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…
Tag: grouse shooting
What was that list?
I posted this list of birds yesterday and asked you what you thought it signified. Mute Swan Greylag Goose Canada Goose Wigeon Teal Mallard Tufted Duck Pheasant Cormorant Grey Heron Great Crested Grebe Little Grebe Buzzard Kestrel Coot Oystercatcher Lapwing Black-headed Gull Common Gull Herring Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Stock dove Woodpigeon Collared Dove Green…
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…
Wildlife Crime – Westminster Hall debate
Westminster Hall debates are important ways by which Parliament can discuss matters of importance outside the House of Commons chamber. Earlier this month there was a Westminster Hall debate on Wildlife Crime sought by the members of the Environmental Audit Committee to give the Government a nudge after the EAC published their excellent report on…
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Today Animal Aid is calling for public subsidies to be withdrawn from millionaire grouse shooters.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…
Naff new name – great new(-ish) magazine
I’ve been told to expect good things from the first issue of Nature’s Home – the new name for the RSPB magazine. Mine arrived yesterday and I’ve enjoyed reading quite a lot of it already – more than I have for quite a few issues of the magazine. I don’t like the name Nature’s Home,…
An open letter to the new Defra Ministers
To George Eustice and Dan Rogerson. Dear Ministers Congratulations on your new ministerial appointments. You have an unpredictable time, but no more than 568 days (less holidays, the run up to the General Election, time off sick and being moved on or sacked) to make a difference. Given the uncertainties of Ministerial tenure you can’t…
Toffs
A couple of days ago I suggested that the recent Defra minister Richard Benyon might be called a ‘toff’. This was greeted by a stream of comments angry on the toffish ex-Minister’s behalf. Let’s just get the meaning of this four-letter word out of the way first. Toff – a member of the upper classes,…