RAPTOR POISONING IN NORTH YORKSHIRE - A TV INTERVIEW

[A McLee]

Just in case you missed it - there was a TV news item on this topic and a spokesman / mouthpiece of the game keepers association was interviewed for his body's position. I was prepared for the usual platitudes of " irresponsible minority etc etc".I was staggered to hear the view that the numbers of birds of prey species had now recovered to their former levels and he could not see what all the fuss was about. The facts that poisoning was illegal and that certain species numbers continue to remain at an artificially low level as a result of illegal persecution, seemed to escape the gentleman totally. I presume he would be incensed if after being mugged in the street, was subsequently told by the police that there was no problem and he had plenty of money at home so just forget about the crime.
If these are the public views of a designated spokesman one can guess at the attitudes of the members!
A McLee

[tim robinson]

I also saw that intervew , and was gob smacked. I had to walk out the room the vew of a poisond peregrine next to its chick knocked me sick then that t--ts comments.we have a long hard fight still.

[tonyg]

Can you post a link to the tv show

[ETJ]

As a matter of interest, this month's 'British Birds' reports that the first Watson Raptor Science Prize has been awarded to a team who '...have published an exemplary piece of scientific work which pinpoints the key limiting factor for a reintroduced Red Kite population in the north of Scotland...'.  The limiting factor is, of course, illegal killing.  The Black Isle population is now 50 pairs and it should be 300.

[DaveJ.]

The facts that poisoning was illegal and that certain species numbers continue to remain at an artificially low level as a result of illegal persecution, seemed to escape the gentleman totally..


If these are the public views of a designated spokesman one can guess at the attitudes of the members!
A McLee

Could you show me what "facts" you are referring to?  (published  data etc.) I missed the programme you mentioned.


.

[IanF]

I think the various news items/programs are all based on the Birdcrime 2010 annual report that came out on 3rd November. Lots of facts and figures there.

RSPB article - http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/richmondshireandhambleton/news/293944/

[tonyg]

It would have helped if a link to the aforementioned show had been given and then everyone could make a comment.

[DaveJ.]

It would have helped if a link to the aforementioned show had been given and then everyone could make a comment.

If we had the link this would have helped immensely.


Thanks for the link Ian, the guy must be busy photographing dog walkers. 


(Poison, IF it must be used, should be licensed in England, abhorrent that in this day and age, this is happening)


http://www.djohnson.org/

[A McLee]

I am sorry chaps I did not advise you of the link, but it was one of those items on TV which I was subliminally aware of initially and by the time I had had my private rant it was over and I did not think of publicising the issue here until several days after the transmission. By that time I could not remember the context of the item.

[tonyg]

If you could remember the news channel and date I can do the rest.

[A McLee]

Date of programme?
It was BBC1 and middle of the day and my broadband had fallen over as it does in Kirklevington, so it would be several days before the 5/11 when I posted it, so say 1st - 3 Nov. Sorry - best I can do.
Alistair

[DaveJ.]

I am sorry chaps I did not advise you of the link, but it was one of those items on TV which I was subliminally aware of initially and by the time I had had my private rant it was over and I did not think of publicising the issue here until several days after the transmission. By that time I could not remember the context of the item.

Main thing is, you had a rant.

[johnr]

I have worked on the railways for the last 35 years, about twenty of them have been driving around the NY moors working on the Whitby to Middlesbrough line. In all those years I have seen very few birds of prey, I am talking about the typical species you would expect to find in this area. I have never seen a Merlin, which I think is amazing really, because when you read all the bird guides this area is supposed to be one of their strongholds. I was working at Battersby the other day (23/11) and there was a hell of a shoot going on somewhere in the woods on the nearby slopes, and my workmates agreed that the people doing the shooting probably wouldnt be averse to shooting the odd bird of prey if they got in the way.

[DaveJ.]

I have worked on the railways for the last 35 years, about twenty of them have been driving around the NY moors working on the Whitby to Middlesbrough line. In all those years I have seen very few birds of prey, I am talking about the typical species you would expect to find in this area. I have never seen a Merlin, which I think is amazing really, because when you read all the bird guides this area is supposed to be one of their strongholds. I was working at Battersby the other day (23/11) and there was a hell of a shoot going on somewhere in the woods on the nearby slopes, and my workmates agreed that the people doing the shooting probably wouldnt be averse to shooting the odd bird of prey if they got in the way.

It would be fascinating to myself to read the reasons why you and your group would think this, (or anyone else for that matter)

.

[Richard Green]

Reward after marsh harrier shot in Barnard Castle Sept 2011
X-ray of wounded bird The wounded bird was shot in both wings and a leg
Continue reading the main story
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    A reward of £1,000 is being offered after a protected bird of prey was found with three shotgun wounds.

The Marsh Harrier was discovered with wounds in both wings and a leg near the village of Bowes, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, three weeks ago.

It has been cared for by a retired local vet and Durham Police said it was making a "fantastic" recovery.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is offering the reward and hopes to prosecute the culprit.

All birds of prey are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and anyone caught harming them can be sent to prison for six months or be fined a maximum of £5,000.

Guy Shorrock, RSPB senior investigations officer, said: "This is yet another appalling example of the crimes which continue to be committed against birds of prey.

"The Marsh Harrier was formerly extinct because of human persecution, but the population has started to recover well in the last 30 to 40 years.

"Like many other birds of prey it continues to suffer from illegal persecution."

There are fewer than 400 breeding pairs of Marsh Harrier in the UK - it thrives in lowland wetland and farmland habitats.

PC Clare Addison, rural communities liaison officer for Durham Police, said: "We rely on the public to be our eyes and ears regarding wildlife crimes such as this, so if anyone has information please get in touch."