I'm new to the website and starting off with an old problem. How many pheasants are released into my local area every year?
I'm currently studying with the Open University and looking at the effects pheasant releases have on local ecosystems.
I thought this would be difficult, but didn't realise how difficult as there doesn't seem to be any information on this particular point. I have found a little on releases in the south, which is a start, but clearly not perfect.
I have found the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust useful, but still very little on the North East. I know there is hunting in the area as I can see the birds everywhere and hear the shooting on clear days.
I wouldn't say I'm totally against shooting, as I feel there is a lot of woodland that might not be there if it wasn't for the shoots, but I feel that releases of birds on the scale they are should certainly be recorded and the information made available. Without this it's impossible to make an informed decision on the matter and we have to leave it to others who are given the information.
If anyone has any constructive comments on this subject, which I have seen can get sensitive sometimes, please reply or message me. I'd be very grateful for any help.
Hi Chris maybe you should maybe look at this and I hope you are successful with your research and wish you well. I used to shoot clays and very enjoyable. I hope you do not mind but you are doing research and genuninely hope you do well. This is on Twitter big time at the moment and think you will be interested.
raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/.../natural-england-issues-licence-to-destroy-buzzard-eggs-nests-to-protect-pheasants
here is the link and sincerely wish you well but will be good for you to know :) Good luck
https://twitter.com/search?q=natural%20england&src=typd
edit I do wish you good luck as the eco-system very interesting.
Thanks for the information, I hadn't thought to check Twitter. I hadn't planned on doing much on the raptor control problem, as I know this has been a problem for many, many years, but with recent developments I don't see how I can avoid it. I would certainly call this a questionable land management technique.
Hopefully this might force into the spotlight some of the other information regarding pheasant releases, as I'm still looking for figures on pheasant releases.
Thanks for the support.
Chris you are welcome and good luck with your studies. It has only kicked off today but thought you would be interested.
Chris,only way I think you may get information could be if you go to Mark Avery blog,standing up for nature.on his contact area there is a e-mail address.He is in USA at the moment but he is a mine of information and might just possibly have the information you want.