Words fail me yet again!!!

Conservationists have condemned plans that would allow buzzard nests to be destroyed and the birds of prey taken into captivity to protect pheasant shoots. The Environment Department (Defra) is to spend up to £375,000 researching ways to keep buzzards from targeting captive-reared pheasants. Proposed methods include destroying nests to prevent birds breeding, catching and relocating [...]

Second Lanarkshire gamekeeper convicted of poisoning offences

A 63 year old man has today (12th January 2012) been convicted of possessing a highly toxic banned pesticide At Lanark Sheriff Court this afternoon, Cyril McLachlan was fined £635 after admitting to the possession of Carbofuran, a toxic pesticide banned in 2001. The gamekeeper, with 40 years experience, was arrested during an operation by [...]

Prolific egg thief jailed for third time

An egg collector has been jailed for stealing hundreds of eggs from birds including a golden eagle and osprey. More than 700 eggs – stolen from nests in Scotland and Essex – camouflage clothing, climbing equipment and maps of nesting spots were found at the home of Matthew Gonshaw in Bow, east London. Gonshaw, 49, [...]

Gamekeeper denies cage trap charges

A gamekeeper illegally used a cage trap baited with a live pigeon to catch birds of prey in Derbyshire, a court has heard. Glenn Brown, 39, is alleged to have operated the trap during his employment on land owned by the National Trust in the Upper Derwent Valley on various dates between April 14 and [...]

Farm – let us shoot the birds

A Lancashire farmer says he is being targeted by animal rights protesters after calling for a ban on shooting flocks of scavenging starlings to be lifted. The 70-year-old farmer, who does not want to be identified, says he and other local farmers have been contacted after they spoke out about the problems caused by large [...]

What next????

Magpies and crows will be trapped and killed in the first cull of its kind to protect songbirds. By Andy Bloxham 27 Jan 2011 The move could pave the way for birds of prey, including buzzards and sparrowhawks, to be culled in the same way. Songbirds such as the yellowhammer, corn bunting and skylark – [...]

Welsh poachers caught illegally hunting near Stow-on-the-Wold

TWO South Wales men caught poaching in the Cotswolds during a hare-coursing alert were fined when they appeared in court in Gloucestershire today. Saley Price, 25, of Heol Pentwyn, Caerphilly, South Glamorgan, and Joseph Smith, 21, of Cwm Crachen, Nant-y-glo, Gwent, each admitted daytime trespass in pursuit of poaching gamebirds, contrary to the 1831 Game [...]

‘Blood Still on the Wire’ exposes grim reality of snaring in Scotland

The League Against Cruel Sports has released shocking new evidence exposing the horrific suffering inflicted by snares and other traps to animals on shooting estates in Scotland. A graphic film and report, both titled ‘Blood Still on the Wire’ are being released to coincide with the start of the grouse shooting season. The ‘Glorious Twelfth’ [...]

League releases grim exposé of shooting cruelty

The League Against Cruel Sports has released graphic footage showing the extent of suffering inflicted on game birds used on commercial shoots. The short film, ‘A Good Shot?’ is being released today to coincide with the start of the grouse shooting season. The Glorious Twelfth traditionally celebrates the first day of shooting but the League [...]

There’s Nothing Glorious About the Twelfth

By Kit Davidson, Shooting Consultant to Animal Aid Glori’ous a. possessing glory, illustrious, conferring glory, honourable, splendid, magnificent, intensely delightful, ecstatically happy with drink. There is nothing glorious about the Twelfth of August. The only similarity grouse shooting shares with the dictionary definition of this abused adjective is the connection with drink. The hip flasks [...]