Editorial

The Harrier

Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group

Editorial SOG - stand up and be counted!

This issue’s lead article on raptor persecution covers a litany of atrocities committed against virtually every large raptor species in the UK. And last month demonstrated this is not just a remote grouse moor problem but one much nearer to home. East Anglia is harbouring its own raptor persecutors, which is why SOG is launching its ‘Campaign against raptor persecution’ at The Cut on 20th October with an address by Simon Barnes and a display and talk by the RSPB investigation team. If you are unable to attend (there’s still time to book your ticket - see page 48) then you should at least sign up to our online petition aiming to stop these outrages going on. And talking of going on, I’m not. This is my final Harrier editorial.

Farewell

I’ve had to take this difficult decision because too much of my working year (between two and three months) is being taken up with editing the Harrier. As a result I am unable to work satisfactorily on several other projects I have underway. But this issue is not all about persecution. There is wildlife protection too. So we’re also featuring the Elveden Estate’s largely unpublicised commitment to Suffolk’s bird conservation. Then, nearer to home, we have an update on SOG’s Swift SOS - which is in the capable hands of Adam Gretton and Edward Jackson. Keep up the good work guys! There’s also an indication of an improving Brecks Stone Curlew population. Additionally there are reports on another matter that greatly concerns me - Education. To whit two articles on SOG’s educational forays at Wantisden and Carlton Marshes, plus an introduction to Richard Crossley’s extremely valuable contribution to birding education (which he’ll also be talking about this along with his guides on the 20th October at The Cut). I hope these positives serve to counter balance the criminal persecution of the Long Melford juvenile Peregrine, along with my particular bêtes noire (or tabby?), the ever present domestic persecutor of birds in our midst - cats. As ever in conservation matters it is both swings and roundabouts, but in each case there is something that SOG members can do about it. So it’s goodbye. I wish my successor (yes I understand there is one) as much pleasure as I have had interviewing some fascinating people, dealing with excellent photographers and many brilliant birders.