Hi folks,
Two topics in today's update, firstly I've been looking into Natural England's recently published licence data, and one particular licence, (of many), raised questions.... Hundreds of waterfowl eggs licenced for destruction I have asked Natural England, by way of a freedom of information request, to explain why they approved the destruction of hundreds of eggs of Mute Swans (40), Canada Geese (100), Greylag Geese (600), Moorhens (350), Coots (250) and Mallards (500) . These actions were approved under just a single example of their now infamous licences. I don't know about you, but I've seen a marked decline in the numbers of all these species at a local level. It is clearly wrong headed to licence the destruction of their eggs. What are they thinking?? This particular licence was renewed last year, and it has been active for a number of years, meaning that many thousands of eggs could have been destroyed. Thousands and thousands of wild birds lost to the world. This is a tragedy, it is unacceptable. And it is just one of the licences that Natural England approves and issues each year, with little accountability and next to no direct monitoring of the actions taken. In years to come, this whole method of 'managing' wildlife will likely come to be seen as a national disgrace. Well, in regard to my freedom of information request about this mass destruction of wild birds' eggs, Natural England have informed me with 'regret' that they "must extend the time limit for responding by a further 20 working days, because of the complexity nature of the request". Not really surprising I suppose, the wholesale destruction of wild birds' eggs is going to take some explaining after all.... The second piece of news today is also really disheartening I'm afraid.... Harvesting 'gourmet' gull eggs - licences approved for 2024. It's the time of year when 'traditionally' the eggs of Black-headed gulls have been harvested to satisfy the gluttonous end of the fine dining market. Our campaign has helped to limit this unsavoury trade, and we have seen the withdrawal of most licences that enable the practice. It makes no sense at all to continue with licensing the harvesting of eggs of a threatened (amber-listed) species, for human consumption. It's patently obvious that this anachronistic practice should end. But two stubborn licences remained in place last year, in North Yorkshire, supported and approved by Natural England. The hope was that these last remaining licences would finally be withdrawn, as they have been in Hampshire, another traditional egg collecting area. In 2023, these Yorkshire licences enabled the collection of 2,500 eggs to satisfy the appetites of well-heeled diners. And now, unfortunately, Natural England has - in its wisdom - decided to renew the licences again this year. It's a disgusting trade. And it should stop. Explaining their decision to renew the licences again this year, Natural England told me "The collection of Black-headed gull eggs is a licensable activity under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 [...] the licensing team undertook a site visit to one of the collection sites last year and can confirm the colony appears healthy and has grown substantially since the previous survey. At the national scale, the cumulative effects of black headed gull egg-collecting are considered very small in relation to the national population and egg production. Therefore, we continue to believe licensing at this scale is sustainable." I think they're wrong. It might (possibly) be sustainable - just - but it's most certainly not ethical. I know many of you will agree. In my response, I told Natural England the following... "It is indeed very disappointing to hear that Natural England has continued to sanction the two remaining licences, permitting the harvesting of Black-headed gull eggs. I know that there will be much consternation over this among environmentalists, many of whom will struggle to understand the rationale behind the decision." Rest assured I'll be in touch again when I have some more answers regarding the destruction of the waterfowl eggs. It should make for interesting reading.
30 Comments
Robert
24/4/2024 06:28:47 pm
absolutely appalling. This madness must stop.
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Keith B
24/4/2024 10:12:10 pm
Well done Jason for bringing this to public attention. These organisations are set up and give the impression they are protecting natural wildlife and the environment but it's far from the truth and there is often someone involved who is either unintentionally incompetent of making intelligent decisions or financially gains at the expence and destruction of wildlife.
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Keith Meadows
24/4/2024 06:44:35 pm
Black Headed gulls are about a tenth in number compared to 30/40years ago and I hardly see any.Why don’t they take herring gulls eggs instead plus they can be nuisance and they out number Black headed gulls by at lest 20-1.Coots and moorhens are not common any more.
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Tim Burke
25/4/2024 09:34:34 am
Keith - factually complete nonsense. Real information on population trends can be found on the BTO website. You cannot easily compare numbers of Black-headed Gulls and Herring Gulls; both are boosted by numbers of winter visitors, but especially Black-headed. Herring Gulls are in decline and are Amber listed.
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Phil Trayhorn
26/4/2024 08:15:59 am
Well said! Again here in the UK we pander to the rich regardless of cost. In the case The Black headed full.
Jeremy Spoor
24/4/2024 06:50:56 pm
I like what you're doing- congratulations
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Angela Holloway
25/4/2024 08:16:56 am
I'm guessing your a wind up merchant!
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Angela Holloway
25/4/2024 08:22:55 am
Sorry, mis-read your post.
Patricia
24/4/2024 07:03:55 pm
I completely agree with you Jason.. Keep up the good work.
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Rosalind Baverstock
24/4/2024 07:04:20 pm
I surely admire your brilliant and bogged commitment to this So important concern for birds.
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Ronald Teague
24/4/2024 07:09:24 pm
What on earth is wrong with natural England wild life in this country as well as round the world is totally in decline I think they should sort there selves out there is no excuse to take these eggs unless you are tied to some idiots in the government
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Maliya Price
24/4/2024 07:16:07 pm
Thank you for carrying on!
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24/4/2024 07:36:48 pm
Thank you for updating everyone about the destruction of nature. How can one person stop it??
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Sharon Bardsley
24/4/2024 07:39:15 pm
What the hell!! Just what is wrong with Natural England, they should be ashamed of themselves. Keep up the fantastic work Jason. IS NOTHING SACRED
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Danny Mayhew
24/4/2024 07:40:08 pm
How can they justify what they are doing, helping the decline of already endangered birds . This is down to money 🤑 in one way or other
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Leslie
24/4/2024 08:06:49 pm
With you on this one. Will look into if this is happening in Wales
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Tee
24/4/2024 08:14:09 pm
It seems to me that government depts & similar that have some say over how things go in the UK are becoming more & more sinisterly 1984. I half expect Natural England to be renamed MiniNat as per 1984 as its operations are totally at odds to how I would expect a nature adviser dept to behave.
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Catherine
25/4/2024 12:04:12 pm
The whole name "Natural England" is an absolute travesty. I agree with Tee, the are totally at odds with what their name should represent in actions and policies. Over the last few years I have seen some absolute advice to developers how to get around obstacles (laws) when encountering protected species in the wholesale destruction and use of land and habitat. Everything they should stand for seems a charade. Wolves in sheep's clothing springs to mind. Keep going and questioning Jason. Thanks for your endeavours.
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Alicia
24/4/2024 08:36:08 pm
Thank you Jason for fighting. The practice of removing the eggs is abhorrent. How can they call themselves 'Natural England, you would think they'd want to save wildlife.
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Debra
24/4/2024 09:00:14 pm
Yet another government department not fit for purpose, thank you Jason for trying to bring their obvious shortcomings to public attention.
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Linda Howe
24/4/2024 09:34:14 pm
We are already facing the extinction of many species, including birds -- what kind of madness is going on in
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Maria
24/4/2024 10:22:51 pm
Its quite unbelievable. Tragic
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Rachael H
24/4/2024 10:26:33 pm
I am disgusted by Natural England, not only for the reasons mentioned in Jason's blog, but the impact of licencing for killing other wildlife as well. There is nothing natural about Natural England.
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Rodney Kupczyk
24/4/2024 10:51:39 pm
The title “Natural England” is a misnomer & brings into question the rational of their decisions. We now live in an overcrowded country with the least flora & fauna in Europe, diminished by a failure of the bodies that are paid to look after our precious waterways & wildlife. We need more Jasons.
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Richard Gardner
25/4/2024 01:16:28 am
It’s a National disgrace all right. Just like most institutions of power allowing destruction, persecution and blatant disregard for life and habitats on this beautiful but rapidly dwindling Planet. Until money is removed from the driving seat of power and decision from within governments and so called agencies of environmental protection (worldwide) we’re doomed. They just don’t care.
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Colin Mance
26/4/2024 06:00:21 pm
Like so much else about this country that it just makes you
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27/4/2024 08:11:17 pm
Natutal England's stupidity never ceases to amaze me.I have to ask where do these people come from and what is their background?
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Richard C
28/4/2024 12:12:26 pm
I think if everyone who reads this with some horror were to take 10 minutes to write their response as an email to their MP it would have the best effect. They know that one letter is an indication of probably 20 opinions so have an outsized effect. Getting it into local news is even better.
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Terry M
29/4/2024 10:39:49 pm
This is abhorrent. Who gives this lot the authority to give permission to kill wildlife off and why?
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Irene Leggett
30/4/2024 09:47:24 pm
Perhaps the name should be changed from Natural England to UN-Natural England as this department seems to want to drive all birds to extinction. Yet its quite alright for DEFRA to allow approximately 50 MILLION-yes that's right-50 MILLION hand-reared, young, non-native pheasants and partridges to be released at the end of summer for the gun-toting. trigger-happy, brain-dead, hunting brigade to shoot. These innocent birds don't even fly away from the beaters, they are literally sitting targets for these morons and many of the shot birds are just dumped into pre-dug pits or left to rot in heaps in the fields. But never mind, got to keep the hunters happy.
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