Three snippets: Jim Dixon is to leave his post as Chief Executive of the Peak District National Park at the end of the year to pursue a portfolio career in writing, consultancy and non-executive directorships. I wish Jim all the best in his new career as he is a former colleague, a nice guy and…
Category: Grouse and harriers
Guest Blog – a reply on Hen Harriers and grouse shooting from the Chair of RSPB Council
Professor Steve Ormerod is Chair of RSPB Council and Professor of Ecology in Cardiff School of Biosciences. Here he replies to an open letter from me that was posted on 4 June where I asked the RSPB to clarify its position on the Hen Harrier and grouse shooting issue. I’m grateful to Steve for his…
Right arguments – northern, rocky maths
If there were any doubt about the fact that the establishment is mobilising to defend the indefensible – driven grouse shooting – then you only have to pick up the right wing press to have your doubts dismissed. In the run-up to Hen Harrier Day and the Inglorious 12th the defenders of driven grouse shooting…
Guest poem – The Blood and the Purple (to mark Hen Harrier Day) by John Smart
I and a colleague, who does much work for the Essex Wildlife Trust, attended the ‘Hen Harrier Day’ protest event on Sunday, at Derwent Water in the Peak District. It was heartening to mingle with so many like-minded folk who are appalled at the persecution of raptors across the grouse moors. And even more dismayed…
Hen Harrier Day – some ‘thank you’s
I was thanked a lot on Saturday, Sunday and subsequently for organising the Hen Harrier Day event in the Peak District. It really didn’t take much organising – it took a bit of nerve though! Here is a run-through of the roles of organisations and individuals in making Hen Harrier Day happen. Some people’s roles…