Blogs

The RSPB bought Hope Farm ten years ago. Our aim was to manage a bog-standard arable farm (in Cambridgeshire) as a commercial farm but at the same time to increase its bird numbers. And it has worked! I'm glad it has worked because it felt as though...

Back in the spring and summer we were lobbying for set-aside to be replaced with a mandatory set of actions for farmers to implement to benefit wildlife. That didn't happen, instead Defra went for a voluntary option for farmers. The NFU's and...

I haven't done much blogging from Manchester - I've hardly had a minute to spare! I've spoken at two Fringe meetings so far, with Richard Benyon and Julian Brazier on the platforms with me - two more Fringe speeches to go! We've met and...

Defra produces a very interesting little booklet entitled 'UK Biodiversity Indicators in Your Pocket' and the 2009 version is out. It's certainly not all bad news - do have a look yourself to see - but it doesn't paint a great picture...

Mark Avery won't be blogging for a few days but has left you some of his favourite poems, with a bird theme, while he is away. To a Sky-Lark Hail to thee, blithe Spirit! Bird thou never wert— That from Heaven, or near it, Pourest thy full heart...

As a participant in the Breeding Bird Survey I received a copy of the analysed data for 2008 in the post this week. It makes fascinating reading - as always. I'll pick out a few of the highlights, but first some history. The UK, but particularly England...

Some farmers may be choking on their cornflakes when they read in the Daily Telegraph that Lord Mandelson is their most powerful ally in their campaign to avoid being required to replace the environmental benefits of set-aside. Lord Mandelson's Business...

The presidents of the National Farmers' Union and the Country Landowners Association have replied to the letter in the Guardian referred to earlier in this blog. What do we think of it? Their reply is good in parts. We welcome the words about providing...