You Came, You Marched, You Rallied to a Cause...

And so the 6^th August had arrived... Hen Harrier Day 2016 at RSPB Rainham Marshes.

An early start saw the team setting up the final few banners, signs, car park and enormous tin foil Hen Harrier before opening the doors to the public at 8am.

By 9.30am the vibe was amazing and the area in and around the visitors centre was a hubbub of chatter, laughter and some sombre faces as the distressing facts about the plight of our Hen Harriers was discussed. Our four speakers were mingling among the throng with Mark Avery, (scientist/naturalist & former RSPB Conservation Director), Charlie Moores, (co-founder of Birders Against Wildlife Crime), Dr Mike Clarke, (RSPB CEO) and Chris Packham (naturalist and BBC Springwatch presenter) all chatting with the other attendees.

In the centre the last of the placards and my Hen Harriers on a stick were handed out and coffee and cake was being consumed in preparation for the rally to come.

Great effort from Fin Bennet-White

And the Yodaish Thomas Rumsby...

We mustered the troops at 1030am and headed down toward the Marquee Field beyond MDZ. It was a sea of waving harriers, with t-shirts and homemade banners amongst the procession as we headed along the trail where we were serenaded movingly en route by Peregrina EnChantica.

Would you look at that...

Shop Ladies on the way!

Peregrina EnChantica and the most certainly were as they sung ' Forgotten Names...'

The crowd started to collect in the field and I was repeatedly being asked how I had booked such a lovely day and a very short time before we started the answer literally appeared when Graham White and Alistair Wilcock found a Sunbird (basically the African, Asian Hummingbird equivalent) as it flew overhead and perched up on the river wall bushes. We are not sure of the species yet but it was shiny blue-black with orangey red underparts but whichever way you look at it, the escape from a private collection was certainly the most aptly named of birds to oversee our wondrous gathering.

Our Harbinger of Gloriousness - not sure where it came from but I glad this Sunbird did! - Alistair Wilcock

Building up...

Ladies That Sell - Catering and Retail en masse and a long way from home!

More Blueness amongst the khaki...

What followed were four of the most impassioned, emotive speeches I have heard on the horror afflicting our uplands – and do remember that it is not just Hen Harriers that are being persecuted – any predator and even Mountain Hares are targeted for removal and the environmental effects are catastrophic on both local and global levels.  This was joined up thinking with a definite goal.

The sexist harriers got everywhere! - Max Hellicar

Mark Avery, (scientist/naturalist & former RSPB Conservation Director)

Charlie Moores, (co-founder of Birders Against Wildlife Crime)

Apparently it has been reported that the turn out was very poor???  Must have gone to the wrong Rainham Marshes

 

Dr Mike Clarke, (RSPB CEO)

Chris Packham (naturalist and BBC Springwatch presenter) - please note Gosia's I Love Hen Harriers badge that Chris is wearing... there are only ten in existance...

By the time Chris Packham wrapped up proceedings our spirits were raised with a glimmer of hope that things would change; that we had got the grouse community rattled and that people were starting to take notice.

The 534 people sweltering in the sunshine began to disperse and amble back while the female Marsh Harrier and one of her youngsters tumbled in their own mock Skydance overhead.

Mark and the Marsh Harrier - Magnus Andersson

Back at the centre it was over to phase three of the day... feed, water and icecream the masses and get Chris and Mark to sign their superb books for said masses.

Sorry Jules but it had to be done

It all went swimmingly well and that Sunbird Sunshine just never stopped beaming down on us. I have to admit to flagging a bit by 4.30pm but a cup of tea does wonders and it was not too long before we could all contemplate heading for home.

The team today was magnificent and the passionate vibe that was running through all the visitors was taken up and carried equally by the staff and volunteers who quite literally worked themselves towards a good night’s sleep – possibly after a wee tipple.

So a big thank you from us to Lisa and the BAWC team for helping to make it work and to our colleagues who came to support the day and the special oratory talents of our four guest speakers. And let's not forget the 500 or so of you that travelled from Suffolk, Norfolk, Wales, the Home counties and closer to home to give Hen Harrier Day the biggest voice yet. You did us all proud.

Now where’s that bottle opener?

Not sure if I have stopped smiling yet...                                                                 (Dawn Cowan)

6-8-16