Bowland Beth

brue
brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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edited August 2017 in Wildlife, Nature & the Great Outdoors #1

I was listening to David Cobham talking about his Hen Harrier book, Bowland Beth. I was very sad to hear there are only six pairs left now. What a terrible loss. His story is remarkable but the demise of such a beautiful bird in the UK is dark and shameful.

 

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  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,586 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #2

    Couldn't agree more with you Brue. We were privileged one year to see a male Hen Harrier chasing an unfortunate Meadow Pipit on Orkney. The dexterity of the Harrier was incredible to witness as he went about his business of catching the poor Pipit. 

    We seem to be quite lucky in so far as we are able to see Hen Harriers in winter as they winter on the River Dee in Cheshire/Flintshire.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #3

    I thought, from a report in June, that there were just over 500 pairs in the UK.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #4

    Just looking in OP, when I wrote the thread I was relaying info from the programme. My laptop has gone kaput and I have limited access to check the details at the moment. Hope you are right and I am wrong! smile

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #5

    Perhaps they mean in the Forrest of Bowland?

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #6

    I think you're right or for county I thought he said country? But I see hen harriers are on red status and numbers are falling.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #7

    Its such a pity that they are persecuted by landowners and its about time the landowners were taken to court and not just the gamekeeper. The penalties need to be enforced to the maximum.  

    I just love watching these beautiful birds if flight

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #8

    This would make so much sense. Gamekeepers are generally maintaining the land to the landowners requirements. But it's an easy cop out at present. Similar situation to companies but we now have the corporate manslaughter charges. 

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