Grouse grouse

In recent days, I have read several blogs that have urged me to sign an e-petition.

The first was Mark Avery's always entertaining and instructive blog, Standing up for nature, which seems to tackle any wildlife issue head on with a good deal of common sense.

The second was Alastair Forsyth's Literate herring, this way, a tale of Orkney mainland, sorry, Mainland birding and, therefore, very dear to my heart.

The petition calls for licensing of upland grouse shoots in an effort to tackle the problem of illegal persecution of raptors (birds of prey).

Having spent many a pleasant hour watching hen harriers gliding serenely around North Hoy, South Walls, Hobbister, Cottascarth, Rendall Moss and Birsay Moors, for me it's a given.

Kindly read the submission at the below link, and if you feel the same way, please consider adding your signature.

https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/46473

Just don't get me started on the vast areas of land that are managed for only one species, so that another species can enjoy blasting it out of the sky for fun.

Biodiversity? Give over.