Buzzards

princesspurplehippy Thu May 24, 2012 12:47 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18183204

I really can't express my anger on these plans by Defra, and from what I can see its all on the say so of the group of people who persecuted them to near extinction in the first place Mad

**Doogs** Thu May 24, 2012 1:11 pm

What a shocking story Crying or Very sad

Here's hoping that because the techniques they are hoping to use are both illegal under current wildlife laws this will deter them from doing it Mad

**Laikipia** Thu May 24, 2012 1:34 pm

You cannot be serious, are they totally mad. Honestly buzzards have made a great comeback after being persecuted and to now suggest their nests should be destroyed is totally shocking.

We have a lot of buzzards and I for one will not allow some complete ************ from DEFRA to come into our woods and destroy our beautiful buzzards.

Another ludicrous idea, along with the badger cull.

Thanks for the link PPH - one to keep an eye on for sure.

Lai

princesspurplehippy Thu May 24, 2012 1:40 pm

A friend of mine is already planning a 'battle of the buzzards'

I'm researching placard designs and slogans at this very moment Wink

**Laikipia** Thu May 24, 2012 1:42 pm

Keep us posted PPH - i'll be right there, i think we've gone mad in the UK now with destroying nature.

Lai

**whitestarling** Thu May 24, 2012 1:54 pm

I saw this on the News this morning, and was going to put it on. Well done PPH Buzzards 768480

.
It really does make you mad does'nt it, again the answer to a percieved wildlife problem is lets kill it. I tried the BBC link but could'nt get on, it said there were problems, could be overload on the site, I Buzzards 768480

ope it was all the people looking in.
Found this RSPB response, and I also saw while searching DEFRA had started to propose this in 2010, so the battle to stop it should have started then really
http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/314516-rspb-stunned-by-defra-plan-to-imprison-buzzards?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=News

We're all behind you PPH, let us know if we can do anything

WS

**Laikipia** Thu May 24, 2012 2:31 pm

Thanks WS. I will think about writing to our MP. Sadly he prefers to sit on the fence on a lot of things, which he did re the badger cull.

I am guessing there will be petition somewhere?

Lai

princesspurplehippy Thu May 24, 2012 3:30 pm

There is a petition, I'll put a link up as soon as I get home tonight

I will write to my MP but unfortunately my MP is part of the hunting and game shooting set and he supports the badger cull and the re introduction of Fox Hunting

**Laikipia** Thu May 24, 2012 5:05 pm

Thanks PPH. I'll circulate it around my friends etc once you put the link up. It's causing a lot of comment up here Evil or Very Mad

Lai

**littlewid** Thu May 24, 2012 7:57 pm

PPH I will catch up with this later this evening, just about to watch PEL but you can count me in on anything that needs doing. Will read and comment later.

littlewid-x-

princesspurplehippy Thu May 24, 2012 8:59 pm

petition site

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/304/227/564/defra-dont-spend-taxpayers-money-on-harassing-buzzards/

**littlewid** Thu May 24, 2012 10:01 pm

This is disgraceful, they want to persecute the Buzzard in the name of shooting. I have signed the petition PPH and if there is anything else I can do I will. I will write to my MP but alas like others have said on here, he does seem to support the killing of animals.

littlewid-x-

**whitestarling** Thu May 24, 2012 10:24 pm

Signed the Petition thanks for putting it on PPH
With the following comment
So a species that nearly died out should once again be sacrificied for the pleasure of a few rich people who can afford to shoot other birds. The MP's who support this type of thinking in response to a percieved wildlife problem should be re-named Darleks. Exterminate Exterminate. Now thats one species where I would support, that type of response

**Laikipia** Fri May 25, 2012 8:34 am

Thanks PPH. Signed and shared on FB and will tackle the MP later!

Lai

**Laikipia** Fri May 25, 2012 10:06 am

Found this from Defra - 24th May

The Myth:

There have been recent reports that Defra is proposing to cull buzzards or is about to implement a new policy to control their numbers.

The Truth:

Defra is absolutely not proposing to cull buzzards or any other raptors.

We work on the basis of sound evidence. This is why we want to find out the true extent of buzzards preying on young pheasants and how best to discourage birds that may cause damage to legitimate businesses. This would be only in areas where there is a clear problem, using non-lethal methods including increasing protective cover for young pheasants with vegetation, diversionary feeding of buzzards, moving the birds elsewhere or destroying empty nests. The results of this scientific research will help guide our policy on this issue in the future.

As the RSPB have said, the buzzard population has recovered wonderfully over the last few years, and we want to see this continue.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2012/05/24/myth-bust-reports-that-defra-is-proposing-to-cull-buzzards/

Lai scratch

princesspurplehippy Fri May 25, 2012 12:56 pm

I'll have to check it out, I'm not sure several wildlife charities and naturalists would have got the wrong message yesterday. Also it was reported on the BBC that Defra were planning a cull.

I'm smelling a U turn

**Laikipia** Fri May 25, 2012 1:11 pm

Mmmmmm not sure. I just spoke to our MP and the first he knew about this was another constituent telling him about it today.

His reaction when I asked him was "I sincerely hope not" - but as I said he was not aware of Defra's decision.

I said I would follow up with a letter to him and I will do this later today.

Lai

princesspurplehippy Fri May 25, 2012 3:12 pm

I've asked the question of the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts and Chris Packham on their sites and twitter

Its also good news that they are looking at this scientifically and considering options. Its also very reassuring that the reaction from people on here but also my friends who aren't great nature lovers are to protect this wonderful raptor and not just agree with the government

I sometime feel a bit down and frustrated when people don't seem to care about nature but this has boosted my confident that there are enough good people who will stand up and be counted when they see an injustice

**Laikipia** Fri May 25, 2012 3:46 pm

PPH - thanks for letting us know. Let's hope common sense prevails and Defra give up this ridiculous idea.

Lai

**whitestarling** Fri May 25, 2012 4:48 pm

Thanks again PPH.
"An independent study carried out by ADAS (an independent consultant), commissioned by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, found that on average, 1-2% of pheasant poults released were taken by birds of prey. It found 45% of poults released were shot, with the remainder dying as a result of other factors, such as road collision and disease, or surviving to join the feral population. The study therefore concluded that losses to birds of prey were negligible compared to other much greater causes of loss. It found the financial cost of "average" bird of prey predation to a shoot releasing 1,000 poults per year, would be just £30."
Part of a very good piece in the Gaurdian, if you get time to read it
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/georgemonbiot/2012/may/24/buzzards-pheasant-shoots-wildlife

WS

**littlewid** Fri May 25, 2012 9:59 pm

That is a really interesting link WS and that idiot Beynon should be sent packing, I remember him not being able to identify that fish on the channel 4 programme.

I do urge you guys to read this link, it is well worth it. Not only does it support that its not just Buzzards that very minutely affect the shoot, it also really supports the effect Pheasant shooting can have on wildlife in general, plus to me it's also a very cruel sport, especially when they can't even shoot the birds cleanly.
Please have a read.

littlewid-x-

princesspurplehippy Wed May 30, 2012 1:20 pm

People power in action Buzzards 768480

http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/315871-the-public-steps-up-for-buzzards?utm_medium=website&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=sharelink&utm_campaign=rspbwebsitesharelinks#.T8YGjNcaktI.facebook

**Laikipia** Wed May 30, 2012 2:20 pm

Just seen this

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/9300074/Buzzard-nest-cull-shelved-in-latest-coalition-u-turn.html

Buzzards 71418

I agree PPH

Lai Very Happy

**Doogs** Wed May 30, 2012 4:33 pm

Brilliant news Very Happy

Love that picture in your link Lai Cool

:)

**Laikipia** Thu May 31, 2012 9:15 am

Doogs - must practice the photography!

Lai

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