How very curious. Have you heard about the new project set up by SNH and University of Exeter to fit satellite tags to basking sharks on the west coast of Scotland (see here)? The purpose of this fantastic project is to help solve some of the mysteries about basking shark behaviour and to identify important marine areas that may need greater protection.
Apart from the scientific importance of this research, a substantial effort has been made to engage with the general public, which is a good thing seeing as though we, as tax-payers, have helped fund part of the project. First of all we were asked to help name eight of the tagged sharks, and then a dedicated website was launched, where we can follow the daily movements of each named shark, in close-to-real time (see here). We can even subscribe to receive daily project updates!
Now, compare and contrast the glut of detail available from the basking shark sat-tagging project (which has only been running for several short weeks), with the barely discernible detail available from the hen harrier sat-tagging project at Langholm Moor, which has been running for several years and which, incidentally, we as tax- payers also helped to fund. The ‘detail’ (and that word is used generously!) of the hen harrier sat-tag data can be seen here.
Interesting difference, eh?
Raptor Persecution UK 
An even wider contrast is presented when considering the non-appearance of any results from the Sat-tagged birds within the Hen Harrier Recovery Project ( in England ) administered by Natural England. Nothing has been provided except a statement in a DeFRA report alluding to a correlation between raptor persecution and upland shooting estates ( or areas managed for grouse shooting purposes! ). What, or WHO is being protected here? See my entry ” England expects, Naturally” on http://www.birdingodyssey.blogspot.com for more detail ! There could even have been birds lost within Scotland, but will we ever know? And , again, an expensive project funded from the public purse. Doubtless no comments will be issued by the DeFRA Minister responsible, Richard Benyon, indeed he may well be up at his grouse moor near to Inverness at this very moment !