Well, I'm doing my best to give this programme a plug but the BBC has moved the hen harrier piece again! So it's not tonight!
I know! Why not sign our bird of prey pledge if you haven't already - and over 140,000 of you have!
Next week contains the 'Glorious 12th' when the grouse shooting season starts. We believe that most of the hen harrier persecution that occurs in the UK, and which severely limits hen harrier population levels, occurs because these birds eat grouse (there is no doubting that they do eat grouse!).
I'm tempted to do a blog on hen harriers to coincide with the 12th but that would be a bit provocative - but it is a subject to which I will come back soon - I promise!
Hi Mark me again,not so simple as you make out about reintroducing White Tailed Sea Eagles into East Anglia,if it happens naturally so be it but though I love Sea Eagles and go to Mull.In East Anglia they would find Bitterns ETC easy meat so I think even quite a lot of bird lovers may find it difficult to know if it was worthwhile and must not be swayed by specialist Sea Eagle enthusiasts.Mull is the perfect place for people to see them and does Mulls local economy a lot of good into the bargain.You will be pleased I agree about Hen Harrier's,really badly persecuted and I am convinced other things like ticks do ten times more damage to the Grouse populations.
Thanks Sooty! I'm glad you enjoy the eagles on Mull - they are magnificent birds. White-tailed eagles nest in many European countries and are found in a range of habitats. In places like Norway their habitat looks quite like Mull but in many other European countries if you were looking at white-tailed eagles you'd be in a landscape much more like East Anglia - lowland wetlands, perhaps near the coast. We've looked at the evidence on sea eagle diets, and consulted lots of European experts, and there really doesn't seem to be any evidence that bitterns are under threat. We were a bit nervous too - that's why we checked. Of course, any large predator eats a wide range of species. White-tailed eagles in East Anglia would find lots of rabbits, coots, Canada geese, fish, ducks and gulls to eat.
All quite true Mark but also wonder if RSPB who despite small things I don't like do a wonderful job have the resources to protect the East Anglia nest sites.Mull has the advantage of stopping most problems by watching the ferry and of course almost all the population on Mull benefit from Sea Eagles from tourists.Also of course a scheme to compensate farmers on Mull which would be much more difficult on mainland.I am sure I am not the only one who feels really sad when a poisoning happens to one of these fantastic birds.Sure I saw that six% of population in East Anglia against introduction and worry that a small number could create havoc by poisoning.Sorry all negative but I really would love a sustainable level of all raptors all over mainland but unfortunately a long way to go before that happens but live in hope as Red Kites have made it and I think Osprey's soon will Poole Harbour has had a single bird for some time so with a bit of luck and help from RSPB may get a breeding pair.May even be a better proposition than East Anglia.Believe me I Would like to see them in the sky above the mainland but I am sure you see the massive problems Ireland has with raptors.Lets both hope someone else comments,feel your blog needs a bit of publicity at least it has some controversial things there.