Review Of Herring Gull Licences 'Seems Likely' Says Natural England - But Are They Empty Words?2/7/2019
Today I heard from the Operations Director at Natural England, regarding my enquiries about Herring Gull licences.
I had strongly recommended that lethal control licensing for this species be suspended in the light of revelations that numbers of the birds have plummeted dramatically. My hope was that the agency would acknowledge the obvious plight of the species and refuse to grant any further kill licences. But while hope springs eternal, what I received was what I expected, a less than clear response to a relatively simple question. 'Likely Review Of Gull Licensing' - But When? As is usual with the carefully crafted replies one receives from Natural England, there are quite a lot of words that don't say very much. But, as I've also come to note, where there might be a potential change of policy this is hinted at (though never confirmed in black and white....) So, I honed in on a statement that gives me some hope. With regard to the future issuing of licences to kill Herring Gulls, they say: "it seems likely we will need to review again our approach to gull licensing, both individual and class licences...." The problem is that this 'review' is not imminent. Currently they tell me they are involved in supporting a seabird census - which will no doubt show a continued decline in the population of the beleaguered Herring Gull. Only after that census has been carried out and evaluated might there be any change in policy. That could be too late for the Herring Gull. The Herring Gull was removed from the general licencing scheme in April when those licences where legally challenged by Wild Justice. However, this move only affected the licences permitting destruction of Herring Gull eggs and nests (not the lethal control of the gulls themselves, which was granted only under individual licences - licences which, as I revealed, have been issued in very high numbers). While this extra protection for the birds' nests and eggs was welcome, it was much too little and too late. Herring Gull numbers had steadily fallen over a number of years while the general licence was in effect. And that is my fear over the potential 'review' hinted at by the agency. We need action to ensure the survival of the species now - not after some census that will only prove what we already know. Meaningless Words Or Commitment To Change? In their latest response, the agency tell me that: "Natural England will now be developing a class licence for control of herring and lesser black backed gull nests and eggs ahead of 2020. This will allow action to be taken where justified, but will operate under tighter restrictions and reporting requirements that General Licences. Control of birds will only be permitted through individual licences." This unfortunately suggests no significant change to the current system at all. They assure me that they "will very carefully consider the conservation status of the species in our licensing decisions." Meanwhile, as I write, it is still possible to apply for a licence to kill Herring Gulls and I have not been told of any more stringent conditions that must be met in obtaining such a licence. So currently Herring Gulls are still being killed in potentially high numbers - and the only way to find out just how many is to use a freedom of information request. This is entirely unsatisfactory as I have said many times before. The Promise: To Publish Details Of All Licences In Full This Year The agency's Director of Operations, James Diamond, gave me his word, back in April, that the agency would be publishing in full all details of every licence they issued during the previous twelve months 'sometime this year' (and from then on, annually), so we will be able to see the full extent of the culls before too long. It's all very frustrating. But it looks like I can only work with Natural England on their terms, restrictive and narrow as they are. I will continue to keep an open dialogue with them, after all this in itself is something fairly unique, as I hear all the time from others who haven't been able to engage with them on any level at all. In addition, the agency has said that, within the next two days, they will be providing me with information about an example licence that I asked about, one that they issued granting permission for the applicant to kill 100 Herring Gulls in Devon. While it will make 'interesting' reading, to my mind it will be well nigh impossible for them to justify a cull of these birds. I will continue to report back and keep you updated.
19 Comments
Jackie Quinn
2/7/2019 09:24:18 pm
Well done for all the work you are doing. I am horrified that all these licences are being sued where the birds are not actually causing any problems. We have lots of herring gulls in Brighton and as far as I am concerned they are a welcome sight.
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Carrie Costain
2/7/2019 09:43:01 pm
Have you spoken to Neil Morris from the ornithological society? He will have gull statistics at his finger tips. He is highly knowledgeable about birds. He gave a talk on the decrease in gull numbers fairly recently. If you haven t been in touch, he could be useful. Great work Jason. Carrie
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Jason
2/7/2019 10:42:01 pm
Very well done for all you are doing and I really hope you are successful in all your endeavours.
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E L Goldsworthy
3/7/2019 12:02:47 am
I don't understand why Herring gulls are being targeting and the other birds. I thought we were a country that prided themselves of serving our native animals and protecting them.
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Charles Erb
3/7/2019 09:34:53 am
I supported protection of ravens and raptors. Herring gulls have become a pest and a health and safety problem. Their number hereabouts have exploded recently.
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Pamela Allen
4/7/2019 12:37:34 pm
In reply to Charles comment supported by Lesley you are both evidently wrong - nature is balanced our species on the other hand are grossly unbalanced.
Frank Courtney
2/7/2019 09:43:21 pm
Keep at it, Jason. You're doing a really excellent job. Very grateful.
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2/7/2019 10:13:05 pm
Thank God for People like Jason who have the moral backbone to stand up to these mindless faceless numpties who are willing to wipe wildlife off our planet, Keep in mind it is there planet also,but they unlike humans do not have the lets kill every thing gene. The pests here are humans I am revolted by the amount of dehumanised people who take great pleasure in Unnessarsary killing of innocent wildlife.
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Carola Fielden
2/7/2019 10:16:21 pm
Thank you for all the work you are doing.
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Stephen Cain
4/7/2019 06:53:23 pm
People need to live with seagulls to understand , they are vermin , they do nothing but squawk all day long flying around getting into bins and chucking the contents around , then flying about craping on cars , washing and anything else they can find . I have had to live with these so called protected bird for 65 years and as far as I can see living on an Island the numbers are out of control , in Malta they would be shot out off the sky .
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Janet Hoptroff
2/7/2019 11:18:07 pm
Thank you for all you are doing. NE's lack of engagement must be so frustrating and annoying.
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Leslieholland
3/7/2019 09:59:40 am
Same as Charles Erb we have far to many where we live going to the bus stop the other day I got gulls diving at me.
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Pam Oliver
3/7/2019 10:15:42 am
My daughter lived in Brighton for years and I was a frequent visitor. Seeing the antics of the gulls was part of the attraction of Brighton for me - they are such beautiful and intelligent birds. Yes, I know they can be a nuisance at times, but the positives far far outweigh the negatives in my mind. Ditto in Devon where I spend much of my time visiting coastal villages and love seeing the gulls out in force.
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Mark Pilbeam
3/7/2019 10:47:16 am
1. Herring gulls, like all wild creatures, tend to proliferate in proportion to the amount of food available. A far better way of controlling their numbers is to restrict this, especially by proper management of rubbish dumps.
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David Baker
3/7/2019 07:39:36 pm
Keep up the good work Jason. Really admire and appreciate your perseverance!
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Debbie Macmillan
3/7/2019 08:44:54 pm
Debbie Macmillan Definitely, to keep allowing licences to shoot birds without a good reason or no knowledge if the birds are becoming rare, is utter stupidity. Why can't these shooters join a shooting club where they can harmlessly shoot posters with their own faces on, perhaps! :(
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4/7/2019 12:32:38 am
Good work Jason. To those above commenting on explosion in numbers and need for culling, it should be noted that urban breeding gulls are a complex problem and if you delve into the literature, e.g. Peter Rock's "Urban gulls" (BB 98:338), you will find that disruption of colonies through culling is suspected of being one of the mechanisms which has driven the further expansion and colonisation of new sites, hence ultimately enhanced numbers in urban areas where nearly all of the conflict is centred.
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Roger A Coleman
4/7/2019 03:58:46 pm
FOI Request Herring Gull Chicks
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Pamela Allen
10/7/2019 05:29:20 pm
Referring to the FIO Dear Mr Coleman letter and a recent BBC South West report on a farmer granted a recent shoot to kill licence;
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