Wednesday 15 July 2015

Your Harriers Need You

Terry & Andrea with Harry

As a member of the Tayside Raptor Study Group I recently had the opportunity to meet up with Mark Avery and Henry the Harrier during their nationwide tour. Over a curry we discussed the plight of our birds of prey particularly the Hen harrier. As birders we need to raise the profile of the harrier and not allow the grouse shooting industry to have its own way. There is a concerted effort going on right now to eradicate the Hen harrier - male birds seem to be the target this summer meaning females at the nest are not fed leading to nest desertion. In winter, roost sites are now being targeted further reducing the population. 

The aim of the Hen harrier day campaign is to bring the plight of these birds into the national conversation. Some newspapers are owned or edited by members of the shooting fraternity and many politicians are on the side of the grouse industry. So we must rouse ourselves to stand up for our persecuted birds. 

I mentioned to Mark Avery that Liverpool were planning a minibus to attend a Hen harrier day event and how it would be good if more local groups did the same. 
Mark passed on his regards to the Liverpool group and mentioned meeting certain members at the North West Birdfair. What a speaker he would be for an indoor meeting. 


Terry 

Tayside group with Mark Avery


A website dedicated to Hen Harrier Day 2015 has been launched – http://henharrierday.org


Buy a badge, bag or teeshirt and show your support!





Bowland Betty


**RSPB LIVERPOOL HAS SENT OUT AN EMAIL TO ALL OUR MEMBERS ABOUT OUR PLAN TO ATTEND THE EVENT IN THE GOYT VALLEY, WE ARE TAKING NAMES OF MEMBERS INTERESTED IN JOINING THE MINIBUS. 

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