|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Mar 2, 2007 14:57:37 GMT 1
Did anyone watch that programme the other evening about eagle owls in this country? I really enjoyed it but was slightly surprised at the RSPB's rather negative attitude to them. I'd love to hear other's opinions.
|
|
|
|
Post by The witch on Mar 3, 2007 11:42:05 GMT 1
No I missed the program 4P - what did the RSPB say about them?
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Mar 3, 2007 12:49:06 GMT 1
Well, I think they were not really very keen on them being allowed to spread as they seemed to think they wern't indigenous. The worry was that as they are so big their prey would include our own birds of prey as well as potentially cats and lambs. The man featured was trying to prove that they have been resident in the UK for several centuries before the BOP population was wiped out virtually across the board during the 18th & 19th century. I was quite surprised by their attitude as it seems to me that if a bird chooses to make its home here (by whatever means - as escapees or by natural migration) then it really isn't the job of the RSPB to imply that they shouldn't be protected by law as other BOP are. Fortunately the EU laws have given it protection from persecution here now, so the RSPB's atttude is irrelevant legally. The chap did seem to have proved that their presence here was because of natural migration from Europe and as their main food source is apparently rabbits and rats I think they are WONDERFUL!  |
|
|
|
Post by The witch on Mar 3, 2007 14:13:27 GMT 1
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Mar 3, 2007 17:03:02 GMT 1
That's an interesting link The witch - thanks for finding it. That's not the impression the programme gave at all - obviously they have had some feedback and felt they had to clarify their position. My faith in the RSPB is restored!
|
|
|
|
Post by seanmckinney on Mar 15, 2007 20:31:07 GMT 1
I saw bits of it and I think I saw them saying they can take BUZZARDS, WWWWOOOOWWWW.
If they are non native and escapees then yes I would support what you think is the RSPBs viewpoint we have troubles enough with grey squirrels, mink, american crayfish, bullfrogs and zebra mussels etc. As I said I saw only bits and didnt see enough to get any slant.
If they are native or natural immigrants then fair play to them, they must be a heck of a bird to dine on buzzards
|
|
