Natural England's latest plans to 'protect' endangered gulls appear to be inept....
Last year, I complained to Natural England that far too many gulls were being slaughtered under licences that they were issuing to 'pest' controllers and others. I called for a suspension of all Herring gull licences due to the population of this iconic bird being in free-fall, some estimates suggesting an 82% drop in the birds' numbers. Through freedom of information requests I had discovered truly shocking figures that suggested excessive extermination of the birds and for often spurious reasons. I received reassurance, from then operations director James Diamond, that new measures would be considered to protect gulls, including red listed endangered Herring gulls. In July, 2019, Mr Diamond told me that "it seems likely we will need to review again our approach to gull licensing, both individual and class licences...." Gulls' Decline Is "Worrying Trend," Says Natural England Today I note with interest that Natural England have modified the licensing criteria for two species of endangered gulls. From now on Herring gulls, together with Lesser black backed gulls, will be afforded a little more protection through slightly stricter licensing rules. Marian Spain, interim chief executive of Natural England said today "Populations of herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls have declined significantly in recent years and it’s essential that we do all we can to reverse this worrying trend." Er, yes, well we could have told you that a long time ago - oh hang on, actually we did. Too Little, Too Late Though today's announcement from Natural England is welcome, their action really is 'too little and too late'. Although licences for gull control and management in rural areas are likely to be significantly reduced in number, a statement from Natural England said that "Control levels of nests, eggs and chicks will not be limited in urban areas, where populations are thought to have better breeding success rates." That is a mistake. It leaves the door open to largely un-monitored persecution of red listed and declining species of gull. It is absurd to assume that urban gulls are in less danger than rural gulls - and yet that is exactly what Natural England have decided. It will therefore still be possible for 'pest' control companies and others to kill these magnificent birds in urban areas if they can persuade Natural England that there is a threat to 'human life and health'. In practice, I doubt that this will prevent Natural England from issuing hundreds or thousands of licences to those who make their living from killing birds, as they have been doing for years. No wonder that the gulls are in steep decline. No Confidence In Natural England Or Defra Natural England said that they are "working with Defra to explore options for filling current gaps in evidence around urban gull populations, which would enable us to refine our licensing approach in future." By the time these clunky organisations get their 'evidence' together, threatened gulls will be in even more danger. I have very little confidence that either organisation is competent enough to trust with the future of our beleaguered wildlife. Public Pressure Can Bring More Change But let us not forget that it is a very small step towards real change. Without the support of all the people who continue to sign our petition, and the pressure this support has brought to bear on Natural England, I doubt that even this limited review of gull licensing would have happened. People power has again brought about change, a change that will doubtless save very many gulls, albeit not enough. We will continue to push for change, for more protection for our native wildlife. Meanwhile, for those hundreds of thousands of you who have signed the petition, next time you spot a gull, please remember that, but for you, that gull might not be there. Well done. Now onward, there is much more work to do. Please continue to sign and share the petition: HERE. Thanks, Jase
33 Comments
30/1/2020 01:54:38 pm
I totally agree that if no protection is offered to nest sites or chicks in urban areas, any "extra" protection will have little or no effect in reducing the species decline.
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Rosemary Gilbert
30/1/2020 02:34:34 pm
I totally agree. I live on the coast and it was amazingly obvious how numbers declined automatically when wheelie bins were first introduced. There was no need for any form of 'control'. Builders and residents wrecked and covered nesting sites (except mine, but even my resident pair of 10 years disappeared). Many birds are road casualties and I personally intervened when yobs at a viewing site attracted the gulls with food, then stoned them!! At the local seaside resort, holiday makers complained when gulls pinched their fish and chips from their hands, which made headline hate news for gulls. These birds have been branded with a bad name like vermin, yet they are the true and entitled creatures of the area. They do not need culling - they are struggling! So few babies last year! Forgive me but, I do not have a lot of respect for selfish, ignorant mankind!
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Roy Baker
31/1/2020 06:31:38 pm
Completely agree people seem determined to exterminate any wildlife that appears to be remotely successful. I think they need to look in the mirror before they critisize.
Pamela Allen
27/2/2020 12:27:36 pm
Agreed.. In Liskeard there is an old picture frame for sale with photos/drawings of how fishermen found and caught the enormous shoals of herring they witness thousands of seagulls descend upon the thong of thrashing fish brought to the surface a scene no more due to this gross over fishing and over fish consumption - Certain EU countries such as France need to DECREASE their intake and realise they do not have a right to eat as many fish as they like daily...Fish must be a treat and not an expectation.
Glynne Williams
30/1/2020 03:23:47 pm
Natural England should read the latest edition of Nature's Home (RSPB); 11 species of gull are of formal conservation concern, including all seven breeders - 5 amber-listed, 2 red-listed. Herring-gull population has halved over all - even though urban populations seem buoyant. Kittiwakes are now globally threatened. Natural England should be making these points, and not blaming gulls for human beings' monumental stupidity in destroying their food sources and then criticising gulls for feeding where they can.
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Carole Sutton
30/1/2020 08:27:59 pm
Whilst this is indeed a small step forward it is not nearly enough. These birds are struggling to survive because humans have taken over their habitat and destroyed their food source - its the gulls that need protection from the pollution and health hazards of humans, not the other way round.
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Jennifer Hall
30/1/2020 01:55:12 pm
In full agreement with you . Natural England seems more intent on issuing licences to kill rather than protecting the diversity of our wildlife. Horrified to follow your link to its website to see record of action against so many species.
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Zoe Wild
30/1/2020 05:13:21 pm
Spot on. That is what both Defra, Natural England and the Environment Agency do!
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Bill Thompson
30/1/2020 01:59:58 pm
The ability to kill particular types of Gull requires the operator to be capable of recognising the bird he/she is looking at. Something that appears to have been lacking in the past.
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30/1/2020 02:14:50 pm
i live in Caernarfon in North Wales and i feed the Herring Gulls (as well as the Continental Gulls as well as the Crows, the Robins, the Jackdaws, the Black Birds, the Finches, the Sparrows, the Robins and the Pigeons in separate loactions) every day of my life whatever the weather or season. i now do this, in what i hope is away from humans out of sight on the beach, because of the insults and the abuse and threats of legal action i have received from both the Locals and the Visitors. The beach is stony and rough and because of this some of the chicks have damaged their webs irreperably with large gaping splits. Still, the alternative would be that they went hungry ~ because hungry they are. Simply because humans have fished the Herring out of the seas (as well as everything else). The gulls i feed do 'fish' for worms on the shore when the tide allows so they are not lazy and just trying to scavenge as the Locals say. The Locals call these ~ as you so rightly put it ~ Noble birds, vermin. i even heard a tour guide express this opinion to the people she was guiding. i was accused by a local of 'helping to keep them alive'. If so, i am very happy about it as i have found them to be extremely loveable, intelligent and grateful to me for my help to them. They are as a friend in Seattle put it like 'street children'.The day i am stopped by the Authorities from feeding the gulls is the day i will leave Caernarfon.
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Peter Piper
30/1/2020 02:26:31 pm
yes, what exactly is the definition of vermin.........? similar to the one for weeds, I suppose - same families, just the ones that some people (the majority?) just don't happen to like!?
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jacquie phelps
30/1/2020 02:30:40 pm
Thankyou, I do the same in another Welsh coast area. As you say these birds are very intelligent and great personalities. If people could be "bothered" to find out more about them and other birds in this country then these species may be given more justified respect they deserve. They are certainly not vermin. If anything Humans are a Virus on this planet.
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ROY ALLEN
30/1/2020 02:34:31 pm
Well said , Natural England are just a killing organisation . Can anyone give a case where they have aver taken action to protect our wildlife .Why are Natural England able to give killing licences in Wales Both Them and Defra should be a abolished .
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Zoe Wild
30/1/2020 05:16:30 pm
No they should not be abolished. They should be made to do what they are by law appointed for.
Norman
30/1/2020 04:09:23 pm
Gulls are my Most friendly friends , they love me , I love them. It is the human's that need to change not the gulls.
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jacquie phelps
30/1/2020 02:20:06 pm
As you say this is yet another way to "get around laws" and still kill Gulls. Humans are everywhere, what areas are "not Urban" somehow. There will be few places left where Gulls are not living in an "Urban area". If anything this will mean more Gulls are killed.
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Peter Piper
30/1/2020 02:30:48 pm
We work in an industrial area some 15 miles inland from the coast and yet the gulls that came here to breed on the roof of a factory have had their nests/eggs/chicks systematically destroyed these last few years - with or without permission? (with bodies like Natural England etc, does it really matter?)
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David Hawker
30/1/2020 02:51:58 pm
Suggest you all look at the Dumfries and Galloway Councils website about gull control which is determined in a different way through Scottish Natural Heritage. Somewhat more humane for the current birds but it doesn’t secure future populations
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Gillydee
30/1/2020 03:13:10 pm
Natural England are just pacifying the public (Bird loving public!) they never intended to help or save ANY BIRDS! It's not in their remit!!
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Graham
30/1/2020 04:13:53 pm
Poppycock, l wonder, what does it feel like to not know what one is talking about?
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Zoe Wild
30/1/2020 05:18:01 pm
That is exactly what they say. They are satisfied to have discharged their law enforcement role.
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D suttle
30/1/2020 04:02:14 pm
Natural England are not fit for purpose and should be disbanded perhaps they should grant me a license to exterminate them as they are brain dead scumbags
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I agree with the tightening of the rules since it is very easy to justify egg removal under the heading of H+S. But you also need to appreciate where there is a large cluster of nesting Herring Gulls the situation can became untenable. Some years ago in Plymouth we experienced this at a college site. The where so many young birds it had become dangerous to access the building due to large amount of guano around building entrances and the dive bombing by adult gulls.
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Kev Petford
30/1/2020 04:50:50 pm
Hi, I remain appalled by the sheer number and diversity of the birdlife that Natural England are licensed to kill!!!
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Mo Hart
30/1/2020 07:20:23 pm
For several years I fed, supported & helped one Herring Gull & his mate nest & raise their chicks. This bird was ringed as part of a project & I regularly reported on his progress. End of last summer my neighbour & his children fed our lovely boy who then did as he had done hundreds of times before. He stood well into the pavement, back to the road feeding his chicks. He was run over & killed by the idiot who thinks that all animals especially our beautiful gulls are fair game for him to drive onto the pavement & kill gulls etc. Our boy, Fred, is now buried in my garden where he came to feed 2-3 times a day. His mate called him for 2 days after. Even now she is defending their nest site though she has no mate now. He is still missed by people in our road who love these birds. The yobs who kill these birds are encouraged by the stupid licensing laws that need scrapping along with those who make them- NE!!
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Ian Gemmell
30/1/2020 07:58:19 pm
It isn't clear to me why these licences have been applied for and granted. Is there a significant pest problem or is it a case of pest controller encouraging control? A lot of unanswered questions which I feel need to be answered. Population numbers shouldn't be dropping so alarmingly.
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Julia Dance
30/1/2020 08:47:11 pm
There is obviously too much pen pushing . This organisation needs a knowledgable and reputable expert in charge who will take proper decisions.
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Gareth Huw Lewis
30/1/2020 09:16:38 pm
Well done once again Jason for forcing Natural England to be a little more sensible-although as is clear, casual killing of OUR Gulls, 2 species of which are on the Red List with the others on the Amber List with licenses issued by Natural England still goes on. I deplore the pathetic excuses of ill informed and often selfish people who arrange for casual killing of Gull species by companies who are evidently only too happy to carry out this killing-its about time that conservation organisations started objecting to this -I am sure that the legality of this dubious practice is on shaky ground and the sooner that Natural England start looking properly at the alarming decline in gull numbers, the better and they must apply the same stricter criteria before issuing any licenses in the case of urban as well as rural gulls
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Jinty
31/1/2020 12:53:12 am
Every time I read or hear these articles I think I'm dreaming. Does Natural England live in the real world. Everyday we read of our declining wildlife and they give licences to degenerates to kill willy nilly? You are an amazing man Jason putting in all this hard work I wonder does Chris Packham know about you, maybe he can help? Just a thought.
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Bill Richmond
31/1/2020 03:51:38 pm
Natural England are not fit for purpose! They totally disregard the` fact that the Herring Gull is Red Listed and a a specie of concern. Their actions will catch up with them.
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1/2/2020 09:50:30 am
I sympathise Jason having already had issue with Jim Diamond and his licence granter mechanism Mr. James Seymour and Ms. Claire Newell at the time with a stage three complain and parliamentory complaint Natural England PA 266397 in relation to the way Natural England was granting licences at the time by then this ended with a meeting in Ashford, which did not allay any fears and we was not alowed to record the meeting we attended. I asked Parliamentory ombudsman as Friends of Speckled Wood
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Caroline James
2/2/2020 12:46:16 pm
Councils are now gearing up to go to destroy eggs. No eggs, no babies, no gulls.
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18/11/2020 06:45:36 pm
i have been feeding a little gull chick for about four months. The first time i ever saw him his wing was drooping so low that he was poohing on it. i called him Droopy. He was very nervous and his two siblings who could fly bullied him. i started feeding him every day with good fish cat food and he changed into quite a confident fellow and his wing slowly started to lift. His mother was still around and this was the only reason i did not send him away to a Sanctuary that i contacted. One day in September he actually flew towards me with one of his sisters when he saw me. That is how much his wing had healed. i was always worried because he was by the Council Offices and we all know what bureacracy is like. i hoped that with a little more time he would be able to go back to his family. Recently, we had those high winds and his wing was damaged again and was trailing. i was in a real quandary and also worried because of the cold weather. i used to go out in the evenings after dark to check on him. One Friday evening as i walked towards him i could see him clearly at the side of the road ~ there is no pavement on that road. i saw a car come round the corner and swerve towards him. At first i thought it was just trying to park on the side but it was deliberately trying to hit him. i know because he just about got out of the way and the car kept going and passed me. i had found out a lad of 18 was also feeding him so not everyone here (Caernarfon) is a complete monster. On Tuesday the 10th i fed him as normal and he was in good spirits. i knew he was lonely because the day before i saw him just looking in the glass of the Council Offices thinking he was with another bird. Every time i left him water they removed it but he enjoyed it when i could give it to him. He always ran towards me when he saw me coming as fast as his little legs could carry him with his wings outstretched and giving his little eagle cry. On Wednesday he was not there and i searched for him . On Thursday it was the same and i went to the Council Offices and spoke to their Reception. i explained the situation and asked if i could speak with the Caretaker and was told he was too busy with leaks and that leaks took priority over a wild animal. i tolerated this and asked if she could ask the Caretaker if he had seen anything. She said she would. i went back the next day and still no Droopy and i asked again ~ she was too busy to see me as she was 'in the middle of something' but told her colleague to tell me she had not seen the Caretaker. i saw Droopy's Mum that day so i knew for a fact he had not gone anywhere willingly. Of course, i tried to find him again on Saturday and on Sunday. On Monday the Council Offices were closed and i banged on the back but could not get any response. Yesterday i went back and spoke with the person on Reception who still had not 'seen' the Caretaker. i told her i was contacting the Rural Crime Team as i knew for a fact the bird had been removed. She told me to raise a complaint which i did today and copied my local MP ~ which is probably the only reason they even responded. This i did in Welsh. It transpires that one of their staff saw him and took him to the Vet to have him put down. Considering i got told off enough about feeding him the Staff were well aware that he was being cared for ~ and they probably saw the other lad who was also doing his bit. They should have at least given one of us the option to take Droopy away and look after him. No ~ they just killed him. i believe this was premeditated because the entire stone work around the council offices was washed down on the Friday and this week there are vans in the courtyard to do some sort of work so Droopy would have been in the way. Poor little Droopy.
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