I wrote the other day about Natural England having a crowdfunder so that it can do its job, because ‘continuing’ its ‘vital conservation work’ is its job. The excellent ENDS Report, which seems to be a regular reader of this blog, has managed to get a quote from my mate, Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural…
Tag: Natural England
Hen Harrier breeding season in England and the licensing issue
The RSPB has revealed, ahead of Hen Harrier Day on Sunday, that as well as the five nests producing 22 fledged young in the Forest of Bowland, RSPB staff were involved in a partnership (for the fifth year in a row) in Northumberland where this year three successful nests (out of six attempts) produced nine…
Natural England begging for your money
Natural England is crowdfunding to carry out its statutory responsibilities. This public body is now crowdfunding for habitat management of sites such as Castle Hill National Nature Reserve (and Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area for Conservation for heavens sake!) on the outskirts of Brighton. According to Natural England this is ‘arguably the…
Farming today, yesterday
Farming Today irritates me a lot – and it would iritate me often if I listened to it often but its timing means I am usually finishing the first piece of work of the day prior to making the first cup of tea of the day. But sometimes, as with yesterday morning, I give it…
Hen Harriers in the news
The RSPB has announced that 22 Hen Harriers have fledged from five successful nests in the Forest of Bowland – all on land owned and managed by United Utilities where they own land to protect their water catchments. This land has a few days grouse shooting on it but, despite the fact that it comprises…
Quite sporting…
Sporting Gun is never going to displace Birdwatch, British Birds or British Wildlife from my affections but I am thinking of subscribing just to keep an eye on the more moderate and sensible end of shooting. A friend who shoots (yes – imagine it!) brought me back a copy from the Game Fair – they…
Wild Justice and general licences
Wild Justice wrote to Natural England and Defra last week to warn them that legal action would follow next year if they do not take account of the legal issues raised in the Wild Justice legal challenge of general licences (see Wild Justice blog with details). Given the time that the legal process takes, and…
Game Fair opens under a cloud
Today the Game Fair opens under a cloud – however sunny a day it might be in Hertfordshire. From the top to the bottom those involved in shooting have, by their words and actions, lowered the reputation of game-shooting as a legitimate pastime. And yes, I recognise that there are many decent and honourable people…
Game Fair debacle – not much goodwill to differing views
I still haven’t heard from the Game Fair directly – that’s a bit rude of them. And I haven’t heard from BASC yet on whether they regard me as an extremist – and on what grounds. I was interested to see the tweet above from Kerry McCarthy MP about a Defra minister going to the…
Game shooting industry sinks deeper and deeper
I mentioned last week, at the very end of this blog post, that I was planning to be at the Game Fair at Hatfield House on Friday . I didn’t make a big deal of it as I have been to c20 Game Fairs over the years and been on a panel for a good…