Post by ptarmigan on Nov 1, 2007 13:08:07 GMT
Who shot dead the Queen's rare hen harriers?
Two of Britain's rarest birds of prey have been shot illegally at the Queen's Sandringham estate.
The hen harriers were killed as they flew above trees at the Norfolk retreat.
The incident was spotted by two members of the public and a Natural England warden, who reported the incident to police. An investigation has been started.
There are only around 20 pairs of hen harriers in the whole of England and they are classed as being at high risk of extinction.
"We are shocked that two of England's rarest birds have been killed in this way. They are one of the most vulnerable species we have."
It is not the first time the treatment of animals at the Sandringham estate has caused an outcry.
Last year, a gamekeeper was fined £500 after illegally catching a tawny owl in a trap.
Birds of prey are protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.
The maximum penalty for each bird illegally killed is a six-month jail sentence and £5,000 fine. Sandringham House, near King's Lynn, has been the private home of four generations of British monarchs.
Who shot dead the Queen's rare hen harriers?
Two of Britain's rarest birds of prey have been shot illegally at the Queen's Sandringham estate.
The hen harriers were killed as they flew above trees at the Norfolk retreat.
The incident was spotted by two members of the public and a Natural England warden, who reported the incident to police. An investigation has been started.
There are only around 20 pairs of hen harriers in the whole of England and they are classed as being at high risk of extinction.
"We are shocked that two of England's rarest birds have been killed in this way. They are one of the most vulnerable species we have."
It is not the first time the treatment of animals at the Sandringham estate has caused an outcry.
Last year, a gamekeeper was fined £500 after illegally catching a tawny owl in a trap.
Birds of prey are protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.
The maximum penalty for each bird illegally killed is a six-month jail sentence and £5,000 fine. Sandringham House, near King's Lynn, has been the private home of four generations of British monarchs.
Who shot dead the Queen's rare hen harriers?
This reminds me of the time a beautiful Snowy Owl was shot by one of those gun toting neanderthal types down in Wexford. He claimed he thought it was a Goose. Quite honestly anyone who can't tell a Snowy Owl from a Goose is demonstrating that his eye sight is so bad he shouldn't even be allowed to drice a car, never mind fire a deadly gun!
At a shoot on Slane Castle Estate, back in 1972, I myself saw guns, on the day of a shoot, deliberately fire off a number of shots at a passing Peregrine Falcon! I shouted at them from the flank to stop shooting as it was a Peregrine & myself & Lord Mountcharles argued about the incident afterwards. He claimed it was only a Kestrel, but I am a life long Birdwatcher & I've even spent time as a full time Falconer, as well as working as a Gamekeeper for many years, so I knew exactly what the bird was!
If convicted, Harry could face a six month jail sentence!
Just imagine that!
Would it knock any sense into him, I wonder?
Perhaps it's time to rid ourselves of the landed gentry, including the Royal Family, once & for all?
What purpose do they really serve, anyway?
Let's face it, the Royal Family become more farcical with each generation & this young clown Harry seems to be the worst yet!
What do you think? Isn't it time to wave them goodbye?
