Highland estates could be forced to apply for licences to shoot grouse in a further crackdown by Scottish ministers on the illegal persecution of birds of prey. Aileen McLeod, the Scottish environment minister, said she had ordered a review into the stricter legal controls imposed on game estates in Europe as conservationists disclosed that at […]
Tag: Grouse
End of the Season Blues
Birds? I still like ’em, I still take pictures of them. I am now back in civilization, society. There are 2 positive things about this: The internet, and my cats have a house to run around in again, not a wee trailer. I’m already feeling clausterphobic after less than 24 hours though. Oh boy, not […]
POLL: Should the Slaughter of Grouse be allowed to continue?
More than 50 million game birds a year are being released for shooting, putting increasing strain on native wild birds and the ecology of the UK’s countryside, landowners will be warned on Friday. As management of driven grouse moors intensifies, the shooting industry must take responsibility for the impact their industry has on biodiversity and […]
Isle of Man Study Supports Red Grouse Reintroduction
A study of the Isle of Man has recommended reintroducing red grouse to boost the island’s dwindling population of the bird. The Manx Uplands report, compiled by Professor Jim McAdam, said in the past three years breeding had declined. Research suggests the fall in grouse population was “almost entirely due to predation by harriers and […]
Scottish Gamekeepers Association starts bird protection scheme
A new conservation project aims to help stop the decline of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable birds. The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) will ask its members to record the numbers of birds spotted. This data will then be used to help target conservation efforts towards specific areas. The wading bird population has dropped dramatically in […]
Birders Against Wildlife Crime
Last night Channel 4 News broadcast a short and extremely welcome report on the persecution of raptors on Scottish grouse moors, triggered by the rather unfortunate timing that saw Prince William (below) debate poaching and wildlife crime at a conference in London the day after shooting animals ‘legally’ in Spain. William of course famously enjoys […]
The life and death of golden eagle Fearnan
Yesterday we learned that yet another young golden eagle had met an untimely death at the hands of an industry incapable or unwilling to move into the 21st century (here). The shocking result of a series of secretive, evil acts pervading the remote glens and mountainsides of Scotland. Secretive yet relentless. A lonely agonising death […]
Isle of Mull – story of the stack
It was early spring on ‘eagle island’ and on our marine excursions covering the north shore of Mull we were monitoring our local white-tailed eagle territory to see if nestingattemptswere taking place. After not seeing any clues in their traditional nest site high up in aconiferplantation, we noticed the female bird seemed to be hunkered […]