I live in a rural area close to Lowestoft and the sign below is one of dozens being erected by the farmers/landowners vehemently opposed to the introduction of these birds locally.
I understand the Norfolk farming lobby have successfully prevented these birds being introduced to Norfolk and now have Suffolk in their sights.
Given the disgraceful and illegal killing of birds of prey still being carried out by various groups I wonder whether this kind of advertising campaign encourages this kind of appalling behaviour.
It seems to me that Scotland successfully re-introduced these wonderful birds without problem and perhaps this is yet another example of the prejudice against birds of prey which seems endemic in many of our landowners and farmers.
Final thought, if the majority of people want these birds how can they challenge this campaign as most of us don't have thousands of acres on which to advertise our views.
For more info see Mark Avery blogs of 29th December and 6th January/
All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy. Spike Milligan
Unfortunately this is the anti-predator world we live in, I think some people would probably be very happy if they were left as the only "predator" in this country!
There is little that can be done, it is really down to the scientific evidence to do the talking for the eagles as there is more than enough research out there that indicates that these fears by landowners are unfounded and hopefully it will be that research that will be listened to, not fears with nothing to back them up. If the research can't quell those fears then a reintroduction is unlikely as landowner support is needed for release sites for the birds. Gaining the support of landowners is a vital part for any reintroduction, so hopefully if the evidence is explained to them perhaps they might become a bit understanding rather than focusing on the unfounded, negative hype.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
This is ridiculous. We are supposed to live in a democratic country and 78% in the survey were for the reintroduction of sea eagles. It is not up to the land owners or the farmers whether they are introduced or not. It is up to the majority of the people. Most of these toffs have not got a clue about wildlife. They just want to breed em and shoot em and anything that interferes with that scenario can be shot too. They need education big time.
The re-introduction of such a large bird of prey is always going to divide opinion, one of the arguments often used against such a re-introduction is the effect that it will have on other important species (Bitterns, Avocets and Marsh Harriers are often quoted in this context), this is presumably to get wildlife lovers to their way of thinking. The RSPB are best placed to comment on such issues, would they really support a project that would potentially be so damaging to other species on which a great amount of time and money has already been investe?
Unfortunately with attitudes like this any attempt will be doomed to fail, whilst there are those who persecute any bird with a hooked beak and a claw, illegal killing will always happen and as we are well aware in this county convictions are nearly impossible, lets not mention an event that occured on a local Royal estate.
The key word here is re-introduction, I would not support an intoduction of a species for the sake of it or that has no place in the area, but in most cases man has caused the loss of many species, and therefore it is our responsibility to correct these mistakes.
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag" Mary Poppins
I'm all for re-introuction, My concern is what will they feed on.? Where's the Carrion that was available to them years ago before they were erradicated by mans actions.
Soosin said: I'm all for re-introuction, My concern is what will they feed on.? Where's the Carrion that was available to them years ago before they were erradicated by mans actions.
The ones around here feed on ducks, geese, rabbits etc They don't just eat carrion, carrion is the easy option they have other choices if there is no carrion around.
Whether we like it or not these land owners have a right to their view,only a very small minority are actually likely to persecute raptors so lets not lump them all together.The RSPB has a powerful voice and needs to do a lot of explaining to these people who are probably only worried about their livelyhood,they probably don't have the correct information about Sea Eagles and it seems to me a lot of people making a noise don't either.Certainly calling them nasty names will make them less likely to co-operate .
Almost certain the re-introduction in Scotland has had massive problems at times mostly I suspect kept quiet but for sure they would not have put satalite tags on several lambs on the west coast if there had been no trouble.
There is one big difference has to be taken into account that in most of Scotland compensation is paid to quite a lot of land owners and so far do not think promised to East Anglia.For sure it is not as simple as some believe.
I very much doubt that there is a big cover up in Scotland via the RSPB or indeed anyone else and of course landowners and farmers have a right to protect their interests.
The scientific evidence however (read John A Love's excellent book) simply does not support the view that Eagles are any more of threat to livestock than other predators.
It seems to me that there is a simple solution here - offer compensation for any loss of livestock and if the pro-lobby's view is right and Sea Eagles don't take livestock there won't be any compensation to pay.
If however this is proved incorrect and the farmers suffer substantial losses it would prove that the evidence presented is incorrect.
Perhaps the RSPB and its allies should make this offer and have confidence in their own research.
Why not call the landowners and farmers bluff on this issue as I suspect they would still object anyway proving their serious prejudice against raptors.
I might add I would love Sea Eagles in Suffolk and my family are longstanding RSPB supporters.
Perhaps the landowners could consider the increase in the amount of tourists that would follow (like Mull) and consequent extra accomodation needed, spending in shops etc.
louloudi said: Why not call the landowners and farmers bluff on this issue as I suspect they would still object anyway proving their serious prejudice against raptors.
Call me cynical if you like, I think my previous comments on this subject covers what would happen without this support.