Wales: Licences Granted To Kill 100 Linnets and 19 Other Red/Amber List Species : 2448 Birds At Risk12/12/2018 Twenty Threatened Species On Welsh Hit List (01/17 to 09/18)
In the wake of the shocking news that both Scottish Natural Heritage and Natural England have been issuing licences to shoot some of our most treasured birds, come more awful revelations, this time from Wales. Many people have been in touch with me, lamenting the apparent decline of birds in Wales, so it is with a heavy heart that I share with you these statistics. Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the body that claims to 'maintain and enhance biodiversity', has been busy issuing its own licences to kill. Figures from a FOI request* show that in less than two years (01/17 to 09/18), 73 licences were issued covering a staggering 2,448 birds of at least 20 species. All of these birds are on the RSPB Red and Amber lists. Some might say that it makes NRW's slogan of 'Looking after our environment for people and nature' seem a little spurious. NRW issued licences that permitted the killing of a diverse list of species that included Linnets, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Meadow Pipits, Lapwings and Skylarks. Though a number of the individual licences ultimately resulted in no reported deaths, many more do not detail the number of birds actually killed as the figures had not yet been submitted by the time the information was collated. That in itself might make one wonder just how NRW monitors the culls once permission has been granted. They say in respect of the unknown totals "we have not received licence reports for some of the licences listed on the attached spreadsheet. This is because most of these licences are still either current or have just recently expired." Hundreds Of Birds Confirmed Killed But some figures are confirmed and are very worrying. In the case of Gulls and Starlings at least, it appears that a very high number were taken while many more are likely to have been killed by the time the final figures were logged. NRW issued licences to kill up to 617 Herring Gulls, 499 Lesser Black-backed Gulls (mostly to 'preserve public health and safety'), and a staggering 1022 Starlings (some of the allocation to 'preserve air safety' but also bizarrely to 'prevent serious damage to cattle feed'). (...killing birds because they are damaging cattle feed? Makes no sense to me)... Another reason given as justification for culling both Starlings and various species of Gull was (bizarrely) to prevent 'serious damage to livestock' including chickens, cattle and lambs. (How, one might ask, does a Starling carry out serious damage to a cow?) All in all it seems that randomly allocated reasons are given as justification for issuing licences to kill some of our most threatened species. One of the saddest statistics from the list is that of two licences to kill a total of 100 Linnets for being a threat to air safety. While we all appreciate that ensuring the safety of air traffic is essential, one has to wonder whether permitting the extermination of 100 Linnets is entirely necessary, or indeed appropriate, in order to maintain public welfare. One of the Linnet licences resulted in no reported birds being taken but the outcome of the second licence, allowing for a further 50 birds to be killed, is not confirmed. Other permits enabled applicants to kill Curlews, Oyster-catchers, Stock Doves and Kestrels (also for 'preserving air safety'). Remember the Passenger Pigeon..... So, there we have it. The full tally of birds is below. ALL of these are red/amber listed species. Only birds on the red and amber conservation lists are included, so there will be many many more birds killed under different licences which do not appear on this list, for example ravens and pigeons. The long term survival of our struggling birds appears to be in serious doubt while these public bodies are in charge of 'protecting' our precious wildlife. Unless this changes, we will surely see many more extinctions reminiscent of the Passenger Pigeon's infamous demise during the 19th century when a population of 5 billion was reduced to zero in a hundred years because humankind found reasons to 'control' these beautiful creatures. It seems that little has changed. An urgent and widespread shift in attitude towards wildlife is needed. The issuing of licences to kill threatened birds - just because they are are in conflict with human activity - needs to stop. Otherwise, make no mistake, they will be gone. Forever. Totals of birds permitted to be taken by NRW between 01/17 and 09/18 (bird numbers associated with each individual licence have been added together) * I am extremely grateful to Mike Bosley for providing these statistics, the result of his Freedom of Information request to NRW. Herring Gull 617 Lesser Black-backed Gull 499 European Starlings 1022 Great Black-Backed Gull 29 Kestrel 10 Curlew 40 Oystercatcher 10 Linnets 100 House Sparrow 16 Stockdove 22 Black Headed Gull 65 Common Gull 2 Dunnock 2 Fieldfare 2 Lapwing 2 Meadow Pipit 2 Mistle Thrush 2 Redwing 2 Skylark 2 Song Thrush 2 In addition another licence was issued to control an unspecified number of "Wild birds" - this licence is explained by NRW as follows:- "the number of wild birds permitted to be killed under the licence was not specified; this is due to the fact that the licence covered works along an extensive electricity line, and it was therefore not possible to specify a number. Please note that the licence did not permit the killing of Schedule 1 species." This is worryingly vague.....
44 Comments
13/12/2018 12:34:00 pm
Thanks very much for your diligence in exposing this disgusting travesty.
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Patriciadoorbar
14/12/2018 10:11:32 pm
Why?
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Kate Montgomery
18/12/2018 06:13:29 am
This is disgusting! We are looking some of our most beautiful birds ! And why ? Soon they will be extinct, and we won't be able to show our grandchildren it is so wrong !
Darlene Abbott
15/12/2018 04:36:40 pm
I oppose this law to kill one of Nature’s birds please leave the Linnets alone.We need to Co-Exist with all species.They all play a rule in keeping the Earth healthy.The Earth belongs to all living species, not one is greater.
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15/12/2018 11:27:38 pm
Thats a totally disgrace how can this be given the go ahead the people who granted this wont shooting them selves ! I caunt believe this how this be granted in this lifetime ! Disgrace !
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Pete Simpson
17/12/2018 08:33:31 am
You can tell just by looking at it that the linnet is a very dangerous bird indeed.
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Lorraine Pooley
17/12/2018 10:01:52 pm
Iv shared my views on my
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Elizabeth Davies
13/12/2018 09:56:19 pm
Why? Just Why? How can we stop this? It's killing for the sake of it. I'm beyond appalled.
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John Whitehead
14/12/2018 10:53:18 am
Wanton, mindless destruction. Condoned, even encouraged by public bodies.
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Irene Harvey
14/12/2018 11:06:47 am
Why???? What on Earth have little dunnocks done? No creature should be killed just to satisfy mankind. This is appalling!!
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Shari
14/12/2018 11:22:27 am
Appauled, disgusted, offended, upset and deeply saddened by this. Words fail me!
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Naomi
14/12/2018 12:33:03 pm
Do you have any links that I can share to verify that this is happening?.. I'm struggling g to find anything online to prove it to my friends x
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Lorraine Pooley @SaveOurSparrows
2/1/2019 12:54:54 am
Jason has the Petition he has pinned to his Twitter Page. There are also Press Releases on there.
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Jackie
14/12/2018 08:57:00 pm
Struggling to verify these figures ??
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Jenny Keane
14/12/2018 10:04:36 pm
I can not prove this but my guess the main reason for any Council to Grant most Licences is to make Money?
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Sally Redgrave
15/12/2018 01:23:53 pm
it gives to wonder what does the goverment actually do
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hanne frederiksen
14/12/2018 10:12:01 pm
why why why is it okay to kill them? The world has gone mad.
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Steven
15/12/2018 01:05:02 am
Disgusting
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Ralph Cook
15/12/2018 03:04:56 am
This requires an assertive campaign to expose the NRW behaviour and that of the politicians who are allowing it to be carried out.
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Chris Leee
15/12/2018 06:52:00 am
If they're a danger to specific air safety, I'm presuming perhaps an airport why not get a falconer active to scare birds off as and when necessary.
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Pete.Simpson
17/12/2018 08:39:10 am
Because such action requires a modicum of common sense and the ability to think. Tall order, obviously.
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Elizabeth Jeffers
15/12/2018 09:14:58 am
Can't believe this is happening, what has gone wrong with society , all birds are so beautiful we need them every one. WHY oh why is this happening
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Mick Crudge
15/12/2018 11:29:07 am
Why? What on earth are they doing this for, id like to know the name of the person responsible. Its just beyond beleif. What can be done to stop this? Sad disgusting and just wrong.!
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15/12/2018 11:45:45 am
I feel sick at heart. Humans are the greatest pest!
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Daniel O'Brien
15/12/2018 12:38:49 pm
We need to stop killing these birds and protect them more often that way their numbers can increase again.
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15/12/2018 12:59:04 pm
Shocked, appalled, disgusted at this action. Do they not realise these our are songbirds, how high does a dunnock fly? Where is the RSPB in all this?
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Imi
15/12/2018 03:35:32 pm
This is awful! Is there a petition for this??
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Roger Weeks
15/12/2018 03:50:20 pm
For anyone mildly interested in birds this reads like a horror story. What on earth are they doing, we decry the slaughter of birds aboard when we are doing the self-same thing, How utterly appalling. Even Song Thrushes and 40 Curlew. That's 40 Curlew, an endangered red data species, that badgers are being accused of wiping out, that ravens, other birds of prey and foxes are being killed to protect, that won’t even get the chance of breeding next year, because an organisation that professes to protect our Natural World has issued licences to destroy them.
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Lorraine Pooley
17/12/2018 10:05:09 pm
With Respect .. the Curlew gets the most attention and awareness by the Nature Arena than any. Other birds have been forgotten at the expense of this bird! FACT
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Ffion
15/12/2018 04:08:45 pm
Source?
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Elaine Persell
15/12/2018 04:22:38 pm
This is a very short sighted and convenient way to ‘ solve ‘ the problems of NRW. Can the RSPB step up and expose this unnecessary slaughter via tv and radio. ?
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Sandra
15/12/2018 04:40:24 pm
What human scum tends to not understand is that, THE SKY BELONGS TO THE BIRDS! It 's just another habitat they have invaded, destroyed and are trying to make more room for themselves. I don't know what will become of this world, but the 6th mass extinction is here. Scientists believe that many of our endangered wildlife, marine life, birds, insects and plants will go extinct. I personally believe that the world has a lot worse enstore for the lowest of lowest "overpopulated" species of all..... US. I'm hearing so much of senseless, the excuse being "culling" it frightens me. Now it's birds???? REALLY??????
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Julie buxtkm
15/12/2018 04:59:30 pm
I deplore the ease by which licences to ill are issued. These wild birds are be g vicim8sed for the sake of capitalist enterprises. Birds do not damage cattle feed and what harm would one or two field fare or 10 0ysyercstchets cause for instance. We need to c9nsider the decline of bird species and the rapidly approaching extinction of many species before issuing such licenses for such shallow I humane reasons. Shame on NRW for doing this.
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sue tilford
15/12/2018 05:56:36 pm
absolutely indefensible
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15/12/2018 07:11:29 pm
Homo sapiens is the most ignorant and selfish creature the world has ever seen.
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nick
15/12/2018 07:33:45 pm
If the original poster has any specifics please post the detail as this would clear up much of the vagueness here. The headlines are published but there is a lack of underlying detail. Re bird kills and airports, if you take flights then you need to accept that you are at least in part, part of the reason that birds are killed to prevent potential bird strike. If one is to run a safe airports system there is potential for bird strike to be a issue. As to the killing of Starlings to "prevent serious damage to cattle feed" surely one now needs more information on the reason used to justify this to be able to make sense of the info. If you have this info please publish it - if not ask for it
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Dave Arthur
16/12/2018 11:10:39 am
I despair of the way the world is going and despair of our government/s on virtually every issue to which they turn their hand. If we elect f...wits to run our country and make our laws and regulations we get all we deserve. We'll probably realse that when it's too late.
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Chris
16/12/2018 11:30:54 pm
Absolutely shocking news when I read about it. This cannot go unchallenged otherwise how many more birds next time.
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John Ross
18/12/2018 09:04:58 am
I was appalled at the stories I heard about Malta and the illegal netting of birds that continues in Spain - but this is just ridiculous to think that it is happening in Britain, too.
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18/12/2018 10:54:43 am
This is absolutely appalling.What are M.Ps.,Wildlife Trusts,RSPB etc doing about it? Can the general public sign a petition or something? The reasons for the en masse killing are absurd (I studied conservation and worked for a Wildlife Trust and a wildlife group).IT MUST BE STOPPED.
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18/12/2018 10:56:00 am
I cannot believe this report.This is absolutely appalling.What are M.Ps.,Wildlife Trusts,RSPB etc doing about it? Can the general public sign a petition or something? The reasons for the en masse killing are absurd (I studied conservation and worked for a Wildlife Trust and a wildlife group).IT MUST BE STOPPED.
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Compassion for Animals
18/12/2018 07:05:17 pm
And, I’m assuming that we are all against the slaughter of 10 million turkeys this Christmas?
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Neil Cameron
18/12/2018 11:14:14 pm
it makes you wonder, We often hear the RSPB and the B.T.O, campaigning to stop the netting of small birds in cyprus and Malta or the shooting songbirds in Europe for food or rather delicacys and yet still we hear nothing from the RSPB...The largest wildlife charity in all of Europe is saying absoloutely nothing or they are telling us nothing.. COME ON RSPB GET OFF YOUR BACKSIDES AND DO SOMETHING TO HELP, dont forget its the members who pay your wages.
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20/12/2018 10:17:28 pm
Why you are a load of fools what is the purpose.You might as well just kill them all . And feel happy.who has given you permission to kill all our birds. I hope you hav lots of sleepless nights and night mares.
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