Inglorious

Inglorious: conflict in the uplands will be available for Hen Harrier Day (9 August), the Inglorious 12th and thereafter. Published by Bloomsbury in late July – but you can order it now on World Book Day.    

Hen Harriers in the RSPB magazine

I was beginning to wonder whether my ‘A magazine formerly known as BIRDS‘ had gone astray. My mum had received hers, my daughter had hers, the lady in the Post Office mentioned that she had had hers too.  I know the RSPB was founded by a group of women but I don’t remember the magazine…

Is this pretty?

Heather burning is vitally important to grouse shooting.  Burning the heather on a rotational basis, every few years, creates a pattern of young and older heather.  The younger heather produces green vegetation that is eaten by Red Grouse whereas older heather provides more nesting cover.   This image from talented wildlife photographer Peter Cairns shows…

A bit of a round up – all good news

Virunga – good news here! And well done! to WWF. Hen Harriers in Bowland – some good news here – there are three pairs of Hen Harrier in England this year – that’s just under 1% of the number that there could be judging by the suitable habitat available. Hen Harriers on Springwatch – did…

Everyone loves the Hen Harrier – don’t they?

The science suggests that there should be a lot more Hen Harriers in the UK uplands than there are at the moment. Let’s just take Scotland for the moment.  The science says there should be c1650 pairs (I have taken the central point of an estimate and then rounded it) in Scotland on the basis…

Upland balance

Last week I spent two enjoyable days at Newton Rigg at a conference on the future of the uplands. The two days were quite enjoyable and very interesting. I may write a blog or two about the conference because it was so interesting. Hen Harriers were mentioned a few times even before my talk, the…