Nature officials grant licences to shoot some of Britain’s most endangered birds

'Can there be any justification for shooting a linnet, bullfinch or wren? Who in their right mind requests permission to shoot a skylark?'

Jane Dalton @JournoJane

Wildlife lovers are in uproar after officials in charge of nature-protection gave gun owners permission to shoot dead some of Britain’s most treasured and rarest bird species.

Welsh conservation chiefs gave the go-ahead for the slaughter of dozens of species including kestrels, curlew, linnets, sparrows and fieldfares. More than 1,000 birds may have been killed under the permits.

The revelation comes days after nature fans posted furious objections over similar licences granted in England to kill thousands of endangered birds from dozens of species – ranging from skylarks and lapwings to rare species such as meadow pipits and oyster-catchers.

They also included garden favourites wrens, robins and bullfinches.

Many of the species are on the RSPB red and amber lists, meaning they are of the highest or critical conservation priority. They may be globally threatened with extinction, in severe decline or rare breeders.

Environmentalists condemned the decisions as “appalling”, a “horror story” and “wanton, mindless destruction”.

But officials said the permits were handed out for air safety, public health and safety and to prevent serious damage to livestock.

Natural England, which says it promotes nature conservation, issued permits over the past three years between 2015 and 2018 to shoot at least 40 species, including the skylark, blackbird, great tit, bullfinch, robin, wren, red kite, moorhen, mute swan, kestrel, peregrine falcon and golden plover. 

Natural Resources Wales, which states that it “maintains and enhances biodiversity”, issued 73 licences to kill at least 20 species, including the linnet, redwing, song thrush, mistle thrush, meadow pipit, lapwing and skylark.  

Continued  

No kids given bird kill licence, says department

March 1, 2016 9:52pm

JESSICA HOWARDMercury

NO recreational shearwater harvesting licences were issued to young children as was widely reported last year, says the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.

The Tasmanian Conservation Trust last year revealed that the department’s records showed in 2013 and 2014, licences were issued to four people who recorded their birth dates as 2011 or later, which prompted a pledge from DPIPWE for a review.

A DPIPWE spokesman said yesterday that an investigation discovered that no such permits were issued — the report was based on an incorrect data entry.

“Regardless, there are arrangements in place to reduce the risk of such incidents occurring,” he said.

“It is important to note that harvesting of shearwaters is a significant cultural activity for sections of Tasmania’s Aboriginal community, which the government recognises. Often these activities involve all family members, including children.”

Applications for children listed as nine years or younger are referred to the department’s wildlife management branch for assessment of competence.

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