Reply from the BTO

I contacted the BTO about a report they produced for Natural England and have had this rapid response from Andy Clements: Dear Mark Thank you for contacting me requesting a copy of the report to Natural England, Kettel, E & Siriwardena, GM 2018. Comparisons of breeding bird population and abundance trends within and outside two…

Press release – Ban Bloodsports on Yorkshire moors

Calderdale Council votes to support ban on grouse moor burning Wednesday, 22 July 2020 Calderdale Council has backed a ban on heather burning to save the region’s peat moors from being damaged for grouse shooting. In a motion unanimously passed by the Labour Group on Monday night, councillors agreed that the environmentally-damaging practice, which is…

Goshawk at Goathland

The Yorkshire Post reports that three gamekeepers on the Goathland grouse moor owned by the Duchy of Lancaster (HM the Queen) and managed by BH Sporting were interviewed under caution by police officers from North Yorks police back in May. It is reported that all three ‘keepers were suspended from their duties and one has…

Where to see Gyrs in Scotland

If you were driving southeast from Forres in Morayshire in this general area you should keep your eyes open for these… Yes, the Gyr Falcons are flying in rural Moray again this year, although not, it seems, in as great numbers as last year or the year before. Last year, and I assume this year,…