Plan to sell meat from wild geese shot in Orkney

Meat from wild geese shot in Orkney will go on sale across Scotland for the first time.

Islanders have been able to legally cull a set number of greylag geese since 2012 after the birds' booming population damaged farmers' crops.

In the first couple of years of the project the dead birds were sent to landfill.

But since then the meat has been licensed for sale in Orkney, with goose burgers among the products on offer.

Now, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has announced a trial project to sell the meat across Scotland.

'Rapid rise'

Sales will be licensed from 1 August to 31 October.

Claudia Rowse, SNH's head of natural resource management, said: "Wild geese are an important part of Scotland's nature but their rapid rise in numbers has been challenging for farmers and crofters.

"Striking the balance between conservation, farming and hunting can be difficult

Continued

Social structure 'helps birds avoid a collision course

'Date: May 21, 2015

Source: University of York

Summary: The sight of skilful aerial maneuvering by flocks of Greylag geese to avoid collisions with York's Millennium Bridge intrigued a mathematical biologist. It raised the question of how birds collectively negotiate human-made obstacles such as wind turbines that lie in their flight paths.

Continued ...

Bird cruelty in North Yorkshire

Last updated Fri 3 May 2013 

Police are appealing for information following birds being shot at Norton Mills Lake at North Stainley in Ripon. 

Canada and Greylag geese and a Mute Swan were all shot through the wings and legs with a rifle leaving them dead or severely injured. 

PC Simon Crossley, a Wildlife Crime Officer with North Yorkshire Police said: “This is an utterly barbaric and sickening attack which has caused quite appalling and prolonged suffering. 

“I urge anyone who can identify those responsible to contact the police immediately.” 

http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/update/2013-05-03/bird-cruelty-in-north-yorkshire/