Back Home With An Idea!

Ireland was fantastic such a friendly place and what a gorgeous city Dublin is, the history and architecture was brilliant and the Guiness is pretty special there too. Sadly the only birds of prey I got to see was the pair of Snowy Owls at Dublin Zoo, I'm not a big fan of zoo's as I think they can sometimes be to commercial and forget about the animals but Dublin Zoo seemed one of the better one's I've seen.

I did wonder whether Dublin had any urban Peregrines as there were plenty of high rise buildings and pigeons but I did a brief bit of research and drew blanks so if anyone knows anymore info I'd love to know. Most species of birds of prey in the UK will be sat on eggs incubating which with most species usually lasts, 30-35 days (specific species vary), the Lady of the Loch at Loch Lowes has three eggs underneath her and I am told the local Beeston Peregrines have eggs, but I'm waiting to hear how many.

When I set up this blog I wanted to encourage people to get out and enjoy birds of prey and maybe learn a little bit along the way just as I do, well I get to read a lot of stuff regarding birds of prey from all sides of the fence, whether its the RSPB fund raising with gloomy stories, Raptor Politics bringing to light raptor persecution, Countryside Alliance slamming the new RSPB Hen Harrier Project and shooters/gamekeepers calling for culls on birds of prey I can't help but feel someone needs to sit all interested and come up with some answers.

Now before you say it, what a can of worms and why bother, why not just let them all sit on there fences and argue there causes and rights, well in the middle of it are birds of prey and there future. Regardless of our views they have as much right in the countryside and any conflicts they have with man are usually due to our actions. I have read the articles and forums and thrashed it out in my head like many raptor conservationists have when it comes to the future of birds of prey in the UK and I feel something must be done.

We need to bring all the organisations together including the government and there affiliated organisations and discuss path's forward for all interested parties, we should be grown up and able to discuss these matters and work together for the good of raptors hopefully.

I am in the process of setting up a not for profit organisation called Raptor Aid, working towards raising a wider awareness about the conservation and plight of birds of prey around the world, lobbying organisations and governments to stand up and listen when it comes to birds of prey and support new and ongoing bird of prey conservation organisations and projects. Surely thats just the tip of the iceberg?

Now that is a can of worms to open but rather than sit on my backside I have a burning desire to make things happen for the good of birds of prey.

I'd love to know any followers thoughts/criticisms so please get in touch.