Ruddy Duck, by EU directive is deemed an invasive species . It is a North American native and interbreeds with White headed Ducks producing fertile offspring . This is seriously threatening the Mediterranean population which which had dropped to only 22 birds. Limiting the introduced Ruddy Duck is a conservation succes story.
I myself have worked for the RSPB in the past on a number of their reserves. The general work they do encourages a huge biodiversity of not only birds but every creature within the ecosystem. To manage an ecosystem the balance needs to be correct.
Thanks for all of the replies, I agree droll yankees are great and I've decided to stay with this brand as they really do last, I'll now do some hunting through online suppliers to find the cheapest
I have absolutely no problem with this ... we humans feed birds, either intentionally or with our huge landfill sites full of waste which upsets the natural balance, increasing the numbers of some species which then prey upon other species. We humans also overfish the seas in many areas which results in the starvation of many other species as they cannot feed their young. It's therefore important that we try to protect the threatened species from predation.
We also release species into the wild which do not fit naturally into our ecosystem and have to be managed. This is the same for birds and mammals as it is for plants like Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed and Rhodondendron.
As long as the culling and control is done in a measured way and humanely then I have absolutely no problem with it ... in fact, I applaud it.
We are not living in the Garden of Eden ........ we bu$$ered that up a long time ago and there's no going back.
Last edited: 19 December 2017 10:38:20
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Posts
Thanks to Lyn's link, this is next on my bird feeder list.
http://www.wilko.com/peanuts+feeders/wilko-wild-bird-peanut-cage-feeder/invt/0298739
Maybe the added security will encourage more Coal and Blue Tits into the garden.
I get Droll Yankee bird feeders, and the Squirrel buster. Expensive, but guaranteed squirrel proof .
https://www.gardenbird.co.uk/droll-yankee-lifetime-seed-feeders.html
https://www.gardenbird.co.uk/squirrel-buster-plus.html
Whether you believe it or not, Redwing, it is true and not just Lesser Black-backed Gulls, other species like Ruddy Duck are also shot.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/jun/13/rspb-hypocrisy-killing-birds
Ruddy Duck, by EU directive is deemed an invasive species . It is a North American native and interbreeds with White headed Ducks producing fertile offspring . This is seriously threatening the Mediterranean population which which had dropped to only 22 birds. Limiting the introduced Ruddy Duck is a conservation succes story.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/our-positions-and-casework/our-positions/species/invasive-non-native-species/ruddy-ducks-and-white-headed-ducks
.
Here's another, Redwing...from the horses mouth.
Note the section where it states they killed 292 Crows on their reserves.
https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/community/ourwork/b/martinharper/archive/2013/06/13/wildlife-licensing-how-the-rspb-uses-it-to-support-nature-conservation.aspx
Sorry for hijacking you thread, Martin.
Redwing, you asked for proof of what I said because you didn't believe it, so there you go.
For whatever reason the RSPB cull birds, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds still cull birds.
I myself have worked for the RSPB in the past on a number of their reserves. The general work they do encourages a huge biodiversity of not only birds but every creature within the ecosystem. To manage an ecosystem the balance needs to be correct.
Thanks for all of the replies, I agree droll yankees are great and I've decided to stay with this brand as they really do last, I'll now do some hunting through online suppliers to find the cheapest
I have absolutely no problem with this ... we humans feed birds, either intentionally or with our huge landfill sites full of waste which upsets the natural balance, increasing the numbers of some species which then prey upon other species. We humans also overfish the seas in many areas which results in the starvation of many other species as they cannot feed their young. It's therefore important that we try to protect the threatened species from predation.
We also release species into the wild which do not fit naturally into our ecosystem and have to be managed. This is the same for birds and mammals as it is for plants like Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed and Rhodondendron.
As long as the culling and control is done in a measured way and humanely then I have absolutely no problem with it ... in fact, I applaud it.
We are not living in the Garden of Eden ........ we bu$$ered that up a long time ago and there's no going back.
Last edited: 19 December 2017 10:38:20
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.