August 12th 2015
The Glorious or Inglorious 12th?
Well the Grouse season has certainly started with a bang this year and I'm back from a couple of weeks of annual leave to hear the the awful news that a post-mortem has confirmed that Annie who went missing in March had been shot.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/405283-rspb-scotland-appeal-after-rare-raptor-shot-dead-in-southwest
Police Scotland have asked anyone with information to contact Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively CRIMESTOPPERS can be contacted on 0800 555 111.
http://www.scotland.police.uk/whats-happening/news/2015/august/bird-of-prey-found-dead-clydesdale-south-lanarkshire
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| Annie 2014 - 2015 |
Concerns about Annie arose in mid March, her last transmission was received around the 19th of March. At that stage, as protocol dictates, the matter was handed over to the relevant authorities.
Frustratingly even this post mortem evidence does not allow us to identify the person who shot her and bring them to justice. Will Annie be just another dead harrier?...
Sadly I don't have any more information, only anger and frustration that anyone would want to end the life of such a beautiful bird.
No doubt in death 'Langholm Annie' as I have heard her called in the last day or two will join 'Bowland Betty' in helping to raise awareness about her species.
While this storm rages, life goes on for Hattie, Grainne and Cyan (the new boy, Hattie's son). Hattie and Grainne are still safely settled here at Langholm, but Cyan has begun his journey, leaving Langholm moor and heading north towards Hawick before moving east into Northumberland. There is growing awareness and admiration for this beautiful species but still some who can not bear to share their world with a harrier...
So sad to read the news of Annie. In her short life she gave lots of pleasure to the Harrier watchers on the moor. Fingers crosses that Hattie and Grainne will stay in the safety of Langholm Moor. Sorry I missed you during my recent short Owl trip Cat. 5 Short-eared Owls still there, but nocturnal and spread out over a 6 mile stretch. And I only saw them erratically. They could leave to head South any day now of course.
ReplyDeleteGo Cyan!
ReplyDeleteMessages for you and the team at www.henharrierireland.blogspot.ie and facebook.com/henharrierireland and @HarrierIreland
We will keep working for Hen Harriers because we have no other choise.
In solidarity.
Hen Harrier Ireland
So...is it glorious? I know what I think and increasingly people are calling for a ban on driven shoots. Do you in langholm have a view on this?
ReplyDelete