The Hen Harrier is an iconic bird of the Bowland Fells, one I saw regularly in Croasdale but now, rare indeed. It even features as a logo on the roadsigns for the Forest of Bowland. [Some wit has suggested replacing it with a grouse.}
On the Radio Lancashire news yesterday there was an appeal to the public regarding the shooting of a Hen Harrier on the Bowland Fells between Slaidburn and Clapham. The unusual nature of this appeal from the police is that the shooting took place in October 2019. I wondered how seriously the police take these criminal acts if they are only now asking for information.
A little research comes up with the following post. As well as questioning the police response to this incident they publish a depressing list of about 30 Hen Harriers believed to have been illegally killed since 2018.
No further comment. Please read.
It’s such a shame they are being targeted, I have never had the privilege of seeing one, up close anyway.
Do you know the Salter Fell track going through the hills from Slaidburn to Hornby? In Croasdale was always a good place to see Harriers, Peregrines, Merlins, Short Eared Owls etc.
Not so sure now – have a walk up with your binoculars.
I went on a rspb wildlife walk in the Slaidburn fells last may, it could possibly be the fell you mentioned. Our guide pointed out peregrine’s and a hen harrier but they were some distance away, and to my untrained eye, they could have been buzzards. 😜 Did see ring Ouzels though, so that was good!
That sounds good. You were lucky to see a Ring Ousel.
This makes me so angry (as you could probably tell from the rant on my own blog!!!). I don’t want to sound like a communist, but this is just the establishment looking after themselves, isn’t it. Disgusting. “Come the revolution….!!!”
So sorry to make you angry, hope I haven’t spoilt your day.
I just feel it is important to spread the word as much as possible about these wild life crimes and our authorities inabilty or unwilligness to do anything about it.
It’s not you who made me angry matey! 😊👍
It’s these shooting people. *******s they are!
They must ENJOY killing things AND DRESSING UP and boasting about their Purdeys, otherwise they could go clay-pigeon shooting.
Yes I agree.
My main point of sharing that post was to draw attention to the establishment’s, including the police, apparent indifference to solving wildlife crime. That is why the list of illegal killings grows.
Sickening. Especially, the apparent ambivalence of the police to do anything about it.
Maybe I’m being hard on the police, they have been severely underfunded. Time will tell whether they have and use their teeth.
Well that is true. At least they are asking for info.