Monthly Archives: December 2012

Buzzards, Nora wellies and a midden!

Posted on December 29, 2012 by wildlifedetective

My first jobs in the morning are to fill the bird and squirrel feeders, then let my 15 khaki Campbell ducks out of their shed and clean it out. At this time of the year all of this is carried … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged banned pesticide, buzzard, Khaki Campbell ducks, midden, Nora wellies, pigeon fancier, rat, sparrowhawk, tawny owl, Wildlife Detective | Leave a comment

Christmas casualties

Posted on December 26, 2012 by wildlifedetective

Christmas should be a time of joy, but that principle is not always observed by nature. Or indeed by those who interfere with nature. In respect of two of the casualties I count myself in the latter group. I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged blackbird, Christmas, duck, house mouse, long-tailed field mouse, rat, short-tailed field vole, sparrowhawk, turkey | Leave a comment

Birds in the rain

Posted on December 22, 2012 by wildlifedetective

It has been some spell of rain over much of the country, especially Perthshire. While we’ve had no flooding in the Methven area it has rained almost continuously for three days. I suppose the main consolation is that it could … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged blue tit, brambling, chaffinch, coat tit, great tit, great-spotted woodpecker, greenfinch, National Wildlife Crime Unit | Leave a comment

And now the loss of our guinea pig

Posted on December 21, 2012 by wildlifedetective

Jan has always liked guinea pigs. Many years ago they were kept in the shed, but in recent times they were included as kitchen residents. The most recent guinea pigs, two of them, were half-sisters. They were grey, which seems … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged guinea pigs, Marci | Leave a comment

The seals of East Linga (part 2)

Posted on December 19, 2012 by wildlifedetective

On 25th February 2009 the two men again appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court. One, James Stewart – the man considered to be the instigator – pled guilty to the single charge under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996. The other … Continue reading →

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The seals of East Linga (part 1)

Posted on December 17, 2012 by wildlifedetective

I watched an item on Countryfile last night about grey seals breeding at Blakeney Point in Norfolk. The footage of the pure white pups brought back memories of an incident that occurred in one of our most northerly islands. Since … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Blakeney Point, Constable Bob Veighey, Countryfile, East Linga, grey seal, Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, Protection of Seals Act 1970, SNH, SSPCA, The Thin Green Line, Whalsay, Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 | Leave a comment

BBC Scotland Out of Doors – the shot hen harrier

Posted on December 15, 2012 by wildlifedetective

There was a first class report on BBC Scotland Out of Doors this morning by Bob Elliot, head of investigations at RSPB. Bob was explaining how far forensic science has advanced in relation to wildlife crime. The example being discussed … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged BBC Scotland, Bob Elliot, gamekeeper, grouse moor, hen harrier, intelligence, landowner, National Wildlife Crime Unit, Out of Doors, Thornley Grain moor, x-ray | Leave a comment