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.
79,259 now. See you all later.
It is really important that this cause is well supported,The recording area for our little club is surrounded by grouse moors which look very pretty when the heather is blooming but some are almost a desert as far as some wildlife in concerned.Thankfully we seem to have some smaller shoots that are not as money orientated and act as a haven but wildlife does not know the boundaries.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
79,866 now. It'll be going over 80,000 in the next couple of hours.
Wendy S said:Thankfully we seem to have some smaller shoots that are not as money orientated and act as a haven but wildlife does not know the boundaries.
Signed Clare, over 80,000 now.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Unbelievable - 80,646 now!
Brilliant news, thanks Clare!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Now up to 81,021. Only 18,979 to go! I think I can hazard a guess that Chris Packham is still taking that placard with him everywhere he goes.
Good evening, all.......we're now up to 82,164. I hope the momentum keeps up.
I'm popping another link here as we're on a new page.