MASSIVE congratulations to Scottish Raptor Study Group members Logan Steele, Andrea Hudspeth and Brian Etheridge who have all scooped top prize in their respective categories at the annual Nature of Scotland Awards!
L-R: Logan, Andrea, Brian [photo by Terry Williams]
Logan and Andrea won the Political Advocate of the Year Award. This award is ‘to recognise a politician, campaigner or individual who has made a difference or significant impact on public policy for nature and wildlife‘. Logan and Andrea helped prepare the public petition, on behalf of the SRSG, calling for the licensing of gamebird shooting in Scotland. They gave measured, thoughtful and compelling evidence at two parliamentary committees last year, pushing the issue of raptor persecution higher up the political agenda. As a direct result of their efforts, the Scottish Government is undertaking a review of grouse moor management practices and, significantly, is considering the introduction of a licensing scheme. Also as a direct result of their efforts, they have both been subjected to a vile campaign of harrassment and intimidation from some disgraceful individuals within the game-shooting sector. Andrea and Logan have dealt with this appalling abuse with dignity and fortitude.
Brian won the RSPB Species Champion Award. This award is ‘to recognise someone who has achieved something extraordinary to conserve a vulnerable or threatened species‘. Brian is indeed extraordinary, as are his achievements in the field of raptor monitoring and conservation. Through many decades of fieldwork he has accrued a vast knowledge on the ecology and conservation of a number of species, notably red kite and hen harrier but also merlin, common buzzard, honey buzzard, goshawk and golden eagle, but perhaps of greater significance is his ability and willingness to share that knowledge and experience with others. Brian’s expertise is always in high demand and he’s always, always generous with his time, encouragement and support. This has been beneficial not only to the species he studies, but also to an army of young, up-and-coming researchers, both amateur and professional, who’ve been fortunate to spend any time with him.
We’re absolutely delighted to see these three gain the recognition they so richly deserve, and they had to fend off some pretty tough competition to win. Well done, and thank you for fighting for Scottish raptors!
UPDATE: 28 November 2017: Parliamentary recognition for award-winning Scottish Raptor Study Group members (here)
Fantastic and fully deserved recognition for all three. Have to admit it gives me almost as much pleasure thinking how much some nasty sods are going to be seriously pissed off at this as it does that Logan, Andrea and Brian have received a very public thank you for their efforts. Cheers!
Well done and congratulations.
Congratulations, truly deserved!!!
Brilliant! I know Brian well and barely recognised him in that garb – dressed for the habitat, as is his wont. He will have been seriously uncomfortable in the suit, shirt and tie though! I’ll toast them all with a dram tonight.
Well done to the Scottish Raptor Study Group
Richly deserved all three!! Proud to be a member of HRSG under the guidance of Brian he’s incredibly generous with his time and knowledge!
Congratulations to these three amazing and brave people! I hope the national press are broadcasting their achievements.
Congratulations to all three and personal thanks to Brian for all his help
Well done to all three and richly deserved.
Congratulations. A heartfelt thank you from all those who want to see an end to the widespread destruction of our raptors. Well done.
Wonderful ,high profile awards very much deserved ,reflects well on TRSG, and SRSG’s. Want to see you up the hill with that bow tie next time Logan. Seriously it is easy to forget the amount of dedicated, tenacious effort behind this award ,well done again.
Congratulations from down here, south of the border. Very well done and well deserved recognition!
Congratulations from Northumberland and thank you all for what you do for raptors..hope the national press pick up on this.
Congratulations to all, much deserved!