Natural England approved the destruction of more than 4,500 Mallard eggs and birds under licences issued since 2018 - I am waiting for them to explain why...... but I already have my suspicions .....and the whole thing stinks....
A number of years ago, whilst out rambling, I fell face down into a cow pat. It was very unpleasant. It was also hilarious, especially to those who witnessed my misadventure - but you know, it's a funny thing, I didn't find myself wanting to go and kill the cow that left the offending pat. So why is it that some halfwits are seeking to kill birds simply because of an irrational fear of bird droppings, citing the poo as a public health and safety issue? Of course, it seems ridiculous (to those of us who have a modicum of common sense) that the first thought occurring to those who happen across animal faeces is to apply for a licence to kill the animal responsible for the poop. And yet that is exactly what is happening, in these strange times, where health and safety paranoia has taken over from rational thinking. Bird Poo - A Threat To Public Health And Safety? Really??? As I've reported in earlier blogs, Natural England, the country's official nature watchdog, has been handing out licences to unknown individuals and authorities (their identities kept private) to kill hundreds of birds - coots and moorhens for example - simply because they are pooping in parks. Natural England decided that the bird's droppings present a significant danger to passers-by, who they seem to suggest would be unable to take evasive action and might slip on the offending pieces of poo. Whilst researching one example case where Natural England approved the killing of coots due to the birds' vulgar habit of going to the toilet, I was informed in an email from Natural England's Operations Director that "A highly significant amount of fouling to pubic areas was evident." I think he meant public rather than pubic but, either way, the agency clearly decided that the droppings presented such a serious health and safety risk that licences were issued to destroy hundreds of the birds. When I broke the story, readers were understandably outraged. I know the vast majority of sensible people in this country would be opposed to the killing of wildlife simply because that wildlife, in common with every other living organism, has to defecate. Approved: Destruction Of Thousands of Mallard Eggs I'm currently in the process of investigating, through another of my now ubiquitous freedom of information requests (still the only way to obtain data), just why Natural England have been busy approving the destruction of thousands of Mallard eggs. My hunch is that it might have something to do with the danger presented by their droppings - the Mallard's droppings that is, not those emanating from Natural England whose droppings are surely gold plated and therefore present no risk to public health.... The Mallard is one of Britain's most loved birds, a favourite duck, immediately recognisable, comical to watch and altogether a delightful addition to the nation's wildlife. Oh dear but Natural England have apparently decided that we have too many. Licences Issued To Destroy 4,500 Mallard Eggs Since 2018... So, since 2018, they have issued licences approving the destruction of more than 4,500 Mallard eggs and birds. One licence permitted the 'oiling and pricking' (aka destruction) of 1000 eggs to 'preserve public health'. Another single licence approved the destruction of an unbelievable 2000 eggs which they said might prove to be a risk to health and safety and air safety. Other reasons given for the destruction of hundreds more eggs were 'falconry and aviculture'. The agency also issued licences to shoot the ducks for damaging crops, presumably outside of the 'open season' for shooting Mallards when the birds can be freely killed for what is laughingly known as 'sport'. Although the Mallard is not considered to be of conservation concern, one wonders how long this will remain the case when, in addition to the hunters, Natural England are themselves on an unseasonal and unpalatable killing spree of their own. I'll await the details of the Mallard licences. I expect that those issued to 'preserve public health', will, as with the Coot licences, be due to an irrational fear of the danger posed by their droppings - but we'll see. Perhaps Natural England will for once present a convincing case as to why they decided that thousands of wild birds eggs needed to be destroyed. Has anyone ever, ever, died due to a close encounter with duck poo? It seems unlikely. I survived having my face immersed in a cow pat, perhaps that instilled in me a sense of balance, not to say humour. I think many of us would gladly accept the risk involved in encountering a bit of bird poo if it meant saving the life of the 'offending' creature. Our petition calling for a complete overhaul of Natural England's licensing system, - covering ALL of our native wild birds - can be signed HERE
70 Comments
Marcia Owen
18/10/2019 08:50:49 pm
Every time I read about more that you have uncovered, my heart sinks even further. What on earth is Natural (Un-natural rather because there is nothing Natural about their actions) England on. When are they going to stop. I can't believe they are killing all the wildfowl that I so love to go and feed. Its heartbreaking.
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18/10/2019 11:00:49 pm
It's gone way beyond a licensing overhaul. Natural England should be disbanded and their current funding redirected to the RSPCA.
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Mary Dinneen
19/10/2019 01:43:31 am
Chris Ward is right natural england my eye. Abolish it and put the funds into RSPCA You lot are a joke
mark french
19/10/2019 10:04:16 am
RSPCA aren’t the answer 19/10/2019 06:10:54 pm
I'm intrigued by Mark French's response. Why are the RSPCA not the answer?
Keith Dancey
20/10/2019 12:52:19 pm
"Natural England should be disbanded and their current funding redirected to the RSPCA."
Edward Barratt
19/10/2019 07:54:25 am
Thanks very much for this update. This is disgraceful. There is extraordinary prejudice against wild birds about this and so called 'nature england' appears to share this prejudice. As others have said, all too many needy humans, obsessed with their own pets ( and their property) need to look at themselves and the poo they inflict on the rest of us.
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Aytul dervish
19/10/2019 10:51:25 am
Well said
Michael W
20/10/2019 06:34:45 pm
Not only is it a requirement of life that we amd the birds poo, the birds also suply FREE fertilizer. Thats more than we do.
Carol Housby
19/10/2019 09:21:24 am
I would like to see this covered on the tv perhaps Matt Baker one The One Show would take it up
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robert
22/10/2019 10:35:15 am
the one show would not want to get involved with anything controversial - also BBC tends to support hunting and killing of wildlife in my opinion
Lynn lowe
1/11/2019 07:50:16 am
It’s about time these atrocities were put on a program dedicated to showing just how many wicked and cruel and unjust things are being allowed to be happening in our england and world wide, we seem under some illusion the earth is ours and every species must be controlled by us , we wonder at the veracity of nature then go out and kill it ,if we had a program on tv thousands of people would protest and stop these stupid licences and a licence is an open book because you can’t actually count how many are killed when puppy farms are existing on farms with no licenses how can you count how many of any species are killed daily 19/10/2019 10:00:53 am
Oh Marcia how I do agree wholeheartedly with you. This health and safety paranoia, like most things in the PC listings, has just got completely out of hand.
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19/10/2019 10:31:53 am
This is appalling. There are so few birds left. Droppings weren't a problem when we had plenty of birds, so it follows that it's even less of a problem now.
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Jan Howe
19/10/2019 11:20:53 am
How I agree with all who question Natural England behaviour. NE and DEFRA are both a waste of money and a useless bunch. There is nothing they do to improve the environment, animal welfare or any of the other things there name implies. Any government body unless closely watched do not carry out the purpose they were designed to do.
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Steve H
22/10/2019 12:18:15 am
Indeed. NE & DEFRA are more interested in securing their existence [and income!] than caring about our environment and it's creatures.
Tim Burke
26/10/2019 09:53:05 pm
I think that if more thought was given to this it might be realised that after years of funding cuts Natural England simply hasn't the resources to argue with the council's Environmental Health Officer, or whoever applied for the licence or contracted the pest controller. As Keith Dansey pointed out, they have many other responsibilities.
caro
19/10/2019 11:26:45 am
what is natural england's official response to this?
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Paul Soane
19/10/2019 12:27:30 pm
Agree wholeheartedly Marcia. I struggle to comprehend these acts of terror against our wildlife
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Jinty
19/10/2019 04:46:15 pm
Why is it we can see the fool hardiness of what these people are doing? There they are up in their in their ivory towers thinking of ways they can destroy our beautiful wild life and they are most probably getting paid highly for it? I live by the river and get so much joy from the birds and I am always blown away by the beauty of the river. By the way doesn't their poo act as fertilizer? These people who are allowing this are the blight not the wild life. I agree that Matt Baker etc of Countryfile should get involved. Grrrrrr
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Carole Sutton
20/10/2019 04:16:39 pm
Absolutely agree 100%. Do humans not create by far the biggest amount of poo on the planet? Go to any public toilet and then tell me which is worse, that or a bit of bird poo. It is the humans that are a health risk to the wildlife.
Carol Silvers
19/10/2019 05:15:22 pm
I agree whole heartedly with the last two comments Natural England should be abolished they do not care at all about birds or any animals. We
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valerie holloway
20/10/2019 12:20:11 pm
I am appalled by the actions of Natural England, and I am not sure why they call themselves so as they are determined to interfere with nature. I love ducks; they do no harm to anyone, and so why licences should be issued to destroy these beautiful creatures is completely appalling and incomprehensible.
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Josephine Elisabeth Stuart
20/10/2019 02:09:43 pm
I am SO angry about 'Natural England' - A misnomer because there is nothing natural about what they do. Where do I go to stir up some objections? Someone needs to do SOMETHING. They need to be disbanded, and ,as someone else said, give what they cost to RSPCA or an outfit that TRULY represents wild life. Where is David Attenborough, Chris Packam and ALL THE PEOPLE WE WATCH ON THIS? They need to up the anti.
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Sandra Sherriff-Meyer
21/10/2019 08:03:41 pm
I’m unable to comment independently. I was wondering if there was a petition to sign wrt the destruction of the mallard eggs?
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Adilys Ramirez
6/8/2020 07:04:17 pm
Let’s protect the ones that have no voice
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ALEX NEWMAN
18/10/2019 08:54:50 pm
More atrocity. How they have the audacity to call themselves Natural England, when it appears that they stand entirely opposed to nature, is completely beyond me. What is wrong with these people??? It's completely insane.
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Joyce Williams
18/10/2019 08:55:18 pm
So are they going to licence killing cats as they poo in gardens and sandpits and their poo is dangerous to humans !!!!
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Janet Ackerley
18/10/2019 09:03:44 pm
Please don't even suggest it!
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Annabel Vnoucek
18/10/2019 10:58:21 pm
Cats are already being poisoned and their bodies dumped by members of the public. I know people who allege that the decline in the bird population is totally due to cats when, in fact, it is being caused by human beings, either directly or indirectly.
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Andrew Bennett
18/10/2019 08:56:27 pm
This happens so often with Canada Geese as well, and they probably have even less chance of protection because they are a “non-native” species.
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Liz Crosland
18/10/2019 09:11:38 pm
Natural England are a danger to wildlife and should be sorted out immediately. They were totally useless regarding a development that contained 3 protected species in the 1990s and eventually the Wildlife Police Officer stepped in
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Janet Allison
18/10/2019 09:12:51 pm
Pigeon poo can cause an illness, which can be serious. Scaffolders and roofers know, and are wary, wear protective gear. So far as I am aware they don't apply to kill the pigeons. I thought humans - homo sapiens no less - were supposed to be intelligent and flexible....
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Denise
18/10/2019 09:15:39 pm
Just when you think you have heard it all, along come more idiots with stupid reasons for killing our wildlife
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John Tyler
18/10/2019 09:17:44 pm
The only dangerous bird shit in this country is rock pigeon shit. Basically rats with wings. Known to carry more diseases than rats. Scummy humans leave more toxic waste than all other species combined. They are fucking hypocrites. Makes me sick. Sorry for my language.
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Judy
18/10/2019 09:29:01 pm
Keep up the good work, Jason. My partner’s favourite bird is the mallard duck. He is astonished and horrified at Natural England. Is it bird faeces or something else behind this?
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Dave Bowen
18/10/2019 09:29:34 pm
No such thing as a 'rock pigeon' mate.
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George Nichols
18/10/2019 10:47:40 pm
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Mrs Elizabeth D Hey-Smith
18/10/2019 09:30:10 pm
I thought it odd when I saw a dead coot in Sutton Park with no signs of attack.
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Debbie Macmillan
18/10/2019 09:48:00 pm
I would rather walk through any birds poo than that of some humans who when drunk or can't be bothered, decide to go beside a bush or near a path where dogs might walk over or another human accidently gets it on their shoes. I believe the human sort is much more likely to pass on some disease than any from birds! :(
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Maggie Edmonston
19/10/2019 09:33:50 am
Yes, lets start culling filthy human adults.
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Giulia Argyll Nicholson
19/10/2019 07:03:38 pm
I absolutely agree humans have become the vermin they do far more damage than any creatures.
Sheila Armstrong
18/10/2019 09:58:49 pm
I read an article on Pocket about how the Great Auk became extinct.
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I think it is the members of natural England who should be culled,then our natural creatures would be safe
18/10/2019 10:01:36 pm
Sooner the .
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Simona
18/10/2019 10:02:09 pm
I wonder if there are a certain number 'nature cull/kill squads' and that the aim is to always keep these people in employment and/or busy. I am suggesting that it might be useful to see things in 'reverse', though it is just a speculation.
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Paul W Hamel
18/10/2019 10:10:08 pm
Orwell would have grouped Natural England with the Ministry of Truth in '1984'. I have no idea what this quango is supposed to do but taxpayers should call for its abolition.
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Keith Dancey
18/10/2019 10:14:34 pm
Just wait until Natural England discover that fish shit in the water:-(
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Lord Megatron
18/10/2019 10:57:47 pm
Last i read about human biology - Humans are more likely to catch diseases from other humans rather than animals based on similarities in genetics. Avian dinosaurs dont share enough similarities to pose a world level threat to humanity.
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Optimus Prime
18/10/2019 11:01:21 pm
Humans are a greater theat to themselves. Yet they too are a part of nature.
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Barb Mason
18/10/2019 11:39:58 pm
You have to be kidding, what a lame excuse for murder. The human race is the one that needs culling. They are cruel to all animals, destructive to the land, increase global warming with out a care for anyone but themselves, they are so drug induced they murder, rob, and invade homes.
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Mark Bosanko
18/10/2019 11:58:46 pm
Thanks for your work Jason.
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19/10/2019 12:03:26 am
The current issue of the RSPB magazine highlights 'Fight for our Wildlife' on its front cover, yet makes no mention of Natural England's role in bird destruction (or other creatures) in its publication. I have written to them asking for their reason for this, referred them to this website, challenged them to support this cause and use their influence to publicise the unacceptable decisions of Natural England. I am awaiting their reply.
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Gina
19/10/2019 07:04:43 am
Thank you for your article. It has surely opened my thoughts about 'Natural' England.
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Vicky RoeIts
19/10/2019 08:14:28 am
It’s like natural England have some weird grudge against birds...did someone at natural loose their ice cream to a seagull and now they just want cold hearted revenge?
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Ian Shaw
19/10/2019 08:30:14 am
Yet another case of small minded half-wits who have nothing intelligent to say, being given a platform to spout their twisted ideas. It is abut time this country tried to introduce common sense into everyday life, or is this something that should be avoided at all costs as it would prevent a minority with the mentality of a gnat being denied a voice!!
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Richard Lockwood
19/10/2019 08:38:26 am
Who are the faceless ones on this quango, who's aims appear to be - destroy God's order and all that is good?
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Michael A Bennett
19/10/2019 08:51:01 am
I fear that this is the age we are living in when we are led by so-called leaders whose sole interests are profit and their own opinions. Natural England is doubtless contributing to the large decline in our natural wildlife, and I see no difference what so ever in their pandering to petty interests and the unbelievable arrogance of the un-elected body that runs the National Park in Cumbria who intend to tarmacadam footpaths instead of renovating them, so that they can be used by 4 by 4's.
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Barb Mason
19/10/2019 09:05:08 am
Don't forget these people in power are creating a nest for themselves and not to mention a nice little nest egg for their end of governmenalt life.
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Lesley
19/10/2019 09:11:06 am
Mallards can become semi-tame quite easily, which makes them easy prey for people who want to kill them. According to the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, illegal trapping and killing of Mallards is becoming more common, and having Natural England on their list of predators as well seems quite mind-boggling. Perhaps Natural England should be concentrating their efforts on researching and finding ways to control or eliminate the breeding grounds of ticks, a far more damaging (sometimes fatal) bringer of disease to humans, other animals and birds, and on the increase with climate change. Ticks are present in city gardens and parks as well as rural areas, so nowhere is safe from them - they can be as tiny as a poppy seed, which makes spotting them and removing them tricky. Borrelia, Babesia, Bartonella, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia and various other nasty parasitic infections transmitted by ticks devastate health, but the NHS seems to be lagging way behind when it comes to understanding, diagnosing and treating these infections. Leaving the birds alone and tackling the huge and increasing tick problem in the UK would be a good start.
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John Dyda
19/10/2019 10:11:16 am
What are the RSPB and the BTO saying about all this? They're both suspiciously quiet.
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Ivor
19/10/2019 10:25:37 am
What needs culling is the excessive human population; the cause of climate change, habitat destruction, overfishing, and most other environmental ills.
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Neil
19/10/2019 12:13:48 pm
Well said.
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elaine masci
19/10/2019 11:00:59 am
When Is sombody going to say it . Natural England is not fit for purpose.Disband it and NO don't just change the name . They've already tried that one.
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Shelley Cockayne
19/10/2019 02:19:05 pm
Always shocked by what you are uncovering about the fate of our birds. Shocking, disgraceful and that institution should be abolished.
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Keith Dancey
20/10/2019 01:02:42 pm
For those of you wondering why the RSPB, BTO etc are 'quiet' on this, the answer is relatively simple.
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Pamela Allen
21/10/2019 12:44:37 pm
Agreed keith - BTO state they do not get involved in conservation or indeed lobbying to conserve any bird. Ground - so they appear "neutral" in so doing BTO receive funding from NE... Perverse and Wrong.
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Steve Turner
20/10/2019 05:38:30 pm
It is well overdue that 'Natural England' are shut down and binned!
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Jean Steel
21/10/2019 01:15:01 pm
We have a wildlife pond and regularly have mallards visit. They are lovely to have around. In the Spring we have the occasional female sitting on eggs. What a battle for them raising their young. The way nature works with crows taking them etc. etc. we usually see only about 20% survive and become adults. We look at the odd one that does and think 'you're a miracle'. I think to deliberately destroy the eggs is uncalled for and cruel. These ducks along with other wild birds are beautiful to have around and believe me their poo has never ever been a problem. It is ridiculous to think otherwise. Is there really another reason? Jean
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