Birdcrime 2015 ... this is where the blame lies ...

The recent RSPB report gives a very clear indication as to who the culprits are ... if ever we had much doubt !

... there has been some criticism from the shooting lobbies that the massive 68% of Birdcrime for which Gamekeepers are identified as being responsible relates to reported crime and not crime which results in a conviction ... how much greater would that figure be if it included ALL Birdcrime and not just REPORTED Birdcrime ... in remote upland areas it is so easy for Birdcrime to go undetected and unreported ...

Some long-staying scarcities in Cumbria continue to be reported intermittently ... at Siddick Pond a Smew has been showing well at times while retreating into the phragmites beds on occasions ...

... it appears to be an adult female as the lores are dark, the tertials are grey and the crest is well developed ...

... at Grune Point two female Long-tailed Ducks were distantly off the end of the point along with scattered groups of Wigeon ...

... diving frequently and visible only intermittently on the choppy water as the tide receded ...

... Pinkfeet have been arriving on the Solway in increasing numbers as they head north ...

... looking fantastic coming in to land in the late afternoon sunshine ...