Birding Contents Archive

How adaptable is the Great Blue Heron? More than you'd think—it thrives around all kinds of waters from subtropical mangrove swamps to desert rivers to even the coastline of southern Alaska. https://t.co/G6qYCmBHYx https://t.co/Z5HiwxtRYr

Shorebirds like Ruddy Turnstone show steep losses — populations are down nearly 50% in the last 50 years, according to the 2022 #StateOfTheBirds Report. Threats include disturbance and loss of habitat. Support the Neotropical Migratory Bird Act to help! https://t.co/t7vIxtbUHF https://t.co/DAoafqN32y

The recent #StateoftheBirds report documents the decline of grassland birds, seabirds, Hawaiian birds, and more. The one group of birds that is actually seeing an increase in population size are wetland-dependent birds, including waterfowl: https://t.co/85sWk1nWIG

Why do raptor offences often incur such minor sentences? It’s a question we get asked A LOT. This particular case gets to the heart of the issue. Read on… https://t.co/6JanXDBjql

"At this year’s #COP27, world leaders must work together to implement a just energy transition to protect both wildlife and people.” - CEO of Audubon @DrElizabethGray https://t.co/46G12R8gqO

To learn about every bird in the book "Bringing Back the Birds," and to access recordings of their songs, scientific names, conservation status, and much more, click on the link: https://t.co/2EcdxoxemC Photo: Royal Tern by @OwenDeutsch https://t.co/PrhFetJGem

It's not too late to register and submit questions for the free eBird Q&A. Members of Team eBird will be answering your questions about life lists, hotspots, and more LIVE this Wednesday November 9 at 12pm ET. Register here: https://t.co/KM90pBFT1R #birding #BirdTwitter #birds https://t.co/b1v9UUMQCG

Election Day is tomorrow and will have a big impact on our communities and the birds we love. Make sure you’re #VoteReady and have all your ducks in a row. https://t.co/tx0inLO2P7 https://t.co/QN9FXUEy5M

In summary, better sentencing guidelines and Magistrates making full use of the sentences available to them would help serve better justice for birds of prey AND act as a stronger deterrent to other wildlife criminals. #raptorpersecution

“We need to listen to what #BirdsTellUs. We’ve lost three billion birds in the last 50 years. Birds are sentinels for healthy climate—if birds are in trouble, people are too.” https://t.co/kC6DqZbl3V

Another issue that keeps rearing its head is the lack of any consequences for the employers. In most other sectors the employer would face repercussions for the actions of staff (ie a gamekeeper). Vicarious liability has been introduced in Scotland and needs to be across the UK.

New groups in the southeast, such as @ForestherNC and Land & Ladies, are cultivating communities of women who manage their trees with economic and ecosystem sustainability in mind. https://t.co/KSxRWP8Oof https://t.co/SxrqBPncYN

Unfortunately, it seems the lack of sentencing guidelines available to the courts is at the heart of the matter. We’ve encountered this issue before, with magistrates left without clear principles to follow when deciding how to sentence these relatively rare and complex cases.

Raptor persecution is punishable by an unlimited fine and/or jail. Recently, a man was jailed for killing two herring gulls. So what’s going on?

The Magistrates heard all the facts thanks to a strong prosecution by the Crown Prosecution Service @CPSUK. However the total penalty was £1,220 plus 200 hours community work.