Hi, I was telling a friend of mine that I was considering joining the RSPB.You mean the Royal Society for the Protection of SOME birds, think carefully on it! Be aware that it is perfectly legal for someone over the age of 14 to go into a field, with the owners permission, with an Air gun and shoot birds. Birds, such as Jackdaws are considered as vermin. I told him that he was wrong because, in my youth, farmers would regularly use a shotgun and destroy the nests of Magpies. Some years ago I heard that this practise had been outlawed! To be quite truthful I cannot conceive of a Society such as yours being discriminatory in selecting certain species as being worthy of protection and others not! Smacks a little of 'Left handed racism'! Should, God forbid, that he is right what if any steps are being taken, actively, to make this practise illegal. I would be very interested in joining such a group. However I feel that he is wrong.
Yours Ted Jones
Hi senojet
I think you should refer to the terms of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
It is an offence for anyone to kill, injure or take any wild bird:
"Protection of wild birds, their nests and eggs.(1)Subject to the provisions of this Part, if any person intentionally—(a)kills, injures or takes any wild bird;[F1(aa)takes, damages or destroys the nest of a wild bird included in Schedule ZA1;](b)takes, damages or destroys the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built; or(c)takes or destroys an egg of any wild bird,he shall be guilty of an offence.(2)Subject to the provisions of this Part, if any person has in his possession or control—(a)any live or dead wild bird or any part of, or anything derived from, such a bird; or(b)an egg of a wild bird or any part of such an egg,he shall be guilty of an offence."
There is more, but that seems to be the relevant part that you refer to. I believe that it is sometimes possible for landowners to obtain a licence to remove specific birds.
Best wishes Chris
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Dear Woodpecker, sorry for the delay but I haven't heard from my friend yet other than he was informed, by the Police Wildlife officer,that the act you mentioned means that some Birds are more protected than others. A Landowner can give permission for someone to shoot Vermin - ie. Pests - even though there are no crops growing in the field! Crows, Rooks, magpies and Jackdaws are regarded as 'Target birds' His exact words!Willgive you more info when he contacts me.Regards Senojdet.- Show quoted text -Regards Senojdet.
Senojdet, I would strongly suggest your friend finds a better informed Wildlife Officer. There is no such thing as 'target birds' other than pheasants, grouse etc during the game season.
The RSPB stands for the protection of all birds.
Legally all birds are protected with the same 100% general protection given to a robin, a swan, a magpie and a peregrine falcon. In addition some birds have increased protection against disturbance the pergrine, golden eagle and others.
In the event that certain birds are causing damage a landowner can shoot them but the birds that can be shot are limited and the landowner has to show he has a legal reason to do so. Unfortunately this list of birds is wrongly called a pest list by some and general shooting for something to do is not allowed. This small list of birds from as far back as 1981, did not come about because of a request of the RSPB. The RSPB has over the years been successful in getting some birds removed from that list.
Please join the RSPB. By doing so you will be helping in the protection of all birds. Remember this is a charity and is separate from the Government and doesn't make any laws regarding wildife protection. In fact it is in the strong position of being able to raise issues in order to improve wildlife protection.
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