Common Buzzards in The Shooting Gallery!

Apparently Common Buzzards are widespread and are in sufficient numbers to cause significant losses to Pheasant Poults when they, the young pheasants, are in a controlled environment. That is, they are in their pens and unable to be predated. Okay, there will come a time when the birds will fledge and have the sufficient ability to fly and roost. These birds are bred and are in sufficient concentrations to have a detrimental affect on that environment in which they are raised. That is to the exclusion of everything else in the natural world.

I remember that the trophies of gamekeepers were hung on wire fences. Crows, Magpies, Weasels and Stoats were all there for what purpose? Probably to impress the landowner that his hard working keeper was doing his job destroying everything that he could. Add into the results of the shooting gallery with the control of rabbits - for they are pests too - but a natural food source for foxes and raptors and of course hares are a danger too! Aren't they? It was a killing spree then and it appears to be the same today.

Over the north edge of Bodmin Moor I remember seeing five Buzzards circling over our cottage on grey and misty day. To hear them calling was a wonderful sound. There was a roost for Starlings nearby and flying around them were Buzzards intent on predating a natural food source. No harm to any game bird there, was there?

Now I refer directly to the intended legal killing of Buzzards authorized by Natural England. It would be foolish to believe that gamekeepers would restrict themselves to killing only one species, but my guess would be that anything seen down the barrel of a twelve bore would be a target. I have never seen a sufficient number of raptors that would be capable of inflicting wanton damage to Pheasants. Why? That is because many birds of prey have been eradicated and, or, their habitats managed for the game bird industry.

There is so much that I could say, but Natural England, you appear to only have a small faction of our nation to keep content. Your bias is against many people who love and support wildlife.

There is already one petition in Parliament to be heard and that is in 18th October so now let's get this petition in sufficient numbers so that Parliament can discuss the intended destruction of Common Buzzards. The cynic in me would suggest that some of our Honorable Members either could not care less or go out for a days killing themselves. I hope that there will be sufficient number in 'The House' to hear a full and proper discussion.