Mr Philip Green, Chief Executive, United Utilities, Lingley Mere, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5
3 February 2010
Dear Mr. Green,
I am writing to you because I am very concerned for the safety and welfare of Lancashire’s only pair of European Eagle Owls which have been resident and have bred on your Bowland Estate since 2006. Resulting from what can only be described as irresponsible behaviour towards these iconic birds in the breeding season by a small number of your staff, this has resulted in their predicted low productivity after the pair were disturbed, against all expert advice given to your staff, to mark their eggs. I belong to a conservation group of over 2,000 members from all over the world that has been specifically established to make everyone aware of the problems these owls face in the wild, so be aware that the eyes of the world are watching United Utilities very closely at the present time.
Within the next two to three weeks as both birds in the Whitendale Valley have been observed copulating, these owls will have eggs. In view of the problems encountered last year I would like your personal assurance that they will be left completely alone this year. I am also fully aware of the fact that last year after the nest site was disturbed by two inexperienced police volunteers, the first clutch of eggs were deserted even though United Utilities were advised by many experts not to mark the eggs as it would almost certainly result in the nest being deserted, may I respectfully enquire why was this advice ignored?
As a responsible company you should also be concerned that after the nest visit was approved by your Bowland manager, the 3 eggs were taken without the appropriate licence, therefore in addition to the predicted outcome, the action approved by one of your managers was totally illegal. One other important consideration, I have subsequently learned that one of the two people approved to enter the nest to mark the 3 eggs has a criminal conviction for stealing eggs in Scotland. How can United Utilities countenance employing such a person to undertake this sensitive work; when this is made public I have no doubt what so ever this will severely damage the integrity of your company.
There is no justification whatsoever for marking eagle owl eggs and I feel that this was just an excuse to have the desired effect, failure of the eggs. It seems to me that you have people involved with these owls on your land that clearly do not know what they are doing and are prepared to break the law. Are you aware that eagle owls are protected under the European Bird Directive and by the Wildlife & Countryside act? Likewise it is a criminal offence to harm them in any way? I also understand that the President of the World Owl Trust, Mr Anthony Warburton has now written to your Bowland Manager asking for an urgent pre-season meeting to ensure the mistakes made last year are not once again repeated. I understand that following the problems last year Mr. Warburton on behalf of the World Owl Trust even offered to fund future on the ground protection of the pair on your land, but sadly such a gracious offer was ignored, why?
I have now written also to the European Union with regard to this matter by the way. You really should listen and take constructive advice from the professionals who know what they are doing. You not only have European Eagle Owls nesting on your estate, but also other important birds of prey, which it appears receive very little protection. When consistent details of failures have been brought to the notice of your estate manager these reports are dismissed. Curiously, after concerns were voiced concerning the low productivity of a number of protected nesting sites, together with other illegal actions taking place on your property, the coordinator of the local raptor group was banned from your estates. What message does this send out to the world? We find this totally unacceptable especially as you are a large company that claim to be green and wanting to help the planet so to speak.
Your actions with regard to these birds does not back up your so called policies, which in our opinion does not make you look good in the eyes of the public all over the world. You have a wonderful opportunity to promote yourselves here by showing that you are prepared to welcome and care for these birds in the proper and lawful way thus showing your customers and the public in general that you are putting something back into the environment that so badly needs our care.
I would also like to ask you why a convicted egg collector is allowed access by vehicle onto your land to monitor the very birds that he has stolen eggs from in the past! I understand that this individual has no license enabling him to visit protected nesting sites on your property. If such visits are being made, this also makes your company look very bad and gives you no credibility whatsoever.
It has also come to our attention that the Wildlife Crime Officer working on your land is under investigation by the Professional Standards Department at Lancashire Police Headquarters, after having twenty-six complaints made against him. Why may I ask are you allowing this man to be involved in any activities relating to birds of prey on United Utilities property, and indeed why is he still on active duty while he is under investigation? It is clear from the information we have that this officer has no loyalty to the very creatures he is paid to protect which is very worrying to all of us.
I know that because of this policeman’s unsupported malicious allegations the one experienced person who has worked so hard for these birds is now no longer welcomed or even allowed to monitor and help protect these birds on your land. This is disgraceful and gives the impression that United Utilities really do not care about the safety and welfare of any of these birds and it also sends a clear message that at the present time these birds are not safe, we are all very concerned.
Rest assured that we will not go away; the safety and protection of the European Eagle Owls being our main concern at the present time, all information with regard to your behaviour towards these owls will be posted on our group site, both good and bad. You are responsible at the end of the day and have the final say, I urge you to do what is right, these birds must be protected as they are wonderful creatures which you should feel proud and very privileged to have on your property. Their ultimate care is entrusted to you, but I have to say up until now you have not made a good job of it. You can change it now and gain the respect of all of your customers and people all over the world.
I await your reply with interest.
Regards,
Chrissie Harper.
Chrissie’s Owls and Stonesfield Owl Rescue
I think Chrissie could have also asked the question why should such a letter had to be written when other water companies ie Anglian Water are putting £100,000s into encouraging new species of Birds of Prey onto to their land knowing that the company will make money out of these Birds of Prey when Bird Watchers and members of the public come to see them. The Rutland Ospreys are one example and the £400,000 they are offering to encourage White tailed Eagles into East Anglia. May be this is the time that United Utilities should be looking at helping the Golden Eagles in the Lake District and bringing back White tailed Eagles to Wild Ennerdale project [Erne dale!!]
Well done Chrissie on an excellent letter, lets hope it does not fall on deaf ears, and Mr Green decides to take action.
Let’s hope this year is the year of the Raptor and there is a big decrease in the mindless persecution that has been at record levels recently.
It seems the level of public awareness is rising at a terrific rate and this can only be a good thing, 200,000 signatures on the RSPB Letter for the future demanding an end to human’s persecuting Birds of prey.
Keep up the good work everyone
Chrissie, full respect your way.
You have mine and quite evidently a lot of others backing. Power to raptor politics right arm!
I have this morning received the attached comment from a gentleman who posted it on the International Falconry Forum, I have to say that it bought a lump to my throat and made me feel very proud, it has also made me very aware of all the support I have been given by people I would never have talked to or known before I took up the fight for the European Eagle Owls that so badly need our support and protection.
I have suffered some abuse and have at times felt that I had taken on something that was to big for me to carry on with but to all of the people who believe, and carry on supporting me Thank You All so much, my promise to you and to the European Eagle Owls is that I will never give up until I know that they are safe and protected from all harm.
Comment of Support:
Chrissy, I am very fortunate enough to be involved directly with the Bowland EEO’s and all other protected raptors across the Bowland, Lancashire and Cumbria area’s.
I am a very close friend of Mr.Terry Pickford and again have been very fortunate enough to work along side him for many years. But may I just say how pleasing and just damn right nice it is to have someone like your good self take on the birds plite and secure backing from so many thousands of people.
To top that off you’ve found time out of your busy schedule to write to all the appropriate parties that should be involved and doing more about this. You are far more than just a breath of fresh air to raptor conservation. I assure you your efforts have gone far from unnoticed and unrecognised as I am sure you more than already know! You evidently and obviously have my utmost backing and support! So a big thank you from me and I am sure from any one else who has even a slight interest in BoP and their conservation!!! Thank you!
I have just read the above article and hope that we have some success this year in the breeding of the owls and other raptors on united utilities land. Well done Chrissie and good luck we are right behind you take heed Mr Green and do the right and proper thing.
This afternoon I received a telephone call from Ian Grindy United Utilities
Bowland Estate Manager in reply to my phone call made on Monday, I have to
say I was not impressed with this man’s attitude but I was impressed by the
way he evaded every question about the European Eagle Owls nesting on their
property that I put to him.
I told him that I was very concerned about the welfare of these owls and
other birds of prey on the estate as were over 2,000 other people worldwide,
and I asked him if he could assure me that these owls were going to be left
alone this year to breed in peace if they should chose to do so. I explained
that these owls would have eggs soon and he promptly asked me how I knew
that and who had told me; my reply was that having worked with owls for many
years I knew when their breeding season was, but it surprised me that he did
not.
In the space of ten minutes he asked me several times where I had received
my information from so that he could reply to these people in person; my
reply was that I belonged to the International Owl Society and along with
other groups we were all working together to see that these owls were
protected in the UK. I also explained that this was a worldwide group and
not only the eyes of Britain were watching them but also the eyes of the
world.
I asked him why inexperienced people had been allowed near the nest site
last year and also why United Utilities had felt it necessary to mark the
Eagle Owls eggs against best practice and the expert advice which he had
been given. I also pointing out as marking eggs would serve no purpose,
asking did he know that desertion was almost guaranteed by the action they
had taken and was that the reason the eggs had been marked.
I then asked him why Tony Warburton’s offer to fund protection of the nest
site was ignored and why he hadn’t taken up the offer of help from a man
with many years experience with these birds! No reply.
The next question I put to him was why a Wildlife Crime Officer, who is at
present under investigation was also being allowed on the estate and why
inexperienced individuals were visiting nest site at such a sensitive time
of year. I told Mr Grindy my only conclusion was it was all being done to
prevent the Eagle Owls producing and rearing young. The productivity figures
support the argument I made.
After going around the houses and getting no where Mr. Grindy then told me
that he was aware that I had written to the Chief Executive of United
Utilities and he thought it best if I received a reply to my questions in a
letter. I told him that I expected to get a reply from Phillip Green and no
one else, making it plain that any reply would be posted on my group page
together with all other relevant forums for all the members to read and that
everyone would be watching the position very closely.
So in conclusion I feel that his phone call was a waste of time and it took
him over ten minutes to tell me nothing as he evaded every question I put to
him in a very skilful way.
Like me I imagine you are all curious to know what the United Utilities
Bowland Manger is trying to hide from the public!
Each and every one of use who has read Chrissie’s letter can see how passionate she is. It is also very obvious she knows what she is talking about and her sentiments come from the heart. Personally I find the claims contained in her letter very disturbing and I am hopeful Philip Green the Chief Executive at United Utilities will be very concerned at what she has brought to the public’s notice. What puzzles me more than anything, having read most of the articles contained on the Raptor Politics web site, which by the way are extremely illuminating and appear to be factual, why the media have so far not picked up on the story! The claim made by Chrissie that United Utilities have used the services of a convicted egg collector to monitor nests of sensitive nesting species on their property is most alarming. According to Chrissie, while undertaking these duties last year this person then steals eggs from the eagle owl nest he was employed to protect. This simply beggars believe.
It is clear from the wealth of detailed information published by Raptor Politics, certain individuals at United Utilities appear to have a hidden agenda and do not like any detrimental information being made public. It is significant that on one hand a convicted egg collector is welcomed with open arms but on the other, according to Chrissie, an experience individual who has devoted his life to protecting the region’s wild life is now being denied access to the company’s property because he brought to their notice the consistent failure of protected nesting sites on their property. This is not acceptable and if this injustice is not corrected will certainly harm the reputation of United Utilities in the long term.
As this is one of the most interesting and current postings I have decided to add my comment here.
I attended a lecture last Friday 5 Feb, at Penrith given by Stephen Murphy,the Hen Harrier National Coordinator. What he had to say was very interesting, but in many ways a misrepresentation of what really is taking place on Englands uplands. For example Stephen did not care to explain the reason why numbers of Hen Harriers in Bowland last year declined to just 4 productive pairs. I understand from details contained on this website that 6 additional breeding attempts all failed just in this location. I do not think this high failure rate was a result of poor weather or a shortage of prey as suggested by the so called experts. My conclusion is also supported by Brian Etheridge,a renowned British Hen Harrier Scientist who has left a comment on this website.
I was simply dumbfounded at Mr Murphys praise for local gamekeepers and how these individuals had, according to him, contributed to the current success of Hen Harriers in Bowland. How can anyone make such a ridiculous claim when in 2009 there were only 4 successful breeding attempts in an area regarded as Englands premier Hen Harrier breeding ground?
Anyone can manipulate figures; I regard a failure rate of 60% last year as true testimony as to what is taking place on our grouse moors today. After all Natural England have recently published their Hen Harrier report, in which they clearly state the demise of the Hen Harrier on Englands grouse moors is the result of illegal persecution.
If the current downward trend continues and Bowland is left with the single successful breeding pair of Hen Harriers on the Westminster Estate, then Mr Murphy can claim we have seen a 100% success for the area as a whole.
From a long time licence holder.Things will never change in the Bowland, due to land owners attitudes to birds of prey.There are too many offical organizations who sit on the fence and are not prepared to do anything about these situations.
What are the RSPB protection officers doing and Natural England, nothing as usual because preserving relationships with the landowners is more important than protecting birds of prey. Just as it was a number of years ago when I found the first goshank nest in Bowland on the ground, containing 3 eggs. After notifying United Utilities (the landowner) and RSPB about the nest they did nothing to protect this important find, and within a few days of reporting this important discovery, I returned to find the eggs destroyed in the nest and the adult birds gone.
The discovery of a ground nesting goshawk was one of the rarest breeding records to have happen in the Forest of Bowland, perhaps even in the UK. Had United Utilites and the RSPB taken the advise they were given, the nest should have been safe.
A big thank you Chrissie, it takes a women to have the guts to tell the truth. I just hope that United Utilities begin to take on board and act upon the expert advice they are being given in the future. I will continue to watch and support your campaign. Keep up the good work.
I have asked the RSPB if they are keeping a watch on the Bowland Eagle Owl’s nest site as they will soon have eggs, that is if they are left alone to do so, I have received no reply as of this morning.
Who else is going to look out for these wonderful birds if we don’t all work together? We do it because we have a genuine love for them and we care deeply, since I became involved in this whole shameful thing I have had abuse and at times felt that this was a battle I could never win, I have been accused of going off half-cocked and having my own agenda which has distressed me very much and is completely untrue, but I have risen above it and I will continue to do whatever I can with the support of so many people. I thank you all for your support and kind comments, we must not give up, these birds rely on us for protection, we must not let them down.
I am hoping that something positive comes out of all the work we have and are still doing, I will keep exposing the persecution of these birds and for the record I do so under my own name and hide behind no one, I am happy to stand up and be counted.
I am still waiting for a reply to my letter which was sent to Phillip Green at United Utilities, as are the many other people who have also written to him with regard to The European Eagle Owls on Bowland.The group I set up now has 2,335 members and it is growing daily, I am sure that we are all watching and waiting and hoping that all of our efforts may not have been in vain.
I have received a phone call from David Cameron’s assistant who has assured me that David is looking into the subject of the Risk Assessment and has passed it to the relevant department, she also said that David knows how important this matter is. I have found David to be a man of his word as he has helped me and my family in the past and I was invited to meet him last year, I found him very easy to speak to and he did what he promised he would do.
I have also written to Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg and Huw Irranca Davis so will wait and see what replies I get from them with regard to the situation.
Whatever happens my fight to protect the Eagle Owls on Bowland and anywhere else they are in danger will carry on, if we do not expose the people who persecute birds of prey these birds will never stand a chance, this is a disgusting state of affairs, I have received quite a few phone calls from people telling me that they know where there are Eagle Owls but are frightened to disclose their whereabouts to anyone, but they trust me, I am now keeping a record of any reports I get.
Rest assured as soon as I get a reply from Phillip Green you will all be the first to know, but I won’t be holding my breath.
Well done Chrissie!
If you feel the need to write again to United Utilities, may I suggest you mark your letter ‘Copy to Gordon Brown, David Cameron etc. – it will help to concentrate their minds …
I have decided that if I do not get a reply in the coming week from Philip Green I will do just that and not just mark the letter as you suggest, I will in fact send a copy to the people in question. I am also going to aim my arrow at Natural England as they are most certainly not blameless in all of this and I will ask them why people are being allowed to approach nest sites on Bowland without the appropriate licenses, they have no excuse, they know it is happening and have done nothing to stop it WHY?
Maybe you should copy your next letter to the Board of Directors too.
I most certainly will, my patience is running out with Mr. Green. Is the address the same as Mr. Greens or can you advise me where I should send it.I am seriously thinking of delivering the next one by hand.
Interesting that you never received a reply from the RSPB, can’t say I’m surprised, they don’t like to get their hands dirty with controversial subjects that may involve upsetting the establishment. Usually if there’s no money to be made or publicity to be gained you won’t see them for dust! On the other hand, if it turns out that United Utilities see the error of their ways and decide to help protect these birds, then see how quickly RSPB want to become involved.
Whilst I am sure that RSPB could reply To what Rod Foster has said it does rather seem to have passed Mr foster that RSPB have been involved in bird of prey protection on United Utilities land since 1981 at a time when they needed to get their hands very dirty so your comments are to say the least badly misinformed. Without that relationship there would almost certainly be no harriers in England and the owls peregrines along with other raptors would get the same reception they get on most grouse moors. That RSPB do not give eagle owls a high priority we may disagree with but is nothing to do with a fear of dirty hands or popularity.
Its a real shame raptor man that despite what you say UU and RSPB fail at every single last hurdle. To deny this is pitiful as you should know more than better on every level about this!!!
Some would say the RSPB were embarrassed into taking action by the North West Raptor Group publicity campaign highlighting raptor persecution throughout the whole area.
They might go on to say RSPB involvement is limited by their resources and expertise, and they have been ably supported by members of the North West Raptor Group – have you heard of them, Raptorman?
chrissie, why not publish a full copy of your letter on the web, places like facebook, twitter etc. Send a copy to Sky TV with an explanation of what it’s all about, shame them publicly into replying to you.
raptorman, if you read my reply to Chrissie you would see that it was aimed at RSPB management heirarchy and not at grass roots level field workers who mostly do a great job. I have been deeply involved in Raptor protection for more years than I care to remember, so I don’t say these things lightly. The fact is they are very unlikely to come out of the cupboard and put their money where their mouth is unless there’s something in it for them! I thought most dedicated field workers knew that. As for there being no Harriers in England if it wasn’t for them, well that’s another story?
Hi Rod,I have indeed published everything about this whole sad and sorry situation, I set up a group months ago on Facebook to bring to the public’s attention the disgraceful Risk Assessment by Fera which they hoped would never leak out until it was to late, within a week I had over 2,000 members from all over the world supporting me.
When the Bowland situation came to my attention through this group I eventually decided to set up a seperate group just for the Eagle Owls,who’s safety I became very concerned about, the amount of support from concerned people all over the world was amazing, so it is on public view and will continue to be and hopefully this whole sorry issue will soon be resolved.
I agree with you entirely on the RSPB issue, they sit on the fence because they don’t want to upset anyone, that is why I cancelled my membership along with many more of my friends, they cannot choose which birds they protect and which they don’t and at the end of the day it all comes down to money. How sad is that.
I run a rescue here for owls and birds of prey and have birds in that have been shot and poisoned, to see the suffering this causes hurts me very much and I cannot stand back and do nothing, I will continue the fight and do what I can to help these birds as will many others like me.