It was a relief to arrive at a dry, sunny Rainham Marshes as it had chucked it down with rain as I drove down from a less than sunny Felixstowe. Rainham was all geared up for the event and there were signs everywhere letting everyone know what the main deal of the day was:
The opening act was a very nervous Peregrina Enchantica, who did such a beautiful job of entertaining us last year. I thought they more than earned their spot on the main stage this year - last year they performed by the side of the footpath.
There's only one Howard Vaughan!
The first speaker was Rob Sheldon of Birders Against Wildlife Crime. He's been working very hard to raise money to satellite track as many young hen harriers as possible, to paint a bigger picture of where they go and (sadly) where they disappear.
Next up was Mark Thomas of the RSPB's investigative team. They have a tough time - some of what they've witnessed has been horrendous and they've been forced to watch the perpetrators go unpunished. What a fantastic job this team does just to keep going.
We were lucky enough to have Chris Packham for another year. It's impossible to put words to just how good a speaker he is - what a champion wildlife has in this bloke. Someone get him knighted, quickly.
I'm coming for you, bird killers.
I was pleased to see that hundreds of people had turned out again and there were some beautiful hand-made signs about:
Back at the Visitor Centre there was, understandably, a large queue for Chris Packham's book signing!
It's too bad that this event only happens yearly. I think this issue needs to be rammed down multiple throats until everyone gets the message.
HANDS OFF OUR HEN HARRIERS!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
On the same subject, just came across this item about poor Sally the Montagues harrier, sat tagged too, but she disappeared anyway www.telegraph.co.uk/.../sally-bbc-autumnwatch-harrier-has-illegally-killed-rspb-fear . It's a disgrace that there isn't a lot more publicity about the disappearence. So sad! It should be headline news for a week.
Found this Blog too http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/investigations/archive/2017/08/15/the-end-of-sally.aspx
Best wishes
Hazel in Southwest France
Thanks Clare for the good report and pics, this should be reported until people really get to see what is happening to our magnificent birds. Too many have to idea despite C. Packham and all his efforts.
Just read Hazel's post - sickened again. I agree with you that it should be reported daily until action is taken.
Lot to learn
I might put this on it's own thread gaynor as it will get lost on here!
Good idea Hazel, posts disappear so quickly and that needs to be broadcast to everyone.
Another satellite tracked youngster gone - read about her here.
That is so sad Clare, thanks for the link. As it is presumably private land, the landowners & police are responsible for finding out what happened to this hen harrier. Why don't the local police demande a list of all the people who were in the area with a gun on the day she disappeared. They must know who all the guests were who payed a fortune to particpate on this day of slaughter.
Thanks for the link Clare, more devastating news just leaves me wordless. I know what I would like to do with those grouse shooting enthusiasts. Will anything change? Surely one day....