Yesterday was beautiful - sunny and cold.  Celandines and Primroses are already flowering in Ashburton, and  I watched an immature Goshawk enjoying soaring over Dartmoor woodlands in the sunshine - I can't tell you where as sadly this species is still being persecuted in Devon (see http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/293063-west-country-bird-of-prey-death-toll-rises ).  Four birds were poisoned near Exeter in March 2011, presumably by gamekeepers anxious to protect their pheasant stocks.  


It's interesting to me how certain groups of people (gamekeepers, pigeon fanciers) can resent, persecute and kill magnificent birds (Goshawks, Peregrines, Hen Harriers) which are after all only doing what nature has fitted them out for, when it is these same people who have placed a prime prey resource bang in the middle of raptor habitat.  It doesn't make any sense.  If you don't like the Peregrines killing your pigeons, then don't race the pigeons past where the Peregrines live and nest.  More on this anon, I'm sure...