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The Spotlight Kid
Moderator
1238 Posts |
 Posted - 12 Dec 2008 : 18:48:26
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Some may have seen Urban's posting on UKPCO about Natural England's proposals to change some of the conditions of the General Licences. Details are on their webiste;
www.naturalengland.org.uk/consultations
From a very brief scan through the NE proposal document there appears to be two major changes affecting gull control.
1) The control of gulls for reasons of public health and safety where this action is likely to damage any of the special interest features of an SSSI. Previously this applied to work undertaken actually on the site but the new proposals appear to be saying that work carried out outside the site that could still have a detrimental impact on the special interest features of the SSSI would need consultation with NE.
2) Great Black-Backed Gull - Larus marinus
Proposal to remove from all general licences except air safety (WML Gen L06)
The Herring Gull - Larus argentus
Proposal to remove from the majority of general licences. Aagain the air safety licence will be an exception and so will egg and nest destruction for reasons of public health and safety.
I will have to consider the implications of this for my gull control work but I think it shouldn't affect me too much.
There is also a proposal to relax the General Licence to allow for control of the House Sparrow, Starling, Robin and Blackbird if trapped in a food premises. (possibly prompted by a very high profile case a while ago where a Robin was killed maybe?)
Read and digest.
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Edited by - The Spotlight Kid on 12 Dec 2008 18:50:09
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nigel
Hyperactive Member
755 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2008 : 20:27:57
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PMSL
Posted by spot on 28/3/07
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Nigel, egg oiling and swapping of dummy eggs is not a method of population control, it is a method of behaviour control.
Appeared in local press 22/4/08;
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For the past three years the city council has been trying to curb the growth of seagull numbers in the city centre by employing a contractor to dip their eggs in paraffin oil which defertilises them and reduces the number of chicks born.
Local radio 22/5/07;
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City Council is trying to control the rising number of seagulls by dipping their eggs in paraffin.
Call it what you like spot, the council calls it population control |
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The Spotlight Kid
Moderator
1238 Posts |
Posted - 14 Dec 2008 : 22:09:54
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That's how it was described to us back in 2006 by the "gull expert".
It's main function at the time was to curb the gulls' aggression which is displayed when they have young, hence behaviour control.
It has turned out to be a very successful method of population control as well so it's a double whammy really. I just hope you appreciate it Nigel |
Edited by - The Spotlight Kid on 14 Dec 2008 22:22:46 |
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nigel
Hyperactive Member
755 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2008 : 07:19:23
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Yet less then 25% of nests are targetted based on which businesses are willing to pay to join the scheme, not because the actual nests or birds are proven to be a danger to public health, so the number will continue to climb to a level that can be supported by both food resorces and available nesting sites.
I did read an article earlier in the year, where the local court house has decided to proof its building against gulls because it got fed up with the mess and damage caused by nesting birds.
The council service does not remove these dangers and slowly the penny will drop with other customers.
Did I not warn over a year ago that because of the decline in the breeding numbers of certain gulls, that I would not be surprised if they got protection? One step closer this year and personally I expect further protection to come in the near future.
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The Spotlight Kid
Moderator
1238 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2008 : 09:14:04
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quote:
Yet less then 25% of nests are targetted
Not correct
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based on which businesses are willing to pay to join the scheme
Not correct either
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so the number will continue to climb to a level that can be supported by both food resorces and available nesting sites.
Also not correct
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I did read an article earlier in the year, where the local court house has decided to proof its building against gulls because it got fed up with the mess and damage caused by nesting birds.
I won't comment on whether the proofing achieved its goal except
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The council service does not remove these dangers and slowly the penny will drop with other customers.
Incorrect
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Did I not warn over a year ago that because of the decline in the breeding numbers of certain gulls, that I would not be surprised if they got protection? One step closer this year and personally I expect further protection to come in the near future.
The Herring Gull is in the minority in our area anyway, they are mostly LBBs. NE have recognised the need to control Herring Gulls for public health and safety reasons even if you disagree so have exempted egg and nest control.
I suspect that you are relying too much on local journalists for your "facts" Nigel. As we all know Journalists deal more in fiction than fact
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eekamouse
Senior Member
United Kingdom
337 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2008 : 19:04:24
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Oops! are you two not sending Christams cards to each other this year then?
Spots haven't heard of any proposed changes North of the border....
but if you want a bucket load of Herrings -dead or alive then this is the part of the world for them. Am doing plenty of culling early mornings again on the pig units, and the Commons are making a serious comeback up here.
Any info you know of re Scotland?
Nice to see you call it a Great Black Backed. PLENTY of experts who really should know better are still calling them Greater Black Backed Gulls and it make me suck my gums I can tell you!
Any way Peace on earth and Good Year tyres to all racing drivers
eekatit |
Edited by - eekamouse on 15 Dec 2008 19:06:10 |
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The Spotlight Kid
Moderator
1238 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2008 : 20:49:18
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Of course I sent him a card (maybe it got lost in the post )
Not sure about Scotland Eek, do you have a "Natural Scotland" to move the goalposts for you?
Commons pretty common down here too this time of year along with Black-Headed. Most of our Lesser Black-Backs have flown south and our few Herrings have disappeared to their winter roosts.
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Simmo
Member
70 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2008 : 21:31:37
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| Has anyone heard about this document via the normal trade association channels??? |
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The Spotlight Kid
Moderator
1238 Posts |
Posted - 15 Dec 2008 : 21:45:39
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| Not yet Simmo. |
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Simmo
Member
70 Posts |
Posted - 16 Dec 2008 : 17:13:01
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Just heard from Oliver Madge. Document only received late last week and will be circulated for comment early in the New Year. Closing date for responses is March so if you want to put forward your views you should get the opportunity soon.
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Topic |
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Proposed changes to gull control
