My local patch is Wanstead Flats and Park – for BirdTrack recording, I actually divide it up into three sections – the Flats, the Park and Bush Wood (including the Western Flats). Due to work commitments I’ve not visited the Patch since 25th May, so I thought I’d have an early start this morning [...]
Yesterday saw the banning of the use of lead ammunition for hunting in the state of California. We know that lead is toxic and (in the US & UK) it has been essentially banned in petrol, paint, water-pipes and fishing weights (in the UK) – well done anglers. The last largely unregulated use of [...]
Since 2005 I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked on the Critically Endangered Sociable Lapwing, initially whilst working for the RSPB and now as a freelance consultant. We’ve learnt a lot about the ecology of the species and what might have caused the population decline during the 1990s and early 2000s. During the breeding [...]
It would be difficult not to have noticed the confusion and ‘outrage’ (an over-used word in my opinion) that has been created by Natural England’s decision to temporarily remove the General Licence, so it can be revised ensuring it’s compatible with the law. This review of licensed casual killing is the result of a [...]
I’m looking forward to giving two talks next week at the Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey. Both talks start at 8.30pm, are free and all are welcome to attend. On Monday 13th May: Saving Vultures from Extinction Vultures are a crucial part of the ecosystems that they inhabit. They are spectacular birds that play a [...]
I blogged about this a few weeks back and since then the whole issue of the use of netting to stop birds from nesting has gone viral (NOT because of my blog I hasten to add!). Kate Blincoe (@Kateblincoe) and High Ash Farm (@HighAshFarm) should take much of the credit for this (at least [...]
I noticed two stories on my Twitter feed today that epitomises the state of nature conservation in the UK. One relates to the very welcome news that Natural England have licenced the reintroduction of the White-tailed Eagle to the Isle of Wight. The other story is of an investigation into the introduction of non-native [...]
Despite the rather unsettled weather, spring is definitely in the air. In just a matter of weeks migrating birds will be making their way back to the UK, and wintering birds will be heading to the Arctic. The annual migration that some of our most loved birds take is often rather hard to comprehend. Take [...]
I don’t usually blog about politics, but here goes. Last week I read an excellent article on the Spoon-billed Sandpiper conservation project. I had a very minor part in this project a few years ago when I was at the RSPB, and it is great to see the conservation of the Critically Endangered Spoonie [...]
MasterChef on the BBC reached the quarter final stage last week apparently. I don’t watch the programme but I was sent two emails asking me if I’d seen it – “they’re doing game meat and a guy gets a mouthful of lead shot!” Contestants had to produce “one dish showcasing Game” – a challenge set [...]
