This week from the 21st to the 27th October is the international lead poisoning prevention week, which focuses on eliminating lead paint. The week is organised and promoted by various United Nations agencies including UN Environment and the World Health Organisation. You can read more about the initiative here and here. The World Health [...]

The focus for early September was the local patch of Wanstead Flats and a few visits to the Old Sewage Works and Wanstead Park thrown in for good measure. The Red-backed Shrike that had been around since the 28th August, continued to be present in Pub Scrub on the eastern part of Wanstead Flats, [...]

For a whole range of reasons, not everyone could take part in the People’s Walk for Wildlife that was held last weekend. But everyone can be part of the journey that will see an improvement in our wildlife and environment – by writing to your MP. As part of the People’s Walk for Wildlife [...]

The People’s Walk for Wildlife took place today, Saturday 22nd September. A few thousand people gathered near the Reformer's Tree in Hyde Park London, no doubt for a wide range of reasons, but with one very broad concern – the future of our wildlife and environment. Many species are declining at an alarming rate, [...]

Our wildlife is in trouble. The UK population of Turtle Doves has declined by more than 90% since 1995, it was a common bird when I started birdwatching in the mid-1970s. Turtle Doves were so common I would list them in my notebook before I left the house as I was so sure that [...]

August started as July had ended, in Shetland, with an additional day added-on to a work trip. A late afternoon and early evening walk out to the Point of Fedeland for a spot of sea-watching drew a blank as far as anything unusual was concerned. I was hoping for a Sooty Shearwater as a [...]

Following on from last week’s blog outlining some initial points on Raven licences issued by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), a short statement has been put out on their Twitter feed. In my initial post I wasn’t 100% sure if one of the licences was issued for the benefit of pheasants, but all the information [...]

Ravens have been culled in Scotland as part of an unscientific experiment. They are being killed in England in larger numbers than Natural England appear to be prepared to admit. What about Wales? I couldn’t find any information on the website of Natural Resources Wales (NRW) so I submitted a Freedom of Information Request. [...]

Birds are wonderful. Everyone can enjoy them. They are easily seen. Some are beautiful songsters. They can undertake incredible journeys and others are resident. Some are common, some are rare. The House Sparrow was exceedingly common, but now, less so. I get as much joy out of watching the common birds in the garden [...]

There is a rather thought provoking quote that is often used on the Raptor Persecution UK website following a comment by a regular contributor, Dr Hugh Webster, “They can hide the bodies, they can hide the tags, but they can’t hide the pattern.” This quote was in response to the obvious pattern of disappearing [...]