Whilst we are worried about Hen harriers disappearing this has crept in the back door, the Govt are about to fund the removal of buzzards from shooting estates. At the moment I am to annoyed to comment.
See this link to Martin Harper's blog.
Visiting the Cotswold Water Park. Have a look at http://cotswoldwaterpark.wordpress.com/
I have also signed
J
I'm writing my letter at the mo, trying to keep it polite, but may not work.
Totally disgusted.
www.saltwells.blogspot.com
www.flickr.com/photos/saltwells
Seems they have backtracked somewhat and will only destroy empty nests now.........that's big of them
Enjoy the world around you and keep taking photographsSee all my photos here Cheers Judi
Have a read of Defra's invitation to tender for the Buzzard job https://raptorpersecutionscotland.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/buzzard-control-experiment-overview.pdf Don't be shy, it's a public document.
Consider the "Background" paragraphs 1 and 2.
Basically it says - We don't have any hard evidence of the extent of Buzzard predation on Pheasant poults, but three quarters of the membership of a body that may not entirely be without bias thinks that Buzzards can be harmful to game birds. Also Natural England have received ONE application for a licence to control Buzzards by otherwise illegal means for which the applicant thinks that 20-30% of his Pheasant poults have been nobbled by Buzzards.
On that basis Defra would like to blow £375k of your money on a research project.
I don't know about you but, to me, three words spring to mind - National, Audit, and Office......
Something to think about for your MP's letters anyway.
Every day a little more irate about bird of prey persecution, and I have a cat - Got a problem with that?
Another petition on this issue has been gathering support see the link here to the Change website.
Have you heard back from your MP's yet? What was the response?
Find out what's hot in the world of wildlife with the wildlife enquiries blog here
IanHHave you heard back from your MP's yet? What was the response?
Absolute zilch !!!
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Probably a bit early but have not yet had an acknowledgement of my email. Don't always like the answers I get but it is unusual not to get something to acknowledge receipt. Probably waiting to get Govt guidance on responses
Let's hope the lack of response is related to the massive outcry this proposed project is causing, they may have a full mailbox given the amount of enquiries we are still getting here in the wildlife enquiries team, this has caused a great deal of concern and anger and rightly so.
Further news and links to some interesting blogs and articles from Martin Harpers latest blog
THE PUBLIC STEPS UP FOR BUZZARDS
The RSPB is pleased that an outpouring of public concern for a much-loved bird has encouraged Richard Benyon - the Wildlife Minister - to drop proposals to licence the destruction of buzzard nests and to bring adult buzzards into captivity around shooting estates.
Martin Harper is the RSPB’s conservation director. He said: “We’re pleased the minister has listened to people’s concerns and acted in the public interest by cancelling this project. This is a strong decision, reflecting the strength of the nation’s desire to see Government protecting precious wildlife.
“The recovery of the buzzard is being celebrated by the public after many decades of persecution. It is clear they don’t want their taxes being spent on removing buzzards and the Government has to ensure that no bird of prey will be killed in the name of sport.
“We don’t want anything to distract Defra from the pressing task of saving our threatened wildlife. It should be putting its limited resources into areas such as preventing the extinction of hen harriers in England.
“Government-backed research has already concluded that illegal persecution is limiting the populations of golden eagle and hen harrier. The RSPB believes there are well-tried non-lethal solutions to reducing impacts of buzzards at pheasant pens.”
Thank you all so much for your support!
RSPB
Why not check out the news from the wildlife enquiries team?
WOOHOOOOOOO!!! Fantastic news!!!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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Well done to all concerned!
Ant
This is just brilliant news. Made my day.
Best wishes Lolly
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Result!! My MP hasn't even responded to my first letter yet. I was saving the good stuff for my follow-up letter.....
But let's not get complacent.
John B (not the sloop)But let's not get complacent
John, Totally agree and round 1 has been won. The Minister has said " I will collaborate with all the organisations that have an interest in this issue and will bring forward new proposals.” I just hope that is a proper consultation and round 2 is not needed. On the news the CLA were moaning about the excessive use of Twitter etc to bombard the Govt. Social Media is how modern day democracy will work in the future and politicians know that.
Typical nonsense spouted by the Countryside Alliance
http://www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/ca/campaigns-shooting/alliance-bitterly-disappointed-by-defra-u-turn-on-buzzard-control
I also find the name somewhat disturbing. It should really be called the Hunting Alliance but they need to be seen as an organisation with the environment at their core of beliefs instead of a few people who like to kills things for pleasure.