RSPB is accused of 'obsession' with saving birds of prey by Country Life rural bible

John B,I would suggest that the Sea Eagle project in East Anglia dropped because the two partners tried to bully farmers and land owners into it instead of persuading them.Without their co operation it was always going to fail because it would be on their land that the Eagles would nest in future and need guarding.Of course if you say prove it no I cannot but it is logical and more likely than the excuse put out by N E and RSPB.consider the different approach in the Somerset levels where Storks are to be released and RSPB have ASKED farmers and landowners for help and I  understand it is forthcoming.A complete botched job in East Anglia and of course farmers are fearful because once done no going back and with free range hens becoming the norm can understand their concern as in Estonia or somewhere that area think one pair has taken a strong liking to cygnets.I am definitely not against it but safeguards must be put in place to compensate for any losses as happens where the Sea Eagles are in Scotland although I bet they would say they are coming to a end.OH YEAH HEARD THOSE STORIES BEFORE.   

Unknown said:

Usual Daily Wail guff and no surprise that the elitist Country Life is spouting complete garbage as usual.

As it happens I've discussed the Sparrowhawk issue with Christopher Bell over on Birdforum and while he seems to be a touch blinkered about the role of changed agricultural practice in sparrow decline he readily accepts that lowered House Sparrow numbers are probably associated with a population adjustment following a long period of Sparrowhawk absence during which sparrows lost their aerial predator averse behaviour. If you like - they just got too cocky.

Now that a natural predator is back in its rightful place House Sparrows are back to "normal" numbers (they used to be regarded as pests during the sixties when they were super abundant as some of you will remember). They may also be a bit less in your face as they have reacquired basic survival skills. Dr Bell also pointed out that  House Sparrow  numbers appear to be recovering in London and other areas.

I'll say this one more time. Hawks and Falcons do not decimate songbird populations. Does Country Life honestly believe that nature is that stupid.......?

Well you know the answer to that one anyway.

John B as a retired farmer but looking completely impartial there is absolutely nothing in changed farming practices that causes any decline in House Sparrows as on the dairy farm in the period 60s to late 80s they were a absolute pest and they were everywhere and then quite a steep decline with no changes on the farm.Also the decline has probably been even worse in towns with obviously no agriculture there.In the countryside anyway I get the impression they are slowly increasing.Good old agriculture gets blamed for several things wrongly but of course mostly through ignorance of side affects of chemicals mistakes have been made which you obviously would know as probably the Sparrow Hawk suffered badly but at least recovered well.   

Robert F said:

Hi Judi

Am I mistaken by hasn't the Sea Eagle in Norfolk project been stopped already ?

My simple answer to all these people nature is all about balance. It's only man that screws it up.

In the case of the Sea Eagle this is a rather special BOP. Even if it can be proved that these birds take lambs is that not a small price to pay for what we have done to them....

Robert

 

Sorry if it sounds rude Robert but do not think you would want any of your lambs taken if you had some,with perhaps a future value of £80 each,there has to be a compensation package and try and get a sensible answer on that one,no chance I have tried.  

michael s said:

I would suggest that the Sea Eagle project in East Anglia dropped because the two partners tried to bully farmers and land owners into it instead of persuading them.  

Sooty - Well there's no harm in suggestions I guess, but with 30% (at least) of its operating budget disappearing over the next four years Natural England will be slashing projects left right and centre.

Pity, as Suffolk had a lot to gain from potentially increased tourism spend as visitors came to see a spectacular British species of bird that is only otherwise found in Scotland. For my part I will continue to support Suffolk's rural economy by enthusiastic consumption of Sole Bay Brewery products. I will pointedly avoid Suffolk pigmeat and poultry where possible though.