Beefy loses his line and length

Last week the You Forgot the Birds campaign disclosed that their ‘campaign’ was funded by the British grouse industry. Today, in the Mail on Sunday (prop P Dacre, grouse moor owner) YFtB is described as a grassroots campaign of farmers and conservationists. 59-year old Ian Botham has been brought back into the bowling attack. He attempts…

The grouse moor industry

Henry is, by chance, very topical this week, seeing as how he is in the Forest of Bowland. Yesterday, Henry reminded us of how many Hen Harriers used to nest in that area in the recent past. The number of nests has often been in double figures – several times higher than the current whole…

Henry in Bowland 2

Henry is pining for a ringtail. He’d heard that the Forest of Bowland was his best chance for a hot date.  ‘this one looks rather cute’ Henry told me. ‘I’m sure you’re right, Henry’, I said ‘They all look much the same to me’. Henry gave me a bit of a glare, I thought. He…

Really?

The Defra Press Office has just confirmed to me that Lord Gardiner has been appointed as their Lords minister. I phoned them just now. The Defra Press Officer seemed surprised I should ask, and seemed to think the appointment was made last Thursday. But the government website does not mention his name. Lord Gardiner is…

The ‘most Guardian of candidates’ – vote Hen Harrier

On the day after we learned of the ‘disappearance’ of three adult Hen Harriers in an area of Lancashire moorland (with large areas of grouse moor), it is time to send the next government a clear signal that wildlife crime must stop. On this election day you can have another vote, until midnight, for Britain’s…

Occupying the butts

Henry took this photo of me in the North York Moors. Have you got some grouse butts near you where you could be photographed? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ That was as far as I’d got with writing this blog when the news of three missing adult male Hen Harriers from active nests in the Forest of Bowland came…

Where are they, says Henry.

We popped around to see the SLE, Scottish Land and Estates, but there was no-one in. Henry doesn’t really get weekends. He had a look through the window and  couldn’t see any sign of life. Henry asked me why there was a Job Centre Plus just round the corner and I really couldn’t say. I…

Thirsk and Malton constituency

This blog has mentioned before the deselection of the feisty Conservative MP, and chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Anne Macintosh. Now I don’t agree with Ms MacIntosh about everything, and obviously I have no knowledge of the ins and outs, ups and downs, of her relationship with her constituency party, but…

Hear hear! Hare hare!

Ten wildlife and conservation organisations are calling on the Scottish Government to impose a three year ban on all Mountain Hare culling on grouse moors until safeguards are in place to inform sustainable management, and to meet international conservation obligations. The organisations are: Highland Foundation for Wildlife John Muir Trust National Trust for Scotland RSPB…

Open letter to Marc Bolland of M&S

Dear Marc Congratulations on your increased profits and increased share price!  It can’t all be due to customers flocking back to you after your decision not to sell grouse meat last year, but I have certainly been doing my bit to increase your profits. Your wise decision not to sell grouse meat in your stores,…