"I used to watch you on TV when I was a kid." It gets said and you immediately think, oops, shouldn't have said that, I hope they don't think I'm being rude about their age. This time the phrase went through my mind but thankfully the words didn't come out of my mouth. I was being interviewed by John Craven for BBC TV's Countryfile, being broadcast this Sunday. He launched Newsround when I was... best stop there. Countryfile is featuring urban wildlife and will be looking at the deer in Richmond Park, the rebirth of the River Wandle and the peregrines at the Tate Modern. Luckily we had good weather and both the male and female peregrines entertained us, occasionally swapping places on the art gallery's chimney; their favourite daytime perch. We'd found the grisly remains of one of their meals on the ground at the foot of the chimney. It's a sobering thought but we now have more breeding peregrines in Greater London than you'll find on the NE Moors of the Peak District. If you're not shocked by that you should be. Peregrines have effectively been lost in some areas due to suspected persecution by unknown sources. This week saw the 25th anniversary of the Wildlife and Countryside Act gaining Royal Assent and we're calling on landowners to help us by reporting suspicious incidents to the Police. Seeing the delight, excitement and pleasure that people express when they see the Tate peregrines makes the ignorant actions of those responsible even more inexplicable.
The statistics for the statement made above came from our Birdcrime 2006 report, which does contain some good news too. Certainly, the creation of the National Wildlife Crime Unit last year helped tackle the problem of wildlife persecution. We work well with the Metropolitan Police's Wildlife Crime Unit and have had successes prosecuting egg collectors and illegal bird traders. Of course little of the work I write about here would be possible without public support, our volunteers, members and fundraisers. So, it's always nice when the unexpected arrives in the post. A cheque for just over £1,000 has been given to us by Yerbury Primary School in Islington. The money was raised by children having a sleepover at the school as a way to support our Save the Albatross campaign. Huge thanks to the children and to the school's deputy, Anthony Mirams, whose concern for this threatened species has infected his pupils too. Teachers are inspiring people who make a huge difference to society. Now, this weekend is your last chance to join us at the Tate Modern to see the peregrines and support our petition calling on Gordon Brown to introduce a Marine Bill. We're right by the Millennium Bridge and the Thames Festival means Saturday and Sunday will be great fun to be had by all along the southbank, with free entertainment and music and a wealth of food, craft and information stalls. Come and join us and revel in London's wild side. Finally, news reaches me that a rare and very shy bittern has arrived at our Rye Meads reserve in the Lee Valley. We'll be setting up an Aren't birds brilliant! Bittern watch early in the New Year, which is scarily closer than you think!