The UK is missing around 2000 pairs of Hen Harriers according to a survey carried out in 2016 whose results were released today. We know that the main cause of this harrier-deficit is deliberate, intensive and illegal killing of Hen Harriers by those who wish to shoot Red Grouse for fun. The lack of Hen…
Tag: Natural England
UK Hen Harrier Survey results
2016 saw a UK-wide Hen Harrier survey and the results are now out. The 2016 estimate of the Hen Harrier population for the UK is 545 pairs which is quite a lot less than the 2010 survey’s estimate (633 pairs) and an awful lot less than that for 2004 (749 pairs). However, it is worth…
FC guidance on managing woodlands with great crested newts
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Yesterday I posted a blog on what looks like potentially damaging woodland management operations in Denton Wood, Northants. Here is the link to what the FC say managers should do to avoid breaking the law with regard to Great Crested Newts, and here are some of the things it says: 3 Forest operations and great…
Denton Wood – here’s another FC mess up!
I bet you don’t know much about Denton Wood do you? Neither did I until very recently even though it’s only about 20 minutes drive from my house. It’s an area of Ancient Woodland which has, like many in this area, conifers planted in it in the past, but many such woods are recovering as…
Satellite-tagged Golden Eagles killed on grouse moors – official!
Golden Eagles are illegally killed on grouse moors – it’s official. It’s not a surprise, and it’s been a while coming, but there isn’t a hiding place for grouse moor managers in Scotland. And we are sure to see Scottish politicians following through on this report – after all, they’ve had enough time to think…
Liberal Democrat party manifesto
The Liberal Democrat Party manifesto has been consistently good on the environment for many years – how does this one shape up? Here are my thoughts on likes and gripes (restricted to the environmental issues): Good things: ‘when the terms of our future relationship with the EU have been negotiated (over the next two…
Sunday book review – The Butterflies of Sussex by Michael Blencowe and Neil Hulme
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This is a superb book and of interest to a much wider audience than those who are lucky enough to live in the butterfly-rich county of Sussex. The photographs are wonderful, the text is interesting, the graphics are intelligible and the data are voluminous. Everyone involved with this book deserves to feel proud; and to…
Conservative party manifesto
The 2010 Conservative Party manifesto was quite good on the environment but the 2015 version was pretty awful. How does this one shape up? Here are my thoughts on likes and gripes (restricted to the environmental issues): Good things: it’s a nice blue colour ‘The United Kingdom will lead the world in environmental protection. As…
Green Party environment manifesto published
The first words on the environment have been uttered by the political parties – the Green Party of England and Wales has produced its environmental manifesto. Well done to the Greens for having the first word – is this the last word on the environment? It’s a mere 10 pages with half of them being…
A response from the CEO of CNP
My blog this morning drew a quick response from Fiona Howie the Chief Exec of the Campaign for National Parks. She posted a comment and here it is for ease of reading: ‘As you say Mark, people are welcome to get in touch with us but before doing so I would encourage them to have…