Dear Yorkshire Water I’m not a customer of yours but I am interested in your position on management of the uplands for grouse shooting. You will be aware, because you supported the study, that last October an important study was published by Leeds University on the impacts of intensive moorland management for grouse shooting on…
BLOG POSTS
Henry back in Cambs
This was quite some time ago – Henry has been flying for many weeks now. And there is plenty more to come. Here is Henry at Eldernell 0n the Nene Washes looking at the RSPB sign. This is a good place to see Hen Harriers in winter and a good place to go birdwatching at…
My speaking engagements
Comments Off on My speaking engagements
I enjoy talking to people – sometimes it’s difficult to stop me. I’ll be at the Game Fair debating with Owen Paterson MP, Ian Coghill (chair of G(W)CT) and Philip Merricks on 31 July, in Buxton on the evening of 8 August, at Hen Harrier Day in the Goyt Valley on 9 August and then…
Just chilling
I don’t know what impression you get of me through reading this blog, but it isn’t all work you know. I am quite good at chilling. Over the weekend I spent an evening with friends and family enjoying a barbecue on one of the cooler evenings of recent days – timing is everything. I was…
Oscar Dewhurst – Common Tern
Comments Off on Oscar Dewhurst – Common Tern
Oscar writes: I had been watching this Common Tern fishing outside one of the hides at Minsmere but the background was a white sky so wasn’t photographing it. When it moved to the side of the hide the reeds were behind it giving a nice light brown background. Fortunately it kept hunting for the next…
Please defend the Nature Directives
The EU is consulting on the future of the two Nature Directives – the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive. Chair of the Joint Links’ Habitats and Birds group Kate Jennings, (RSPB), said: “The Habitats and Birds Directives are the foundation of nature conservation across Europe and are scientifically proven to be effective where properly…
Burning for grouse shooting, a threat to habitat, in the Observer today
Today the Observer has a piece on the Climate Change Committee’s report to parliament (mentioned on this blog on Wednesday) which raised the issue of intensive grouse moor management ‘The damaging practice of burning peat to increase grouse yields continues, including on internationally protected sites.’. The article was interesting for a number of reasons. The…
Are you in Behind the Binoculars? And a readers’ offer.
You are if you are one of the interviewees: Ian Newton, the late Phil Hollom, Rebecca Nason, Chris Packham, Steph Tyler, Debbie Pain, Stuart Winter, Lee Evans, Steve Gantlett, Mark Cocker, Ian Wallace, Andy Clements, Mike Clarke, Roger Riddington, Stephen Moss, Alan Davies and Ruth Miller, Robert Gillmor and the two ‘authors’. You are if…
Five weeks today we’ll be at the Palace Hotel
Comments Off on Five weeks today we’ll be at the Palace Hotel
Five weeks today, at the Palace Hotel Buxton, there will be an evening to celebrate the Hen Harrier. Henry is celebrating already! Tickets will go on sale in a week’s time, at £10 per head. The event will feature: Chris Packham, Mark Cocker (Buxton-born author), local performers, Jeremy Deller (Turner Prize winning artist see here…
Not very new, and not very statesmanlike
In the New Statesman this week, there is an excellent and long article by Mark Cocker on shooting (Unfair game: why Britain’s birds of prey are being killed). I recommend it as an interesting read and because it will bring the plight of the Hen Harrier to a new readership. The most interesting quote in…