On yesterday’s Countryfile programme: Richard Ali, Chief Executive of BASC (c15mins 30secs into the programme): ‘…it’s not an enjoyment based on killing, it’s an enjoyment to respect the countryside. Shooting is about not just the history of Britain, it’s about an innovative future.’ Although it was delivered with an earnest tone and a deeply serious…
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
What they say 3:
Office of National Statistics, 29 May 2014: ‘The inclusion of illegal drugs and prostitution is likely to increase the level of GDP in 2009 by around £10 billion, around £5.3 billion attributable to prostitution and £4.4 billion attributable to illegal drugs. In all years between 1997 and 2009 the impact ranges from £7 billion to…
What they say 2:
From: Hen Harriers: your essential brief by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust: Q How many hen harriers are there in the UK? A There are 630 hen harrier pairs in the UK. Q How many hen harriers are there in England? A Hen harriers don’t stay within the borders of countries so it depends…
What they say 1:
Yesterday’s Countryfile programme featured the Peak District (which is lovely – I was there on a couple of days last week) and shooting as a countryside pursuit. Andre Farrar, RSPB spokesperson (c14mins 40 secs into the programme) talking about grouse moor management: ‘…while the illegal persecution of birds of prey is tolerated, when the uplands…
Oscar Dewhurst – Pheasant
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Oscar writes: Outside where I was staying at Minsmere we had some birdfeeders, where two of the regular birds were a pair of pheasants. I lay down on the ground to get the diffuse foreground and background, and to give a more intimate perspective. Nikon D800, Nikon 600mm f4 AFS-II
A podcast
On Thursday, I headed down to Wiltshire (before heading up to the Peak District). I met up with Charlie Moores of Birders Against Wildlife Crime and recorded this podcast. Register for Hen Harrier day in the Peak District. Sign the e-petition to ban driven grouse shooting. Visit the Birders Against Wildlife Crime website.
Sunday book review – A history of birdwatching in 100 objects by David Callahan
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This is a book worth reading. Before you do read it, play the game yourself. What would be your 100 objects that capture the history of birdwatching? That’s what I did, and I found it difficult to come up with a list and so I am grateful to the effort that David Callahan went to,…
A grouse with M&S
Dear Marc Bolland Last year you came under some pressure because of the stance of M&S on selling Red Grouse meat in your London stores. We are approaching the Inglorious Twelfth again, how time flies!, and I am writing to ask you to be more open and informative to your customers this year. I would…
Cartoon by Ralph Underhill
Ralph writes: “Consumer choice is too often only an option for those that can afford it (often a small proportion of sales, while buying better products is undoubtedly a good thing to do far too much emphasis is placed on the consumers role as a vehicle of change. Real environmental improvements will only come…
It’s the salty one
James Cross is the new Chief Exec of Natural England – he is the salty one. This represents a victory of the politicians and Andrew Sells, the NE Chair, over the Defra civil servants. Quite right too. But rumour has it that NE might have chosen a proper nature conservationist or two for their Board…