Natural England have now published their 2023 wildlife licence data, including the complete figures for the lethal control of wild birds. (Please see at the end of this post for a link to the data)
As I begin to trawl through it all, I can see that there remain significant areas of concern... Songbird hunting for 'sport' One of my particular bugbears is the issuing of licences to hunt songbirds (including some red-listed species) using falcons. I highlighted this matter last year and at the time I implored Natural England to reconsider these particular licences which are extremely contentious and have little public support. Unfortunately they were resolute in keeping these controversial licences active, although they hinted at a potential change of policy when they told me there was no plan to reform them "in the short term" - nevertheless through 2023 they continued to issue them - with the result that a dozen licences were approved to hunt skylarks, potentially resulting in the deaths of more than 100 of these iconic and rare birds. Skylarks are just one of the species that can be legally hunted by falconers in England, the list of 'quarry' species includes many of high conservation concern, including Fieldfare, Redwing, Meadow Pipit, Mistle Thrush and more. Natural England's refusal to acknowledge public disquiet over these archaic licences is cavalier and not a good look for them. Cormorant hunting There are still high levels of Cormorant culling, 2023 seeing an increase in licences over the previous couple of years (a whopping 439 licences were issued to cull them last year, which could affect huge numbers of these impressive birds). This is a real worry; with little or no monitoring of these licences, it's pretty much a free-for-all hunting spree in the countryside. Nobody really knows how many of the birds might have been shot. These particular licences are handed out liberally, and whether or not you support the calls from anglers and fisheries to 'control' Cormorants, the number of birds that can be killed each year is clearly far too high. I don't think it will be long before we notice Cormorants disappearing from our waterways altogether in some areas. And before anyone attempts to justify the culls, I'll just remind them of the fate of the Passenger Pigeon..... Gull eggs for human consumption I'm now waiting on Natural England's decision over the licences allowing the abhorrent harvesting of Black-headed gull eggs for human consumption - in the past couple of years we have seen a reduction in the numbers of these gull egg licences, thanks to our campaign, but last year two still remained in place in Yorkshire, which permitted the taking and selling of thousands of eggs. I have strongly condemned these licences and have been trying to persuade Natural England to withdraw them all. Humans don't need to eat the eggs of wild birds, let alone those in steep population decline - it's an outdated practice that should be consigned to history. Watch this space for an update on this, as I have been told there is no decision on 2024 licences just yet. Killing Starlings for 'air safety' Killing birds for reasons of 'air safety' also raises many questions. For example a licence was issued last year to shoot 100 starlings (a red-listed species) for reasons of 'air safety' on Merseyside, with another licence permitting the shooting of 50 more starlings at an airport in Lancashire. So many species appear on these 'air safety' licences, officially permitting the culling of large numbers of rare wild birds. Meanwhile, common species such as the wood pigeon are targeted in extraordinarily large numbers under these licences, an example being one single licence that approved the shooting of 1000 of these birds, also on Merseyside. Other concerns I've only just scratched the surface of the data, but already there are some other glaring stats to look into, such as the single licence that enabled the applicant to 'take, damage or destroy' several hundred Mallard, Coot and Moorhen eggs. Data available because of our campaign All of this data is in the public domain thanks to our campaign - as it has been since I first persuaded Natural England to publish it back in 2018. Prior to that it was hidden away out of public view - and no wonder as the figures revealed a catalogue of killing and culling in the English countryside. Trawling through the data since then we've succeeded in highlighting anomalies and advising Natural England where wildlife culling has been licensed without due consideration. With regard to many species of wild birds, some would say the killing has been practically out of control for several years. Natural England had been issuing lethal control licences often for spurious reasons and we have questioned that and succeeded in pushing for transparency, accountability and change. There's no doubt in my mind that thousands of birds lives have been saved thanks to pressure from our campaign. The licence data is free to download and view, please do have a good look - it is up to us to highlight any inconsistencies. I am happy to raise questions directly with Natural England if you let me know of your concerns. Email me ([email protected]) and I'll do my best to follow up on it. NatureScot I'll also be in touch with NatureScot again soon, as they are due to publish their own licence data - for Scotland - in due course. With NatureScot's highly dubious record of enabling the killing of unfathomably huge numbers of gulls north of the border, that should make interesting reading... So, I'll be delving into the data further, it makes for depressing reading but at least we can all now see it, and ask questions over the 'management' of nature by the authorities. Natural England data is HERE Our campaign petition is HERE
15 Comments
Ruth Burroughs
8/3/2024 06:34:52 pm
Natural England are very quick to say that these decisions are the responsibility of the Government and nothing to do with them. It makes one wonder what is the point of their existence if they are merely government hand maidens with no independent authority. So are they just an expensive quango with no teeth?
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9/3/2024 04:28:18 pm
Firstly I have always believed nature regulates itself, am I wrong?
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Timothy Lee
8/3/2024 06:40:59 pm
I'm guessing that NE maybe reluctant to challenge the taking of Skylarks, albeit I imagine by a small number of falconers (presumably flying Merlins) as they may come under the wider umbrella of hunting generally. This could be seen as the thin end of the wedge by the hunting fraternity who would likely lend their still considerable weight and influence against any challenge to the status quo.
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Laurie North
8/3/2024 06:43:22 pm
There is no reason for killing wildlife. It cannot be considered as a ‘sport’ despite it being so described.
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Richard Gardner
8/3/2024 07:09:14 pm
Butcher Natural England in my opinion.
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8/3/2024 08:00:47 pm
Again Jason has Highlighted This NATURAL ENGLAND ? nothing Natural about it For they like others are under the Umbrella of DEFRA ? A government Department That is Responsible For Dangers in this Country . SEWAGE in our Lakes and Rivers ? Supposed To Be Under Their Responsibilty , Not Got that Under Control The Water Companies Still Dumping The Stuff . Rivers Flooding ? Because They are Not Dredging or is the a European Edict And Our Lot Have Rejoined The Club .It Used to work Fine when the Thames Conservancy Looked After The River ! Now Also May I End This with This WHY ? Is My favourite British Bird On Their Lists . When Did YOU Last see a BULLFINCH ?
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Kevin
9/3/2024 05:15:43 pm
Bullfinch is also my favourite bird,how someone kill such a beautiful bird is very concerning,our country is run by a corrupt government,all they care to do is damage an ruin every thing I’m 50 now I’ve noticed the wild bird population decrease over the years,British fish stocks are at an all time low,wildlife has almost disappeared,this country ain’t going to stop because no one cares,it’s really sad
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13/3/2024 12:22:12 pm
I live in the rural South Hams, Devon.
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Ruth Duckworth
8/3/2024 08:12:35 pm
The hunting of songbirds for sport needs to stop entirely. These birds are in rapid decline. The taking of eggs from wild birds should go the same way. There is absolutely no need for this.
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kit
8/3/2024 10:06:51 pm
Most farmers & landowners would be quite happy to see the end of all wildlife. They just get in the way. They pretend otherwise but the evidence is and has always been clear.
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John Dyda
8/3/2024 08:50:31 pm
Governments and the Deep State have NO respect or concern for wildlife and habitats. They are only concerned about keeping their rich falconry buddies and shooting 'Hoorah Henries' happy.
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Pia Hachem
8/3/2024 11:57:19 pm
It is shocking and very sad that people are allowed to constantly slaughter wild life. They will justify it with excuses such as over population control. At the end of the day it is the murder of innocent beings, who should be allowed to live in peace. There must always be a kinder and more humane way of dealing with human and wild life clashes? Or is this just the easier solution, ignorance and arrogance?
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deborah brand
9/3/2024 10:14:01 am
why cant people leave our precious wild life alone every day animals are dying because of arrogant cruel people. ,
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IAN SHERFIELD
16/3/2024 07:36:51 pm
I am commenting on all posts that I see on utube regarding the role of Natural England and their licensing of the slaughter of wildlife, if we all do likewise it may just raise the profile of our campaign.
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Irene Leggett
8/4/2024 08:58:12 pm
Natural England??? They're just a bunch of pen-pushers who are trying to destroy ALL our wildlife and our environment. I must admit I cannot recall the last time I actually saw a thrush either in my garden or even in the countryside, we have very few small birds visiting-its quite a treat to spot a robin or blue tit!!! How sad is that, now it seems that I'll probably never hear a skylark again.
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