Maybe they will turn up to this one?

Conference: raptors, uplands and peatlands. Sheffield 9 and 10 September After the failure of the so-called leaders of the shooting community to argue their case and their cause at the Bird Fair they are sending out their seconds to this conference in Sheffield in a couple of weeks time. See, hear and question Tim Baynes…

Bit rude Ms Coffey

Dear minister I sent you a copy of my book, Inglorious – conflict in the uplands, over a month ago and haven’t yet received an acknowledgement. That’s very rude of you and Defra isn’t it? By the way, your predecessor was equally rude. Since I sent you that book, which has had rave reviews, and…

Letter from my MP

Many of you are beginning to receive letters from your MPs about the expected debate on banning driven grouse shooting.  Tomorrow’s blog post will give you some information for some ‘Firm briefing’ of your MP. Also, tomorrow evening I will post the ‘Star letter of the week’ from an MP to a  constituent.  I hope…

The Bird Fair – some pictures with me in them

The world’s most-loved Hen Harrier gets all the glamour gigs but I enjoyed the Bird Fair too – I’ll give you some thoughts tomorrow. But here are some images with just a few words. I see that Simon Lester has his own version of the Q&A at the Bird Fair out on the GWCT website….

The BBC and driven grouse shooting

The week before last there was copious coverage of driven grouse shooting before, on and after the inglorious 12th in the media – quite a lot of that was on BBC channels. This post is about how the BBC handled it and whether or not they were fair.  I’d give the BBC only 5 out…

Henry at the Bird Fair

Here are some more images of the world’s favourite Hen Harrier at the Bird Fair fraternising with a whole bunch of suspected eco-zealots. Wildsounds and author Prof Tim Birkhead (review of The Most Perfect Thing here).  Thanks to Duncan and team for some great book signings during the Bird Fair. Eco-zealots’ favourite magazine?  Here Henry…

Hawk and Owl Trust being destroyed from within

At the Bird Fair I walked past the large stand of the Hawk and Owl Trust many times – there was a small group of volunteers there but I saw no visitors (in contrast to the small BAWC stand which was very, very busy).  Several others commented on the same thing. One claimed to see…

Ten Bird Fair thoughts

the discussion about driven grouse shooting was completely packed (c500 people), the discussion about rewilding was completely packed, some of the usual diet of quizzes were not well attended – go figure, the Bird Fair audience is open to having some challenging debate and discussion about nature conservation as part of the mix in one…

Back home after the Bird Fair

A simple domestic scene in the Avery household after a Saturday at the Bird Fair – celebrating with M&S Cava in 100,000 signature mugs (we’re no mugs!)! Sign here to add to the celebrations – ban driven grouse shooting.

Tough for Tufty on grouse moors in Scotland

Those who were being taught how to cross the road safely in the 1960s will remember the starring role of Tufty in the Green Cross Code. Back then it was still possible to use a Red Squirrel in a national advertising campaign without most people creasing their brows and asking ‘What’s that? It’s red’. I…