Hello. I’m a long term member of the RSPB and my daughter is also a long term member. As many of you also we feel very passionate and protective of our birds and wildlife. I’ve been voicing concerns, discussing in other forums and investigating ways to take direct action against this disgusting netting which is on the increase! What is the RSPB doing to save birds from the cruel methods of netting? British people are standing up in defiance against councils and land developers who continue to use vast swathes of netting which is killing our birds, wildlife and the habitat that they heavily rely on. What is the RSPB doing as so far they remain silent and useless in this pressing issue? Birds are dying as are also hedgehogs and other small mammals. Is the RSPB sitting on the fence?
Birdsong10 said:Surely this shouldn’t be allowed. Is it legal?
Firstly, before I answer you Birdsong ……. I assure you that I am not the Police (in reference to your rather sharp reply on another thread to Robbo !! ) There are clay pigeon shoots all over the country and one in particular that I think about is situated next to one of RSPB's prime nature/bird reserves at Leighton Moss in North Lancashire. As we sit in the hides we often hear the rifles going off quite loudly, mainly at weekends, but thankfully only "clay" is shot and not real pigeons. LM has a significant and important variety of species including Bitterns, Marsh Harriers and all manner of wading and woodland birds which continue to thrive there despite the clay pigeon activity and noise close by. Another example is at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands on the Wirral in Cheshire which I believe has a police/military firing range down near the salt marsh area. Just because the noise is loud and can be irritating to us humans I can't see why you think it should be illegal. Birds often get "scared" by all sorts of things but usually return and eventually get used to the various noisy pursuits of humans.