.JPG) |
| Profuse strains of unpremeditated art - skylark in songflight |
WILDLIFE watchdog Natural England has defended its decision to grant licences for killing of skylarks and other songbirds.
Says NE's national delivery director, Stephanie Bird-Halton: "These licences allow falconers to fly trained birds of prey to hunt and kill quarry species that they would naturally prey upon in the wild.
"These include skylark, song thrush and meadow pipit."
Also on the list of species for which licences to kill have been approved are: fieldfare, redwing, mistle thrush, starling, jay, lapwing and others.
No details have been divulged about the number of birds taken, nor how many falconers have been granted licences.
The locations of the killing have also been kept under wraps.
Ms Bird-Halton continues: "Licences are only issued when there is deemed to be no effect on the conservation status of the birds involved.
"If the evidence points to the need for a change in policy, then we will provide appropriate advice to government."
Ms Bird-Halton insists the information has been released in line with NE's "commitment to transparency".
An alternative view is that it has been forced to come clean by the dogged Freedom of Information activities of campaigner Jason Endfield.
In a tweet, he has expressed disappointment with NE's defence. "It's a poor response,"he says.
The songbird revelations are bound to cause a rumpus among birders, but it remains to be seen how the RSPB responds - if at all, givens its inclination to shy away from controversy.
Ms Bird-Halton maintains that approximately half the licences we issue are for activities that support nature recovery, research and education.
For example, this has included the trapping of red kites in order for them to be relocated "to help restore Spanish populations".
She continues: "Legislation sets out the limited purposes for which we may grant a licence to take, kill or disturb wildlife.
"These include preserving public health and public safety or air safety, preventing spread of disease, and preventing serious damage to crops, livestock and, in some instances, property.
"Licences are only issued if all relevant criteria are met following a review of the purpose of the application, alternatives and methods, and the scientific context relating to it."
She concludes: "I hope this provides useful context to our licensing work."
The board of Natural England includes former BTO chief executive Andy Clements and RSPB trustee Kerry Ten Kate, but it is not known whether they support the awarding of licences for killing of Red-listed species.
The list is at:
* Jason Endfield's information-packed blog is at:
 |
| Quarry species - redwing (front) and mistle thrush |
The Wryneck says: Falconry is a cruel pursuit. It should no more have a place in civilised society than badger-baiting or hare-coursing. For red-listed songbirds such as skylarks to be among its victims is depressing almost beyond words. Ms Bird-Halton has been wheeled out to take the flak that will inevitably ensue, but the policy will surely have been endorsed at N.E. board level. It is time for the chair and chief executive to stop hiding behind their staff. They need explain why they are granting consent for such disgusting activity in England’s green and (supposedly) pleasant fields.
No comments:
Post a Comment