A week passed, I had the pleasure of spending a full day in the uplands of Northumberland. A thoroughly enjoyable affair marked by the energetic courtship flights of returning waders, the go-back, go-back calls of innumerable Red Grouse and even the sight of a black cock or two. It was a joyous day, truth beContinue reading “Moles apart: a sorry sign of a split in our attitude to wildlife”
Tag Archives: Wildlife Management
RSPB criticised for protecting birds… fancy that?
This week, the depths of social media have been filled with grumblings of discontent aimed at the RSPB for their use of lethal control as a conservation tool on their land: to protect threatened curlew (and other ground-nesting birds), to restore woodland and to protect a suite of native fauna from damaging invasive species. ToContinue reading “RSPB criticised for protecting birds… fancy that?”
Pondering those godawful ‘pigeon spikes’
Modern society is growing increasingly disconnected from the natural world. That, unfortunately, is a fact. And it will come as no surprise to learn that many, particularly (but not limited to) those living in urban areas, have come to view wildlife as a hindrance in daily life or, worse still, a mere obstacle to be killed,Continue reading “Pondering those godawful ‘pigeon spikes’”
Dwelling on Deer: Culls and Control
There is no way around it, our small island is positively bursting with deer. So many in fact, that the issue of overpopulation and its subsequent implications are up there with the other great threats facing our countryside. And, arguably, of much greater concern than other issues prone to dominating the headlines – many of which,Continue reading “Dwelling on Deer: Culls and Control”
Perceptions of Wildlife: the Urban Humanist
Following on from a recent blog post where I looked at my own perception of wildlife and the management of opinion-splitting species, I decided to start a new series of guest blogs. Posts which, I hope, will begin to look at the differences in stakeholder attitudes towards wildlife. With the aim of comparing outlooks betweenContinue reading “Perceptions of Wildlife: the Urban Humanist”
Chronic Wasting Disease: A Major Threat To Europe’s Deer?
2016, unfortunately, saw the first verified cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) outside of its native range in North America, identified back in March in Sogn og Fjordane county, Norway. Proceeded by confirmed cases of infection in wild Moose around Selbu, located 300km North of the first case. With the Norwegian Veterinary Institute confirming a fourth caseContinue reading “Chronic Wasting Disease: A Major Threat To Europe’s Deer?”
Exploring My Personal Perception Of Wildlife
It should come as little surprise that the majority of issues initially billed as human/wildlife conflicts actually centre more on conflict between stakeholder groups. Between humans and other humans, as opposed to man and beast. Wildlife, as a rule, is not overly confrontational, whereas people are. Thus many of the “big issues” in the realmsContinue reading “Exploring My Personal Perception Of Wildlife”