Covid-19 has of course had a huge impact on BTO related surveys this year and it was looking very unlikely that we would be able to complete this year's heronry census at a site in Cheshire.  Over the last 6 years that I have been involved in this survey, we have always started the heronry census in April, so hopes were fading for this year's count.  But the easing of lockdown on 13th May gave us a late chance to complete this year's survey. Land owners permission is of course always a vital part of the survey process, but this year it was even more important to ensure we complied w ..read more

The last two weekends have given me the opportunity to do something that really motivates and inspires me; engagement. Hen Harrier Day 2019 Last weekend was Hen Harrier Day organised by the Wild Justice team. You can read more about this year's Hen Harrier Day here.  It was of course a fantastic opportunity to celebrate this iconic species and talk with a real mix of people about how to further increase the awareness of illegal persecution and what are the next "bold" moves needed to ensure future Hen Harrier Days (and we are talking 5 - 10 years here) can be a pure celebration and not do ..read more

I have been counting active Heron nests with Professor David Norman as part of the BTO Heronries Census at the same site since 2014.  During a break from revision, it was great to get back to the site again today. 2014 Survey 2019 Survey In the last 5 years the numbers have not changed as much as we have! 2014 - 70 2015 - 64 2016 - 71 2017 - 69 2018 - 64 .................. 2019 - 47 But as you can see, there is quite a noticeable dip in this years numbers. It is too early to say why, but it will be interesting to see the results of other counts this year, particularly in Cheshire. For more ..read more