Sunday 2 July 2023

No Royal Protection?

If you're a bird of prey, the last thing you apparently should do is to fly over Sandringham in Norfolk. Sandringham is an 8100 hectare royal estate in that county. Over the last 20 years, this estate has been linked to at least 18 deaths/'disappearances' of legally protected (and ecologically important) birds (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jul/02/sandringham-royal-estate-linked-to-many-deaths-and-disappearances-of-protected-birds). It's been alleged that illegal poisoning and shooting of birds of prey has taken place at Sandringham. Bird carcases have 'unfortunately' been incinerated, before the cause of death could be established. Seriously endangered breeding Montagu's harriers have mysteriously disappeared in the estates's vicinity. Being fitted with radiotrackers didn't apparently save them. Oddly there's been no sign of the birds or their tracking devices. It must all be a coincidence, however, as members of the UK's royal family have been enthusiastic patrons of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, as well as the National Birds of Prey Centre.

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