This document discusses wildlife crime in the UK and calls on paddlers to help monitor for such crimes. It notes that early spring sees an increase in wildlife crime due to longer days and breeding seasons. While the National Wildlife Crime Unit works to combat these crimes, they rely on public assistance as wildlife cannot report crimes. The document encourages paddlers to be vigilant while on the water and provides tips for reporting any suspected wildlife crimes witnessed. It also highlights several native UK wildlife species that are vulnerable to crime, such as badgers, bats, seals and birds of prey.

1. There’s nothing more glorious than early
spring: the cacophony of the dawn chorus,
the splash of a salmon on the spring run
and the emergence of new life – from the
first daffodil on the riverbank to the birth
of baby badgers, bats and birds across the
United Kingdom.
But amongst all of this glory is an unspoken
spectre; the scourge of rural communities and
practices the world over – wildlife crime.Varied in
its forms, from poaching to wilful habitat
destruction, early spring is a key time – in line with
longer days, cropless fields and the breeding and
nesting season for most of our native wildlife.
The fight against these crimes is ongoing, driven by
a small but effective unit of dedicated police
officers in the National Wildlife Crime Unit.After
weeks of speculation, we’re thrilled to hear that
funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit has
been secured until 2020 – a great victory for our
UK wildlife; however, they can’t do it alone.
Sergeant RobTaylor of NorthWales Rural Crime
Team says, “The remoteness of wildlife crime is very
difficult to monitor and that is why we rely heavily on
the public to assist us. Obviously animals can’t talk, and
so the victims can’t explain what has happened, so we
have to think outside of the box and use other
techniques to help our investigations.” As paddlers,
throughout the year, we are often in the most
remote parts of the UK, and so together, we can be
the eyes and ears against these barbaric practices.
On the following pages are some of our most
magnificent – and persecuted – wildlife to keep an
eye out for…
Seasonal
delights…The good,the bad,and
the uglyThere’s nothing more glorious than early spring:the
cacophony of the dawn chorus,the splash of a salmon
on the spring run and the emergence of new life –
from the first daffodil on the riverbank to the birth of
baby badgers,bats and birds across the UK.
SONJAJONES
Photo:
Osprey
Photo: Peak District
Raptor Monitoring
Group
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2. Badger
This fascinating but too often maligned land mammal can sometimes be spotted at dusk – its tell-tale
black and white stripes standing out in the fading light. Badger cubs emerge from the family sett in
early spring – making both parents and babies vulnerable to persecution by the barbaric acts of
badger baiting, snaring or lamping.
Bats
British bats emerge from hibernation at this time of year, making a welcome appearance hunting
insects along our waterways in early evening and into the night.With breeding on the brain, these
natural pest controllers are feeding up after their long sleep. Bat hunting and killing are thankfully rare,
but disturbance and habitat loss is widespread as are dog and cat attacks.
Seal shooting
The curious eyes of a tag-along seal are one of my most favourite things about sea kayaking, in fact,
when paddling between Brixham and Dartmouth fairly recently, we were followed by a very curious
critter. I love the way they bob their heads up to suss us bizarre floating humans out, and then dive
deep out of sight, to then appear from somewhere else entirely as if by magic.To me, they are the
Labradors of the sea. I was horrified to find out that hundreds of seals are killed every year in British
waters, mostly for the aim of safeguarding fish farms and salmon stocks.Two-hundred of these were
killed legally under licence in Scotland last year, but it is likely that many more again are shot illegally
across the UK.
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Badger Photo:Jon Hawkins Surrey Hills Photography
Common pipistrelle bat Photo:Tom Marshall

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Hundreds of seals are killed every year
in British waters,mostly for the aim
of safeguarding
fish farms
and salmon stocks
Grey seal Photo:Mike Snelle

4. Freshwater fish
One of my funniest wildlife memories involves a Salmon. Chris Brain and I were paddling down the
Dee and as Chris, who was in front of me, was just about to paddle down a weir near Erbistock, at
the crucial moment of his boat just about going over, what seemed to be a monster of a salmon
jumped into the air next to him and was within centimetres of flicking him on the ear.When he got
down, he was in fits of laughter and disbelief and it was the first time I ever thought he may end up
taking a swim due to shock.
There’s something magical about a surprise encounter with a leaping salmon – and although not
quite as big, the spring salmon run brings the potential for amazing wildlife encounters.The lower
water levels of summer mean our freshwater fish congregate in pools – making them an easy target
for poachers. It’s illegal to catch freshwater fish without a rod licence in England,Wales and the
Border Esk region of Scotland..
Raptor persecution
To spot a bird of prey is a true privilege – from the rare aerobatic sky-dance of our harriers to the
familiar sight of a distant buzzard circling high in the sky. However, our birds of prey are a key victim of
wildlife crime, falling foul of egg poachers, traps, poisoning and shooting.The onset of spring brings the
greatest challenges, with nesting season leaving them vulnerable to nest destruction and egg
theft. Keep reading for a real life case study on this very matter.
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Hen Harrier Photo:Amy Lewis
If you witness or find
evidence of a wildlife
crime:
1. Never put yourself in danger.
2. If an emergency,call 999.
3. If non-emergency,call 101,
recording any key details and
taking photos/video if safe to
do so.

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There’s something magical about a
surprise encounter with a
leaping salmon
Atlantic salmon Photo:Karl Franz

6. Osprey killed in North Derbyshire – the latest in a line of
bird of prey persecution in the county.
On September 9th 2015 an osprey was found dead in the Peak District
National Park near Glossop, Derbyshire.
The bird, in the photo, had injuries consistent with being caught in a spring
trap – a worrying development for birds of prey. Ospreys are rare in
Derbyshire but occasionally pass over whilst migrating.
Tim Birch, Head of Advocacy and Conservation Strategy at Derbyshire
WildlifeTrust said, “This is the latest in a long list of crimes against birds of prey in
Derbyshire. Being in breeding season we are worried what the spring and summer
might bring for these beautiful birds.This latest killing highlights the threat that birds
of prey are facing in Derbyshire and beyond.”
Two weeks after the discovery of the osprey, a buzzard was found shot dead close to Hurst
Reservoir, only a short distance away.This comes after a male peregrine was shot and found dead at
Derbyshire WildlifeTrust’s headquarters last year.
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DerbyshireWildlifeTrust case study
Sergeant RobTaylor
of the NorthWales
Rural CrimeTeam offers
these top tips for
reporting a wildlife
crime should one be
suspected,“It’s important
to preserve the scene and
contact us immediately.If
there is a risk that the
potential crime scene
may be damaged or
destroyed,due to rain or
tides,then video and/or
photograph what you
have got.If there are cars
nearby record their
registration numbers and
anything else obvious.It’s
surprising how much you
will forget if you don’t
record as much as
possible immediately.First
and foremost make sure
you are safe and don’t
take risks.”

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Where's your favourite place to paddle
in the UK in summer and why?
I love the DeeValley all year, but the scenery in
summer is fantastic. From the river you get green
grass and trees in the foreground, with the
browns of heather and bracken on the hills split
by the shining rock faces along the escarpment.
The way the light reflects off the escarpment and
lights up the ruins of Dinas Bran. For somewhere
so accessible, the Lower Dee (from Llangollen)
feels like you are floating through a picturesque
scene from an advert and there's a surprising
amount of wildlife. If the summer rains come
there are loads of fun waves to surf and quite
often a stunning sunset to end the day.
Are there any particular wild sightings
you look forward to seeing?
Ray Goodwin in a pink canoe! I've been fortunate
to spot an otter on the Dee once, but more
commonly a range of colourful ducks, pheasants,
heron and lambs.The banks of the Dee are also
home to miniature ponies and a couple of llamas.
And the most important question -
you’re planning a day of adventure on
the water...what's in your summer
time picnic basket?
Depends if I need to carry it in my boat or not.If I
am,a pita with hummus,avocado and salad will
make me very happy;along with tea from my fancy
non-spill travel mug.If food is saved for the take
out,the riverside barbecue is always a winner.
It’s now time for this issue’s Star Paddler
*drum roll please*,introducing,
Lowri Davies,
BCU Level 5 Coach,European Freestyle Champion,
and the big boss of FlowFree Coaching.
I hope you enjoyed this issue of Seasonal Delights and that it has inspired
you to be ambassadors for the prevention of UKWaterway wildlife crime.
Together, we are strong.
Sonja Jones (Venture Kayaks Ambassador)
Contact: sonjafvjones@gmail.com.Website: www.sonja-jones.co.uk
A special thanks to this issue’s contributors:
Emily Cunningham, Living Seas Officer atThe Royal Society ofWildlifeTrusts
DerbyshireWildlifeTrust
Sergeant RobTaylor of NorthWales Rural CrimeTeam
Lowri Davies, FlowFree

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