STOP PERSECUTION

I write regarding the letter by James Kay in Bird Watching’s August issue. Who does he think he is kidding? Himself? If a person’s livelihood depends on a blood sport, it’s a sad world. To persecute a brilliant bird like the Hen Harrier, or to slaughter another, is a disgrace. He mentioned aggressive species on the moor – does he mean the Hen Harrier? The only one I can think of is Man. Wild Moors don’t need managing. Left alone, Red Grouse would thrive, so would the Hen Harrier and so would other species. Nature balances itself out, as it’s only the intervention of Man that has upset the applecart. I am a member of the RSPB myself, and in the North West in the Forest of Bowland they have done a poor job of protecting the Hen Harrier and other raptors. I can walk for miles and miles and not see one. The only chance of me seeing a Hen Harrier now is on a road sign (the area’s national symbol) or on a bottle of the locally-brewed beer – so get in the real world ,Mr Kay. Mr S Richardson