Letters to the editor

In the same edition Robert Raab again writes on his favoured subject, human effects upon our environment. There is also a report on the EU banning of neonicotinoids pesticides.

These offer a crumb of comfort to us all, Robert, when optimism is desperately needed. Three decades ago I as an RSPB volunteer watched as red kites were introduced to Scotland. They were wing-tagged with bright blue numbered tags.

Now these birds are widespread throughout the British Isles and peregrines are back as city dwellers. The subject of persecution of raptors on grouse moors remains vexed, however where the influence of the huntin’, shootin’ lobby still pulls strings, only a few weeks ago another reader offered a photo of a shot buzzard.

In recent years rare Montagu’s and hen harriers fitted with tracking devices went down in the Sandringham area. Hen harriers are now extinct as a breeding species in England, a shameful situation.