RicW 67 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 (edited) I read an article in today's Times with the above title. The author, Magnus Linklater, describes how the last breeding pair of curlews have recently reached the marshes near his land. There used to be flocks of them, and lapwings. As he says, just another species in decline? He then says well no. 30 miles away, in Angus, there is a different story. There are more waders than seen for many years. Lapwing and golden plover are at their highest numbers for years. Why? Because around Angus, landowners have embarked on a program to develop the grouse moors. They are trapping carrion crows, shooting foxes, trapping stoats and weasels, shooting deer which destroy vegetation. If these programs result in an increase in diversity and growing numbers of wild birds, should not the conservation bodies support predator control? Apparently not, because they would have to come out on the side of the hunters. I know this is all bleedin' obvious to us but I was pleased to see it put so bluntly in a national newspaper. I now await with interest the letters from the honey buggers! Ric Edited March 31, 2010 by RicW Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J Darcy 5,871 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 I was only saying the other day to my mate how a well managed grouse moor benefits far more that the grouse. Not a corvid in sight , but an abundance of oystercatcher, curlew, lapwing and red and black grouse. I don't believe in coincidence...... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wild_and_Irish 11 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 I can vouch for this not this winter but last a friend of mine put down pheasants and snared 35 foxes over an area of about 40 acres, me and a friend were fishing the river near where he was snaring and could hear a curlew calling, I've fished that river for years and never heard it before. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skellyb 8 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 You can see more at http://www.gct.org.uk/research__surveys/species_research/birds/waders/1651.asp makes interesting reading. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waidmann 105 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 salisbury plain project proved the management of predators increased biodiversity staggeringly. most of the protected areas are plauged with vermin and predators(telford town park for example!!) and the "protectors" too stubborn/stupid to allow a management whether in their interests or not. blinkered beurocracy and idealism. "the nature looks after itself" is a load of rubbish as WE(society) have long upset its balance by feeding crows,gulls,foxes,badgers ................... on our rubbish tips and in our cities. "manage to conserve" waidmann Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RicW 67 Posted March 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 You can see more at http://www.gct.org.uk/research__surveys/species_research/birds/waders/1651.asp makes interesting reading. Thanks for that Skelly. Linklater mentioned the Otterburn trial but I had gone on for long enough! Could there be an epidemic of common sense on the way? Dream on I guess but we can but hope. Ric Quote Link to post Share on other sites
skellyb 8 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 You can see more at http://www.gct.org.uk/research__surveys/species_research/birds/waders/1651.asp makes interesting reading. Thanks for that Skelly. Linklater mentioned the Otterburn trial but I had gone on for long enough! Could there be an epidemic of common sense on the way? Dream on I guess but we can but hope. Ric You never know. Some stuff on hare here http://www.gct.org.uk/about_us/news/2061.asp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RicW 67 Posted March 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Linklater makes another good point in his article. Why are "conservationists" and "hunters" always going eyeball to eyeball? We have a lot in common (Boo Hiss Get Off The Stage Ric). I don't mean the soft hearted soft headed honey buggers, but people who have a sincere interest in maintaining biodiversity, and actually know a bit about what it takes, should surely be prepared to work together? We don't want to wipe out any species do we? (Apart from mink, greys and antis.) We could continue our sport while benefitting the countryside far more than those morons who release urban foxes in rural areas. Sorry, bit of a bee in my bonnet about that. Ric 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J Darcy 5,871 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Linklater makes another good point in his article. Why are "conservationists" and "hunters" always going eyeball to eyeball? We have a lot in common (Boo Hiss Get Off The Stage Ric). I don't mean the soft hearted soft headed honey buggers, but people who have a sincere interest in maintaining biodiversity, and actually know a bit about what it takes, should surely be prepared to work together? We don't want to wipe out any species do we? (Apart from mink, greys and antis.) We could continue our sport while benefitting the countryside far more than those morons who release urban foxes in rural areas. Sorry, bit of a bee in my bonnet about that. Ric Well said that man!! Though i have to say, when dealing with many of the people in high roles in some "conservation bodies" they do not know alot about the subject when compared to real countrymen. In every encounter i have come away disapointed at their general lack of knowledge and wonder how they can make informed decisions when they themselves are not experienced in many matters........JD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RicW 67 Posted March 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Linklater makes another good point in his article. Why are "conservationists" and "hunters" always going eyeball to eyeball? We have a lot in common (Boo Hiss Get Off The Stage Ric). I don't mean the soft hearted soft headed honey buggers, but people who have a sincere interest in maintaining biodiversity, and actually know a bit about what it takes, should surely be prepared to work together? We don't want to wipe out any species do we? (Apart from mink, greys and antis.) We could continue our sport while benefitting the countryside far more than those morons who release urban foxes in rural areas. Sorry, bit of a bee in my bonnet about that. Ric Well said that man!! Though i have to say, when dealing with many of the people in high roles in some "conservation bodies" they do not know alot about the subject when compared to real countrymen. In every encounter i have come away disapointed at their general lack of knowledge and wonder how they can make informed decisions when they themselves are not experienced in many matters........JD No comment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnGalway 1,043 Posted March 31, 2010 Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Lots of curlews here, wonder why that is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RicW 67 Posted March 31, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2010 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnGalway 1,043 Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 I quite admire your new sig and wish to subscribe to your newsletter PS Email received and put into action Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FightTheBan 1,147 Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 Hunters shooters and gamekeepers do far more conservation work than all the RSPB/bunnyhuggers/penpushers combined. We are actively out there doing work that makes a difference, whereas they are out puting in boxes and pathways and bickering over petty legislation. It is the job of BASC and Countryside Allience to publicise the benefits of countrysports andf conservation - its a real pitty there shit at there job! FTB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wild_and_Irish 11 Posted April 1, 2010 Report Share Posted April 1, 2010 A year or two ago now some hippies were looking to put water turbines across a river near me, despite the fact this was one of the 2 major rivers feeding into the foyle system, it would have shredded the salmon coming up, only the fishing club stepped in it would have went ahead Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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