Friday was quite a busy day, with news about crimes against birds of prey tumbling out early in the day. This was a bit inconvenient for me as I had other things planned. But it means that we’ve all had the weekend to mull over the news. What was the news?: The RSPB published a…
Category: THE STATUTORY AGENCIES: NE, EA, FE etc
The question remains…
Who was instrumental in determining the wording of the press release which described Rowan, the Hen Harrier, as ‘likely to have been shot’ when, it appears, that all involved knew that it had been shot? For new readers see Raptor Persecution UK blogs here and here, and my blogs here and here. Was it: someone…
Moorland Management Plans in England
It’s a long time now since I worked in nature conservation and so increasingly I find that the jargon has moved on from that with which I used to be entirely comfortable. When Moorland Management Plans came up in a conversation with an old friend I had to admit to being unaware of what they…
Natural England replies
Natural England has replied to me, and at least one of you, concerning our emails about the ‘Man guarding his model Hen Harrier in the Peak District’ affair. The email does come from the email address of the Chair and CEO of NE but is signed by the Area Manager for the East Midlands. ‘Thank…
NE will reply individually to comments on the ‘man guarding his model Hen Harrier ‘ incident
The Natural England Press Office say that their Chief Executive will respond individually to emails he receives on the subject of armed men with model Hen Harriers in the Peak District. That’s James Cross, Chief Executive, Natural England: james.cross@naturalengland.org.uk
Fineshade Wood should be an SSSI
Mr James Cross, Chief Executive Natural England, Foss House, Kings Pool, 1-2 Peasholme Green York YO1 7PX Dear Mr Cross We are writing to ask Natural England to consider, as a matter of urgency, the complex of woodland known as Fineshade Wood (SP99) in Northamptonshire for notification as a Site of Special Scientific Interest…
Fineshade Wood should be an SSSI
When they came into being, all those years ago, SSSIs were selected as representative examples of wildlife-rich habitats. There was no expectation that every qualifying site would be protected. Roll the clock on a few decades, and we can see that the SSSI notification has been very important in protecting our wildlife – hundreds of…
Letter to my MP on Fineshade Wood
Dear Mr Pursglove As part of your ‘Listening to Corby and east Northants‘ campaign I’m sure you would like to know how I feel about the possibility of a major development at Fineshade Wood. I’m against it! I was glad to see that you too were against it when you were seeking election and I…
Awful of Natural England, and confused of RSPB
BBC Wildlife Magazine has a good article about the Hen Harrier plan (welcomed by the RSPB) which will do nothing for the Hen Harrier. I am quoted as saying that neither the RSPB nor Natural England should have agreed a plan which does not have targets in it. What is a plan without a…
Natural England looks for a scientist
The Natural England Board is looking for a scientist. This type of role might once have looked quite attractive when Natural England was seen as an organisation that worked hard for the conservation of nature, but is now far less attractive when it is difficult to see Natural England as anything other than a rather…