I have a feeling this is attached to another post somewhere but I felt it needed to have a bit more importance so I'll post it again. The Hen Harrier is probably the most persecuted bird of prey the UK have at the moment including that it is also of European concern.
The framework has been carried out by the JNCC to assess a number of factors that are affecting Hen Harriers on a national level incluidng the Hen Harrier-Grouse Moor conflict and how this may be resolved. The Frame work will look at both species protection on a regional and national level, constraints effecting populations and conservaton management practices.
It is a hefty read and probably isn't for everyone, but for those of you who have followed the Hen Harrier plight or have a keen interest in how conservation plans are thought out, take a read.
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/pdf/jncc441.pdf
Saturday, 26 March 2011
African Raptors.org Lots of News!
Take a look at africanraptors.org for loads of new interesting stories and field work that has been taking place. The stories range from Seychelles Kestrels, Amur Falcon tracking and vultures being poisoned but there is plenty more for you to get into.
If your keen on reading more about bird of prey conservation around the world go to the web page list on the right hand side of this blog to find loads of website covering raptor conservation all over the world.
Enjoy!
http://www.africanraptors.org/
If your keen on reading more about bird of prey conservation around the world go to the web page list on the right hand side of this blog to find loads of website covering raptor conservation all over the world.
Enjoy!
http://www.africanraptors.org/
Interview About Hobbies in Germany!
I have just read an interesting interview from the European Raptor website regarding an updated monograph of Hobbies in Germany. Klaus-Dietrich Fiuczynski has been studying Hobbies for a number of years and has just completed the Monograph, in this interview he answers some questions regarding his work with these beautiful little falcons.
The Hobby is also found in the UK during the summer months, when it migrates back to our shores after wintering in Africa and Europe. These stunning little falcons are often seen over wetlands where they hawk for there favourite prey, dragon flies and other flying insects. The Hobby can also be found on open farmland where it tends to find its nest site, these are often in the crown of a large tree usually in an old crows nest.
I hope you enjoy reading the interview and if there is one raptor you must see this summer in Britain it has to be this little rocket.
http://europeanraptors.org/interviews/interview_eurasian_hobby_germany_klaus_fiuczynski.html
The Hobby is also found in the UK during the summer months, when it migrates back to our shores after wintering in Africa and Europe. These stunning little falcons are often seen over wetlands where they hawk for there favourite prey, dragon flies and other flying insects. The Hobby can also be found on open farmland where it tends to find its nest site, these are often in the crown of a large tree usually in an old crows nest.
I hope you enjoy reading the interview and if there is one raptor you must see this summer in Britain it has to be this little rocket.
http://europeanraptors.org/interviews/interview_eurasian_hobby_germany_klaus_fiuczynski.html
Heiress Fighting The Good Fight For Raptors!
The Heiress of the Tetra Pak group has spoken out about the persecution of raptors on Scottish estates, Sigrid Rausing has spoken to the Telegraph about how she feels certain neighbouring estates are flaunting the laws protecting species like Golden Eagles for there own personal and financial gain.
I have to say it is quite refreshing to hear this coming from a large Scottish landowner, as you will read in the article below she owns her own Scottish estate that she is completly transforming into a wildlife haven including one for raptors especially Golden Eagles. Miss Rausing also touches on the awful plans to build a 33 turbine farm on neighbouring land that is a known hot spot for Golden Eagles.
It is now well documented that these turbines can and do kill large birds including large raptors like Golden Eagles, this site has now been passed and SNH are said to be supporting this development with one of the reasons that there are currently no breeding Golden Eagles in the area. Well how do they expect to have any Eagles breeding in this area if they won't even be able to fly around safely, but thats surely just the tip of the ice berg!
Have a read of the article below!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/8376111/Tetra-Pak-heiress-accuses-lairds-of-killing-golden-eagles.html
I have to say it is quite refreshing to hear this coming from a large Scottish landowner, as you will read in the article below she owns her own Scottish estate that she is completly transforming into a wildlife haven including one for raptors especially Golden Eagles. Miss Rausing also touches on the awful plans to build a 33 turbine farm on neighbouring land that is a known hot spot for Golden Eagles.
It is now well documented that these turbines can and do kill large birds including large raptors like Golden Eagles, this site has now been passed and SNH are said to be supporting this development with one of the reasons that there are currently no breeding Golden Eagles in the area. Well how do they expect to have any Eagles breeding in this area if they won't even be able to fly around safely, but thats surely just the tip of the ice berg!
Have a read of the article below!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/8376111/Tetra-Pak-heiress-accuses-lairds-of-killing-golden-eagles.html
Added Protection For Sea Eagles!
A scheme is in the process of being set up to fund the relationship between Sea Eagles and farmers/crofters. Sea Eagles are at the highest numbers since they were re-introduced in Scotland but this has not always been greatly received especially when livestock is concerned.
Scottish farmers and crofters have always been concerned about the welfare of there livestock and young lambs in particular since the introduction of such a large predatory bird. Although Sea Eagles and Golden Eagles are capable of tackling something the size of a lamb they both would normally predate on smaller mammals and carrion, carrion more so for the Sea Eagles.
Although I see the money as a mainly good thing I can't help but feel more time needs to be put into educating farmers and crofters about the habits and lifestyles of such birds and weighing up both sides of the arguement.
Take a look at the brief news piece below
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-12828674
Scottish farmers and crofters have always been concerned about the welfare of there livestock and young lambs in particular since the introduction of such a large predatory bird. Although Sea Eagles and Golden Eagles are capable of tackling something the size of a lamb they both would normally predate on smaller mammals and carrion, carrion more so for the Sea Eagles.
Although I see the money as a mainly good thing I can't help but feel more time needs to be put into educating farmers and crofters about the habits and lifestyles of such birds and weighing up both sides of the arguement.
Take a look at the brief news piece below
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-12828674
The Return of Ospreys in UK
Its that time of year again when the UK welcomes back Ospreys from there wintering grounds in Africa, the first males have returned and the next couple of weeks will see the return of further males and females to their previous years territory.
Ospreys have made a fantastic return to Britiain since being wiped out as a breeding bird in the 19th century, Scotland now has over 200 pairs, England 7 and Wales 1 with further birds coming in to muscle in on the action. Young Ospreys make the mammoth migration soon after they have fledged and won't return until they are around 3-4 years old and ready to breed.
There is one very special Osprey though and she has been christened Lady of the Loch, she has surpassed the expected life of a wild Osprey and is thought to be 25 years old, the expectancy is 8 years old. Lady has mothered and fledged 48 chicks so far. Last year was thought to be the final curtain for Lady as she spent a few days on her nest looking very poorly but she amazingly she recovered and set off on her migration back to Africa, now all eyes are on the skies of Loch Lowe for her return?
A book has been written telling the tale of Lady just click on the link below
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/reviews/lady-osprey.html#cr
For more information on the returning 2011 Ospreys click on the link below
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/ospreys-2011.html#cr
Ospreys have made a fantastic return to Britiain since being wiped out as a breeding bird in the 19th century, Scotland now has over 200 pairs, England 7 and Wales 1 with further birds coming in to muscle in on the action. Young Ospreys make the mammoth migration soon after they have fledged and won't return until they are around 3-4 years old and ready to breed.
There is one very special Osprey though and she has been christened Lady of the Loch, she has surpassed the expected life of a wild Osprey and is thought to be 25 years old, the expectancy is 8 years old. Lady has mothered and fledged 48 chicks so far. Last year was thought to be the final curtain for Lady as she spent a few days on her nest looking very poorly but she amazingly she recovered and set off on her migration back to Africa, now all eyes are on the skies of Loch Lowe for her return?
A book has been written telling the tale of Lady just click on the link below
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/reviews/lady-osprey.html#cr
For more information on the returning 2011 Ospreys click on the link below
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/ospreys-2011.html#cr
Table of Scottish Raptor Persecution 1989-2011
Raptor Politics have published an interesting table showing the raptor persecution that took place during 1989-2011 in Scotland and was reported. This data is only what Raptor Politics could find or know about you will see that 95-97 contains no data.
The biggest killer of birds of prey in the table is poisoning by toxic chemicals and you will notice that the same usual raptors succumb to this sort of death due in part to their diet including carrion. I can't help but feel this type of persecution can be used as a smoke screen by the people laying down such poisons, I think it is all to easy for the perpetraitors to say it was used to control something lawfully like a fox it wasn't meant to be eaten by a Golden Eagle. But that still doesn't make it right so why are so little custodial sentences or fines handed out?
I would like to see a more comprehensive national list compiled to really show what birds of prey still face in modern times. Take a look at the table at the link below
http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/?p=3874
The biggest killer of birds of prey in the table is poisoning by toxic chemicals and you will notice that the same usual raptors succumb to this sort of death due in part to their diet including carrion. I can't help but feel this type of persecution can be used as a smoke screen by the people laying down such poisons, I think it is all to easy for the perpetraitors to say it was used to control something lawfully like a fox it wasn't meant to be eaten by a Golden Eagle. But that still doesn't make it right so why are so little custodial sentences or fines handed out?
I would like to see a more comprehensive national list compiled to really show what birds of prey still face in modern times. Take a look at the table at the link below
http://raptorpolitics.org.uk/?p=3874
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