National Bird Vote

[olivia8143]

Have you voted? (the link is in the last para) Here's what Chris Packham has to say

I would like to implore you to vote for the hen harrier to be our National bird and here’s why . . .
Firstly, and fundamentally, because a great many of you would need to vote for a bird you have never seen or only rarely glimpsed. Yet it is a species which you could see, enjoy and be in awe of nearly every day where ever you live. You are being robbed of this natural treasure by one simple thing . . . illegal persecution and at the current rate, your children or grandchildren will not have this bird on their British list. Vote hen harrier.
Secondly, as much as we love our robins and wrens and blackbirds, these species will not directly benefit from winning. But if the hen harrier was our National Bird it would be a relentless and significant embarrassment to allow this persecution to continue and there would need to be real action taken to stem its demise. Vote hen harrier.
Lastly, I’m therefore asking you to make a strategic vote, perhaps not to vote for your favourite species, one that you love to see or hear or one which has some genuine and heartfelt attachment for you. Ask yourself, in these times of conservation crisis . . . can you honestly afford that luxury? Or would you rather actively contribute to some actual positive protection with a few simple prods of your fingers? Which would the future young bird lovers of the UK thank you for? Please think and then please vote hen harrier.

[astral276]

A national bird should reflect the nation it represents. Has a dead and plucked turkey been taken by anyone else yet?

Yet it is a species which you could see, enjoy and be in awe of nearly every day where ever you live.

If it were to become commonplace then the appreciation of it would become less.

[HerMajesty]

For once I have to disagree with you, Mel...........the Bald Eagle was extremely endangered in the US and has made a comeback due to a variety of reasons, including better conservation practices and education. Now people are thrilled to see them in the wild, and they are a treat to see. I've seen them in several places I've lived, and I don't think it is a case of familiarity breeding contempt......just more eagles! xo

[olivia8143]

Thanks Your Maj. that's exactly what we're hoping will happen with the Hobby if it's made our national bird.

[cambrensis]

Perhaps it's best left to an English only vote...Scotland, Wales and Cornwall each already have their own national bird and have had for centuries. Whether or not that is recognised by London is largely irrelevant. Such symbolism grows by custom over a long time and is hardly something for the "celebrity" market.

That is not to say that I am not in favour of protecting the bird, but I do not see that trying to create an artificial popularity would make any difference.

[astral276]

Perhaps it's best left to an English only vote...Scotland, Wales and Cornwall each already have their own national bird and have had for centuries. Whether or not that is recognised by London is largely irrelevant. Such symbolism grows by custom over a long time and is hardly something for the "celebrity" market.

I don't think the English do 'national'. For example, what is the English national dress? I don't think we have one (unless you count Morris Men) as the other (current) members of the UK do. I think we have had the national pride beaten out of us by the PC Brigade over the years. It's only recently we have been able to fly the English flag again without being branded racists for doing so.

As you say, conservation and protection is the key (as with the reintroduction of the Red Kite) and whether it is the 'national' bird or not should not make any difference.

[cambrensis]

I don't think the English do 'national'. For example, what is the English national dress? I don't think we have one (unless you count Morris Men) as the other (current) members of the UK do. I think we have had the national pride beaten out of us by the PC Brigade over the years. It's only recently we have been able to fly the English flag again without being branded racists for doing so.

I'm sure you are right; the Germanic peoples of this main island was just about sorting themselves into one nation, which I assume would have been called Saxonia or something vaguely similar, when the Normans invaded and decided they had conquered the Land of the Angles (Angleterre). Consequently there has been little development of any nationalistic fervour (in its most attractive sense).

After taking early retirement in the mid 90s (the years, not my age) I went into retail as life was boring. It took me three years to convince a manager that he should have some tastefully displayed English flags around on St George's day. He was afraid to put on display that flag for the very reason you mention. My argument was that it was long past time when the English should take back that flag and not leave it to the neo fascists to claim as theirs. I'd ban only one flag - and that's the version of the Cross of St George that has the word "England" across its centre. People who use that probably have the words "left" and "right" stencilled on their shoes!

That the bird should be protected I have no doubt...but waving a flag at it will make no difference.

[olivia8143]

I'm sure you are right; the Germanic peoples of this main island was just about sorting themselves into one nation, which I assume would have been called Saxonia or something vaguely similar, when the Normans invaded and decided they had conquered the Land of the Angles (Angleterre). Consequently there has been little development of any nationalistic fervour (in its most attractive sense).

After taking early retirement in the mid 90s (the years, not my age) I went into retail as life was boring. It took me three years to convince a manager that he should have some tastefully displayed English flags around on St George's day. He was afraid to put on display that flag for the very reason you mention. My argument was that it was long past time when the English should take back that flag and not leave it to the neo fascists to claim as theirs. I'd ban only one flag - and that's the version of the Cross of St George that has the word "England" across its centre. People who use that probably have the words "left" and "right" stencilled on their shoes!

That the bird should be protected I have no doubt...but waving a flag at it will make no difference.

Did you READ Chris Packham's reasoned argument?

[cambrensis]

Did you READ Chris Packham's reasoned argument?

I read what he wrote if that is what you mean. ...