Persecution of Hen Harriers

Nicki C said:

The persecution of all BoP's of any species is a very emotive subject these days, and still the killing carries on.  The stories are continually noted in the local press in varying degrees all of the time now.

Humans are to blame for the Harriers downfall, and because England is more heavily populated all the more excuses for people to kill them.  Improving the birds environment does no good unless people change their attitudes and the birds are respected for what they are!

It is having to work out who the 'real' culprits are, and why they are doing what they are doing killing BoP's for whatever reason...right or wrong does not come into it - it is wrong!!!

As for the estate owners/employees - the finger is pointed at them many times as they want to preserve their stock for annual Grouse shooting - they are high on the suspects list each time.  Farmers are seen as suspects too - sadly.  The news is very informative as to what types of people are likely to be caught killing BoP's

With farmers the other factor that BoPs attack lambs - but for what reason!  What proof is there?  Where are the videos/proof?

So there is a never ending stigma that BoPs attack lambs.  To me that is wrong unless the lambs are weak/unhealthy, and the BoP's know that as it is what nature does best dispose of weak animals.  why would a BoP chase after a healthy lamb and use all of its energy!

What it needs is much more stiffer punishment, heavy fines (to give to the RSPB, and associated bodies) when  the person is caught or proven guilty - simple as that and less of the pussyfooting around with the law.

The way things are now the Harriers will be extinct in the future!  So start with improving the laws of the land - now before it is too late

I will get off my soapbox now!!

Regards

Kathy and Dave

In the case of Hen Harriers maybe some form of compensation could be worked out with the Grouse moor owners.I think this is done in some form in Scotland when White Tailed Eagles are suspected of taking lambs.I am sure a few of us would happily chip a few bob in if it meant seeing Hen Harriers back on our moors.

Hi Blackbird,not many farmers consider B O P as a problem but seems even RSPB think Eagles take a small number of lambs but on the other hand if you look at Mull Eagles Blog you will find a farmer found a young Eagle that had been flying about a month and badly injured went to quite a bit of trouble to get the bird to Warden Dave Sexton and now after serious operations to broken wing he is back flying.The farmer was a sheep farmer by the way.The massive problem is that however big the penalty for persecution of B O P it is almost impossible to detect which makes the punishment almost irrelevant. 

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England is in real danger of losing its breeding Hen Harrier population entirely and as illegal persecution is a significant contributory factor this, to me, is a national disgrace.

It is more difficult to convince the Government and residents of places like Malta that their nation's appalling record of indiscriminate slaughter of migratory birds is a major problem when we can't keep our own house in order. 

I don't like the prospect of having to bribe people to obey the law of the land one little bit.  My position is prosecute hard, apply corporate responsibility principles so that it isn't just the keeper that gets a fine (or preferably put away), and close down shoots that transgress. 

I'll stop there because one of these days I'm probably not going to be able to......

JBNTS 

These beautiful birds breed not a million miles from my home - in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire. It is possibly the last remaining area in England where these birds continue to breed successfully.  In 2010 a total of 18 chicks fledged on this land, owned by United Utilities, who say they are working hard to identify ways of stopping criminal persecution of these birds. Let's hope they are successful.

Hi Sparrow

The Forest of Bowland is a wonderful area and somewhere I love to go walking. I've not seen a Hen Harrier there (here's hoping). Great to hear about the 18 chicks!!

Good news Sparrow. Thank you.

Pip xx

Well said John

It does need a radical change in the law about protecting BoP's

England's Hen Harriers are on the edge now and I would love to see them come back to being the successful species they are - as with the Red Kites a success story in the future.

Yes, Malta's issues are another place which is disrespectful to its bird population, and that means song birds and all birds.  I am totally for resolving issues but the politics are too strong for me to understand.

Yes, a heavier law to stop all the problems, with UK BoP's is the only way of stopping people in their tracks and telling them like it is......you kill BoP's, are caught red handed, you lose your business and livehood - end up with a Criminal Record. 

Shutting down businesses and causing financial hardship is one way of biting back so the people involved will think twice about what they are doing, and their is a consequence of their actions to take on board.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Unknown said:

England is in real danger of losing its breeding Hen Harrier population entirely and as illegal persecution is a significant contributory factor this, to me, is a national disgrace.

It is more difficult to convince the Government and residents of places like Malta that their nation's appalling record of indiscriminate slaughter of migratory birds is a major problem when we can't keep our own house in order. 

I don't like the prospect of having to bribe people to obey the law of the land one little bit.  My position is prosecute hard, apply corporate responsibility principles so that it isn't just the keeper that gets a fine (or preferably put away), and close down shoots that transgress. 

I'll stop there because one of these days I'm probably not going to be able to......

JBNTS 

 

 

Unknown said:

England is in real danger of losing its breeding Hen Harrier population entirely and as illegal persecution is a significant contributory factor this, to me, is a national disgrace.

It is more difficult to convince the Government and residents of places like Malta that their nation's appalling record of indiscriminate slaughter of migratory birds is a major problem when we can't keep our own house in order. 

I don't like the prospect of having to bribe people to obey the law of the land one little bit.  My position is prosecute hard, apply corporate responsibility principles so that it isn't just the keeper that gets a fine (or preferably put away), and close down shoots that transgress. 

I'll stop there because one of these days I'm probably not going to be able to......

JBNTS 

John B in truth these are my sentiments but if it means keeping Hen Harriers on our moors I am willing to support any legal system.The constable who talked to our club the other night was a real raptor fan and you could sense his frustration in the way the law operates.It does seem that anything to do with the countryside is low priority no matter what colour is in power,maybe there is not votes out here.But once again that is off the point and this is probably not the place for party politics

This is a century old problem and nothing will stop anyone so minded standing accidentally of course on a Hen Harriers nest,the chance of catching someone doing that which must be the biggest reason not more H H is absolutely zero,some of these moors where they breed are thousands of acres and if I gave someone the job of finding something on that area they would stand no chance,of course I am not saying gamekeepers do kill them but they know those moors like the back of their hand and no one else has a clue about them.

This persecution will carry on whatever the penalty until someone takes the bull by the horns and comes up with a radical solution that means I no longer have to wait until going to Mull to see them.

The best place I ever saw for a Hen Harrier roost was on the Isle of Man,does anyone know if this is still a good place for them ?

Susan H said:

These beautiful birds breed not a million miles from my home - in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire. It is possibly the last remaining area in England where these birds continue to breed successfully.  In 2010 a total of 18 chicks fledged on this land, owned by United Utilities, who say they are working hard to identify ways of stopping criminal persecution of these birds. Let's hope they are successful.

Hi Sparrow

Let us all hope that United Utilities find a way to be successful. Fingers crossed. :-)