Springwatch presenter stands up for hen harriers

That was the message from Springwatch presenter Chris Packham as he led a protest against the killing of the rare birds of prey in the Peak District yesterday. Hundreds of campaigners attended protests at seven sites across the country as part in Hen Harrier Day, which aimed to raise awareness of the targeting of the birds.

Conservationists say they are shot because they prey on red grouse, with the protests timed to coincide with the start of grouse shooting season this week.

“People are tired of animal life being wasted and particularly when that life is becoming increasingly rare,” Mr Packham said. “The type of shooting practised here developed in Edwardian times and they still want to do that. We’re not living in Edwardian times and our wildlife populations can’t take that sort of attrition any longer.”