I have been visiting a site in the Derwent Valley near Consett called POW Hill Country Park. Durham County Council promote it as one of the best places to see Red Squirrels. Some well placed feeders attracted them regularly. I took many great photos there as there was a thriving population, but today found out the council has taken down the feeders as apparently some chavs turned up and shot the reds, no doubt for a laugh. The news appeared on the Durham Bird Club forum. The language I would like to use about these people I cannot print, but as the reds are having a hard enough time surviving this is a disgusting act that these chavs will no doubt get away with.
Very upsetting and it's also a concern that now these beautiful Red Squirrels have been exterminated what's the next target for these sadist/s.
Also should we ever witness this sort of goings on then what's the most effective action to take? (Legal Of Course)
Any views?
i'm a keen countryman and have enjoyed shooting and fishing all my life 8) i love and respect the natural world. and when i shoot grey squirrel's, crows and magpies. i get a sense of doing something worth while . i have shooting rights ,full permission off the farmer .over near cowpen bewley ,greatham creek area . and i shoot corvids , foxes and pigeons over there. i like to think in some way . me controling these pests in such areas helps the ground nesting/wading birds over there. 8) the idiots who shot the red squirrels do want punishing for it :( it is more than likely daft kids messing about with air rifles.
I hate to say this Lee but prepare for a lot of low sniping at you.
;D i'm a big lad ;) i can take it. :) just because someone like's shooting doesnt mean they arent a nature lover. take peter scott for example 8) ;)
Please Lee, stop giving Peter Scott as an example of someone who enjoyed shooting. Sure, when he was young he was a wildfowler, like most of his contemporaries. However, when he grew older and wiser he came to hate the idea of killing birds for fun and never did so again. He became a conservationist.
This is from his autobiography...
'But there comes a time for some men when their first reaction even to the traditional quarry is no longer to kill.'
and goes on
'They reach a certain stage, or age, some sooner, some later, when the old phrase which is supposed to epitomise the English country gentleman, 'It's a lovely morning; let's go out and kill something,' is no longer funny but obscene'.
i stopped saying ''i KILLED . ''i'm goona KILL something along time ago. i say now i shot x amount of ,,,,, . or i had some nice shots today. :) i love shooting and will never stop. i also love the natural world and will never stop. i see nothing wrong with shooting if carried out correctly. and dont forget if it wasnt for shooting .some on the habitats we know and love would cease to exist. it is each to there own 8) and keep it real. if you are not a vegan ,,how can you call shooting.
Just received this reply from Red Squirrels Northern England:-
Red Squirrels Northern England Hi David. Nick, our project manager, has spoken with the ranger at Pow Hill at length. Fortunately, only one red squirrel body was found. As it is illegal to harm red squirrels, the police are involved and we hope that those responsible are found. What a sad situation and fingers crossed it doesn't happen again.
I'd say the most effective action to take? (Legal Of Course) would be to retreat to a safe distance and take photo's of those involved and their vehicles etc. Contact the police and provide them with the photo's.
Lee, do you shoot gulls as well ? What about rats or mink or even stoats and weasels ?
gul's have been taken off the quarry list now, but when they were on it. yes i'v controlled lesser bb's and herring gull's. the others you mention rats,mink, stoats and weasels are shot on sight. which is not often any of these are seen they like to keep a low profile. tunnel trapping is the best method for controlling small mammal predators.
i'd just like to add, i love all wild life even the vermin. but i think sometimes things need keeping in check, like when i see corvids over the teesmouth there numbers getting out of hand . then i see reports of wader chicks being taken by magpies ??? thin the maggies and crows out, or then there is the reports of mink being seen over saltholm ??? get some tunnel traps down 8) or kiss the water voles good bye, then the water side birds. you will wait till the voles are wiped out then try and do something about it ;D reintraduction ;D get the mink sorted out ???nobody wants to see a particular species exterminated ''but sometimes things need checkin for the good of other species.