committee of the House of Lords. So, despite previous…
Gems from the written evidence 1 – Alan Stewart
The written evidence to the inquiry into driven grouse shooting has started to be published – but there are, I am told, hundreds more examples to come. I’ll be quoting from and commenting on some of them here over the next week or so – although my ability to get connected to the internet may…
SNH show that licensing is flawed
North of the border, SNH has taken away licenses from grouse shooting estates to control predators of grouse and then given them back again. SNH describe this as ‘robust licensing’. The ‘general licence’ was withdrawn from several estates but then specific licences, covering the same activities, were given back. SNH would presumably regard taxing me…
Stirley Farm talk – Thursday evening, 27 October
I’m giving a talk at the YWT Stirley community farm on Thursday evening. Details and how to book – click here. ‘Author, campaigner and naturalist Mark Avery on his campaigns to protect the Hen Harrier and why he thinks driven grouse shooting should be banned. The venue for the talk is Hall Bower Chapel, 69A…
Tim Melling – roding Woodcock
Tim writes: Living all my life in the north I see lots of roding Woodcocks but this is the only half decent photograph I have ever managed to take. After sunset males start to become active and perform spectacular display flights known as roding. This special flight has slow motion flickering wing beats accompanied by…
The next week or so…
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Writing competition: I hope you enjoyed the first two winners of this blog’s writing competition by Hazel Peters (under – 18 category) and Hugh Webster (international category). Both have their copies of Remarkable Birds. We judges are reading the Wildlife and Arts entries and finding it difficult to choose between them. I hope the winner…