Flying higher and higher – 100,000

Straight after Hen Harrier Day last Sunday afternoon, first thing Monday morning I was on my way up to what is probably my favourite place, Spurn Bird Observatory. Once again it was a fantastic few days, as is any time that I spend there. With the highlights of Red Kite, Green Sandpiper and Little Stint on my first afternoon, Tuesday with Sooty Shearwater, Wednesday included a special moment of watching a female peregrine soar through thousands of waders on ponds at high tide, and on my last morning (Thursday) was seeing lots of terns, waders and gulls on wetlands including Ruff, Arctic terns and Mediterranean gulls, and watching an Arctic Skua successfully mobbing terns from Seawatching.

After a long journey back, I arrived home and got my internet connection back too. After browsing through what I had missed over the last few days on social media, I was very (VERY) pleasantly surprised to see that the e -petition to Ban Driven Grouse Shooting had just reached 85,000 signatures! Amazing. What made it even better was that this was on the evening before the grouse shooting season started, the Inglorious 12th.

What can I say though? Yesterday morning saw it reach 100,000!

Everyone knows what that means then, a debate in Parliament! We’ve shown that we want one so let’s have it. Unfortunately it would be quite unlikely a ban would be called upon but something it would do which is still very important is continue to boost awareness of what’s happening to our uplands. For politicians too. The next step is going to be very important and a way which will be effective will be to get in touch with your local MP and let them know your opinion. Tell them you want them there when it’s debated and the view you believe needs to be argued. In my latest blog post prior to Hen Harrier Day I shared the letter that I’ve sent to the Secretary of State for DEFRA, Andrea Leadsom, but now I’m going to send one to my local MP, Michael Fabricant – could be interesting!

I think I had some doubts that it wouldn’t reach the 100,000 mark before the 20th September. I’m not sure why though and I had certainly lost them after spending last Sunday up in Edale, Peak District for Hen Harrier Day. The day was packed with nothing less then inspirational talks, chatting to passionate individuals and a very empowering buzz. On the very first Hen Harrier Day two years ago in the Peak District, a few hundred people stood soaked but now look at the result. 100,000. The support is growing and we will win.

And I couldn’t not put in a message to all those who have made this happen and I know will continue to do so until we do win. Those repeatedly sharing the petition on social media, going out of their way to tell everyone and anyone, supporting events, lobbying decision makers and those prominent figures who have worked tirelessly; the likes of Mark Avery and Chris Packham, and those behind the scene at BAWC also The League, plus many, many more.