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 [...]
July is often considered a quiet month for birds and birding. Spring migration is of course well and truly finished, breeding is over for many species, and autumn migration is at best a trickle. Purely by accident, July turned out to be a pretty good month for me, with visits to the wader rich [...]
The figures that Natural England provided me regarding the number of Ravens killed under license in England didn’t quite match up with the figures made publicly available via the Natural England blog. See my previous blog here and the Natural England blog here. I queried the discrepancy and Natural England replied in a matter [...]
