Yes, the dreaded bird flu, wiping out raptors all over grouse moors !
Yes, the dreaded bird flu, wiping out raptors all over grouse moors !
Indeed. Some people do their best to avoid the truth.Originally Posted by Heaning Hobbler
Truth?
Nothing proven either way, jumping to conclusions again. The fact is that raptors catch bird flu and my examples are tested and proven cases from around the UK.
Just as possible as your scenario.
Are you seriously trying to claim that a bird such as the Hen Harrier has been driven to virtual extinction in England by bird flu ? The words cloud and cuckoo come to mind.
Do you not believe that raptors are persecuted by the shooting community?
Some people do their best to avoid the truth.
Never claimed anything of the sort.
Every time a hen harrier goes missing the shooting community is blamed, usually without proof. Though when the harrier Highlander returned after going missing, there was a noticeable public silence from those that accuse, proven wrong, it wasn't shot or trapped the trakker had failed.
So with no proof or evidence about this one going missing, why the hell shouldn't I suggest bird flu as a possible cause? It is perfectly plausible and has as much evidence supporting it as it being shot.
The bird has gone missing, until it is found we don't know what has happened, when we do find it, the accusations can start.
Do I believe raptors are persecuted by the shooting community? Yes I do, but that is not 100% the problem by far. In my last job I spent many days in court with a RSPB representative and a BASC representative working together giving evidence against a gamekeeper I knew who was poisoning raptors (except he was proven innocent, which was laughable and I won't go into). I had him on something else shortly afterwards.
It is my belief that both sides should work together and the situation can and will slowly improve, but chucking accusations about which are not evidence led does not help.
Even wharfeego posts a nice photo of a buzzard but can't resist putting an accompanying sarcastic comment about it flying near grouse moors, I find that sadly pathetic, spoils a good photo and adds nothing. Just niggling and making shooters more entrenched and less cooperative.
You can hate grouse moors and shooting all you like, but they aren't going away in my lifetime, and will only do so when economically unviable.
It's quite possible they will go away in your lifetime.
Living in North Yorkshire I do not see my buzzard comment as sarcastic.
I have every reason to believe that all our raptors are in danger of being shot, poisoned and trapped by the nasty brigade, who will never de-entrench themselves from their butts.
Molehill, glad to see that you agree that raptors are persecuted by the shooting brigade, but that is not 100% the problem by far and its not bird flu, then why are Hen Harriers virtually extinct in England ?
Because they are and have been persecuted, by a minority of 'sportsmen' and their keepers. Bird flu is a fairly new disease and Raptor numbers were in decline before this.
I think Andy is making a fair point given all the shot filled evidence.He is not sarcastic, sad or pathetic in his actions and comments, but cares deeply about the destruction of our native wildlife by people who get their pleasure from killing things.
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