We must congratulate Princes Charles and William for speaking out against the illegal killing which is driving the African elephant closer to extinction. Channel 4 (and the RSPB) made the point that there is plenty of illegal destruction of wildlife here at home too. Some of it in the part of Scotland where Prince William…
Category: BAN DRIVEN GROUSE SHOOTING
Grouse moor licensing
Four weeks today we will know how many signatures have been attached to John Armitage’s e-petition on licensing of grouse moors (a policy supported by the RSPB). In the last 10 days the e-petition has really picked up speed – it’s amazing what a deadline does, isn’t it? It now stands at over 8350 signatures…
Actions speak louder than words
Have you seen the RSPB’s latest Birdcrime publication which came out in December? It’s beautifully produced and has a lot of sense in it. Here are some quotes from Martin Harper’s introduction. ‘Persecution is so common and widespread that it is the most important factor limiting populations of some treasured and iconic species,including hen harriers,…
A few things
Big Garden Birdwatch is this weekend. It’s more fun, probably, if you remember to fill your bird feeders than if you don’t! John Armitage’s e-petition on licensing of grouse moors and gamekeepers is gathering a little pace – and has passed 7,800 signatures. There are four weeks to go. If you keep meaning to sign…
And more campaigning, but a bit more zeal needed
John Armitage’s e-petition on licensing of grouse moors has about 6 weeks to run. In approximately 46 weeks it has achieved a highly commendable 7453 signatures (including my own). John’s aim was to raise the issue of illegal killing of raptors and suggest some ways in which the businesses and individuals caught breaking wildlife law…
Burn, baby, burn
The burning of heather moorlands to create the right conditions for unnaturally high densities of Red Grouse may be harming the aquatic life in the rivers draining such uplands according to a new study. The authors, from Leeds University, studied the aquatic animals in 10 rivers in the north of England – five from burned…
Golden Eagle – Scotland’s National Bird? Aye!
Golden Eagles occur all over the place – the USA, Spain and much of southern Europe and Scandinavia. Now the RSPB has launched a petition asking the Scottish Government to make the Golden Eagle Scotland’s National Bird. Who could disagree with that? Surely not those who manage grouse moors in eastern and southern Scotland? Vote…
Golden Eagle – Scotland’s favourite animal (but not on grouse moors)
The Golden Eagle is Scotland’s favourite wild animal – by quite a long way according to the voting. It claimed the top spot ahead of four lovely mammals; Red Squirrel, Red Deer, Otter and Harbour Seal. What a shame then that so many places ideally suited to Golden Eagles lack their presence. Only three of…
Animal Aid on grouse shooting
Today Animal Aid is calling for public subsidies to be withdrawn from millionaire grouse shooters. In its new report on grouse shooting, Calling the Shots, the UK’s largest animal rights group sets out its case. It contains extensive reference to the Walshaw Moor affair as well as to persecution of birds of prey and the…
National Trust – looking good!
The National Trust has just issued a press release on its plans for the High Peak Moors. This has been a subject of concern and hope on this blog for quite some time (see here, here, here, here, and here). The text of the press release is reproduced below (with some good bits highlighted by…