blucock

4 for us JJ&C Nicol Ayrshire

no if they're marking for national at 7 eh?

sorry so it is lol

1-0 Belgium

For years, only the most intrepid birdwatcher could catch a glimpse of the world's fastest animal, the peregrine falcon, around wild crags, quarries or perched on cliffs thousands of feet above the sea. But now the regal bird of prey is returning to Britain's cities in droves, with more pairs spotted in the capital this year than for centuries before. The blue-grey falcon, with its yellow feet, black talons and white-goateed face, can travel at speeds in excess of 200mph when diving for its prey – mainly pigeons – placing it at the top of the avian food chain. Driven out of urban centres over the past 100 years, it is now back and nesting at spots such as London's Tate Modern, Manchester's Arndale centre and at Durham and Chichester Cathedrals. The number of peregrines in the UK has increased more than fourfold since the 1960s when the population was devastated by the effects of organochlorine pesticide, which thinned the walls of their eggs and brought numbers down to about 360 pairs. There are now thought to be 1,500 pairs across the country, 24 of which live in London – the highest number recorded in the city for hundreds of years. Paul Stancliffe, a bird specialist at the British Trust for Ornithology, said: "Since the banning of certain pesticides, the peregrines have bounced back. More and more are spreading out looking for new territories. "They favour places with abundant food that are inaccessible to other predators. As those prime territories get taken up, young birds look for new spaces – buildings in cities and towns provide perfect cliff-like locations." In what is being hailed as one of nature's "success stories", two of the peregrines that have recolonised London – the city's population has gone from zero to almost capacity in a decade – can now be seen perching on the chimney of Tate Modern. the above two articles are freely available in the press yet still the RSPB tell lies about the numbers ....

Bernard Zonfrillo (Letters, December 2) displays some misunderstanding in relation to the conservation of birds of prey and the legal protection they enjoy. Research has shown that, in the last century, peregrines were decimated by the use of DDT on agricultural land. This not only poisoned many birds but also made a high proportion of the remainder infertile. However, in what is being hailed as one of nature's success stories, the number of peregrines in the UK has increased by more than four fold since the 1960s due to the phasing out of some agricultural pesticides. There are thought to be 1,500 pairs across the UK. The Scottish Government and stakeholder groups have worked to eradicate all crimes against wildlife and the wildlife crime reports indicate we are making headway. Scotland has some of the most up-to-date legislation to protect wildlife and the legal framework to prosecute when necessary. With restrictions on the use of the general licence, prosecutions of landowners under vicarious liability and a custodial sentence, it is ludicrous to suggest Police Scotland turns a blind eye to bird crime. With the exception of the kestrel, all of the UK’s birds of prey populations are on the increase with the majority at their highest ever levels. Jamie Stewart, Director, Scottish Countryside Alliance,

oh and loook at the comments of all the idiots crying over the big bad rogue hen - it's called nature suck it up!!!!!

http://upp.hawkandowl.org/latest-update-from-the-norwich-cathedral-peregrines-sadly-chick-43-found-dead/ the rogue female has driven off the mtoher and is trying to kill off the chicks... awww

Scott Gibson springs to mind... I hope this post has nothing to do with last week's winner

they'll be lucky if they're not kicked out, especially the Russians. Thugs with French security nowhere. Someone is gonna get killed

morning blank weekend no stressing about doos

Tough one for us again if so - still, it's nice to get one when it's been on their nut!

Littlehampton next another ENE wind would be nice

1116

Best of luck all Baz

over 90% cloud cover all day Saturday no chance of a race in those conditions. How many has everyone sent? We were between 3 & 7 but I think due to the very very high K factor over Sat/Sunday the yearlings stay where they are so 3 older birds only - the yearlings always have the option of Littlehampton or Ypres

Solway fed got any doos left?

Some cracking doos there Geo - well done Jim Hannah

Well done winners - why doesn't Traprain winnner top fed doing 1436?

what time you getting the Ayrshire doos Geordie?

One of the lads has 2/21 from a 40 mile toss at dark tonight - don't think it was rain

Put some doos up at 430pm coming in dribs & drabs - same last week actually got 4 second morning before 730

Hows it been this afternoon ??

Convoyer not available - not sure if we have a fallback option for Ayrshire