Well, what a good day I've had. As well as enjoying a visit to the lovely Rainham Marshes reserve it was also hosting the annual Hen Harrier day event - and boy, didn't we get the weather? The official event greeter was at the door:
I really felt for her in what had to be a hot and uncomfortable costume. Looks adorable, though!
This is Peregrine EnChantica. They were singing a most appropriate song for the occasion.
There were lots of these and other banners and placards about.
Mark Avery obligingly pulls on an official T-shirt over his shirt in between signing copies of his book, Inglorious.
Whatever did Mike Clarke say to Chris Packham?
Mark Avery gets the event started. Up first is Charlie Moores of BAWC:
He doesn't like microphones.
All smiles as he gets it sorted! He was a nervous but sincere speaker who earned several spontaneous rounds of applause with the points he made.
The next speaker was Mike Clarke, who revealed he'd grown up in Kent and regularly seen hen harriers in the area in his youth. That's what I call lucky.
They saved the best for last. What a great speaker Chris Packham is - it was a world away from his Springwatch style as he spoke seriously about the plight of the hen harriers as well as the tactics of those individuals who clearly prefer the status quo. He even pointed out that it was pointless to try to upset him as, being autistic, he officially doesn't care what they think! I think that point got him the most applause.
This placard was regularly updated.
He shows off the increase with his 'I'm going to get this to 100,000 if it kills me' expression.
'Henry' gears up for action again. It was really hot by this point.
He actually stayed for quite some time - chatting to people and signing copies of his autobiography for anyone who asked. What a nice bloke.
The lovely Howard Vaughan of Rainham. Gotcha, Howard!
A good day was had by all and the numbers were well in excess of expectations. I'm looking forward to next year....let's all hope we've got more than 3 pairs of hen harriers breeding in England in a year's time.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Just added my name to a cause that needs shouting about from the rooftops.
Lot to learn
Unknown said: The Good news we had Hen Harriers nest at RSPB reserve Geltsdale this year in Cumbria, just on the border with Northumberland, but sadly only one young.
The Good news we had Hen Harriers nest at RSPB reserve Geltsdale this year in Cumbria, just on the border with Northumberland, but sadly only one young.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Good morning, all. We're up to 76,989 now.
I think a big part of the reason I'd love to see this petition hit 100,000 signatures is articles like this one. What Chris Packham and other people championing the hen harrier have to put up with is beyond the pale. Of course the editor of this paper and the unspeakable Botham both own shooting estates so a little bias is to be expected.
77,054 now. The weekend's events have definitely brought the necessary attention to this issue.
We're on a new page so here's the link again. 77,197 now.
78,008 now.
I saw Chris Packham fighting for the birds over in Malta last year, he believed in what he was doing then and now once more he takes a stand about the grouse shooting estates. Did Mr Botham join in at that time I wonder - no he was too busy stocking up his own Estate. There is an Estate near me and the sound of the guns booming for a whole week last year just sickened me. The birds were flying over to our side of the valley to get away but of course how could they feed, they have no knowledge of looking after themselves and so have to return or starve. Hateful and in this day and age totally needless.
Perhaps I shouldn't post this but |I get a little het up.
78,615 now. They've effectively got another 42 days in which to get 21,385 signatures. Just over 500 a day - I think that's in sight.
Good morning, all. Up to 79,073 - looking forward to seeing it go over 80,000 very soon!