HEN HARRIER DAY

HEN HARRIER DAY
by Ruth Tingay
2014 is when it all began
Amidst Hurricane Bertha at the Derwent Dam
There was a bloke called Avery and a bloke called Packham
And the Sodden 570, united in passion.
 
We arrived as strangers but left as friends
Determined to bring the killing to end
To protect our skydancer from the guns and the traps
And the murderous intent of the men in tweed caps
 
There were only four nests in England that year
The grouse shooters toasting success with a sneer
But to underestimate us was their biggest mistake
We are defiant and strong and we’ll do what it takes
 
These rallies and banners are just the beginning
There’s a long way to go but we know about winning
They can hurl their abuse and call us all liars
We don’t give a damn ‘cos our bellies have fire
 
We’ve come a long way since that very first rally
Westminster, the papers, all over the telly
We’ve changed the narrative and people are listening
Grouse shooting no longer all shiny and glistening
 
We’re exposing their fiction, their greed and their crimes
Their friends in high places all wilfully blind
Nine nests this year and we’re supposed to be pleased
Our hen harrier population, brought to its knees
 
You can keep your fake partnerships and your grouse-shooting peers
Your Gilruths, Amandas and your crocodile tears
Stuff your brood meddling right up your arse
We’re know what you’re up to and we know it’s a farce
 
There’s progress in Scotland and the grousers are fearful
That’s reason enough for us to be cheerful
So raise up your banners, keep singing our song
By standing together we won’t go wrong
 
END
The event was superbly organised by Lisa Mobley and her team of volunteers. Other speakers included Mark Avery, Natalie Bennett, Martin Harper, Chris Packham and Barry Gardiner MP. The presentations were filmed by PJS Films and can be viewed HERE (talks start at 44.40 mins).