Good news from the Isle of Wight – the pair of Bee-eaters (the first to nest successfully in the UK since 2002) have fledged four young. That’s pretty good going out of the seven eggs they normally lay. Let’s hope the next few weeks are sunny and insect-filled and they fuel-up for their journey south…
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Why licensing of driven grouse shooting will not work
I am grateful to the RSPB Chair, Prof Steve Ormerod for his Guest Blog on licensing of grouse shooting. As always, the RSPB has a well thought-through position which could make a difference to the plight of the Hen Harrier. However, I don’t think they have the best thought-through position on this particular issue, especially…
A Damascene conversion?
It’s quite funny how the shooting community is falling over itself in its bid to express its love for the Hen Harrier these days. Anyone mentioning the phrase ‘rats wi’ wings’ is shushed severely. One of the more striking and welcome expressions of love for the Hen Harrier (a strong candidate for the shortlist for…
A national bird
David Lindo, the Urban Birder, has launched a vote, whose winner will be announced on election day next year, for Britain’s National Bird. Currently it is the Robin – a feisty little bird with a nice song that is familiar to almost all. There’s nothing wrong with Robins. On the long shortlist of 60 species…
A nice email to receive
It’s lovely to get e-mails like this completely out of the blue: ‘I finished reading Martha about ten minutes ago and because you are so easy to contact I felt I had to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your book. I found it very moving and very thought provoking. I have been…