Persecution of Hen Harriers

Sad Pip but they always will be persecuted unless shooting community and RSPB moderates from each side come to agreement on some compromise.We will never protect them by prosecutions.All this means that I am a moderate realist,not that I am pro persecution,

Fair point Sooty. I know you are not pro persecution.

This issue has been discussed at length on this forum and several points of view were put forward.

I simply think it's unjustifiable for any reason for humans to hound a species toward extinction. It's not just Hen Harriers either, is it :(

Pipit

As our part of the country has one of the worst records for birds of prey persecution I feel we ought to prosecuting the land agents or shoot owners.It is them that put pressure on keepers to kill birds of prey so they should at least take a large part of the blame.Maybe England should look at the way Scotish law is changing to put the onus on the men in charge.

Persecution of any species is unacceptable! We live on an estate & for many years have left out road kill for any species which wants it! It is placed well away from pheasant pens or lambing fields & never in the same place. It is just recently that we have received reports of other estates doing the same. The method certainly works & there is a good variety of species - hen harriers included.

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.

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

Wendy S said:

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.

Hey Blackbird your soapbox is very much in line with mine,our recording area in Nidderdale has one of the worst records for BOP persecution in England,makes me ashamed to be a Yorkshireman !!.We had an interesting talk at the bird club on Monday evening by our local Police wildlife crime officer and one point he made was that persecution of wildlife is classed as a misdemeanor not a crime so the maximum punishment is much lower,maybe we should be pushing for this to be changed.

Thankyou Seaman

Not so good to hear about the studies of BoP of your area

I feel enraged about hearing any stories such as this one is. I have heard so much of this going on over the years on my Bird Forums, and it never gets any better. It fills me with sadness at the way we treat our beautiful BoP's

At least the Police officer at your meeting told you the state of the law as it is now,  The Police have told you how "non important" it is to kill BoP's (on their list of priorities) and how little thought is placed for the BoP's welfare - so unfair.  The law is weak, and should be changed now!

"A misdemeanour is considered a crime of low seriousness, and a felony one of high seriousness"

If a person kills a BoP, and is let off with that crime, that tells me that they have no regard for any living creature or "human" if you ask me. 

They are not the full shilling, misinformed, and should pay the price for their crime

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Wendy S said:

Hey Blackbird your soapbox is very much in line with mine,our recording area in Nidderdale has one of the worst records for BOP persecution in England,makes me ashamed to be a Yorkshireman !!.We had an interesting talk at the bird club on Monday evening by our local Police wildlife crime officer and one point he made was that persecution of wildlife is classed as a misdemeanor not a crime so the maximum punishment is much lower,maybe we should be pushing for this to be changed.

Wendy S said:

We had an interesting talk at the bird club on Monday evening by our local Police wildlife crime officer and one point he made was that persecution of wildlife is classed as a misdemeanor not a crime so the maximum punishment is much lower,maybe we should be pushing for this to be changed.

Hi Seaman

I would be happy to add my name to such a vote.

Hi Chris

Ditto!

Hear, Hear!!!

Regards

Kathy and Dave