* Freedom of information request reveals 'staggering' extent of lethal bird control in Scotland
* 50 species of birds appear on NatureScot's kill list for 2022 * NatureScot vowed to publish licence data for public scrutiny - but when? Worrying statistics have emerged from Scotland detailing a staggering level of officially sanctioned lethal bird control - but Scottish government nature agency, NatureScot, seem reticent about sharing their licence data with the public - in spite of an assurance that they would. NatureScot vs Natural England An early success of our campaign was persuading Natural England to publish an annual declaration of their licence data, so that detailed statistics for every bird control licence issued in England are now freely accessible for public scrutiny. So, when worrying figures started trickling through from north of the border - albeit only via freedom of information requests - I asked Scotland's government nature agency, NatureScot, if they would follow Natural England's lead and make their own licence data available to the public. They were quick to reassure me. NatureScot's Director of Green Economy told me enthusiastically, "We agree on the benefits of publishing this information and are keen to ensure openness and transparency of our licensing functions," adding that "we are currently in the process of formatting licence information which will be published on our website on a regular basis and we hope to have this available in the next few weeks." That was in March. On 2nd June, I politely reminded NatureScot of the assurance they made two months earlier, but I received no acknowledgement. So, on 13th June, I asked them again. This time I received two holding responses, one from the Director of Green Economy saying he was 'out on site', and another from the Senior Executive Support Manager to Chair & Chief Executive, saying "we will be back in touch as soon as possible with our response". As I write this, it is 24th June and I've heard nothing further. So, why the silence? Well, read on.... Shocking data I have taken a look at NatureScot's bird licence data for 2022, which I obtained through a freedom of information request earlier this year, and the figures are really shocking. No less than fifty species of birds appear on the lethal control list, including some red listed species of the highest conservation concern. "Endangered species" Back in February, in a note accompanying their foi response, NatureScot tried to justify the long list of lethal control licences; they told me "no activity carried out under these licences will adversely affect the conservation status of any of our native species and none of the licences issued relates to endangered species." I'm not convinced about that. What constitutes an 'endangered' species? NatureScot issued 18 licences last year to kill Curlew - 'as many as required' - this is a red listed species. Surely they qualify as 'endangered'? These Curlew licences were approved in the name of air safety, which some might say is valid, but nevertheless it's just not true for NatureScot to say that 'none of the licences relates to endangered species' - when they clearly do. The list of species permitted to be killed in the name of air safety is extensive and also includes Swallow, Swift, House Martin, Sand Martin, Lapwing, Starling, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Snipe, Buzzard, Grey Partridge and more - with no limit on the numbers licensed for destruction in these cases. Air safety is again provided as the reason behind licences to kill 'as necessary' the chicks of Rooks and Carrion Crows. But it's not all about air safety. Many other licences were issued for other reasons including "Preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuff for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, fisheries or inland water" "Conservation status" Now let's turn to the matter of 'not adversely affecting conservation status' - well, take the number of licences approved by NatureScot to kill Ravens - the data suggests that they issued around 150 licences in 2022 to kill these magnificent birds. That's potentially a lot of Ravens. NatureScot also approved the slaughter of several hundred Pink Footed Geese and Barnacle Geese last year; and we already know that the agency has been under pressure to explain their notoriously extreme approach to culling gulls, including red listed Herring Gulls - see my post about that here. Embarrassed by the figures? Has NatureScot had second thoughts about "the benefits of publishing this information"? Whatever the reason, silence is not the best look. I would suggest that it's in everyone's interest to publish the data now, especially if NatureScot really do want to ensure 'openness and transparency', as they claim to. Questions to answer Licence returns, if we could see them, might shed light on the final numbers affected, though if the system is like that of Natural England, the returns may rely on the 'honesty and integrity' of licence holders. So, clarification from NatureScot would be welcome - if and when they decide to publish the data. Certainly 400,000 supporters of our campaign will not be deterred by a government agency clamming up when it comes to releasing data, we've been there before, we are patient - but really we're deserving of better than the silent treatment. Let the people see the figures, and let the people decide if NatureScot is doing a good job. We would like a response from NatureScot, an idea of when they will publish the licence data and an explanation if they are not going to. Oh, and we really do insist on being treated with respect. Watch this space....
23 Comments
John Soper
24/6/2023 06:42:17 pm
This surely cannot be true, I'm hoping that it's an exaggeration, as a country man, alas getting to old now I realise management is necessary but never like I'm reading here, surely to god
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Nicola Gregory
24/6/2023 07:40:48 pm
This is terrifying. You have my full support. It is clear these licenses are granted to appease other agencies. It is nothing more than shameless politics and financial interests driving this.
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evelyn Skidmore
25/6/2023 10:53:12 am
soon We'll end up with no birds at all. Here n Merseyside we've seen a massive drop in insects over the last ten to 30 years. To the point that I've had the windows open for weeks now and only seen about 4 flies and one wasp. That indicates how few there are about outside. The poor birds can't even get food from the soil, as it is hard as a rock due to the weeks of no rain. The last two years, our local starlings have had only one brood a a year, where they always had 2 broods. From having the garden full of them, blackbirds, thrushes, wrens when I was growing up in the 40's and 50's, although I feed them every day, we hardly see any now. We haven't had any martins, swifts or swallows for at least 5 years. So it isn't just in the countryside that we are losing our precious wildlife but in the suburbs too. It is a total tragedy.
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Roland Hewitt
25/6/2023 05:43:07 pm
This is a disgrace and those responsible to this slaughter must be taken to whatever Court is designated to deal with this disaster.
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Harry Anderson
24/6/2023 06:55:19 pm
It does not surprise me up here they shoot everything. This week they are even allowing deer culling with night sites so the poor animals are never safe
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Simon George Spratt
24/6/2023 07:16:06 pm
Good evening Jason!!
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Rodney Kupczyk.
24/6/2023 07:21:26 pm
A sad inditement. Nature Scotland need to provide some truthful answers, & quickly. Filibustering does them little credit.
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Gail Hopkins
24/6/2023 07:42:31 pm
This makes uncomfortable reading. It amounts to a lot of birds. Surely they can't all be a danger to aircraft or food/livestock? Perhaps farmers could take more/better steps in protecting their crops.
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Bernardine Cox
26/6/2023 08:55:11 am
It would be interesting to know if any of those farmers are claiming any of the set aside funds(probably the wrong term now?) now available to support farmers interested in farming with conservation in mind? The two I feel, would be incompatible and funding should be withdrawn, investigated and publicised
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24/6/2023 08:01:59 pm
From: Edward Cole To: Jason Endfield
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24/6/2023 08:06:05 pm
This is so shocking. I know this institution is very worryingly disfunctional from my connection to the Scottish Wildcat Haven. I will follow and support your efforts to clean it up (or out) with great interest. Thanks for all you do.
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Janet Jackson
24/6/2023 08:07:13 pm
I can't say that I am surprised at this result, so far. Whenever these types of agencies are set up, those who are in charge start off doing what is required but, after a while, the power takes over as they realize that they really are in charge. Common sense goes out of the window and the killings are soon out of control. I wonder why any type of control of numbers of such species are required. As soon as the level of birds become unsustainable, they will look to moving to an alternative habitat, spreading out to other areas. When we find a town crowded, we expand along roads outside the town, becoming a city. This has been happening for centuries. We call it ribbon development, authorities don't reduce populations by disposing of the excess citizens. Such actions would be unthinkable. Birds must be given the same treatment, any loss of population is noted, investigated and solutions found to halt any species' loss.
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Sallie Wrath
24/6/2023 08:48:00 pm
I would like to know what is the RSPB response to this. My husband is a member and was appalled when I showed him your email.
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24/6/2023 10:05:24 pm
I think Sallie Wrath was responding to my comment. I looked tor the initials RSPB. I could not find them. In my comment I mentioned SQPV which stands for Squirrel Pox Virus
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Sallie Wrath
25/6/2023 01:33:47 pm
In reply to the message from Edward Cole - the RSPB stands for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
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Melanie Mackay
25/6/2023 08:25:47 am
Hi Jason
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Simone
25/6/2023 11:04:15 am
My heart breaks for these poor birds. If this can happen on our shores how much worse worldwide.
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Carrolle Jamieson
25/6/2023 12:42:42 pm
Frankly, I do not think that there should be licences to shoot/kill ANY creatures, animals or birds.
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Cara
25/6/2023 05:41:17 pm
Just to say we don't actually need meat in our regular diet and the brutal killing of billions of cows, pigs, chickens etc is just as bad as that of feral creatures and bird's. Hunting/shooting/killing of any creature for any reason is completely barbaric and uneccessary. We live in the 21st century, not the caveman era! There are other ways to get meat, control populations and prevent damage without killing any innocent animal now!
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Christine Burden
25/6/2023 05:42:43 pm
I hope your persistence will soon bring a change to Nat Scot's appalling disregard of its duty to look after wildlife. Its attitude is both callous and unscientific. You cannot conserve species by slaughtering large numbers. Don't they know what the Red List signifies?
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Bernardine Cox
26/6/2023 08:59:07 am
It would be interesting to know if any of the farmers are claiming any of the set aside funds(probably the wrong term now?) now available to support farmers interested in farming with conservation in mind? The two I feel, would be incompatible and funding should be withdrawn, investigated and publicised
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26/6/2023 09:26:41 pm
Because people keep Cats as pets people want to provide Abandon Cats and Feral Cats with shelters and veterinarian care and this artificially raises the number of Cats above the number that would naturally be present in the wild. A single Cat can kill many birds and animal in the cat's lifetime. I have read that not including habitat destruction Cats are the number one man made reason for the decline of birds and they are responsible for the extinction of some birds and animal species. At different times Red and Gray Squirrels have been blamed for the decline in bird populations but studies show that Squirrels make a negligible difference to bird populations. Cats are predators and are very efficient killers. Even well feed cats still kill birds and other wildlife. Cat owners will dispute this but I think it is true. If you find a picture of a cat with its mouth open wide look at the teeth. They are the teeth of a predator and if you where a small bird or animal this would be very frightening.
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Irene Leggett
28/7/2023 08:18:56 pm
I'm sorry but mankind has set the course for annihilation of us and our planet. It appears that we are slowly, but surely, destroying our very own world, our only home. What gives us the right to decide who should live and who can we kill without a second thought??? Why do we consider ourselves sooo important when, in reality, we are destroying all our wildlife and our environment for the sake of money-profiteering greed.
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