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23 October 2008
RSPB media release on behalf of RSPB, Defra, British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Natural England and National Trust.
Government, conservationists, shooting and welfare groups agree to cherish and protect England’s birds of prey.
On 23 October, Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Defra, will be at an event to celebrate the recovery of England’s birds of prey.
He will put his name to a pledge recognising their importance to our natural heritage and stating there should be no place in England's future for the illegal killing of birds of prey.
Joining him at the National Trust’s Gibside Estate, Newcastle will be representatives from 25 organisations including the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), Natural England, the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) and RSPCA.
Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB’s Director of Conservation said: “Today is a massive step in the right direction for the conservation of England’s birds of prey.
“I’m delighted the Minister recognises the importance of birds of prey both internationally and to local communities.”
“We know what can be achieved when we get it right and the continuing recovery of red kites in England, including here in the Derwent Valley is a great example. We now need to get it right for other birds of prey like the hen harrier, which is on the verge of extinction in England because of illegal killing.
“The only way we can stamp out the illegal killing of birds of prey is by everyone with an interest in our countryside working together.”
Huw Irranca-Davies, Minister for Wildlife said: “Our countryside would be a poorer place without birds of prey, and their numbers have recovered to their highest since the Second World War thanks to the efforts of many people, so it is great to see so many people signing the pledge to protect birds of prey.
“I want to help these magnificent birds thrive, and the international agreement the UK signed this week with countries from Europe, Asia and Africa to protect them when they migrate shows that the government is committed to their survival.”
BASC Chief Executive, John Swift, said: “Working together is addressing issues of strict protection and impacts on the rural economy. Strict protection under the law can only be anticipated if due regard is given to local rural communities and peoples’ livelihoods. By working together we can find good solutions.”
Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England said: "Conservationists and countryside managers are today standing shoulder to shoulder to help make safe our land and skies for birds of prey. "At a time of increasing pressure on our natural environment from climate change, economic development, and food production we must make space for nature - and keep these magnificent birds in our lives.
"By working together to improve their habitat and demonstrating that harmful acts will not be tolerated, birds of prey can have a hopeful future."
Mick Wilkes, the National Trust’s Property Manager for Gibside, said: “We are extremely pleased that such an important event is taking place at our Gibsibe Estate.
"We are proud partners of the Northern Kites Project and are delighted that the red kite’s recovery is central to this celebration.
“The support the red kites have received from local communities, especially schools, has been fantastic”.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Alissa Cook, Communications Manager, RSPB Northern England on 01767 693044 or 07834257123
John Clare, RSPB Media Officer on 01767 693582
Tom Briggs, Defra, Media Officer on 0207 238 6140
Images:
Photographs will be taken on the day and will be available for use. Please contact Alissa Cook on 07834257123
Photographs of birds of prey are available from this link :
Then enter the following information when prompted:
Username: birds of prey
Password: birds of prey
Notes to editors
1. Event running order- 23 October
09:15: The Minister will be at Rowlands Gill Primary School, Dominies Close, Rowlands Gill, NE39 2PP, to watch the pupils perform a celebration of the return of red kites to the Derwent Valley.
10:00: Signing of the bird of prey pledge at the Chapel, the National Trust’s Gibside Estate, Newcastle. Presentations from Mick Wilkes, National Trust; Dr Mark Avery, RSPB; Mr John Swift, British Association for Shooting and Conservation; Prof David Hill, Natural England and Mr Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Defra.
11.00: Short trip to see red kites in the Derwent Valley – a few minutes from Newcastle.
Transport between venues will be provided by Go North East on ‘the Red Kite’ bus.
Breakfast and refreshments will also be provided.
Directions to National Trust Gidside can be found here
2. The bird of prey pledge reads:
Conserving England’s birds of prey: Birds of prey are valued as being of great importance to England's natural heritage. They have the power to inspire us, and England's birds of prey populations are recognised as being of international conservation importance. Many of England's birds of prey are doing better now than for the last 50 years, but there are still areas where populations are capable of further recovery. We wish to see all of England's birds of prey recovering so that everyone can experience these magnificent creatures. There should be no place in England's future for the illegal killing of birds of prey.
3. England holds internationally important numbers of several birds of prey subject to special conservation measures under the EC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (the ‘Birds Directive’). England supports more than 1% of the European population of merlin, 2% of Europe’s red kites and more than 2% of Europe’s peregrines. While England’s red kites continue their fantastic recovery, kite populations are in decline in much of the rest of Europe, highlighting the importance of efforts to conserve these magnificent birds.
4. Northern Kites is the project that has returned red kites to the northeast of England after an absence of 150 years. It is part of a UK programme of re-introductions. The initiative, centred on Gateshead’s Derwent Valley, claimed a world-first in re-introducing kites to an urban fringe location. The project is managed by the RSPB and Natural England, in partnership with Gateshead Council, Northumbrian Water, The National Trust and the Forestry Commission, with additional funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and SITA Trust. Between 2004 and 2006, 94 red kites were released less than six miles from Newcastle City Centre. Birds first bred in 2006 and a self-sustaining population is now established. In the last three years, tens of thousands of people have enjoyed the kites and they are supporting local tourism initiatives.
For more details, visit: http://www.northernkites.org.uk/
5. Only 10 pairs of hen harrier, the bird featured on the pledge, bred successfully in England in 2008, when there is sufficient habitat to support at least 200 breeding pairs. Since 1994, the number of successful nests in England has never exceeded 15. The principle reason for their continued absence from vast swathes of northern England is illegal killing.
For more details, click here
6. In 2007, the RSPB received 262 reports of shooting or destruction of birds of prey across the UK, the highest number ever received. Illegal activity against birds of prey remains a major problem and is not declining.
7. Approximately 390,000 people enjoy watching birds of prey at the RSPB’s Aren’t Birds Brilliant! sites each year.
For details of your nearest site, visit: http://www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature/
8. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.
