Unofficially the Robin has been voted our National Bird.....I guess it really had to be that or the Blackbird, which came in third behind Barn Owl.
Everyone can see and hear a Robin all year round....without making any effort other than having to open their eyes, and ears, indoors or out. So its probably an appropriate choice.
A quarter of a million people voted. Though alone the RSPB have one million members!?
The Hen Harrier came 9th.....now that must have attracted the hardcore birder vote as few people will know of this bird let alone have seen one considering they arent, comparatively, easy to see, especially as there are so few...and perhaps more people are trying to kill them off than possibly voted for them!
A sad tale indeed for the beautiful, poor Hen Harrier. But it looks like this year has already been a bad year for them with birds gone 'missing'....coming ninth wont change the future of this bird though. Breeding extinction awaits....
On the other hand....in about fifty to hundred years time we can look forward to the re-introduction programme....so I suppose there is some good news.....!
Heres a link:
http://theurbanbirder.com/
Graham,
ReplyDeleteMaybe in 100 years we will see the extinction of game estates, we can only hope!