Today saw Arne host its second ever Hen Harrier Day, a demonstration that saw around 300 people rally together and voice their anger at the illegal persecution of Hen Harriers and other raptors on the hills of northern England and in Scotland. Birds of prey are killed in these areas to protect the grouse that rich folk then come and shoot. This year in England only THREE pairs of Hen Harrier bred…there is enough suitable habitat to maintain 320+ pairs. Speakers included us (Birds of Poole Harbour), Mark Thomas from the RSPB investigations team, Nick Bruce-Write the RSPB SW regional director and TV presenter and naturalist Lolo Williams. Each speaker spoke with passion and heart about different aspects of their work that sees them combat this issue. There is currently a petition to Ban Driven Grouse Shooting, the supposed main cause of raptor decline across the UK. If you want to see this illegal activity stopped you may like to sign the petition HERE.

Bird news, at Swineham the first 3 Lesser Whitethroat of the autumn were seen is scrub around the pits with a Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Willow Warbler, plenty of Chiffchaff, 1 Hobby, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Cetti’s Warbler and a Stonechat. At Lytchett Fields there were 28 Dunlin, the first 3 Ringed Plover of the autumn, a Marsh Harrier passed over and 500+ Black-tailed Godwit. At Middlebere a winter plumage Grey Plover was in front of the hide with 2 Yellow-legged Gull and the Barn Owl passed early evening and a Redstart was along the track. On Upton Heath a Spotted Flycatcher was near the Old Railway. At Slepe Heath a Hobby was hunting over the ridge. 

Hen Harrier Day at Arne