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.
We're now at 108,940 and 8,023. That second petition could use a little momentum.
Clare Bailey said:That second petition could use a little momentum.
I've signed. I fear that if Natural England have already been granted a licence it may be too late but worth a try.
I think it's outrageous that non-native birds like Pheasants are being reared in their hundreds of thousands to be released into the countryside just to be shot and yet they want to kill native Buzzards. As I understand it the shot Pheasants have little commercial value as a food source and I believe their carcasses by and large may just be dumped. If people want to shoot something why don't the try clay pigeon shooting.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Good morning, all. We're now up to 109,748 and 8,059. I agree with you, TeeJay, that it's probably too late for the second petition but I still think it's worth signing it to try to force the question to be asked. I know that many freshly shot birds are dumped, with some corpses even deliberately spoiled to prevent consumption.
Unknown said: I've signed. I fear that if Natural England have already been granted a licence it may be too late but worth a try. I think it's outrageous that non-native birds like Pheasants are being reared in their hundreds of thousands to be released into the countryside just to be shot and yet they want to kill native Buzzards. As I understand it the shot Pheasants have little commercial value as a food source and I believe their carcasses by and large may just be dumped. If people want to shoot something why don't the try clay pigeon shooting.
Every day a little more irate about bird of prey persecution, and I have a cat - Got a problem with that?
Good morning, all. Good article from Mr Monbiot here.
We're now up to 110,700 and 8,117. Mr Packham needs to be flaunting a placard with the second petition on it as he clearly did a great job with the first.
Thanks Clare, excellent article! Hope CP will have that placard to the fore when he appears at Birdfair this Friday evening even though his topic is re-wilding!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Wow that was some reading Clare, excellent work and thanks for putting it up here.
Lot to learn
The second campaign has picked up slightly. We're now at 112,055 and 8,286.
Good morning, all. Now standing at 112,652 and 8,416.