Licence To Kill. Wren, Bullfinch, Skylark, Oyster Catcher, Robin.....40 Species On Natural England's Death List

7/12/2018

Natural England have confirmed that they issued licences to shoot at least 40 species of birds between 2015 and 2018. The list of species makes for shocking reading and includes such treasured birds as the Skylark, Blackbird, Great Tit, Red Kite, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Kestrel, Bullfinch, Peregrine Falcon, Golden Plover, Robin and Wren.
I received the grim news as a result of a Freedom Of Information request.
Natural England say that these are all 'individual licences' permitting the 'lethal control (shooting)' of the said birds.
The list doesn't even include any species listed on the CL12 'Air Safety Class' licence or General Licences GL04, GL05 and GL06, so the actual number of species targeted is likely to be much higher.
I'd requested the information as part of my campaign to stop the cull of English Ravens and, in their response to my enquiry, Natural England have also confirmed that permission was granted to allow a total of 60 Ravens to be shot during the same period, 45 having been shot to date.
The news that so many of our most treasured species of birds have been shot is appalling and fills me with dismay. I know many of you will feel the same.
A significant number of the species for which shooting licences have been granted are classed as endangered and feature on the RSPB Red and Amber lists for birds of conservation concern, several including the Skylark, Curlew and Ringed Plover being in need of the most urgent conservation.
While the specific reason for each of the licences being issued is not known, can there be any justification for shooting a Bullfinch? Or a Wren for heaven's sake?
Who in their right mind requests permission to shoot a Skylark?
And for what possible reason?
The world, it seems, has finally gone mad.

Here is the full list of species for which shooting licences have been issued:-

Brent Goose, Greylag Goose, Black Headed Gull, Herring Gull, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Back Gull, Curlew, Oyster Catcher, Buzzard, Raven, Kestrel,
Peregrine Falcon, Grey Heron, Red Kite, Stock Dove, House Sparrow, Wren, Black Bird, Great Tit, Finch, Starling, Golden Plover, Cormorant, Goosander, Egyptian Goose, Moorhen, Mallard, Pink Footed Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Mute Swan, Ruddy Duck, Bullfinch, Ringed Plover, Fantailed/White Dove Barnacle Goose, Robin, Coot, Sky Lark, Sparrow

*Red List Species Highlighted In Red *Orange List Species Highlighted In Orange

Bullfinch - one of the birds for which Natural England has issued a licence to shoot.....

171 Comments

Ruth Allum

7/12/2018 08:05:34 pm

Please do not allow this. What is wrong with this pathetic world. Is there not enough violence and cruelty leave our beautiful birds alone to live in peace or just blow this world to bits and let all godscreatures rule again

Sonia Spinks

7/12/2018 11:31:50 pm

They do not justify the name 'Natural England'. This is shocking and appalling news. I cannot see any justification for this, especially as some species are already threatened.

Rose Herrmann

8/12/2018 12:38:34 am

This is so terrible to read about it We live in MA USA and it is appalling to think of killing robins and wrens and skylarks and hawks and others. We have visited your beautiful countryside at least a dozen times to see your bird life and what is left of your wildlife. We are having the fight of our life here because of the Trump administration trying to kill our wolves and trying to destroy our Endangered Species Act and our Migratory Bird Treaty and it is absolutely disgusting

Francesca

9/12/2018 11:51:58 am

Comforting though sad to read your comment. I’ve been to Canada (not US but similar in some ways). I loved the wilderness and beautiful Nature. I’m always alert to your environmental struggles, especially those on behalf of beautiful wolves who seem to be so hated. I’m outraged and really saddened by these licences to shoot our beautiful birds here in the UK but it’s a good feeling that there are fellow respecters of Earth across the pond who feel the same. 💚😊

Christine Shirley

12/12/2018 10:31:16 am

Our beautiful birds. What can these tiny birds possibly do wrong? Or the plover? Building a nest in a field? Just move it. Geese, is that for Christmas dinner? I think we should be told the reasons for these.

Moira

13/12/2018 10:20:21 pm

Absolutely agree! Horrendous!

Clive Tomlinson

8/12/2018 08:25:44 am

This is awful

Deborah Reda 12/9/2018 7:38 am link

9/12/2018 12:59:38 pm

I was reading about your bill that allows hunters to get licenses to hunt individual birds. It seems that these little birds are the kind that people love to watch and see in the wild. Do they really need their numbers reduced, or do others birds not have a priority for thinning out their thresholds.

Thank you! Deb Reda.

Nutan link

15/12/2018 11:00:57 am

This is nuts and scary. Who is in charge of that body that grants shooting license?
Who can issue a shooting license on them?
I have a sling shot.

N

Pete Simpson

8/12/2018 10:33:21 am

OK, we need to know details but yet again I find myself speechless and extremely angry at the actions of humans, the highest form of intelligence on our planet. Only kidding.

If there is anything that need to be culled, it is the ironically titled Natural England.

Like many of you, I cherish our wildlife and do all that I can to assist it against the onslaught of morons like those in Natural England, only to discover the horror which has been revealed here.

There are so many of us who really care but we seem to be constantly up against it.

Mark sanderson

17/12/2018 09:30:04 am

Don’t turn this into blaming hunters I do more for birds than most people probably on here I spend a small fortune on this as do most hunters I know why these birds have been given licences I truly don’t know but the people who granted these are to blame people always jump on the band wagon and blame hunters but the rspb for one cull loads of animals just don’t tell you about it I want to see proof and why it was done

Eileen Quinn

8/12/2018 10:45:36 am

Unnatural England.......this is awful! No respect for nature......I' m sure ther would be an outcry if this were widely known.

juliet solomon

10/12/2018 09:23:05 am

but it isn't widely known; needs to be on the front page of the Daily Mail (with the normal indignation) and all the rest of the papers. It is symptomatic of the unfeeling country we appear to be becoming.

Ady

8/12/2018 02:59:06 pm

When I was a child and another child would describe a monster it would be something you would immagine to be very scary looking. Now if anyone brings up the word monster, the first thing I immagine is humanlike because people are on a whole the biggest monsters on this planet and don't care enough about the destruction of this planet. If the world could start again without us in it, it would be a better place. I just hope most of the other creatures don't have to die first.

Rachel Wilding

8/12/2018 10:34:03 pm

Mankind (less of the kind) needs to just die out. We are do destructive to this Beautiful planet, Earth, the place we all call home, yet we are hell bent on destroying it in every possible way. War, knife crime, child abuse, rape, shootings, drugs, pollution, cruelty to animals, hunting and killing of endandured species, destruction of rain forrests, fuel immisions, culling of beautiful birds...the list just goes on and on and on. All in the name of man's greed to make money or get a quick kick, for fun or to fuel mans own sick minds. If man were to die out this Beautiful planet would stand a chance of some sort of recovery. My heart bleeds a little more each day with sad stories such as this. Mankind is the ruin of everything. I still want a beautiful planet, our beautiful planet Earth to call home,

Veronica Clark

9/12/2018 04:55:35 pm

I totally agree with you I despair more everyday at what humans are doing to our animals and planet. This beautiful natural world needs humans to be wiped out in order to survive now

Dave Massey

3/3/2019 08:55:44 am

I tend to agree with you, as an animal species we are on self destruct anyway so maybe your wish will be granted sooner than you think

Kay Adams

8/12/2018 10:53:44 pm

This is shocking. Our native birds are threatened already without putting out this death list for ou birds, no should all be protected not attacked. This directive is a huge threat to bio-diversity and survival of this planet and human kind too. What has happened to civilizated, sensible legislation in the UK??

Anya Tranter

9/12/2018 12:22:04 am

They don't like beautiful innocent things .it highlights their ugly souls so they have to destroy.

Sharon link

9/12/2018 12:33:25 am

I agree with you totally. Who has the right to put death sentences on something that is literally as free as a bird. They don’t belong to anyone, so I’d like to know who thinks that they have the right to kill these beautiful creatures.
If this is true, it should be made known to the wider public and then let’s see where it goes from there. I really am gobsmacked about this and if it is a joke, as someone has suggested, then it’s in very poor taste.

Lorna Hirst-Amos

9/12/2018 10:05:54 am

I find this appalling once these birds are gone what have you got,,,, apart from the food chain being affected.

Lesley Rose

11/12/2018 09:04:03 am

It beggars belief ! For what legitimate reason can there be to kill these birds? How can justification be made ! Quite simply it is obscene, and must stop NOW.

David Birch

11/12/2018 09:45:53 am

There are so many reasons to sack and close department that entitled people to shoot Any birds. There are birds unnaturally dying all over the country/World.. Theres 5G, insecticide/pesticide contamination of their natural food sources, air born contaminations sprayed to Geo engineer the weather that contaminate their natural foods and even the air they breath, chemical water pollution everywhere from too many sources to name, roadkill, jet airoplane flock killing, the list goes on and on. These are All man made unnatural processes that unaturaly destroy birds and all other wildlife not to mention the human race. But . You/We have got to start somewhere, so Start by STOP KILLING OR ISSUING LICENCES TO KILL WILD BIRDS.

Patricia Butterworth

12/12/2018 11:55:38 pm

Appalling..how widely known is this?

Moira Gomes

13/12/2018 10:18:46 pm

No idea why this is being allowed. If this proceeds some species will never recover! Diabolical plan!!

Kevin

16/12/2018 04:49:11 pm

I took part recently in the great British birds in your garden servey Were you wrote down the different birds and how many times you seen them I guess some were down the line I and the many Thousands who sent there servey back have contributed to this That’s if they didn’t sell or pass on our information

Pete Tabbinor

17/12/2018 09:08:36 am

I think that you will find that many of these licences are issued as a last resort after trapping and other non lethal methods have been tried first. It seems that Mr Endfield has written this piece solely to promote public outrage - and from the comments read the piece has had the desired effect. Many of these licences will have been issued under Public Health grounds and nothing more. There isn’t an undercurrent of wilful destruction running through the underbelly of Natural England and Defra, and this report is akin to scaremongering and nothing more. What do you think happens to birds that become entrapped in supermarkets, or factories engaged in food production? Or birds that find themselves in sterile environments?
If these birds cannot be moved out under their own volition or trapped and removed to the outdoors then they have to be removed by lethal means. Natural England DO NOT issue a license to kill until all alternative options have been tried - and several days will elapse trying non lethal until the only remaining option is to use lethal force to remove the problem bird.
Wake up people, you’re being used as clickbait when there’s is a reasonable and justifiable answer to the subject matter printed above.

Jason Endfield link

17/12/2018 12:02:53 pm

I take issue with your statements Pete Tabbinor. I didn't write this piece 'to promote public outrage' nor as 'clickbait'. That's really quite offensive both to me and the people who are interested in this news.
I wrote this piece to alert the public to something I consider wrong and unethical - and most people, as you can see, appear to agree.
That this information only came to light through a Freedom of Information request suggests that Natural England are not transparent when it comes to facts and figures. And they need to be because they are a public body.
Personally I don't think that there is ever any justification at all to exterminate a red listed, endangered species but there are people out there who would apply for a licence to do so. I wonder whether Natural England actually follow up on the licences they issue to ascertain how many birds are taken and indeed if they are the species for which the licences were issued - they seem to have difficulty in identifying the species themselves judging by the spelling mistakes in their response to the FOI request and the vague references to 'finches' which could frankly refer to anything and give carte blanche to the applicants to exterminate whatever bird they desire.
It's a matter of whether we trust NE to monitor the situation and whether they are indeed fit for purpose.

Katherine Griffiths

17/12/2018 09:30:27 am

This is totally fake. Gonon the government website where the licences are displayed

Jason Endfield link

17/12/2018 11:48:01 am

With all due respect Katherine Griffiths, you are talking nonsense.
These figures were provided by the Government agency Natural England.
To say 'this is totally fake' is both ignorant and incorrect. You should really check your facts before you make accusations.

Mark sanderson

17/12/2018 03:35:37 pm

Why don’t you get your facts right and tell people the truth bullfinch was in a food place and risking contamination had to be taken care of as all other birds you people just put shit up to get people’s backs up without letting them no the truth and then let hunters take the blame misleading the public once again

Dave Massey

3/3/2019 08:24:41 am

I think Jason should be more transparent. For example 4 barn owl chicks that were moved and reared safely should not appear in a list of 8000 birds culled. There are other examples of sensationalism in the petition. Farmers have to control some species, millions, not thousands, of wood pigeons are shot annually to protect the wheat fields we derive our bread from for example, elsewhere forests are destroyed for our palm oil that is hidden in almost everything we eat and habitats are lost to grow vast acreages of soya for vegan diets. Perhaps anyone who has children should question their cost because there is one. At least there is a licensing system in UK. More than there is in say Italy Spain or Malta where wild birds are simply shot for fun with no control whatsoever.
Be realistic

Hazel Tongue

25/3/2019 10:14:11 am

What is the point of trying to save our wild birds from extinction if this madness is allowed. Skylarks,for God's sake are all ready dwindling to the point where even in the wilds of Shropshire they are seldom heard. Why would anyone need to shoot a wren,do they cause damage some damage of which we are unaware? As for shooting ravens,do the killers realise that there is an ancient curse which is said to blight the life any anybody
who kills one. Let us hope it's true.

Linda Badham

25/11/2020 10:01:51 pm

This is a crime against nature and who allows such shocking killing of nature is a complete sadistic deranged asshole ! This worlds full of scum who have NO respect for life at all !!

ANDREW

6/3/2021 12:37:22 am

I think it about time to issue licenses to shoot the people who issue these licenses. This is F@#$%^g disgraceful & just more murder of innocent animals or in this case birds.
This planet is hurting more & more from the disgusting human beings.

Leti Hawthorn

7/12/2018 08:13:20 pm

Has Natural England responded? How dare they sanction such cruelty, such devastation and call themselves NATURAL England???

Felicity Light

8/12/2018 02:55:16 pm

No, they are not acting for Nature's best interests. But what I would like to know is, who gave them the right to issue these licences. it just doesn't make sence to me.

Molly

7/12/2018 08:24:24 pm

For gods sake! What is going on? I cannot believe what I am reading. Seriously?! Natural England better have some good answers for this action.

Marika Evanson

7/12/2018 08:41:33 pm

I find this practice appalling and weird, why in the world would this practice be allowed in the first place? is England
over run with song birds that they have become a hazard to ones health can no one walk the countryside without the fear of song birds attacking you,or in the city are you experiencing Alfred Hitchcocks THE BIRDS, and are taken to hiding your own homes?

As a professional wildlife artist for 28 yrs, I have learned enough reckless behavior by so called experts to know that if there is no scientific evidence for species culling, doing so will always have a very negative impact on nature as a whole ….. not to mention social conflicts which local government officials find annoying and impractical leading more people to lash out at any type of ideas and practice they come up with that has no regard for their well being.

Edmund Butler

7/12/2018 08:41:58 pm

I understand this is a very emotional issue. However, as you rightly say, we do not yet know why these licences were issued. It is therefore premature to conclude that the world has gone mad.

Edmund Butler

7/12/2018 08:43:10 pm

... not that it was ever in fact sane...

kurt klingbeil

7/12/2018 09:42:02 pm

There is certainly no validity in extrapolating the demented actions of some otherwise unemployable Limey Asshole-Apparatchik or Bubonic-Bureaucrat to TheWorld.

Gillian

8/12/2018 08:36:26 am

While I appreciate your reply what possible justification could there be for shooting a Wren and some of the others such as an Oyster Catcher

John Dickson

8/12/2018 11:07:03 pm

I can't imagine why anyone would want to shoot a wren, but I think oyster farmers might want to control oystercatchers around their oyster beds and Bullfinches have long been killed by fruit farmers as they pick out the blossom of apples etc so preventing the fruit from developing.
of course, 'controlling' any species in this way has unpredictable consequences!

Mel

7/12/2018 08:58:05 pm

It’s true that it’s not instantly clear why the licences were issued. That it is suspicious at best and darkly disturbing at worst is apparent. Natural England. Explain yourself. Respect existence or expect resistance.

Linda Badham

7/12/2018 09:30:35 pm

I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS !! WHO COMES UP WITH THESE INSANE IDEAS ?? NO HUMAN IS ABOVE NATURE OR CAN BE FFS !! NATURE HAS ITS OWN RULES AND KNOWS EVERYTHING !!

Steve Marshall

7/12/2018 09:36:09 pm

Ok, can understand (though definitely not agree with!) the gulls, geese and finches as they *could* cause damage to crops. But struggling with the others. Wren? Well done with pursuing this, would love to get involved.

Alice Silk

8/12/2018 09:36:04 am

I suspect the licenses for gulls, ravens, buzzards etc. will have more to do with bird conservation, for instance a Little Tern colony can be wiped out by a LBB gull.

But agreed, who is a wren upsetting?

Sabrina Bordin

7/12/2018 09:42:27 pm

This is so so sad...and incredible. How can one take pleasure in killing such beauty and their sound. Surely there are other ways to keep them away from crops.

Penelope Cramphorn

7/12/2018 09:49:42 pm

Is there a petition we can sign to protest against this carnage?

Jay Carter

10/12/2018 07:02:30 pm

I believe that a petition supporting over 100,000 signatures, could trigger the issue to be debated in parliament. Maybe a National newspaper could be encouraged to take it up. (perhaps we could all write to the Daily Mail.) What does the RSPB have to say, I wonder.
It is so horrific and unbelievable it makes me wonder if it is actually true.

Rose Brooks

7/12/2018 09:50:24 pm

But WHY? We are not exactly overrun with skylarks ? I haven't recently been attacked by a rabid wren- for what witless reason will we be deprived of yet more beauty? Why can't we enjoy our natural life-that which is not already covered with more and more building-please explain, clearly, why the bird population has to be kept down? Some people have never seen many of our birds-why shouldn't they at least have a chance?

richard pigram

8/12/2018 09:07:28 am

Yep the WORLD has LOST IT. Our house was once surrounded by open countryside but more houses were added and built on fields which provided living space for birds of which one were SKYLARKS. It was lovely to sit in my garden and hear the Skylark singing its heart out on a summers day. Our garden has trees and bushes selected by me to provide food and shelter for a number of birds of which are Robins and Wrens. We have also seen a MERLIN in action a few times, too quick to photograph. Why on EARTH do some want to KILL our wildlife!

Dennis Smith

7/12/2018 09:57:45 pm

This is pure madness. Our small birds being culled (KILLED for a better word) is once again a damming indictment of all those responsible, including Natural England.
Simply put, all these birds being killed, one could guess, is that they lack commercial value and stand in the way of money making business in some way. It has become a cancer and an ever growing human population has exacerbated it.
Natural England they call it. In who`s big money interest this time!

Helen Nick link

7/12/2018 10:20:10 pm

Jason, why isn't the total list showing in the government site?
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wild-birds-licence-to-take-or-kill-for-health-or-safety-purposes

Chris Swann

7/12/2018 10:31:03 pm

I have just emailed DEFRA to ask for an explanation of these licences. Perhaps some more people could also email them to show that there are a lot of annoyed people out there.

Helen Nock

7/12/2018 10:35:54 pm

Well done Chris. Will do the same.

Dan Singer

8/12/2018 10:23:15 am

Shocking to hear of this culling.
I live in Ireland but if someone can post a link i will certainly email the people that issues these licences.
The more complaints and bad press they get might make them think twice about giving out licences in the future .thank you Jason Enfield for standing up for wildlife and highlighting these issues .

Brian Thornton

7/12/2018 10:36:58 pm

Our wildlife is being decimated by climate and other factors. How dare Natural England add to there problems.
What is this organisations reason to exist? Somebody should look carefully into this and see whose interests they ere acting in, their own , there paying sponsers(and why) , or our natural countryside and the wildlife in it.
I understand culling of a few species for example to protect others that are at risk, but no way are most of those listed in this category.
This is unacceptable.

jackie quinn

7/12/2018 10:52:23 pm

This has really dismayed me. What on earth can be the reasons for the culling of so many bird species. Surely we have lost enough of our birds over the past few decades without issuing licences to kill more. Culling - what a weasel word that is. I can think of a species that does definitely need its numbers reducing before it destroys the planet - humans.

Patricia Wiltshire

9/12/2018 02:15:40 am

I agree. Our species is destroying this planet and the life on it. Why on earth allow anyone to kill these birds. It is beyond comprehension. Who are these people in the so-called Natural England that make these asinine decisions?

Annee Bury

7/12/2018 11:07:47 pm

this seems and feels abhorrant and equates to genocide, these birds are already reduced in numbers...please keep us informed about any communication u receive from Natural England and lets expose this and go viral!

Tracey

7/12/2018 11:27:56 pm

I will email DEFRA too. I cannot believe what I have been reading. It is just ludicrous.

Jay Carter

10/12/2018 07:26:16 pm

Is email address for DEFRA easily obtained?

Bonnie Boulkam

7/12/2018 11:57:02 pm

between 2015 and 2018, so this period has nearly finished, I wonder what they'll be licensing to kill in the next period??!!!

Alan Clark

8/12/2018 12:29:11 am

I really do not believe what I have just read, this is unbeleavable, my beloved country has really gone down hill, I never in all my 81 years thought this was happening, so sad.

Kenn Martin

8/12/2018 06:12:40 am

Who are Natural England to be killing my birds? I don't remember giving anyone the right to sanction this.

If this is true then Natural England should revise their web site as it currently doesn't reflect the truth

"We’re the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England, helping to protect England’s nature and landscapes for people to enjoy and for the services they provide."

Hazel

8/12/2018 09:10:21 am

"Nature Watchdog not independant" errr... so I wonder who pulls the strings then https://theecologist.org/2018/nov/26/nature-watchdog-not-independent-says-chair?fbclid=IwAR3KRf6TMiWpvrJmwenxV8x4Zipho-kTxD93ITB2qfKy1a_CSvmufAby2F0

Gill Raven Pipes link

8/12/2018 06:51:35 am

Who are the people who run Natural Britain, I would like to know their names. I would also like to know how they can give out licences to kill our beautiful birds, do they think they are God? And I suggest the name of Natural Britain be changed, as there is nothing nstural about this heinous act, and I hope the o es responsible are held to account! Please publish their names!

Rose Chapman

8/12/2018 10:57:30 am

Follow the money. Follow the vested interests of the people who run NE. A recent State of Nature report states: "The UK is among the most nature-depleted countries in the world". I can't think of a single species that this country is not happy to slaughter.

Gloria Cox

9/12/2018 06:10:28 pm

Why , why?why? songbirds are becoming rarer :shoot with a camera : 20 years ago we had flock of pretty birds in our garden : lovely to WATCH:: wondered WHY they no longer visit : why kill a WREN singing its wonderful song! Surely it is time to move into this 21st century and preserve our wildlife for our descendants! Shooting with a gun is DATED: shoot with a camera : much more rewarding.

Kathleen Danby

8/12/2018 07:23:30 am

I was under the impression that all swans belonged to the Queen. Has she sanctioned their killing? I understand that some birds can be a nuisance - seagulls, pigeons, Canada geese, etc., but most of the birds on that list certainly do not cause any damage, and many of them have protected status.

What will happen when the only ravens left are those in the Tower of London? It is said the Tower will fall if the ravens leave. I think the officials of Natural(?) England should be locked in the Tower - with a hungry raven for company!! A reenactment of "The Birds" is what they deserve!!

Heather

8/12/2018 10:08:13 am

Have you published the actual response from them which highlights this?

Til Kaynine

11/12/2018 12:38:19 pm

It's at the top of the page!

Suzanne keane

8/12/2018 10:16:30 am

I’m sorry but I just don’t understand why?! And again why, and for what reason would anyone wanted to shoot ANY of the birds listed? I am absolutely gobsmacked, I really am. The thought of shooting any bird is just wrong. I sometimes get the honour of watching red kites flying above our house and the sight of them always brings a wave of emotion over me, as does the sight of a robin, I mean how can anyone shoot either??? And what type of person wants to? I hope that every and any type of bird shits all over their widows and their cars.

Debbie Macmillan

8/12/2018 11:58:32 am

This is heartbreaking news. I spend a lot of time petitioning for many animals in trouble and also endangered species and hearing that licenses are given out for killing garden birds as well as the lovely ravens is shocking. In all the 38 years of living where I am now, I have only seen a small family of Wrens occasionally as they are shy birds and so tiny and every winter there are no more than 2 Robins. Even the Blue Tit has diminished along with House Sparrows and other popular birds - so why is there any reason for killing small birds at all. ( Or any birds for that matter) ?

Rose Sparkes

8/12/2018 12:16:44 pm

This previous thread has some of the explanations given by Scottish National Heritage. They will never give specific cases and always try to sugest it was the odd case of birds blocking a chimney or on a building site but some explanations are just "air obstruction". I think we cannot continue to hand over natural heritage to these bodies and just think job done ...we have to oversee and scrutinise to make sure funding issues don't take over their decision making. https://www.facebook.com/sandy.sparkes.5/posts/1859021430818766

Trevor

8/12/2018 12:54:47 pm

This if true is horrific news, even with a big stretch of imagination, I can't work out a reason for a need to kill any of these species, especially ones on an endangered list. It's so unreal its hard to believe this is or has happened.
With no disrespect whatsoever to Jason Endfield, this reminds me of some of the alleged fake news our friend Trump is always keen to point out to us. The article to me is just that hard to believe. Is it possible to see the original confirmation from Natural England regarding this, and if it confirms everything claimed above, then the report should be made openly available to the population through not only social media, but through the press who I am sure will take an interest as it will inflame large amounts of readers.

Annee Bury

8/12/2018 09:32:23 pm

please can u show us the info I looked at their website and couldnt spot anything but I am sure it could be hidden somewhere thankyou ..

Isobel

8/12/2018 12:56:57 pm

Shocking!!!! I'm in Scotland and this past year our birds seem to be in decline we have loads of jackdaw and magpies some starlings and sparrows but not seen many blackbirds wrens or robins issuing licences to kill our beautiful birds WHY our country is slowly losing the plot

susan poole link

8/12/2018 01:04:32 pm

i too am appalled at reading this. my garden is designed to encourage birds in. natural england to my mind are misleading people with their title.i would have said that their job is to PROTECT our natural wildlife NOT KILL IT OFF. we now have so little wildlife left. i cannot believe how anyone can have the right to sanction this inhumane act and why all the secrecy regarding the culling. natural england need to go public and explain their actions.

Rose Sparkes

8/12/2018 01:17:02 pm

Sorry I realise my previous post was not very clear. This is not about England but concerns the responses given when we tackled the same issue in Scotland and is a summary of responses to Jason Endfield’s previous article tacking the same issue in Scotland.
Scottish National Heritage (responsible for the licences) when asked for an explanation said that the public should get things in proportion because 35million birds are killed each by cars and a further 55 million by cats.
Licenses are issued to protect lucrative businesses in rural areas such as falconry and fishing licenses although the numbers of birds being killed by anglers and water bailiffs seems to far outnumber the licences issued.
Large culls are carried out to protect the Red Grouse's feeding sites because sportsmen can pay thousands of pounds shoot the grouse.
SNH also list threats to public health and safety as a reason.
Some more reasons were to prevent aircraft crashing as a result of bird-strikes and to stop birds accidentally flying into your local supermarkets.
Not all licenses are issued to conventionally commercial bodies. Some licenses are issued to other “conservation” bodies. The RSPB are responsible for large scale bird culling using Larson traps. Such culls are supposed to protect one species against another for example to kill crows in various locations in order to protect curlews.
Of course not all applications purport to be for the good and “public health or air safety” can be a bit of a catch all for businesses. This bit is about England.
ANDREW SELLS is a property developer who has donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to the Conservative Party. He spent ten years in investment banking with Schroders plc and as Managing Director of Sovereign Capital Ltd before moving into venture capital and property development.
Mr Sells has been Treasurer of the right-wing think tank Policy Exchange and Chairman of property developers Linden Holdings PLC.
Mr Sells was made Chairman of Natural England by thegovernment in 2014, despite having no backgroud in conservation.
One of Sell's first acts as head of Natural England was to allow property developers to destroy protected bird's eggs and nests on their brownfield sites.
https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/scotland/posts/response-to-licences-granted-by-scottish-natural-heritage

Diana Tennyson link

12/12/2018 11:17:27 pm

We were surprised to hear that Andrew Sells, a developer, is the chairman of Natural England. It explains why licences to protect EPS Dormice, etc., on developments in particular, have not been given sufficient protection.

With regard to licences to cull wild birds, and some of the RSPB's Red and Amber listed birds, one cannot imagine a scenario where the only alternative is to cull Ribins, Wrens or Bulkfinches. The RSPCA, ecologists and others are experts at translocating wildlife.

Tilly Veal

8/12/2018 02:27:04 pm

I haven't heard a Skylark where I live in Cornwall for two years now. This alone is worthy of my tears. I used to tell people before you die you must lie in a meadow and listen to a Skylark sing on a summer day.
Neither have I seen a Robin, Blue Tit, Wren, Long tailed Tit, Bull finch. All birds common here up to a couple years ago.

I just couldn't believe what I was reading that 'Natural' England allow people to KILL TINY BIRDS. These birds are on the brink as it is. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE??? Name and shame them I say.
I just cannot understand the mentality of people who wish to destroy our beautiful paradise. This has sent me into a massive depression.

Rosemary Burkhill

8/12/2018 02:30:28 pm

I thought they worked for nature, not aided it's destruction!

melandcolle

8/12/2018 02:36:26 pm

the world is mad ... don't you know you that ... don't you understand ... don't you see ... slap slap .. love the B&W movies ...The emperors not wearing any clothes too !! More to the people .. these people are mad that shoot birds .. karma will bite back I am sure of that :( Fly far far away birdies from the bad bad people :)

Matthew Barber

8/12/2018 03:02:28 pm

Could you please post the original from where you have gathered your information from please as I am very concerned about the list of birds, many thanks

Helen Nock

8/12/2018 03:29:36 pm

Yes, we need to see the response before we can be certain. I've also emailed DEFRA
If it's true, it's tragic irony to discover this at the moment David Attenborough addresses parliament on the oblivion we are hurtling towards. And the are in agreement.

Til Kaynine

11/12/2018 12:39:35 pm

It's at the top of the page in his Twitter feed!

Helen Nock

8/12/2018 03:32:58 pm

Thank you Jason.
Absolutely dumbfounding!

Jean mann

8/12/2018 04:03:32 pm

Why is this allowed these birds are beautiful

Andrew Hartley-Snazelle

8/12/2018 04:12:46 pm

This is disgusting. We live in an overpopulated world where half the humans do not give a damn about anything & anyone & should not be on this planet & yet we continue to murder our animals everywhere. We need half the worlds population to disappear NOW! & if I be one of them well so be it. If we cannot protect the animals there is no hope for us anyway.

John Lewis

8/12/2018 04:41:22 pm

Bullfinches? Wrens? What the hell is going on here? It disgusts me to think that my taxes are used to destroy nature in this way. No wonder our native species are in such alarming decline. With "friends" like so-called Natural England, who needs enemies? We need to interfere far less with nature.

John Burdall

8/12/2018 04:48:31 pm

This defies belief.

Please continue to publicise to as wide an audience as possible. The more people know about such acts & practices, the better.

Perhaps someone who makes these decisions will realise how many people find their actions absolutely abhorrent.

Geraldine

8/12/2018 05:27:25 pm

I find this very hard to believe. Could you please post a reliable source for this? As evidence that it is true?

rosita clarke

8/12/2018 06:45:06 pm

what can we do to stop this. It's outrageous.

Paul Pendlebury BSc

8/12/2018 06:51:22 pm

Maybe you could put this inthe hands of Countryfile and see if they can make head or tail of it, would make a great story for them as they are into the saving of wildbirds and wildlife at the moment

Til Kaynine

11/12/2018 12:47:21 pm

Yes they (Countryfile) also support fox hunting and often feature grouse estates in a positive light. I suspect protecting grouse is behind this bird cull. Teresa May has just DOUBLED grouse estate subsidies to £84 Million a year. From the public purse. Whilst cutting nurses, police etc etc. Still as long as her privileged mates are happy, the rest be damned.
She is taking us to hell in a handbag, as my mother so succinctly said.

Sky McCain link

8/12/2018 09:52:24 pm

"The world, it seems, has finally gone mad."

Stop it, stop it, stop it!!!

Anne Hawkins

8/12/2018 09:58:14 pm

What the he'll are these morn s doing. Killing English nature they won't stop untill there is no wildlife left filthy bastards.

Robert

8/12/2018 11:37:42 pm

Natural England should be required to publish the details of and the reasons for every one of these licences. For example, why would anyone need to shoot a skylark? FOI request?

Genevieve Black

8/12/2018 11:57:00 pm

Why on earth would you allow these birds to be shot? A Wren for heavens sake ... what is WRONG with humans?

Janet Cameron

9/12/2018 12:08:03 am

I cant believe it! Is this really true?
I grew up in post- war suburban London where cleared bomb sites had left untended gardens as a total Eden for a myriad of bird species. It infected me with a total love for my feathered friends which is still with me. I am now nearly 80 and live in Australia. I love the bush here and the furry and feathered inhabitants there. But mourn the effect mankind is having here on all this richness.
Now I hear from you that England is to go the same way and encourage the decimation of feathered life. Licence to kill tiny birds. To shoot them- ridiculous. Net your orchards to keep out those bullfinches. Has Britain become infected with the hate and violence of Trumpism?
Years ago I spent six months in Malta. It was like a vacuumed sterile dessert! No birds at all.
For years the people had shot them.
One evening I saw a loan tiny sparrow (they are such amazing survivors) flitting between stark hot white houses. Later I heard a shot!
Damn you Natural England. How can you people be so blinkered.

Mary Jasper

9/12/2018 08:05:56 am

Appalling!

T Jones

9/12/2018 09:30:48 am

Start a petition?

Lesley Blissett

9/12/2018 11:37:54 am

I thought that ALL swans belonged to the Queen, did she give permission for her swans to be shot? This is absolutely abhorrent, whoever drew up this list needs their brains examining, that is if they actually have any! One or two of the birds I can perhaps understand, raptors can endanger smaller bird populations in no time at all, but wrens, really, just what danger does a Wren cause? It is time that the yahoo who compiled this list was put out to grass - literally!

Tarquin

9/12/2018 06:58:41 pm

Would you want birds to roost or nest in a factory that produces your food. These licences are issued, in the majority of cases to remove just one bird.

Til Kaynine

11/12/2018 12:52:00 pm

Skylarks nest on the open ground! At least they used to before we killed them all.
Swans roosting in factories? Ha ha do me a favour!

Cheryl Martin

9/12/2018 02:04:42 pm

Beyond belief WHY? These beautiful birds are some of life’s treasures; I can't make sense of why anyone would want to murder these tiny inoffensive creatures. :(

Angela E Jones

9/12/2018 02:37:19 pm

What in God's name for???? Is this so the damn pompous rich can have something to do with their pointless existence! Must we annihilate every beautiful innocent thing on this planet for NO REASON whatsoever and be left with nothing but concrete, glass and no green land and now total silence except for the sound of our own pointless voices? None of these creatures are a threat to anyone or anything, never have been, so which EVIL PRAT came up with this ? Show us your reason? ???

John lynall

9/12/2018 02:41:47 pm

Can anyone imagine a world without birds? I certainly cannot. We need to act now to stop this barbarian depletion of our species.

patrick mc cabe link

9/12/2018 04:10:14 pm

this is insanity by any criterion and it shows tory britain has no right to rule and only does so with the help of a bunch of sectarian unionists as the dup.watch the mess with brexit and britain does not deserve to sit at the same table as civilised people.

Jeanne Genet

9/12/2018 04:12:21 pm

I think we should know the circumstances of these licences being issued before we fear the worst. I suspect that most of them will have only been issued for a small number of birds, and in most cases, probably where the birds are likely to cause a health hazard, probably by nesting in a place that risks contaminating food or other sensitive produce being manufactured. I highly doubt the Natural Resources people would just issue a blanket kill licence for songbirds. These licences are probably issued in response to industry, seeking permission to remove a bird nest from their hygiene-sensitive areas. If they don't have a license to kill or otherwise disturb nesting birds, then they are also breaking the law.

Tarquin

9/12/2018 06:56:09 pm

At last, someone with a little bit of rational thinking.
Thank you, Jeanne.

Til Kaynine

11/12/2018 01:08:34 pm

Rational thinking? Believing a swan nests in a factory? A Skylark that only makes its nest in a scrape roosts in a factory? Equating 'removal' or 'prevention' with 'killing' is not rational. Shooting the last passenger pigeon is not rational. Blaming the lack of fruit set on bullfinches when it's because you have killed all the bees is not rational my friend.

Colin Smith

9/12/2018 04:19:44 pm

This has to be stopped

Corinna

9/12/2018 04:36:25 pm

Is there a petition or some kind of campaign linked to this news that we can sign and share? Just horrific. Can't see most of these birds being a threat to crops, other vird species or anything else. How can Natural England sanction this in a world where humans have already wiped out half the species in the world?

Tony Bennion link

9/12/2018 04:53:14 pm

It is always vested interests that are at the bottom of any slaughter of Animals of any kind...It means that institutions such as "natural england" (an obvious misnomer)are infected by politics and lobbyists...The question really is ,do politics have anything to do with life?...We need a Common law declaring all Wildlife in the UK under the protection of the British people !...No one,simply no one, can be allowed to murder or maim purposely a wild Animal!...We need to divest these insane institutions of any power...The fact that they declare the are "conserving"or "protecting" nature for all of us..Is absurd!...Their representatives cannot be everywhere at once...We the British people can!

James Pollitt

9/12/2018 05:15:45 pm

WHAT STUPID BRAINLESS BASTARD DECIDED IT WAS A GREAT IDEA TO MAKE IT OPEN SEASON ONSOME OF THE LOVELIEST CREATURES THIS COUNTIES GOT FOR FUCK SAKE GROW UP THIS IS ENGLAND NOT AMERICA WHY DONT YOU TURN YOUR GUNS AND DEATH TRAPS ON THE LIKES OF US THE DISABLED. IWAS RIGHT WHEN I SAID THE POWERS THAT BE AND WHO RUN THIS POXY COUNTRY ARE A SHOWER OF MENTAL RETARDS

Tarquin

9/12/2018 06:53:13 pm

It might help your cause to inform readers of the reasons these licences were issued.

Til Kaynine

11/12/2018 01:18:23 pm

To make the rich richer of course, why else?

Peter

9/12/2018 07:16:47 pm

Does anyone at Natural England read this blog? Has anyone made a direct request to Natural England for an explanation?

Tilly Veal

11/12/2018 01:19:17 pm

Yes i wrote to them a week ago - no reply.

Cath

9/12/2018 08:34:22 pm

Is this a joke? Songbirds? Lets shoot them? What sort of deranged nutcase comes up with this? I don't get it and I don't get how the hell it gets to be made a law???

Lee Brace

9/12/2018 10:26:25 pm

This is horrible news. The most beautiful creatures in the world. But what can we do about it? It's alright breaking this horrendously sad news to us but what solution do we have here? How can we stop this?

Tim Torry

9/12/2018 10:53:21 pm

This is all utterly shocking, not least the Red Kite, which is at last just being seen in the Colchester area where I live.

Lucas

10/12/2018 12:08:54 pm

Appalling news!!! How can stop this?? The world is in a sad state of affairs... Totally ashamed to be human.

John Leatt

10/12/2018 01:20:56 pm

What an irresponsible post this is.You have published this but not bothered to find out the reasons behind why these licences were granted.Some of these were probably issued for things like scientific study,maybe trying to find out why certain species are declining etc.
You would be better off directing your anger at things like habitat loss and pollution which will have a far bigger impact on bird numbers.

Jason Endfield link

10/12/2018 01:50:37 pm

John Leatt, you consider my post is irresponsible?
I disagree.
You say that the licences were "probably issued for things like scientific study"
....oh you mean like the 'scientific study' that leads to the slaughter of whales in Japan?
Then you say "...or maybe trying to find out why certain species are declining etc".
And how is the 'lethal control' (Natural England's own words) of a wren supposed to help with a species in decline?
It's skewed thinking like yours that has brought us to this point where there is hardly any wildlife left to kill - and yet still people who would consent to kill more.

John Leatt

10/12/2018 07:57:05 pm

I called your post irresponsible because you have not bothered to find out why these licences were applied for.You have simply quoted the figures to get a reaction.
The kind of study I was referring to would be for example: if a pesticide or similar was suspected to be causing decline in certain birds.You would then have to test a sample of the plants,the insects etc that feed on them,the birds and animals that feed on the insects etc etc right the way up the food chain.This would mean unfortunately killing a few specimens to test but could in the long run have a positive effect on the affected species.
If that is skewed thinking then maybe you have a better way?

Tilly Veal

11/12/2018 01:25:46 pm

But I do not consent to my declining wildlife being killed for anybody or anything. The real reasons are to make the rich richer. Your rationale died in the seventies I'm afraid. I suppose you believe man has dominion over the earth ? Oh dear.

Neil Cameron

10/12/2018 06:52:02 pm

Jesus Christ this has got to be some sort of sick joke, what the fk are the RSPB saying doing about this, I can't believe I have never heard about this the RSPB should be informing every one of it's members about this incredibly stupid act. If I were to actually witness this happen I would seriously consider takin up Arms and stopping this forcefully, I don't think I could ever stop myself from beating some bastards head in if I were to see them kill a Kestrel, Skylark or Bullfinch or any other bird on that list. I would love to find out where this proposed cull were to take place.. We must stop this
I will look into this and consider what action to take.

Kathleen Danby

11/12/2018 01:44:38 am

I've replied before, and I have looked through all the comments sent. One other thing has not been mentioned - many of our birds migrate during parts of the year, and it has been a scandal for many years that so-called "marksmen" deliberately position themselves on the migratory path of these birds - either leaving or returning to the UK - and shoot them down! This is without the hundreds (maybe thousands) of wild birds taken into captivity for the "pet trade". No wonder our wild bird life is diminishing when they have all this to contend with.

Pete Tabbinor

25/3/2019 10:47:32 am

I think you should clarify that your comment is not referring to the UK but to other countries in Europe. The way it is worded then some might think that migratory birds are being shot or trapped for the pet trade in the UK when this is patently not the case.

Kim

11/12/2018 08:27:04 am

Typical of some idiot that things it’s their right to decide what lives & dies

Diana Tennyson link

11/12/2018 09:09:32 am

RDS run by Rob Sheldon says that the number of Ravens culled runs into thousands, and licences have been issues to cull many more.

Dave Cornwell

11/12/2018 11:06:41 am

Everybody above should write to Natural England demanding an explanation what the reasons were. Also write to Countryfile and your local MP. I will be.

Neil Cameron

11/12/2018 10:56:10 pm

JASON.. please answer this . Are you aware if the RSPB or the BTO know anything about this, i would love to hear what they have got to say about this , also if the dates are correct it means this heinous act has quite possibly been carried out already and we are too late to stop it.

ANdrew

11/12/2018 11:27:37 pm

Firstly let me say I am no fan of Natural England.
However, the mass hysteria displayed in these comments is ridiculous.
You have no idea of the numbers killed or the reasons licences were issued and there can be valid reasons.
If a small bird has found a route into a food preparation area of a factory and made a nest or cannot be chased out it will fly around until it dies of exhaustion or starvation.
Either way the problem needs resolved.
I suspect in most cases there has been a good reason to issue licences and the numbers of birds involved will make no impact on the ongoing survival of the species.
In other cases NE does make some rather dubious decisions
If you are all so worried I suggest you stop driving and travelling in mechanised vehicles as they will be killing far more both through impact and pollution.

Teresa

12/12/2018 10:11:21 am

Natural England!!??!!
There won't be any 'nature' left at this rate!!! What on earth do they need to kill off these little birds for?? I hardly see any birds in my garden now...........if these maniacs get their way, we won't see any at all!
Makes me so angry.................bloody guns should be banned!!!!

Anna Coles

12/12/2018 12:46:04 pm

'Unnatural England' - what could or would justify their actions as to grant licences to kill any birds!
So many birds in this country are endangered, like so many wild animals - and for a 'legimate organisation' like Natural England, to be endangering them is an outrage!!
I sometimes despair of being human!

Neil Cameron

13/12/2018 03:00:13 pm

From: neil Cameron [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 13 December 2018 01:38
To: Web SpePro Crime Reporting <[email protected]>
Subject: SHOOTING RAPTORS AND OTHER PROTECTED SPECIES.

Dear RSPB It was with utter disbelief i read a article online about English Natures plan to exterminate some protected species including the beautiful little Kestrel whos numbers are falling fast also the Peregrine, Red Kite which is still being introduced and costing hundreds of thousands, the Raven, Skylark ,Blackbird, Robin, Bullfinch,Great tit and many many more, it makes you think whats the point of our organisation if we cant stop this atrocity, i am quite sure if you were to inform all our members there would be a hell of a backlash from all the members. What sort of conservation is the English Nature carrying out such a dreadful crime,, i am sure you guys are as disgusted as i am so please tell me you have some sort of plans in place to deter these pigs from this act. Please can you help this is why we pay our membership year after year.. thanks... NEIL CAMERON

Dear Neil,

Thank you for your enquiry.

I can confirm we are aware of this matter and are trying to find out further detail. The RSPB is currently in the process of working with Natural England on the licensing process to make sure it is fit for purpose.

Currently, licences may be issued by Natural England for a number of reasons including to prevent serious damage to:

• Livestock

• Foodstuffs for livestock

• Crops

• Growing timber

• Fisheries or inland waters

• And to stop the spread of disease

Without knowing the reasons for each license, it is impossible to comment on individual cases, but some of the species that have been listed raise questions. As a rule, most licenses should only be issued when legal (including non-lethal) methods of resolving the problem are ineffective or impracticable.

If you would like further information as to the issuing of licences by Natural England, I would advise getting in touch with them directly as we cannot comment on the policy and operations of any external organisation.

Kind regards

Charlotte Ambrose

Supporter Services (wildlife)

UK Headquarters The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL

Tel 01767 693690

Chris Swann

13/12/2018 04:31:18 pm

Just had a reply from Natural England (sic) Make of it what you will. I shall be trying to obtain more details via FoI request.
https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2018/12/12/the-facts-about-licences-for-wild-birds/

Ruth Jewitt

13/12/2018 04:57:20 pm

Despicable - just as bad as the RSPB - who allow psychopaths to shoot wildlife. These organisations are contemptuous & should be boycotted & put out of business.

Nathalie Clarke

13/12/2018 05:17:18 pm

Why do this? Just why?? :-(

Donna

13/12/2018 07:47:21 pm

I do hope that you are also going to publish the response which gives some context. Whilst none of us like birds being killed, often it was unavoidable and not for sport/pleasure.
https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2018/12/12/the-facts-about-licences-for-wild-birds/

Jason Endfield link

13/12/2018 07:53:54 pm

Hi Donna,
I don't think their response is worthy of publishing to be honest.... but the link is there should anyone be interested.
Natural England provided little information that we didn't already know and I found it rather patronising that they thought their lacklustre explanation would be enough to pacify the fury that has erupted over this.
No, we deserve better frankly...

Helen Nock link

14/12/2018 09:14:39 am

Absolutely.

Tilly Veal

16/12/2018 12:59:42 pm

I had a personal reply from Natural England and I've never heard such tosh. Skylarks causing a serious threat to aviation? Do me a favour! No doubt some oik's private airfield. Bullfinches etc. a serious threat to agriculture? Er no, lack of fruit set is because we've killed all the bees... This 'kill a problem' mindset is a relic of the seventies. Will we never learn...

Kim Hadleigh

13/12/2018 11:56:42 pm

I am appalled to say the least, that anyone should be granted a licence to destroy these beautiful innocent birds. And yes, the reply from the RSPB is gutless and pathetic. What the hell is their purpose if not to protect birds?!
I have notified Animal Aid via twitter to see if they can help.
This is so so wrong. How dare they!

Paul Ross

16/12/2018 06:46:08 pm

You will never get any satisfaction from the RSPB ,all they are interested in is membership money

Danny Thomas

14/12/2018 10:45:15 am

Wow, there appears to be no end to the idiocy of Natural England. It just supports my opinion that Natural England do not have the ability or the resources to be in control of wildlife licencing in the UK and they need to be stripped of their responsibilities immediately in favour of a separate licencing body, with appropriately qualified and experienced advisors.

Kim Hadleigh

16/12/2018 12:20:31 am

Well put! I completely agree with you!

Lesley

3/3/2019 03:03:30 pm

I'm not averse to the idea that are dodgy goings on but I want to see the evidence unstead of relying solely Jason's (very passionate) rhetoric.

Info on licenses is publicly available here : https://www.gov.uk/environment/environmental-management-wildlife-habitat-conservation-birds

I can't see reference to the killing of owls or robins that Jason mentions being allowed.

Jason, you've alluded to some pretty worrying stuff going on - please could you publish the results of your FOI requests and direct us to any other stats and sources you have? I'm really interested to know more about this.

Jason Endfield link

3/3/2019 03:40:01 pm

Hi Lesley,
I published some figures from my original foi request a few months ago. They relate to the above post.
New data surfaced recently by way of other foi requests, the results of which were sent to me by Natural England themselves. I wrote a follow-up post about this on 19/2.
Others also obtained these statistics, including The Guardian newspaper, with whom I discussed the figures.
The result was their article from 22/2 and that piece explains it all in more detail:-
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/22/conservation-body-issues-170000-wild-bird-kill-permits-in-five-years
Best,
Jason

Pete Tabbinor

25/3/2019 11:00:25 am

I’m wondering why the ‘Notify me of new comments to this post by email’ button doesn’t work whenever I leave a comment?
It couldn’t possibly have any connection with the fact that I found your initial post totally misleading and not representing the true facts regarding licences issued by Natural England and Defra . . . . . . . . . or could it? ?

Chris Swann

3/3/2019 04:37:30 pm

Not sure how well this will come out but here are the Robin entries from my FoI request
2018-33190-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Trapping Trapping Preserving public health under section 16(1)(i) Warwickshire
2018-33502-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Kill, injure or take Trapping Preventing the spread of disease under section 16(1)(j) Gloucestershire
2017-30812-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Trapping Trapping Preserving public health under section 16(1)(i) Essex
2017-27950-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Kill, injure or take Shooting Preserving public health under section 16(1)(i) Wiltshire
2016-19794-SCI-SCI SCI-SCI Robin Taking of eggs As Appropriate Science, research and education, under section 16(1)(a) Warwickshire
2016-20024-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Kill, injure or take Shooting Preserving public health under section 16(1)(i) West Yorkshire
2016-22250-SCI-SCI SCI-SCI Robin Kill Cage trap using a magpie as a decoy Science, research and education, under section 16(1)(a) South Yorkshire
2016-24082-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Take or destroy an egg of a wild bird Nest relocation Preserving public health under section 16(1)(i) West Yorkshire
2016-24082-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird Nest relocation Preserving public health under section 16(1)(i) West Yorkshire
2016-24082-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Trapping By hand Preserving public health under section 16(1)(i) West Yorkshire
2016-24820-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Trapping Trapping Preserving public health under section 16(1)(i) Greater London
2016-27132-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Trapping Trapping Preserving air safety under section 16(1)(i)
2016-27210-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Kill, injure or take Trapping Preserving public health under section 16(1)(i) Greater London
2015-17969-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Kill, injure or take Shooting Preserving public health under section 16(1)(i) South Yorkshire
2015-19310-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Kill, injure or take Shooting Preserving public health under section 16(1)(i) Darlington
2015-11550-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Kill, injure or take By hand Preserving public safety under section 16(1)(i) South Yorkshire
2015-11550-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Take or destroy an egg of a wild bird Egg oiling/pricking Preserving public safety under section 16(1)(i) South Yorkshire
2015-11550-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird Nest destruction Preserving public safety under section 16(1)(i) South Yorkshire
2014-971-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird Nest relocation/destruction Preserving public safety under section 16(1)(i) Shropshire
2014-971-SPM-WLM-1 SPM-WLM Robin Take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird Nest relocation/destruction Preserving public safety under section 16(1)(i) Shropshire
2014-5288-SPM-WLM SPM-WLM Robin Kill, injure or take Shooting Preserving public health under section 16(1)(i) Greater London

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